New 2.0 VAG tdi engines and short journeys.

Swampy

Hi all,

I have a friend looking at a new 2.0tdi engine. He will do very small drives and very small mileage. I've read here before about this being a problem. If anyone could explain it to me in more detail I would appreciate it.

Thanks.

homer90

How much time do you have ??

Swampy

homer90 wrote: »

How much time do you have ??

Lots today.

vectra

Define small drives and small mileage.

-Corkie-

Buy a petrol car.

EPM

Swampy wrote: »

Hi all,

I have a friend looking at a new 2.0tdi engine. He will do very small drives and very small mileage. I've read here before about this being a problem. If anyone could explain it to me in more detail I would appreciate it.

Thanks.

20 miles or so around the city my car goes to a higher idle, a sign the dpf is trying to regenerate. It also doesn't pull as smoothly as normal. Its very noticeable and luckily I don't do much more than that around town. If you are considering one for mainly town use you're going to regret it. Also, its no more economical than a petrol under those conditions.

johnos1984

EPM wrote: »

Also, its no more economical than a petrol under those conditions.

I'd go as far to say it will be less economical and more expensive to run.

The heater will also take an age to heat up OP. A lot longer than a petrol car doing that sort of driving

Swampy

My friend busses it into work, so it would only be used locally the odd evening and no real long drives on the weekend.

Leonard Hofstadter

Then tell him to get a petrol!

By the way petrol engines don't like being only driven around town all the time either, it's just they are far more resistant to that of driving than a modern diesel and won't throw up expensive problems like a diesel will though you may suffer from problems if that's all the car does. Make sure your friend takes it out on the motorway every now and again and drives it at motorway speeds too - it will do the car the power of good!

OldmanMondeo

He will get no benefit on a diesel. As soon as my car hits traffic the MPG drops. There is also DPF issues and with stop starting the Dual Mass Flywheel would not last the expected lenght.

Nissan doctor

Why would he spend the premium price for a diesel when he will get no benefit from it?

With that type of driving/miles, he will make no fuel savings, depending on the year he's looking at, tax will be minimally less or noticeably more, running costs will be more etc etc.

Leaving aside the DPF/DMF arguments, there is simply no reason for him to be considering a diesel IMO.

lomb

To balance things a little. The 2l common rail is very petrol like,quite revvy with an even spread of power and inaudible at cruise speeds. Its a nice blend of power and economy pulling like a train (high torque)for what is a relatively small displacement.
It is also relatively economical in the city and they have good resale. As for DPF issues just give it the welly every now and then which if its a 2.0l your going to anyway as its good fun.

Make sure to get the late 08 or 09 on common rails though, earlier models have injector and oil pump problems that seem to be sorted on the crs. Also alot quieter and with an even power spread over the older PDs. Look for an engine code beginning with C.

mathepac

captainspeed wrote: »

Then tell him to get a petrol! ...

... a small displacement petrol engine is yer ony man, the brother swears by them ...

vectra

Swampy wrote: »

Hi all,

I have a friend looking at a new 2.0tdi engine. He will do very small drives and very small mileage. I've read here before about this being a problem. If anyone could explain it to me in more detail I would appreciate it.

Thanks.

Have you any idea as to what car he was thinking of buying?

lomb wrote: »

To balance things a little. The 2l common rail is very petrol like,quite revvy with an even spread of power and inaudible at cruise speeds. Its a nice blend of power and economy pulling like a train (high torque)for what is a relatively small displacement.
It is also relatively economical in the city and they have good resale. As for DPF issues just give it the welly every now and then which if its a 2.0l your going to anyway as its good fun.

Make sure to get the late 08 or 09 on common rails though, earlier models have injector and oil pump problems that seem to be sorted on the crs. Also alot quieter and with an even power spread over the older PDs. Look for an engine code beginning with C.

I would go along with those words

Leonard Hofstadter

lomb wrote: »

To balance things a little. The 2l common rail is very petrol like,quite revvy with an even spread of power and inaudible at cruise speeds. Its a nice blend of power and economy pulling like a train (high torque)for what is a relatively small displacement.
It is also relatively economical in the city and they have good resale. As for DPF issues just give it the welly every now and then which if its a 2.0l your going to anyway as its good fun.

Make sure to get the late 08 or 09 on common rails though, earlier models have injector and oil pump problems that seem to be sorted on the crs. Also alot quieter and with an even power spread over the older PDs. Look for an engine code beginning with C.

It's not just the DPF that doesn't like it when you drive aroudn town most of the time, it's also the DMF and the EGR valve.

Quite frankly OP to chose anything other than a petrol engine in your friend's circumstances is pure daft.

Also, there are plenty of petrols available in band B, so you still have the benefit of the cheap tax.

bazz26

Swampy wrote: »

My friend busses it into work, so it would only be used locally the odd evening and no real long drives on the weekend.

Why is your friend looking at buying a diesel car when he/she gives a car very little use?

Diesels are designed to be driven and the more driven they are the more economical to run they are over a petrol car. Too many people who do small mileage buying diesel cars only because they come with cheap motor tax. The laughable thing is that petrol cars are alot cheaper to buy these days meaning you would have to own the car for about 10 years before you actually save money. And that is even before you take maintenance into account. Petrol cars are generally alot less complex than modern diesels so less stuff to break.

Tell your friend to do the maths and that he/she doesn't need a diesel car.

vectra

bazz26 wrote: »

Why is your friend looking at buying a diesel car when he/she gives a car very little use?

Diesels are designed to be driven and the more driven they are the more economical to run they are over a petrol car. Too many people who do small mileage buying diesel cars only because they come with cheap motor tax. The laughable thing is that petrol cars are alot cheaper to buy these days meaning you would have to own the car for about 10 years before you actually save money. And that is even before you take maintenance into account. Petrol cars are generally alot less complex than modern diesels so less stuff to break.

Tell your friend to do the maths and that he/she doesn't need a diesel car.

Pending on what car the OP's friend is thinking of buying then you are completely incorrect in most of your comment.

... Bazz made about 8 points, tha only one that might be wrong is the price if referring to new models.

vectra

RoverJames wrote: »

... Bazz made about 8 points, tha only one that might be wrong is the price if referring to new models.

So Initial cost and selling price along with ease of resale would have nothing to do with any other point?

I'll go through it point by point later :pac:

vectra

RoverJames wrote: »

I'll go through it point by point later :pac:

Waiting :P