New member considering A3 1.9 / 2.0 TDi

[sdutton007]

Hi everyone,

I've just joined this forum as I am planning to replace my 2005 Focus Ghia 1.6 Ti-VCT with a A3 1.9 / 2.0 TDi. The focus has been a good car, but is drinking too much (partly due to my heavy right foot) - averaging about 32MPG, and it seems so slow to me.

I've been told by various people to go for the 1.9 as the 2.0 is unreliable and has a tendancy to blow up - is there any truth to this?

I don't know much about Audis in general, but are there any specific models that I should avoid?

I am also considering putting a Bluefin on it, although I have seen mention on here of something called "custom code" but didn't find much about it on Google.

Thanks!

EDIT: I've also seen that the 2.0 TDi 170PS has problems with the DPF, and the ECU needs to be 'unlocked' so I think I will avoid the 170PS unless anyone can tell me otherwise?

EDIT 2: I've seen a lot of mention of CR and PD engines - Can anybody provide a link detailing the differences cheers!

 

[Sandra]

Hi, welcome to audi-sport.net. Where are you located? You should start out reading the faqs threads in this section. You will get plenty of help and advice from the others, there is a lot on knowledge on this forum. Enjoy. x

 

[sdutton007]

Hi, welcome to audi-sport.net. Where are you located? You should start out reading the faqs threads in this section. You will get plenty of help and advice from the others, there is a lot on knowledge on this forum. Enjoy. x

Cheers. I'm from Cambridge. I did have a look over the FAQs but didn't see anything regarding 1.9 vs 2.0 TDis

 

[Sandra]

​One of the guys will be along shortly with advice. x

 

[soulsurfer]

I can't comment on the 2.0 TDi blowing up as I'm new to owning one, after owning a 1.9, although I've not heard of them blowing up, but what I can say is that the 2.0 is a much nicer engine with more power on tap, I'd go 2.0 every time

 

[SPARTAN91]

Hi everyone,

I've just joined this forum as I am planning to replace my 2005 Focus Ghia 1.6 Ti-VCT with a A3 1.9 / 2.0 TDi. The focus has been a good car, but is drinking too much (partly due to my heavy right foot) - averaging about 32MPG, and it seems so slow to me.

I've been told by various people to go for the 1.9 as the 2.0 is unreliable and has a tendancy to blow up - is there any truth to this?

I don't know much about Audis in general, but are there any specific models that I should avoid?

I am also considering putting a Bluefin on it, although I have seen mention on here of something called "custom code" but didn't find much about it on Google.

Thanks!

EDIT: I've also seen that the 2.0 TDi 170PS has problems with the DPF, and the ECU needs to be 'unlocked' so I think I will avoid the 170PS unless anyone can tell me otherwise?

Hi there
Go for the 2.0tdi 140 as yes the 170,s do have DPF issues.I,ve had my 2.0tdi 140 for nearly 2 years and because it is the common rail spec engine it does have DPF but I've had no issues with it yet.You can have have the DPF removed with no after issues but I haven't bothered with that. But on the plus side I have just remaped my car using the Superchips bluefin and it has made a big difference and well worth it.
I'am also in east anglia just in Norfolk and this foram has an East Anglia section if you wish to join.

 

[SPARTAN91]

CR stands for common rail (fuel) not sure what PD is

 

[Lee540]

CR stands for common rail (fuel) not sure what PD is

Go for a 2.0TDi 170, 2009 onwards with CR common rail diesel engine. Plenty enough power and torque, not supercar but be a bit better than your Focus. No DPF issues with CR 170

 

[percymon]

How many miles a week do you do - any engine with dpf is likely to give some issues if all you do is short town commutes, or the rush hour crawl. The exhaust needs to be hot with plenty of gas flow to keep the dpf in good condition, otherwise it will self regenerate (burn excess fuel and increase revs at idle) as a means to try to clean the dpf - if this fails then its a garage job to have it cleaned through or replaced.

The PD engines are pumpe duese or something like that ! they are older technology, at the time fairly high fuel pressures injection and very reliable in the main but their power delivery is a bit on off - flat at low revs and then the kick of the turbo. Common rail is more modern technology, uses very high fuel pressure (ca 1400 Bar, 20000psi) and better electronic control for improved efficiency. CR is all well n good but a replacement fuel pump is £1200 at a main dealer (I had a failure on my Mk6 Golf under warranty).

PD is more tolerant of short journeys, although the later years of these 1.9 engines also featured a dpf filter.

 

[sdutton007]

Go for a 2.0TDi 170, 2009 onwards with CR common rail diesel engine. Plenty enough power and torque, not supercar but be a bit better than your Focus. No DPF issues with CR 170

I should have mentioned earlier that I am planning to get one made around 2005 - I believe the Focus is worth around £2800 and I'm willing to put in a bit extra, but I won't be able to afford anything newer and I won't consider finance.

