Potential upgrade from PD170 to 2.0TFSI Quattro

[Sidhu88]

Just after a bit of advice from fellow owners.

I've had my PD170 for nearly 2 years now and have had countless amounts of problems and spent way more on it than should have been spent. Anyhow its time for a change.... Im struggling to see past changing the car for anything other than another Audi, the only thing I may consider is a Mk V GTI which has the same lump, but the A3 is much nicer place to be in and in a lot of ways a bit less conspicuous than the GTI. As for the options on the Audi, A3 or A4 both in quattro form (or maybe not depending on advice).

I know of the following issues:

DMF - common across all every audi known to man probably so I know what to look out for here

HPFP and cam follower - I've seen a few threads floating around, is this an issue for every 2.0 tfsi engine?

Haldex - Must be serviced i get that much, anything else to look out for? Is it more trouble than its worth?

Turbo issues - I see more threads about PD turbos going in comparison to any of the petrol variants, is that to say they're alot more reliable?

Water pumps and belts - Make sure theyre done

Oil pick up pipe problems - can anyone shed some more light on this other than the obvious

What other things are there to look out for?

My second question will have a major determining factor on whether I go facelift or not. I'm aware that there are newer variants of the 2.0tfsi engine found in 8P3 and B8 models. Are the newer engines much better than the previous generation?

Thanks in advance, and before anyone flames me i've searched the forums but id just like some more current feedback

 

[JJ.Foulds]

the 2.0 tfsi sounds like a diesel at idle, thats my input. lol.

and also i changed the cam follower myself for £36, and im rubbish with cars.

my quattros not been serviced for ages by the looks of my log book, but its deffo worth buying into!

 

[Sidhu88]

the 2.0 tfsi sounds like a diesel at idle, thats my input. lol.

and also i changed the cam follower myself for £36, and im rubbish with cars.

my quattros not been serviced for ages by the looks of my log book, but its deffo worth buying into!

How long have u owned ur car for? come across any problems during ownership. Most of the VAG turbo engines sound rough on idle, even all the 20vt lumps were the same, they've got that weird start up noise too

 

[JJ.Foulds]

How long have u owned ur car for? come across any problems during ownership. Most of the VAG turbo engines sound rough on idle, even all the 20vt lumps were the same, they've got that weird start up noise too

Bout 4 months, done about 5k miles out of the 125k on clock.

Only problem i had when i took to rick for remap, was the dumpvalve was screwed, and i didnt even realise the loss of power lol!

But if you dont like low mpg id stay away, before remap i got like 23-24mpg average, and now im getting like 20-21 (i plant my foot more, but it comes with a big grin! )

Yeh they are loud as it uses the same way of injection as diesels do, which is more efficient apparently

 

[nothingness]

I went from pd140 to 2.0t FSI to PD140 and am about to go to PD170...

The 2.0t was super smooth, it was awesome! Didn't sound like a diesel on idle, just the exhaust burbling away But, it was stage 2+ which might have been a different story to standard?

The bad thing, and other than writing it off, would have been bad long term, was fuel... I only ran it on Tesco 99 / Shell Vpower+, and it gobbled it, even when driving "normally" it would drink £90 of fuel in 200 miles.

 

[Brodster]

Have had 2 2.0TDI's both remapped and have had 2 S3's both remapped. Current one is a 12 plate Ibis White S3 sitting at stage 2 and the only problem I had was the 140 TDI had to have a new turbo in it due to the siren noise but this was done under warranty so it went back to the dealers to have it done. Apart from that everything has been sweet as a nut so far.....My current S3 has run so smooth since I bought her new and then remapped her within 100 miles - best thing you can do IMO to either the diesel version or S3............makes them run so much better.

 

[Sidhu88]

I only run on v power diesel and thats almost 10p different to petrol, so it'll be a saving in some ways. I don't do much in the way of long journeys which is why i want to step away from diesels, i don't feel like im taking advantage of it much living in london tbh.

Maintenance is the other thing i'm considering. Maybe i follow a common misconception (if there is one) that diesels are harder engines to work with? I'm much more confident around a petrol engine compared to a diesel, i've done as much as i can by myself with the pd170 but some of its just beyond my capabilities.

 

[Dave-S3]

I went from pd140 to 2.0t FSI to PD140 and am about to go to PD170...

The 2.0t was super smooth, it was awesome! Didn't sound like a diesel on idle, just the exhaust burbling away But, it was stage 2+ which might have been a different story to standard?

The bad thing, and other than writing it off, would have been bad long term, was fuel... I only ran it on Tesco 99 / Shell Vpower+, and it gobbled it, even when driving "normally" it would drink £90 of fuel in 200 miles.

Yours must have been f**ked i get about 270 miles to £70 of premium unleaded driving day to day in my S3!!!

 

[nothingness]

No, it was not "****ed" it was very smooth and very quick, I didn't really have time to compare it but I walked all over a 350z which tells you something about the performance?

