Sportback tdi or tfsi - which one would you buy

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joncro

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Hi all, thinking of returning to Audi after a year with a BMW 5 series. I previously owned an A4 (bre) 140 tdi multitronic and although the car was fairly reliable over the 2 years of ownership the constant oil pump hex drive draft gave me nightmares!!
From what I can gather the A3 has the engine mounted in a different direction and the hex drive does not seem to affect A3's, am I correct to think this? Or would the tfsi be a safer/more reliable option?
I only do 10k a year max. Tried to search for an answer on the forum but couldn't find anything that recent regards the hex drive shaft.
Cheers
Jon


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Why downgrade from a 5 series to an a3 ? I would go tdi. I actually have both and you may be letting yourself in for the dreaded oil consumption issue if you got petrol.
 
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I need an estate/hatchback another child on the way and a dog! Plus I found the 5 series a big lump! Was thinking of a 3 series touring but always like the a3 sportback. Yes ive read up on the oil consumption on the tfsi's....modern cars, always something! having visited the 3 series forums they have their own share of issues...The tdi 170 would be better option I guess? My budget is 7k
Cheers.


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Depends what you're into, the only issue I would have with the diesel is the DPF (on the 170) I've had mine removed. 7k would see you a 2007/2008 170 S-Line with sensible miles. I have 2 kids, the sportback is fine for most use although the pram does fill the boot, but then again it would fill just about any family hatch.
 
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Petrol for me thesedays, unless you are buying one of the newer DPF equipped cars.
 
In light of that budget I would not discount a low mile pre 2008 car if petrol is the fuel of choice. I would even consider an A4 avant for the extra space.


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Seen a 1.9 tdi 2009 with 86k mileage. I realise this won't be the fastest but £30 tax and looks great in white, it's on at £6k
Is the 1.9 engine good and reliable? What about dpf, will the 1.9 have one fitted?
Cheers


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Read up on which engine model throws a con rod. The old 1.9 tdi was bombproof but the newer ones were not so reliable.

Slow as hell though and not that economical. I had an 07 plate 1.9 and you had to thrash the nuts off it to make progress. Not that economical either due to it being under powered in such a heavy car.


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All the Derv's have a dpf now since about the end of 2006. Different makers fitted them over the following 2year to make them Euro 5 compliant
 
It's the ****** hex drive on the oil pump that's putting me off the 2.0tdi's.


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lgooch said:
Why downgrade from a 5 series to an a3 ? I would go tdi. I actually have both and you may be letting yourself in for the dreaded oil consumption issue if you got petrol.
Click to expand...
heavy oil consumption only really affected post 2008 tfsi cars and Audi know about the problem and it is and has been rectified with the left cam chain tensioner replacement.
Your budget will get you a nice fairly low mileage 2.0 tfsi s-line on a 2006 plate.
Ive had mine for two years and done 25k miles without a problem, the car is now on 65k.
If you go diesel then go for the 2.0 liter 140bhp version as the 170bhp has lots of issues with the dpf blockage.
Also the diesel like to block up the turbos with lots of sticky black stuff from the diesel. And diesels run better on higher mileages and longer runs.
 
I've got a 57 reg 170 tdi s line but only a 3 door. I think mine was one of the first models to have a dpf filter but I've had no trouble with it at all. I do less mileage than you, I've done 30000 in nearly 5 year and as long as you drive it hard or down the motorway every now and then it keeps the dpf clean. It's very responsive to acceleration with it being a 170 and it's been the most reliable car I've ever had, only repairs I've had to do is a new rear wiper motor and a new door lock which I don't think is bad over 5 years.. The only down side I would say is the occasional understeer which seems to be a common thing on unmodified a3's.
 
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audismart said:
heavy oil consumption only really affected post 2008 tfsi cars and Audi know about the problem and it is and has been rectified with the left cam chain tensioner replacement.
Your budget will get you a nice fairly low mileage 2.0 tfsi s-line on a 2006 plate.
Ive had mine for two years and done 25k miles without a problem, the car is now on 65k.
If you go diesel then go for the 2.0 liter 140bhp version as the 170bhp has lots of issues with the dpf blockage.
Also the diesel like to block up the turbos with lots of sticky black stuff from the diesel. And diesels run better on higher mileages and longer runs.
Click to expand...

Good advice !
 
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My 170 is a beaut since I had the DPF hollowed out and mapped, the 8P3's (2008 onwards) run the CR engine rather than the older PD which I have, CR is a smoother diesel in either BHP


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I was quoted 2.5k for a new dpf and egr valve on a 2010 Cr tdi. Gutting is the way to go. I didn't actually do it after only owning the car 3 months. Lost 1k on the trade in for a 1.8 tfsi which then had the oil consumption issue, needless to say from frying pan and into the fire. Choose an engine wisely is what I say ! They all seem to have a flaw in some respect.
 
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Thats the problem, every engine from every manufacturer has it's own issue's, admittedly some more serious than other's.

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Doing a dpf delete is an MOT fail if found, saying that its not easily identified, kicks out a lot of black stuff when on full throttle and that was the reason for the dpf! to reduce emissions.
Pre 2008 tfsi engines have 2 Achilles heels, 1st is the cam follower needs to have an kept on it and the 2nd is the oil pick up pipe can block if not serviced correctly ie.long life servicing.
 
joncro said:
Thats the problem, every engine from every manufacturer has it's own issue's, admittedly some more serious than other's.

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Click to expand...

Having said this my 2012 a3 2.0 tdi 140 has been flawless in every respect other than a wheel bearing. Only got 40k on it though from new.


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