[The Vicar]

Got about £6k to spare and can get a Golf 2.0 TDi for that on an 04 plate. The mileage is 101,000. The guy said that it's barely broken in, what with it being a German diesel. Is he lying, or can such engines go forever? Is £6k for that vehicle reasonable, in other words?

My other option for the same money is a 54 plated 1.4 petrol with 24,000 on the clock. Both from dealers and with FSH.

Someone who knows abouit cars please advise!

Is this even in the right forum?

[Paul B]

It all depends on how its been treated.

I had no hesitation buying our 2.5 Tdi VW T4 and the engine was one of the strongest I've owned. I think it had a 117,000 on it or so and when we'd finished with it we'd had something like 15,000 in 6 months without any trouble.

Again I've just bought an '06 vw caddy with the 1.9 Tdi 104 golf GT engine in at 90,000 miles and its great.

It might be worth noting that not only engines break. Other components will start being a factor at higher mileage's (clutch?). Especially if its had any tinkering.

If you're buying from a dealer don't you get any kind of assurance from them when you buy?

A 1.4 petrol golf will be a bore to drive. Even though the lower powered diesels aren't that quick statistically torquey engines are nice (and easy) to drive.

[tomtom]

Two tales here both 1.9tdi's...

I sold an 01 plate Golf tdi 2 years ago, with c.120k on the clock, and I bought it on 70. The engine was still going like a train - just the rest of the car was starting to get a bit creaky around it (slightly knocky suspension + needed new shocks etc..) it was just getting a bit old. Mine was ex lease, Full (VAG) service history. I serviced it every 10k and had a new cam belt fitted when I first got it (c.£150).

SteveM (who doesnt post here that much nowadays) had loads of trouble with his similar age tdi Golf Estate. Turbo went pop, lost loads of oil - knackered parts of the engine too, and I suspect he's the best part of £2k worse off now.. search for the thread Four wheel spiel - and you'll find his tale.

My advice would be that 6k for an 04 TDI with 100k is too rich. THats about the right money for one with 60-70k. I'd be looking to get one with 60-70k  - as I think once you start getting into the 100's and above its not really the engine you have to worry about - more that everything else starts to get a bit tired (even in a Golf). Wheel bearings, shocks, suspension bushes, flex brake hoses etc.. all these wear and perish (with both AGE and MILES)....

When  I replaced the Golf a couple of years ago - I was lookign at similar spec (to yours above) Golfs at 8k... I ended up getting a 3 series diesel BMW estate for slightly less - and thats been (touch wood) perfect so far (and 40k miles on..).

If you want a golf - get the TDI. Paul is right - the 1.4 will be dull as shit to drive.. and dont get the SDi Golf - its non turboified, so is sluggish in comparison... I also use the autotrader website alot - not necessarily to buy from but to get the price calibrated...

[Paul B]

Parkers is also good for price. Personally I wouldn't be buying from a dealer simply because you get shafted for the privilige and I'm yet to go into one which has impressed me with either knowledge or service.

I'm sure there'll be a good VAG forum which will be able to help you identify key faults and warning signs that you should be looking for. I know dobbin had similar Turbo troubles with his A3 2.0 Td (140?) and they all come from the same family tree.

I know you say its the 2.0 Tdi but which BHP version? 5 speed box or 6? (One thing I don't really like about the caddy is the abscense of a 6th gear which would clearly bring its motorway MPG up, some crazy people have fitted the 6 speed box and clutch from the 2.0 140 I see but THAT is a bit far).

(surely on your 3 series estate you've ended up with a lot less kit than on the equivalent Golf?).

[Drew]

I'd agree with Paul. Diesel engines will happily go for a couple of hundred thousand miles. I even had a Citreon (dirty French thing) and that went over 200k. It was the suspension which went on that. I've also just recently bought a Skoda (VW in cheap clothing). I was perfectly happy with the 107k on the clock. Unfortunately the gearbox has just broken on that, and it's apparently worth replacing the clutch while they're fixing the 'box. However the only way to handle the POWER (apparently) is to use a very expensive clutch (dual-mast flywheel ?) which on it's own is over a grand. So to get the whole thing fixed would cost more than the car is worth. Proper NNFN moment that!

On the whole the VW group make very good, reliable cars, and if it's from a dealer then there should be a good warranty. i have since learned that the gearboxes are apparently an Achilles heel.

By the way, this is information I've gleaned from the garages I've taken the car to, not anything I know first hand.

Oh, and petrol engines don't have any many plus points over modern day diesels engines any more. I love the torque!

[Bubba]

If you've got FSH, especially VW FSH then I wouldn't worry.

I've just bought a 2.2 Mondeo TDCi with 111k on the clock and the engine is sweet. Very smooth and I'm getting 43mpg on my commute which is a mixture of A and B roads, nearer 50 on motorways.

Reading around the web before buying quite a few people seemed to think that these modern diesel engines should run to 250k if looked after.

Like Paul says, check for any other big costs that might present problems. On the Ford the clutch DMF is rated for approx 130k and is an expensive replacement.  Injectors? Check suspension bushings, brake discs, etc.

I don't think 6k is terrible, assuming it's a 2.0 GT TDi and it's very clean - compare yours to some of these

Personally I do buy from dealers just so you have some sort of basic warranty cover if things go tits up, and it's also less you're going to get any shenanigans like altered mileages, etc. Make sure to do a *full* HPI check on the car. I nearly got stung recently but luckily the HPI mileage check showed up a 30k difference to what was on the clock. 

[tomtom]

(surely on your 3 series estate you've ended up with a lot less kit than on the equivalent Golf?).

