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TDI - Red I, Red DI, ehat's the difference?!

  • 11-04-2007 6:24pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 164 ✭✭


    I realise that TDi is turbo diesel, but some adverts for 2nd hand Passats that I'm looking at refer to "red DI" and "red I". I noticed that on some models the I is red alright, but what does it all mean, or is there even any difference at all between a red DI, a red I, and no red at all?!

    Another thing about Passats while I'm on the subject - drove a friend's 1.9L TDI this morning and was really impressed with how it took turns and handled bumpy roads etc. Would a 1.6L petrol be just as good at taking turns and potholes then as well? I presume that it's all down to suspension and that a '02 Passat will handle the same, whether it's a 1.6L petrol or a 1.9L TDi? The friend told me that his car was the sport model, so that might have a bit of an influence on how good the suspension is, yeah? So in that case, a regular 1.6L petrol might not handle as good?


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Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,034 ✭✭✭astraboy


    Basically the TDI, TDI and TDI are in different states of tune. I think the regular TDI is around 100 BHP, the TDI is around 110 and the TDI is more again. I'm open to correction on the power figures.

    As for the 1.6L passat, it will be fairly slow compared to the TDI as it will have less torque and power. I have never heard of a "sports" passat, maybe the suspension differs slightly over the engine ranges but I reckon it would be basically the same for all models. A 1.6 should handle the bumps the same way a 1.9 TDI does, depending on year and condition of course.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,220 ✭✭✭✭Lex Luthor


    it depends on the cars....

    red i will probably have 15-20bhp more than just TDi and TDi will probably have another 15-20bhp more than the TDi


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,949 ✭✭✭SouperComputer


    The red in TDi actually means nothing. Dealers and VW have messed around with it to a point of confusion.

    The only way to know for sure what engine is in there is by checking either the stamp on the block/head or the sticker under the carpet in the boot.

    Between the 1.6 petrol and 1.9 Diesel, there is no contest. Tdi (Any flavour) all the way.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 73,520 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    My understanding of it is as follows:
    The Passat TDI had silver lettering and was 90bhp
    then there was a red I 110bhp
    then there was a 130bhp with a red D and a red I

    Then they introduced a 100bhp version and this also had a red D and a red I

    Then it stopped making sense and there were so many different engine sizes and states of tune that everyone got confused and they randomly asssigned different coloured badges depending on what the weather was like on the day.

    At least I think that's how it worked


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 164 ✭✭defenstration


    The red in TDi actually means nothing. Dealers and VW have messed around with it to a point of confusion.

    The only way to know for sure what engine is in there is by checking either the stamp on the block/head or the sticker under the carpet in the boot.

    Between the 1.6 petrol and 1.9 Diesel, there is no contest. Tdi (Any flavour) all the way.

    When you sy no contest, are ya referring to power and speed or are ya referring to comfort taking bends and bumps? Speed and power don't really mean much to me. All I'm after is driving comfort. The 1.9 TDi I drove this morning was extremely smooth on the road. Would the 1.6 petrol be the same?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 164 ✭✭defenstration


    Cheers for the replies lads, but what is tuning?! The only thing I know about cars is that they have 4 wheels! I was advised in other discussions to go for the 130bhp or whatever it is, but what is the difference between 100bhp and 130bhp? I presume its sumthin to do with horse power, is it break horse power or sumthin? Like I said though, I don't really care too much about top-speed and overtaking power. Is that all tuning/bhp is?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,949 ✭✭✭SouperComputer


    When you sy no contest, are ya referring to power and speed or are ya referring to comfort taking bends and bumps? Speed and power don't really mean much to me. All I'm after is driving comfort. The 1.9 TDi I drove this morning was extremely smooth on the road. Would the 1.6 petrol be the same?

    I mean peformance AND economy. The 1.6 is pathetically underpowred TBH. Dont get me wrong, the TDi's are no rocket ship, but overtaking is much safer in one.

