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Should I be concerned about the DPF if I buy a Volkswagen Golf or Polo TDI?
I am about to choose between a Golf TDI 90 PS and a Polo 75 PS TDI, but am concerned about reports concerning DPF problems with the Polo in particular. There are also reports about Volkswagen dropping the 75PS model for lack of power. Obviously the Volkswagen dealer denies any problem with both. Should I be concerned? I cover about 10,000 miles a year with a weekly motorway journey.
Asked on 14 October 2010 by SB, via email
Answered by
Honest John
The old 1.4 75PS 3-cylinder diesel has been dropped in favour of a more efficient new 1.2 75PS 3-cylinder diesel. SEAT has used this to get emissions down to 89g/km CO2. The car is no fireball but it does actually move along, though for 10,000 miles a year, better a 1.2TSI 105 or 1.4TSI 122 than a diesel.
These are chain cam petrol engines with water-cooled turbos, so your potential savings over a belt cam diesel over five years are: Timing belt change: £500. Replacement DPF: £500. Replacement DMF and clutch: £1,200. Replacement EGR: £400. The saving on fuel of a diesel over 50,000 miles is nothing like the combined cost of these components.
These are chain cam petrol engines with water-cooled turbos, so your potential savings over a belt cam diesel over five years are: Timing belt change: £500. Replacement DPF: £500. Replacement DMF and clutch: £1,200. Replacement EGR: £400. The saving on fuel of a diesel over 50,000 miles is nothing like the combined cost of these components.
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