tdi/sdi high mileage

[jonny s]

Hello folks

im currently thinking about a diesel lupo/arosa, tdi or maybe even an sdi, ive seen a few with high mileage for such a small engine say 150k+.....i was wondering if they would do much more? and the problems they encounter

probably a very common question but what do they cost to fill the tanks and how many miles do you get, i realise everyone has different driving styles.

any input would be greatly appreciated

kindest regards J

[Skezza]

There isn't really a straight answer to this, see, a car that's done low mileage, but... how do I put this... thousands of short 3 mile granny driven shopping trips could be in a worse state engine wise than a car that's done 160k motorway miles. I guess in that sense it's all about luck and your own perception of the car when you view it, and the person you're buying it off. You also need to see relevant documentation, service history etc. If the cambelt hasn't been changed as regularly as it should have been, that can be a sign of a neglectful owner etc.

TDi's are obviously more desirable as they're an excellent compromise between MPG and performance, and most come with sports alloy wheels + electric mirrors as standard. Later models even came with a full GTi interior!! I don't know what their average lifespan is, but I imagine they can last way over 200k miles, so long as they've been serviced regularly. It's important to check the service history, mainly because poor servicing can result in a turbo fail (very expensive repair). That said, if you maybe cut the service interval in half, seeing as it would be a bit older, I could easily see you getting 400k-500k miles. Skoda TDi taxi's regularly achieve this.

SDi's aren't as desirable as the TDi models, so you can pick them up for a lot cheaper. Their performance is similar to a 1 litre with a little bit more grunt, but their fuel economy is outstanding. Driven carefully, I was able to achieve 79MPG one week driving to work and back. Most come with steel wheels, but I recommend you pick up an S model, as it'll come with central locking and electric windows. The central locking you can convert to remote using the tutorial I wrote in the How To. Also, I suggest a 2001 or newer model as the tax is a lot cheaper (£35 a year) than an older model. That said, because of the massive tax discount for Y reg or newer, you can pickup the older models for ridiculously cheap, so if it's a short-term solution, maybe a few years, then you can't argue with them. I've seen them go for as little as £600 with only 80k miles on the clock. The thing that really makes the SDi models desirable, is they are truly one of the most reliable engines ever made. The lack of a turbo means, there is no forced induction, so long as you have the cambelt changed on time they can last for a very very very long time. A few years back, someone with a Polo SDI estate with the same 1.7 engine as the Lupo achieved 1 million miles. I forget if the odometer reset to zero lol.

The other thing with the SDi is you can use much cheaper diesel, as there is no need to worry about the turbo etc. In fact, you can use vegetable oil, if that's your thing. Servicing is also very easy. I can't speak for a TDi, but my SDi is the easiest car I've ever serviced.

So for me, it's really all about what you prefer. If you want value for money, MPG, potential longevity, running cost and ease of service, go for an SDi.

If you would prefer performance, creature comforts (many come with air con too etc), remap options, cruise control (retrofitted) etc... then go for a TDi.

Hope that sums it up as best I can lol.

Edited October 15, 2013 by Skezza

[Skezza]

Additionally, regarding your other questions:

If you don't take the piss, which you shouldn't in a diesel as it clogs your fuel filter, it takes about 30 litres of diesel, but there's 6 litres emergency I believe. I've only ever gone into the first litre of that emergency tank once. I go Sainsbury's for my fuel, 1.36 a litre of diesel, 1.36 * roughly 30 once a week, does me 400-450 miles driving like a tosser, but up to and over 500mpg if I drive really carefully. I wrote a thread a few weeks back regarding the super economy I was getting, which stood at 483.2 miles on 27.67 litres, 79MPG.

About problems, I'd suggest these are common for any Lupo:

Check the Gearbox firstly, make sure it feels good. The SDI has quite a heavy clutch so don't let that put you off, but if the gearbox is grinding, or whining it could be a sign of the bearings going I believe. If the gearbox is very tight, it might just be the linkages need adjusting, but it's something you need to consider. Check reverse. I always suggest checking first as that's usually the tightest gear on my SDI gearbox, but that might not be the same for everyone. That said, it's not hard to slip into first so when I say tight, I mean compared to the sloppy gearbox in my 1.0 E Petrol.

Check the seats, floors (UNDER THE £2 MATS THEY'VE PROBABLY LAID DOWN), dash trim, fabric door cards etc. It seems VW's are often driven around by coal miners... which is odd because I thought Maggie Thatcher closed them down. The last Lupo I looked at, the seats were disgusting, and the floors had some horrible black carbon substance so thick and caked on, I imagine even an expensive valet wouldn't have been able to get it out. It was meant to be the original grey interior...

Check the fan control in the middle. Make sure it works on 1 2 3 and 4. Sometimes you'll find it only works on 1 and 4 only, which is a sign of a duff resistor if I remember rightly, thread about it on here somewhere. Not hard to fix, but just something you should note when trying to knock money off I appreciate it's quite hard to check whether it actually heats unless you drive for a few miles, so this might not be possible.

