Which VAG engine?

[screwloose]

Currently on the hunt for replacement car for my GF. She needs reliability and economy (50+mpg) and what she describes as a 'nice' car. I have pretty much decided that a VAG tdi engined car is the way forward but need a little help deciding which VAG tdi to go for and in which cars the chosen engine was fitted. Her budget is £6000.
We've been to see a couple of 53/04 plate 2.0 tdi Audi A3s and she seems to really like them.
However after some lengthy research I've discovered that the 2.0 tdi lump has a few known issues like oil pump failure, transmission issues and others. Do i have reason to be concerned especially given the examples falling into her budget are circa 50,000 miles plus?
We also went to see a Seat Ibiza Tdi 130 FR but she was extremely underwhelmed by the interior.
However I have now discovered that the 130 tdi pd lump is a much more reliable unit than the newer 2.0 tdi?
Is this correct and what other cars did the VAG 1.9 tdi 130 engine go into?

thanks for any help.

[Chris_w666]

screwloose said:

what other cars did the VAG 1.9 tdi 130 engine go into?

Ibiza, Cordoba, Toledo, Leon, Alhambra
Octavia, Fabia, Superb
Polo, Golf, Bora, Passat
A3, A4, A6

[Dr Derek Doctors]

The 130 TDi is a great engine, the pick of the VAG engines I think.

[Welshbeef]

Dr Derek Doctors said:

The 130 TDi is a great engine, the pick of the VAG engines I think.

8v vs16v
it's also ps wise 1999 engine design whereas the 2.0ltr is 5years more advanced. Thing is the old one is more Economical pd technology more thermoligacally efficient than common rail

How about a nice 120d sport? These are timing chain so all that's needed is oil and filer changes where'S vag has extra cost of belt changes. Remember belt changes are £500 e ery 3 odd years so lots of money.

How about a Honda accord 2.2 tdci? Super quiet and chain drivenand similar noney.

Also how many mules does she do? She needs to be upwards of 15k a year to make diesel a financially logical choice. Less than that your chosing it for the noise and driving style over the petrol and as a diesel driver a nice I6 petrol has an i6 diesel licked but shove diesel licks petrol properly

[va1o]

You ignoring the 1.4 TSI then? These days thats considered the pick of the range. Diesels only worth it for high mileage users, the latest TDIs are plagued by DPF issues when people are silly and buy them just to ponder around town in.

[spanna123]

The Fabia Vrs - http://pistonheads.com/sales/1934022.htm

Golf - http://pistonheads.com/sales/2113800.htm with heated leather recaros, very comfy and nice, having had one in the past.

Polo - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

[Jayho]

If she can get over the Skoda badge i'd recommend the Fabia VRS.

The example above has very nice interior and they are incredibly nippy and well handled. If you'd like to tinker with it its highly tunable. I'd love it if one of these fell into my budget.

How about the fiesta TDCI Zetec S? I'd say there quite nice cars and I've never heard anything bad about them.

My sisters got a 57 plate Leon FR Diesel. She loves it, although she doesnt seem to get the right MPG in it, its usually high 30's. But she does tend to drift over the NSL on the dualer. Very stable cars, hasnt had any problems in her ownership and very quick.

[RicksAlfas]

screwloose said:

However after some lengthy research I've discovered that the 2.0 tdi lump has a few known issues like oil pump failure

We had this on a 55 plate Passat. Cost a bomb to sort out - oil pump was over £1000. We were just out of warranty and there was no goodwill from VW, despite the fact that on later cars they had changed the design so it's about £200 for the part...

The 1.9 PD 130 engine is noisy and has a horrid power delivery but in my experience (running a small number of VWs at work) it is very strong. We had a Passat (02/03 I think) with 150,000 miles on it with nothing other than regular servicing. But since around 2005/6 onwards I wouldn't say VW are particulalrly cheap to run or as reliable as people like to think.

[DJC]

1.9tdi all the way.

Ive had the PD version and the later tech. Both excellent.

Avoid the 2 litre like twinners dangly bits.

[HellDiver]

Early 2.0TDi engine suffer badly from porus heads. 2005/6 is when they got that trouble sorted, but you're looking at scrapping the car if the engine is gone.