In my own opinion, having driven a 3.0Tdi, but have a 2.0tfsi on order (180bhp though), I would ithout hesitation say the 3.0tdi is best if money is no object.

If I felt like dropping the extra few grand, I would have ordered the 3.0.

The amount of miles I do each year precludes the extra expense really.

 

need we say anymore?

oh and welcome to the forum MBC, would you mind updating your profile location please. Presume you are UK though.

 

MBC,

Welcome!

You'll be happy with either. But the torque on the 3.0 Tdi will bring a silly smug grin to your face whenever you squeeze the pedal in 6th at 75mph (or accelerating in-gear, any other gear). Gets me every time.

BTW Robb's excellent video clip is a 3.0Tdi but with the Milltek exhaust.

 

I've never driven the 2.0T Qtro but I have 'raced' one. If performance is your main focus the 3.0TDi has the edge. I found there wasn't much in it until about 50, but after that the diesel really pulled away from it rather quickly.

If running costs are an issue then try and search for the post that Saj made a couple of months ago. He did a big calculation on petrol v diesel which was very informative.

 

Hey MBC, welcome to the forum. I test drove the 3.0 TDI a couple of times last year and was enormously impressed by it but couldn't justify the price. I was going to order a 1.8T but then the 2.0 TFSI (211ps) was introduced which sits much closer to the V6 diesel in terms of performance. The diesel is a wee bit quicker in a straight line on paper but I can't imagine there's much difference in everyday driving. I intend to drive 12-14 k miles in the A5 so I decided to go with the petrol and use the £3000 to part fund a fiat 500 to use as a runaround and for my teenage kids to use as a learner.

Having said all that if performance is your main criterion and money is no object then you should get an S5 ( or RS5 when it appears ) !

 

Thanks Nikenike,
I test drove the 3.0tdi and the sound coupled with the performance was amazing. On the same day also test drove 2.tfsi in an A4 (non quattro), it was good, but wondered how it would cope with the A5's weight.

At the end of the day its the monthly budget that will be the decider, I am using a company sponsored ECOS scheme, and the difference is effectively a further £80 per month.

I guess my question is really will I feel the same about the 2.0tfsi petrol

 

Another vote for the diesel here but I would say that , if you do go for it, consider the tiptronic as it suits the engine perfectly.


I had a 2.0TQ A3 before this and whilst it isn't quite the same engine in the A5, it was no where near as refined as the diesel and I didn't think I would be saying that about a soot chucker a few years ago!!

 

The new 2.0T is now much more refined, and shouldn't really be compared to older 2.0T's. It's also very highly geared in the A5, so the engine is virtually silent, even under acceleration. It only does approx 2600rpm at 90mph, and 110mph+ in third!

I was also limited by budget, and if I'd had the cash I would probably have gone for the 3.0tdi. However, I'm certainly not disappointed with the 2.0T and would recommend it to anyone.

Warning though, I've never seen anything like the quoted 40+mpg, and currently average approx 30-32; although I do mostly short journeys.

As for A5 v A4........ Give yourself a shake!! My 10yr old son is a hero at school cos his dad's got an A5, but it wasn't the case when I had an A4.

 

Go for 3.0 TDI.

 

Have to agree that the A5 is to big a car for only a 2lt engine, I am not a fan of diesel cars but if I had to choose between the 2 of them then the Diesel would win hands down. Just a pitty about the noise but then the power would make up for that

 

3.0TDI Quattro hands down (find that extra £20 per wk!)

The new diesels from Audi don't sound like diesels anymore, nor are they noisy...

I've fitted a Milltek exhaust to mine which sounds like the vid above People are amazed when I tell them it's a diesel.

& it's quicker than the 3.2 petrol !!

 

I've just re-read the title to this thread and had a bit of a belly laugh moment...


For the UK members, I can just see a certain Mr Harry Hill saying this...

"A5 2.0TFSi(211) VS 3.0 TDI which is best...."


"There's only one to find out......FIGHT!!!!!!"




I'll get me coat...

 

Your car looks great...quick question why did younot go for S Line?

 

Why did you go for Sport and not S Line, is there much of a difference?

 

I would definately go for a 3.0Tdi Sport ... cracking car and engine . I regularly get 40+mpg and the performance is awesome and it has QUATTRO. There's nothing wrong with the 2.0 but I dont think it works with FWD. I had a 220bhp A4 Quattro Avant for a year, good performance and economy but nothing like the 3.0Tdi. It may be diseasel but it doesn't sound, smell or perform like one! As for Sport/Sline. The Sport benefits from a wider choice of light trim grey headling and light seats are less oppressive. but S LIne has other + points. Good luck

 

RGB You the man

I have to agree with you over the A5 petrol, tell it like it is. Diesel over the 2lt petrol but my pref was the 3.2lt petrol over the diesel but I have never been a great fan of Diesel engines but that is just my view.

