VW Caddy 1.9Tdi, any info or views?

[John Jones Jr]

I know this is a bit of a long shot but does anybody have experience of running a Caddy, the current model with older 1.9Tdi 105BHP engine.

Basically looking for general info, the good, the not so good and the bad.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bill.]

VW make a great van. Should certainly have no complaints. Are you looking to buy brand new or second hand?
For new I have some great contacts who can knock thousands of list prices. I generally run sprinters I have a 319 & a 316 but needed another. Now new these vans with air con, comand and metallic from MB are 32k plus
This VW guy just ordered me a crafter 163 (so same as 316 identical) for £22,500plus vat.

In the last week I put a electrician friend on to him he has orders a caddy and managed to save him £4,400 on what VW main dealers was offering. These are not stock he has they are factory ordered to your spec!
Let me know and I can post some details.
Bill

 

[trapperjohn]

As you probably know that 1.9 engine crops up all over the show. In the Audi A4 and A6, VW Passat, Bora, Golf and probably in the Seat range too. Others will know better than me. My BiL runs a Caddy as a taxi. The stop start system chews through batteries but its under warranty. No mechanical issues whatsoever though.

God van in my opinion.

 

[John Jones Jr]

@ Bill. It will be a used one (possibly only required for a few months), which I've narrowed down to a very clean 2005 with sub 100K miles or a 2007, again clean and similar mileage. Thanks anyway for offering a contact.

@T/john. Yes, I've opted for the old 1.9 as they seem very robust but still torquey. Good to know but thankfully no Stop/Start system. Actually, the one's I'm looking at have just Traction control, elec windows/mirrors & central locking and that's about it I think - no harm either as less to break!

 

[grober]

The noisy old Pumpe Deuz engines are for more robust than their later quieter common rail brethern. They are capable of mega miles if looked after--- if the cam belt, tensioner, water pump are changed at regular intervals. Unless your van has a service history you can trust I would seriously think about getting that done early in your ownership.

 

[John Jones Jr]

Cheers, Grober. If purchased, it will have a detailed inspection and then all basics like all fluids, filters, t/belt and associated parts will be replaced without reference to the service histories provided. Tyres will be replaced too with premium van tyres if there's any doubts about the ones already fitted. I personally think that's good practice with the benefit of having peace of mind. If there's no problems in the first 6K miles, all that will be required hopefully is an oil & filter change.

 

[Meldrew2]

I used to run a number of vans in a previous business - all bought cheaply second hand - and the Caddys and Berlingos were the best of the bunch.

I've kept 2 Berlingos for my current business - a W reg and a 52 reg - and both are still going strong with only minor maintenance needed.

Avoid the Renault Extra like the plague - I had 2 and they were absolute @$%&*$£@ !!!

 

[John Jones Jr]

Funny you mentioned Berlingos/Partners as that's what I looked at initially but most of them had the later 2.0 Hdi engines and I wanted the 1.9TD, so I moved on to looking at Caddy's. Liked the slightly larger size too, might be handy and there seems to be more 2005/7 Caddy's available with the 1.9. Reckon too it will be very easy to sell when the time comes.

As for a Renault, I wouldn't let it's shadow cross my door with the exception of an R16.

 

[BTB 500]

Caddys have become very popular with my dog training friends, most of whom tow caravans with them as well. I can't personally see the point in the LWB version as that's basically the same length & width as a Transporter!

 

[Vlad]

That 1.9 TDi engine is bomb proof and capable of huge mileages...just listen out for a rattling dual mass flywheel at idle. If the noise goes when you depress the clutch then its will need replacing in due course. Not cheap.

Other than that just keep on top of the servicing and don't bother with the long life services as the extended oil change intervals can clog up the feed pipes to the turbo

 

[WG M-B]

The 1.9 tdi is a great engine. I'm thinking of buying a well maintained high miler as a daily! 2.0 has its problems

 

[Vlad]

As I understand it the 2.0 engine was mainly a problem in the Audi A4 and the Passat, as they used a different oil pump/sump arrangement compared to the Octavia's, Golfs etc and from experience of selling Octavia's with the 2.0 Tdi, I've never experienced any problems with them and I've also seen some very high mileage PX's coming in with the 2.0, ie 390,000 miles on a 2006 Touran, still on its original engine and gearbox.

 

[WG M-B]

Thanks for the info Vlad. I knew it was oil pump related but never knew specific models of the range were affected

 

[bpsorrel]

Yes, the 1.9 is definitely the sweet spot in the VW engine range! Good friend of mine knocked up stratospheric miles in an A3 with that engine - no problems at all!

 

[HB]

Great van great engine. We have had many with no major issues at all.

 

[John Jones Jr]

All music to my ears, thanks guys.

 

[gaz_l]

Talking of ears, my main advice after experience of our old Caddy would be if you're doing a lot of motorway miles (particularly if it's empty) invest in some earplugs..

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[John Jones Jr]

Well, I did the deed today and purchased a 2005 Caddy 1.9Tdi with 115,000 miles at what I'd call a very reasonable price but that might change after a thorough inspection. fingers crossed it doesn't kill the optimistic budget.

It came with what looks like a decent service history, main dealer to 86k and a local VW/Audi specialist from there on. It drives o.k. too and seems a bit more car like than van and possibly it may drive even better again with a bit of weight in it. Of course there is one or two minor items that obviously need attention and there's nothing I can do about the colour, which is white. Never did it cross my mind that I could be classed as a 'white van man', happily I won't be driving it.

Anyway cheers for the info & advise.

 

[johnsco]

The caddy is a good work-horse.
I have not been impressed with the Berlingo.

 

[John Jones Jr]

The caddy is a good work-horse.
I have not been impressed with the Berlingo.

As I mentioned in one post I was originally looking at a Belingo or Partner (just because they seemed popular), happy now I opted for the Caddy especially with the positive comments on here. I think too it will be easier to resell than the French yokes when the time comes.