MK4 Golf GT TDI 150 or GTI 1.8T 150

[Blazing Storm]

Just wondered what people's views are on this, as I'm trying to decide between the two. Please state why you'd prefer either of the two if possible.

Thanks

[richw911]

GT TDI's are really good but its got to be the 1.8T for me Why coz im a petrol head.

[Blazing Storm]

I'm a petrol head too. Do you think it would cost much more to maintain the 1.8T compared to the GT TDI 150? It's just with fuel prices going up I don't know if the 1.8T is a good idea or not.

[richw911]

Well depends how far you drive, The TDI will give you 45+ MPG and the same performance as the 1.8T, i just prefer petrol. Im sure rhyso will be along in a min to tell you how good the TDI's are!!   

[Blazing Storm]

Yes, but with diesel being more expensive and possibly expenses relating to it being a diesel engine does it make that much of a difference? I also hear the 1.8T can be tuned to over 200BHP.

[richw911]

Yes, but with diesel being more expensive and possibly expenses relating to it being a diesel engine does it make that much of a difference? I also hear the 1.8T can be tuned to over 200BHP.

Well put it this way you can go further with the diesel, However the 1.8T can be very good on fuel when driven correctly. Yes the 150 bhp 1.8T can be tuned to 200 bhp very Easily with an ecu remap (Can be slightly less depends which 1.8T you get.)

[Ridg]

GT TDI 150

if you read my post here it shows the savings on fuel on the GT TDI over the 1.8T

i get 50~55 mpg from my TDI 150

a TDI will cost more to buy than a 1.8T but if you're doing the miles you can easily make that back in the fuel savings.  i think the TDI lumps are meant to be less problem prone than the petrols too.

both the 1.8T and GT TDI 150 can be chipped to nigh on 200 bhp except the TDI gets what matters and thats torque.

the TDI is ultimately limited to about 270 after a new turbo, where the 1.8T can go to

if you're that worried about cost you could consider an LPG conversion which means you can keep the petrol lump but unless you're doing something like 20k+ its going to be more than a TDI

[Blazing Storm]

Thanks Ridge. Interesting read.

The way I see it I have three options:

1) Buy a 1.8T and remap it (tempting me more because of the potential 400BHP)
2) Buy a GT TDI 150 and remap it
3) Keep my MK2 and put a 2.0l bottom end on and get the head port and polished. (Anyone know what sort of extra HP this would gain?)

I'm after a a bit more performance and after having so much done to the MK2 I might just keep it and mod further. It's hopefully getting a respray next year (got the paint already) and if I can save the money from not buying a new car then fuel consumption isn't such an issue.

[Immortal]

1.8T everytime.

The TDIs are more expensive to buy & diesel is 5p a litre more than petrol so you'll have to do a LOT of miles to break even. The 1.8T can be modified to a MUCH higher spec & has a quicker 0-60. All the TDI drivers will bleet on about higher torque & fast 40-60 times, but the TDI lump is heavier than the petrol engine so you'll always get beaten by the 1.8T (as I'm constantly proving to my mate with a TDI 150  ).

If you want performance get the 1.8T, If you want to do alot of miles a year get the TDI.

[Blazing Storm]

At the moment I don't do that many miles but I'm desperately trying to get a decent job having graduated from University so could well be doing 100 miles a day by the time I think of buying.

Thanks immortal. So basically the 1.8T is the best choice unless I do mega miles.

Come on guys, get voting for your favourite of the two.