    Roadholding, they should be the same. The used the same parts, although the diesel engine is a bit heavier. The ride quality in the Passat is pretty good.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,575 ✭✭✭ZiabR


    TDI = 100BHP
    TD (red) I = 110BHP
    T (red) D (red) I = 130BHP

    The 130BHP is a weapon, very fast for the fuel type. Much like the Audi engines.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 164 ✭✭defenstration


    Right so, a '01 TDI or a '02 1.6 petrol - which to go for?

    I realise that the suspension and general driving comfort on the two will probably be more or less the same, but if for some reason I prefer the TDI (haven't driven a 1.6 petrol yet, will probably do so tomorrow), would it be worth going down a year just so I could get the TDI? They seem to be slightly more expensive and I doubt I could afford a '02 TDI.

    Will be holding onto the car for about 3 or 4 years so by the time I go to sell it off, I suppose the difference in resale value will be minimal even between a '01 and a '02, yeah?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51,363 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    logik wrote:
    TDI = 100BHP
    TD (red) I = 110BHP
    T (red) D (red) I = 130BHP

    The 130BHP is a weapon, very fast for the fuel type. Much like the Audi engines.

    That's because it is the same engine in both cars along with various other VWs, Audis, Seats and Skodas.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,800 ✭✭✭voxpop


    Correct me if im wrong but I was talking to someone re: 2.0 TDI vs 1.6 petrol engines and I was told that the diesel while having loads of power once the turbo kicks is fairly powerless at low revs and slow to take off (say from a junction). This is down to the compression of the engine being designed for the turbo and so is underpowered before the turbo kicks in. Is this correct ?
    If it is would that mean that a 1.6 petrol is better than 2L TDI for city driving while the TDI is better on the open road ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,484 ✭✭✭✭Stephen


    Well fuel economy wise the diesel is probably still better. If I was given the choice I wouldn't even look at the 1.6 petrol.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 164 ✭✭defenstration


    voxpop wrote:
    Correct me if im wrong but I was talking to someone re: 2.0 TDI vs 1.6 petrol engines and I was told that the diesel while having loads of power once the turbo kicks is fairly powerless at low revs and slow to take off (say from a junction). This is down to the compression of the engine being designed for the turbo and so is underpowered before the turbo kicks in. Is this correct ?
    If it is would that mean that a 1.6 petrol is better than 2L TDI for city driving while the TDI is better on the open road ?

    Wouldn't consider meself an expert in the field but I'd say in general, city driving would be better suited for any petrol car over its diesel equivalent. I drove a '00 BMW 3-series diesel the other day and it was pretty slow on the take off, and the owner was complaining that you would not be able to take off in 2nd like you would in some petrol cars. Also he said that you couldn't really cruise in 2nd gear like when yer approaching traffic lights or something - the thing would just stop. That said though, I didn't experience the same problems at all with the Passat TDI I drove this morning. Was like lightning off the mark, and was just as easy to handle when cruising in 2nd as my little Toyota Yaris!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 66,132 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    city driving would be better suited for any petrol car over its diesel equivalent

    Quite the opposite really! Modern diesels have a lot of torque at very low revs and a very flat torque curve all the way to the red line. This means one can get away with very few gear changes i.e. stay in 3rd gear (or even 4th) around a roundabout. Also means their is a lot of acceleration available from low revs on
    I drove a '00 BMW 3-series diesel the other day and it was pretty slow on the take off, and the owner was complaining that you would not be able to take off in 2nd like you would in some petrol cars. Also he said that you couldn't really cruise in 2nd gear like when yer approaching traffic lights or something - the thing would just stop

    There must have been something wrong with it


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,722 ✭✭✭maidhc


    unkel wrote:
    Quite the opposite really! Modern diesels have a lot of torque at very low revs and a very flat torque curve all the way to the red line.

    I disagree.

    A petrol is much easier for city driving. Even a small 1.25 fiesta will beat a powerful diesel to 20mph, and the diesels are a bit chuggy and angry in heavy traffic. The fact they will stall when you look at them sideways doesn't help either.

