90bhp VS 75bhp
- Thread starter NeilB
- Start date
philward
A2OC Donor
75 bhp is more reliable, no dual mass flywheel and no variable turbo geometry. Also doesn't have rear discs.
Edit, depends on the history, my 75 is on 170k miles and showing no signs of giving up. But it has been maintained.
Edit 2, at 145k miles the balance shaft chain tension slipper pads are likely to be shot and will need replacing if not already done. Applies to both engines.
Edit, depends on the history, my 75 is on 170k miles and showing no signs of giving up. But it has been maintained.
Edit 2, at 145k miles the balance shaft chain tension slipper pads are likely to be shot and will need replacing if not already done. Applies to both engines.
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Erlingtheyounger
Member
Two very different cars. I’d advise driving decent examples of both and deciding which you prefer.Hi can I ask about the Pro-Cons 90bhp vs 75bhp.
Also should I be worried about 145k mls ?
Thanks in advance
drewroberts
A2OC Donor
A well sorted 90 is an awesome drive. Has amazing torque and grunt. I have owned one for 8 years now. Yes it’s been quite expensive to maintain to the standard it has been, but it’s worth every penny when I get behind the wheel it always puts a massive smile on my face. 
CrispyEdd
Member
I bought my one owner 90 2004 atl with 136k om clock. It was well maintained but it was time for a new turbo and a new clutch , the gearbox is also due a rebuild now. I would imagine this is same bar the turbo perhaps for a 75. Expect to pay £700-£1k for dual mass clutch fitment and same for turbo overhaul. As turbo and clutches are about £400 each and its fairly long labour.
If you want an ll out cheap economy car (65-70mpg) it's 75, if you like to do some harder driving and want great economy (55-60) go 90 but expect to pay more for it in most aspects!
If you want an ll out cheap economy car (65-70mpg) it's 75, if you like to do some harder driving and want great economy (55-60) go 90 but expect to pay more for it in most aspects!
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Seb_Gurkyh
Member
A 90 is about 7% thirstier than a 75 on average, it seems.
When reading up on common issues, the 90 feels quite a bit more risky these days.
As noted earlier, there's the dual mass flywheel-clutch combination that is fairly expensive to replace.
EGR coolers for the later TDIs, afaik be it 75 or 90, are no longer available new and aren't an uncommon failure.
The early 75s do not have this part. (Though I guess a failure here is not as much of an issue with the relatively lax UK MOT test)
There's also a list of about 50 blown TDI90 factory turbos on the german forums.
Supposedly, refurbished turbos for the 90 are of even worse quality and may blow from as little as 25k miles.
Looking into new ones, I was unable to find any OEM ones <2000€ - these seem to have sold out recently.
With the rarity of the TDI90 models (~7000 overall I think), spares for TDI90-only parts will be much harder to get than 75-parts and this will only get worse as time passes. Many OEM bits have stopped being available from Audi around 2020.
At least for me, the fear of something breaking that can't be replaced or will straight-up total the car (e.g. the turbo blowing and ruining the block) is always present when driving my 90 these days...
Yeah I'll still drive it pretty much anywhere but not without that nagging thought of "is this noise new/bad?"
I would much prefer if it was a chipped 75 to throw cheap, still relatively easily available (possibly used) bits at, even at the cost of some of the "oomph" the 90 provides.
If it was 2012 and one could have a 90 repaired/refurbished with all OEM bits if need be, that would be my choice. In 2022 with that not being an option, it gets harder to recommend. :/
When reading up on common issues, the 90 feels quite a bit more risky these days.
As noted earlier, there's the dual mass flywheel-clutch combination that is fairly expensive to replace.
EGR coolers for the later TDIs, afaik be it 75 or 90, are no longer available new and aren't an uncommon failure.
The early 75s do not have this part. (Though I guess a failure here is not as much of an issue with the relatively lax UK MOT test)
There's also a list of about 50 blown TDI90 factory turbos on the german forums.
Supposedly, refurbished turbos for the 90 are of even worse quality and may blow from as little as 25k miles.
Looking into new ones, I was unable to find any OEM ones <2000€ - these seem to have sold out recently.
With the rarity of the TDI90 models (~7000 overall I think), spares for TDI90-only parts will be much harder to get than 75-parts and this will only get worse as time passes. Many OEM bits have stopped being available from Audi around 2020.
At least for me, the fear of something breaking that can't be replaced or will straight-up total the car (e.g. the turbo blowing and ruining the block) is always present when driving my 90 these days...
Yeah I'll still drive it pretty much anywhere but not without that nagging thought of "is this noise new/bad?"
I would much prefer if it was a chipped 75 to throw cheap, still relatively easily available (possibly used) bits at, even at the cost of some of the "oomph" the 90 provides.
