How reliable are VAG motors?

Relentless81 · 8 Oct 2012 at 18:34

Specifically the 2.0 TSFI

It ticks all the boxes for me but I'm used to jap cars and my German car experiance with an A4 1.8T quattro wasnt the best of my driving career

I've read a few stories about excessive oil consumption, how true is this? There seems to be a lot of Octavia VRS's, Golf GTI's, Leon FR's etc on the road they cant all have problems?

Any experiances at all? I quite like the idea of owning a turbo charged car again but jap cars just arent catering for this at the moment

Duke · 8 Oct 2012 at 18:46

Pretty solid, assuming you don't abuse the turbo when cold. Does need topping up with oil a few times a year, just keep an eye on it.

The only thing that has needed work on mine was the diverter valve which was £50 inc fitting by indy. Its a common part that needs changing at some point.

Matt82 · 8 Oct 2012 at 18:47

is the pcv system a bit of a mare on these and fuel pump?

paradigm · 8 Oct 2012 at 18:51

The 2.0TFSI in my A6 is a lot smoother than the 1.8T in my Leon, and more fuel efficient. It's been utterly reliable in the 14k or so miles I've done in it so far, and hasn't shown any signs of throwing up any problems, and unlike the 1.8T it doesn't seem to play EML bingo for fun.

In short it's a smooth and relatively frugal engine (especially considering it's lugging round a giant, heavy, A6 estate), with a pretty decent reliability record.

Matt82 · 8 Oct 2012 at 19:09

i have a 1.8t on 194k miles, it was remapped at about 90k miles

still on its original turbo and get thrashed daily

sigma · 8 Oct 2012 at 19:12

A friend has one in his A4 and it sounded pretty rough when I last heard it, I did tell him to get it checked out but I have no idea whether he actually did. Oil level was fine.

Relentless81 · 8 Oct 2012 at 19:13

Quite surprised at the positive replies I thought people were going to say it might be best to steer clear if you want a reliable car

I dont mind a few minor common faults if the car caters for everything else and I live quite close to Awesome GTI

Is the engine chain driven? I've looked into it before and IIRC it is

That was the problem with my old A4, it seemed to have a light on the dash every other day or the temp wasnt right for one reason or another

Jono8 · 8 Oct 2012 at 19:13

sigma said:
A friend has one in his A4 and it sounded pretty rough when I last heard it, I did tell him to get it checked out but I have no idea whether he actually did. Oil level was fine.

They generally do sound a bit rough/diesel like at idle.

sigma · 8 Oct 2012 at 19:16

Jono8 said:
They generally do sound a bit rough/diesel like at idle.

I see, that's pretty reassuring!

Jono8 · 8 Oct 2012 at 19:21

Relentless81 said:
Quite surprised at the positive replies I thought people were going to say it might be best to steer clear if you want a reliable car

I dont mind a few minor common faults if the car caters for everything else and I live quite close to Awesome GTI

Is the engine chain driven? I've looked into it before and IIRC it is

That was the problem with my old A4, it seemed to have a light on the dash every other day or the temp wasnt right for one reason or another

No it is belt driven. I just bought an octavia VRS (petrol 2.TFSI) and read that the common faults are the ABS pump, air con compressor and that divertor valve.

i have already experienced first hand , the air con problem. Fortunately, the dealer i bought it from has agreed to fit a brand new compressor. The Compressor didnt sieze ( and therefore require the whole air con system replaced) but instead the valve was faulty and sticking. Basically the air con worked, but intermittently and it sometimes took ages to actually come on after starting the engine ( sometimes 15 - 20 mins/5 miles+)

generally i think( and hope!) the 2.0TFSI is regarded as pretty reliable.

gobbo · 8 Oct 2012 at 19:30

Jono8 said:
No it is belt driven.

Not all the 2.0 TSI engines are belt driven iirc, I know the one fitted to the Scirocco GT/Golf GTi Mk6 is chain driven (CAWB, CCZB) which is the newer engine. The one fitted to the Scirocco R and Golf GTi Mk5 however is the older belt driven engine.

