Bi Turbo question

[Banshee1001]

Hi all, I'm in the market for a Kombi van, struggling to find something with the spec I want at a fair price........I've previously excluded Bi Turbo models from my search, simply because of the reliability issues i've read about online, and on here, but i'm seeing a few nice looking BiT models that tick all the other boxes for me, so now i'm wondering if all the bi turbo engines are prone to engine wear / failure. I really dont want the risk of buying someone elses problem, potentially finding i've an excessive oil burner on my hands that needs major engine repair......Based on experience, anyone got an opinion if all the Bi Turbos are prone to premature failure, or significantly less reliable motors than the single turbo vans ? Or are there any checks I can do if looking to establish if a BiT has any engine wear issues

 

[Richard T6.1]

Well... I don't want to fire up unnecessary discussions but... If you look at the (huge) amount of post here, on other forums (try Germany) and online about problems with the BiTurbo engines - not just the older 180 with EGR issues - there's certainly a strong indication there. If you compare that to the number of post about issues with the single turbo engines (150 HP and less) it certainly answers your question "are they (BiTurbos) significantly less reliable than single turbo vans?" with a firm yes. Add to this that there are much, much more single turbos on the road than BiTurbos, the 'yes' becomes even stronger imo.

Although my piston-head pushed me hard towards a 204, this was the only reason I picked the 150 when I ordered my van new in 2023.

 

[Banshee1001]

Well... I don't want to fire up unnecessary discussions but... If you look at the (huge) amount of post here, on other forums (try Germany) and online about problems with the BiTurbo engines (not just the older 180 with EGR issues) there's certainly a strong indication there. If you compare that to the number of post about issues with the single turbo engines (150 HP and less) it certainly answers your question "are they (BiTurbos) significantly less reliable than single turbo vans?" with a firm yes. Add to this that there are much, much more single turbos on the road than BiTurbos, the 'yes' becomes even stronger imo.

Although my piston-head pushed me hard towards a 204, this was the only reason I picked the 150 when I ordered my van new in 2023.

Aye, It's what I thought. Although, I was hoping someone was going to jump on an tell me otherwise................

 

[Sasquatch]

My converter refuses to buy BiTurds for conversion.

 

[Johnod17]

Hi all, I'm in the market for a Kombi van, struggling to find something with the spec I want at a fair price........I've previously excluded Bi Turbo models from my search, simply because of the reliability issues i've read about online, and on here, but i'm seeing a few nice looking BiT models that tick all the other boxes for me, so now i'm wondering if all the bi turbo engines are prone to engine wear / failure. I really dont want the risk of buying someone elses problem, potentially finding i've an excessive oil burner on my hands that needs major engine repair......Based on experience, anyone got an opinion if all the Bi Turbos are prone to premature failure, or significantly less reliable motors than the single turbo vans ? Or are there any checks I can do if looking to establish if a BiT has any engine wear issues

Have had my 180 TT from new ,no problems with my T5.1 Kombi 2014.

 

[Richard T6.1]

It's also interesting that the hated enviro systems like EGR, AdBlue and to lesser extend DPFs are often discussed in the context of engine problems and failures with the BiTurbos. But the single turbos have the same systems. Without much issues it seems (at least by comparison).

 

[Chippie1]

As previously posted I’ve had the early T6 140(pre adblue) bullet proof engine.
The 150 single turbo also a great van and now the biturbo only option as wanted the sportline model.
To be honest I’ve had no real issues with any of them or to be fair my vw cars which I’ve owned a fair few of and still do hence I’m a bit of a vw fan as I personally find them largely reliable motors.
You’re only going to hear people’s bad experiences because if they have no issues they wouldn’t post. Don’t get me wrong they are mostly warranted as vw themselves know they have issues with the biturbo.
For me it was a spec purchase it was all I wanted in a van so that was my decision made. If you have a tendency to be thinking it’s going to blow up every time you start the engine then it may not be for you. I tend to think or not over think the problem all our pride and joys have the potential to be money pits I just tend to try and not worry about things that’s out of our control.

 

[Richard T6.1]

You’re only going to hear people’s bad experiences because if they have no issues they wouldn’t post.

Exactly - that's the same for every engine.

 

[Bigsidavies]

Well my 2017 CXEB 204 biturbo is on just over 144k miles. Had it since 95k without any issues.
Would I buy another? Yes if it was the newer CXEC, no to the CXEB like I own now as I think it's too much of a lottery.

 

[Kind of Blue]

I understand that there are no issues with the CXEC 199bhp it has been in existence for a while now late 2018/19.

 

[Banshee1001]

That’s interesting to hear. I’ll do some more research on that.

 

[Banshee1001]

As previously posted I’ve had the early T6 140(pre adblue) bullet proof engine.
The 150 single turbo also a great van and now the biturbo only option as wanted the sportline model.
To be honest I’ve had no real issues with any of them or to be fair my vw cars which I’ve owned a fair few of and still do hence I’m a bit of a vw fan as I personally find them largely reliable motors.
You’re only going to hear people’s bad experiences because if they have no issues they wouldn’t post. Don’t get me wrong they are mostly warranted as vw themselves know they have issues with the biturbo.
For me it was a spec purchase it was all I wanted in a van so that was my decision made. If you have a tendency to be thinking it’s going to blow up every time you start the engine then it may not be for you. I tend to think or not over think the problem all our pride and joys have the potential to be money pits I just tend to try and not worry about things that’s out of our control.

I worry, recently sold my focus RS due to the potential lspi issue…… dont want the stress or the higher potential for expense

 

[Sasquatch]

I get round the common cracked liner problem on my Volvo T5 by hardly ever driving it. Its worked so far!

 

[Chippie1]

I worry, recently sold my focus RS due to the potential lspi issue…… dont want the stress or the higher potential for expense

Give it another 10-15 years you will wish you kept the the RS be worth a small fortune!

 

[Kind of Blue]

That’s interesting to hear. I’ll do some more research on that.

Dellmassive has some very long Threads covering the issues of CXEB BiTurbo

Post in thread 'T6.1 - Known major problems?'

4 Nov 2024

The 2019 onwards replacement is the CXEC 199ps.

No known major issues afaik.

• Dellmassive

• 
• 

• 4 Nov 2024

• Add bookmark
• #2

The 2019 onwards replacement is the CXEC 199ps.

No known major issues afaik.


Sorry I am not very good at recovering posts and using the quotation but his threads are most excellent and as in most other things is quite an authority. Very worth while reading his posts There are other references I think but not sure how to find them but he is the person to ask.