    Once you get out on an open road (or even out of 1st gear) the story is completely different though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 73,520 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    I generally find the VW diesels pretty quick from low revs, moreso than Toyota engines which need to be revved harder.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,575 ✭✭✭ZiabR


    bazz26 wrote:
    That's because it is the same engine in both cars along with various other VWs, Audis, Seats and Skodas.

    Is that not what i said?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,605 ✭✭✭Fizman


    I saw a GIT badge on the back of a Golf last week in Ennistymon :rolleyes:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    maidhc wrote:
    I disagree.

    A petrol is much easier for city driving. Even a small 1.25 fiesta will beat a powerful diesel to 20mph,

    Not unless its Harry Potters fiesta. :D
    maidhc wrote:
    and the diesels are a bit chuggy and angry in heavy traffic. The fact they will stall when you look at them sideways doesn't help either. ...

    Love the technical terms... "chuggy and angry" :D

    I dunno what you've been driving but I've never driven a diesel like that, and I've driven some awful slow NA diesels in the past. I will agree that a small car has generally lighter controls and can easier around town.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,192 ✭✭✭HungryJoey


    Something I have always wondered about my fathers 05' passat ( Old model ) It is a TDI(All silver) But AFAIK it was sold to him new as a 110BHP model. But people are reporting here that that is only 90BHP ? I thought the 90BHP unit was only used in the 97-01 passat?

    Another interesting this I noticed I have seen quite alot of 05 passats ( Older models ) that would of been the last remaining batch of the old models for sale, and alot of the TDI's are all silver but if you look at any other year you'll never see an all silver TDI in the 01-05 Passat.

    Can somebody tell me where I can actually look on the car chassis where it will say the power output... I'm curious.

    Hj


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,088 ✭✭✭✭_Kaiser_


    My 02 Passat TDI is 130 Bhp and is a lot faster off the lights and into third than most manuals I come across - and she's an automatic! Tons of power.

    Definitely go for the 130 Bhp version. The Passat is a big car and you'll need the extra power, without the extra fuel costs.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,423 ✭✭✭fletch


    maidhc wrote:
    I disagree.

    A petrol is much easier for city driving. Even a small 1.25 fiesta will beat a powerful diesel to 20mph, and the diesels are a bit chuggy and angry in heavy traffic. The fact they will stall when you look at them sideways doesn't help either.

    Once you get out on an open road (or even out of 1st gear) the story is completely different though.
    I would disagree...I drive a VAG TDI with 6 gears and it's a pleasure in heavy traffic as you can literally lift your foot off the clutch as quick as you like without using the accelerator and it won't cut out. However I would agree that it can be slow to take off, 1st gear just gets you moving really and you need to go for second very quickly.(particularly noticeable in wet weather where you just get a bundle of wheelspin/traction control light)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,722 ✭✭✭maidhc


    fletch wrote:
    I would disagree...I drive a VAG TDI with 6 gears and it's a pleasure in heavy traffic as you can literally lift your foot off the clutch as quick as you like without using the accelerator and it won't cut out. However I would agree that it can be slow to take off, 1st gear just gets you moving really and you need to go for second very quickly.(particularly noticeable in wet weather where you just get a bundle of wheelspin/traction control light)

    Interesting. My own car is a Focus TDCi, but regularly drive a 2.0 Avensis D4 and 06 Passat 1.9TDI (and the Gfs 1.25 Fiesta...). They diesels all behave the same in traffic. Trying to take off in second is a guaranteed stall in any, and generally trying to move along at 2mph is an unpleasant experience... especially where I do get stuck in traffic as there is a slight incline in the road.

    The old N/A diesels were fine in traffic, if slow. I just think the common rail engines are not suited to that kind of work.

