Buying second hand 2018 Ocean 204 BitTDI

Sassypants77! · Jul 16, 2023

Hi all - so have seen a Cali I have put a deposit on (Used Approved via VW Van Centre) and it looks great. Am planning to pick up Weds. It’s a Cali Ocean 2018 Bluemotion 204 BHP BiTDi with 30k miles, I’ve seen that 2010/2011 180 BiTDi have a known issue with EGR but does anyone have any insights as to whether later models/ 204s risk engine issues I should be aware of? Thank you

JohnCalifornia · Jul 16, 2023

When I was on the lookout for a California I was originally looking for the 140 BHP model due to them not suffering from the EGR problem with the 180 BI Turbo. Then we saw our dream Cali, was much more than we wanted to spend and it was the 199 BHP Bi Turbo on a 19 plate. I sent an email to Darkside Developments , these guys deal with lots of the VW 180 Bi Turbo engines that have failed and they told me the later 199 and 204 BHP engines don’t suffer from the EGR fault. This put my mind at ease and we bought our dream Cali.

B J G · Jul 16, 2023

Sassypants77! said:
Hi all - so have seen a Cali I have put a deposit on (Used Approved via VW Van Centre) and it looks great. Am planning to pick up Weds. It’s a Cali Ocean 2018 Bluemotion 204 BHP BiTDi with 30k miles, I’ve seen that 2010/2011 180 BiTDi have a known issue with EGR but does anyone have any insights as to whether later models/ 204s risk engine issues I should be aware of? Thank you

Problem that can happen on all engine types is cracking EGR pipe but other than not liking short run use causing clogged up emission system, 204's are no more risky to own than other engine specs.

Sassypants77! · Jul 16, 2023

B J G said:
Problem that can happen on all engine types is cracking EGR pipe but other than not liking short run use causing clogged up emission system, 204's are no more risky to own than other engine specs.

Thank you

Sassypants77! · Jul 16, 2023

JohnCalifornia said:
When I was on the lookout for a California I was originally looking for the 140 BHP model due to them not suffering from the EGR problem with the 180 BI Turbo. Then we saw our dream Cali, was much more than we wanted to spend and it was the 199 BHP Bi Turbo on a 19 plate. I sent an email to Darkside Developments , these guys deal with lots of the VW 180 Bi Turbo engines that have failed and they told me the later 199 and 204 BHP engines don’t suffer from the EGR fault. This put my mind at ease and we bought our dream Cali.

That’s really reassuring thank you. When you are spending 5x the cost of your previous vehicle you don’t want to unwittingly buy a ticking timebomb.

WelshGas · Jul 16, 2023

Sassypants77! said:
Hi all - so have seen a Cali I have put a deposit on (Used Approved via VW Van Centre) and it looks great. Am planning to pick up Weds. It’s a Cali Ocean 2018 Bluemotion 204 BHP BiTDi with 30k miles, I’ve seen that 2010/2011 180 BiTDi have a known issue with EGR but does anyone have any insights as to whether later models/ 204s risk engine issues I should be aware of? Thank you

2017 204 oil consumption issues [Resolved]

Hi, found a couple of post already regarding high usage on the 204 and some even leading to engine failure, has anyone got any experience with this I could ask for help? I've only had my T6 204 T32 a few months and covered about 2000 miles but in that time its drank 5-6 litres of oil which I top...

www.t6forum.com

Sassypants77! · Jul 16, 2023

WelshGas said:
2017 204 oil consumption issues [Resolved]

Hi, found a couple of post already regarding high usage on the 204 and some even leading to engine failure, has anyone got any experience with this I could ask for help? I've only had my T6 204 T32 a few months and covered about 2000 miles but in that time its drank 5-6 litres of oil which I top...

www.t6forum.com

Thanks Welshgas - from reading the thread it seems that 204s up to 2018 may be indeed vulnerable. Have I read that right? Interestingly the price difference between the 2018 model and 2019 model in the showroom is 7k which is 3/4s cost of a new engine in my mind

JohnCalifornia · Jul 16, 2023

Just read through all the posts on the T6 forum. Scary stuff. I’ve just checked my engine code too. It seems the 204 BHP engines begin with CXEB and mine (199BHP) begins with CXEC. Has the 199BHP superseded the 204BHP engine?

WelshGas · Jul 17, 2023

Sassypants77! said:
Thanks Welshgas - from reading the thread it seems that 204s up to 2018 may be indeed vulnerable. Have I read that right? Interestingly the price difference between the 2018 model and 2019 model in the showroom is 7k which is 3/4s cost of a new engine in my mind

JohnCalifornia said:
Just read through all the posts on the T6 forum. Scary stuff. I’ve just checked my engine code too. It seems the 204 BHP engines begin with CXEB and mine (199BHP) begins with CXEC. Has the 199BHP superseded the 204BHP engine?

Every manufacturer will have its horror stories if you search enough and it's only the failures you hear about and rarely do you read from the majority who have no problems. You have to decide how much risk you are prepared to accept with any new or 2nd hand vehicle. But if you are looking for " zero " risk then you'll be walking everywhere or nowhere.

Patrick Lima · Jul 21, 2023

Sassypants77! said:
Hi all - so have seen a Cali I have put a deposit on (Used Approved via VW Van Centre) and it looks great. Am planning to pick up Weds. It’s a Cali Ocean 2018 Bluemotion 204 BHP BiTDi with 30k miles, I’ve seen that 2010/2011 180 BiTDi have a known issue with EGR but does anyone have any insights as to whether later models/ 204s risk engine issues I should be aware of? Thank you

With all research I made with poor reliability of biturbo, I would avoid at all cost. Especially the 180ps engine.

Alan Baxter · Jul 21, 2023

Sassypants77! said:
Hi all - so have seen a Cali I have put a deposit on (Used Approved via VW Van Centre) and it looks great. Am planning to pick up Weds. It’s a Cali Ocean 2018 Bluemotion 204 BHP BiTDi with 30k miles, I’ve seen that 2010/2011 180 BiTDi have a known issue with EGR but does anyone have any insights as to whether later models/ 204s risk engine issues I should be aware of? Thank you

Alan Baxter · Jul 21, 2023

I've had the 204bhp manual bi turbo since 2016.It has been serviced by VW each year. No issues to date after 55k miles. It is rarely used for short journeys, and has travelled across the UK and Europe without issue. Enjoy the ride...