VAG Diesels

Countcussy

Countcussy

Countcussy

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Joined
10 Nov 2006
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1,370
Now I know the word Diesel will not get the juices flowing of many on here, but some opinions would be appreciated.

I am getting ready to change car again, and I am trying to decide which engine to go for. First, a bit of background info.

My place of work is 48 miles from home, with around 60% of that journey being done on the A1 -A1(M). I choose to work that far from home, therefore I get no fuel allowance, and the car is my own. I am however, quite well compensated as regards a good salary, but, at 2000 + miles a month, diesel really is the sensible option.

My last 2 vehicles have both been Seat Leons. The first was the old shape (1.9tdi - 95) whilst the current car is the new shape (1.9tdi - 105). In fairness, I have always liked the Leon, and believe the Seat range are underrated in general. The current car will always return between 52 - 60 mpg, depending how quick I need to get home!

Fortunately, I have a good dealer who looks after me as regards servicing/loan cars etc. so I find myself leaning once again towards the Leon. I blagged myself the FR Diesel as a loan car during my last service and was blown away by the performance. Sadly for me, it was a good 15mpg less efficient than my current car. As you can appreciate, at current fuel prices, that makes a big difference.

Of course, there is now the option of the 2.0 ltr - 140 engine in the Leon, and wondered if anyone had driven both, and had any comparisons. Mpg wise, they are supposed to be quite similar, but I can`t seem to fall on one as a loan car, so I can`t do a test.

Obviously with these engines, I could go VW or Audi. Tbh, I would love an Audi, but I am loathe to pay extra for the badge, and risk not getting the same level of service and care that I currently get from Seat. I lose enough money on my vehicles as it is, although the Seat diesels do seem to hold up pretty well.

I have never had any problems with the 1.9, but the fun I can have in the mid range has left me possibly wanting a bit more. I just have to balance it with running costs. Can any owners of the 2.0ltr - 140 offer any feedback? How does it compare to previous diesels you have owned.

Thanks for listening. :D
 
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Just had a new Golf TDI (2.0 140) for two weeks as a holiday hire car in France. That was a nice car, quite a few toys for a hire car. Engine seemed quite refined, quieter than the Ibiza TDI (1.9 130) I've previously owned. Thought it needed a 6 speed box once on the motorways though.
 
Thanks for the replies.

I find my 1.9 perfectly fine on the motorway. Is is only 5 speed. But of course the 1.9 from 06 has 10 more bhp than previous models i believe. Not that its much, granted. But it is definately far superior to my old 03 Leon, and more economical. The thing thats always pleases me about my current car is that even when cruising at 80, its got a bit more if i need it, and it does not take ages to deliver it.

The 2.0L Tdi Golf does not have a 6 speed box? Crikey. All Leon 2.0 Tdi have a 6 speed box, which is fine. (There is even a DSG option I believe) But if its anything like the FR, they need it, because it revs so much higher than the 1.9L

A test drive will definately be necessary, I was just curious, as they seem to be 2 very popular diesel engines.

Budget is variable. I never buy new. I always try and find something 6-12 months old, with upto 10,000 on the clock. I just don`t think buying new is cost effective for me. Plus, on delivery, I still have 2 years Seat warranty left. By the time that runs out, its cambelt service time, I then upgrade and the cycle starts again. Over the years, this has seemed the most cost effective way for me to drive something decent and relatively new. My monthly payment for a car, is now just as regular as my mortgage. Its something I don`t think about anymore. Its just a necessary expense.
 
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Had the 2.0TDI 140 in an A3 for three years and found it to be a very good engine. Far more refined that the old 1.9s if not quite as good as the latest common rails from the likes of BMW. Economy and performance were quite well balanced and it'd happily do 60mpg at a constant 60mph.

Very very surprised to hear it comes with a 5 speed box in the Golf as it had a 6 speed in the A3.
 
markyp23 said:
What does variable mean? ;)
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LOL

I will have shortly, (Via my work dividend) between 4-6 grand, + my car to chuck at something else. Now, and stay with me on this, cause it gets complicated.

Despite the last sentance in my previous post, I have, for the last 8 years, been working to a point where I could have 1 year on, 1 year off as regards paying for a car. Changing the vehicle every 2 years. Things have happened in my life that have scuppered this master plan. But now, as a shareholder, I can see my oppertunity. My current Leon was purchased with bank loan and PX. Bank loan rate was awesome, so no worries there. Loan has just over 1 year to run, so the plan is chuck my current Leon, plus my Dividend at something newish. After a year, my loan will be payed and I get my years free car ownership, before doing the same again.

The simple answer to your question is around 11-14k, depending on share value and my cars worth. :)
 
How about a Golf 1.9GTi TDI 150, like mine? 6 speed box - cruises at 70mph spinning just 1900rpm. and it's quite zippy. Mk4 car, which I think are better looking than the Mk5. Average is about 48mpg from mixture driving. about 40mpg if you're doing nothing but town driving.
 
blade007 said:
How about a Golf 1.9GTi TDI 150, like mine? 6 speed box - cruises at 70mph spinning just 1900rpm. and it's quite zippy. Mk4 car, which I think are better looking than the Mk5. Average is about 48mpg from mixture driving. about 40mpg if you're doing nothing but town driving.
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Yes, but your engine is from the previous generation. I was under the impression the the newer 1.9 - 105bhp were only available in that flavour. If you wanted more bhp, you had to go to 2.0L.

The old VAG 1.9 was available in 95, 110, 130, & 150bhp variants as standard. In the new Leon range, this is no longer the case.

I presume the confusion comes from manufacturers switching engine models at differing times. With the newer generation engine, I & others it seems are under the impression that if you wanted 6 speed, you had to go to the 2 litre. Perhaps VW and Audi decided differently.

Nice motor btw :)
 
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the six speed on the mk4 wasn't introduced till late on. Mine is a 53 plate. Very nice engine, bit of lag below 1700rpm though if i was being truthful, but has some decent grunt in it even in 6th. I had a look at the 130brake and they weren't as nice and had a 5 speed box. A mate has an Audi 2.0 TDi 140 and it feels similar to mine, perhaps a little quieter. Sound deadening on golf is quite good so once you're driving it doesn't matter.
 
blade007 said:
the six speed on the mk4 wasn't introduced till late on. Mine is a 53 plate. Very nice engine, bit of lag below 1700rpm though if i was being truthful, but has some decent grunt in it even in 6th. I had a look at the 130brake and they weren't as nice and had a 5 speed box. A mate has an Audi 2.0 TDi 140 and it feels similar to mine, perhaps a little quieter. Sound deadening on golf is quite good so once you're driving it doesn't matter.
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That would make sense.

As stated earlier The Leon FR with the 170bhp really impressed me. We have some nice country roads not 5 minutes away, and after not telling the missus what the car was, we went for a spin. I gave it some boot and she was overwhelmed by the power. So much so, she asked if she could get out :D. After a few minutes, she was enjoying it as much as i was. I have never seen a traction control light flicker as much!

I have not had chance to drive any "fast" cars as such. I have always had/needed diesel economy. I know The FR is not considered fast by the hardcore, but it was fast enough for me.

I could not believe it was a Diesel. Not only was it quick, but it felt so safe and planted. I imagine your golf feels similar. Fast enough to have some fun, without being stupid, yet still fairly economical to run.

Must resist the FR, Must resist.....
 
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