Which FR... 1.4 vs 1.8 TSI

[gshaw]

Evening all, I went down to my local SEAT dealer (Essex Autogroup Lakeside) on Saturday after doing a brochure request and originally was just aiming for a general poke around and test drive.

As soon as I mentioned that I wanted an approved used rather than new one (schoolboy error!) the test drive went out the window but I did get to have a look at the available stock, that's where it getsinteresting

They had pretty much the exact car I wanted, a white Leon SC FR with the 18" Performance alloys in Nevada White metallic. Had a nice surprise when the dealer mentioned that the Tech Pack comes as standard on the FR so had everything I was hoping for and more kit-wise.

It's an ex-demo with 3k on the clock at £15,995 which to me seems a pretty good price but a couple things held me back...

1) it's a 1.8 TSI rather than the 1.4 I was originally looking for
2) it looks like the car has been smoked in (saw ciggy packet in the doorcard and a yellow stain on the headlining)
3) trade-in value on my C30 is a bit lower than hoped (will have to live with that, that's life in the used car market I guess)

Looking for some feedback on the engine, how does real world MPG stack up between the two? I do fairly short journeys (8 miles each way to \ from work) so not sure if the extra power is going to be noticeably more expensive to run? Is there any other reason to choose it over the 1.4 spec wise or conversely is the smaller engine the better choice?

Insurance and tax seem bizarrely cheap compared to my current car which is a bonus but I do wonder if to hold out for the 1.4 (although may take a while for the right spec to come round again)

Also any feedback on Essex Autogroup, are they any good to deal with?

 

[LeonCR]

not far off a new one to be honest

http://www.broker4cars.co.uk/Buy/Ne...ectedVariant=1.8+TSI+FR+3dr+[Technology+Pack]

 

[gshaw]

not far off a new one to be honest

Fair point, good price through that broker. Even cheaper on the 1.4 as well.

Thinking about it the smoking thing is a deal breaker really, just had a quick read around Google and confirms my suspicions that the smell will never really disappear. Think I'm better off leaving this one.

So for whatever comes up next, 1.4 TSI suits me better I think. Pleasant surprise that road tax is only £30 a year on it, nice!

 

[Bryanm]

I got a new pre registered 1.4 fr for that price..

 

[matty1000kk]

It was originally up for £16,995 because I was also interested in it and inquired.

I managed to find one for sub 15K (be it a 13 plate) in the end with the Tech Pack, Convenience Pack, Driver Assist Pack and Spare Wheel. I really wanted the Seat Sound Pack but the standard system really is very good!

The 1.8 TSI engine really is a work of art. I've not driven the 1.4 so can't compare the two however there's plenty of poke when you need it and its very refined (more so then my MK2 Leon 1.2 TSI). I am also very happy with the economy. Motorway journeys are well into the High 40's.

I think it really is a case of driving the two back to back and see what you prefer and take into account the additional fuel and slightly higher road tax. Remember you gain the independent rear suspension, bigger brakes and the Sound actuator (if that's your thing).

 

[Toon]

It was originally up for £16,995 because I was also interested in it and inquired.

I managed to find one for sub 15K (be it a 13 plate) in the end with the Tech Pack, Convenience Pack, Driver Assist Pack and Spare Wheel. I really wanted the Seat Sound Pack but the standard system really is very good!

The 1.8 TSI engine really is a work of art. I've not driven the 1.4 so can't compare the two however there's plenty of poke when you need it and its very refined (more so then my MK2 Leon 1.2 TSI). I am also very happy with the economy. Motorway journeys are well into the High 40's.

I think it really is a case of driving the two back to back and see what you prefer and take into account the additional fuel and slightly higher road tax. Remember you gain the independent rear suspension, bigger brakes and the Sound actuator (if that's your thing).

Same here, getting high 40s on a run, well pleased.

 

[niggle]

The 1.8TSi is essentially a short-stroke version of the 2.0 litre 3rd gen. EA888 engine as used in the Golf GTI, Audi S3 and Leon Cupra. Two banks of fuel injectors, electric water pump and lots of other neat features.

Best fuel consumption I have seen yet was 47mpg on a steady run to Lancaster and back (160 mile round trip).

1.8TSi is worth it for me purely for the awesome brakes.

 

[matty1000kk]

The 1.8TSi is essentially a short-stroke version of the 2.0 litre 3rd gen. EA888 engine as used in the Golf GTI, Audi S3 and Leon Cupra. Two banks of fuel injectors, electric water pump and lots of other neat features.

Best fuel consumption I have seen yet was 47mpg on a steady run to Lancaster and back (160 mile round trip).

1.8TSi is worth it for me purely for the awesome brakes.

Yup those brakes do work well! I guess you have to remember this is a reasonably light car compared to others in its class.

