Audi A4/A6 1.9 TDI or 2.5TDI early 2000's engine

[sparks_E39]

Sorry I'm not sure on model numbers. Basically I'm looking at either an Audi A4 or A6 of early 2000's vintage. It needs to average high 30's to early 40's mpg and be reliable. If the 2.5 can do that great, if not I've heard the 1.9tdi engine of this vintage is very reliable. I'm guessing the A6 1.9 is pretty slow so I'd probably discount that car with that engine. Is there anything untoward with the 2.5tdi I need to be aware of? Budget of around £1500-£2000, cars seem to have around 120-180k for that money, not something I'm really concerned about if the history is good.

Cheers.

[colin_p]

I would avoid the 2.5 V6 TDI. They are great engines when they are running but suffer from injection pump failures (£1.5k+), camshaft wear (£1k+) and these failures are likely to be more apparent as they age.

The 1.9 PD TDI on the other hand is generally very reliable and with a cheap re-map will perform as well as the V6.

[bearman68]

As above. The pump failure for me is less of a worry than the cam.
Get a 1.9 Pdi engine. tough little numbers, and will run well for 250k miles.
If you have it mapped, get rid of the EGR, as it can foul up the turbo.

[Ray Singh]

I have a B6 shape Audi A4, sporting the 1.9tdi engine.
It has been faultless for 165k miles, still on original clutch too.
Strong little engine, possibly not the most sporty, but will give 50 mpg even if i am pressing on a bit.

[Vaud]

A4 1.9tdi with a mild map is quite sprightly for a 15 year old car... My parents in law have one. Good value and pretty bomb proof.

[sparks_E39]

Thanks guys. Is there a difference between the PD TDI and TDI or are they the same?

[anonymous-user]

early A4 B5 TDIs had turbo direct injection engines, VAG intoduced the inhouse developed'pumpe duse' in 2000ish, .PD engines have significant mechanical differences from the earlier non-pumpe duse cars

The only b5 tdi pd engine is the 115bhp model.

the engine will outlast the car but camshaft wear,fully synthetic oil changes on pd engine a must.

[sparks_E39]

Thank you, now just to find a decent A4. If anyone knows one feel free to pm me!

[Riley Blue]

Ignore the 115bhp PD engine, they were unreliable. The earlier 110 TDI engine is a much better bet.

[sparks_E39]

I'm going to see this one on Saturday http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[colin_p]

Listen out for noisy diff bearings if it is a six speed, five speeds don't suffer.

[550Anniv]

sparks_E39 said:

I'm going to see this one on Saturday http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Hi. That Audi looks ok, however, it does have the wrong wheels fitted. The ones shown are from a B5 A4 from about 1999.

[sparks_E39]

550Anniv said:

sparks_E39 said:

I'm going to see this one on Saturday http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Hi. That Audi looks ok, however, it does have the wrong wheels fitted. The ones shown are from a B5 A4 from about 1999.

Thanks- not sure how that's happened but it's seen a lot of years and miles! Will get a good look on Saturday. Any more advice on what to look out for would be appreciated!

[anonymous-user]

Cambelt change, good service history, front suspension parts all working. A good test drive should tell you anything wrong, a cold start and load test may flag up any near death components.