VAG Diesel engine reliability

[(steven)]

What is the deal with VAG diesel engines these days? Are any of them reliable? Particularly those in cars build between 2005 and 2010?

Historically the 1.9 PD engines and the couple of generations before that were fairly bullet proof, however these don’t seem to have been used for much in the last 10 years.

It looks like the 2.0 TDI from 2005 to 2007 were a bit of a mess for a selection of reasons.

The 2.7 and 3.0 from the same period suffer from timing chain issues and injector problems.

Is there a definitive guide as to which engines are good and which engines have significant issues?

Thanks

[va1o]

The 2.0 TDI CR is very good and started appearing around 2008

I ran one from 93k - 104k for a few months in a Mk6 Golf and had zero issues, didn't spend a penny on maintenance. Not bad at all considering the high mileage!

The old PD engines are now very dated and feel quite rough and agricultural compared to the modern engines. Ok in a £1k runabout but I wouldn't actively seek out one on a more expensive purchase.

[ch427]

I'm led to believe the 2.0 tdi pd is the crap one to avoid and anything else is generally ok if well looked after.

[ch427]

I'm led to believe the 2.0 tdi pd is the crap one to avoid and anything else is generally ok if well looked after.

[scotty0189]

I believe the more 'refined' versions of the 2.0 TDI PD engines used in the A4 and above were less reliable. Issues with the oil pump balance particularly. However the 2.0 TDI PD's in the A3 were less refined and didn't use them. I ran my 2007 A3 (2.0 TDI quattro in 170 spec) for 3 years and did over 60,000 miles (40k to 100k, on long life servicing) and it ran beautifully engine wise. Once they made the swap to the CR's the reliability came back, economy also improved, and like has been previously said, they came in around the 2008 mark. Normally in 177 tune, but there is a 140 tune too.

[Topper_Harley]

2.0 TDI in my A6 C7 is fine, clutch and DMF are made of chocolate though

[dtr]

ch427 said:

I'm led to believe the 2.0 tdi pd is the crap one to avoid and anything else is generally ok if well looked after.

That's what I was told. I bought CR version. Quiet, smooth and has some petrol like characteristics, unlike the 1.9.

1.9TDI is also epic if you can live with a little noise and can find 130bhp one. 105 is OK, but you can't stop thinking it needs just that tiny little bit more grunt.

[blueg33]

I did 116k miles in my 3.0tdi A6 (2007 model) and nothing went wrong with the engine at all, it hardly used any oil and pulled as strongly on the day I sold it as it did when new. On the long life service schedule so an oil change every 18k miles. Very, very good engine IMO.

Injector issues were sorted post 2006 I believe

[dubloon]

They've certainly been built in huge numbers and sold worldwide. So any issues should be very apparent from an Internet search. Remember that the more of something is sold the more problems there will have been so dont ever expect to find a completely clen bill of health.

[Audicab]

Wife bought a 3 month old Golf 2.0 TDI 140 in 2009, it has now done 120k and nothing has gone wrong with it at all. The only costs are routine servicing. It's okay to drive and still returns mid 50's mpg on the computer.

It gets a very good mix of town, A road and motorway driving though so don't know if this helps.

[phil y]

Another vote for the 2.0 TDI CR as the one to have.

Much more refined than the PD engines, lovely to drive. Cruised with ease down the A75 over the Massif Central. 76k with no issues