2009 VW Passat 2.0 TDI - 110 vs 140

mrmac

Hi everyone, really appreciate some help from the experienced folks on here.

I'm having to get a second car, approx 800km per week, with two journeys of 240km each - so I've been looking at VW Passat size, and around 2009.
I need the car for about 1 year, driving for about 40 weeks = 32k km/year.

Managed to find two examples in my area, both are 2009 2.0TDI Highlines, UK imports, about the same money.

However, one is 190k km with 110bhp (I think 5 speed) and the other is 167k miles with 140bhp (def. 6 speed).

I've done a check with motorcheck.ie, and no issues with either.

Which one would you recommend, and why?
Any advice greatly appreciated.

colm_mcm

I think the 110ps was a stopgap between the 1.9 and 1.6 engines for a while?

It really comes down to which one has been maintained better. Mileage isn’t low on either of them.

Not sure but I think one of those Passat 5 speeds had quite a long 5th gear? Not sure was that the 1.9 Bluemotion?

For your mileages 6th gear would be handy.

bazz26

On a side note, I'd tend to give a UK spec Highline a miss. The UK spec Highline was really a lower spec model that UK dealers had aftermarket low grade leather fitted to the seats. Those seats are really nowwhere near as comfortable as the seats in an original Irish Highline Passat.

6th gear would obviously be better and a bit more economical for motorway driving.

eusap

I have a 2.0 140bhp and the 6th gear is very nice on motorway journeys, car is very quiet

Donie75

I'm on my third 2.0 Tdi Passat Highline, 140bhp 2007, 150bhp 2015, 150bhp 2017.
Can't fault them at all. The 2007 had Dual Mass Flywheel issues but I had 350,000km on it when I sold it. And it still looks great.
I'd go for the 140bhp and try to get an Irish one.

almostover

colm_mcm wrote: »

I think the 110ps was a stopgap between the 1.9 and 1.6 engines for a while?

It really comes down to which one has been maintained better. Mileage isn’t low on either of them.

Not sure but I think one of those Passat 5 speeds had quite a long 5th gear? Not sure was that the 1.9 Bluemotion?

For your mileages 6th gear would be handy.

I had a 2009 Irish highline Passat bluemotion 110bhp as my last car. Best seats of any car I've had before or since. Very comfortable cruiser. 110bhp engine isn't exactly fast but very economical, I used to get 52-55mpg without trying. The 5 speed box has very long gear ratios, 5th is useless below 80kmh. It will cruise at 120kmh at a shade over 2000rpm. Grand gearbox once you get used to it. Think the 5 speed is more reliable than the 6 speed. Car never gave much bother and I gave it to my mother when I changed car and she still drives it.

Bad points are an absolutely useless electric handbrake and the steering lock can give trouble. Other than that they are a decent economical cruiser. The detuned 2.0tdi @ 110bhp is a better engine than the 1.6tdi that came after.