1.8T EA113 GTI vs 1.9 TDI (ALH)

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
1.9 TDI (ALH) BEST 92/100
+22 points over 1.8T EA113 GTI
0 / 100
ACCEPTABLE 1.8T EA113 GTI Volkswagen
0 / 100
BEST 1.9 TDI (ALH) Volkswagen

Specifications

1.8T EA113 GTI
1.9 TDI (ALH)
Brand
Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Verdict
ACCEPTABLE
BEST
Reliability
70
92
Years
1997--2005
1996--2006
Displacement
1781 cc
1896 cc
Layout
I4
I4
Type
Petrol Turbo
Diesel
Power
150--225 hp
90 hp
Known Issues
3
3
Total Risk Cost
€950--€3,400
€1,150--€2,900

Character

1.8T EA113 GTI

"Golf IV GTI, Bora, S3. EA113 turbo. K03/K04 turbo. Oil sludge if intervals skipped. Coil packs. PCV valve. Hugely tuneable. 225hp BAM/AMK variant (S3/Cupra) very strong."

1.9 TDI (ALH)

"The legendary ALH. 500k+ miles documented. Simple mechanical injection. Nearly unkillable. Belt-driven."

Issues Comparison

1.8T EA113 GTI 3

▲ HIGH
Oil sludge (extended intervals) €500--€2,000 60,000 km--120,000 km
▲ HIGH
Turbo failure (K03) €400--€1,200 120,000 km--200,000 km
○ MINOR
Coil pack failure €50--€200 40,000 km--80,000 km

1.9 TDI (ALH) 3

▲ HIGH
Timing belt replacement — interference engine €250--€500 60,000 km--90,000 km
○ MINOR
Injection pump wear (very high mileage) €400--€1,200 250,000 km--∞
○ MINOR
Turbo wear at very high mileage €500--€1,200 200,000 km--∞

Models

1.8T EA113 GTI 22

Ibiza Mk2 (6K) 1999--2002 Golf Mk4 (1J) 1997--2003 Toledo Mk2 (1M) 1999--2004 Octavia 1U 1997--2004 Leon 1M 1999--2005 Leon Mk1 (1M) 1999--2006 Octavia 1U 2001--2004 Leon Mk1 (1M) 2002--2006 Leon 1M 2002--2005 Polo 9N 2005--2009 Ibiza Mk3 (6L) 2004--2008 Leon 1P 2007--2012 Exeo 3R 2009--2013 Yeti 5L 2009--2015 Passat B7 (3C) 2010--2014 Octavia 1Z 2008--2013 Superb 3T 2008--2015 Leon Mk3 (5F) 2014--2018 Ibiza Mk4 (6J) 2016--2017 Superb 3V 2015--2018 Octavia 5E 2013--2017 Leon 5F 2013--2017

1.9 TDI (ALH) 2

Golf 1.9 TDI MK4 1997--2004 Hatchback Polo 1.9 TDI 9N 2001--2009 Hatchback
Full 1.8T EA113 GTI Report Full 1.9 TDI (ALH) Report