VW Golf 2.0 TDI 138bhp MK6 - Opinions?

[vdubzdriver]

Hi all,

about a month ago I created a post on here about the 1.4 tsi - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Turns out people are saying the 2litre tdi is superior when I have asked. I know a few people who own it or have and they are VERY happy with it.

Would be happy to hear what you guys have to say about this particular car.

How does it compare to the 1.4 tsi 122bhp? How it as a car? Anything would help.

Match or Bluemotion Edition?

[Pheo]

I much prefer my Tsi 1.4 140bhp than my old 2.0 140 TDi - much nicer to drive. Not sure if it’s the same lump though.

[PaddyPadsPat]

I had both engines. The 1.4 TSI and the 2.0 TDI in GT trim and the TDI IMO was far superior.

The low end torque suits the Golf much more at these lower end of the power scale. I loved my 2.0 TDI and didn't even think the GTD 185 was that much of a jump such was the feel of the 140.

[vdubzdriver]

PaddyPadsPat said:

I had both engines. The 1.4 TSI and the 2.0 TDI in GT trim and the TDI IMO was far superior.

The low end torque suits the Golf much more at these lower end of the power scale. I loved my 2.0 TDI and didn't even think the GTD 185 was that much of a jump such was the feel of the 140.

Nice good to hear bud.

Pheo said:

I much prefer my Tsi 1.4 140bhp than my old 2.0 140 TDi - much nicer to drive. Not sure if it’s the same lump though.

140bhp? Didn't even know there was one

[davidkellighan]

I had the 2.0 tdi 138bhp in match trim for 2 years. Took it from 30k to 80k miles in that time. The car was brilliant, able around town and nippy on B roads, but capable of 60 to 70 mpg on long runs. Spacious, decent boot and engaging to drive. I did however have issues with the EGR valve towards the end of my ownership. The car would intermittently go into limp mode then perform normally the next time I turned the engine on. Had the codes scanned and it seemed to be an issue with the EGR valve. A bit of research told me that this was a common problem but due to the inaccessibility of the valve the repair cost could be around £800. Some people have had repairs carried out by VW as a goodwill gesture but this doesn't seem to be the case for everyone.

If you are buying one I would check the fault codes if you can and check the MOT history carefully. Otherwise it's a car that ticks all the boxes - pace, frugality, gadgets, space, handling.

Good luck!

[Emeye]

The way the government have started to demonise the diesel, I think you would be better to go for a petrol unless you do loads of miles.

From a reliability point of view, I believe that there are petrol and diesel VAG engines that have issues, so it is worth doing some research.

[xjay1337]

From a reliability point of view the common rail VW engines are very reliable.

I have basically the same engine at 187k and I've got 340hp.
I've never broken down due to engine faults. I've put 70k on it and done loads of track days.

[BenLowden]

Does anyone know much about the reliability of the DSG gear boxes from 2010 onwards? I've heard the DSG boxes in the Mk5 were problematic and prone to breaking, but I don't know if the issues were sorted in the Mk6.

I'm looking to spend around £5K on a 2.0 TDI as I do around 15,000 miles a year, mostly motorway with traffic, so would prefer an auto for optimum wafting. With that budget I'll get something with around 90-100K already on the clock and will continue to rack those up pretty swiftly.

[xjay1337]

BenLowden said:

Does anyone know much about the reliability of the DSG gear boxes from 2010 onwards? I've heard the DSG boxes in the Mk5 were problematic and prone to breaking, but I don't know if the issues were sorted in the Mk6.

I'm looking to spend around £5K on a 2.0 TDI as I do around 15,000 miles a year, mostly motorway with traffic, so would prefer an auto for optimum wafting. With that budget I'll get something with around 90-100K already on the clock and will continue to rack those up pretty swiftly.

They are generally pretty solid so long as they are serviced appropriately. Every 40k they require oil and filter change.
This is around £150 using genuine parts.

In a worst case scenario there are many, many cheap gearboxes on Ebay.
The part that tends to fail is the mechatronic unit, these did used to be horrifically expensive but now they have come right down in price with many companies specialising in repairing them.

[Running Man 11]

I had an 11 plate 2.0 TDI Match DSG for 6 months. Did 15K miles in it. Wasn't as economical as I expected (47mpg vs 52mpg on the 116d I had before), could never quite get comfortable in it and it was a bit noisy at motorway speeds. On the positive side, was surprisingly swift for overtaking, decent spec and you can park them anywhere. Allegedly need to change the gearbox oil every 40K miles which is a bit tedious if you're doing a high mileage

[BenLowden]

Thanks both. From what I can see from a bit more research the mechatronic issues seem to be on the earlier Mk5 boxes and there don't seem to be many reports on the Mk6. I can't find anything on anyone needing a new clutch on a Mk6, other than the DMF going at around 200K, which I think I could live with!

[ST565NP]

xjay1337 said:

From a reliability point of view the common rail VW engines are very reliable.

I have basically the same engine at 187k and I've got 340hp.
I've never broken down due to engine faults. I've put 70k on it and done loads of track days.

