Agree.
Before the 1.8TSI, I had for a month or a bit longer than that a transition car, a Golf MK7 1.6 TDI. Performance was well acceptable and consume was fantastic. But I don't really like diesel, nothing to do with the 1.6, and my driving doesn't voucher for a diesel, anyway. Was just doing some changes as I was downsizing from a Sportage (2.0 diesel).
Consume isn't a deal breaker as I only cover 10k/12k a year and would take too long to offset the premium price of the diesel. I don't keep cars for too long, but if it was the case, considering the cost of maintenance, all the modern diesels to achieve the levels imposed by the EU, are too complex and expensive. Best bet for a diesel is if you're covering over 20k miles a year and no too many cold starts. And obviously, the whole system after few years will need replacement, even if your driving favors the diesel, time to avoid the costs and change the car. The economy is the first 3/4 years before the bills start. The whole point of the FR 184 is the great performance allied to good consume, as it allow drivers who cover big mileages to have a fast car and still achieving good consume. Just see how many GTDs are around for each GTI.
For a better response of your 1.6TDI, I would suggest premium diesel. And instead a remap, a tuning box, as if it didn't give you the expected performance, you can use in your next car (assuming it's compatible), or offset the cost and sell it, but them I would suggest simply going for a 2.0 TDI.
