VAG 1.9 vs 2.0 TDI

D

DrNick

Senior member
 Wickham, Hampshire
A friend is considering buying an 2007 A3 circa £9k to put some miles on so wants reliability etc etc...

We were discussing the pros cons of the 1.9 vs 2.0 tdi - my take on it was that 1.9 a much 'simpler' engine (no dual mass fly wheel/dpf????) that was more likely to be reliable than the 2.0 which I had read suffered turbo failure more commonly...although the con being a much more 'tractor like' engine?

Know a couple of people that have done over 200K on the 1,9 without problems.

Anybody have thoughts/experience?

Thanks

N
 
I've had three of the VAG engines in various cars over the years.

My original 1.9 (105bhp) Golf was fine - no issues in over 60K miles other than regular servicing although a tad on the slow side.

The Leon FR TDi (170 with the DPF) that replaced it (brand new) was not so good - never achieved the economy it should have and had cold starting issues.

The latest (an older PD 150 diesel) which has done the most mileage (93K) is very good, seems like it will go on forever, has a good dose of power when needed and is achieving north of 50 mpg all day long :)
 
The 1.9TDi was bullet proof I reckon (if properly maintained). I've been an Audi A3 with c.180k on the clock, 130bhp variant I think. Still pulled well, but as you say, sounded like a tractor.

The older engines were easliy capable of 55+mpg. I've been in one of the newer 2.0 TDi passats. 140bhp. Sounded much quieter, and the owner hasnt had any issues... did pretty well on the mpg front too
 
I had a 2.0 TDI and my turbo went at 120k.

Put me right off turbos and I haven't had one since.

I had two 1.9 TDI golfs before that and never had any problems.

2.0 TDI was the better engine to drive in my opinion.
 
I've had an a3 1.9 and a4 2.0 company motor.

The 2.0 is def much more refined, quieter, but thirstier.

No idea on reliability as only had them 2 years.. Under 30k miles.

No problems with the engine... But the a4 was cursed... Lots of problems... From the lights to ac.


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I've had two 2.0 TDi 140 Audis, the first in an A3, did 70,000 miles and didn't miss a beat, the second was an A4 cabriolet with DPF, again no problems in 55,000 miles. Only concern was the time between services due to the DPF which was about 13,000 miles

It is not rare (relatively) for Turbos to go at 100,000 plus miles and not just VAG
 
Go 1.9, noisier, but more reliable and better mpg.I had a Passat TDi 130 estate sport new as a company car in 2002,I did ( thrashed it) 85k in 2 years then bought it for my Dad. He had to replace the turbo at 120k,and the brake servo at 130k,other than that it was fine. At 132k he gave it to my brother who chipped it to 175bhp and has thrashed it without mercy since and it has now done 230k and still going fine.It's still on the original clutch and exhaust,does loads of miles to the gallon and goes like stink. :D
 
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