Leon TDI 184 5dr Manual - Reliability & mods

[Fab1493]

Hi everyone,

I have previously owned (for a short period of time) a Leon ST TDI 150 which I traded in for a Leon 5 door hatch TDI 184.

This was a pretty high mileage car that I needed for my commute and I got it because it seemed like such good value for money even with the high mileage. I've had it about 18 months and the clock has since gone from 89k to 115k.

I know diesels are usually pretty strong but I also know that newer engines seem to be less reliable long term.

How reliable is the TDI 184 to keep long term and take it to an even higher mileage?

I've been thinking about modifying it however I don't want to spend money on the suspension only for the engine to go bang a few months down the line.

 

[BillyCool]

Hi everyone,

I have previously owned (for a short period of time) a Leon ST TDI 150 which I traded in for a Leon 5 door hatch TDI 184.

This was a pretty high mileage car that I needed for my commute and I got it because it seemed like such good value for money even with the high mileage. I've had it about 18 months and the clock has since gone from 89k to 115k.

I know diesels are usually pretty strong but I also know that newer engines seem to be less reliable long term.

How reliable is the TDI 184 to keep long term and take it to an even higher mileage?

I've been thinking about modifying it however I don't want to spend money on the suspension only for the engine to go bang a few months down the line.

I don't see a reason why the engine wouldn't be good for 200,000 miles with a good servicing regime.

My old Mk1 Leon did 220,000 miles, although the old PD engine was brilliant and rock solid. Agree that the newer diesels don't seem so reassuring!

My current 2014 ST 184 has had nearly 40,000 miles added to it in 2 years and so far so good. Currently on 99,000 miles.

In terms on known issues with the car.

Blocked heater matrix
Water pump partial failure
Potential sticky thermostat

I've just had all of the above changed. The water pump was faulty, so had the cam belt done at the same time (yours should be due if you've not had it done). Did the thermostat & housing just to be sure but it was a ball-ache to get to.

Not a fan of 20,000 mile long life servicing and change my oil/filter every 5,000 miles. Normal inspection service when due. Regular DPF regens can degrade the oil and it runs much better with regular oil changes. Always use 507.00 spec oil.

I can't see into the future but if you look after the car, it should look after you.

What supsension mod you want to do? I'm about to add an engine chip to mine.

 

[Fab1493]

I don't see a reason why the engine wouldn't be good for 200,000 miles with a good servicing regime.

My old Mk1 Leon did 220,000 miles, although the old PD engine was brilliant and rock solid. Agree that the newer diesels don't seem so reassuring!

My current 2014 ST 184 has had nearly 40,000 miles added to it in 2 years and so far so good. Currently on 99,000 miles.

In terms on known issues with the car.

Blocked heater matrix
Water pump partial failure
Potential sticky thermostat

I've just had all of the above changed. The water pump was faulty, so had the cam belt done at the same time (yours should be due if you've not had it done). Did the thermostat & housing just to be sure but it was a ball-ache to get to.

Not a fan of 20,000 mile long life servicing and change my oil/filter every 5,000 miles. Normal inspection service when due. Regular DPF regens can degrade the oil and it runs much better with regular oil changes. Always use 507.00 spec oil.

I can't see into the future but if you look after the car, it should look after you.

What supsension mod you want to do? I'm about to add an engine chip to mine.

That is exactly the point - old PD engines were superb but newer diesels... anyway

I have had a blocked heater matrix already in my Leon ST which I got rid of because no one could sort the heater for me so had to cut my losses.
My current Leon 184 has had the cambelt and water pump done by a VW main dealer right after I bought it in Jan 2019 so it should be good now.

Yeah I agree with you, I really don't like the long life servicing plan... My car gets serviced every 8k or so.

I'd like to lower it, probably using Eibach springs because I have some fitted to my Fabia and theyre excellet and also a stiffer rear anti roll bar, probably from Whiteline, again because I have one in my Fabia and it is the best handling mod.

Mine is remapped already however it is with an "off the shelf" kind of map... I would like to go to JBS at some point, they remap it on the dyno and they dyno the car standard too to show you the gains. Theyre taking TDI 184's to 220 bhp with dyno printout (I say this because many "one fits all" maps for the 184 seem to advertise 220 - 240 bhp and in reality they run 196 - 204)

 

[BillyCool]

That is exactly the point - old PD engines were superb but newer diesels... anyway

I have had a blocked heater matrix already in my Leon ST which I got rid of because no one could sort the heater for me so had to cut my losses.
My current Leon 184 has had the cambelt and water pump done by a VW main dealer right after I bought it in Jan 2019 so it should be good now.

Yeah I agree with you, I really don't like the long life servicing plan... My car gets serviced every 8k or so.

I'd like to lower it, probably using Eibach springs because I have some fitted to my Fabia and theyre excellet and also a stiffer rear anti roll bar, probably from Whiteline, again because I have one in my Fabia and it is the best handling mod.

Mine is remapped already however it is with an "off the shelf" kind of map... I would like to go to JBS at some point, they remap it on the dyno and they dyno the car standard too to show you the gains. Theyre taking TDI 184's to 220 bhp with dyno printout (I say this because many "one fits all" maps for the 184 seem to advertise 220 - 240 bhp and in reality they run 196 - 204)

Yep - can't argue with any of that. The PD was great and I think the EA288 is okay but no idea long, long term.

Your water pump should be a newer version anyway so that's all good.

I changed the heater matrix myself last week after some good info on the forums.

I'm quite happy how the car handles anyway so not too bothered about suspension tweaks. Eibach sounds quite sweet though. I just got a TDI Tuning box to add on. Previous user says it dyno'd at c.220 bhp. I'm not bothered if it's closer to 200. Just want to see how much of a difference it makes. I'm not really into car mods/remaps but my other Leon had a chip and never had any issues with them.

I'm really hoping that the car can now function as it should. Just need an excuse to get out and drive it!

 

[Fab1493]

Yep - can't argue with any of that. The PD was great and I think the EA288 is okay but no idea long, long term.

Your water pump should be a newer version anyway so that's all good.

I changed the heater matrix myself last week after some good info on the forums.

I'm quite happy how the car handles anyway so not too bothered about suspension tweaks. Eibach sounds quite sweet though. I just got a TDI Tuning box to add on. Previous user says it dyno'd at c.220 bhp. I'm not bothered if it's closer to 200. Just want to see how much of a difference it makes. I'm not really into car mods/remaps but my other Leon had a chip and never had any issues with them.

I'm really hoping that the car can now function as it should. Just need an excuse to get out and drive it!

220 bhp is plenty! I'm sure you won't be disappointed. When I had my ST 150 I got it remapped to 190 ish bhp and it felt rapid! So like you said, even if it's closer to 200 it isn't really a problem. I find the torque on these engines to be addictive!

 

[BillyCool]

220 bhp is plenty! I'm sure you won't be disappointed. When I had my ST 150 I got it remapped to 190 ish bhp and it felt rapid! So like you said, even if it's closer to 200 it isn't really a problem. I find the torque on these engines to be addictive!

Yeah - I'm not bothered about top end but looooove the torque!

Let us know how those upgrades go.

 

[Fab1493]

Yeah - I'm not bothered about top end but looooove the torque!

Let us know how those upgrades go.

Will do