1.2 TSI or 1.8 TSI DSG

[stephenc]

I'm looking at a DSG Leon and it seems the only petrol options are 1.2 and 1.8 TSI engines. This is a huge jump, and it's a shame they don't offer a 1.4 TSI like Audi do (perhaps this is another way to differentiate the brands).

My question is for those who own either of these cars: is the 1.2 TSI underpowered in a 5 door Leon? I'm coming from a 1.2 TSI DSG Ibiza, which feels fast in town driving although a little underpowered at high speeds on the motorway. On paper, the Leon 1.2 is something like half a second slower to 62.

It's probably worth mentioning that I would get a similar spec to FR even on the SE 1.2 TSI. After all the options I want, the price difference will be around £2000 between the 1.2 and 1.8 TSI.

Any recommendations?

 

[terryt]

Where are you? Just wondering as the 1.4 140ps is available here.

 

[stephenc]

Where are you? Just wondering as the 1.4 140ps is available here.

UK. It's only available in manual.

 

[dw911]

I'm looking at a DSG Leon and it seems the only petrol options are 1.2 and 1.8 TSI engines. This is a huge jump, and it's a shame they don't offer a 1.4 TSI like Audi do (perhaps this is another way to differentiate the brands).

My question is for those who own either of these cars: is the 1.2 TSI underpowered in a 5 door Leon? I'm coming from a 1.2 TSI DSG Ibiza, which feels fast in town driving although a little underpowered at high speeds on the motorway. On paper, the Leon 1.2 is something like half a second slower to 62.

It's probably worth mentioning that I would get a similar spec to FR even on the SE 1.2 TSI. After all the options I want, the price difference will be around £2000 between the 1.2 and 1.8 TSI.

Any recommendations?

I would drive them both see which one you like best
Plus don't put much stock in the o to 62 times unless you want to drag race at the traffic lights
What's more relevant is the say 40to80 time, how much faster does one over the other allow me to overtake a slower car and get me back on the right side of the road
Far more relevant than the 0 to 62 time

 

[stephenc]

I would drive them both see which one you like best
Plus don't put much stock in the o to 62 times unless you want to drag race at the traffic lights
What's more relevant is the say 40to80 time, how much faster does one over the other allow me to overtake a slower car and get me back on the right side of the road
Far more relevant than the 0 to 62 time

Where can I find the 40-80 time? I have driven the 1.2 and 1.8 (manual, as they apparently have no 1.8 DSGs). The 1.2 was obviously slower, but to me £2000 seems like a small difference for such a big difference in engine?!

 

[dw911]

Where can I find the 40-80 time? I have driven the 1.2 and 1.8 (manual, as they apparently have no 1.8 DSGs). The 1.2 was obviously slower, but to me £2000 seems like a small difference for such a big difference in engine?!

They are often In the back of the manual, there is a pdf of the manual on here so worth a look
At a guess I would say probably the 1.8 would be around give or take 2 seconds faster over that range than the 1.2
The 1.8 dsg would obviously be very slightly faster through the gears than the 1.8 manual you drove

For 2 grand more, and assuming you've taken in to account other maybe slightly high costs then I would go for the 1.8 dsg if I was choosing between the two

 

[Kafkaesque]

The other differences between the two will be:

Bigger brakes.
Multi link rear suspension.
Fake sporty exhaust noise :/

 

[stephenc]

The other differences between the two will be:

Bigger brakes.
Multi link rear suspension.
Fake sporty exhaust noise :/

Yes the brakes were definitely better, as was the independent rear suspension. Although the SE Leon still handled better than my Ibiza. As for the exhaust noise, I guess it's something you can only hear on the outside - I couldn't hear much on the inside.

 

[Matthew FR]

1.8 .

 

[kopnyr]

1.8

Hello everybody,

I have New Leon 3 weeks and my proposal is 1.8 DSG. More power, multilink and agility is better than 1.2 motor. 1.2 motor is better in town and in consumption but if you have difference 2000 pounds, pls dont think and make a better choice. But be carfeull, because VW recalls 2.6mio cars with DSG - there problems with oil in DSG and directional unit of DSG (problems especially in Australia a Indonesia markets).

 

[dephead2004]

Horses for courses. I went for the 1.2 because it's our second car, is absolutely ideal for short runs with occasional motorway work. For this you get fast warm up, low fuel and tax costs, a great roundabout which is fun to driveand well specified at excellent purchase price.
Agree about suspension but it depends what you want.

I wouldn't worry too much about the dsg issue. The units in China and Australia are mostly made in a different factory from European ones and the climate is very different ie hot and humid. Like all electromechanical equipment if treated with respect it will be fine. If you redline at all gear changes you will knacker the clutch as you would on a manual. Nevertheless i will be changing the oil to mineral after the dealers have worked out which is the drain plug.
I agree with another post that that may mean decreased service intervals ie more frequent oil changes but I can imagine making an out of warranty claim and persuading vag that I knew better than to follow their recommendations.

 

[derelyth]

I only have an auto licence so I was also in this dilemma when looking at the Mk3. In the end I went for the 1.8 as I was coming from a 2.0TDI (also DSG) so was used to having a ready amount of power on tap should it be needed. I have a somewhat heavy commute and so the 1.2 may have benefited more due to the higher mpg but I only have to stab the throttle on an open road to forget about fuel consumption

Try to test both, weigh up not only the costs but the type of driving you'll do along with what car you may be moving away from and how much of a jump in power (either way) it might be and whether you'll be able to adjust.

But yes, I really wish the 1.4 was available with DSG - owner reviews have been nothing but praise from what I've seen.

Exhaust actuator (Noise enhancement) on the 1.8 only kicks in in Sport mode apparently - though I find in Normal the engine noise breaks through into the cabin quite nicely. I rarely use Sport due to the long gear ratio so can't compare as yet.

 

[kopnyr]

derelyth, especially in the part of open route and full throttle

deephead2004, Sometimes when you see the car lights against you in morning fog, the more power could be salvation for you.

 

[Stegor]

The other differences between the two will be:

Bigger brakes.
Multi link rear suspension.
Fake sporty exhaust noise :/

Ah yes, the sporty exhaust. I'm thinking of putting 1970s air-horns on mine next. ;-)