1.9TDI or 2.5TDI

[robo]

Looks like lots of people go for oil burners now and I wondered if there are any bad and good points between these two engines.
Both are more or less in the same insurance group 1.9 is group 13 and 2.5 is 15, fuel economy is not miles apart.
I am looking for a4 avant 2002+ 120k miles+ and not sure which is better, 1.9 or 2.5, any views are most welcome.

cheers

[volcano rs]

go for 1.9 you'll get better fuel economy .

[Fat Audi 80]

I had completely ruled out the 2.5 on that basis too. I have now learnt to sit at 65mph in the inside lane on my daily commute. I am getting 42 mpg from my 2.0 8v sport. I am hoping for high 50's even 60mpg doing the same in a diesel...

Cheers,

Steve.

[Acidburn]

I've been out in a 1.9tdi and that was still quick enough with good economy. Plus chipping means better economy.

[Knight Rider S4]

1.9tdi as said better economy and easier to fix engine wise

[4WheelDrifter]

1.9 will scare your neighbours less on a cold morning too.

[Heat Seeking Missile]

I'd personally go for the 2.5 myself. I've had a 2.0 L-series (Rover 420) and I've got a 2.5 BMW 525td E34, admittedly they are like chalk and cheese but I find the 2.5 so much more refined and smoother. Doesn't sound too bad either.

Only problem is, alot of the 2.5 TDi's are auto, is that a problem?

Mark

[urquattro-island]

i

think i would prefer the 1,9tdi economy, and no danger of the drafted 2,5camshaft sickness..

[Error404]

Are the 2.5 engines not very reliable then?
What is this cam issue?

[the pirate]

I thought the issues with cam wear on the 2.5s had been sorted by 2002.
It was only the early production series which were affected.
Having owned two 2.5TDI quattro avant a4s, a 98 & 99 model, both purchased new they are a lovely car to drive.
On my normal mix of motoring at 75 - 80 mph cruising speed I seem to remember getting about 40/42 to the gallon.
I later had a new a4 with the TDI 130, front wheel drive, which was a wonderful car and would give on a long run at the same 75/80 mph speed about 50/55 mpg.
I would think seriously about one of those.
My new 57 plate a4 avant 2.0 TDI 170 quattro, has according to the computer, since new in September and over 8k miles averaged 38mpg!!
It has just been remapped by Celtic Tuning yesterday, not driven it yet though, only the wife has had that pleasure, she says it's much smoother and powerful lower in the rev range. Should be looking at 210bhp now though.
I think economy will have taken a dive again I suspect.

[Ross]

Steve if you can leave that few minutes earlier and keep to the economy discipline you'll be much rewarded with a diesel!!

I've got the Golf 130 Tdi - a good bit of poke for your everyday situations, quiet once it's up to temp, very comfortable and economy is consistenly 49-53MPG for my commute, mostly motorway at 75-80 with about 10-20 mins in heavy traffic.

I did a clear run at a steady 60mph all the way recently, and returned 66MPG. Journey time was not significantly increased.

[S2central.net]

1.9 will scare your neighbours less on a cold morning too.

LOL at that one - yes the 2.5 V6 TDi sounds like a bag of brittle old spanners when started cold - its horrendously loud.

But, on the upside that dies down quickly and its a damn fine diseasel engine. Ours is a heavy tiptronic allroad version and gets lots of short journeys which hurts the mileage to average a poor 28mpg in the real world. But on long journeys its much better. Fantastic torque making it quite fun to drive actually when you need some zip for overtaking. They are chip-able for more power and better miles but never bothered to look into it. I've towed a couple of heavy trailers on that to to dump and its brilliant - ooodles of tractable energy from low revs.

The V6 TDi engine is much more technically complex than the 4-pot 1.9 version - I've done the timing belt, water pump and other bits - lots of special tools needed and patience to put that altogether again - or pay Audi 1100 quid for the pleasure of that wee service. Not on my nelly...

If lowest running cost is your goal then 1.9TDi is best bet, but if you need some more zip and greater torque (overtaking or towing) then go for 2.5.

[SR71]

Like Ross, we've got a 140hp A3 2.0 TDi DSG S-line. Easily chippable to 180hp but like Paul, never bothered to investigate that option. We bought it for its economy and whilst the quattro version would have been ideal, lugging that drivetrain around when you don't really need it costs a few mpg.

Brilliant car.

Will concur with all the previous comments...especially the one about how once warmed up you'd hardly know it was an oil burner.

On the way back from Switzerland last year and averaged over 60mpg for the 800+ mile trip. We've done four or five snowboarding trips to the continent in it and its performed flawlessly. I also know that you will get nigh on 400 miles out of a tank averaging 110mph!

:mischeif:

If its economy you want get the 1.9...you've presumably already got a toy for when the sun is shining....

I've heard that the 1.9 is even more reliable than the 2.0 (especially the 170hp 2.0 TDi's). The only issue we had with ours is a "Manifold flap" that needed replacing...apparently a reasonably common fault on this engine.

[Fat Audi 80]

I love your story of 60+ Mpg Ross. Now that's what I am talking about.

(Can't believe I am getting excited about mpg numbers...)

Must be getting old.

[PeteRR]

I'm weighing up getting a Mk2 Golf GTI 16V, or a 80Tdi as a daily. I don't exactly do mega mileage to work and back (<20 total), so I'm edging towards the Golf at the moment.
A big-bumper 3dr 16V, the opposite to my previous GTI of about 10 years ago. What sort of mpg did you get with your's Steve?