Upgraded to a B7 2.0 170bhp from a B6 1.9 130bhp (remapped to 175) - OMG

[Lee Rees]

With 200k on the clock I decided it was time to "upgrade" to a B7.

Engine:
Compared to the 1.9, it sounds like a bunch of skeletons in a biscuit tin and it's slower than a snail in a K hole.

Fuel Economy:
On a motorway run my old B6 got 65mpg, this one gets around 25mpg. It's costs more than double the amount in diesel doing the same journey. London to Cornwall in the B6 cost £25 with some left in the tank. This costs £60 and it was empty by the time I got home.

Handling:
Handling is no better than the B6. The seats are uncomfortable compared to the B6. I do like the cruise control and parking sensors but then a prius has cruise control and parking sensors and it's faster.

I'm really disappointed with this car mainly due to the absolutely appalling fuel economy and performance. What confuses me is how Audi have managed to make the 2.0 engine such a downgrade compared to the 1.9. What's worse is this car has actually had a new engine fitted due to the last one being recalled.

I'm selling this car on as I'm not happy with it, Are there any newer shape Audi's that have that rock solid 1.9 engine? if not I'm getting a Merc. Even though I've spent money on an oil change and injector flush I should still be in profit as I paid next to nothing for it. I just hope this post will help out a few other B6'ers who are thinking of making the same mistake. Avoid this horrible engine at all costs.

Now I'm sitting here and I absolutely miss my B6, people always used to comment on how fast she was. I never really took any notice of them as they were pushing Pugs and Vauxhalls but now I know. You don't know what you had until it's gone. Arghh :-(

[zollaf]

a b6 with a 130 is one of the best cars ever built. i prefer the b5's and 80's myself, a bit more simple than a b6.
it does sound like this new car of yours may have a fault, it should do a lot more than 25... maybe get it checked out.

[niall campbell]

I would say get the remap off the car !!

You cant blame the car if the ECU has been tweaked for power & to hell with the economy !!!!!

Then I would change the fuel and air filter , checking the brakes are not stuck on, especially if its got an electronic handbrake, are the centre of the rear wheels roasting ??

Then I would give it an Italian decoke, hold the car in 2nd gear and blast it without changing gear, for a few hundred yards and the revs just under the red.

Then reset the computer for fuel economy

Some remaps tell the ecu that the car is colder than what it really is, so the fuel/ air mixture is stronger ........................ or a sensor like the coolant temp is faulty

[zollaf]

i think he means the old b6 was remapped rather than the new one. thats how i read it ??

[andybloke]

I had the same level of economy from my b7 2.0 tdi (170). They really are shocking for a diesel, I get similar economy from my b8 s4.

[Gazwould]

Zollaf is so right , 80 , B5 , B6 all built to last and power to weight ratio, smaller wheels all add up to good vehicle dynamics .

I've a 1.9 130 PD Passat B5.5 remapped to 180 and I won't make the same mistake by going newer .

Is the B7 a dpf model ?

[zollaf]

the newer ones do look so posh though..

[Gazwould]

Posh indeed , but we know where the smart money goes .

[Gazwould]

Posh indeed , but we know where the smart money goes .

[Lee Rees]

I had the same level of economy from my b7 2.0 tdi (170). They really are shocking for a diesel, I get similar economy from my b8 s4.

The thing is I can imagine a B8 S4 is a lot more fun than mine. If I was willing to foot the bill for this level of fuel economy I'd get myself a sports car. My VW Corrado was 250BHP and even that got better MPG and it was a hell of a lot faster.

If this is the way Audi are going now with fuel economy then I'm afraid I am priced out of the market. I do at the very least 3000 miles per month.

/I don't really know what to do with this car, I suppose I could get the DPF and EGR deleted but how much more MPG will I actually get? If it's only 5mpg it's still nowhere near good enough. I need to get at least 50mpg on the motorway.