 

Yes but... I wouldn't want a 3.2litre A5 ... tired old petrol V6... am awaiting the new 3.0V6 ? Twin Turbo...

 

Thanks to all..sounds like 3.0tdi wins the day

I thought of knew this would be the case, but worth putting out there!!thanks to all for your posts

I was so of hoping that someone out there would say 2.0tfsi petrol was better for this reason and that, but have not had any comments

So heres another question, and as you can tell its the budget thats stopping me.....what would you have...

a, New A5 S line Quattro, manual - 2.Tfsi

or

b, New A4 S line Quattro, manual - 3.0tdi

 

I thought of knew this would be the case, but worth putting out there!!thanks to all for your posts

I was so of hoping that someone out there would say 2.0tfsi petrol was better for this reason and that, but have not had any comments

So heres another question, and as you can tell its the budget thats stopping me.....what would you have...

a, New A5 S line Quattro, manual - 2.Tfsi

or

b, New A4 S line Quattro, manual - 3.0tdi

Not sure that's quite right. What do you want A4 4dr saloon or A5 Cool 2 dr coupe?

Then choose a 3.0Tdi!

 

I was so impressed by the A5 3.0TDI Quattro Sport - I bought it.

 

Congratulations LaZeR. What spec have you bought and where are you?

 

Fair point, decide on car first.!....A5 definately...........then engine choice, I see where your heads at!!

 

Yeah, yeah, it is all good that the car with petrol engine is not as heavy, more agile, also can be faster if remapped and so on. Most people won't really notice any of these since they buy this car to drive it every day to work, shopping and things like that, not for a weekend drives on country roads or drag racing. At the end it still goes to personal preference.

I have bought 3.0 TDI since they didn't have anything else at that time, but as time flows, I am starting to realize that my choice was good. Except the damn diesel sound, I am quite satisfied with that engine. I haven't driven 2.0 TFSi, but there is something that keeps telling me that luxury coupes like A5 should really have AT LEAST 6 cylinder engine. It is just a feeling that I have and therefore it can't be logically explained. Perhaps if you look at the beautiful, sporty and aggressive design, you probably imagine at least V6 or even better V8 under the bonnet.

Since Audi A5 in terms of design is more of a competitor to BMW 6-Series than a 3-Series >> that might be the reason why I feel that it should have at least V6.

I would leave 4 cylinder engines to cars like VW Golf GTi, VW Scirocco or Skoda Octavia RS, I feel that Audi A5 is above and therefore can't really imagine 4 cylinder engine in it. I still have no doubt that TFSi engine is really good in terms of power and if small displacement that is suitable for "smaller" cars doesn't bother you, then go for it.

 

Yeah, yeah, it is all good that the car with petrol engine is not as heavy, more agile, also can be faster if remapped and so on. Most people won't really notice any of these since they buy this car to drive it every day to work, shopping and things like that, not for a weekend drives on country roads or drag racing. At the end it still goes to personal preference.

I have bought 3.0 TDI since they didn't have anything else at that time, but as time flows, I am starting to realize that my choice was good. Except the damn diesel sound, I am quite satisfied with that engine. I haven't driven 2.0 TFSi, but there is something that keeps telling me that luxury coupes like A5 should really have AT LEAST 6 cylinder engine. It is just a feeling that I have and therefore it can't be logically explained. Perhaps if you look at the beautiful, sporty and aggressive design, you probably imagine at least V6 or even better V8 under the bonnet.

Since Audi A5 in terms of design is more of a competitor to BMW 6-Series than a 3-Series >> that might be the reason why I feel that it should have at least V6.

I would leave 4 cylinder engines to cars like VW Golf GTi, VW Scirocco or Skoda Octavia RS, I feel that Audi A5 is above and therefore can't really imagine 4 cylinder engine in it. I still have no doubt that TFSi engine is really good in terms of power and if small displacement that is suitable for "smaller" cars doesn't bother you, then go for it.

Alejandro, there is no doubt that the A5 is a competitor to the 3-Series, Audi themselves market it like that, every review i've read for the car confirms this - the 6 series is in the segment above, no debating this as it is just fact.

Perhaps if you look at the beautiful, sporty and aggressive design

If this is the case, where does DIESEL fit into this, no matter how good diesel engines are no one really associates beautiful, sporty or aggressive with diesel, petrol V6 or V8 yes but diesel, well I sure don't.

