2016 180bhp DSG - To buy or not to buy?

[Alchimaera71]

Hi, apologies first because I know this has been asked many times before, but I'll try and be quick.

Firstly Idk yet whether the van is a T5.1 or a T6, I've yet to see a pic as it's an incoming trade-in that the garage hasn't had a chance to photograph yet. I have the reg, but I don't know where to find that info.

Obviously from random googling I've come across the EGR problem and I don't understand enough for anyone to go into great detail so I just have a few simple questions.

If it's a D, is it still too much of a risk? I'm not going to do any illegal modifications and I haven't come across any comments that suggest there is any other way to guarantee that the same problems as with the A/B/C version won't occur? I understand I could get a compression test and oil analysis but presumably that's only going to tell me what the van is like today, not a guarantee of what will happen in the future. It has 118k on it with a FSH at the same garage that's selling it with a good warranty (but obviously won't cover the EGR issues if it happens).

I'm spending my inheritance and once it's gone I'll never get this kind of money again, am I crazy to consider this van or have I just been fed scare stories?

Thanks all.

 

[Bav]

Not going to comment on the "should I/shouldn't I?" aspect of your post, but do you have/can you obtain the VIN number? If so, by upgrading to VIP membership (£12.99 for the year) you can get a copy of the van's build sheet - i.e. its full technical spec as it left the factory.

 

[Alchimaera71]

Thanks, I'll do that as soon as I've got access to the van.

 

[Chippie1]

Without being rude it depends on what sort of money you’re talking! They are a risky engine to be ploughing a lot of money on

 

[Alchimaera71]

They want £12.5k plus vat. It's a T32 180bhp DSG Kombi 118k with FSH, belt/pump last year, haven't any other details as yet

 

[Alchimaera71]

When you say risky, that's kind of the crux of my question really. I'm happy to do whatever maintenance is needed but if nothing short of illegal mods that I'm not prepared to do will prevent the problem, then I'll probably pass on it. I don't need 180bhp anyway

 

[Chippie1]

They want £12.5k plus vat. It's a T32 180bhp DSG Kombi 118k with FSH, belt/pump last year, haven't any other details as yet

An old mate of mine spent that money on fixing his after it self destructed and it was never the same again. Don’t get me wrong they are not all like that but it is a renowned troublesome engine. I’m not sure they done a 180 T6 so probably a 5.1 but I may be wrong

 

[T32Rich]

If you can get the Engine code, that would be a way to try and search/find more info regards to problems with that specific range.

 

[Alchimaera71]

Thanks I can do that as soon as it comes in for the part-ex. Playing devil's advocate tho, is there any iteration of this engine that is not a risk? Specific to the 180 BiTdi I mean? It's difficult to interpret what the internet says because of course it's full of people who delight in feeding you doom and gloom, however try as I might I haven't been able to find a single person who says they've fixed it without doing illegal mods. If the answer is out there I want to find it! But haven't had any luck so far! Thanks

 

[T32Rich]

I went through the same up's and downs of thinking I have bought a ticking time bomb when I got my T6.1 204 BiTDI.
I decided to carry on and enjoy what I have, because as you say, most comments are negative. People generally only look at a Forum when they have a problem. You will hopefully see that there is an awful lot of good and constructive content on here 2 years on and all still good for me..

 

[Chippie1]

I went through the same up's and downs of thinking I have bought a ticking time bomb when I got my T6.1 204 BiTDI.
I decided to carry on and enjoy what I have, because as you say, most comments are negative. People generally only look at a Forum when they have a problem. You will hopefully see that there is an awful lot of good and constructive content on here 2 years on and all still good for me..

I to have the 6.1 204 BiTDI but a completely different beast compared to the early BiTDI

 

[Alchimaera71]

So am I right in thinking this issue only applies to the 180 BiTDi engines which are all CFCA? (The CEX being 204bhp?) Have I got that right?

If so does this mean that any of the other engines with a lower bhp are much more reliable? I don't need 180bhp, I had an old 1.9 T4 for years and it never gave me a moment's headache up to when I sold it at 175k! I was rather hoping to replicate this experience

Is the general concensus to go with the less fancy ones?!

 

[Sasquatch]

Its a decade old with the sort of mileage many cars dont even survive to see before being scrapped. Any likely future reliability is liable to be as much a function of how it has been driven, treated and maintained, as much as aby inherent design concerns (or otherwise.)

Have it professionally inspected prior to purchase, and don't be afraid to walk if concerns are identified - the number of folk that get infected with the VW virus who get blinded by love and knowingly buy vans with problems thinking they can tame them is mind boggling.

And finally, make sure you have at least 10% of the purchase price stashed in your savings account as a contingency fund - these vehicles are costly to run at the best of times, and don't get better with age and miles.

Best of luck, let us know how it goes.

 

[Chippie1]

And finally, make sure you have at least 10% of the purchase price stashed in your savings account as a contingency fund - these vehicles are costly to run at the best of times, and don't get better with age and miles.

I couldn’t agree more! I’m a massive VW fan mainly down to they have been a very reliable brand in my case never had many problems and (I’ve had many makes of unreliable pieces of shit) but when they go wrong they can be very expensive to repair.

 

[Alchimaera71]

Yeh I've already earmarked a few grand in my savings to keep in case the DPF goes, but I'm never going to be able to stretch to a new engine. I trust my garage, to a point as they are a business after all, and nothing is ever guaranteed obviously. I just want to start on a good footing, not with a known risk factor other than the universal DPF

 

[JumpShip]

IMHO ....'run forest run! '

 

[kipperman]

There is someone selling a 2016 van 58k on the forum at £16000 - manual and I can't see anywhere a stated bhp - but given your situation and budget that would be more what I would be looking at and seller seems to have described it honestly.

 

[Bav]

There is someone selling a 2016 van 58k on the forum at £16000 - manual and I can't see anywhere a stated bhp - but given your situation and budget that would be more what I would be looking at and seller seems to have described it honestly.

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