What makes VW's PD engine so good?

[bobski1]

Having covered just short of 200k miles & 14 years of age on a run over the weekend at a steady 70mph I still got 57mpg which I think is pretty impressive for an engine so old, although some say that is barely run in.

Curious to know from people's knowledge what made the VW PD engine so good & why didn't the 2.0ltr have the same reputation?

[bobski1]

I have the 1.9 PD130 & it still pulls like a train when giving it the beans & cruises with a good mpg on the motorway.

When I bought it I was told that the body work will give out before the engine & apart from replacing the boost pipes I haven't done anything to the engine except regular servicing every 10k, the body on the other hand has been a right chew on.

So is it the fact the engines are less stressed & generally less complicated that they run longer & still seem to have that bullet proof nature?

If so are future engines with tighter emissions unintentionally designed not to last & be as strong?

If this car was to go I'd honestly be happy going for another PD engine rather than something newer, unless it's an RS6 of course

[bobski1]

Mr2Mike said:

Lots of black smoke, sluggish acceleration and massive fuel consumption?

No black smoke, still hitting 50mpg & acceleration isn't too shabby with a remap

[bobski1]

lee_erm said:

It fascinates me that a manufacturer can produce an engine as good as the PD and as bad as some iterations of the TSI.

This was part of the reason for the thread, what was it that made these engines good but then the next not that great.

[bobski1]

95k up to 253k so far, barely broken in

[bobski1]

georgezippy said:

And therein lies the problem (if you can call it that).

On a mere 172k I suspect I'll have the bloody thing for ages, yet could do with a slightly bigger estate, the A4 is not the most roomy but I just can't part with a reliable valueless shed that has a history well known to me.

Once that bond is forged it cannot be broken. The bond is only known by those who've experienced a PD.

I think I'll need a bigger car eventually but I'd never let mine go now