103TDI 4x4 Vs 125TDI

[VAG newbie]

Ok, this bad! After saying goodbye to the Passat, I thought I'm settled. But during the process of renegotiating with the dealer, the 103TDI pop-up!

The 4x4 is very attractive, which should improve the handling, and it only costs $500 more. But you sacrifice on power and torque (although not a lot). 4x4 should also be able to retain resale value more than FWD (I don't know, maybe....)

Which one would you pick? Assuming all other equipments are the same, would you fork out the extra $500? 103TDI 4x4 or 125TDI?

[theduckster]

After I saw that the Passat deal fell through for you (which completely sucked and I even I feel bad as that was one sweet deal) I thought you might have a problem choosing between the new 103TDI 4X4 and the 125 TDI.

As I'm getting the V6 4X4 model (arrived at the dealer yesterday!!!!!), I would have too admit I'm completely biased and say you should pay the extra $500 and join the 4x4 fold !!!

From the information that I have heard so far the 103TDI won't be launched until September so you might have to take the punt and go ahead and order one now for your January pick up without the chance of trying it for yourself. At least with the 125 TDI you have driven it and you know what to expect from it.

Good luck with which ever one you decide to go with. At least you have two good cars to choose from and should be be very happy with which ever one you select.

[VAG newbie]

Don't feel bad for me, strange enough, I don't feel bad at all. In fact, I'm kind of happy that the deal fell through. I guess I liked the Superb way more than the Passat!

Anyway, went to the Skoda UK site and downloaded their brochure. Noticed a few more difference. The 103TDI is actually not in the same league as your 3.6FSI. Yours is p

[VAG newbie]

Accidentally pushed "post reply".

Anyway, the V6 is powerful so no performance is sacrificed for handling. You got the best in both world! But of course the much higher price and fuel consumption.

The 103TDI on the other hand, is slower than the 125TDI. 0-62mph (UK figure, which is about 100kph I think), 103 TDI takes 10.7 sec, compare with 125TDI's 8.8 sec. That suggests it might be a little underpowered and may struggle a bit on freeway overtakings.

Yet the fuel consumption is worse for the 103TDI 4x4. 6.2l/100km Vs 6.0l/100km (UK figure).

So I guess the difference is not just the $500, but gotta sacrifice performance and fuel consumption a bit for the handling. Hmm....the fuel consumption is not that bad, but the lack of power could be a killer in Oz market....(speaking from my experience with my Rover 75. The 2.5l V6, while adequate for the UK market, was a real slug here. It couldn't even catch up my sister's Honda Jazz 1.3)

[Jake02]

I was going to say 103 4x4 because I thought that the difference in performance from 103 to 125 wasn't that big but man that 4x4 really kills it. 10.7 seconds! I know it's not all about acceleration and that the mid range torque of the 103 (let alone 125) is lethal but that really does sound slow. I think a drive is in order .

I wish they'd give the Superb the 3.0TDI (from the VW Touareg/Phaeton & Audi A4/5/6/8/Q5/7) with at least 150kW (although it's made in 150kW, 180kW and the new A6 has a 220kW version); at least it's already adapted to 4x4! Let's not forget the Superb really is Audi A6-sized.

[Transporter]

Take it for a good ride when raining and you will fall in love with the 4motion system.

[K1W1]

I have a mate who owns a 103TDI A4 Audi with DSG (2WD) and there is no way that thing is short of power for overtaking or general driving.
Personally I would always buy the 4x4 option if it were available having on 2WD is one thing that annoyed me about the VRS.

[VAG newbie]

I have a mate who owns a 103TDI A4 Audi with DSG (2WD) and there is no way that thing is short of power for overtaking or general driving.
Personally I would always buy the 4x4 option if it were available having on 2WD is one thing that annoyed me about the VRS.

That A4 you are talking about is 2WD. In the UK figure, 2WD 103TDI has acceleration 0-100kph in 10.2sec. So when the torque is distributed to all 4 wheels, it's 0.5 sec slower, which is quite significant in car's term.

A4 is also a smaller and lighter car than the superb. So even if 103TDI is adequate on the A4, will it be the same for Superb? The B6 Passat also started with 103TDI, but VW upgraded to 125TDI towards the end, it must be for a good reason. (The passat 103TDI was also 2WD only).

I would love to have the 4x4 for extra $500 if it performs like the 125TDI, but now by looking at the figure....would many of you sacrifice performance and fuel consumption for the 4x4? I'm talking about 0-100k in 10.7 sec!! A corolla would be faster than that! Everyday driving may be OK, but what about freeway overtaking?

Skoda should simply give us the 125TDI 4x4 then the choice won't be so hard! But then again, the price difference won't be just $500, maybe more like $3000.

[Transporter]

Just take it for drive, I don't think you did?

[K1W1]

That A4 you are talking about is 2WD. In the UK figure, 2WD 103TDI has acceleration 0-100kph in 10.2sec. So when the torque is distributed to all 4 wheels, it's 0.5 sec slower, which is quite significant in car's term.

You can obviously tell more about how an engine performs from reading web sites than I can from actually driving a vehicle with it installed on a real road. I will leave you to your browsing from now on.

[VAG newbie]

103TDI not launched yet. Ie. Not available for test drive.

[Transporter]

Our Golf5 is 103kW (the same power/torque as in Superb), I did a road trip to Hobart last year, I was able to overtake with no problems, actually you might have a problem to keep your license if you like overtaking at the high speed. I don't think that Corolla would be a match for 103TDI DSG.

[VAG newbie]

The 103TDI 4x4 isn't available for test drive yet. So all I can based on is the facts from the website.

I'm not looking for arguments. I'm sincerely asking for advice. If any of my wording sounds like I'm disagreeing with you, please accept my apology, as it wasn't my intention. I was simply wonder if the performance of the 103TDI is the same in 2WD compare to 4x4. It was a question, not an argument. Sorry if I made it sound like I don't take your advice. I treasure all your advices. As it will affect my decision on my next purchase, I need to make sure, especially if I'm gonna decide on a car I have never test driven.

Is there any other car that uses the 103TDI, mated with 6 speed DSG and has 4x4 that is available in Aus? I would love to try it for power even if it's not the superb. VW Tiguan?

[Transporter]

Yes, Tiguan would be the closest to compare, but honestly even Octavia with 103TDI would be good indicator what the Superb 4x4 with 103TDI would be to drive.
Lots of torque from the idle makes hard to tell the difference when the engine is fitted to slightly heavier body and even 4x4 stealing some .5s or so for 0-100km/h times are nothing to be worry about. I would rather have 4x4 103TDI DSG than 125kWTDI DSG.

[Jake02]

Test drive an Octavia Scout 103TDI DSG and that's even similar as it's the same brand