Hi! New to A2OC and need some advice before buying a Tdi

I

IvanTang

Member
Hello to all A2 lover.

I am new to UK and A2 is definitely going to be my first time owning a VAG, please bear with my poor english grammar and lack of knowledge of the lovely A2. My daily commute is around 60-70 miles mostly on A road, combined with my affection to the A2, I think it's time for me to go for a Tdi as my daily commute! And it's my first time to own a diesel.

I have a tight budget of £2,000, it's a daily commute so mechanical health is more important than exterior condition in my mind. I enjoy doing light repair job and maintenance on my car, is A2 a good platform to do so?
My time frame of purchasing is around Sept to Oct. And A2OC is definitely my first place come in mind for a well loved Tdi.
Here are my questions I need some advice:
Is there any model year or specific model I should avoid in terms of reliability?
What is the service interval for timing belt? Is it DIY-able without jack stands?
What should I do to make it a bullet proof daily?

At last if any member is planning to sell their Tdi in around Sept to Oct, please kindly let me know.

Thank you all
 
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I be selling one of my tdi's that I have been driving for 3 years,
I have looked after it well & spent much time on it.
It is Black 2002 model with OSS ( not working )
Cam belt kit done at 178 k its now on 196 k very strong engine
full tool kit, book pack,second shelf etc
One full years MOT & just over Half your budget will buy it, the body work is excellent,
Currently on my private plate but will be removed.
Can add pictures if required
Regards
Ami
 
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Welcome Ivan.

Is there any model year or specific model I should avoid in terms of reliability?
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The TDi is the best vehicle for long distance and high mileage. The TDi 75 is best. The TDi 90 has a dual mass flywheel and is more problematic. The TDi can be remapped if needed but with the congested roads in the UK I think there is less need for it (I have it but I put it on for a road trip to Sweden with a heavy load).

I have a TDi 75 and when I changed from long distance commuting to short journeys the engine got a bit "grumpy" so I now use premium diesel. As always a full service history and regular oil changes is important. High mileage vehicles need the suspension refreshed. Rear is easy, front more difficult.

Avoid the FSi unless you know the Full service history, know it has always used high octane fuel and can use a garage that really understand them. Often FSis have the engine management light covered.

What is the service interval for timing belt? Is it DIY-able without jack stands?
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It is often quoted at 5 years/80,000 miles but Audi changed this to 5 years/60,000 miles

Other things to check are the front wishbones. Later models have pressed hollow steel that rust from the inside and can suddenly and dangerously fail - don't rely on a MOT to spot it. Some like myself have changed to the earlier cast iron ones. The disadvantage is that the cast iron ones have a captive ball joint whereas the steel ones have a replaceable ball joint.

I hope you find your ideal A2.
 
There’s no reason to discount the TDi90 if the dual mass flywheel has been replaced around the 100-120k miles mark. It will then do that mileage again, more if the owner drives with mechanical sympathy.

The fact is that you’re more likely to settle on a 75 just because there’s far more of them around - I do love my remapped 90 though. I call it my TDi130 😉
 
The sweet spot for a TDI75 is a 2002 model year car, on a '51 or '02 registration plate or maybe a late one just into a '52. That gives you the cast front suspension arms, and should also have the Webasto auxiliary heater. If that's working, you and the engine will both greatly appreciate it in the winter because the engine is so efficient that it doesn't generate very much heat on its own. Make sure the thermostat and coolant temperature sensor have been renewed with OEM ones - never use cheaper pattern parts for things like these. Don't be afraid of high mileages on a TDI75, they love lots of regular long runs and 300k miles is achievable, but do listen out for wear on the chain that drives the oil pump and balancer shaft, which all sits behind the cambelt circuit. If you're doing longer mileage, you would do well to find an A2 with lumbar support in the front seats - all Sports seats made for a 2002 or later model year will have this, at the same time it also became available as an option on the standard seats but is quite rare to find. The seats are easy to swap, and you don't need the permanent wiring for the lumbar support to be able to set it up to suit you, although it's not so easy to make make finer adjustments, and you wouldn't be able to make any adjustment while on the move.
 
I have in the past 15 years, bought/repaired/sold over 40 A2's 1.4.1.6,1.4 tdi 75, 1.4tdi 90 , they are all lovely if they have been looked after particularly oil/filter service regularly.
I tend to change oil & filter on all my cars every 5000 miles, cam belt at correct intervals & they are good to go, I have sold 1.4 petrol at 197 k miles still running in London, also have seen tdi 75 @500 k miles still running.
They are now over 20 years old & if the body work is sound everything else can be fixed, way a head of their times & they are not gone get any cheaper more like going up in price as with the aluminium structure will never rust.
Good luck with your search.
I will add a picture here of the tdi 75 I be selling soon.
 
IvanTang said:
At last if any member is planning to sell their Tdi in around Sept to Oct, please kindly let me know.
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Hi and welcome, if you want to buy an A2, it's really recommended to check out members cars for sale first, if there's any, before ebay, gumtree etc.
You'll get a more honest description, most owners are knowledgeable as well, they know a lot more details and need-to-know than most random owners elsewhere.
 
First job whichever you buy, fit an additional earth lead engine to chassis and consider wiper body to chassis too
 
Picture of the car, I will be selling once I have transferred the number plates:

thumbnail_IMG_7294.jpg
 
Thank you very much for all the warm welcome! Many valuable information from you guys, will update when I can finally sort out the car park issues and buy the A2
 
Before buying any A2 , check the windscreen throughly , They are getting very expensive now to replace.
Have to say A2 ,s will start in a foot of snow on a freezing morning when other things don’t , and if maintained
will go on forever. Soft spot for the 1.4 tdi 75 , as can be tuned cheaply , cruise added , ( see postings for Timmus )
Reliable mainly and will be a collectors car in a few years as the numbers dwindle,
Most members cars I would say have probably had a fair bit of TLC , and may well be a better starting point in your search. But spares / repairs ones can be had for £500 , but expect suspension rebuild , etc , and the cost of parts has risen dramatically over the past year for genuine OE bits. Rear brakes need patience , and if been standing for a while budget for new brake pipes etc. New, oil , filter , fuel filter , timing belt etc .
 
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