If it was 2012 and one could have a 90 repaired/refurbished with all OEM bits if need be, that would be my choice. In 2022 with that not being an option, it gets harder to recommend. :/
dj_efk
A2OC Donor
I honestly don’t know why everyone makes such a big deal out of the DMF on the 90. If you’re buying one with more than 80k miles, just ensure you budget for a clutch and DMF, you’re very unlikely to need to change it more than the once the entire time you own the car.
Same with the turbo, get it done once (refurb’d by a well-established company) and forget about it.
Overall, yes you pay more - but I am told (based on the opinion of those who have - unlike me - owned both a 75 and a 90 - that the extra big outlay is worth the extra enjoyment factor when spread over the many thousands of miles of driving; assuming you’re planning to keep the car going for a long time!
Your opinions may well vary. Agree that the 90 uses a little more fuel however, although not very much: I can get mpg in the very high 60s on a long run as long as I keep the speed to 65-70mph. I think a 70 from what I read on here could do slightly better, but we’re almost splitting hairs even with current fuel prices.
Same with the turbo, get it done once (refurb’d by a well-established company) and forget about it.
Overall, yes you pay more - but I am told (based on the opinion of those who have - unlike me - owned both a 75 and a 90 - that the extra big outlay is worth the extra enjoyment factor when spread over the many thousands of miles of driving; assuming you’re planning to keep the car going for a long time!
Your opinions may well vary. Agree that the 90 uses a little more fuel however, although not very much: I can get mpg in the very high 60s on a long run as long as I keep the speed to 65-70mph. I think a 70 from what I read on here could do slightly better, but we’re almost splitting hairs even with current fuel prices.
Have both 75 and 90HP, both mapped at the moment.
Pick the 90 everytime, the 75 is only used when sun is shining since it has OSS.
@dj_efk is spot on above. Do not understand the arguments about DMF and variable vane turbo that 90 has since those need to be replacement once during the lifetime of the car. But so does it also for the 75 as those also of course have clutch and turbo wear.
The 90 has much more constant torque and I floor it almost everytime in 2/3/4 gear up to max 3500rpm. Its a thrill and the sound it makes puts a smile on my face. Drive it for hours at 3000rpm on cruise. I believe diesels just benefits from some rpm’s.
The 90 is at 130kmiles. New DMF and clutch, original turbo. I do filters and oil change every year.
Pick the 90 everytime, the 75 is only used when sun is shining since it has OSS.
@dj_efk is spot on above. Do not understand the arguments about DMF and variable vane turbo that 90 has since those need to be replacement once during the lifetime of the car. But so does it also for the 75 as those also of course have clutch and turbo wear.
The 90 has much more constant torque and I floor it almost everytime in 2/3/4 gear up to max 3500rpm. Its a thrill and the sound it makes puts a smile on my face. Drive it for hours at 3000rpm on cruise. I believe diesels just benefits from some rpm’s.
The 90 is at 130kmiles. New DMF and clutch, original turbo. I do filters and oil change every year.
CrispyEdd
Member
Forgot to mention the lovely turbo warble chittering noise, addictive!
Charles
Member
I've just bought a 90k tdi 90 which will be delivered in a couple of weeks. I'm yet to drive the car due to the dmf but is torque great low down. My tdi 75 is woefully lacking in before 2k in 1st and then pulls like a train. Would you say its almost immediate power even at low revs?
AndyP
Member
I have both and I'd say there is a noticable increase in torque from the 90 off the line, but after that on a remapped 75 it's not so different. Both of mine are remapped though.
Charles
Member
If I could remap the tdi 75 I'm sure it would be a lot better but being 18 would make insurance crazy. Just sometimes it feels like a lemon when pulling out if I try and accelerate at 1k rpm. My petrol seems to have a nicer immediate acceleration.
No, I never floor it below 2krpm since that is no good for the DMF. With 90 you have a broader torque curve, that is more linear pull from 2 til 3,5krpm while the 75 has a smaller curve (peak), that is the fun ends very quickly. Also the noise the 90 makes is funny, like an inferno when it sucks air. Have surprised a few SUVs on acceleration, but have no chance against EVs.
Proghound
Admin Team
The thing I like most about my first TDI75 with a mild remap is the torque from low down. You still get a bit of a wake-up from about 1700rpm, but it's so much happier to drive below that than pre-remap. If clear, you can pull out of junctions still in 2nd gear from your approach. It's so much more flexible for general driving. Not that I use the top end much, but it also breathes a lot better past 3000rpm, right up to the redline. I've no doubt that a 90 will pull harder and accelerate faster, but if you don't generally drive for the thrills then a remapped 75 should do you just fine.
