GolfGTIforum.co.uk
General => General discussion => Topic started by: Horney on 08 September 2010, 11:54
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Looking at possibly changing the Polo for something to tow the Golf on a trailer next year and these seem to be interesting. Anyone owned one and like to share their views?
nick
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I own a B5 '97 A4 as you know. The build quality is very good.
The 2.5tdi is an older engine, bit more unrefined and noisey compared to a 1.9tdi. Not that economical either.
I'd look for a 1.9tdi. Mind you these cost more, especially clean ones with low miles.
:smiley:
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Exactly the kinda info I was after. 1.9 TDI it is then. It's either one of these or an Alfa 156 2.5 JTD. The Alfa looks better as a saloon and comes proper packed with toys but the Audi is the better looking wagon.
Cheers bud!
nick
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My dad has just bought a 1.9tdi A4 estate and i have to say, i like it alot and can imagine its a decent tow car.
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The 2.5 has more torque as standard but we know a 1.9 will respond well to a remap.
Look for a Quatto if you can, in my opinion the extra weight and dip in fuel economey is worth it.
'loon will be cheaper but wagons are just sooo practical.
:smiley:
Edit : Join the AA if you get the Alfa! It might be packed with toys, but will any of them still work? :laugh:
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Quattro wuold be nice, but don't seem to be many around.
The Alfa Dervs are very reliable apparently, it's the early petrol 156's which a re bit hit and miss.
Nick
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Quattro wuold be nice, but don't seem to be many around.
The Alfa Dervs are very reliable apparently, it's the early petrol 156's which a re bit hit and miss.
Nick
The Alfa engines have never been the main issue, its all the other bits that fall off. :smiley:
My dad has a 2.0 TDI A4 Wagon 55 plate with 6 spd auto and does 55 mpg fully laden, last trip to Cornwall was about quarter of a tank one way :shocked:
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Peoples opinions on Alfa's are stuck in the 80's. They do build really god cars now. My old man has a 57 plate GT Blackline and it's an awesome bit of kit.
The early petrol 156's had issues with Tsprak lump which while sounding great and a good engine power delivery wise had real problems with oil starvation, piston rings and cambelts.
nick
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NB: Might be worth looking in to Alfa self feeding issues.
could have been a one off, but I went past one on the motorway and it was self feeding, chucking smoke out the back, and probably went pop.
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NB: Might be worth looking in to Alfa self feeding issues.
could have been a one off, but I went past one on the motorway and it was self feeding, chucking smoke out the back, and probably went pop.
Trust me, I've been spending a fair amount of time on Alfa forums recently. When my Dad said he was getting a GT I thought I better check out what the crack was with modern Alfas.
He had a 155 back n the mid 90's and that was a bit hit and miss. Engine died when it was 2 weeks old after eating loose nut from somehwere int he head and if you used the hazards the indicators wouldn't work afterwards unless you wiggled the stalk and ressed the hazzard button a the same time a few times. He still loved it though. He also had an Alfasud back in the 70's which he adored and that he claims never missed a beat or went rotten. It only went because he got a comany car.
Anyhoo I'll likely end up with an Audi because I find it hard to deviate from VAG these days.
Nick
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my gf's mum n dads alfa is sat on there drive blown up... no to alfa from me
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I had an 1999 Alfa 156 (the 2.0 Tspark) which was fun to drive but build quality was rubbish. Interior quality while the design looked good, get closer and it was wobbly and loose. The wipers failed when rain got into the wiper circuit, which is mounted on the wiper motor in the rain tray!
My current Audi A4 Avant is the same age, and holding up much better. The interior is nice, comfortable a good drive and the estate is very practical. Mine's just the 1.8 20v n/a which is fine for me, but the 1.9 TDI will be much better for towing.
One issue is that whether the A4 will be heavy enough to tow the Golf on a trailer. The towed weight has to be a proportion of the tow car's weight.
Also do you have an old enough licence to mean that you can tow something of that size without needing to do a towing course ?