Type_R · 8 Oct 2012 at 19:36

gobbo said:
Not all the 2.0 TSI engines are belt driven iirc, I know the one fitted to the Scirocco GT/Golf GTi Mk6 is chain driven (CAWB, CCZB) which is the newer engine. The one fitted to the Scirocco R and Golf GTi Mk5 however is the older belt driven engine.

This is correct. My AXX (1st generation 2.0TFSI engine) is belt driven. It has covered 98,500 from brand new. I have never needed to add a drop of oil to it, in between services. It was remapped at 50k.

All in all I would say it is a very reliable engine, but like anything it needs to be maintained well.

cokecan · 8 Oct 2012 at 19:39

Have the 2.0 TFSI in my B6 Passat and it's awesome. As above though I did have the diaphragm in the diverter valve of the turbo blow which cost £50 for a replacement - no biggie, though was interesting to see what it's like without a turbo to give you that extra kick up to speed!

Other than that I've had zero issues with the engine, I find it can be a bit thirsty on oil so keep an eye on it. Also mine is belt driven and currently on 43k miles, would say overall MPG isn't bad and tend to average around 32mpg (according to the onboard computer, so may not be accurate!)

Jono8 · 8 Oct 2012 at 19:40

gobbo said:
Not all the 2.0 TSI engines are belt driven iirc, I know the one fitted to the Scirocco GT/Golf GTi Mk6 is chain driven (CAWB, CCZB) which is the newer engine. The one fitted to the Scirocco R and Golf GTi Mk5 however is the older belt driven engine.

he was talking about the 2.0TFSI though.

bmh.01 · 8 Oct 2012 at 19:42

The oil consumption seems to be hit and miss, some are terrible and some never need a drop. The breather setup isn't the best in the world which doesn't help, but that seems to be a VAG thing.

The inlet valves and ports will look like this http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthre...000-miles.&p=58862863&viewfull=1#post58862863

That said, I like it it's a good engine. Smooth and keen to rev with great power available.

Jono8 · 8 Oct 2012 at 19:56

bmh.01 said:
That said, I like it it's a good engine. Smooth and keen to rev with great power available.

Indeed. I love it. Lovely and smooth and doesnt sound breathless above 5.5RPM like my Focus ST used to. Sounds racey and pulls to the red line. Obviously the 5 pot growl of the Focus was nice though.

Hades · 8 Oct 2012 at 20:00

The TFSI is belt driven (mk5 GTI etc). The TSI is chain driven (scirocco and mk6 GTI).

All cars have their faults. I dont think modern VAG is particularly good or bad in this respect.

They do seem good engines, eager to rev and with low down torque. But they sound very bland.

cokecan · 8 Oct 2012 at 20:49

Jono8 said:
Indeed. I love it. Lovely and smooth and doesnt sound breathless above 5.5RPM like my Focus ST used to. Sounds racey and pulls to the red line. Obviously the 5 pot growl of the Focus was nice though.

I've noticed this actually. On the motorway at 70 and it still happily accelerates with gusto and just feels like it pulls well

Minstadave · 8 Oct 2012 at 20:58

85k on my 2.0TFSI so far and no issues to report apart from a replacement thermostat.

I had my diverter valve and cam follower changed at 80k as they're both known weaknesses.

Doesn't drink oil at all, though there are plenty or reports of this engine having a real thirst for it.

paradigm · 8 Oct 2012 at 21:40

FWIW, my 2.0 TFSI has 133,000 miles on it, and according to Audi there is nothing wrong with it at all (car has been serviced on the button and maintained regardless of cost so far, although that has been things like fuel filler pipe, middle brake light, and regular service items).

Mine has had to have one single top up of oil during my ownership, but it doesn't appear to be drinking it at all, certainly less than 1l per 15,000 miles. It's had no engine work done (outside of regular service items).