ED30 short write up.

[speedynz]

TT, we do pay more for Audi's here but less than the UK for ED30's (despite both of them having to be shipped 12000 miles???). Some of this is taken taken into account by occasionally large currency fluctuations.

In summary, none of us really yet know the truth about the internals of the ED30's engine (the speculation has been fun though) no doubt in time all will be revealed, whether it by a forum member finding a part number on a thrown conrod on the side of the M4 or by more official means.

As a recent ED30 purchaser I live in hope!

[RedRobin]

Certainly lots of conflicting and ambiguous info being published about whether the Ed30 has beefed up internals or not. One aspect which might (or might not) be a clue is the price - Does the price difference of the Ed30 reflect a liklihood or not of different internals from the standard GTI ?

I know that if the Ed30 had been on offer when I bought my GTI I would have ordered one. However, even with 'stronger' internals, there is a limit to how much donkey power (borrowing T-T's great term) a Mk5 GTI of any spec will take without losing road driveability and reliability. I'm sticking to Stage1.  

[JonK]

Re what TT says above,

'These then started to tune their standard build 1.8 20VTs to similar figures as the tuned S3/TT motors, and then wondered why they started throwing con-rods!'

If the difference is only the bigger turbo and ECU, does this mean that there may be reliability issues around the corner for ED30 owners who have used the likes of Superchips to increase their BHP to 300+?

 

[Teutonic_Tamer]

TT, we do pay more for Audi's here but less than the UK for ED30's (despite both of them having to be shipped 12000 miles???). Some of this is taken taken into account by occasionally large currency fluctuations.

That is wierd!  Is there the same discrepancies throughout the range of VeeDubs and Audis you get down there?

Oh and the "fluctuations" has just reminded me of a corker of a joke . . . 

In summary, none of us really yet know the truth about the internals of the ED30's engine (the speculation has been fun though) no doubt in time all will be revealed, whether it by a forum member finding a part number on a thrown conrod on the side of the M4 or by more official means.

Sadly, even if we do actually find the "officical" information, you will still get someone who refuses to believe it, and ends up oiling the tarmac. 

As a recent ED30 purchaser I live in hope!

What, of throwing  - or that it has beefed up internals?? 

I'll get me coat! 

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Certainly lots of conflicting and ambiguous info being published about whether the Ed30 has beefed up internals or not. One aspect which might (or might not) be a clue is the price - Does the price difference of the Ed30 reflect a liklihood or not of different internals from the standard GTI ?

Hmmm . . . good thinking.  The Ed30 carries a premium of £1,715 over the equvalent spec GTI.  When you take into account the 18" rims, leather, all the fancy stiching and mats, and the fact they are "exclusive limited editions" (which command a price premium anyway), I really don't think the price increase is appropriate to major changes in engine internals.  Compare this to the Leon FR 200PS and Leon Cupra 240PS (with upgraded internals), and the difference is £2,445 - so the Cupra carries an additional £730 premium over the Ed30.  Would £730 pay for better quality pistons, rods, etc?  Probably not as an individual, but with the bulk purchasing power of the Volkswagen Audi Group, I'd probably say yes!

I know that if the Ed30 had been on offer when I bought my GTI I would have ordered one. However, even with 'stronger' internals, there is a limit to how much donkey power (borrowing T-T's great term) a Mk5 GTI of any spec will take without losing road driveability and reliability. I'm sticking to Stage1.  

I'm personally happy with the GTI, particularly the full leather, so the Ed30 would have been a non-starter for me.  When the SWMBO and I were looking to buy the GTI, we also carefully compared it with the R32, but the 32 was ruled out on a number of issues, and the GTI was top of the list, one reason being that it was far easier to "chip tune" compared to the VR6 lump.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Re what TT says above,

'These then started to tune their standard build 1.8 20VTs to similar figures as the tuned S3/TT motors, and then wondered why they started throwing con-rods!'

If the difference is only the bigger turbo and ECU, does this mean that there may be reliability issues around the corner for ED30 owners who have used the likes of Superchips to increase their BHP to 300+?

Hmm, I would personally suggest that 280, maybe a max of 300PS should be fine on the standard GTI lump (don't wave your sticky mitts in my direction if it does go Pete Tong, though!  ).

I think that the DSG owners have a bit of a "safety net", though, as the DSG box has a limited torque input, which should limit any silly power gains.  The manual boys will have to be our "beta" testers! 

[Hurdy]

Re what TT says above,

'These then started to tune their standard build 1.8 20VTs to similar figures as the tuned S3/TT motors, and then wondered why they started throwing con-rods!'

If the difference is only the bigger turbo and ECU, does this mean that there may be reliability issues around the corner for ED30 owners who have used the likes of Superchips to increase their BHP to 300+?

Hmm, I would personally suggest that 280, maybe a max of 300PS should be fine on the standard GTI lump (don't wave your sticky mitts in my direction if it does go Pete Tong, though!  ).

I think that the DSG owners have a bit of a "safety net", though, as the DSG box has a limited torque input, which should limit any silly power gains.  The manual boys will have to be our "beta" testers! 

I'm letting everyone else be "beta" testers first .

For me the question of having upgraded engine internals is purely subjective. I would like to think they are being used, but as my engine is still standard and has the increased power over a standard GTI anyway, it doesn't matter. When it will matter is if and when I do decide to upgrade the power. I may now only do this once a definitive answer to whether the internals are upgraded is settled.

Until then I am happy with the fact I have an ED30

[Teutonic_Tamer]

I'm letting everyone else be "beta" testers first .

No sense of adventure, eh???   

For me the question of having upgraded engine internals is purely subjective. I would like to think they are being used, but as my engine is still standard and has the increased power over a standard GTI anyway, it doesn't matter.

That is so true, and a major point of view which we have all missed!    I'm certain that whichever engine you have (the standard GTI, the Ed30, or the Cupra/S3), providing you don't modify it, maintain it appropriately, and also treat it appropriately - then it will be absolutely bullet proof.

When it will matter is if and when I do decide to upgrade the power. I may now only do this once a definitive answer to whether the internals are upgraded is settled.

I don't think that sensible, modest power gains from chip tunining or other methods will be problematic.  I would be reasonably confident that adding an extra 30-40% increase, on whatever engine, should be relatively safe.  Therefore, if you have a standard GTI, then taking into the realms of 280PS will be OK, for an Ed30 motor, upto 310PS, and for the S3 upto 370PS.

I see problems when people with the standard 200PS GTI lump try to match the 370PS figures of the S3 engine.  If that is your preference, make sure you carry some chicken sh!t and a tow rope in the boot!