Which Audi is best for me? diesel or petrol?

[myVAG]

I'm currently looking to replace my ageing 2000 BMW E46 323ci 2.5 with an Audi A4. Reviewing available local cars I have discovered a 53 1.9TDI and a 04 2.0 FSI A4 B6.

I cover around 15000 miles per year and would like to reduce my travel costs while still having an enjoyable driving experience. I would be interested in hearing from existing Audi drivers to compare the petrol and diesel options for both driving pleasure and economy.

Audi A4 2.0 FSI Sport
2004, 04 reg
50,000 miles
Leather electric seats, parking sensors front/back, cruise, 17in alloys
£6,500

Audi A4 1.9 130 TDI SE
2003, 53 reg
85,000 miles
Cloth, cruise, 16 alloys
£6,000

 

[markA4tdi]

I think your answer is in your own question, reducing your costs, depends how much you want to save, quite a bit or a significant amount, i owned a 328 beemer and it was ****** horrendous on juice (as you would expect) having driven the 325 (in autoversion) it wasnt a patch on my current diesel a4 (after say 60mph accelerating in 5th, no gear changes, obviously at a certain point the 6 potter gains again, but the fuel !!) i regularly get 54mpg on a run and even scraped into the low 60s (on a motorway at about 56mph, i know know......! but i wanted to see how far the comp would read out me being feather footed! lol and at the end of the day, if we stuck to 70mph all day, the returns would be better in the diesel, they both would drive nice but whichever 1 you decide on, you will see a marked improvement on fuel and insurance costs.
If your getting the diesel, make sure that the cambelt has been done, mind saying that the petrol version needs doing now aswel (timeframe not milage) and both (i think) will cost around £400 at dealers, I guess the best thing for you to do would be to drive them both and see for yourself which you prefer as we will be a bit biased on what we drive. enjoy!

 

[myVAG]

Thanks for the feedback. I really like the great economy offered by the diesel however I'm slightly concerned about the high mileage. My BMW has now just covered over 100,000 and has become increasingly costly, during the last 6 months I have spent over £2000 on repairs and a servicing with more known issues requiring repair quite soon.

At 50,000 and a year younger the 04 reg FSI seems to offer a newer car for my money, I would ideally like to have a reliable car without having to regularly visit to my local mechanic. Is the 2004 2.0 FSI engine a good long term engine?

 

[CHRIS555]

If your looking to reduce costs get the diesal - they are a good car, I loved my old one!

 

[quattrojames]

There's a couple of members on here with the 2.0 engine, (digger and technics off the top of my head ...) so they would be best to speak to, but I wouldn't rule out the FSi engine. It's 150 bhp (I think), and the fuel economy isn't too far off the 1.9 either generally.

You'd probably prefer the Sport spec to the SE, and as you've said the mileage and leather etc is better, plus the 04 Sport probably comes with the S-Line style bodykit too?

 

[adamss24]

I drove them both and the FSI is very underpowered for the size of the car ! I would go diesel all day long ! Dont be put off by high mileage as the diesel can take-it no problem- but worry about clutch/gearbox and Longlife intervals, thats what's killing PD engines as they are very particular on oil. The FSI has common fuel pump problems, coils failing on a regular bassis and they are so much more complicated compared with the diesel lumps.

 

[simon.m]

I'd say diesel all day long mate seem to hold there money a bit better than the petrol ones too by the looks of it my 19 tdi is on 142k and still like new to drive

 

[AU01 A4]

i do 17000 a year and i have a 1.8t (190), went out looking for a 1.9tdi (130) and when i drove 1.8t there was no going back, there are times when i wish had gone for the tdi, then i rev to the redline and try to headbut the horizon, it cheaper then running 2 cars anyway

 

[slepy]

If you want to save some money get a diesel.
I have done 30k miles in about 9 months and couldn't imagine having petrol due to costs.
Just recently changed job (low miles now) and really can't wait to get rid of my tractor...
Diesel will never be fun to drive.

 

[adamss24]

If you want to save some money get a diesel.
I have done 30k miles in about 9 months and couldn't imagine having petrol due to costs.
Just recently changed job (low miles now) and really can't wait to get rid of my tractor...
Diesel will never be fun to drive.

You're soo wrong mate ! Come and take a drive in me b5 v6 tdi quattro with "just" bigger nozzles and a gt 2559 turbocharger ! You'll **** your pants in no time ! I am swapping the blower for a Borg Wagner BV 50 wich will spool quicker about 1300 rpms) and give the same output at high speed ! 160Mph + anyone while still returning 40 mpg ?!!

