1.9tdi or 1.8T?

[mike v]

hi guys,

Im at a bit of a cross roads. Its time for a new car and I want to get either a 1.8T or 1.9tdi. Purely from a 'living with it' point of view can anyone shed some light on why I should pick one over the other?

My main uses will be traveling to work daily. 12 miles mainly motorway and one 60 mile trip a week to play ice hockey. Of course everything else that come between those, i.e. trips to shops for the missus etc.

I mainly want to know which car is most likely to go wrong.

Id really appreciate if you guys could suggest things to check on test drives. i.e. certain 'weak points' on each model to look out for.

Thanks a lot

[randall977]

I've had a could of Audi 1.8T's and 1.9TDi's. The 1.8T is cheaper to buy but if you like torque (which I do) then you need the 130bhp 1.9TDi - it's a really great engine. I would only get a sport model as I like a firm ride and they sit much better etc etc. Depends what kind of car you want but the Avant is a classy car. In terms of things to look out for both engines have been produced in large numbers and so are fairly reliable - the 1.8t will return around 30mpg and the 1.9tdi 50mpg. Hope this helps

[mike v]

Thanks for the quick reply randall. I just want to be able to look back in 6 months or so and say 'Yes I made the right choice.' I have test drove 3 1.9tdis. I love the pull in any gear at any revs. Dont mind the noise when cruising but stopped at lights it can be annoying. Love the mpg factor. Yet the 1.8T would have the benefits of petrol etc.

The one thing that puts me off is some of the horror stories you hear of things going wrong. Would any one say one is more reliable than the other?

[a4suction]

Owned my 1.9tdi for 18 months with no issues. All my fellow 1.9 tdi owners at work have had no reported dramas. I say go diesel, I did and will never go back to petrol lest my life changes and I can afford RS4 type money! Bought mine with 70k on the clock and pushing 110 now, last 18 months have been trouble free motoring with torque in abundance, highly recommend a custom re-map...........!!!!!!

[Mr_Meeks]

i think it depends if you like the sound and feel of a diesel or driving pleasure /cost of a petrol.

i had a B7 1.9tdi when my audi went in for its service wasn't to impressed to be honest but im not a dielsel fan so guess im being biased.
But theres nothing better than putting your foot down and hearing that turbo whine kick in on a 1.8t, instead of a tractor sound when your accelerating..

Both engines are pretty solid only main grey areas are the Auto boxes.

i say test drive both, seems like you do a lot of driving so maybe thinking with your head and save on petrol might out weigh the performance.

good luck

[whiteakita]

if you can live with the sound from the 1.9tdi then that is definately the best choice and no sludge problems that the 1.8t have.

[mike v]

Can the 1.8 problems be solved/avoided by regular oil changing?

[paul20v]

Im on my first diesel after many petrols from remaped B5 S4 , to 20v ur quattro
so im no stranger to 300bhp plus
and having had one i would recomend a diesel to anyone
as said you can here it in town etc with the window down but on a road at 70 - 80 mph you would be hard pressed to tell the difference
also the low down grunt especially after a remap is great
and of course not forgetting 45+mpg .

[kite]

Can the 1.8 problems be solved/avoided by regular oil changing?

Yes, and some people drop the sump to give it a good clean, this also allows you to clean the oil pump pick-up..