Seat ibiza FR 1.2 tsi question good engine?

turnipfarmer

Active Member
Aug 22, 2010
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I'm on the cusp of trading in my 3 year old 1.4 ibiza sport for the 1.2 tsi fr new version. Has anyone ordered one of these yet? What they like to live with compared to the pre facelift version?

With regards to the engine I've heard good things about the tsi engines. Is the mpg and performance better than the current 1.4 I have and what the real lift mpg like?
 
Aug 3, 2011
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Ive driven a leon with the 1.2 tsi in it and I didnt think it would move but it was pretty nippy. so I imagine its a hoot in the smaller ibiza. Cant comment much more than that. sorry :)
 

Tonezz

Active Member
Jan 12, 2011
1,038
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Preston
Everybody that has driven/bought one has had good things to say about it.

Make the jump to the 1.4 TSI though! :p
 
Feb 8, 2011
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I'm on the cusp of trading in my 3 year old 1.4 ibiza sport for the 1.2 tsi fr new version

Just about everyone, including me, says the engine is brilliant though perhaps not as economical as you might expect from the quoted figures. You'll find the difference in performance quite startling, in 5th gear on the motorway I was amazed.

Make sure you check the equipment lists carefully since you'll find that several pieces of kit have been dumped (and probably others included instead). I don't know about Sport/FR but on the SE, compared with my MY11 car, they have dumped.:-

Electrically folding mirrors
Electric rear windows
Rear speakers
Cruise control
Tyre pressure monitor
Hill hold assist
Passenger seat height adjust
Centre rear head restraint
Spare wheel
Coming home headlights

Note that 1.2 TSI manual cars come with stop/start and ESP but automatic ones don't come with stop/start. Not sure about ESP, it used to not be included on automatic cars but may be now.

I think the basic old/new differences are all cosmetic with the exception of the larger glovebox.
 
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Deleted member 67732

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new 1.2 ibiza

i have just taken delivery of the new 1.2 fr [tsi] having part exchanged my 2010 1.6 tdi sport. i was scepitcal about doing this at first, but very pleased with the performance which is comparable with the diesel. the 1.2 seems a little more responsive at the lower revs end copared to the diesel.
the downsides are, you can not fit rear mudflaps due to the bumper being different.
and yes, a lot of things have been dropped from the new model, one being the folding mirrors which i do miss, but as for the rest, i am not really upset about it.

i totally agree with "networkmans" comprehensive answer
 
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znww5

Active Member
Mar 27, 2011
146
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Mine is a 1 year old 1.2TSi DSG SE, so no ESP. I get about 36 to 38mpg on a daily short trip in stop start traffic (ie worst possible conditions) and the mid 40's on longer trips. Like other manufacturers, the book figures are total fiction.

Apart from the tyre pressure monitor and hill-hold, I can confirm that the items listed on Networkman's list are fitted to my pre facelift model. I am very pleased with my car, but the new version seems to be missing an awful lot of what most people would consider to be standard equipment for a modern car.

I did notice one or two 12 reg pre-facelift cars in the local SEAT dealer's lot - would it be worth looking at one of those with a 1.2TSI engine perhaps? If I was buying now, I would consider that to be an underspecced car, so I'd be looking at the opposition and suggesting the dealer comes up with a cunning plan - it's still a buyers market out there!
 

J400uk

Active Member
Jan 7, 2010
1,978
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London, UK
Yeah you will find a fair amount of equipment missing that needs to be added back on but other than that it would be a good upgrade.
 
Feb 8, 2011
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If I was buying now, I would consider that to be an underspecced car, so I'd be looking at the opposition and suggesting the dealer comes up with a cunning plan - it's still a buyers market out there!

Too true. Now they have even dropped the 1.2 TSI from the manual SE I don't know I'd even buy now.

It might be possible to find a S/H manual 1.2 TSI sport/sportrider MY11 or early MY12. The manual SE will be harder since there are only MY11 cars to be had.

Mind you, I reckon these cars are so good there may not be many around on the used market.
 

turnipfarmer

Active Member
Aug 22, 2010
79
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Thanks for your input guys. Sounds like the tsi engine lives up to its reputation.

I can't really think of other cars in the same class to consider. The a1 is more expensive, the corsa too small. I still like the ibiza range and on our sport that we have now we didn't go for many options, just the hill hold thing which we hardly use and disc brakes all round so if got FR it would be similar in terms of spec to what we have now.

