Discussion
Hi, I am looking at a couple of cars in the VAG range that use this engine and was after some clarification. It seems that it suffers from the 'Marmite Effect' where some people love it and some hate it from a reliability point of view.
I know the 1.9 / 2.0 tdi engines are almost bulletproof (particularly the old 1.9) but I do like the sound of the V6.
Thanks for the help
I know the 1.9 / 2.0 tdi engines are almost bulletproof (particularly the old 1.9) but I do like the sound of the V6.
Thanks for the help
2.5TDI - NO no no no no no no no no no no no no no.
2.0 has it own issues, but is still much better than 2.5 in turms of reliability.
1.9 is hash and noisey and not masivly powerful, but is very good on fuel.
2.5 is smoother more refined and quite a bit more torquie than 1.9.
But its still very old technology so nothing like as smooth as a modern diesel engine.
However 1.9 TDI do seem to be pretty much bullet proof. Might want a turbo at some stage other than that nothing expensive ever goes wrong on them.
2.5TDIs on the other hand, Turbo's £1200, pumps £1000, oil leaks £300, crankcase breather valves £350 and the camshafts are made of chocolate. If the cams wear to the point that they fail, they wipe out the rockers and smashup the head. £3000+ In some cases resulting in a new engine required £5500-£7000, although replacement of the head usually suffices.
A 2.5tdi when its working is a nicer engine than a 1.9, and most 2.5 will be higher spec cars. But with engine over 100k on them my professional opinion is live with the harshness and get a 1.9.
2.0 has it own issues, but is still much better than 2.5 in turms of reliability.
1.9 is hash and noisey and not masivly powerful, but is very good on fuel.
2.5 is smoother more refined and quite a bit more torquie than 1.9.
But its still very old technology so nothing like as smooth as a modern diesel engine.
However 1.9 TDI do seem to be pretty much bullet proof. Might want a turbo at some stage other than that nothing expensive ever goes wrong on them.
2.5TDIs on the other hand, Turbo's £1200, pumps £1000, oil leaks £300, crankcase breather valves £350 and the camshafts are made of chocolate. If the cams wear to the point that they fail, they wipe out the rockers and smashup the head. £3000+ In some cases resulting in a new engine required £5500-£7000, although replacement of the head usually suffices.
A 2.5tdi when its working is a nicer engine than a 1.9, and most 2.5 will be higher spec cars. But with engine over 100k on them my professional opinion is live with the harshness and get a 1.9.
When I sold my A6 2.5TDi Quattro it had over 300,000 km on the clock, only two things needed doing, a new airflow meter and (at the same time) a head clean up to refresh the head. Still going strong at that time, had a 210bhp chip in it so quite quick and 30mpg overall.
2.0 TDi engines much thirstier than the 1.9TDi, gone backwards with this. My old 4x4 Octavia 1.9 averaged about 54 mpg, my Scout 2.0 TDi does around 43 mpg. It is heavier and overall less aerodynamic but that is a big drop.
If looking at A4 go 4 cylinder, the weight of the 2.5 is a lot more and does affect handling. A6 needs the bigger engine.
2.0 TDi engines much thirstier than the 1.9TDi, gone backwards with this. My old 4x4 Octavia 1.9 averaged about 54 mpg, my Scout 2.0 TDi does around 43 mpg. It is heavier and overall less aerodynamic but that is a big drop.
If looking at A4 go 4 cylinder, the weight of the 2.5 is a lot more and does affect handling. A6 needs the bigger engine.
whoopydoo said:
The 2.5 TDI camshafts only wear if you don't change the oil every 10k religiously. I did 147k on mine without an issue.
However, the 1.9 is alot less thirsty!
Depends on what you count as a lot less.However, the 1.9 is alot less thirsty!
Some threads on this over on the VAG forums elsewhere, and at least in the A6 the 2.5TDi seems to get mid 30s, 1.9TDI is mid 40s to low 50s.
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