1.2 TDI Article subject.
I'm a Lukas soulmate! You can back order the magazine, but I've not got a copy currently to hand.
My story formed basis of the Audi Driver magazine article - an A2 1.4TDI owners journey to 1.2TDI heaven:
Why do I like A2’s – Purity of design, and quality of execution. Where else could one match this lightweight aluminium manufacturing technology in such a small and practical car?
Why a 1.2 TDI after a 1.4TDI? Quite simply when tired, clutch control was getting difficult for me and I wanted to stay with the A2. Now that I always use a walking stick, sometimes stumble and fall and keep a wheelchair in the boot – a left hand drive (pavement side!) Tiptronic A2 is my vehicle of choice. Multiple Sclerosis has again provided an excuse to be a little different from the crowd!
Why import? Because I couldn’t source an A2 1.2 TDI Tiptronic via Audi UK, personal import was the only option. Lukas was incredibly helpful, his shared experience, together with German A2OC member help, solving some UK conversion issues. Bought new in August 2005, from Eduard Winter Autos, an Audi Dealer in Berlin. They fitted UK spec instruments/lamps/additional internal grab handles and steering wheel spinner for me. I've got the part number details for anyone needing to repeat the instrument and lamps change process. Eduard Winter arranged temporary German export registration, plates and insurance. Driven back by yours truly via Hook van Holland ferry to Harwich and then direct to Wales.
Four weeks later I completed UK type certification, HMCE VAT exemption process and registration. My local Audi dealer in Cardiff (now at J30 M4) had always been very helpful and efficient when servicing my old A2 1.4 TDI SE. They knew I’d import a 1.2 TDI and happily processed the Audi Warranty registration with Audi UK as soon as I’d got the car UK registered. I parked up my old A2 in mid September; since when I’ve added a few more miles to the 1.2 TDI Tiptronic! My 1.2 TDI has now run up 42564 miles.
Average fuel consumption since new circa 87 mpg. Whenever any long motorway/A road runs involved, car routinely exceeds 90 mpg whilst still cruising 65/70 mph. A routine 583 mile journey - Cardiff, Bristol, Coventry, Blackpool, Leamington, Rugby - 29.3 litres to refill tank = 90.35mpg. I've also had 102 mpg (brimmed tank check) on a return run from Bristol to Norwich - at max speed permitted on all roads.
During long journeys the car’s DIS instantaneous fuel consumption readout has a powerful effect on my right foot! Current average fuel con readout 93.7 mpg - and is usually about 3 mpg optimistic compared to actual 'brimmed tank' measurement.
Nil oil added to engine, except at service; compared to my 1.4 TDI that’s needed 1 litre every 6-7000 miles from new. I’ve checked the 1.2 TDI engine sump oil level via the dip stick every 1000 miles or so, and still am surprised at the lack of oil use.
As with my 1.4 TDI, the service indicator calls for routine service interval above 30,000 mile maximum recommended by Audi. This no doubt is driven by my A road/motorway use pattern and single stage journey lengths rarely below 32 miles.
• Anything I really like about 1.2 TDI Tiptronic?
Yes – Seat heating on cold mornings, freewheel system and minimum 550 miles between refuelling stops that the no cost option 34 l tank allows.
• Anything gone wrong?
Yes – @11000 miles tailgate lock stopped locking in St Ives, Hunts. Audi dealer in Kings Lynn replaced it next day – brilliant service, as I’d dropped in on spec.
Yes - @ 29,000 miles front n/side wheel bearing replaced. Got progressively noisier from 27,000 mile point. Bit of a struggle to get job finished - Audi Cardiff dealer had relocated and got a load of ex VW/Ford/Vauxhall mechanics that weren't up to scratch. FoC labour 30,000 service and bottle of 'pop' in compensation.
Yes - tyres worn out at 41,000 miles (less than 2.5 mm all four corners). Not too bad mileage really. Replacement 145/80R14 Bridgestones sourced from German internet tyre supplier - £34 each, delivered to Wales!
• Anything that I’d change from car I bought?
Inside: Sports front seats, Cruise control and Audi SatNav Plus installation. These were not factory fit options on any 1.2 TDI models, but I've retrofitted RNS-E Satnav Plus (incl dash change to DoubleDin type!). Cruise control needs an 'inelegant' electromechanical solution on the 1.2 TDI - so I'm trying to avoid this. Sports seats - eBay permitting, a red leather heaven will greet me one day.
Outside: Metallic black colour, OK...... but I’d prefer Silver or Yellow!
• Anything I regret?
Yes – not ordering my A2 1.2 TDI early enough to have got a factory order build standard that included every option available and a body colour I really liked.
- I miss the front fog lamps that my 1.4 TDI has.
- Not having a Symphony audio head also meant the dash only had single DIN cage. This meant retrofit of Audi SatNav RNE system not just a simple head swop, plus a few cables and car computer reset.
- Not having a factory supplied winter wheel and tyre set meant I couldn’t get any. 145/80R14 winter tyres rarer than rocking horse droppings and used alloy wheel sets on eBay have been way above €500 Audi new car option price. Now in second winter and I'm still trying to get an A2 1.2 TDI OEM 'winterradsatz' - eBay may provide one day!
So I’m a very happy A2 owner/driver, content to drop his 54 year old 6’4” frame into its comfortable environment for 5 hour sessions at the wheel. 30,000 miles of commuting is something I still enjoy – no small part due to it being in an A2.
It's great driving an 86g/km car, exempt from RFL, at 70mph on the M4......musn't get too smug though, I might need to get a bigger car one day when I've worn both the 1.2TDI tiptronic and my ability to walk out!
Ciao,
Erling