    No diesel is great at the traffic lights (even the fabled 130 bhp TDI....), as the turbo will need to spool up to 1400-1800 rpm before anything happens. There is a huge difference between the focus and D4D in this regard...the D4D takes longer (but will pull straight to the red line once it gets going). The TDi is somewhere in the middle, but it is harder work due to the very narrow powerband.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,423 ✭✭✭fletch


    maidhc wrote:
    Trying to take off in second is a guaranteed stall in any, and generally trying to move along at 2mph is an unpleasant experience... especially where I do get stuck in traffic as there is a slight incline in the road.
    I don't ever really take off in 2nd gear, only maybe perhaps on a decline so cant comment. Its actually quite difficult to get my TDI to cut out...even on very steep inclines the torque just pulls it up the hill with absolutely no accelerator input needed.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,999 ✭✭✭omega man


    Not sure if the passat was the same as the golf. Originally the silver tdi was 90, red i was 105 and the red di was 115. later changed to 100, 110 and 130 respectively i think. All very confusing so you really you have to check the manual or the boot to check the KW power figure to be sure.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,999 ✭✭✭omega man


    logik wrote:
    TDI = 100BHP
    TD (red) I = 110BHP
    T (red) D (red) I = 130BHP

    The 130BHP is a weapon, very fast for the fuel type. Much like the Audi engines.

    Hardly a weapon in the passat in fairness! Gives a bit of poke but only in a small car like the fabia etc does it give any kind of performance and even thats limited as standard tbh.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,220 ✭✭✭✭Lex Luthor


    also be aware that a 1.9 TDI VW is not the same bhp as a 1.9 TDI Audi...

    one example

    VW Passat 1.9TDI = 130bhp
    Audi A4 1.9 TDI = 130bhp


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,091 ✭✭✭Biro


    There's a lot of crap floating around about letters and bhp.
    97-01 VW started out relatively straight forward, 90bhp TDi (all silver). 110 had red i. There were a small few red i's by dealers on 90bhp models. Then they changed to the pump deuse engines in the face-lift 01-05 model. These were 100 and 130, and the 100 had a red D and red i, and in some cases the 130 had the same, and in others the 130 had just the red i. In 02 they had a few 100's with just a red i and a few 130's with red D and red i. They by and large chopped and changed for the remainder of that model, even in 04 reverting to all silver lettering on the 100 model. In the new model the only 1.9 is a 105bhp version of the old 100, and the next models are a 2 litre 140 and 2 litre 170. (or 168 to be exact). In the A4 instead of 105 you get 115 in the 1.9, and the same two 2 litres. Before these you got the same choice as the passat.
    The Golf was different, as it was a year later in receiving the newer engines, but they did get a stop-gap PD engine with 115 bhp. Then reverted to the normal 100, 130 ones with an additional 150 on an anniversary model. Seat have a 163 version in an Ibiza of the 1.9tdi, but that might be UK only.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 164 ✭✭defenstration


    Right, all in all, pretty much everyone seems to be directing me towards a TDi over a petrol. As it stands, I've pretty much narrowed my search down to a '02 Passat Comfortline. Still not fully decided as to whether to go for petrol or TDi. If anyone has anything to add as to why I should go for a petrol over a TDI, or vice versa, let me know. Again, speed and power isn't really important to me. tis just general driving comfort I'm after. So does it really even matter which I go for then?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,091 ✭✭✭Biro


    Right, all in all, pretty much everyone seems to be directing me towards a TDi over a petrol. As it stands, I've pretty much narrowed my search down to a '02 Passat Comfortline. Still not fully decided as to whether to go for petrol or TDi. If anyone has anything to add as to why I should go for a petrol over a TDI, or vice versa, let me know. Again, speed and power isn't really important to me. tis just general driving comfort I'm after. So does it really even matter which I go for then?
    While the diesel is a much better option for the long trips, they are more sought after, will have higher milage, will probably be more expensive to maintain (with the advantage though of lower fuel bill), and will be harder on tyres.
    The 1.6 petrol is weedy in this car, but if speed isn't a factor, then you could do worse to be honest. If you get a nice low-milage 1.6 petrol at a good price then there'd be nothing wrong with that. It won't be as popular when it comes for you to sell it on, but if you buy it cheap then you can afford to sell it cheap.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,475 ✭✭✭✭Cyrus


    omega man wrote:
    Hardly a weapon in the passat in fairness! Gives a bit of poke but only in a small car like the fabia etc does it give any kind of performance and even thats limited as standard tbh.

