Petrol or Diesel Engine VW Tiguan - 140TDI 162TSI?

[spicyrambutan]

Hi Fellow VDubbers,

I am in the market for a new MY17 Tiguan R-Line and am debating whether to go for the 140TDI or the 162TSI.

I have read a number of reviews about the two variants and the differences in performance. I am more interested in fuel economy as a primary requirement and performance is secondary. I understand that the 162TSI engine is similar (or equivalent) to the high performance engine in the GTI Golf.

I have never owned a diesel vehicle before. I'm currently driving an 2003 2.0L Golf Sports.

I only drive relatively low kilometres only on weekends, with the occasional country / long distance drive maybe once every few weeks.

One of the dealers I visited yesterday warned me against purchasing the 140 TDI due to issues with the diesel particulate filter (DPF) if I don't allow the vehicle to drive long enough distances for the heat of the engine to clean the filter whilst driving. The dealer explained that regular short distance driving in a diesel without doing long distances often is a recipe for disaster as the engine life will be shortened and I would be up for expensive repairs. Is this a real issue for the latest Tiguan TDI models?

I notice that the 162TSI appears to be more popular than the 140TDI, according to what I am reading in the forums. Is it because of this factor, or mainly due to the greater performance of the petrol engine?

I look forward to the advice of my learned friends! Thanks.

SpicyRambutan

P.S. Any tips on the best deals received will be much appreciated! I see that the deals received a few weeks and months ago may not be so easy to get now due to the scarecity or stock and the long order wait times.

[Sokyola]

Hi Fellow VDubbers,

I am in the market for a new MY17 Tiguan R-Line and am debating whether to go for the 140TDI or the 162TSI.

I have read a number of reviews about the two variants and the differences in performance. I am more interested in fuel economy as a primary requirement and performance is secondary. I understand that the 162TSI engine is similar (or equivalent) to the high performance engine in the GTI Golf.

I have never owned a diesel vehicle before. I'm currently driving an 2003 2.0L Golf Sports.

I only drive relatively low kilometres only on weekends, with the occasional country / long distance drive maybe once every few weeks.

One of the dealers I visited yesterday warned me against purchasing the 140 TDI due to issues with the diesel particulate filter (DPF) if I don't allow the vehicle to drive long enough distances for the heat of the engine to clean the filter whilst driving. The dealer explained that regular short distance driving in a diesel without doing long distances often is a recipe for disaster as the engine life will be shortened and I would be up for expensive repairs. Is this a real issue for the latest Tiguan TDI models?

I notice that the 162TSI appears to be more popular than the 140TDI, according to what I am reading in the forums. Is it because of this factor, or mainly due to the greater performance of the petrol engine?

I look forward to the advice of my learned friends! Thanks.

SpicyRambutan

P.S. Any tips on the best deals received will be much appreciated! I see that the deals received a few weeks and months ago may not be so easy to get now due to the scarecity or stock and the long order wait times.

If you are driving less than 15-20000ks a year, or worth getting the diesel. You would need to drive that many Km's to benefit from the price difference and money spent on fuel. Yes the diesel drinks less, but the price difference in the car vs the price of fuel, it will take you a good 6-7 years to make that money back. I was contemplating the same thing. But only do 10000kms a year since work is 15 mins from home and just like you would do the occasional long drive mainly to Canberra from sydney, the dealer and I worked it out to take 7 years to recoup the price difference in the vehicle. So ended up going for the 162 over the 140, was also a good $2500 cheaper. Spend it on the active info display and still have change. Definitely get the r line pack. Looks so much better.

[Eyes24]

Hi Fellow VDubbers,

I am in the market for a new MY17 Tiguan R-Line and am debating whether to go for the 140TDI or the 162TSI.

I have read a number of reviews about the two variants and the differences in performance. I am more interested in fuel economy as a primary requirement and performance is secondary. I understand that the 162TSI engine is similar (or equivalent) to the high performance engine in the GTI Golf.

I have never owned a diesel vehicle before. I'm currently driving an 2003 2.0L Golf Sports.

I only drive relatively low kilometres only on weekends, with the occasional country / long distance drive maybe once every few weeks.

