2.0T or 2.0 Tdi

[mikeyboy]

90% my ****
There are just as many posts about people having problems & "common" problems with petrol models whether it be a 1.8T or an S3.

Really? I call bullsh*t. Here is all the mechanical problem threads on the first 2 pages of this forum as of right now. If you want to go back further it's the same. I was generous at 90%. I'm not wanting an arguement, perhaps as I said it is simply skewed by the TDI being more popular, therefore more on the roads than petrol models. Either way, the proof is in the pudding.

TDI
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-sportback-8p-chassis/182900-i-dont-think-my-luck-ha-ha.htm
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-sportback-8p-chassis/182950-dpf-advice.html
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-sportback-8p-chassis/146231-bxe-engine-crap.htm
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-...car-wont-start-warning-light-wont-go-out.html
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-...0-running-problems-after-injector-recall.html
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-sportback-8p-chassis/178666-glow-plugs.html
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-sportback-8p-chassis/182331-problem-friends-a3.html
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-...180164-a3-2-0-tdi-bkd-temperature-issues.html
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-sportback-8p-chassis/182773-chirping-noise.html


S3
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-sportback-8p-chassis/180405-whining-diff.html

I'm not wanting an arguement either & yes I did notice in your first post that you said there are more TDI's on the road so it would be obvious there would be more threads about TDI's. What I'm trying to say 90% is a bit far-fetched considering your only looking at the first few pages of the forum. I would of loved a 2.0T as that was what I was actually wanting when I was looking for an A3 (also wanted it to be an s-line) but after months of searching I just could not find one locally. So I test drove a 2.0TDI (140) SE and bought it as soon as I got back to the dealers. I never thought I would buy a diesel as I was always a petrol man but I honestly think vag diesel engines are brilliant aswell as there petrol engines. My TDI has given me no issues I'm glad to say.

 

[PaulAr]

A Stage 1 KO3 20T is superb. Quick and responsive. Pretty close to a stock S3 in a straight line and even closer once on the move in FWD flavour.
The SB is very practical too, quattro does rob a bit of the boot space though.
Reckon you wont be disappointed.

What about a MK5 Gti 5 Door?

 

[indo247]

Thanks for all the replies chaps,

This thread has pretty much confirmed my direction, as much as I respect the diesel and like the low down torque, I am a petrol man at heart,

The diesel would probably seem like a good idea for the first couple of months, but as I'm not doing much more than 7-8k a year it makes sense to stick with the petrol.

How have people found the A3 5 door/sportback for lugging around baby prams etc ?

Next choice is either A3 5 door Sline or A4 avant Sline ? Dsg would be good too !

my 2.0t quattro se sportback was fine when i had one kid but now i got 2 tbh its a bit of a struggle getting everything in the boot, we do have a double buggy though that weighs a ton and has more gadgets on it than james bond has on his cars lol

i'm thinking about going for an A4 tfsi quattro avant, not driven one yet though anyone know what they are like for space?

 

[_a3sport]

Perhaps it's because FAR more TDIs sold in the UK new than 2.0Ts? So more people are posting about them?

TDIs in general will be doing a lot more mileage hence they are going to break more. Probably not as well maintained either as owners spend £3/4k+ a year on fuel and have little pennies left.

 

[Essflee]

What about a MK5 Gti 5 Door?

Been looking at these tonight on Autotrader,

been thinking about keeping the S3 because I really don't want to part with it and selling the Mrs Vw polo and getting either an A3 or the Golf.

The Mrs has always liked Golf Gti's..

The Audi looks more classy though and there isn't much money between the 2 at similar age and mileage, but... As it will be her main car she will have the choice, I like both but for me I'd have the Audi..

i'll work on it !

 

[Minstadave]

TDIs in general will be doing a lot more mileage hence they are going to break more. Probably not as well maintained either as owners spend £3/4k+ a year on fuel and have little pennies left.

Dont buy that at all, the world and his wife buys a diesel nowadays for the extra MPGs on the once weekly shopping trip. Even on here numpties are buying them for their 10k a year pottering around.

 

[plymouthaudi]

Having owed a mk5 golf gti with the 2.0t engine and now an a3 2.0 tdi 170. I would say get the tdi I only drive around town and with a remap I get 45mpg around town 64 on the motorway. Also people say the 2.0t sounds better. But in my opinion at idle and starting it sounds the same as my diesel lol. With mine remapped its as quick as the2.0t standard as I have raced one. But even without a remap u are looking at a good car. I wouldn't go back to the 2.0t also the mpg was awful. Hope this helps.

