1.4 TSI ACT or 1.8 TSI?

[mrbugle]

Hi,

I test drove a really nice 1.4 ACT and was quite impressed with performance but I had my heart set on a 1.8.

How different is the driving experience?
I'm having trouble finding a 1.8 in Bimingham to test drive. I'm a keen driver and did enjoy the 1.4 but don't want to feel like I'm missing out.

 

[KenTT]

Hi,

I test drove a really nice 1.4 ACT and was quite impressed with performance but I had my heart set on a 1.8.

How different is the driving experience?
I'm having trouble finding a 1.8 in Bimingham to test drive. I'm a keen driver and did enjoy the 1.4 but don't want to feel like I'm missing out.

I came from a 225PS 1.8, Audi TT and have not been disappointed with the 150PS ACT Leon especially the economy.

Bear in mind the 1.8 has larger brakes and fully independent rear suspension, the 1.4 ACT is a little less weighty on the front with its small alloy engine.

It's a shame the 1.8 seems to be very hard to track down at the moment.

 

[mrbugle]

I came from a 225PS 1.8, Audi TT and have not been disappointed with the 150PS ACT Leon especially the economy.

Bear in mind the 1.8 has larger brakes and fully independent rear suspension, the 1.4 ACT is a little less weighty on the front with its small alloy engine.

It's a shame the 1.8 seems to be very hard to track down at the moment.

Yeah the dealer is telling me they are planning to phase out the 1.8 due to lack of interest, but I take that with a grain of salt. Some dealers will say anything.

I found a Seat UK 5dr 1.8 but the dealer is in Derby...
Boost did feel nice on the 1.4 though.

 

[danny mk3 cupra]

I have a 1.8 tsi &love its a good mix of decent mpg &power/speed ,havnt had any problems at all &if your interested in any modifications all parts from cupra fit ,mine is running 280bhp now

 

[trebor]

The 1.8 is an absolute peach of an engine.

I drove both and found the 1.4 to be quite hard work to make use of the power - same as I find with VTEC type engines you really have to keep the revs in a tight range to benefit from the available power.

The 1.8 I test drove, and yes it did take a while to get a test drive - dealer had to get a car in from elsewhere, just felt somehow more planted on the road and I was instantly in tune with it and how it felt. The better brakes and suspension probably help this.

Economy wise I can see 40 on the daily commute and up to mid 40's on longer runs, but equally if I want to have a play then its got that covered also.

I have a performance car for the weekend, but just felt that for the extra £900 or whatever it was for the 1.8 over the 1.4 it was well worth it. 7 months in and I made the right decision for me I think

 

[Curtly]

I heard a rumour that there is a 1.8 act engine in the making. So they might slowly be phasing it out?

 

[Mr Mustard]

Driving like you would if you had your granny in the car I achieved 48mpg on a 86 mile (mostly motorway) journey in our 1.8 dsg.

 

[Mcburns88]

1.8 TSI just got dropped in Ireland for MY16, it was also dropped on the Skoda Octavia.

Wouldn't be surprised if it is phased out in the UK too.

I was planning to buy one as well.

Unfortunately the 1.4 TSI was never offered here so it's either a Diesel FR 150bhp or 184bhp or a 1.2 TSI have decided to buy an Octavia Combi instead as it is available with the 1.4 here.

 

[Mr Mustard]

If the 1.8 is not popular as a new buy, I wonder if that will mean it's difficult to sell privately second hand, or that they'll be like gold dust.

 

[nicky1873]

I have just bought a 1.4 TSI ACT.....2 words - FANTASTIC ENGINE....goes round roundabouts in 3rd and still pulls like a train on exiting .....well pleased......i'll just throw in got it on a 64 with 4.5k on the clock for under 15k

 

[Mcburns88]

If the 1.8 is not popular as a new buy, I wonder if that will mean it's difficult to sell privately second hand, or that they'll be like gold dust.

Gold dust i'd imagine, they'll probably depreciate quite a lot initially and then become an affordable route into warm hatch territory for a lot of people.

 

[BigG.S-O-T]

I have the 1.4 tsi act and think it was the right choice for me, doing alot of town driving its great. It has enough power to make the journeys fun and returns quite good fuel economy. If your doing more A and B road driving you might find the 1.8tsi the better option as people have said with the bigger brakes and the independent rear suspension will be worth the extra £900-£1000.

 

[trebor]

I would advise the OP to hunt out a 1.8 for test drive, even if it means a bit of a wait or some travel.

Only way you will know which one will suit your driving style and needs.

 

[Curtly]

Gold dust i'd imagine, they'll probably depreciate quite a lot initially and then become an affordable route into warm hatch territory for a lot of people.

You're slightly defeating your point there or maybe I miss read, If a car was like gold dust it would hardly depreciate at all. I think what you'll find is that not many people will be in the market for one at a year or two old due to the higher running costs and price. When people try to sell them on the lack of demand will bring the price down, then in a few years to come they should represent good value for performance and you'll find them pretty hard to come by.

 

[geoffpuma]

Hi,

I test drove a really nice 1.4 ACT and was quite impressed with performance but I had my heart set on a 1.8.

How different is the driving experience?
I'm having trouble finding a 1.8 in Bimingham to test drive. I'm a keen driver and did enjoy the 1.4 but don't want to feel like I'm missing out.

I collected my 1.8Tsi FR SC DSG in Monsant Red last week and am absolutely delighted with it! I was unable to test drive this model and so took a leap of faith in ordering this version. I specified the pan. roof and delivery took 7 weeks. The dealer (SEAT Lifestyle Brighton) was excellent and I got a great deal from a 'well known' internet broker.

 

[niggle]

We bought our 1.8 DSG just before the 1.4 ACT engine was offered in the UK, otherwise I would have seriously considered the 1.4 ACT.

Unfortunately I have no experience of the 1.4 ACT but the 1.8 TSi engine is a gem. Essentially it is a short stroke version of the 2.0 EA888 engine as used in the Golf GTi. It likes a drink but we only cover 7,000 miles a year so this lessens the impact on the wallet.

I certainly don't regret buying a Leon with the the awesome 312mm front discs.

 

[mrbugle]

Well, I was impatient and got a 15 plate with 2200 Miles on the clock for a great price today. I take delivery on Monday.

Driving it again confirmed my initial test drive that it was a really fun car, plus the wife loves it.

 

[Flaw3d Genius]

Well, I was impatient and got a 15 plate with 2200 Miles on the clock for a great price today. I take delivery on Monday.

Driving it again confirmed my initial test drive that it was a really fun car, plus the wife loves it.

1.4 or 1.8?

 

[mrbugle]

got the 1.4, I was going to wait for a 1.8 but my existing car is on it's very very last legs so I had to act.

 

[Flaw3d Genius]

Nice, Got the 1.4 ACT myself, Great engine for this light car