Looking to buy a 1.2 or 1.4 TSI

[deano_liv]

Hello! Hope your all well!

After finding out some pretty scary horror stories on the Ford 1.0 Ecoboosts wet belts. I've decided to look at a Seat 1.2(105,110) or 1.4 TSI(140,150).

I always like to get feedback from the actual owners rather than review sites. So my main questions are reliability and everyday experiences with the engines and your recommendations basically on which you would suggest if you were buying one? Do either of these engines have any engine popping problems or just stuff to look out for?

Thanks for any help it's much appreciated!

 

[Jpbroad1970]

I have a 1.0 TSI and to be perfectly honest I wouldn't swap it for anything else engine wise. Only 95 bhp but very nippy and great on fuel, free road tax too, 66 plate. Think it's a better engine than the ford too. But I have nothing to base that on other than my opinion. Still get over 60 mpg with 4 adults in so can't complain.

 

[deano_liv]

Judging from the amount of people that have ruined engines from there wet belts degrading and clogging up the oil ports on the fords. I would deffo say yours is the better engine

 

[Jpbroad1970]

Yeah, I believe the VW is just standard belt not wet belt, depending on who you talk to depends on change interval, some say 4 years some say lifetime inspect at 100k as it's a teflon belt. I will probably get mine changed.

 

[RUM4MO]

My wife's August 2015 6C Polo has the 1.2TSI 110PS engine and I have had no reason to complain about it over the 42K miles we have had it from new.

Some of these EA211 family of engines, which include the 1.4TSI 16V as well as the 1.2TSI 16V, have suffered from the high pressure fuel rail securing bolts snapping their head/heads off for some reason, most credible reason being that Skoda did not fit them correctly at the engine plant, VW Group will be deaf, so far, to any claims you make for support it seems, shocking really. My wife's car has not suffered yet, though I have bought new bolts and inlet manifold seals etc to allow me to check or replace them.
So no car manufacturer is completely free from engine faults it seems.

 

[deano_liv]

Thanks for the replies! Just out of interest, did any of the FRs come standard with a black roof or larger black spoiler?

 

[Glosphil]

I have a 2018 Leon FR with the 1.4TSi (150) engine. Owned it since May 2019. Only problem has been a leaking water pump (common fault) that was replaced under warranty.

Just bought the wife a 2019 Fabia SEL with the 1.0TSi (110). Very impressed with the performance & fuel consumption - 49mpg on the way home from the dealer. From cold over 20 miles included 10 miles at motorway speeds.

 

[deano_liv]

Thanks Glosphil

Looking at the cars within my price range, I believe a 2014 1.4 TSI 140 ACT FR Ibiza or a 2016 Facelift 1.2 TSI 110 FR Ibiza with decent milage and condition are the options I'm looking at. I do like the sound of the 1.4 but can't afford a facelift one. But I do like the tweets to the headlights and interior of the facelift.

Unsure which would be the best to go for

 

[Jpbroad1970]

I would say newest 1.2 fr with lowest mileage you can. They do seem to hold the value. I prefer the facelift, everyone has their own opinion. Test drive a few see what you think. I don't know about the newer 1.4 but when I worked for VW there were some very expensive bills.

 

[deano_liv]

Thanks for the advice! Just out of curiosity, what are the 1.8 tsi Leon's like? Are they reliable?

 

[Jpbroad1970]

Think they are pretty strong, a good Google would probably see you right but I personally haven't heard any horror stories

 

[Glosphil]

I test drove a 1.8TSi before buying my 1.4TSi (150).

The low & mid range torque of the 1.8 is limited to the same as the 1.4. It has more torque and power at higher revs than the 1.4 but I didn't think the extra cost was justified. However, the 1.8 does have more sophisticated rear suspension & larger front discs. Not so many 1.8s around so less choice when buying.

 

[deano_liv]

Thanks for the help, my sensible budget went out the window, I test drove a 2018 Leon 1.4 150 last night. Really nice drive, think I'm gonna treat my self to one!

 

[Jpbroad1970]

Sounds like a win win

 

[deano_liv]

I really do mean it when I say thank you for all the help, it's gave me confidence to pursue the tsi engines and especially the 1.4. have a good new year everyone

 

[Glosphil]

Thanks for the help, my sensible budget went out the window, I test drove a 2018 Leon 1.4 150 last night. Really nice drive, think I'm gonna treat my self to one!

Good choice. I have never regretted buying my 2018 one in 2019. 3½ years later I am still sure I made the right choice & enjoy driving it every time.