Which engine

[skyeman]

Hi guys, I'm am looking to buy a used passat estate and was just looking for a wee bit of advice as to engine choice. With one eye looking for frugality and the other looking for a good drive I reckon its between a TDi or the 1.8T. You guys got any pros or cons for these engine choices? I'll be doing 15k a year on the open roads of the Highlands wanting to enjoy my driving.

[adamss24]

go for the TDI pd 100 if you want max fuel economy. If you want performance, go for the 1.8 T but be preppared to spend big bucks to service plus it will hurt your wallet at every fill-up or go for the 130 PD TDI for the best of both worlds: reasonable economy with bags of torque and refinement plus your insurance will be happy to give you a discount knowing you drive a DIESEL. I personally drive a 2.5 tdi chipped a4 and pay only 400 quid fully compensate with my missus listed as aditional driver just in case ! And it still returns 40 miles average with a light foot.

[onzarob]

IMO depending on your budget, you will get a 1.8T in far better condition and lower miles than a diesel, But that because the deisel is so much cheeper to run. If you doing 15k or less than you may find the the petrol buy in price worth a consideration.

My 1.9 110 TDI drives ace, returns 50 mpg over the 1.8t listed 34 mpg ,but I still love free revving petrol cars for pure driving enjoyment.

[Huweth]

TDI for the win. I bought my 130 PD from a friend who has also had a 1.8T. He lives in South Wales and will never go back to petrol due to the very helpful torque on the TDI. The torque will really be great in the Highlands up those steep hills! Oh, and you'll get great fuel economy too... In my opinion, I don't see the point in buying the 1.8T unless you really can't afford a few extra % in the cost of buying the car.

[skyeman]

Thanks for all the advice guys, the TDi is edging it I think, can't think why the 1.8T should be more expensive to service, is there some reason for this? Strangely enough my insurance company is quoting me more for the TDi than the 1.8T!

[adamss24]

Thanks for all the advice guys, the TDi is edging it I think, can't think why the 1.8T should be more expensive to service, is there some reason for this? Strangely enough my insurance company is quoting me more for the TDi than the 1.8T!

Spark plugs, HT leads, Lambda sensors, fuel pressure regulators, fuel lift pump, etc. these are some of the things that need replacing on a petrol engine at a major service ! TDI have a fuel injection pump, nozzles and glow plugs (they seem to last very long) and thats about it ! Add the fact that diesels are stronger built than petrol engines and the less rpm they turn and thats why a diesel lasts waaay longer. Combine that with +20-30% more eficience and you can see why they comand a premium over the same petrol models ! In mainland Europe about 6-8 cars out of 10 have a diesel engine because the diesel its cheaper, yet returns better economy with comparable performance and refinement, only here its the other way round, like anything else for that matter !