TDI: Which One to Buy? Get Opinions Now!

Hello diesel drivers!!

I'm new here.
I really want to get a diesel car and I've already got my eye on a few models. It has to be a TDI with 110 horsepower. I just haven't decided which brand yet (Audi, Volkswagen, SEAT, or Škoda).

The following options are possible:

-- Audi (A4, not the latest model but the previous generation) sedan.
-- VW (Golf, Bora, Passat, available as either a station wagon or a sedan).
-- Seat Toledo (new model)
-- Skoda (Octavia sedan or station wagon)

I'm looking for recommendations on specific cars because I want to base my decision on other people's opinions. Do you think this is the right place for that?

I would like some tips regarding:

-- Processing
-- Materials used (high quality or not).
Reliability.
-- Fuel consumption (please provide actual figures, not the optimal driving conditions estimates).
Manufacturer)
-- your own opinions.

Thank you in advance, and I hope you all have a lot of fun with your diesel vehicles.

The more opinions I have to consider, the better, as it makes my decision easier.

Thank you very much.

Haluk

Hi,

Let's have a few questions of my own:

Do you want to buy used or new? Since you mentioned "old model" in a few places, I'm guessing you're looking for a used one. If that's the case, be prepared for a potentially difficult search, as those parts are quite popular. The more specific your requirements are, the harder (and more expensive) it will be to find what you're looking for.

For example, I was originally looking for a Golf III 110, and all the available options I found were priced such that it ultimately made much more sense to spend an extra 4000 DM and buy a brand new re-import. Just a tip, in case you hadn't considered that idea yet.

Otherwise, the 110 hp engine is very well-developed and certainly more mature than the newer PD engines (100, 115, 130, 150 hp).

If you want to buy used items, check the corresponding section on the website.

Otherwise, the individual manufacturers probably don't differ that much in quality (my Ibiza is just as good as the Polo I had before), and there may be differences in service - for example, my Seat workshop is quite unqualified, but that certainly depends heavily on the specific workshop.

Regarding fuel consumption, I achieved approximately 5.5 liters per 100 kilometers in city traffic with the small, but not particularly light, Ibiza. On country roads at 100 km/h, it was likely around 4 liters. The absolute maximum I saw was 7.8 liters, which was on the A2 highway towards Bielefeld, driving quite fast (around 180 km/h or more whenever possible).

I hope this helps a little.

Best regards,

January.

Hello!!

Thank you for the quick response. (Things are fast here too!)

I am a student, and I can't afford a new car right now. I haven't even thought about reimports yet (but aren't they basically as good as new?). A Golf with a 110 horsepower engine would be great. But I think those are as rare as a Maybach will be ).

I'm going to take a look around. I really like the Toledo, but I'm not entirely convinced by the build quality. That Seat logo... I don't know, it bothers me somehow. Nothing against the brand, but I'm just not sure about it...
An Audi logo would be great, but it's probably not good for my bank account. So I guess I have to keep looking and looking and looking...

Thank you very much.

Haluk

Hi,

You don't usually see the SEAT logo while driving (okay, on the steering wheel...), but the engines are the same as those used by Volkswagen and even have the same engine codes (ASV in this case).

Reimported cars are not as good as new; they are new. For example, with my Ibiza TDI, I saved 10,000 Deutschmarks compared to the German list price, which is still a lot, even when you factor in potential discounts in Germany.

Take a look at companies like Juetten and Kohlen, for example http://www.juetten-koolen.de/de/index.php),. Especially when it comes to diesel, the re-imports through the Netherlands are very affordable.

Take a look at this, and then check mobile.de for the usual prices of good used cars that have acceptable mileage, your desired features, etc. You'll suddenly see that the difference in price compared to a reimported car becomes much smaller.

It's also the question of how big it should be... your preferences are currently fluctuating between a Golf and a Toledo, or a Passat as a borderline. There are many options in that range - for example, the Ibiza is only slightly smaller than the Golf. What's also very nice about Seat is the Leon - it looks like the Toledo from the front, but has a sloping rear (it even has the same model designation as the Toledo, which I discovered to my surprise).

And you should check out what other models are still being produced with the 110 hp engine... in many places, this engine is already being replaced by alternatives – for example, the new Ibiza doesn't even offer the 110 hp version anymore.

Best regards,

January.

Hello Haluk!

I drive a Volkswagen Golf 3 TDI with 110 horsepower.
Currently, the car has about 125,000 km on the odometer, and the only significant problems I've had so far were three faulty wastegate control valves. When it happened for the second time, and the workshop didn't have to search for the issue anymore, it was fixed quickly, and the car regained its power.

The fuel consumption – I live in a rather 'hilly' area – is between 4.3 and 5.5 liters per 100 km on the country road with normal driving (without 'fuel-efficient' driving), according to the car's onboard computer. It's usually around 5.2 l/100 km when going uphill, but during longer trips, the consumption typically settles in the range of 4.6-4.8 l/100 km.

So, if you can occasionally make do with a little bit of tinkering around the center console or elsewhere (usually it disappears again eventually) and want to be faster than a 90hp TDI without having a pump-injector TDI, then a Golf3 110 TDI might be the right choice for you.