 

[Phil.MC]

If I were you I'd take a bit more time and look out for a 1.9 TDi Quattro Sport with the 1/2 leather and as many other toys as possible. They're fairly scarce, but would be well worth holding out for IMHO.

 

[adamss24]

1.9 is a bit too small for the size of the car and parasitic losses trough the drivetrain. The v6 tdi is the perfect match: torquey 6 pot engine and big turbocharger. Thats why they never offered the a6 in 1.9 Tdi quattro form... Even on the early c5 v6 tdi quattro(150 Bhp) the engine had hard time pulling all that weight allong... In my oppinion the b5/c5/b6 audi quattro need at least 200 Bhp to be entertaining otherwise theu are bland and boring !

 

[slepy]

I've been test driving B7 3.0tdi with 260bhp few days ago. Still, the only reson I would have it instead of 2.0T petrol is fuel consumption.

 

[adamss24]

I've been test driving B7 3.0tdi with 260bhp few days ago. Still, the only reson I would have it instead of 2.0T petrol is fuel consumption.

Thats because they only been offered with slush box. The 6 speed manual gearbox is not man enough for the engine thats why is limited to 500Nm of torque ! Do a remap on that and it will change the odds ! The MTM a5 3.0 Tdi with the big turbo package was a whole second faster than the s5 petrol on Nurburgring ! You can get the engine to really shift with just BMW 535d injectors and a good remap... I know of diesels with over 6-700 Bhp wich can smoke fast petrols for fun...but most are RWD !

 

[slepy]

Do you have any links about modifying 3.0tdi? If I could get close to 300bhp with it I would really consider having it.
One of my friends had E46 330d pushing close to 300bhp and it was a brilliant drive but i prefer 4 wheel drive

 

[myVAG]

I test drove the 2.0 FSI yesterday which seems like a great car, the Sport styling in Dolphin Gray with black leather looks very attractive. As a minus point, I was told that the Sport version doesn't feature a fuel computer to show MPG, is this true?

This was the first Audi A4 I've driven and compared to my E46 coupé I was surprised by how the light steering felt, the four cylinder engine really lacks the refinement of BMW's straight 6.

 

[AJB Audi]

I test drove the 2.0 FSI yesterday which seems like a great car, the Sport styling in Dolphin Gray with black leather looks very attractive. As a minus point, I was told that the Sport version doesn't feature a fuel computer to show MPG, is this true?

I have a Sport model and can confirm that it only displays Miles to Empty (the other display options only come with the, optional, full DIS). However many on here with full DIS have suggested than in reality they tend to use the Miles to Empty as their default setting. One of my previous cars had MPG but have to say I never found it to be very useful/accurate.

 

[quattrojames]

The DIS is an easy retrofit, I wouldn't let it's absence sway your decision making. The Audi V6's are much smoother than the 4's, but you're probably right in that BMW generally do make smoother engines.

 

[Marc1]

I'd say diesel all day long mate seem to hold there money a bit better than the petrol ones too by the looks of it my 19 tdi is on 142k and still like new to drive

Ditto, mine drove like it had 40k on the clock when I sold it. I'd be going for the diesel over the N/A 2.0 petrol, as you've mentioned fuel economy but you'll also find there is a mountain of torque available in the diesels and it will feel faster. If you want to map it later down the line because you want more power or get a little bored, then you can, where as the N/A petrol doesn't have as many bang for buck options available. You can also drive the diesel pretty hard without denting the fuel economy as much as you would giving it the beans in the petrol.

 

[actionslax]

I'm in a similar position myVAG. I'm looking to get my hands on an Avant diesel.

Don't want to hijack the thread but between the 2 top end variations - 1.9/2.5 quattro sport - what are the main plus points for each? I realise the V6 is a heavy lump - is there much of a difference in the handling? I have just sold my Subaru Impreza wagon as my circumstances have changed and one of these looks like a good replacement.

 

[adamss24]

I'm in a similar position myVAG. I'm looking to get my hands on an Avant diesel.

Don't want to hijack the thread but between the 2 top end variations - 1.9/2.5 quattro sport - what are the main plus points for each? I realise the V6 is a heavy lump - is there much of a difference in the handling? I have just sold my Subaru Impreza wagon as my circumstances have changed and one of these looks like a good replacement.