One of the dealers I visited yesterday warned me against purchasing the 140 TDI due to issues with the diesel particulate filter (DPF) if I don't allow the vehicle to drive long enough distances for the heat of the engine to clean the filter whilst driving. The dealer explained that regular short distance driving in a diesel without doing long distances often is a recipe for disaster as the engine life will be shortened and I would be up for expensive repairs. Is this a real issue for the latest Tiguan TDI models?

I notice that the 162TSI appears to be more popular than the 140TDI, according to what I am reading in the forums. Is it because of this factor, or mainly due to the greater performance of the petrol engine?

I look forward to the advice of my learned friends! Thanks.

SpicyRambutan

P.S. Any tips on the best deals received will be much appreciated! I see that the deals received a few weeks and months ago may not be so easy to get now due to the scarecity or stock and the long order wait times.

I was told the same, l have a x-trail Diesel for work as lm a rep, its great on fuel which l get about 930 km avg per 60 lt tank. I'm doing 65 k per year. Dealer told me if l wasn't going to do more than 50k l should get petrol.


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[Transporter]

We have 2 Tiguans in family both TDIs and both do very short trips. The 2010 Tig done only 55,000km and the 2012 one done only 25,000km or so. No problems with the DPF at all.

[tigger73]

I suggest you drive both - preferably back to back.

It used to be that the diesel engines had a ton of low down torque compared to the petrols. I'm not sure if this is due to dieselgate, however it appears that this has been tuned out of the latest diesels and they don't pull quite as strong from low revs.

For example the Gen1 130TDI Tig peak torque of 380Nm was from 1,750-2,500rpm, compared to the 140TDI of 400Nm at 1,900-3,300rpm. Performance specs 0-100 of the 140TDI is quicker, however that's because you spend very little time in the lower rev range.

And when matched to a short-shifting DSG gearbox, the problem with the new 140TDI is that you're not in the torque band in "normal" driving and have to either wait for the DSG to shift or for the revs to pick up to the point that the engine will pull.

Anyway I suggest you drive the cars yourself and make up your own mind as to which engine suits your driving style better. Obviously you pay a premium for the diesel but there may be less of a wait. The petrol is popular for a reason and you'll likely find that it will be sought after as a second-hand vehicle also which whould help (a bit) with resale.

[Guest001]

The optimum way to drive a diesel is get it hot and keep it hot permanently. I only ever drive mine if I am going to go at least for an out and back 40 min drive. It takes over 5 mins to fully warm up.
If you only do a 10-15min run to work I would buy the petrol

[Ozsko]

I have both a diesel car (Skoda) and a 162 Tiguan and have driven the 140TDI Tiguan. If you are not interested in performance there is no point in buying the 162 because that is what it is all about and it goes very well, surprisingly so and we have a Golf GTI to compare it too. The old diesels prior to the new 140TDI pulled like a train low down but the 140 does not have that feature. Buy a petrol version if you aren't doing heaps of K's, you will be better off. The DPF issue is not such a problem in the later model cars as they have significantly changed the way it is integrated into the cars and this has removed the initial problems they had.

[Gladbach]

Something not mentioned in this thread (but it is in others) is the adblue requirement for diesel engines as well. In any case, for me, the 162TSI is miles better than the 140TDI. I would have loved to have compared the European bi-turbo diesel against the 162TSI (both 6.5 seconds 0-100) but the 140TDI just seemed lethargic. I would pick the 130TSI over it in a heart beat.

[cjmifsud]

Something not mentioned in this thread (but it is in others) is the adblue requirement for diesel engines as well. In any case, for me, the 162TSI is miles better than the 140TDI. I would have loved to have compared the European bi-turbo diesel against the 162TSI (both 6.5 seconds 0-100) but the 140TDI just seemed lethargic. I would pick the 130TSI over it in a heart beat.

don't think the adblue consideration is all that of an issue. I have the gen 2 140TDI and love it. goes like a rocket when needed. adblue can be easily topped up at many BP and Shell services stations right next to the diesel fuel pumps. I paid 75c per litre for adblue the other day. So take into account maybe an extra $20-$30 per year for adblue.

[Ozsko]

I reckon if the bi turbo diesel had been available here I would have bought it instead of the 162. The one big advantage of a 140 is the range on a tankful. I can get a 1000k's out of the Skoda as I did last week without stopping on a trip and the extra size of the Tiguan tank would be better still. Not that I drive long distances so much any more but for anyone who does it is something to be considered.