How many miles a week do you do - any engine with dpf is likely to give some issues if all you do is short town commutes, or the rush hour crawl.

I do 4 x 5mile journeys every workday, and then 2 x 20 mile journeys nearly every day.

I think a Common rail engine without a DPF would be best for me personally. Do they do a non-DPF CR140?



Also, can anybody point me towards a A3 buyers guide with:
- model differences
- engine options with pros and cons including reliability
- optional extras
- info on the facelift (what changed, etc)
- what S-Line and Black Edition are
- etc

Thanks!

 

[lgooch]

1.9 tdi is usually only 105 BHP and will be no quicker than your focus with the year you are looking at.

However bombproof and does not suffer half the potential issues that the 2.0tdi could. Having said this I have owned both and had no issues with either.

PD engines are less refined and more rattly where as the later CR engines are quiet, refined and dare I say it more petrol like in terms of character.

All good cars in their own right. Just depends what you want from a car. Economy, refinement, performance as the A3 can provide it all. Just depends how deep your pockets are.

 

[percymon]

Can't help out with when the dpf started but somewhere around 2004/5 would seem plausible given other manufacturers were around that time.

Assuming a £5-5.5k budget you're going to be looking at something with over 70k miles on the clock so service history and general condition is absolutley key. There are 170bhp examples on autotrader is you want to risk one with 130k+ miles. There are plenty of examples of PD engines with well over 150k miles on the clock and with good maintenance they should run another 100k miles.

SE spec was basically the base model, Sport generally added sport suspension, bigger wheels and different seats. S-line was more sporty again, harder suspension and bigger wheels.

Black Edition spec only available for the last few years, so too new for your budget.

 

[sdutton007]

Can't help out with when the dpf started but somewhere around 2004/5 would seem plausible given other manufacturers were around that time.

Assuming a £5-5.5k budget you're going to be looking at something with over 70k miles on the clock so service history and general condition is absolutley key. There are 170bhp examples on autotrader is you want to risk one with 130k+ miles. There are plenty of examples of PD engines with well over 150k miles on the clock and with good maintenance they should run another 100k miles.

SE spec was basically the base model, Sport generally added sport suspension, bigger wheels and different seats. S-line was more sporty again, harder suspension and bigger wheels.

Black Edition spec only available for the last few years, so too new for your budget.

Cheers.

I will be looking to get a similar spec to my Focus (air-con, cruise control, total closure, heated front & rear windscreen). Climate control would be nice, as would a double-din space for the stereo (but I don't think this is standard on any A3?).

I'd like it to have a balance between sport and comfort - I do quite high mileage and my mum uses the car for long journeys, so it needs to be fairly comfortable and not crash into every little bump, but I don't want much body roll on corners.

Sorry to be a pain but I am rather picky when it comes to choosing a car! Thanks for your patience!

 

[SPARTAN91]

I should have mentioned earlier that I am planning to get one made around 2005 - I believe the Focus is worth around £2800 and I'm willing to put in a bit extra, but I won't be able to afford anything newer and I won't consider finance.



I do 4 x 5mile journeys every workday, and then 2 x 20 mile journeys nearly every day.

I think a Common rail engine without a DPF would be best for me personally. Do they do a non-DPF CR140?



Also, can anybody point me towards a A3 buyers guide with:
- model differences
- engine options with pros and cons including reliability
- optional extras
- info on the facelift (what changed, etc)
- what S-Line and Black Edition are
- etc

Thanks!

If you want a non PDF A3 you will have to get a PD140 as all the CR spec engines have DPF which is from about 2008 onwards but PDF's can be safely removed,at extra cost mind you but this will effect your buget.There is also alot of spec info if you look up A3 on wiki p.

 

[sdutton007]

I just got some advice from Jabbasport, who said that the 140 models around 2005 suffered from porous heads, and poor fuel economy compared to the 1.9. They recommended either the 170 model with the DPF removed, or a PD130 or PD150.

Can anybody confirm this?

 

[mjr901]

I can confirm that the best thing to do is to 'gut' the DPF and go for the 170.

You have to map the DPF out of the equation but it's the best way due to it being MOT friendly as the DPF is still 'there'. (but not...)

 

[percymon]

There is no problem with a dpf provided you do enough miles at decent speeds and temps - I never had a forced regen in 65k miles and 3.5yrs with my Golf. I did advise my father to go back to petrol since he does a lot of short journeys to and from the golf club (5 miles) - Oh to be retired

 

[lgooch]

You should be able to get a 1.9tdi 105bhp sport and get a remap up to 130bhp

It will be nippy, economical, more reliable than the 2.0tdi for the year your looking at. Not too crashy and a blend of decent ish handling and comfort. Should also come with dual zone climate as standard. Nearly everything else is an option !

 

[sdutton007]

You should be able to get a 1.9tdi 105bhp sport and get a remap up to 130bhp

It will be nippy, economical, more reliable than the 2.0tdi for the year your looking at. Not too crashy and a blend of decent ish handling and comfort. Should also come with dual zone climate as standard. Nearly everything else is an option !

