VAG 2.0 TDI CR worth it?

[Chrismawa]

I'm looking for a car that will be a second car and used as a daily for me as well as for camping trips away and days out. I would like a VAG car as that's what I'm used to and I like them. My preference would be a diesel estate like a Passat, Exeo or even a Tiguan. Budget up to about 4.5k. What's putting me off is the EGR issues that seem to plague the 2.0 TDI engine and the location of the valve on the CR engine meaning a repair replacement can be £700+.

Should I stay away from these? Or is it not really as much of a problem as the internet makes out? Any input would be appreciated.

[georgeyboy12345]

Pretty much all modern diesels with EGR are prone to these problems and cost at least £500 to fix normally. Other than that, the EA189 is a pretty reliable engine.

[RizzoTheRat]

Is it that big a problem or is it just that those who have a problem are vocal on forums?

I have about 145k miles on my 2009 Octavia vRS with the CR170 engine. A couple of weeks ago the exhaust control light came on, which I though was probably the EGR valve, but apparently was something to do with the water pump and cost about €300 to fix. Only other non consumable problem I've had was when a local Skoda dealer did a st job of the service and left it with a leaking fuel filter which took out the auxiliary belt

[Chrismawa]

RizzoTheRat said:

Is it that big a problem or is it just that those who have a problem are vocal on forums?

Yeah that's kind of what I'm asking really. It's a bit off putting at the thought of a potential £700+ bill because of VW's poor design.

[Belle427]

I’ve heard it’s possible to map them out of the system so no more issues, known as an egr delete. Im not sure on the legalities of this though.

[ZX10R NIN]

Chrismawa said:

I'm looking for a car that will be a second car and used as a daily for me as well as for camping trips away and days out. I would like a VAG car as that's what I'm used to and I like them. My preference would be a diesel estate like a Passat, Exeo or even a Tiguan. Budget up to about 4.5k. What's putting me off is the EGR issues that seem to plague the 2.0 TDI engine and the location of the valve on the CR engine meaning a repair replacement can be £700+.

Should I stay away from these? Or is it not really as much of a problem as the internet makes out? Any input would be appreciated.

Almost every engine has an issue of some kind, look at it this way if you're unlucky then it's something you'll have to get done or it may never be an issue but it's not a reason to not buy one.

But I would look at the Insignia as they're very good value & just as reliable (once you get the O ring around the pick up pipe replaced) a car as the VAG options.

[Drive Blind]

i'm on my 3rd VW 2l CR diesel - 1 EA189 and 2 later EA288 versions

I saw an intermittent EGR related fault code on the EA189 at about 80K miles. I traded it in about 4K miles later so I'm not sure how it turned out. I didn't move it on for that problem, I'd had my 3 years out of it and it was my normal time to change car again.
I checked the MOT history and its currently on 145K, latest MOT advisory was for a noisy DMF.

No EGR issues on the other 2.. *touches wood*

IMO any modern diesel can thrown up a big bill. If you are doing the miles and saving approx £1K per year compared to a petrol then its worth the risk.

[stevemcs]

Its true any modern ish diesel can throw up issues but it seems VW's throw up more than others, intake manifolds are another issue as well as turbos. EGR on a Tiguan 4motion is a pain as the transfer box is in the way.

I