 

[sliced]

Newer tfsi engine is a lot quieter, comming from a PD engine myself I would say the power delivery between a tfsi and a tdi is completely different!
fuel economy on the tdi was mid 50s on the motorway as supposed to mid 40's on the tfsi ccza
Locally is get 38mpg in tdi and 28-32 in the tfsi,



all depends how you drive etc, but if you don't do many miles then the tfsi is more an adequate upgrade!

Both have good tuning potential, can squeeze 50ish bhp from simply a remap alone.
Try and go for a Quattro if possible as traction can be an issue in the wet in first gear

 

[JimmyH]

No, it was not "****ed" it was very smooth and very quick, I didn't really have time to compare it but I walked all over a 350z which tells you something about the performance?

really.....?? What power were you making? 350's make 287 & 306 bhp depending whether it's UK spec or JDM. With your drive train loss and weight you must have been making 340+ bhp to 'walk all over a 350'

 

[JJ.Foulds]

f tfsi ccza
Locally is get 38mpg in tdi and 28-32 in the tfsi,

Dam when i try drive 'slowely' and i can only push 25mpg lol, i think i must find it hard to not use the power, unless its caus im in an AXX lol

 

[JJ.Foulds]

really.....?? What power were you making? 350's make 287 & 306 bhp depending whether it's UK spec or JDM. With your drive train loss and weight you must have been making 340+ bhp to 'walk all over a 350'

the 350 wasnt even racing

 

[sliced]

Dam when i try drive 'slowely' and i can only push 25mpg lol, i think i must find it hard to not use the power, unless its caus im in an AXX lol

lol i'd hate to know what you get driving fast! Although saying that, driving through uni campus i get like 12mpg lol, so much traffic!

 

[VAG_BADGER]

really.....?? What power were you making? 350's make 287 & 306 bhp depending whether it's UK spec or JDM. With your drive train loss and weight you must have been making 340+ bhp to 'walk all over a 350'

My old standard S3 was as quick, if not quicker, than my old pre facelift 350z. Figures on paper mean jack. The torque from the turbo'd TFSI and the way It delivers the power made it quicker in the real world. My current stage 2+ Walks all over my dads 997 Gen 2, even though on paper it shouldn't. It's all relative.

 

[Sidhu88]

Newer tfsi engine is a lot quieter, comming from a PD engine myself I would say the power delivery between a tfsi and a tdi is completely different!
fuel economy on the tdi was mid 50s on the motorway as supposed to mid 40's on the tfsi ccza
Locally is get 38mpg in tdi and 28-32 in the tfsi,



all depends how you drive etc, but if you don't do many miles then the tfsi is more an adequate upgrade!

Both have good tuning potential, can squeeze 50ish bhp from simply a remap alone.
Try and go for a Quattro if possible as traction can be an issue in the wet in first gear

I do alot of miles just not motorway miles, and the majority of it is heavy footed. I just need something thats good for quick acceleration. I spent most my time launching it from lights. I have traction issues in 2nd and 3rd in the diesel atm!
My mates just picked up a rocco with that same engine i think. If its the same one its chain driven too, are the old ones on a belt or a chain?

 

[Sidhu88]

My old standard S3 was as quick, if not quicker, than my old pre facelift 350z. Figures on paper mean jack. The torque from the turbo'd TFSI and the way It delivers the power made it quicker in the real world. My current stage 2+ Walks all over my dads 997 Gen 2, even though on paper it shouldn't. It's all relative.

Add to the fact no drivetrain losses are considered for the Z33 either. Granted the power isn't so high that the 350 would suffer with traction but having AWD on a launch is always gonna be better, further to that its a small displacement engine with a fast spooling turbo! Probably y u can walk the facelift porka (im assuming its not a pdk?)

 

[VAG_BADGER]

Add to the fact no drivetrain losses are considered for the Z33 either. Granted the power isn't so high that the 350 would suffer with traction but having AWD on a launch is always gonna be better, further to that its a small displacement engine with a fast spooling turbo! Probably y u can walk the facelift porka (im assuming its not a pdk?)

Yeah it's a PDK Carrera 2. Not an S but it's a Jap spec with a slightly more aggressive tune. Actually feels quicker that the gen 2 S he had due to the shorter stroke, more free revving engine. From a dig he wins with the (epic) PDK box wiping the floor with me. From 40-90 3/4 gear pull in S3 I can pull away. Show him corners and I'm done though, handling is unreal.

 

[sliced]

I do alot of miles just not motorway miles, and the majority of it is heavy footed. I just need something thats good for quick acceleration. I spent most my time launching it from lights. I have traction issues in 2nd and 3rd in the diesel atm!
My mates just picked up a rocco with that same engine i think. If its the same one its chain driven too, are the old ones on a belt or a chain?

yep chain. TBH if you do alot of driving, the torque of the tdi is pretty decent. Maybe go for a dsg 170 tdi?

 

[MrLapou]

Older 2.0TFSi are belt.
I've had both engines. By far the new TFSi's are smoother more refined and quieter. Also a little more economical.
The PCV and other issues were sorted. However DV can still give trouble which is no biggie to sort.

Quattro is superb, hardly a murmur of wheel spin..

