Chat What’s the best ULEZ compliant A2 for us? 1.4 vs FSi…

It’ll be 90% for short haul use… so though the heart says FSi I think the head says 1.4.
The 1.4 is nice, you will probably notice a vast reduction in engine noise. Sometimes I have to check the tachometer to check the engines still running!
 
I was told by timmus they where rods as that's why you don't have to adjust the cables on the petrol compared to the diesel as they don't stretch?
There were some 6N Polo gearboxes with a combination of rods and cables in some models in the mid to late 90s - I've driven two as a teenager - but the later ones were dual cable like the A2 - see below parts diagrams. A2s don't have rodded gearbox selectors, unless someone has somehow retrofitted a mid-90s Polo powertrain. Bear in mind that the petrol gearboxes are a completely different family (MQ200) to the Tdi (MQ250 in A2, MQ350 in 1.9tdi engined larger cars), with correspondingly much lower torque capacities and lighter mechanisms hence likely lower internal friction and probable need for cable adjustment. Also bear in mind that typically 1.4i cars don't cover the mileages of the 1.4Tdi (although we have one that has) - hence usual lack of need for the adjustment on two counts.

I've spent a few hours with Tom on my driveway doing his usual magic. I could listen to him talking about A2s all day safe in the knowledge that I'm listening to an expert in his field - however, the above quote on 1.4i gearbox selector rod vs cable mechanisms as presented is simply incorrect.


 
The 1.4 is nice, you will probably notice a vast reduction in engine noise. Sometimes I have to check the tachometer to check the engines still running!

is it even quiet at the motorway limit? I assume it’s pretty low-geared in top so revving quite fast at 70, which is where the TDI 90 (especially with a 6 speed box) comes into its own.
 
We’ve had a BBY (Adams old car) and now an AUA in the household. The BBY had 137k miles when it was sold and was running very well. The AUA is on 118k at present but has had a top end rebuild following a broken exhaust valve.
I believe the heads are the same for both engines and broken or stuck valves are more common than you would think. However, since the AUA had a new head, tappers/followers etc it runs very sweet and now feels like it is ready for another 100k miles.
In conclusion, I don’t think there is much between AUA and BBY, just get the best one you can regardless of engine code.
BTW there is currently a AUA A2 on Facebook with just 29k miles on the clock for £2500. And it’s in Hounslow from memory.

Ian
 
There were some 6N Polo gearboxes with a combination of rods and cables in some models in the mid to late 90s - I've driven two as a teenager - but the later ones were dual cable like the A2 - see below parts diagrams. A2s don't have rodded gearbox selectors, unless someone has somehow retrofitted a mid-90s Polo powertrain. Bear in mind that the petrol gearboxes are a completely different family (MQ200) to the Tdi (MQ250 in A2, MQ350 in 1.9tdi engined larger cars), with correspondingly much lower torque capacities and lighter mechanisms hence likely lower internal friction and probable need for cable adjustment. Also bear in mind that typically 1.4i cars don't cover the mileages of the 1.4Tdi (although we have one that has) - hence usual lack of need for the adjustment on two counts.

I've spent a few hours with Tom on my driveway doing his usual magic. I could listen to him talking about A2s all day safe in the knowledge that I'm listening to an expert in his field - however, the above quote on 1.4i gearbox selector rod vs cable mechanisms as presented is simply incorrect.


I must of miss understood what he ment, always good to learn more. Slight change of topic but do you know why the bby has a second dip stick? A little one just behind the engine on the left?
 
BTW there is currently a AUA A2 on Facebook with just 29k miles on the clock for £2500. And it’s in Hounslow from memory.