To be honest what I love most about the A2 and have always loved is the economy and reliability you get from a well maintained tdi 75, that and the cheap £30 a year road tax which is obviously the same for both TDI variants.
I also love that you feel like you are going slower than you actually are which is testament to the build quality and is the exact opposite to virtually every other small car out there and many big one's for that matter too, then there is the sheer amount of size inside, I'm 6ft 2 and can sit comfortably anywhere in the car, even the boot
and the practicality of it, how you can fit almost anything of any size in the boot if you drop, lift or remove the rear seats, obviously all of which apply to all A2's.
Although the quoted 75hp of the TDI 75 sounds derisory, in the real world it has never felt underpowered to me, even in it's standard unmapped guise, which is actually usually over 80hp anyway btw.
With the 90's I have had previously (2 of them) I found the power kicked in in more of a surge but slightly higher up the rev band and could really put you back in your seat which although fun was to the detriment of economy which for me somewhat defeated the purpose of the car.
If I want to drive fast I drive a sports car which to me the A2 isn't or was never designed to be (I know some who highly modify their cars won't agree with me and I suppose if it's your only car then I can understand that somewhat) but for me the TDI 75 is just fab even in standard form and I will always have one alongside other cars that are designed for, and do different things.
Both the TDI 75 and 90 are great cars and at the end of the day I suppose it's just personal preference as to which you prefer.
I personally found around a 10 mpg difference between the two when both were working properly and to me that was just too much but i know others have had different experiences.
The most important thing is to get a good one of whichever you choose that has been well maintained and looked after, as the one's that haven't been can drive absolutely terribly and could put someone off completely who didn't know better
I also love that you feel like you are going slower than you actually are which is testament to the build quality and is the exact opposite to virtually every other small car out there and many big one's for that matter too, then there is the sheer amount of size inside, I'm 6ft 2 and can sit comfortably anywhere in the car, even the boot
and the practicality of it, how you can fit almost anything of any size in the boot if you drop, lift or remove the rear seats, obviously all of which apply to all A2's.Although the quoted 75hp of the TDI 75 sounds derisory, in the real world it has never felt underpowered to me, even in it's standard unmapped guise, which is actually usually over 80hp anyway btw.
With the 90's I have had previously (2 of them) I found the power kicked in in more of a surge but slightly higher up the rev band and could really put you back in your seat which although fun was to the detriment of economy which for me somewhat defeated the purpose of the car.
If I want to drive fast I drive a sports car which to me the A2 isn't or was never designed to be (I know some who highly modify their cars won't agree with me and I suppose if it's your only car then I can understand that somewhat) but for me the TDI 75 is just fab even in standard form and I will always have one alongside other cars that are designed for, and do different things.
Both the TDI 75 and 90 are great cars and at the end of the day I suppose it's just personal preference as to which you prefer.
I personally found around a 10 mpg difference between the two when both were working properly and to me that was just too much but i know others have had different experiences.
The most important thing is to get a good one of whichever you choose that has been well maintained and looked after, as the one's that haven't been can drive absolutely terribly and could put someone off completely who didn't know better
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NeilB
Member
Many thanks !To be honest what I love most about the A2 and have always loved is the economy and reliability you get from a well maintained tdi 75, that and the cheap £30 a year road tax which is obviously the same for both TDI variants.
I also love that you feel like you are going slower than you actually are which is testament to the build quality and is the exact opposite to virtually every other small car out there and many big one's for that matter too, then there is the sheer amount of size inside, I'm 6ft 2 and can sit comfortably anywhere in the car, even the boot
Although the quoted 75hp of the TDI 75 sounds derisory, in the real world it has never felt underpowered to me, even in it's standard unmapped guise, which is actually usually over 80hp anyway btw.
With the 90's I have had previously (2 of them) I found the power kicked in in more of a surge but slightly higher up the rev band and could really put you back in your seat which although fun was to the detriment of economy which for me somewhat defeated the purpose of the car.
If I want to drive fast I drive a sports car which to me the A2 isn't or was never designed to be (I know some who highly modify their cars won't agree with me and I suppose if it's your only car then I can understand that somewhat) but for me the TDI 75 is just fab even in standard form and I will always have one alongside other cars that are designed for, and do different things.
Both the TDI 75 and 90 are great cars and at the end of the day I suppose it's just personal preference as to which you prefer.
I personally found around a 10 mpg difference between the two when both were working properly and to me that was just too much but i know others have had different experiences.
The most important thing is to get a good one of whichever you choose that has been well maintained and looked after, as the one's that haven't been can drive absolutely terribly and could put someone off completely who didn't know better
Still looking 