I'd like something a bit more powerful - even with a remap, it would barely beat my Focus...

The PD130 or PD150 would be much better - but according to Wikipedia, these engines are only available on the pre-2003 model

Is there any diesel A3 8P model with the following???
- at least 130 BHP standard
- no DPF
- no porous head

EDIT: According to Wikipedia, the BKD engine kicks out 140PS without a DPF. If/when I decide to buy one, is there an easy way to tell which cars on AutoTrader/Pistonheads/etc have the BKD engine ? Thanks

 

[lgooch]

So you seem set on a 140tdi with the BKD engine.

You had better get saving a bit more if you want one which avoids the porous head as you will be looking at a later model which fetch more money unless you want one with intergalactic mileage.

Would you not consider a Golf GT with the same BKD engine ?

I am not sure when they brought in the DPF on the 140 but I had a 57 plate golf which did not have a DPF so I think it would have been 08 onwards if not later which is could be beyond your price range anyway.

 

[lgooch]

The PD 130 and 150 are the old pump Duse engines and are only 1.9 litres

Found very commonly in old a4, a3 and mk4 golfs

They will be a bit old for what you want.

 

[leeds2592]

Don't know all about the Diesel engines BKD and all that but, don't get a 1.9. My mate's got one and it barely moves, even in compared to mine and mine isn't exactly a rocket!

Get a 2.0TDI, either 140 or 170. Get DPF removed, if you're worried about it, and remap, jobs a good 'un.

 

[Ice Kay]

I have a 58 plate A3 2.0 tdi 140 and it has dpf

 

[sdutton007]

So you seem set on a 140tdi with the BKD engine.

You had better get saving a bit more if you want one which avoids the porous head as you will be looking at a later model which fetch more money unless you want one with intergalactic mileage.

Would you not consider a Golf GT with the same BKD engine ?

I am not sure when they brought in the DPF on the 140 but I had a 57 plate golf which did not have a DPF so I think it would have been 08 onwards if not later which is could be beyond your price range anyway.

I'm coming to the conclusion the Audi A3 is not suitable for my needs.... either they have porous heads, a DPF or no power

I would consider a Golf, but won't this suffer from the same problems?

According to wikipedia, all of the 8P A3's have a DPF apart from the 1.9 105PS and the BKD. When did they fix the porous head on the BKD, and how do you tell whether a car has the dodgy head or not?

 

[lgooch]

Have a search on here for porous head. There is a massive thread on here which tells you everything you need to know and what cars are affected. Did not affect the golf from what I believe

 

[SPARTAN91]

Cheers.

I will be looking to get a similar spec to my Focus (air-con, cruise control, total closure, heated front & rear windscreen). Climate control would be nice, as would a double-din space for the stereo (but I don't think this is standard on any A3?).

I'd like it to have a balance between sport and comfort - I do quite high mileage and my mum uses the car for long journeys, so it needs to be fairly comfortable and not crash into every little bump, but I don't want much body roll on corners.

Sorry to be a pain but I am rather picky when it comes to choosing a car! Thanks for your patience!

Spec wise A3's only have heated rear screens

 

[sdutton007]

Have a search on here for porous head. There is a massive thread on here which tells you everything you need to know and what cars are affected. Did not affect the golf from what I believe

I've searched but not found anything definitive.

Spec wise A3's only have heated rear screens

I'd expect better from a "premium marque" :S

 

[SPARTAN91]

I've searched but not found anything definitive.



I'd expect better from a "premium marque" :S

It all because ford have the patent on the heated front screens as part of there climate package.I also had a ford focus before my A3 and it had a heated screen and auto dim rear view mirror both of which I miss but I never have regreted changing cars even more so now it remaped.

 

[lgooch]

Search for "how to know if your cylinder head will crack" et voila

 

[sdutton007]

It all because ford have the patent on the heated front screens as part of there climate package.I also had a ford focus before my A3 and it had a heated screen and auto dim rear view mirror both of which I miss but I never have regreted changing cars even more so now it remaped.

Shame Audi decided not to licence the technology... oh well, it's not a dealbreaker for me.

Search for "how to know if your cylinder head will crack" et voila

I read that thread, but it has nothing definitive - it basically says before mid-2005, they are crap... mid-2005 to mid 2006 were a bit better.... mid 2006 onwards were better again but some still do crack. :S

That rules out the BKD engine - I'm going to be going for 2005-ish, and don't want the hassle/expensive of replacing the head.

I believe that only leaves me the option of the BMM-140 or BMN-170 engines with the DPF either gutted or removed... assuming these engines are better & more reliable?

Am I right to assume gutting the DPF involves a long screwdriver and a big hammer? (That's how I 'gutted' the cat on my GT Turbo lol). Will the ECU cope with this, and will it affect the MOT?

Cheers