    the 1.9tdi 130bhp VAG engine despite having modest performance and average refinement is something of an irish icon. an engine oft used in the petrol versus diesel debtate

    'sure why would you want a petrol'

    and oft referred to (mostly by 90/100/110 bhp passat owners) as a weapon or rocket.

    our english brethern would laugh at us methinks


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51,363 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    HungryJoey wrote:
    Something I have always wondered about my fathers 05' passat ( Old model ) It is a TDI(All silver) But AFAIK it was sold to him new as a 110BHP model. But people are reporting here that that is only 90BHP ? I thought the 90BHP unit was only used in the 97-01 passat?

    Another interesting this I noticed I have seen quite alot of 05 passats ( Older models ) that would of been the last remaining batch of the old models for sale, and alot of the TDI's are all silver but if you look at any other year you'll never see an all silver TDI in the 01-05 Passat.

    Can somebody tell me where I can actually look on the car chassis where it will say the power output... I'm curious.

    Hj

    VAG confuse the life out of people with their TDi badges. The 90bhp and 110bhp TDi engines was dropped in 2002 from the Passat.

    The newer generation PD TDi engines arrived then. The 100bhp version had a TDi badge while the 130bhp version had the TDi badge afaik.

    The Passat was revised again in late 2004. Your father's Passat (2005 old model) was available with the TDi (all silver) which had 100bhp or the TDi which had 130bhp afaik.

    And let's not get started on the badges on the Golf/Bora or any Audi. They are different again.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,091 ✭✭✭Biro


    bazz26 wrote:
    The 90bhp and 110bhp TDi engines was dropped in 2002 from the Passat.

    The newer generation PD TDi engines arrived then. The 100bhp version had a TDi badge while the 130bhp version had the TDi badge afaik.
    You're a bit off, see my post above. The PD engines came in 01, first to the passat then filtered to the rest of the VAG large umbrella of cars.
    Also on the colour, the DI in red was in the 100 in 01.

    @ Cyrus - you're not wrong there, the most over-rated engine ever I reckon. I'm not saying there's anything wrong or bad about it, I'm saying that if you listened to all the VAG heads rave on about it then you'd wonder why Audi bothered putting the 4.2 TDi into the A8!!! :D
    I know of more than one 130 Golf owner that was ranting on about how his beast of a car would take anything, only to be beaten by a petrol N/A 2 litre and 1.8 litre!! :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,949 ✭✭✭SouperComputer


    I wouldnt say avoid the petrol per se, just the 1.6 petrol. Its not about peformance as such, but the 1.6 really struggles with the weight of the Passat. I had one for two years, nice car but Id never go 1.6 again.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 159 ✭✭scaldybelt


    Having bought a 2004 130bhp 1.9 passat estate 18 months ago in the UK (Highline model, 6cd, leather, parking sensors, heated seats....the list goes on), I can only say that wondering what colour the letters are in recent years is a waste of time. Mine is a red I, which I originally thought meant something (I had a 2000 reg red DI 115bhp previously when the colours made sense).

    My parents both drive A4 Tdi's, and although they buy new every 2-3 years, they purposely go for the lowest spec diesel engine (110bhp currently?) to save money and fuel. Having said that, my father recently drove my car for a long journey and was surprised by how much extra power it had and how low the revs were at cruising speed to his own.

    We can all rant and rave about which car/engine is the best, but how often are we actually using the car to it's 'alleged' potential safely on our roads? I know what my car can manage in terms of speed, acceleration and cornering in most conditions (something I'm not proud of!), but if someone in a lesser powered car has 'bigger balls' on a day when we both meet at the lights, then for the sake of personal safety I'm going to let him win.....and then he/she'll come onto an online forum and brag about how their 1.8 petrol beats a 130bhp diesel.

