I've not got much experience of the 2.0 but I really like the 1.9.

Small powerband but lots of twist. Enjoyed trying to keep it on tap cross country

The 1.9 seems to be a tough if agricultural engine.

150 seems to have some issues
115 has a reputation for being bullet proof
130 is probably the sweet spot for reliability / performance from this engine.

All will be getting old by now so IMO avoid any that have been chipped / mapped.

I have a 130 Passat; a great engine for motorway work and normally returns late 40s mpg over a tank.

Another vote for the PD130 engined cars. My Mum is smoking about in my Dad's old Bora which now has 190,000 on the clock and still going strong and enginewise had ntohing but regular servicing. After a recent suspension refresh the car feels tight and like new.

Nick

We had an 02 A4 TDI 130 sport, bought at 114k, other than servicing, EGR valve needed replacement at one point I think, Injectors went about 127K. Car was still on it's original clutch though.

I've had two octavia. One was a pre pd 1.9 with the 110 bhp engine. Current one is a pd130. Personally I preferred the 110, it was quieter and smoother for me. The extra poke of the pd is noticeable though, its a just a bit less refined IMHO.

Both are bomb proof though, I do 10k oil changes on mine with good quality oil and stuck 99k on my first in 3 years with nothing but consumables and a MAF, it was on 77k when I bought it, it was on 176k when I wrote it off. Current one I've taken from 53k to 75k since September with only a service, not a single problem yet!

Love these engines for motorway hacking I decided to see if my wifes commuter would suit one. So we bought her an A3 with the 100 hp non pd nearly 4 years ago. That has gone from 117k to 142k but has needed a bit more. It's a 25 miles a day city commute driven with fk all sympathy and its needed a maf and a smf along with front suspension and drop links. It also has an anti shudder valve issue so I just disconnected it!

Buy one that has a full history and it'll never let you down.

To be fair all of the PD 8v engines suffer with camshaft problems, not just the PD150. I think it's just that more of the 150 owners have highlighted the problem on the net.

Absolutely. Both 1.9s are bomb proof. Just be careful if buying a late models with the 1.9. There were some 140 variants of the pd, but they had woeful reliability. You want the 90, 100, 110 or 130. These are faultless if looked after.

My current pd130 octavia is the last year with the engine and its a 54 plate.

I started this topic about six months ago, has a useful insight from Tame Technician who is a VAG oracle..

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

HTH

Mrs has got 2.0 tdi 140 (BKD engined) 4motion on 145000 miles a bit noisy but otherwise running fine. Interior in great condition considering the mileage but a few rust spots periodically appear on the doorrs/wheel arches which have to be got rid of no matter how much you wax/seal the car. Flywheel starting rattling last year so I replaced it as a precaution and whilst doing it noticed the car had been given a replacement clujtch so I think the issue was due to driving style as much as an inherent fault. Really easy to DIY, did the cambelt/water pump at the same time and haldex oil change. You appreciate how much engineering has gone into them when you take them apart.

They're absolutely shocking ...a mistake that VAG group made akin to the Lancia steel decision in the '70's ...that's why you don't see any VW Audi diesels older than a '59 plate.

seriously, it's all about luck in my opinion. I had a turbo go on a '10 plate 2.0 170 with 13k on about a month ago...now I'm driving a '58 plate 2.0 170 with 157k on it and original turbo and no big parts gone, as far as service history says.

But a 530d (only BMW I really liked) would be great as would an A6 3.0d. Will it be a commuting hack or your main car.

If its just an 80 mile a day commuter I'd get a little petrol