Ian

I saw that, it’s mileage certainly makes it tempting but the bodywork looked like it needed some TLC and looked lowish spec, though hard to tell. It would have to be the perfect car to tempt me to do anything now, so I’ll be patient…
 
is it even quiet at the motorway limit? I assume it’s pretty low-geared in top so revving quite fast at 70, which is where the TDI 90 (especially with a 6 speed box) comes into its own.
It revs around 3 and a little bit at 70. It's quite quiet at that but any faster and it is a bit of a humm. Not annoying tho, but more the feeling of higher fuel consumption if you know what I mean. Its around a 1k rpm higher than my tdi 75 at 70 of the top of my head.
 
I saw that, it’s mileage certainly makes it tempting but the bodywork looked like it needed some TLC and looked lowish spec, though hard to tell. It would have to be the perfect car to tempt me to do anything now, so I’ll be patient…
This is on Facebook?
 

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This is on Facebook?
I couldn’t find this, have you got a link to it? That said, the fact that it’s full leather is a minus - really want cloth. I know seats can be changed but still… and it seems unusually cheap, i wonder why? 🤔 In my head I’ve got a budget of at least £2000 and expect to have to pay a good deal more for the very best.
 
I must of miss understood what he ment, always good to learn more. Slight change of topic but do you know why the bby has a second dip stick? A little one just behind the engine on the left?
the rearward dipstick location is primarily intended for cars using similar engines that don't have the access panel in the front like the A2 and corresponding A2-style dipstick tube going into the front side of the engine - normally the rear one is plugged with a dedicated blanking piece (although some people here have retrofitted an appropriate non-A2 dipstick here when they have specific reasons to do so). Some earlier cars have the rear tube, later ones don't - this has been a topic of discussion here on and off - see below link. I can't currently find the specific diagram where the blanking piece is located and identified with a part number, I have in the past.

 
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It’ll be 90% for short haul use… so though the heart says FSi I think the head says 1.4.
I have used the 1.4 on my 80 mile round trip whilst fsi was off road getting belts done etc, 1.4 had no trouble whatsoever keeping up with traffic at 70 mph. But it is better as a city car.👍
 
My advice Malcolm don't try a 1.6 first because you will very disappointed with the 1.4 afterwards. I've had both, 1.6 definitely far more smiles to the miles but if it's mainly short haul let the head win.
Haha I’ll take your advice, though anyway as I said I get my kicks from the polo which is way fast enough for me, until they put 20mph limits on all the back roads 🤬
 
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I couldn’t find this, have you got a link to it? That said, the fact that it’s full leather is a minus - really want cloth. I know seats can be changed but still… and it seems unusually cheap, i wonder why? 🤔 In my head I’ve got a budget of at least £2000 and expect to have to pay a good deal more for the very best.
It's got swing sports seats, surely thats a plus?

 
It's got swing sports seats, surely thats a plus?


Thanks, joined the group. Nice car in a lot of ways, but while those seats would be on lots of people’s wish lists, they’re not on mine, got a personal aversion to leather. The MOT history is a bit spotty and there’s no mention in the ad of its service history. So I’ll pass thanks.
 
Thanks, joined the group. Nice car in a lot of ways, but while those seats would be on lots of people’s wish lists, they’re not on mine, got a personal aversion to leather. The MOT history is a bit spotty and there’s no mention in the ad of its service history. So I’ll pass thanks.
It's all about taking your time, I've decided to restrict the purchase of a 4th a2 until a all my others are completed and b it has to be a fsi with oss, as I already own one of each other flavour. I mainly need to finish my tt mk1 v6 to get the garage and pit free
 
It's all about taking your time, I've decided to restrict the purchase of a 4th a2 until a all my others are completed and b it has to be a fsi with oss, as I already own one of each other flavour. I mainly need to finish my tt mk1 v6 to get the garage and pit free

Exactly. In a perfect world I’d like a swap arrangement with Gracie, otherwise I’d probably have to sell Gracie first as there’s really not room here for an extra car.
 
I would agree with the post further up…… try the 1.4 first and 1.6 second. Just done a 160 mile trip in the 1.6 fsi, it puts a hell of a grin on your face👍
 
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