Does anyone know if the current FR has disc brakes all round as standard? I was attracted to the SE but like you've said it lacks the tsi in its line up which is a real shame.
 

znww5

Active Member
Mar 27, 2011
146
0
All discs on the FR 1.2TSi and larger engine sizes. FYI, we paid £13,250 a year ago for a new metallic 5dr SE with 7 speed DSG automatic. Found via an online brokerage site and dealt directly with the main dealer garage.
 
Mar 13, 2010
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Ive been in one and thought it was pretty quick, i think the only 2 petrol engines worth having are the 1.2 and 1.4tsi's as the rest of the lineup in petrol terms i found pretty poor.

May be worth looking at a 1.4 FR as there not much worse on fuel but have a few nice touches, but the 1.2tsi engine is great for what it is.
 
Feb 8, 2011
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May be worth looking at a 1.4 FR

In my view it's not worth it with all the doubts about oil consumption, missfires etc. No doubt others will differ.......

You can easily get stopped for speeding in a 1.2 TSI, no need for any more power!

By the way if you go with the manual 1.2 TSI you get the benefit of £30 road tax. I do a low mileage and reckon this is worth more than the economy advantage from the stop-start system.
 
Feb 8, 2011
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FYI, we paid £13,250 a year ago for a new metallic 5dr SE with 7 speed DSG

1st March 2011 - £11864 OTR for our SE 1.2 TSI manual 5 door with winter pack and TomTom preinstall. They kept the VAT free offer on after VAT went to 20% but we did have to pay the extra 2.5%. Car brokers couldn't beat it by more than £100.
 
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Mar 13, 2010
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In my view it's not worth it with all the doubts about oil consumption, missfires etc. No doubt others will differ.......

You can easily get stopped for speeding in a 1.2 TSI, no need for any more power!

By the way if you go with the manual 1.2 TSI you get the benefit of £30 road tax. I do a low mileage and reckon this is worth more than the economy advantage from the stop-start system.

1.2TSI sound's perfect for what you are after then.
 

turnipfarmer

Active Member
Aug 22, 2010
79
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I've been thinking and maybe go for year old one. I've seen a speed blue metallic 1.2tsi 2011 plate for 10950 which seems good price, only 2000 miles too.

It's got 17in alloys and climate control and also the engine that I want. Are the tsi engines that are being used now the same ones as last year's model? Ie have they improved them?

What do other people think to this price?
 
Feb 8, 2011
743
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Are the tsi engines that are being used now the same ones as last year's model? Ie have they improved them?

I don't believe they have changed significantly but I expect there have been some small changes. Power, torque and economy are just the same.

Not sure about the price. It's not much less than the £11.5k. my March 2011 5 door manual SE cost. Mind you that was £2000 off list price.

Is it a Sport, Sportrider or SE? An SC or a 5 door? 11 registration?
 

turnipfarmer

Active Member
Aug 22, 2010
79
0
It was registered in March 2011 so 11 plate. It's not clear which version it is, I think it's either a sport or sportrider. Is there anyway of knowing by just looking at spec? There's no photo uploaded yet. Oh also its an sc 3 door
 

znww5

Active Member
Mar 27, 2011
146
0
I'd get a copy of Parkers Guide, prices are given in there for dealer prices, private sales etc and can give a good indication of whether they are 'trying it on' price-wise.

Check that the 1.2TSi turbo mod has been done - there should be a sticker with 2E31 on it on/near the turbo and/or under the boot carpet on the nearside. Bear in mind that only one of the front seats will tilt forward on a 3 door Ibiza, and that the standard suspension is fairly firm, so the sportier versions are very firm.
 
Feb 8, 2011
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Same date as mine. It'll be a Sport I think. Not sure when the Sportrider came out. Should have all the kit you'll likely need.

I have a Jan. 2011 price list and spec. Assuming it's a manual, OTR price was £13490. Climate control £255. 17 inch wheels £145. Paint job £560.

Remember that options aren't usually worth much on S/H cars.

Make sure you are happy with the ride since as znww5 says they are pretty hard and the lower profile tyres will likely make it harder still! I find my SE firm enough and that's on 15 inch 60 profile tyres! I'd recomend a Parker's guide too.

My turbo mod sticker is in the boot under the carpet. Took me a while to find it.

Oh I just remembered headroom on the SC in the back is tight and boot space a little less that 5 door but I guess you knew that.
 
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turnipfarmer

Active Member
Aug 22, 2010
79
0
I'm going to have a look at the car today and thanks for the turbo mod tip. I'll check that out too. Did this just fix and issue with the turbo?

I'll aldosterone get a parkers guide too.
 
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