If you're looking for an entertaining drive then the audi is nothing like the impreza you sold. The engine dits furter ahead of the front wheels wich makes the car easy to oversteer. The 1.9 is a touch too small- while better handling than the v6... The difference between the 2 engine is small, less than 50kg but the v6 has torque available low down bit its also higher maintenance. The 1.9 goes well with just a remap, the v6 really gets into his stride with a good chip or remap. Efortless pulling power just higher maintenance. Spend a grand tuning the v6 and it will be a monster torque machine. Quattro is a most on either and i find the old b5 a little more entertaining than the new b6 platform... I drive freqvently on the continent and me b5 avant does 5-7 L/100km average while driving at speeds of 100Mph so for me the v6 is a no brainer + it sounds soo good when i boot-it !

 

[quattrojames]

I'm in a similar position myVAG. I'm looking to get my hands on an Avant diesel.

If you've got any performance aspirations at all then the 2.5's what you want - I imagine you'll be pleasantly surprised by it's performance.

 

[technics100]

As quoted by quattrojeames, I have a 2.0 non FSi A4. I have also owned 2 130bhp 1.9 TDI's A4's saloon & Avant. I can honestly say the 2.0 is a great car, its just as fast as a standard 130tdi and gives me 32-34mpg out of every tank, I used to only get 40 out of the TDi's, these both had over 100k on them. When going back to the A4 from an S6 I had looked at TDi's but went and drove the 2.0 and decided on it as it was the same price but with 46k on the clock. I have had mine for about 1 1/2 years and only replaced a breather pipe and timing belt in that time.. Great car and very smooth and quiet compared to TDi's. BTW mine is up for sale...

Click here for shameless plug

 

[myVAG]

I test drove the 1.9 53 A4 TDI SE over the weekend and felt the 2.0 FSI Sport offers more for my budget due to the better styling. My only major concern is over reports that the FSI engine has reliability issues, how extensive is this?

I have also noticed an 53 A3 2.0 TDI (140) with 73000 which looks good but at an extra £700. Is this a much better car?

 

[paul20v]

I test drove the 1.9 53 A4 TDI SE over the weekend and felt the 2.0 FSI Sport offers more for my budget due to the better styling. My only major concern is over reports that the FSI engine has reliability issues, how extensive is this?

I have also noticed an 53 A3 2.0 TDI (140) with 73000 which looks good but at an extra £700. Is this a much better car?

Woulnt touch a 2.0litre tdi over a 1.9
the 1.9 is far more reliable and less crap to go wrong .

 

[quattrojames]

The early 2.0TDi engine had an issue with the plastic oil pump drive (I think) - check the sticky in the B7 section.

 

[ChrisFurlong]

I had a 2.0FSI A4 and loved it. It was plenty of power for me (at the time, now have a 3.2 V6! ) and felt it was a great drive. Never had any problems with it personally. Think the previous owner replaced 3 of the 4 coilpacks and that was it. And the MPG I was very impressed with. Always averaging 30mpg in and around town, and then on long motorway journeys the highest I saw on the DIS was 43mpg. (Much better than my new car, can anyone beat 15mpg?!!)

I would take the 2.0FSI over the diesel, but mainly due to it having lower mileage, a year newer, and the options it has.

 

[simon.m]

when it comes to mileage id have to say the diesel may have more on the clock but will last a hell of a lot longer than a petrol

 

[slepy]

and will be much more expensive when something goes pop

 

[simon.m]

what the diesel?

 

[actionslax]

How do the 1.8T engines fair up?

 

[myVAG]

I feel a diesel will be my best all round option. While the FSI car looks stunning it only saves me 2MPG on my BMW which would be difficult to justify given the down grade in performance and extra purchase cost.

I have now found a 54 reg A4 1.9 TDI Sport in Dauphin Gray with 73,000 at 7k. This car seems like a good option. I have also found an older shaped 03 reg TDI Sport with only 53,000. I'm going to take a trip this weekend and see which looks best. Other than cosmetic updates were there any mechanical differences between 03 and 2004 1.9 130 TDI models?

 

[myVAG]

I'm also looking into having which ever 1.9TDI car I buy re-mapped to produce power closer to my BMW. At 73,000 miles would the 2004 Sport have too many miles to consider remapping?

 

[simon.m]

no not at all i may get mine done one day and its got 140k on it

 

[quattrojames]

I'd have no worries about remapping with that sort of mileage, mine had 128k on when I did it.

I'm not aware of any mechanical difference between 03 and 04 130 TDi's - just make sure it as actually a 130 you're looking at.

 

[BILKO1]

I had my 1.9 tdi remapped at 97000 miles, i now get better fuel consumption if driven conservatively and it pulls like train. If fuel consumption is a worry for you steer clear of the quattros.