Help! GTi Turbo OR GT TDi?

[jamesm]

I'm looking to purchase another VW or Audi,. To date I've had a 1999 Golf Gti Turbo which was a great car, and also a 1999 Golf GT Tdi 110 chipped to 150bhp. Both cars were very good, and actually I have to say the GT Tdi was amazing! The performance was out of this world, and it still returned 44/50-mpg. I understand the new PD engines are now even better.

Now after a short time owning a BMW 323 which I'm really not impressed with I want to go back to the delights of turbo engines. I live in a busy town and by the time you get the BMW wound up your fast approaching yet another obstacle.

Now I would be really interested to here peoples opinions on what car I should go for. I have a budget of around £6000 which should get me a Tdi 130, or should I go for an Gti 150 Turbo golf again, can you chip these further... Or what about an A3 Turbo for a change...

Help guys, I would love to here peoples opinions. Thank you.

James

[RacingTeatray]

You won't get much A3 turbo for GBP6k other than the standard 150bhp turbo, which will feel just like your old Golf.

The A3 to have would be either the 180bhp 1.8T quattro Sport or the 130TDi but for that money they have big miles and aren't common (a quick Autotrader search reveals 10 quattros nationwide for under 6k and no 130TDis - they start around 6.5k). The facelifted version of the 1.8TQ has a 6-spd box, as does the 130TDi. Earlier TQs makes do with a 5-speeder.

What about a Leon Cupra?

>> Edited by RacingTeatray on Thursday 18th May 11:08

[jamesm]

I'm not big on the Leon Cupras. I guess a TDi of sorts is going to be my best option. Which is the better car/engine out of the Audi A3 TDi or VW GT TDi 130 models?

Also, out of interest what kind of BHP is it possible to achive with a ecu remap on a TDi these days?

[jamesm]

Oh, and thanks a lot for the info!

[tjdixon911]

I would say both the Golf and Audi 130 TDi's will have the same engine....

The 130 TDi's can be chipped to 160-170bhp and the 150TDi's - 190-200bhp, the 1.8 GTi Turbo can be chipped to 200 easily......(from memory!)

www.jabbasport.com will give a good indication of what can be acheived.

I've recently been on the lookout for a 130Tdi for around 8k but struggle to find many for that with decent miles, so I've decided to stick with my 90 and maybe get it chipped, plus I want to spend some money on the 968!

[jamesm]

968, good work! I've a 944 which is also somewhat of a money pit!
Once you get over the noise from the engine there's not much in it between the TDi 150 and the GTi turbo, however as I do 24-miles a day to work and back the diesel seems the better option. I would be interested to here from anyone whos chipped a 130 TDi to 170bhp...

However the GTi turbos are somewhat cheaper to buy, by nearly £1500 for about the same spec, and with a possible re-map chip taking them to over 200bhp.. How much fun would that be... Has anyone done that either?

Hmmmmmmmm

[RacingTeatray]

No but I still think for petrol cars you'd be better with the 180bhp A3 TQ than the 150bhp Golf T.

I believe the A3 TQ can be chipped safely to around 220bhp (whereas I read somewhere that the normal 150bhp turbo is best kept around the 180-190 mark for reliability). I had a TQ and looked into doing it but decided just to upgrade to an S3 instead.

The anniversary GTI Turbo Golf also had the 180bhp engine from the A3 TQ but I don't think that 6k will get you one.

[brucest170]

hi to all,i have a golf gt tdi 150 been chipped and has a milltek exaust it puts out just shy of 200bhp still does 40-43mpg round town and 50-55 mpg on a run.Its a great car,a real Q-car suprises a lot of other drivers, especialy the local R32 brigade!

i too am looking to change car probbably a S3 or S4 (v6) cos i dont do any miles any more through a change of job.

anyone had problems with there S4??

[jamesm]

what kind of money are you after for your tdi then?

[jvaughan]

Can definatly recommend the 130 / 150 TDI's. my 130 was chipped to 170ish a few years ago. when taking it slow I still see 50mpg, but if you want to play with the bigger boys through country lanes or twisty roads, the midrange punch will keep all bar the STI boys at bay

[jamesm]

So which has the best performace out of a chipped TDi 130 and a straight GTi 150?
A TDi is looking to cost about £1000/£1500 more to buy and as I only tend to keep my cars about a year or so I'm not going to see any real benifits from cheaper fuel... Hmmm?

[jvaughan]

its a good question. obviously the 150 chipped will give you 180 - 190bhp, and the 130 chipped will give you 160 - 170bhp.
The 130 is more comfortable, and does not have such harsh suspension. it also has the centre arm rest.

The 150 is more rare in Golf form.

Personally, I went for the 130 and so did my wife when she bought hers too. it was that little bit more comfortable on longer journeys.
No doubt someone will have other oppinions, but these were my observations when I went to look for mine.

[richy777]

I have had a chiped turbo aprox 210 bhp and I have had a 130 derv chiped aprox 170bhp. the derv is quicker to respond and well quick enough for most. But the petrol is even quicker highr up the rev range, dont forget the turbo will have bigger wheels and beter suspension just like the 150 derv has. If I was to get onother Golf it would be the 150 derv.

[jamesm]

Thanks for your views. I would love a 150 GT TDi (derv?), the only trouble is I only have a budget of around 6k and finding that extra money is always a slippery slope! So it's down to a 130 and save to chip it to 170bhp, or buy a GTi Turbo with all the bits...?