High mileage TDi

[macp]

Would you buy a TDi with high miles say around 100 - 120k if it had a service history and it was from the VAG stable?

Looking at 04,05,06 cars

Thankyou in advance.

[davepoth]

That's not really high mileage for one of those; if the service history is good and it's been looked after I don't see a problem.

[tbc]

if the servicing was all complete and the owner really looked after it then a car over 100k should be fine for another 50k plus miles

something like an Audi A4,A6, VW Passat and Skoda Octavia, Superb TDI are real workhorses and the engines are pretty bulletproof

[E38Ross]

macp said:

Would you buy a TDi with high miles say around 100 - 120k if it had a service history and it was from the VAG stable?

Looking at 04,05,06 cars

Thankyou in advance.

depending on mileage you'd be doing i'd be more tempted to go for a small NA petrol such as a 1.2 seat ibiza. sure it's as slow moving as tectonic plates but it gets the job done, with good economy and post 2004 is reliable and a good little engine.

cheaper to buy, less likely to go wrong and not THAT much worse on economy.

[Robb F]

E38Ross said:

depending on mileage you'd be doing i'd be more tempted to go for a small NA petrol such as a 1.2 seat ibiza. sure it's as slow moving as tectonic plates but it gets the job done, with good economy and post 2004 is reliable and a good little engine.

cheaper to buy, less likely to go wrong and not THAT much worse on economy.

Unless you want to drive on the motorway, in which case get a 1.9/2.0 diesel. Economy, comfort and speed will be increased.

[Dr G]

Early 2.0 TDI, all PD 170s and 2.5 TDI not so good.

Very early 3.0 TDI fine with injector change.

All later 2.7 and 3.0 TDI hard as nails.

Early multitronic autos bad (>05), later ones passable with proper maintenance.

See VAG section for elaboration on all the above.

[obob]

I'd get a 1.9TDi if they were still putting them in in 04, easily the strongest of the VAG TDi engines.

[Dift]

The 1.9tdi is a cracking engine (especially in 130 guise or more).
My A4 has just passed 100k, and it's as tight as a button. Will be running her into the ground as she's a great car.

[abbotsmike]

obob said:

I'd get a 1.9TDi if they were still putting them in in 04, easily the strongest of the VAG TDi engines.

They were in some cars, Seat and I think skoda kept them in the ibiza and fabia up until 2007 ish!

[macp]

Brilliant responses really honestly appreciate it.

[E38Ross]

Robb F said:

E38Ross said:

depending on mileage you'd be doing i'd be more tempted to go for a small NA petrol such as a 1.2 seat ibiza. sure it's as slow moving as tectonic plates but it gets the job done, with good economy and post 2004 is reliable and a good little engine.

cheaper to buy, less likely to go wrong and not THAT much worse on economy.

Unless you want to drive on the motorway, in which case get a 1.9/2.0 diesel. Economy, comfort and speed will be increased.

have spent 600 miles in a day in one of those and it got a over 50 to the gallon sat at 70-75.

even if you got another 20% better economy it'd take quite a while for the diesel to pay for itself out of fuel (considering diesel costs a bit more) PLUS you do have higher risks of things going wrong.

it's not as open/close as it seems between these petrol/diesels for economy. certainly not at this mileage.

[macp]

Dr G said:

Early 2.0 TDI, all PD 170s and 2.5 TDI not so good.

Very early 3.0 TDI fine with injector change.

All later 2.7 and 3.0 TDI hard as nails.

Early multitronic autos bad (>05), later ones passable with proper maintenance.

See VAG section for elaboration on all the above.

Thanks but what age car would have an early 2.0 TDI ?

[Rammy76]

macp said:

Would you buy a TDi with high miles say around 100 - 120k if it had a service history and it was from the VAG stable?

Looking at 04,05,06 cars

Thankyou in advance.

My 53 plate Passat 130PD TDI is on 130000 miles and feels as tight as ever. It's still got the original clutch and everything works as it should including things like parking sensors.

The comment about buying a small petrol is true in that they're simpler, but a 1.2 SEAT certainly wouldn't suit me, as the torque of the diesel is great for cruising. This is especially apparent when you're high speed cruising over roads like the A66 with its long, steep inclines.

A little petrol would be struggling and probably using more fuel with your foot to the floor!

[mk1matt]

My wife's Galaxy is on 176k miles now. It's the VAG 1.9 PD 115bhp engine. I had it remapped at 120k to ~145bhp and have generally abused it since then. The only problem is the EGR system is massively clogged now so it's feeling a little bit flat and the economy is down by about 10%.

[k15tox]

mk1matt said:

My wife's Galaxy is on 176k miles now. It's the VAG 1.9 PD 115bhp engine. I had it remapped at 120k to ~145bhp and have generally abused it since then. The only problem is the EGR system is massively clogged now so it's feeling a little bit flat and the economy is down by about 10%.

there's plenty of guides online for removal and cleaning of the inlet.

give it a clean, blank the EGR and bobs your cousin.

[Robb F]

E38Ross said:

Robb F said:

E38Ross said:

depending on mileage you'd be doing i'd be more tempted to go for a small NA petrol such as a 1.2 seat ibiza. sure it's as slow moving as tectonic plates but it gets the job done, with good economy and post 2004 is reliable and a good little engine.

cheaper to buy, less likely to go wrong and not THAT much worse on economy.

Unless you want to drive on the motorway, in which case get a 1.9/2.0 diesel. Economy, comfort and speed will be increased.

have spent 600 miles in a day in one of those and it got a over 50 to the gallon sat at 70-75.

even if you got another 20% better economy it'd take quite a while for the diesel to pay for itself out of fuel (considering diesel costs a bit more) PLUS you do have higher risks of things going wrong.

it's not as open/close as it seems between these petrol/diesels for economy. certainly not at this mileage.

Yes but the sound of a 1.2 hairdryer with it's valves bouncing off the bonnet is never a good thing

[StevieB]

If its 04 reg, its likely to be a 2.0 TDI, although plenty of 1.9s still around too. The only main issue is injectors and these are worst on the 2.0 PD TDI, particularly the 170 model. The 1.9s seem to go on forever and seem to get quicker and quicker with age. My A3 was still freeing up when I sold it with 60K and better on fuel. Id definitely buy another VAG TDI as I dont think you can beat the real world MPG and the torquey real world punch!

[KevinA3DSG32]

Yes, but only the VAG !.9. I have had two like this. First was on 06 Octavia 1.9 Elegance estate. Bought with 96K miles on the clock, sold 6 months later with 112K on the clock. No problems at all.

Second was a 57 plate same spec. Bought 15 months ago (just under 3 years old) for £4950 with 105K miles. Sold it after 6 months with 122K miles and got £4500. Went straight through the MoT and while I had it I had to change a headlamp bulb. Really cheap and effective commuting.

[Willy Nilly]

The engines might be quite durable, but the rest of the car is built using the same components as the other cars in the range. So the car might fall apart around a good engine, as a mate found out.

[Matt UK]

Recently bought a 2004 1.9 tdi 130 Passat estate with 130k on the clock.

Now heading for 140k and flew the MOT with not one advisory. I sort wear / tear / service items as required and it never complains or fails to do it's job.

OK, it's a bit gruff, rough and ready vs modern counterparts, but I reckon that for a £3k boring commuter car to hack round the M25 and back each day there were not that many better options in terms of space, mpg and general robustness. I rate and abuse ours in equal measure. Cheapest £/mile car I've ever had.