started looking around for something to replace my 1998 passat tdi 110bhp with at the moment as I've had it over 2 years now and fancy a change.
I do a 40 mile round trip to work each day which is all on the motorway so I want something diesel and nice and comfy on the motorway and I find bigger cars are better for that.
Seen a couple of audi a4 2.5l V6 TDIs which seem really good bargains for the money. They are 150bhp I think so should be a bit faster than my passat (I think if anything they might be a touch lighter overall as well, they are a bit smaller than the passat which is A6 sized). My only worry is that I seem to recall one or two people telling me that the v6 tdi engines aren't as reliable as the trusty old 1.9 4pot diesel. Since I need to rely on it for work, something that needs a lot of maintenance or isn't all that reliable is not an option for me. Anyone have any opinions of these engines based on experience? I guess the other option would be the same car with a 130 or 150 PD diesel engine in.
I'm also looking at Boras but they are a bit more expensive, need to spend £3k really for a decent one that hasn't been to the moon and back.
I know the engines will do good mileage (my passat is still going strong on nearly 150k) but given the mileage I do (doing about 15k a year in my passat) and that I want it to last a couple of years at least, there doesn't seem much point looking at ones that are already on 150k. Plus from what I gather, the PD diesels don't quite last as long as the pre-PD mechanical pump engines which is what is in my passat.
2.5 V6 tdi's, are torque machines.. Althought there are couple of taxi drivers that i discused and they have problems with automatic gearbox..
If you want the manual, go for it without 2nd thought...
Also, they are very expensive in maintenance, for example for cambelt, water pump all the tensioners you want 400+euro.
Although many people have done 700.000+km and the engine still pulls well...
If you can afford it buy it it's great...
i have heard the 2.5 v6 tdi is a torque monster but i cannot comment on reliability as im not sure about that
I was looking at these a while few years back. I seem to remember it being a reliability or maintainence issue on them that makes them seem cheap for the money. It might be something like the Audi S4 V6 bi-turbos. You can find really cheap ones that are approaching a certain service interval!
they do about 30 to the gallon mate so not fantastic on diesel but i have never come across any that have broke just the normal dash board lights coming on. alot of car for the money if you dont mind the 30 to the gallon.
hmm is that all 30 to the gallon? That rules that out then, might as well just get a petrol 1.8 20vt engined car for that kind of mpg.
Yeah it's the servicing & maintenance costs I was worried with. I was expecting them to be more like 40mpg though. Considering my current passat does 50mpg.
I guess something with a 1.9 PD diesel engine is my best bet.
Hayesey, do definatelly want a group VAG diesel car?
Toyota D4D engines are steel, low fuel consumption and very cheap to maintain. Avensis for example, ok it isn't passat but they are very good...
Octavia?