 

[sliced]

Older 2.0TFSi are belt.
I've had both engines. By far the new TFSi's are smoother more refined and quieter. Also a little more economical.
The PCV and other issues were sorted. However DV can still give trouble which is no biggie to sort.

Quattro is superb, hardly a murmur of wheel spin..

Hey could you point me in the direction of testing the DV for any problems?

 

[MrLapou]

Easy, Diaphgram type, will have a tear / hole in it.
Needs to be taken off to check.. A 40min job if you've got dexterous hands and right size if hex key.

 

[manor13]

i have an 8v TDI and an 2.0TFSI quattro more doors for both and I would say get the haldex looked at first as when I bought mine the dealer said all serviced blah blah.... bunch of **** biscuits! got it straight to my garage and drained the haldex, poured the contents through their letterbox one night as a pressie as it was like soup 2 flushes to get it looking good. In this wetter weather it holds very well and once my mods are on it will be better.The TFSi engines are the best imo diesel tuning is ltd and gains arent all that good compared with the TFSI having modded leon TDI FR and an ed30 i got more bang for buck on the tfsi.

 

[Sidhu88]

yep chain. TBH if you do alot of driving, the torque of the tdi is pretty decent. Maybe go for a dsg 170 tdi?

Has to be a manual! my friends rocco is a DSG and as cool as it is I don't think i could live with it. The a3 is too numb feeling as a car as it is, take away the manual gearbox and I won't feel very involved at all.

Older 2.0TFSi are belt.
I've had both engines. By far the new TFSi's are smoother more refined and quieter. Also a little more economical.
The PCV and other issues were sorted. However DV can still give trouble which is no biggie to sort.

Quattro is superb, hardly a murmur of wheel spin..

Wasnt there a revision D version or something that was meant to be the cure for it all? Du ever feel like having quattro takes away the excitement in ur driving? No drama.. no fun?

 

[Sidhu88]

i have an 8v TDI and an 2.0TFSI quattro more doors for both and I would say get the haldex looked at first as when I bought mine the dealer said all serviced blah blah.... bunch of **** biscuits! got it straight to my garage and drained the haldex, poured the contents through their letterbox one night as a pressie as it was like soup 2 flushes to get it looking good. In this wetter weather it holds very well and once my mods are on it will be better.The TFSi engines are the best imo diesel tuning is ltd and gains arent all that good compared with the TFSI having modded leon TDI FR and an ed30 i got more bang for buck on the tfsi.

After stage 1 or 2 on both it all becomes far too expensive to get anything more out of it anyway IMO. Depends on the end goal i guess, i wouldn't do anything crazy tuning wise. Stage 1 and some basic bolt on equipment then maybe stage 2. I've been looking at ED30's too, theres some beautiful models floating around, they seem to have dropped in price massively lately aswell but it stands out far more than an A3 does which puts me off a bit. Thats the thing with the audis, if u debadge it, theres no clear indication as to what the car could be (aside from the different tailpipes)

 

[nothingness]

really.....?? What power were you making? 350's make 287 & 306 bhp depending whether it's UK spec or JDM. With your drive train loss and weight you must have been making 340+ bhp to 'walk all over a 350'

I honestly have no idea, I think it was over 300hp though, and it was not an S3 but a tuned A3 so it doesn't have the quattro drivetrain, just FWD, though again I am pretty sure it had some kind of LSD as it didn't spin much either especially around corners. I wish I could have indexed what it actually had I just didn't own it long enough!
I am pretty sure it had a different turbo, but even stage 2+ on standard turbo is supposed to be around 300hp?
350z was a standard 05 plate with a very loud exhaust, from about 30mph on. The A3 was S-Tronic and that had at least a gearbox remap as it would hold its revs which they don't do as standard - they change up when you hit the limiter even in manual mode. I think the 'box might have been why I won, driver said the car was popping flames every time I changed gear and S-Tronic does so in about 1/100th of a second.

the 350 wasnt even racing

The great thing about proper V6's is you definetly know when they are racing. Awesome noise!

 

[wuta3]

I have a 2.0TFSI quattro, and i'd say get the ****** pickup pipe changed before you drive it LOL Mine had red-symbol-of-death the evening of purchase. £20 part vs potentially dead engine if the previous owner was **** with servicing

 

[MrLapou]

Or change the oil + filter every 6k miles....

I have a 2.0TFSI quattro, and i'd say get the ****** pickup pipe changed before you drive it LOL Mine had red-symbol-of-death the evening of purchase. £20 part vs potentially dead engine if the previous owner was **** with servicing

 

[wuta3]

Or change the oil + filter every 6k miles....

Well yea, easy to do when you own the car lol, I meant check the prior owner has been good.

 

[Sidhu88]

I have a 2.0TFSI quattro, and i'd say get the ****** pickup pipe changed before you drive it LOL Mine had red-symbol-of-death the evening of purchase. £20 part vs potentially dead engine if the previous owner was **** with servicing

red symbol of death? oil light?

 

[wuta3]

red symbol of death? oil light?

Red "pull over or else" oil-can symbol of death