 

[audicruiser]

The difference between a non Quattro car and Quattro is three suit cases in the boot verses two. Convert that into space left with a pushchair in place and you get the picture. Also you will soon get fed up with the parcel shelf banging away due to the pushchair being that much higher and pushing it up....

Don't rule out the GTi.... They hold their money better as they get older....

 

[RedDejavu]

Having owed a mk5 golf gti with the 2.0t engine and now an a3 2.0 tdi 170. I would say get the tdi I only drive around town and with a remap I get 45mpg around town 64 on the motorway. Also people say the 2.0t sounds better. But in my opinion at idle and starting it sounds the same as my diesel lol. With mine remapped its as quick as the2.0t standard as I have raced one. But even without a remap u are looking at a good car. I wouldn't go back to the 2.0t also the mpg was awful. Hope this helps.

there isnt much true in what you saying unfortunately. I owned 170 S line and could not get more than 35 around town (6miles trip one way) and 40-45 motorway unless I drove like miss daisy then this could have gone up to 48-50 and this is with new injectors and dpf deleted so less pressure and better mpgs I found. Without that i could have not reached 50 at all. Besides you say that drive only around town but then you state motorways mpgs. Dont get it mate. Not to mention the amount of pollution you cause to other ppl and kids running without DPF fitted that you may not be aware of(this was one of the reasons I sold mine).

In town diesels are horrible to drive: low rev range, rubbish 1st gear, not very refined and due to engine block being harder it warms up longer so shorter journeys kill the mpgs. Only diesel I would consider is a V6 engine fitted to new A4/A5.

 

[audicruiser]

The CR engine gave better mpg's. we get 39mpg around town and 50+ on a run. Looking at the OP's budget though these cars will be out of reach or mega milers.

 

[RedDejavu]

yeah CRs are better but his 2008 nad prelift so I assume PD engine.

I did some figures some time ago when I were to buy my S3 and worked out that I could have only saved 500-700 pounds per year if I havent sold my previous A3. And you know what? I got rid of some usless direct debits I was paying and that made me save same amout LOL! Think smarter not harder they say

 

[Freddywilt]

Unless you want the MPG then never buy a diesel.

 

[plymouthaudi]

there isnt much true in what you saying unfortunately. I owned 170 S line and could not get more than 35 around town (6miles trip one way) and 40-45 motorway unless I drove like miss daisy then this could have gone up to 48-50 and this is with new injectors and dpf deleted so less pressure and better mpgs I found. Without that i could have not reached 50 at all. Besides you say that drive only around town but then you state motorways mpgs. Dont get it mate. Not to mention the amount of pollution you cause to other ppl and kids running without DPF fitted that you may not be aware of(this was one of the reasons I sold mine).

In town diesels are horrible to drive: low rev range, rubbish 1st gear, not very refined and due to engine block being harder it warms up longer so shorter journeys kill the mpgs. Only diesel I would consider is a V6 engine fitted to new A4/A5.

I don't think I'm wrong mate with the mpg. I drive the car every day to work 5 miles there and 5 miles back always above 45mpg easy that's not driving like a granny fast acceleration etc (non motorway miles I must add). Then on a run on the motorway I get easy 60mpg plus. That's normal 70-80 mph. As for the DPF I know it's abit more smokey but once warm there is no abnormal smoke for me at all. I hated diesels before I had this car now I wouldn't go back to a petrol in a hurry.

And for the bit you mentioned about the blocks being hard so takes longer to warm up so this effects the mpg. I start up my car drive as per the trip computer on a daily drive cold engine. Within about a mile I'm on 45mpg that's on flat down hill and up hill in that time. With my golf gti in the same commute to work 5 miles same down hill flat up hill about 15mpg so that to me says it all.

Everyone's opinion will be different but having owned both that's my 10 pence worth and for people to disagree or say my post is incorrect even tho I drive this car every day is abit wrong.

Rant over.

 

[c_w]

PD170 mpg varies quite a lot, some appear to get low figures, others about the same as the 140. My 170 isn't bad at all, long term average is on as much as 47mpg lately due to 60miles round trip commute, this is over 18months and includes all other shopping, town trips etc, always get at least around 500miles to the tank. It's also very quick even as standard.

The new CR diesel engine is sooooooo much more refined though and quoted mpg figures are much higher - there really isn't much weight in the noise argument vs petrol. Drove a 61 plate passat recently and there was no NVH or real diesel sounds at all, mega impressive considering how the previous generation sounded. That is my only bugbear with the PD engine, some are a little course sounding for the age of car but cruise fine on the motorway.