 

[MikeFr]

I would definitely go for the 1.8 purely for the better handling and brakes.(that's if you like throwing it about)
I was going for a 150 diesel but when went to collect it the wife didn't like the colour(monsoon grey) she saw a Nevada white one and wanted that, it was a 184 diesel. It was a bit more but the handling is superb. Also the economy is suppose to be better than the150.

 

[phil750]

i was in the same situation as you pretty much.

I was looking at new 1.4tsi, went in and found a ex manager car (demo) 1.8tsi with every option fitted (i mean every option) 18" and wrapped roof etc... for 19k (they said they got it as a "show off car" to show all customers what a new leon with all extras is like)

Never looked back!

Dont forget with the 1.8tsi you get the bigger brakes (well worth it) and the seperate front and rear suspension

I average around 40mpg with a 9 mile run to work, 5 miles through 30 stop stop, and then 4 miles on dual carriage roundabout every mile rubbish. So really impressed with the city mpg.

The long motorway journey mpg isnt that impressive, around 45-50mpg .

But its a great engine, i upgrade from a ibiza 1.2 tsi, and is a massive difference.

Do it

Just make sure you get them to throw in free servicing etc... for it, they gave it me for 3 as said i wouldnt buy the car otherwise. (i actually went in saying what i wanted and they pointed me to the used car rather than new)

 

[derelyth]

The long motorway journey mpg isnt that impressive, around 45-50mpg .

Not sure what you're expecting - it isn't a diesel. I used to get 53-57mpg@60-65 from my old (knackered turbo) TDI and will see 46-47 from my TSI at the same speeds which IMO is astounding considering what's under the bonnet

 

[scoobiesnacks]

Why no love for the 2.0 diesel FR?

 

[niggle]

Why no love for the 2.0 diesel FR?

In my case the low annual mileage does not justify a soot chucker.

 

[phil750]

Not sure what you're expecting - it isn't a diesel. I used to get 53-57mpg@60-65 from my old (knackered turbo) TDI and will see 46-47 from my TSI at the same speeds which IMO is astounding considering what's under the bonnet

i was just expecting a bit more compared to my 1.2tsi ibiza, which was the total opposite to my leon.
ibiza i got low town mpg and very high motorway mpg,
leon i get great town mpg and average motorway mpg!

 

[derelyth]

Heavier, larger car with a larger engine. Doesn't have to work as hard around town, but more wind resistance (and larger rolling resistance from wheel size) on the motorway.

Tbf I get anything 26-38 round town, 28-34 on my commute. Seen <42 on a clear night round town though.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[scoobiesnacks]

Has anyone driven the 1.4 and the 1.8 coupe back to back? I've only driven the 1.4 in the 5 door version, which felt heavy to drive but maybe not a fair comparison as its the heavier 5 door.

The 1.8 coupe seemed to have great handling but more power than I'd ever need...

 

[Fred99]

The 1.8 SC is 79 kg heavier than the 1.4SC.

The 1.8 SC is only 7 kg lighter than the 5 dr.

The 1.4 SC is only 20 kg lighter than the 5 dr.

That would suggest there is no difference in the handling between a 3 door and a 5 door but the 1.4 will handle better than the 1.8 as it is lighter.

That's just the theory though.

I find my 1.4 5 dr incredibly light to handle - a real revelation as to what can achieved with the help of the electronics. The way it turns into corners is amazing.

 

[matty1000kk]

The 1.8 SC is 79 kg heavier than the 1.4SC.

The 1.8 SC is only 7 kg lighter than the 5 dr.

The 1.4 SC is only 20 kg lighter than the 5 dr.

That would suggest there is no difference in the handling between a 3 door and a 5 door but the 1.4 will handle better than the 1.8 as it is lighter.

That's just the theory though.

I find my 1.4 5 dr incredibly light to handle - a real revelation as to what can achieved with the help of the electronics. The way it turns into corners is amazing.

The 1.8 has independent rear suspension and the 1.4 doesn't. There is probably not a lot in it tbh.

 

[chrisdninetytwo]

Haha you guys are getting better than me, I'm on the 1.8 getting average 33mpg for my first 3000 miles so far and I was happy with that lol. But I am definitely not particularly careful with economy and most of my driving is short trips to be fair. I would definitely recommend it though it's epic. Haven't driven the 1.4 however so can't compare them.

 

[bertandernie]

I have the 1.8 and I have to say it's great was originally looking at getting the 184 tdi and waited and waited for right spec to come along test drove 2 184 tdi's and my mind was made up that was for me,drove all the way to bury St Edmund from Leicester to look at a 1.8 at never looked back big smile on my face when I drove it and was smitten, love mine don't miss having the diesel but can't comment on 1.4 but defo recommend the 1.8 :-D