A4 avant

the_r_sole

the_r_sole

the_r_sole

Soldato
Joined
25 Aug 2010
Posts
3,030
right, I have been offered an a4 avant (1.9tdi se) at a good price, its done just over 100k with fsh and belts been done etc
its a decent practical car, my only concern is that the gf will likely use it for driving to work (2.5 miles away, 2 return trips a day, so 10 miles)
i know running diesel on trips like this is bad, but if it had a good run a couple of times a week would it be that bad?
bascially wanting to put the r53 in the shed and have something more practical for using!

let the flaming begin......
 
If it it doesn't have a DPF (particle filter), which is one of the main issues with running a modern(ish) diesel on short trips only, then it'll be fine.

You're quite right of course, a diesel engine will always prefer to get to operating temp on a run, however it isn't suddenly going to implode if it doesn't.

Ultimately, you are conscious of it and intend to take it on a few longer runs in the week, it'll be fine, it's a modern car, they typically go wrong in totally different ways to older vehicles (mainly sensors and computer components rather than anything actually mechanical....)

Just for reference, I ran a Megane 1.9 DCi for 3 years with the exact pattern you are speaking about and it was totally fine, that even had an FAP (a French DPF...) so really it should have exploded more than once in those three years if you believe some of the hype on the net about this kind of thing.
 
A diesel won't even be able to push heat out the vents in 2.5 miles from cold without an auxiliary heater which this car won't have. So unless you don't mind not having a heater on the commute..
 
its for her so I don't mind at all!!
not sure if the r53 pumps out any heat in the winter by the time she gets to work, although it has the heated screen so at least she can see!
my old diesel pickup takes a wee while to pump anything near heat out but if it was the same as that i'm sure we could live with it
 
the_r_sole said:
lol! - must have been a good car...

anyway, cheers for the info was unaware it didn't have the particle filter, must do more research!
Click to expand...

Sorry I edited my post, I assumed it wouldn't be a DPF as it was the 1.9 but then did a quick Google and found Audio put the DPF on the 1.9.

I would say, if it DOES have a DPF, walk away if you want a cheap car to run.

The VAG DPF system is VERY expensive to fix when (not if) it goes wrong.

The French would have to call it a FAP (Filtre à particules) wouldn't they ;)
 
[TW]Fox;23830229 said:
A diesel won't even be able to push heat out the vents in 2.5 miles from cold without an auxiliary heater which this car won't have. So unless you don't mind not having a heater on the commute..
Click to expand...

I get heat after two miles and mine is normally up to 90 (engine temp) by three miles providing it isn't arctic outside!

I don't believe mine has the aux heaters but maybe it does!
 
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