    It's all a farce.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,475 ✭✭✭✭Cyrus


    and what if his 1.8 petrol is the turbcharged unit fitted to the seat leon cupra or old audi s3 and has 225bhp, maybe its a little quicker than that diesel estate :p


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,091 ✭✭✭Biro


    Look... theres no point in getting a dig in at my post. If you think that you're magical 130 engine is the bee all and end all then thats fine. But the fact remains that there are more than enough petrol 1.8's that would hand you your arse on a plate.
    You can console yourself all you want that you're being safe by letting people at lights go, but at the end of the day diesels are not good for off the line acceleration. I wasn't knocking any diesels or bragging about how it's good to race everyone, I dont race. But I do know the performance figures.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,722 ✭✭✭maidhc


    Cyrus wrote:
    and what if his 1.8 petrol is the turbcharged unit fitted to the seat leon cupra or old audi s3 and has 225bhp, maybe its a little quicker than that diesel estate :p

    Maybe, but in the real world people care about more than the bhp output. The beauty of said diesel estate is that it is reasonably quick for overtaking, gives good fuel economy and can carry around a 16 stone great dane.

    I agree though,you would think the TDI 130 possesses magical powers at times.

    And anyone who races at lights should be put down. It destroys the cars drivetrain.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,253 ✭✭✭Sandwich


    I mean peformance AND economy. The 1.6 is pathetically underpowred TBH. Dont get me wrong, the TDi's are no rocket ship, but overtaking is much safer in one.
    I wouldnt say avoid the petrol per se, just the 1.6 petrol. Its not about peformance as such, but the 1.6 really struggles with the weight of the Passat. I had one for two years, nice car but Id never go 1.6 again.


    Have to disagree with you both on the 1.6. Had the 1.6 and now have the Tdi 100. Very similar or even hard pushed to tell the difference in performance. Not that you cant tell which one you're driving of course - but I think the acceleration with both in normal driving is the same. With the 1.6 you had to change down more and rev the engine harder to push it, making it sound strained - the TDI feels that bit more willing without changing gear but i doubt its really faster just gives an illusion of being so.

    Maybe it makes a difference if you have full load of passengers and boot, the TDI might handle it better, but normally its just me an an empty boot so I cant really say.

    Thinking of going back to the petrol now and will probably go for the 1.6FSI.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 651 ✭✭✭CLADA


    I'll tell you what the difference is, I found it easy keep front tyres on the TDI but since I got the fooking red letters in it and 130 bhp I cant stop the missus spinning the front wheels. Come back 90 bhp all is forgiven:(


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,575 ✭✭✭ZiabR


    CLADA wrote:
    I'll tell you what the difference is, I found it easy keep front tyres on the TDI but since I got the fooking red letters in it and 130 bhp I cant stop the missus spinning the front wheels. Come back 90 bhp all is forgiven:(

    Very true, the 130 can wheel spin in 3rd gear, that impressive for a diesel.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,544 ✭✭✭✭Supercell


    I'm surprised about people saying that the diesels are more easier to stall than petrols.

    My Fabia 1.4 TDi has never ever stalled, even when I left it in second or third at the lights by mistake a couple of times.

    Maybe the stalling thing is more likely in the bigger diesels?, certainly I find it far harder to stall the 1.4 TDi than the 1.4 MPi Fabia I had before it.

    Have a weather station?, why not join the Ireland Weather Network - http://irelandweather.eu/



  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    Longfield wrote:
    I'm surprised about people saying that the diesels are more easier to stall than petrols.

    My Fabia 1.4 TDi has never ever stalled, even when I left it in second or third at the lights by mistake a couple of times.

    Maybe the stalling thing is more likely in the bigger diesels?, certainly I find it far harder to stall the 1.4 TDi than the 1.4 MPi Fabia I had before it.
    IMO or in my experience, its harder to stall a car with more torque at low revs. Which is big petrol engines and diesel motors. Smaller 16v engines are usually much easier to stall.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    maidhc wrote:
    Interesting. My own car is a Focus TDCi, but regularly drive a 2.0 Avensis D4 and 06 Passat 1.9TDI (and the Gfs 1.25 Fiesta...). They diesels all behave the same in traffic. Trying to take off in second is a guaranteed stall in any, and generally trying to move along at 2mph is an unpleasant experience... especially where I do get stuck in traffic as there is a slight incline in the road.

