2018 CXEB 150PS reliability

Mike B

New Member
Hi, I'm new to this forum and looking for advise. I have leased a 2018 T32 4motion Highline from new, engine is a CXEB 150kw. I am considering purchasing the van as the lease is up but slightly worried about the EGR problems mentioned so much. It uses roughly 1 ltr of oil every 5k miles but runs great and has only done 63k miles.
Should I have any worries about EGR failure or turbo problems with this engine, the price they are asking is forecourt price so I'm not getting a bargain.
Thanks in advance for any advise.
 
Good you know the van and it’s driver history as well as it’s mechanical history etc.
If your happy and want the van go for it. I had 2017 t32 204 and always had egr and eml issues (van was used but from VW). I’d go for a t6.1 if I was to change my current t5.1 4mo.
Loads of people don’t have issues. Maybe worth trying get a Warrenty including from VW as a sweetener on the deal to give you peace of mind on any big jobs.
Sounds like a good van mileage etc go for it
 
Thanks for reply, the leasing company use an agency to sell the van so no option to bargain with them or ask for warranty etc. I just have the fear that the EGR might be one of the problematic ones that eventually causes excessive engine wear. Was thinking of an oil analysis and compression test before buying?
 
If it's already using oil I would really suggest leaving it, the CXEB is more and more proving to be troublesome and even though VW says that kind of usage is fine it's only going to get worse. In the two years I've had mine I've replaced the EGR, then the turbos went and the DPF still needs replacing too... and on top of that I'm not sure the engine itself is in great condition, mine used oil and that could've caused all of the above.

In hindsight I really wish I'd bought a 150!
 
Get an oil sample analysis from Millers Oils and I’m sure someone on here will explain the result.
If that’s ok then buy the van and get the egr coded out and blanked off.
If you like the van keep it.
 
If it's already using oil I would really suggest leaving it, the CXEB is more and more proving to be troublesome and even though VW says that kind of usage is fine it's only going to get worse. In the two years I've had mine I've replaced the EGR, then the turbos went and the DPF still needs replacing too... and on top of that I'm not sure the engine itself is in great condition, mine used oil and that could've caused all of the above.

In hindsight I really wish I'd bought a 150!
Was yours bought from new?
 
I’m seeing and hearing lots of negativity around VW BiTDI vehicles. Can anyone give me any assurance that a van if regularly serviced and looked after will go the distance. I’ve committed to buying a campervan not realising this engine is as bad as people are stating. £36k is a lot for me to lose.
 
I don't think anyone can give you that assurance, but as always on the internet you only read about the problems and not about the ones that don't have problems so for all we know for every duff one there's 100 good ones...

Mine was regularly serviced and looks like it's been looked after and it's giving me problem after problem..
 
I have purchased a used 204 DSG 66 plate, registered Feb 2017 T6, with 92k miles.

I’ve since done 13k miles in it, so she’s on 105k now. A new EGR was fitted June 23, and as far I can see, that’s all it’s had done. I purchased it Aug 23. It uses around 1L of oil every 2000 miles, by comparison to some on here, that appears to be reasonable.

I currently have a EML for an inlet manifold runner position, a common fault by all accounts. For a vehicle with 100K+ on I think that’s acceptable, something I am not super concerned about as it runs perfectly at the moment. I’ve also repaired a split coolant pipe.

I have had the EGR & adblue mapped out, and a dsg map to improve drivability.

Whether this makes you feel better or not I don’t know, but we’re at 105k with what I would deem acceptable wear and tear when compared to some of the woes other users have experienced here.

A glass half full outlook perhaps, but the wealth of knowledge and various posts on here associated with the 204 can and should help you prepare for the most occurrences. Be it expected faults or reputable companies to solve those faults. For instance, I’m at peace with the fact I may need a new turbo in the not so distance future, but this forum has provided me with the direction to take should it happen, or even worst case, where to go if the engine gives up the ghost.

Finally, for me, reading this forum did provide a level of anxiety I’ve never had when owning another vehicle. Anxiety that was maybe unjust given my experience of ownership thus far. Good luck!
 
I don't think anyone can give you that assurance, but as always on the internet you only read about the problems and not about the ones that don't have problems so for all we know for every duff one there's 100 good ones...

Mine was regularly serviced and looks like it's been looked after and it's giving me problem after problem..
Is this a CFCA engine with known problem? I’m going to check on mine and look at the EGR codes. What else should I be looking at?
 
I have purchased a used 204 DSG 66 plate, registered Feb 2017 T6, with 92k miles.

I’ve since done 13k miles in it, so she’s on 105k now. A new EGR was fitted June 23, and as far I can see, that’s all it’s had done. I purchased it Aug 23. It uses around 1L of oil every 2000 miles, by comparison to some on here, that appears to be reasonable.

