Really can't make my mind up! 140? 170? 3.0!!

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IL3888

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i need some help. I've seen 3 cars. 2 2.0 tdi (a140,170) and a 3.0 tdi.
i just can't make up my mind which 1!

I like the idea of the mpg you get from the 2.0 but like the spec and reliability of the 3.0.

The cars Ive seen range from £4500 for a 2.0 140 then £5500 for a 170 which are pretty much the same spec and year cloth standard radios. The 3.0 has every thing I want from leather, cruz, bose and is£6500. All are within budget but I can't decide!!!

Could any of you good fellows tell me some pro's and cons that they know of for all of them ie mpg any experience of the 3.0? Is it going to be like running my mk4 golf turbo?
Any major issues or oil pump on earlier models?

I'm up and down the motorway everyday for work doing around 50 miles a day so mpg is a possible factor.

Cheers guys
 
140 I have and a great on mpg
170 suffer with dpf problems

3.0 is a good engine but abit thirsty compared to the others.
Not to say the 140 doesn't suffer as injectors ect ect depends if you want to tune then 3.0 I'd say personally.
 
My 170 Quattro avant at very best does 45mpg, but its mostly 41/42mpg and that's a 72 miles per day commute on motorway. That's my figures not what dashboards tell you, I would imagine 3.0 real life figures be 35/37 motorway driving. At that point I say why bother with a diesel unless its a big 4x4 and have a need for it for towing etc etc.
 
Test drive the 3.0 litre, you won't give the other two a second thought, as for consumption it depends how heavy your right foot is, after the initial urge to give it a lot of wellie and you drive it economically they are very good on juice, mine gives me 34 ish backwards and forwards to work which is only five miles a day, on a good run 40+ is easily achievable.
 
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I love the idea of the 3.0 due to the power and spec of the one I've seen.... but I don't want massive fuel bills as one reason for a diesel is to save fuel. It needs to be better than my old golf mk4 GTI turbo which was quite thirsty.
 
The cost will be offset by the 3.0's greater reliability.
 
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140 bhp good for remap and no dpf. 170bhp good if dpf sorted. Don't like multitronic though. Both still sound like a diesel. But the 3.0tdi sounds sweet as its a v6. With a different exhaust it sounds even nicer. Mpg round town is a bit low but on a run 45mpg is easy. Will be better than your golf I think. Make sure no timing chain rattles on start up if a 3.0tdi. I have had all types of engine in a3 a6 a4 in avants, saloons and a cab and I like them all. If economy is biggest concern then a 170bhp maps well and goes very well. I like the dash in the a6 best with satnav, and the dash in the a4 cab is nicer with round dash vents, and I am partial to the shape of the avants, I just think they are nicer, but its only my opinion, good luck.
 
Even though I have the 170 and do like it I would honestly say I would go for the 3.0 233hp if I had the chance to buy again. Having said that there's not much choice out there. Was looking today and they seem a bit thin on the ground.
 
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SDHA4SLine that is honest! I have to agree, after owning 2x 3.0tdi's I could not go back to a 4 pot, they are the nuts!
 
3.0 tdi, if you drive it economically it's economical, if you hammer it it isn't.

If fuel consumption is really important, the 2ltr will be better on this front, but in every other aspect the 3.0 is better (imo). You could even get an economy map on a 3.0 if you're that concerned...

Assume you'll get 10mpg less in the 3.0 unless you're doing stupidly long motorway cruises at 70mph. Test drive both and see how much you prefer the smoothness and power of the V6, for me there was no contest.
 
3.0 definitely - I would avoid the 2.0 unless you have documentary evidence that the oil pump/balance shaft module has been upgraded or at the very least pulled out and checked. It's a ticking time bomb - and you have no reliable way of knowing if you have one of the "good" ones, or one that is ready to catastrophically fail on the outside lane of the motorway.

And if you are still determined on the four-banger, budget for having the oil pump done as soon as you buy - one consolation is that the problem is so well known now in the trade that the price of fixing it has come down a lot - provided it is caught before your engine and/or turbo is totalled - you don't need to buy a new one from Audi anymore, there are specialists who can recondition your existing one for a lot less, and you can combine it with a cambelt change to offset the cost.
 
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I'm heading to have s look at a 170 tonight. On paper it does sound good. 57 plate avant.
1 owner. Everything's been done by audi leicester. New turbo, injectors, cambelt and water pump, dics pads, DPF filter ect ect. All documented to. 145k £5500? Obv I'm not going to pay 5.5. I was thinking around £5100 £5200??
 
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Test drive will make your mind up instantly, as it did with me. Swirl flap actuator arms are about £9 a side and timing chain isn't a major issue as it is only on start up, just be aware that it isn't only fuel which will be your concern. If you look at the broader picture to see if you can really afford to run one you must take into account running costs of wear and tear that will be increased slightly such as brakes (almost size of S4), oil (8L of it), tyres if thinking of upgrading to 19s perhaps etc.

Did the exhaust on mine and it sounds nothing like a diesel anymore unless on idle due to timing chain issue mentioned already.
 
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The difference in fuel economy between a 2.0TDi and a 3.0TDi is not great. But A4_MaJiK is right to point to the other running costs. Meanwhile, the 3.0 is a much more reliable engine, infinitely smoother and more refined, comes with four-wheel drive and provides effortless, seamless and relentless performance. For me, there really is no decision.
 
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Well just picked up the 57 plate 170bhp I mentioned earlier. Very tidy car with loads of history and money spent including new turbo. I'll get some pics up when it's light. I paid £4800 which I think is a good price.
 
IL3888 said:
Well just picked up the 57 plate 170bhp I mentioned earlier. Very tidy car with loads of history and money spent including new turbo. I'll get some pics up when it's light. I paid £4800 which I think is a good price.
Click to expand...
Sounds a very good deal you will be pleased I'm sure.
 
IL3888 said:
Well just picked up the 57 plate 170bhp I mentioned earlier. Very tidy car with loads of history and money spent including new turbo. I'll get some pics up when it's light. I paid £4800 which I think is a good price.
Click to expand...
Good stuff; hope it's a good 'un and that you enjoy owning it.
 
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