    The old N/A diesels were fine in traffic, if slow. I just think the common rail engines are not suited to that kind of work.

    No diesel is great at the traffic lights (even the fabled 130 bhp TDI....), as the turbo will need to spool up to 1400-1800 rpm before anything happens. There is a huge difference between the focus and D4D in this regard...the D4D takes longer (but will pull straight to the red line once it gets going). The TDi is somewhere in the middle, but it is harder work due to the very narrow powerband.

    I've had the Focus TDCi as a hire car, and had no problem pulling out into fast traffic. or driving it slowly. I drive a 1.7 TD Astra quite often and again that takes off very well. In fact over the years I've driven many diesels and I've never had a problem stalling diesels. I have no idea how you are managing it. Most of them you could put in first, without touching the accelerator and it would move off it self. A peaky 1L 16v now thats much easier to stall but even then all it needs a few revs.

    Why do you take off in second? 1st is there for a reason. Some diesels and large petrols you can pull in 3rd or 4th. Other than a party trick why would you though?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,722 ✭✭✭maidhc


    BostonB wrote:
    I've had the Focus TDCi as a hire car, and had no problem pulling out into fast traffic. or driving it slowly. I drive a 1.7 TD Astra quite often and again that takes off very well. In fact over the years I've driven many diesels and I've never had a problem stalling diesels. I have no idea how you are managing it. Most of them you could put in first, without touching the accelerator and it would move off it self.

    Its not me, its just a known fact that most common rail or PD engines are very easy to stall. Everyone I know who drives one says the same thing. It has nothing to do with torque, my previous 1.8TD Mondeo could not be stalled, nor could my parents old 2.0TD Avensis despite neither being able to pull the skin from a sausage. The independent mechanic I go to says the same thing.

    Don't get me wrong, I love the Focus, and diesels in general, but anyone who says they are difficult to stall is only talking theory.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    Actually its from many years of experience.
    maidhc wrote:
    ...diesels all behave the same in traffic...

    No diesel is great at the traffic lights...

    Those are sweeping statements. Not specific to common rail or PD's. Can you offer any technical reason why a diesel which has more torque (turbo or not) is easier to stall than small petrol engine?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,722 ✭✭✭maidhc


    BostonB wrote:
    Those are sweeping statements. Not specific to common rail or PD's. Can you offer any technical reason why a diesel which has more torque (turbo or not) is easier to stall than small petrol engine?

    My bad.

    No idea why they are easier to stall, but if you do a bit of googling it seems to be a common complaint.

    I suspect it is because there is virtually no torque at 900rpm when the engine is off boost... but reciprocating engines have always had odd particularities.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 752 ✭✭✭Lorax


    CLADA wrote:
    I'll tell you what the difference is, I found it easy keep front tyres on the TDI but since I got the fooking red letters in it and 130 bhp I cant stop the missus spinning the front wheels. Come back 90 bhp all is forgiven:(

    Thats a bit crap for such a big engine and expensive car, my Levin is 160bhp


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    maidhc wrote:
    My bad.

    No idea why they are easier to stall, but if you do a bit of googling it seems to be a common complaint.

    I suspect it is because there is virtually no torque at 900rpm when the engine is off boost... but reciprocating engines have always had odd particularities.


    Some linkz would be nice then.

    Lets go with your theory. Are you saying a turbo diesel has less torque at 900rpm than a 1.25 fiesta? Or indeed a similar capacity petrol. Would you say 900rpm is a useful rpm to move off?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    CLADA wrote:
    I'll tell you what the difference is, I found it easy keep front tyres on the TDI but since I got the fooking red letters in it and 130 bhp I cant stop the missus spinning the front wheels. Come back 90 bhp all is forgiven:(
    Lorax wrote:
    Thats a bit crap for such a big engine and expensive car, my Levin is 160bhp


    Its not the cars fault.


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