Check ancillary controls such as the wipers and rear window washers. I viewed a TDi a few months back where someone had clearly ****ed with the wiper motor and as soon as you switched them off, they'd simply stop dead regardless of where they were on the windscreen. I found it almost impossible to get them back down to the bottom. I bought my Lupo without checking the rear window washer and it was seized up... do'h. Not hard to fix, but again, it's all about getting a bargain. If it is winter and there's a bit of frost on the glass, check the heated rear windscreen, mine has a number of strips at the bottom that don't work anymore!

Check accessories such as central locking (INCLUDING THE ANTI-HIJACK!), electric windows, radio (make sure the speakers are okay) and headlights.

If you've got an OBD-II scanner, run a quick check to see if there's any codes. I appreciate that might not be possible, but if you can just sneak it in. I have the last few times and they've either not noticed or not been worried. If they've got nothing to hide, they've got nothing to fear.

Finally, just do the checks that you would normally do: Tyre tread wear, oil dipstick (can be a sign of a bad owner, or an oil-burner if it's low), exhaust, rust spots round arches and sills and ROOF GUTTERING, locks etc.

Hope this helps

Edited October 15, 2013 by Skezza

[jonny s]

thankyou very much for taking the time to write, i appreciate the write up, as i guess theres been a lot asking similar questions. i will look your thread up too

regards

[Dblock]

Good information!

[richardn]

Mines on 176k and still runs like a new car

[Rich]

TDI - 130k (dead), currently rebuilding/replacing with a 180k engine.

SDI - 230k runs absolutely spot on.

SDI - 180k (picked up for a mate) spot on once again.

[Skezza]

TDI - 130k (dead), currently rebuilding/replacing with a 180k engine.

SDI - 230k runs absolutely spot on.

SDI - 180k (picked up for a mate) spot on once again.

interesting. I'd have been very disappointed if I owned a TDi and it died after only 130k miles.

[Rich]

If by disappointed you mean annoyed then you would be right.

I will say that it wasn't the engines fault, it picked up a large boulder (small rock) into the cam cover somehow and shredded the belt. I've had it apart and it has only bent two valves which is good going. If the oil light wasn't flashing occasionally I'd have been tempted to just replace all the valves and stick it back together.

As it stands I picked up a Polo TDI for £400 & I'm building another six speed Polo GTI so I've been able to use some of the parts on that so it isn't too bad.

[jablitt]

My 1999 SDI has only done 50,000 and not surprisingly runs great! The worst thing about it is the cost of the road tax.

[Skezza]

My 1999 SDI has only done 50,000 and not surprisingly runs great! The worst thing about it is the cost of the road tax.

Agreed. I hate paying £200 tax, but the amount you save off the original price makes up for it in my opinion. A good 53 reg SDI will go for 2000-2500 or more if it's in good nick. You can pick up a 1999 SDI for less than £1000.

[Rich]

I have a V6, pay tax on that.

I also have a 1.6 I'm about to convert to 2.8, pay tax on that.

You are both fags, go out and learn to pay tax like a man, then you can whinge about it.

[Philtdi30]

My tdi costs me £40 quid to fill up usually this lasts me 3/4 weeks normally. I get between 330-370 miles from this. Mixed driving some B road and motorway on the commute to work. Also the occasional heavy right foot treatment. However the fuel light does come on very early on mine. And I never seem to be able to squeeze in more than 30 litres.The tank is only 34 litre I believe. Road tax is £30 for the year.

Car only has 32k on the clock been serviced every year by vw. Apart from the last one as they wanted £289 to change 3 filters and drop the oil. Purchased all the bits and oil myself for £100 and got them fitted by a specialist for £50.

Only had it for 10 months but has been in the family from new hence low mileage well cared for so can't comment on the high mileage side. However regular oil changes on tdi's and good general servicing should see theses engines doing silly figures in my opinion.

Superb little 3 cylinder engine used in polo's and skoda fabia etc as well as audi a2.

Very cheap to run but lots of character and can't see myself parting with it for a long long time.

Phil

[Skezza]

I have a V6, pay tax on that.

I also have a 1.6 I'm about to convert to 2.8, pay tax on that.

You are both fags, go out and learn to pay tax like a man, then you can whinge about it.

[Hazy]

Most of the VAG range of diesels from around 15-8 years ago are almost bulletproof, my SDI has nearly 130k on the clock and runs sweet as a nut still. Only had the one problem and that was the power steering pump go, but that's an ancillary part. The Golf 110 GTTDI has over 280k done and is also running great (still on it's original gearbox and turbo!), most of the running gear, track rods/wheel bearings, have been replaced, but that's to be expected.

As long as they're serviced regularly, there's not much reason why they shouldn't last. If the SDI ever went I would probably replace it with the 1.4 TDI or similar, but I can't see that happening for a bit.

Edited October 27, 2013 by Hazy

[P4ulo]

My Lupo SDI is currently on 155k. Still goes great and yep - all the ancilliaries are a bit tired and most have been replaced but the main engine is (touch wood) still purring away (thanks to a regular Cambelt change).

TAX - get one post 2001 cos my 1999 was advertised as being cheap tax and as I didn't do my research I found out after I'd bought it it was fairly hefty.

Do it, the running costs on one of the SDI engines is awesome, I drove to Bristol and back from Poole, Dorset for £26!! (about 200 miles cos I go a silly way!)

Edited October 27, 2013 by P4ulo