VW/Audi Motors

[KIseminger]

I am looking at getting an Audi A4 and am trying to decide between the 1. 8L Turbo and the VR6.

For any of you that have experience with these motors help me out. What do you prefer and why? Maintenance issues? Mileage differences?

 

[Duluth Diesel]

I have the 1. 8T in our 2004 Passat. It is a great little engine and consistantly gets 32 to 35 mpg highway (which is better than advertised on the sticker at 31 mpg). I have done a lot of VW research, and what I've learned is that the 1. 8T gives better mileage and comparable performance in stock form compared to the VR6. The VR6 in stock form will give a little better acceleration numbers and better low end torque, but mileage suffers a bit, coming in around 26 highway. At 2 bucks a gallon, every bit helps. Now for bombing, the 1. 8T is the engine to choose. With turbo mods and a box you can really make her scream for little money. The VR6 could probably be bombed out with twin turbos and the like (like the 2002 Audi S4 engines) but would cost quite a bit more cash.



If you're going to drive a stock vehicle, I'd personally take the 1. 8T. It really is a quick little 4 banger. It moves out better than our 2001 Taurus with the 200 horse Duratec V6 did. And the 1. 8T gets about 6 mpg better than the Taurus. I used to think the VR6 would be the way to go, but you don't gain much power and you loose mileage.



If you're going to Bomb it a little, you'll get the most bang for your buck out of the 1. 8T. If you're going to dump a ton of $ into a straight performance rice rocket beater, maybe research what can be done to the VR6.



If you can find an S4, go with that. The older S4 cars had a twin turbo version onthe VR6 engine that was nuts. The new S4's have a V8 that is really nuts. I drove a seriously bombed V6 S4 a couple years back, and the thing was insane. Scared the heck outta me, and I'm a guy who likes to go fast and drive hard. Rolled all 4 tires through 3rd gear. Again, it was nowhere near stock. Fun fun.

 

[KIseminger]

Thanks for the reply... ... . I was looking at the specs and the VR6 has about 50 hp and torque. Is there really that much of a difference? I live in the mountains so I am looking for all the power I can get. I get the impression that the 1. 8 does good though from a 98 A4 I drove.



How is the old Iron Range? My Grandpa has a cabin out of Crane Lake, I try to make there every year. I love it up there... ... .....

 

[DHRA]

My wife had a Golf 1. 8T. It kept fowling spark plugs, so we got rid of it. In the winter you have to run it for 3 to 4 minutes to burn up all of the choke fuel. Well, you would think that wouldn't be a big deal unless you have to move it at work and there is a line of people at the counter and you can't let it sit there for that long... .

 

[NPloysa]

What displacement is the VR6?



My girlfriend's 01 A4 has the 2. 8 N/A V6.

 

[EBottema]

Don't buy a VW or audi. If you get the audi, your paying more for the name when it really is a jetta/golf and nothing more. The 1. 8T doesnt get very good fuel economy. My mom has one and I hate it. It is geared too low, 1. 8T only has power in top end and with it being a turbo, i would give it 100k to rebuild. VW's are made cheap and the squeek a lot. Basically, junk!!! Get something a little better, i would recommend maybe a Mercedes 3 series or a Toyota... .

 

[Duluth Diesel]

Ebottema:

Sounds like that VW your mom has needs help or something.



Besides our Passat, my sister has an '03 Jetta. She has the non-turbo 4 with the 5-speed. Both these VWs, and all the other's I've driven, have been great, well built cars. No squeeks, no rattles. Now the 2001 Taurus we used to have was the rolling toilet. Chassis flex, squeeks, rattles. Total garbage off the showroom floor. I took that thing in countless times (I worked at the Ford dealer at the time - that was B. C. before cummins). They tried to fix it. They had three techs all pile in the thing and drive it together to find the source. Nothing. They sent it to a body shop to see if the chassis was flexing. It was but they couldn't fix it. I got that car brand new and I regretted that purchase since the first week.



Moving on: Mountain driving, go for the turbo. The non-turbo VR6 will lose more power than gained over the 4 at higher altitude. Up in the mountains is where the turbo will really shine over the VR6.



If this turbo 4 is only good for 100,000 miles, then our turbo diesels must be unreliable engines too (that's sarcasm). I had a roommate back in college that had a 1995 jetta. He got it from his parents, and by the time I saw the car it had 427,000 miles on it. Engine had never been touched aside from normal maintenance. I think these VW engines, gas or diesel, are built SO much better than, say, a Ford Focus or Chev Cavilier its not even funny. Better car, better engine, better engineering, better build quality, better sale, etc... .



No matter what brand of car you buy, be it a BMW, Benz, VW, Ford, whatever. In the herd you will have bad ones. They just happen. You just tend to have fewer lemons in the better quality brands. As far as choosing Audi or VW? They are the same car overall. If you're really looking for bells and whistles, fancy trim, fancy name, lotsa buttons, get the Audi. But bang for the buck, I'd go with the VW. Although I have to admit as much as my wife likes her Passat, she drools whenever she sees an Audi Allroad.

 

[KIseminger]

I'd have to agree with you on that one. Turbos are 10x better for the mountains. I drove an A6 with the VR6 and I was not impressed. It wasn't bad, but nothing special. I guess that's what I get for living at 9000 feet :{



I am now looking at Subaru WRX's right now. Those things have a lot of power. I just wish I could afford the STi... ...



And another note on the VW Motors: These motors do like to run at higher RPM's so if you drive it below 2000-3000 RPM on a consistnat basis you will see things like low power and plug fouling. I know I will have some trouble adjusting to that after driving my Dodge.

 

[nickleinonen]

I just wish I could afford the STi... ...

me too... that would be a very nice ride... ditch all the badging and maybe get rid of the wing on the rear. make it look like a regular imprezzia and be a sleeper with quieter exhaust [they sound so good with opened up exhaust... ]



oh i need to win the lotto. first buy house, then buy sti...

 

[Duluth Diesel]

The Subaru might have the power, and they are a decent car, but I'm partial to the VW. Heck, my mom has a 2004 Forester and she loves it. But having both Subarus and VWs in the family, I strongly feel that the VW is a better built, better quality car for the money. For reliability and resale, I'd stay with the VW by a small margin. But you can't argue the STi output and performance. Rides like a concrete block on a rollerskate, but will spank most cars on the road.

 

[KIseminger]

Well, I put in an app for a new WRX wagon (for the Dog). I really like the VW & Audis, but I really like this car. Plus with the rates right now, it will be a good deal. If only they made a TDI w/ the 4motion... ... .

 

[EBottema]

Well, the jetta is a total joke, very cheap. I'm glad your happy, your one of the lucky few. Go to myvwlemon.com and read about all the junk the jetta and other VW models bring!