TDI Wagon: Best Models & Recommendations

Dear community!
I've read a few threads in the forum, but I'm still undecided.
I'm planning to buy a station wagon (like a Passat, Golf, or Octavia) sometime in the near future.
My annual mileage is approximately 40,000 kilometers, almost exclusively on highways.
I had the Passat with 101 hp as a loan car from the workshop for a weekend, driving about 1000 km. During that time, I found the performance to be too low, especially when starting with 4 people and luggage. In my opinion, it's comparable to the 'older' 90 hp TDI (which I often drive for work). I'm very impressed with the V6 engine with 155 hp in the Audi A6 with Multitronic, but it's not an option due to the price.
You can find many used 2.0 models with 115 horsepower on the market, but also the 130 horsepower PD version. Aside from the timing belt, people generally have good things to say about the latter. I'm looking for one with mileage between 30,000 and 60,000 km. What should I pay attention to? And what are your experiences with the station wagon versions? Are there significant differences? After all, they usually have a similar vehicle base and equipment.

Thank you very much in advance.


Christian.

... who is looking forward to getting a TDI...

'I've had a Passat 3BG, manufactured in 01/2001, with the 130hp PD engine since spring. I'm very happy with this car! It performs well even when towing heavy trailers (like caravans or heavy trailers) and, in my opinion, has enough power reserve. The engine is very responsive and a lot of fun to drive!'


Things to consider when buying: - Idle vibrations (this is a topic that is often discussed here on the PD forum).
- worn-out ball joints on the front axle (a common problem).
- leaks in/of the charging pressure system.

Hi,

I've had a G4 station wagon with an AXR engine (101 hp) for a year and 2 weeks.
The engine is great - it has excellent pulling power, and even with 1 ton attached (e.g., a caravan), it's not a problem.

Unfortunately, Ulf has already noticed that my engine suffers from the "value-added tax" syndrome. It seems that mine has a bit more power than its siblings .

Overall, I'm very satisfied (despite the 1000 defects), and the Golf, with its 74 kW engine, isn't underpowered; it actually runs better than my old G3 1Z. However, the Passat, due to its higher weight, is better suited with an engine like the one Jorg has.

By the way, the G4 station wagon is remarkably cheap to insure (14/15), and the AXR engine is also tax-free (D4).
Be careful when buying a used car! The 74 kW engine also comes with the ATD motor, which is not tax-exempt because it's only classified as D3.

Thanks in advance for the answers. So, it's definitely worth making sure that the engine also meets the D4 standard.
Can anyone else share some tips or experiences regarding the differences between the Golf, Passat, and Octavia (station wagon/estate)?

Okay, here's the translation:

Thank you.

Regards,

Christian.

Hello,

My Golf IV Variant, although it only had 90 horsepower with the ALH engine, had very good pulling power.
And much more importantly, he never let me down. Except for one jammed VTG strut.
'It had absolutely nothing that was related to the engine, such as any squeaking or rattling, etc.'
When buying a car, in addition to the usual things to consider, also pay attention to when the next major service (including the timing belt replacement) is due, so you might be able to negotiate that into the price.

Hello,

My Golf IV Variant, although it only had 90 horsepower with the ALH engine, had very good pulling power.
And much more importantly, he never let me down. Except for one jammed VTG strut.
'It had absolutely nothing that was related to the engine, such as any squeaking or rattling, etc.'
When buying a car, in addition to the usual things, also pay attention to when the next timing belt replacement is due, so you can potentially negotiate that into the price.

Exactly! I managed to get that one too!

'My car had a turbo failure under the previous owner, possibly due to a ruptured coolant line. My questions and doubts regarding the proper repair led the VW dealer to replace the entire unit again, in my presence. (My old turbo is now guaranteed to be running as new in another vehicle!!! )'

Christian wrote the following:

My annual mileage is approximately 40,000 kilometers, almost exclusively on highways.

Then, an engine with a 6-speed transmission is a good choice.

Therefore, it is really important to make sure that the engine also meets the D4 standard as much as possible.

In the Passat, only the completely new 2.0 TDI engine with 140 hp / 6-speed transmission / particulate filter meets the Euro 4 standard. In the Golf, only the 100 hp engine meets the Euro 3/D4 standard; all other diesel engines have Euro 3.

4 persons + luggage

The Passat offers significantly more space, and the Golf IV Variant also has a relatively high loading sill. Apparently, the Octavia has slightly more cargo space than the Golf.

You can find the Octavia, equipped with the 130 horsepower 6-speed engine and the comprehensive 'Elegance' trim, as a re-imported vehicle for just under 19,000 EUR brand new. A used Passat with the same engine usually costs more.

Best regards, Marcus.