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Yeah I've looked into towing weights. The Alfa can pull 1400KG braked and the Audi I think was 1250KG braked. The Golf only weighs 900Kg at most so I have 350ish KG's to play with on trailer weight for the Audi.
I passed my test in 95 so I'm plenty old enough not to need to take the trailer test stuff.
nick
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Yeah I've looked into towing weights. The Alfa can pull 1400KG braked and the Audi I think was 1250KG braked. The Golf only weighs 900Kg at most so I have 350ish KG's to play with on trailer weight for the Audi.
I passed my test in 95 so I'm plenty old enough not to need to take the trailer test stuff.
nick
You could always look for a an A6 TDI, then you'd have more leeway.
I passed in 97 and I would need a course and a test to tow. Which is stupid really cos I towed a couple of things before they changed the rules.
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Just had a proper look on Parkers and I got this:
1.9 TDI SE (115ps) 5d 1700KG Braked
Which is plenty over what I'll be towing.
Just need to get myself a secure job so I can get searching for one.
Nick
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Also do you have an old enough licence to mean that you can tow something of that size without needing to do a towing course ?
how old does it need to be?
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Pre 1st Jan 1997. After that you need to take a trailer test.
nick
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I was looking to get an Audi 80 estate for my dogs. Chap in my village has a nice green one. looks mint and bullet proof. 1.9 Tdi.
What's you budget Nick?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/audi/a4/postcode/rg11lz/radius/1501/body-type/estate/fuel-type/diesel/sort/priceasc/price-to/2000
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Tried one a while back. Didn't rate it against the PD 130. Felt free-er revving but lacking grunt.
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the 2.5 tdi's are prone to fuel pump failure and cost a lot to replace, i have seen 1.9 tdi's with 200k and still going strong come through work {audi}, personaly i would get a 1.9.
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Tried one a while back. Didn't rate it against the PD 130. Felt free-er revving but lacking grunt.
PD 130 Passats command much more money which is the issue. I'll have to take a few out and see what they're like before I decide though.
nick
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the call of the Wagon is Strong :grin: :laugh:
just wish i could find a decent wone with les that 200k on it :shocked: :cry:
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I just bought a Passat 1.9 TDi...same engine as the A4 (AFN 110bhp)....great engine...torquey and economical....
Also, Passat estates are cheaper than the A4s....worth a look!
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^^^ and slightly larger I think.
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I own a B5 '97 A4 as you know. The build quality is very good.
The 2.5tdi is an older engine, bit more unrefined and noisey compared to a 1.9tdi. Not that economical either.
I'd look for a 1.9tdi. Mind you these cost more, especially clean ones with low miles.
:smiley:
How can the 2.5 V6 be an older engine when it come out later :undecided:
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^^^ and slightly larger I think.
I was out in the brother in laws A4 Avant yesterday, and yes, the Passat IS bigger.... :smiley:
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I own a B5 '97 A4 as you know. The build quality is very good.
The 2.5tdi is an older engine, bit more unrefined and noisey compared to a 1.9tdi. Not that economical either.
I'd look for a 1.9tdi. Mind you these cost more, especially clean ones with low miles.
:smiley:
How can the 2.5 V6 be an older engine when it come out later :undecided:
Seems you are right, I thought the C4 had the same engine, but I see that was an inline 5 not a V6 !
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About four years ago I owned a 1998 Audi A6 2.5 V6 Tdi 150ps with 130k miles on the clock; this is presumably the same engine fitted to the A4 that you are interested in.
Common problem with these is gearbox pinion wear (after about 100k miles) that causes a slight high-pitched whine on over-run (mine had it but it never caused a problem). Big job to fix but the gearbox could continue to run 'forever' with the problem.
My A6 leaked oil from sump. Not a straightforward case of changing the sump gasket - not likely! The V6 has a 'split sump' that requires removal of the oil pump (amongst other things) to replace the gasket(s).
Apart from that it was a nice drive, went like a rocket and produced very reasonable MPG when plodding along.
I'd have another (much newer) one if given the choice.
Hope this helps.
Cheers - Shedpainter