I'm by no way saying the TDI is rubbish or anything like that, far from it, great engine and it works very well with the A5. My point is that is by no way is far better than than the TFSI just because it has more torque - My A4 TDI pumped out just as much torque as an E46 M3, but that didn't make its engine superior in anyway.

The way the TFSI delivers it's torque over a widerband is going to give you a good sensation of acceleration, 350nm from 1500-4200rpm is hardly going to feel wimpy, just so you know this is more than the big displacement 3.2 V6 petrol as well which provides 330nm from 3000-5000rpm, so as far as feeling fast is concerned the 2.0 TFSI should have the V6 petrol licked in that department too, not to mention how it would be transformed after a little re-map.

 

If you really want an A5 (which is a much better looking car than the A4) and your budget is constraining you stop thinking about the 3.0TDI, if you can't afford it don't consider it. The 2.0 TFSI is not a poor mans A5, far from it as it cost nearly 30k anyway. Spending an extra £500 will give you the TDI power you seek, and you will have pocketed £3000 by not going for the TDI.[/QUOTE]

+1 I am with you on this Saj. A petrol car would be my choice over a diesel every time no matter the performance figures. I know you cannot hear the diesel engine from inside the car but it is the engine noise that is offputting for me.

 

Saj, tell us TDI owners how you'll manage to get 350BHP out of the 2.0TFSI which has a standard 208BHP. That's quite a jump.

I don't think a newly refined engine is quite that tunable yet. Maybe in a few years time when people have delveloped technology to get the 211ps engine that far, but not right now.

 

New bigger KO4 turbo Rab although, forgot that along with this a new exhaust would be needed so looking at £3.5k to go up to 350bhp.

Not to mention the older 2.0 TFSI which has 200bhp can be bumped up to 380bhp if you have £4.5k, which might seem a lot but if you consider doing this to the 2.0 TFSI it will cost the same as a stock 3.0 TDI yet you will have performance to shame the S5, which if you ask me is quite a bargin.

The kits are out there Rab, just do a search you will find plenty. The 2.0 TFSI can be tuned quite a bit.

My actual point though was that for a £500 remap you can have more power than the stock 3.0 TDI, and save yourself £3k as this guy seems to be on a budget.

 

Thanks RichDav, now that is a well balanced view point......

 

Don't forget that HMRC are reviewing the taxation of the ECOS system this year. Due to the popularity of these schemes it's likely that they will find a way to extort more money from employees under ECOS plans. If this does happen the 2.0 would be a lower BIK cost.

 

Now your talking my language!!!



******

Tell me more, have you any experience of ECOS? its all new to me, to be honest was not expecting to looking for a new car, but I have a new employer and this is the scheme they offer!!

Isnt the point about ECOS that you chose your car, and then rather than paying the tax for the car based on emmisions to HMRC, the same amount goes to fund for the car....either way you have it deducted but at least this way its for your benefit as opposed to tax man.....if they are taking this benefit away (or reducing it) then more tax is more tax and thats no good!

 

MBC, you have started a great thread. Like RICHDAV says, do not believe the official consumption figures for the 2.0 TFSI. I am getting 28-29 mpg in mixed driving, so bear that in mind if you are doing a calculation about running costs.

Ultimately the best thing to do is drive both cars and if you feel the diesel is " better " then you need to decide if it is £80 per month better. If it is, get it ! If not, get the 2.0 TFSI. Either way you will get a great car

 

********************

Yeah and I guess thats the take from all this, either way you cant lose, in either form both are great...

I am new to this forum lark....and am so surprised I got this amount of passionate response!!!.....In the end we are all clearly car enthisiasts!

Have test driven 3.0, so I know thats great, I now need to get a drive of a 2.0tfsi.

mbc

 

Boom
lol..your on

 

Ha Ha Ha Ha Scouse

Good to see you did not disappoint me look forward to it and I know a good stretch of road to have a blast on, so as they say let the battle comence

I will keep my back lights on so you don't get lost!!!!!!!

 

Yep RGB

I was waiting on your reply, thought you had got snowed in somewhere or ran out of diesel!!!!

 

Glad you liked my last post Basil. Plenty of snow down south and a full tank of diesel BUT been driving in a petrol motor today!

 

RGB

Message received loud and clear
See what you mean, people snapping already

I will take you word for it as it seems all you TDI Owners speak well off them but I will stick to petrol power for a while longer.

Not had much chance to drive the DB9, got it delivered in September and it's only got 500,ish miles on the clock but what a sensation you get when your behind the wheel.