Apparently, the Octavia has slightly more cargo space than the Golf.


not only allegedly

If you remove the rear seat cushions, the cargo space of the Octavia is longer than that of the Passat (because the seat cushions in the Passat are not as easily removable as those in the Octavia).

If you rarely have rear passengers, then the Octavia is a good option.
If you often have passengers in the back seat -> Passat.

Otherwise: Octavia PD-130, like new.

CU Gremlin.

Then the Octavia seems quite interesting to me. Maybe I can find a used one for a bit less than 19,000. The Golf probably won't be a good option (I'm already driving a Golf 3 2.0 gasoline), so I'll have to compare the Passat and Octavia again.

@Gremlin: I read in your signature: 'of course without ESP' ... Does that have any disadvantages, or should I rather buy a car without ESP?

Regards,

Christian.

The Octavia is based on the platform of the Golf 4.
If you're looking for a car that offers the space of an A6 or Passat, you could also consider the Skoda Superb, which is available with a V6 TDI engine or a 1.9 PD engine. However, keep in mind that the Superb is not available as a station wagon.

In my opinion, the Octavia offers more space than the Golf 4 when compared directly.

, maybe you can find it used for a little less than 19,000.

It's likely to be very rare on the used car market, as this model with 130 horsepower hasn't been around for very long.

But I can recommend this re-imported Austrian model to you. It's a special 'Rider' edition, and the interior doesn't look quite as 'old-fashioned' as the 'Elegance' model. You can take a look at it on www.skoda.at.

Price is from Stippler+Krämer in Germany.

Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI Rider Combi, 96 kW/130 hp, 6-speed manual, €18,290.

Skoda Octavia Rider trim level.
In addition to the standard equipment: ABS, ASR, EDS, passenger airbag deactivatable, electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors.
Tinted windows, windshield wipers with interval setting, child safety locks for the power windows, and a cigarette lighter in the rear.
Fog lights, rear cup holders, 'Trinidad' upholstery design, leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear knob, and handbrake lever.
Rear cargo cover (Combi models only), front seats with height adjustment and lumbar support, exterior mirrors in body color.
Bumper painted in car color, roof rails (only for Combi models), 16' alloy wheels 'Metallica' with 205/55 R16 tires, bumper protection strips, 'Sunset' tinted windows.
Starting from the B-pillar, the windows are extra tinted. Includes front armrests, rear armrests (only for Combi models), and telephone preparation.
Remote fuel door release (from inside), Interior lighting with delayed shut-off, Central locking with remote control.
Front and rear electric windows, Climatronic climate control, Coming Home function, cruise control, front reading lights.
Rain sensor, tachometer with onboard computer.

There's quite a bit in there already.

Best regards, Marcus.

@Gremlin: I read in your signature: 'of course without ESP' ... Does that have any disadvantages, or should I rather buy one without ESP?


Well... 15 years of driving in snowy conditions without ESP shapes you... because (when I have the chance), I approach curves with a drifting line, or I react faster when the car starts to lose traction, so the VAG-ESP then spins me around thanks to its intervention. (And others too... right, Bertil ). It was especially noticeable in the 2001 Passat Variant.
(Please don't start any fundamental discussions; I understand what ESP can do and what I cannot do...)

'ESP costs extra, so I'm saving the money. I didn't miss it last winter, and I haven't missed it before either. There are no curves that are too fast; it's just a matter of not using enough brainpower while driving. If in doubt, just drive slower.'

octavia <-> passat
The Passat has more interior space. The front is almost the same, but in the back, there's naturally more legroom thanks to the longer wheelbase.

CU Gremlin.

ESP means that you can drive in speed ranges that you would never dare to enter without ESP.
*unknown* in d.e.f.a.

Thank you!
ESP is now clear to me.

The re-imported car has more features than I had hoped for.
I'll definitely take a look at the Seat and try to test drive the different engine options at the dealership (including the Passat).

... by the way: This is a great forum! I'm really impressed - I haven't seen anything like this in other forums before... unfortunately, serious and knowledgeable answers were often the exception rather than the rule in those other forums.

I'm looking forward to using Diesel and I know where to find support if I have any questions.

Regards,

Christian.

Gremlin wrote:

ESP means that you can enter speed ranges that you would never dare to enter without ESP.

Hi Gremlin,

I see that differently, as a rally driver!

ESP means that you are braked in speed ranges where there is still plenty of potential for acceleration... and then, due to poor control, the car can end up in quite unusual driving situations.

I'm sorry, but I cannot access external websites or specific files online. Therefore, I am unable to translate the text from the provided URL.

That's why I often turn off the ESP.


When reselling, you might get a better price with ESP (Electronic Stability Program) because many people are looking for cars with that feature (along with air conditioning and power steering).