Amazingly not... much more kit! Equivalent price Golfs were basic. The BM had climate, cruise, grey leather, sunroof, autodip mirror, loads of shizzle... the car cost £25+k new, but was £7800 (or something like that) 5 years later.. Golfs are good, but do have an artificially high value IMHO - like A3/A4's as well..

(its wank in snow though!)

[butters]

Just echoing what others have said really - the mileage is not that bad for a diesel - pROJECT mAYHEM has just gone past 155k and no sign of any problems from the engine. the best bit of advice given so far is to find a forum that deals in VW's and lurk around there for a while - any problems will become apparent soon enough. The price looks way over for what it is though from my perspective though.

Speaking from experience of the T5 1.9TDi and knowledge I have gained from associated forums the main areas as have already been highlighted - clutch and Dual Mass Flywheel are the main weak links and you are looking at circa £700 to get it replaced from a decent garage (£1100 is dealer prices). The OS drive shaft can also be a problem as VW in their infinite wisdom put the shaft into the gear box dry (ie no grease) so water gets in, corrodes and starts to wear away the splines which will give way eventually if not caught in time - this is a problem on all VW's from 04-06ish as far as I know. Turbos are also a weak point though not to the extent of the clutch\DMF is.

[dontfollowme]

I am also looking for a golf but for around 7K. This morning I have driven the 1.4TSI (140) on a 56 plate with 80K miles and a 54 plate 2.0 GT TDI (140) with 73K for around the same price.

I'm having a hard time deciding. The diesel has 6 months tax, full VWSH (cambelt done) and has a slightly better spec e.g. climate. The TSI is newer and petrol but no VWSH and will require cambelt doing and taxing.

I am leaning towards the diesel - would others agree?

[butters]

I am also looking for a golf but for around 7K. This morning I have driven the 1.4TSI (140) on a 56 plate with 80K miles and a 54 plate 2.0 GT TDI (140) with 73K for around the same price.

I'm having a hard time deciding. The diesel has 6 months tax, full VWSH (cambelt done) and has a slightly better spec e.g. climate. The TSI is newer and petrol but no VWSH and will require cambelt doing and taxing.

I am leaning towards the diesel - would others agree?

If the price is ball park (see Parkers as Paul B mentioned) and the drive train is OK I would be looking at the diesel.

Check for any problems with the clutch\DMF - try pulling away on a hill and preferably reverse it up a steep hill - any severe vibration from the engine gear box is a bad sign. Also be aware of a thunk from the gear box area when pulling away - it's a good sign that the drive shaft has issues as I mentioned earlier.

I assume that they did the water pump at the same time as doing the cam belt - I know that they recommend doing them both at the same time on the T5 and can't see the Golf being much different.

[Jim]

without reading all the other posts my 2pence worth:
the new 2.0tdi VAG engines are no where near as good as the old 1.9 tdi engines

[The Vicar]

OK, all good advice. I've found a 2005 1.9TDI S hatch with 80,000 on the clock for £5,900 from a dealership...FSH, 2 owners and all the usual. Parkers gives £7750 for that but with 60K on the clock...thoughts on that?

[Bubba]

Is that an SDI? I'd go for the GT TDi instead as has been said above. If it's a GT then seems a good price.

[The Vicar]

It's the S TDi, the GT is £8,000 which I can't afford...

[Paul B]

This first result I get on Autotrader for the same spec is the same price at 79,000 miles.

I've also just found a Golf GT Tdi 140 with 80k miles for 6,350.... Are you dead set on buying from a dealer?

There's also a 2.0 GT Tdi 140 with 75k miles on it for 6.

I'd say your orginal options are looking over priced.

[andy_e]

My Black Beauty (Golf estate 1.9tdi) is tickling 180,000 miles and she's still going strong.

[Bubba]

It's the S TDi, the GT is £8,000 which I can't afford...

Tomtom said above that the SDi is a non-turbo, so the S Tdi must be something else. You definitely want a turbo or it'll be well slow.

Other bonus with TDi engines is that you can remap them for about £400 to give more bhp and shitloads more torque. Saving up to do my TDCi now.

[Bubba]

the new 2.0tdi VAG engines are no where near as good as the old 1.9 tdi engines

In what way Jim, they put out more horses, are they not as reliable?

[Paul B]

the new 2.0tdi VAG engines are no where near as good as the old 1.9 tdi engines

In what way Jim, they put out more horses, are they not as reliable?

I think thats the same one they stick in the A3's. Nail head. Dobalob?

Bubb's the S looks like a spec trim like Gt etc. They do make an 's' 'Tdi'... Like others have said the sdi will be dire. They do one in the caddy (69ps) they're meant to be 'orrible.

[Jim]

the new 2.0tdi VAG engines are no where near as good as the old 1.9 tdi engines

In what way Jim, they put out more horses, are they not as reliable?

basically yes

[Adam Lincoln]

My Black Beauty's still going strong.

NSFW  :

[robertostallioni]

My "partner" has a black veiny steering wheel. For the less liberal/more imaginative amongst us I imagine it could be most off-putting. Not I though, I wrestle it on a daily basis. With aplomb.,

[BB]

To shift this back towards topic...

I bought a '98 S TDI with 99k on the clock for 4k some years ago. It's now done 152k and still going strong. I would ech the the views on here that the engine will outlast the rest of the car.

[The Vicar]

Right, you lot, thanks for the advice...all very useful. I'm off to see a 54 plated TDi from a dealer with 80,000 on the clock for £6k. I'm sure I can knock him down a little in price. Three years living in Cairo has left me chronically incapable of accepting the first price I see for practically anything that isn't edible.

Insh'allah!

[dontfollowme]

Good luck - anyone else find buying cars stressful?