1.9 TDI Passats

[Mr_B]

I've got roped in to help buying a car-clueless friend a new car. He has kinda settled on spending around 2-3K on a TDI Passat that's ideally an estate. His mechanic friend ( living in another country , hence me getting involved ) has convinced him to only buy the 1.9L version and not the later 2.0L version as that is trouble. Being more of a BMW guy, is that really the case ?

Also, looking at the cars for sale, when was the change over date to 2.0L as I've seen 2006 cars advertised as 2.0L and later cars as 1.9L ? I suspect this is people kinda rounding up on the cc and advertising it wrongly, so how do I tell the difference either in the ads of by opening the bonnet.

Any other pointers and tips that are model specific would be good too.
Thanks

[Dr G]

The 1.9 was replaced by the 2.0 but the 1.9 did not cease production. In the newer shape (2005>) it was available as a cheaper, lower powered alternative.

Your friend wants something like this:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

130 BHP with a 6 speed manual and evidence of regular maintenance.

[mattyc69]

1.9 PD All the way. Not as refined as the 2.0 but definitely a stronger more reliable motor.

[Mr_B]

Ah, I see. My mistake for thinking it would have been a replacement engine and had change over date. Thanks.

[anonymous-user]

Would I be correct in thinking that the later, 105BHP 1.9TDi engine has a reputation for putting a rod through the block?

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/bxe-engine.14...

As has already been said, get the 130BHP 6 speed version.

[Mr_B]

Would the 2.0L engine put anyone off buying one ? Is the reputation his mechanic friend suggesting true , or just maybe not as good as the 1.9L but hardly a bad engine ?

[agxster]

I think the 1.9 130 bhp version is supposed to be the hardy one. I had the 2008 1.9 105 bhp in a Jetta and it was fine for 70k plus mile and was then written off in a hit and run while parked. I always had fixed mileage 10k/ 12 months servicing.

[TwistingMyMelon]

The 1.9s often go wrong in the same way and can hide abuse well. Great engine (if you accept its a bit gruff) but give it a good test drive if you can and floor it through the gears if you can. I bought one with a boost issue that was only found when you hit 3k revs in 4th gear , it would then go into limp home mode. This was fixed but took ages to diagnose.

Mine also leaked in the passenger foot well due to the plenum chambers blocked with leaves , the injector wiring harness went as well , which just caused intermittent rev dropping.

Great cars, but they can hide a hard family life too well, plus they are "getting on" a bit now

I also had the 100bhp 1.9 in an A4, which was fine for commuting down the M4 but hard work with passengers in , unless you are a very glacial driver

Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Monday 16th March 11:20