 

[Minstadave]

Then on a run on the motorway I get easy 60mpg plus. That's normal 70-80 mph.

Yeah sure you do.

 

[NHN]

I can get 60mpg on my 2.0 tdi running at 70mph, that's with resetting the dis & running for a while to allow it to average properly, so its not impossible, what was funny is when my wheel cracked & I ran a 50mph max spare, the dis showed 90mpg lmao, thing is it was probably the most economic drive I've ever had, 200 miles at max 50mph, urm exciting lol.

 

[Graham89]

Audi diesels aren't particularly fast by any standard. My A3 is the 140 BKD engine. I do a zillion miles and it's great. Never breaks down engine wise (touches wood) and does get thrashed about every so often. Its mapped but not particularly fast. More grunty.

My brother 123D m sport remapped on the other hand.... Makes 260bhp with 320lb ft torque. That's a fun drive especially on roundabouts and TC off

 

[audicruiser]

Audi diesels aren't particularly fast by any standard. My A3 is the 140 BKD engine. I do a zillion miles and it's great. Never breaks down engine wise (touches wood) and does get thrashed about every so often. Its mapped but not particularly fast. More grunty.

My brother 123D m sport remapped on the other hand.... Makes 260bhp with 320lb ft torque. That's a fun drive especially on roundabouts and TC off

The fact the 123d has twin turbos may have a bit to do with that!

 

[PaulAr]

BMW engines, ergonomics, and dynamics with AUDI cabins and styling.

Where do I sign ?

 

[plymouthaudi]

BMW engines, ergonomics, and dynamics with AUDI cabins and styling.

Where do I sign ?

Plus 1

 

[articuno88]

I have a burning question for a long time now... why does a diesel car need to do more miles to make it worthwhile compared to a petrol one? I don't understand this at all, unless it's something to do with anything other than MPG...

 

[hughjass]

I have a burning question for a long time now... why does a diesel car need to do more miles to make it worthwhile compared to a petrol one? I don't understand this at all, unless it's something to do with anything other than MPG...

^^^^
I believe it's because a diesel car new cost more than the petrol equivalent, so to recoup that extra few grand the saving in fuel cost over x amount years evens it out.

Follow this link for a better explanation;

http://www.which.co.uk/cars/driving/driver-tools/petrol-vs-diesel/petrol-and-diesel-fuel-costs/

 

[articuno88]

^^^^
I believe it's because a diesel car new cost more than the petrol equivalent, so to recoup that extra few grand the saving in fuel cost over x amount years evens it out.

Follow this link for a better explanation;

Petrol and diesel fuel costs - Petrol vs diesel - Driver tools - Driving your car - Which? Car

Thanks for that hughjass [hehe].
This is the reason I'm/was/still confused:
Brand new 2.0 TFSI BE costs/costed around £500 or so more than the CR170 TDI BE when I was choosing which one to get.
Quoted MPGs are... 39 vs 60. Regardless of how much or where you drive, diesel will always give more mileage, hence the difference in the fuel prices don't matter.
£139 road tax for the tdi is half that of the tfsi.
Higher resale value for the diesel.

Am I missing something?

I did that calculation in the link you posted anyways and it just said 'in this example the diesel is cheaper from the outset' heh.

 

[Minstadave]

The diesel is less reliable, so you have to take into account the likelihood of more bills.

Diesel costs more than petrol.

The petrol is nicer to drive and more powerful.

I think the main thing is that if you're not doing monster miles then your savings with the diesel will be a few hundred quid a year and you'll have to live with a slower, less reliable, less refined engine.

 

[hughjass]

I've had such a lot of trouble with my wife's 1.9tid over the 5 yrs of ownership with injector seals, egr,starting, suspension (2 x springs breaking,) I'm very dubious in buying another die- sel.

The only advantage has been better fuel economy, when its not poorly.

 

[plymouthaudi]

I've had such a lot of trouble with my wife's 1.9tid over the 5 yrs of ownership with injector seals, egr,starting, suspension (2 x springs breaking,) I'm very dubious in buying another die- sel.

The only advantage has been better fuel economy, when its not poorly.

That sounds pretty unlucky had my 2.0tdi 170 for 2 years and never missed a beat the only problem I had was the passenger seat not moving forward nothing to do with the engine. I guess it's just one of those things. I had a golf gti and had nothing but trouble. Engine mounts going 2x coil packs, turbo issues the list was endless. Luckily all under warranty but would have cost me over 3k but like I say it's just one of those things.