Rusty911
A2OC Donor
Mine is pristine and a low mileage example and I love it.
I’ve had a TDI 75 previously and whilst reliable it’s noisy (I have a modern diesel too so the TDI was too agricultural for me), the FSI however is quiet, free revving and old school hot hatch quick. It has a completely different character/personality so much so you wouldn’t expect them to be that different, but they are.
Lots negative have been written about it and I read all of it (can be disheartening) and still opted for the FSI. If it’s been looked after and you know what to look out for then it’s probably the one to get.
I totally agree with this, with one caveat (below). I've got both TDi and FSi and come from a 1.4 petrol. My impressions are that the FSi is probably the best driver's car of the bunch for the reasons my learned friend gives here. For me, they very much remind me of my old MK3 Golf GTi 8V (which is a very good thing): fast enough to be good fun, amazing frugal to grin ratio, but not too hardcore either.
A lot will depend on the sort of use the car might get. If you're doing huge mileage or even a very steady, boring A-road commute, the TDi has a lot to be said for it. They are not too shouty on the motorway at all, have plenty of shove and are silly cheap to run. BUT the TDi's simply don't invite you to get involved in the same way as either of the petrols. They neither need nor like lots of gear changes and you can feel the weight of the engine and box up front. They are bonkers noisy from cold (as in, how could they possibly sign it off noisy), although do have a nice thrum and an air of complete indestructibility.
Now, if you're not doing huge mileages and enjoy 'a bit of a drive', then the FSi really starts to make sense: they are so much quieter and refined than the diesels and they have a decent amount of low down pulling power. I feel the petrols match the futuristic air and concept of the A2's. Most of all, they are a real driver's car and pass my critical test: does it want you to take the long way home? I think a good FSi does.
The caveat? This is the crunch: you either need to be a competent DIY mechanic and comfortable with the concepts of fault codes and diagnostics (bolstered by the truly excellent help on here), or know someone that understands A2's. You don't want to be paying a 'normal' mechanic to learn about these cars on your dollar.
In reality of course, if you get a car and keep it well up to date (like any 15-20 year old car) then you're unlikely to be tackling very much at any one time. What isn't viable is paying others to resolve multiple FSi type issues all at once when you buy a car: the labour will be the killer here.
As a sign-off, it's easy to forget just how old all of our cars are now. The earliest A2's are over 1/5th of a century. Not long ago, these would only have to be another three or four years older to have been an 'Historic Vehicle'. Because they look so modern and feel so well built, it's very easy to forget we are dealing with what are essentially classic cars. View them in this light and you'll be absolutely delighted. Think of them in the same way as you would a four year old Aygo and things might be different ?