Best regards, D.

Hello!

I also have a G3 with 110 horsepower and I'm satisfied with it. I can confirm all the fuel consumption figures that have been mentioned before. The car has 92,000 kilometers on the odometer, and neither the previous owner nor I have had any problems other than a squeaky clutch.
Finding a used Golf with the 110 horsepower engine and up to 100,000 km on the odometer can be quite difficult. Many of them are GTIs, and often they are cars that have been modified with aftermarket chips (so it's important to ask about this right away).
Generally, the offers from alternative providers tend to be more reliable.
The timing belt needs to be replaced at 90,000 km, and the cost is approximately €350.

Good luck with your search.

Klaus.

Thank you for your experiences.

I once asked a Seat dealer in Germany how it works when ordering a car, specifically a Toledo or a Leon. He said that he orders both vehicles as a Toledo.

Does anyone here own a new Toledo? I'd be interested to hear people's opinions. Right now, the Toledo is my absolute favorite. I often find myself looking back when one drives past me. I think the front and rear designs are very well done.

On the other hand, I've been driving a Golf2 for 6 years and have driven about 100,000 km. I've never had any major problems. The car was even totaled (a complete write-off) once. I repaired it, and it still drives like new. Maybe it will be a Golf again, but I just don't know. I'm totally confused...

PS: Oh yes, the Peugeot 307 HDI with 110 horsepower would also be very appealing to me. Does anyone happen to own one of those? Or does anyone know more about that car?


Thank you all.

Thanxalot

Haluk.

'Hey, regarding the 307: a colleague of mine owns one, it has 20,000 kilometers on it, and he's already had engine electronics problems three times. I don't know exactly what the problem was, but the entire unit was replaced each time.'
I can't say whether this is a general problem.


[OFFTOPIC]
Okay, one more thing:

'I often find myself watching the rear lights of cars as they pass by.'

Don't you have to look in the rearview mirror when you're passing someone?

but it doesn't really matter .

OFFTOPIC:

Well, I thought faster than I wrote again... Sorry. I think people understood what I wanted to say, or?

See you later!

Haluk.

Could it be that most people here drive VWs? (just out of curiosity)

Hi Haluk,

What are you planning to spend on your new one?

Hi Haluk,

As a replacement car for my Cordoba Vario, I also had a Toledo once, a gasoline-powered one with 100 horsepower, manufactured in 2000. My comment about it was: 'It's a nice car for retirees; everything is very easy to operate and has a very soft suspension. But otherwise, there's nothing particularly special about it.' - If the Toledo were available as a station wagon, that would be worth considering with a TDI engine.

Best regards,

Steffi H.,

those who like the Toledo's front design but dislike its notchback rear

I'm looking to spend around €13,000 on it, but it would also need to be a machine with at least 110 horsepower, and it definitely needs to have features like air conditioning, electric front windows, and remote central locking.

What do you suggest to me?


Thanxalot Haluk

Hi Haluk,

I'm also looking for a new car.
I've been doing some research for a while now, and I've settled on the new SEAT IBIZA SPORT TD1 with 130 horsepower.
The estimated cost is around €14,200. If you're willing to spend approximately €13,000, then the additional €1,500 might still be possible.
You really have a fantastic car. Of course, it's an import from the EU. It would cost €19,000 in Germany!

I've been driving a Seat TDI for several years now and I'm really very happy with it.


You can take a look at this if you like:

http://www.eu-mobile24.de/pkwsuche.php3?auswahl=details&id=21029&anr=25&pos=21&top=hersteller&land=&plz=&hersteller=Seat&typ=&modell=&baujahr=&farbe=&sort=modell&sonstiges=&kw=&kwvon=&kwbis=&preis=&abs=&airbag=&diesel=&zentral=&wegfahrsperre=&werbefahrzeug=&navigation=&tempomat=&dach=&fenster=&ahk=&klimaanlage=&innen=&carcalc=&automatik=&sofort=&eu=&bestell=&tages=&neuwagen=ja%20&jahreswagen=&unfallwagen=&oldtimer=&taxi=&neuzugang=&nurprivat=

Here's another test from Auto Bild!

http://www.autobild.de/suche/artikel.php?artikel_id=640&A_SESS=c1503fa7077fe96f78d6482d833166f6

And, what do you think of the car?

http://www.mobile.de/cgi-bin/search.pl?CountOff=100&DataNr=61&DisplayDetail=27947765&DoSearch=1&FormCategory=0&FormColor=%2e%2e%2ebeliebig&FormDate=0&FormDurchmesser=0&FormEZ=%2d&FormKilometer=%2d&FormLand=D&FormMake=0&FormModel=&FormPLZ=29308&FormPower=%2d&FormPrice=%2d&FormSort=0&Page=1&SearchCat=bereich%3dpkw%26sprache%3d1&bereich=pkw&sprache=1&x=47&y=13

Here's a link to my car! Maybe it's something you'd be interested in.

Best regards, Chris.

That's the problem, I don't see why I should spend almost €14,000 on a 3-year-old Golf with nearly 100,000 kilometers on the clock. I would rather pay an extra €1,000 to €2,000 and buy a new car with a 2-year warranty.