Have you written something about your car? Would be very interesting read !

[xjay1337]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Some of the pictures don't work early in the thread due to Photobucket / imageshack deleting everything.

[Dapster]

vdubzdriver said:

Pheo said:

I much prefer my Tsi 1.4 140bhp than my old 2.0 140 TDi - much nicer to drive. Not sure if it’s the same lump though.

140bhp? Didn't even know there was one

In GT trim the 1.4 TSI produces 140 bhp. The GT is a nice junior GTI - certainly in Mk 7 guise it is - peppy, revvy and quite flexible. Not as much torque as the diesel obviously but it feels lighter in the nose and well, basically, isn't a diesel. Trim wise, the GT is a bit more upmarket, looks smart without being an all mouth and no trousers fake GTI.

[culpz]

BenLowden said:

Thanks both. From what I can see from a bit more research the mechatronic issues seem to be on the earlier Mk5 boxes and there don't seem to be many reports on the Mk6. I can't find anything on anyone needing a new clutch on a Mk6, other than the DMF going at around 200K, which I think I could live with!

It can still happen but i don't think it's as widespread. Most of the issues were eventually ironed out, as the MK5 Golf was the first iteration of the proper DSG system.

As xjay said, there are companies that specialise in repairing them for a fraction of the price now. Just made sure they'e had the gearbox oil changed on schedule and ideally from a specialist.

It's also always worth bearing in mind that the cost of buying and fitting a new DMF and clutch to a manual version can't be far off getting a repair on the DSG. Just food for thought.

[BenLowden]

culpz said:

It's also always worth bearing in mind that the cost of buying and fitting a new DMF and clutch to a manual version can't be far off getting a repair on the DSG. Just food for thought.

That's a fair point and a good way to look at it. Having swapped my 208 GTI with Nic's TT RS for a week, the DSG box in the TT has come into its own in heavy traffic the last couple of days. It reminded me how tiresome a manual can be. Pretty sure I'll sacrifice a few mpg and take the DSG route!

[culpz]

BenLowden said:

That's a fair point and a good way to look at it. Having swapped my 208 GTI with Nic's TT RS for a week, the DSG box in the TT has come into its own in heavy traffic the last couple of days. It reminded me how tiresome a manual can be. Pretty sure I'll sacrifice a few mpg and take the DSG route!

I can agree with that. My commute is a nightmare, so much so that i'm seriously considering sacking the idea of buying a Clio 172/182 off, in favour of a cheap stock lease deal on the last few batches of Scirocco's, before they finally scrap production.

2.0 TSI DSG would be much nicer than using a heavy clutch in the Clio for the majority of my driving!

[jam_up]

I had a mk6 140 tdi GT manual for 30 months and covered 60k to 100k. No mechanical problems at all apart from the usual wear and tear (rear shockers, brake discs/pads). I had a few issues with the stereo but this was ironed out with a firmware upgrade.

Good solid motor and plenty of low end torque for overtaking. I never did any real world fuel calculation but the on board computer used to read 60 - 65 mpg after a 50+ mile commute cruising at 70. The GT has a slightly lowered suspension but I found the ride quality fine. Luckily I had auto climate control in mine but they don’t come as standard (even the latest mk7.5 GT’s!!) - not sure on the Match so it’s something to look out for.

Just remembered this engine is guilty of the VW emission scandal. I don’t know how the fix affects performance as I got rid of mine before it was released.

Hope that helps!

Edited by jam_up on Saturday 24th February 22:16

[wiliferus]

FWIW the (now ex) wife had the 2.0tdi 138 in a Touran. I remember being really impressed when we first got it. It’s torquey from low revs - very driveable and real world friendly. Cruising on the motorway was effortless and easily returned a true 55mpg, which considering the Tourans brick like aerodynamics, 60mph+ in a Golf must be achievable.

We ran that car from 50k to 140k. Two big bills, the DMF, which to be fair, given the mileage we put on it was to be expected. And the alternator died which wasn’t too eye watering.

I had no EGR issues at all, it never once went into limp mode, and I regarded it as a decent reliable car to ferry the family around it.

It only went as she decided to remodel the nearside along the back of a lorries crash bar

[Adamlm93]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a. Golf Mk6 2.0 TDI GT it's 2009
It has 96k on the clock 1 previous owner and FSH its in amazing condition inside and out has the cambelt and water pump done at 87k. No mot scares
I drove it home and the glow plug light started to flash and loss of power.
I used my obd scanner and tourqe app it stated p0299 power train control module ..
I took it back to the garage they investigated and said it was egr cooler so had that replaced And I went away it then did the same thing glow plug light and loss of power. They are looking into this again. I wanted to know should I just try to get my money back or once they have fixed it keep the car I've read these egr coolers and bits are expensive so if they fix this the car should be trouble free ?
I really like the cAr it's in great condition I'm thinking it's best to have this one with all the bits repaired ..can this cause further unknown damage do you recommend I keep it once repaired .. is there anything else I should be worried about.?

I should say they are doing all repairs for free

Thanks for all your answers help in advance