VAG engines (TFSI, TDI, T)

[Pete-mojsh]

I'm going to be looking to change my car in the next few months, I've been looking in to a lot of options and most seem to have some sort of flaw to varying degrees. I'm a bit torn as to whether to spend a bit more and getting something newer and nicer or to just get something to take care of the work hack 2-3 days a week when I'm in the office, the budget could fluctuate quite a bit and man maths and whimsy may play its part.

I've read the TFSI engines have some issues, this could be in something like a MK5 Golf GTI, Octavia or Leon for the budget so would like to know what to look for and if it's going to work for me. The 1.9 PD TDI seems the better option for a diesel, the 2.0 doesn't have the best reputation and seems to fall in to the DPF, DMF and injector problems with a lot of modern diesels, with this comes an older car with general consumables potentially due for replacement. The other option is the 1.8t, these seem reasonably well put together with the exception of the coil packs and MAF, again this would be an older car but with options in the A4 avant, golf and octavia.

If there are any other engines or cars I should be considering I would like some opinions.

I'll be looking for something of either mid hatch, large hatch or estate size really, wouldn't rule out a saloon if boot space was decent and accessible, budget perhaps up to 6k, commute of 40 miles round trip with the odd short journey to go and get shopping but could easily use the wife's for that, enough space to get a child (currently 4 months old) in and all the associated baby stuff.

[Dr G]

That is unfortunately too broad of a question to give a really useful answer to.

TFSI refers to all of the forced induction petrol engines; some of which are excellent, some of which are not.

1.9 TDIs now are quite old and high maintenance, a lot have suffered from their own reputation and been run into (or near) the ground by skinflints.

The more recent 2.0 TDI (common rail) is a much better bet.

What sort of car are you looking at and what are you thinking of spending?

[SHutchinson]

I use a V8 S5 for the same kind of journeys you do. It's got a TFSI engine. It's fine.

Does that help?

[Pete-mojsh]

More than likely it would be a 2.0 TFSI of that type, I suppose also a 2.0 FSI would be an option as well. The commute is either motorway or mixture of A and B roads in traffic so prefer a bit more power than the 1.6 FSI gives. 2.0 TDI is another that I would consider.

A bit more information to drill things down a bit;

Cars under consideration are Octavia VRS (petrol and diesel), MK5 Golf GTI, A4 Avant (petrol and diesel), Seat Leon (petrol and diesel), possibly a Passat (petrol and diesel). If the 2.0 TDI's are worth looking at I would consider a Golf too, maybe an A3 sportback.

Budget is up to £6k, would prefer to spend less as it's only going to be used 3-4 times a week. (20 miles to the office, mainly at NSL or above if on the M1).

[SHutchinson]

Have you considered a Mazda, something like a 3, but a sporty one?

[Pete-mojsh]

I already have one, checking out my options before I change to something else.

[xjay1337]

I would go for a 2.0 TFSI or a 1.9 TDI

I'd avoid 2.0 PD engines. 2.0 Common Rail are fine.

Lots of useful information on the web about common issues and cheap fixes.

[SuperchargedVR6]

Pete-mojsh said:

I already have one, checking out my options before I change to something else.

I'd already had you down as being too risk averse for a German car, and that pretty much confirms it.

[hman]

SHutchinson said:

I use a V8 S5 for the same kind of journeys you do. It's got a TFSI engine. It's fine.

Does that help?

v8 s5 is fsi (fuel stratified injection)

v6 s5 is tfsi (turbo (supercharged) fuel stratified injection)

[spinning wheels]

hman said:

SHutchinson said:

I use a V8 S5 for the same kind of journeys you do. It's got a TFSI engine. It's fine.

Does that help?

v8 s5 is fsi (fuel stratified injection)

v6 s5 is tfsi (turbo (supercharged) fuel stratified injection)

I think you will find that the V6 S5 TFSI isn't turbo charged but it in fact super charged. I am running an A6 C7 TFSI, same engine as the S5 and I do not believe its has turbo charging.

[xjay1337]

The v6 tfsi engine is supercharged, correct.

[hman]

Read my post again - I did say it was Supercharged.


Any forced induction FSI engine is designated TFSI - whether its turbocharged or supercharged its designated the same.


(You'd think someone with an S5 would know that lol)