I currently have a EML for an inlet manifold runner position, a common fault by all accounts. For a vehicle with 100K+ on I think that’s acceptable, something I am not super concerned about as it runs perfectly at the moment. I’ve also repaired a split coolant pipe.

I have had the EGR & adblue mapped out, and a dsg map to improve drivability.

Whether this makes you feel better or not I don’t know, but we’re at 105k with what I would deem acceptable wear and tear when compared to some of the woes other users have experienced here.

A glass half full outlook perhaps, but the wealth of knowledge and various posts on here associated with the 204 can and should help you prepare for the most occurrences. Be it expected faults or reputable companies to solve those faults. For instance, I’m at peace with the fact I may need a new turbo in the not so distance future, but this forum has provided me with the direction to take should it happen, or even worst case, where to go if the engine gives up the ghost.

Finally, for me, reading this forum did provide a level of anxiety I’ve never had when owning another vehicle. Anxiety that was maybe unjust given my experience of ownership thus far. Good luck!
I’ve read it’s only the CFCA engine with EGR issues - was the remapping done as a precautionary measure?
 
Is this a CFCA engine with known problem? I’m going to check on mine and look at the EGR codes. What else should I be looking at?

No our T6 engines are CXEB 204's

Mine had the EGR replaced just after I bought it, then it started regenning more and more often indicating a blocked DPF and using a load of oil which resulted in a small turbo failure, which of those came first I don't know. The turbo's come as a set (an expensive one) since they have been replaced the oil use seemed better and I've had the DPF cleaned which also improved the regen frequency sligthly but not enough in my opinion so I think a new DPF is on the cards too. Since all this work I've had adblue problems appear and it's now at the dealer for those so I haven't seen the van since January....

Every thing you replace on these will cost you thousands, EGR was near 2k, turbo's near 3k, DPF near 2k... now i've got some adblue pipe coming that costs 500 and the adblue injector for another 500 and they aren't even sure that'll solve the problems...

When I bought mine 2.5yrs ago there was nothing on the internet about these engines being troublesome and now more and more it seems to pop up with people having issues.
 
I have the CXEB engine so can’t comment on the CFCA. Based on my service records, My EGR was replaced due to a split pipe emitting exhaust fumes rather than the leaking cooler.

And yes, it was mapped out, along with the adblue as a precautionary measure. Unfortunately I don’t have money to throw at the van, particularly after my conversion! So I’m very much in the realms of future proofing it as I plan on a very long term ownership.
 
No our T6 engines are CXEB 204's

Mine had the EGR replaced just after I bought it, then it started regenning more and more often indicating a blocked DPF and using a load of oil which resulted in a small turbo failure, which of those came first I don't know. The turbo's come as a set (an expensive one) since they have been replaced the oil use seemed better and I've had the DPF cleaned which also improved the regen frequency sligthly but not enough in my opinion so I think a new DPF is on the cards too. Since all this work I've had adblue problems appear and it's now at the dealer for those so I haven't seen the van since January....

Every thing you replace on these will cost you thousands, EGR was near 2k, turbo's near 3k, DPF near 2k... now i've got some adblue pipe coming that costs 500 and the adblue injector for another 500 and they aren't even sure that'll solve the problems...
Oh Christ so just as bad then if not worse
 
I think its depending on mileage v type of driving. So my old Caravelle t5.1 180 bitdi (have slightly different and worse issues to your 199/201/204 bitdi van), its a one business owner 130k miles last year now 140k miles. Lots of bombing foot to floor back and forth West London to Amsterdam. The engine is knackered. I know my 'normal' engines well I think, from a super keen and hands on diy'er perspective.

When i purchased the van it seemed to have no oil consumption (it seemed). It had a messy top end but no obvious issues. Performance was ace, starting was ace, no obvious alarm bells.

I looked around for some advice from an independent I could trust. I found Retro Resus in Taunton and Tom seemed to talk a lot of sense. Long story short. The DPF was blocked completely so it was possibly topping up the oil use with fuel, hence the wet engine bay and the oil stunk of diesel. New VW DPF fitted and then you can see the oil usage and if I am heavy footed on a loaded van it drinks a lot.

Here's the thing, does it change the performance or reliability, not so far AND should I expect anything more for a 140k miles engine that has been having silly 20k miles oil changes for most of its life?? I dont think so...

So back to your original question, would I still buy this van if I had known, yes :)
 
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I bought a 2017 Cxeb without being aware of the issues around the egr, at 3 years old with 95k on it.
I decided at about 115k as a precaution to have the egr mapped out and blanked off.
It’s now on 130k and I’m currently touring Spain in it, about 2300 miles into our journey.
I accept that at some stage I’ll probably need the turbos replacing/reconditioning.
It uses very little oil between oil changes. Less than a litre every 7k (always do an interim oil change myself).
I’d say keep on top of the oil changes and speak to Dav-Tec about an egr solution for peace of mind.
 
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