1.8 vs 1.4 (TSI in FR spec)

[slo007]

From overhearing conversations at my Seat dealer the it's not a 1.4 v's 1.8 choice is a manual v's auto/DSG choice. I can't see many 1.8 manual cars being sold.

No DSG & uninspiring colour choices was almost enough to make me order an Audi A3.

I wanted the FR DSG, but the 1.8 was the only motor choice... bleh! In the end, I ordered an SE instead with the 1.2 TSI. It was quite nippy around the corners and quiet enough on the motorway; though obviously not as nice as my Golf GT 1.4 TSI 160.

Also worth noting is that many people have had 1.4 TSI engine failures (me inclusive). The local dealer's maintenance manager told me the 1.2 is the most reliable engine from the TSI range.

 

[LBB]

Also worth noting is that many people have had 1.4 TSI engine failures (me inclusive). The local dealer's maintenance manager told me the 1.2 is the most reliable engine from the TSI range.

Wasn't the 1.4 TSI 180 worst for it? Hence why the Leon got the 1.8 rather than the 1.4 engine for it's higher performance FR offering?

What I don't understand is why the 1.8 TSI didn't get more low & mid-range torque. Having to revv the engine to get access to the extra power to me doesn't make sense for a larger cc engine.

 

[derelyth]

Wasn't the 1.4 TSI 180 worst for it? Hence why the Leon got the 1.8 rather than the 1.4 engine for it's higher performance FR offering?

What I don't understand is why the 1.8 TSI didn't get more low & mid-range torque. Having to revv the engine to get access to the extra power to me doesn't make sense for a larger cc engine.

The 1.4 was bad for it pre-2010 apparently - it is said that VAG changed the engine slightly to reduce/stop the issues (Oil consumption, piston ring frying etc).

The 1.8 is limited to 250Nm due to the DSG - the 7 speed has a dry clutch setup, unlike the 6 speed which was wet clutch, thereby offering mroe cooling as the clutch plates are submerged in oil. Seems strange to me that they don't offer the 1.4 with the 7 speed and the 1.8 with the 6 speed and an increase in torque - remaps have shown it is capable of 350-380Nm...

 

[skidpan]

The 1.4 TSi in 140PS mode is a totally different engine to the old TSI units which were noted for being troublesome in 1.4 higher power specs.

Hopefully the new unit will have none of the old problems and no new ones of its own. Just to be sure I took out the 5 year warranty.

 

[J400uk]

Also worth noting is that many people have had 1.4 TSI engine failures (me inclusive). The local dealer's maintenance manager told me the 1.2 is the most reliable engine from the TSI range.

The TSIs in the new Leon are from the EA211 generation, so they have been re-designed from the ground up compared to their predecessors. The biggest change is a switch back from chains to belts, the 1.4 has increased in capacity from 1390cc to 1395cc and the 1.2 TSI is now 16v instead of 8v.

In simple terms, totally different engines to before so shouldn't share any reliability issues as all they really have in common is the name.

 

[Starbucks78]

Today on a 15 mile trip from the villages to the centre of Cambridge my 1.4 fr achieved 59.2 mpg. I was in eco mode but truly stunned at what the car had achieved without even trying.
May help in your decision making.........

 

[JackReacher]

Today on a 15 mile trip from the villages to the centre of Cambridge my 1.4 fr achieved 59.2 mpg. I was in eco mode but truly stunned at what the car had achieved without even trying.
May help in your decision making.........

wow that is impressive, is that just a one off for you or do you get similar economy most of the time?

 

[Starbucks78]

On a 3 mile commute to work through villages with a bit of stop start I usually get around 42, longer 20 min journeys usually between 48 and 52. Not sure what was so special about this mornings journey but on the return achieved 55.6.
However all is quite dependant on your style of driving, if I put my foot down then the figure would be high 30's. Nice to know I have options!

 

[J400uk]

Nice video review of the 1.8 TSI SC FR here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2GpJH5nb5U

 

[GreyUm]

Nice video review of the 1.8 TSI SC FR here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2GpJH5nb5U

I really... don't like the... way he talks

But what I do like is the engine noise Vroom vroom

 

[AndrewJB]

i spent most of the day with a 1.8T DSG yesterday and gotta say i loved it

i remember seeing this guy recording this video yesterday in the field

 

[derelyth]

Glad to hear that! Waiting to hear back from snows in Portsmouth about a test drive this weekend. Need a dsg though unfortunately.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[AndrewJB]

its alot slower than my LCR obviously but was alot more fun, ive never been a fan of DSG before but i liked this one

 

[derelyth]

I'll be coming from a tdi140 with a dying turbo. I'm really unsure as to how it will feel in comparison hence I want to test one. £23k is a lot of money regardless of how much car you get.

The review was strange but very informative. Better than being patronising I guess!

 

[AndrewJB]

yeh i didnt talk to that guy much haha

I think you will like the car its very punchy with the DSG, i drove the manual aswell but preferred the DSG

 

[G.P]

Waiting to hear back from snows in Portsmouth about a test drive this weekend. Need a dsg though unfortunately.

My local have the 1.8 Tsi DSG, but its always fully booked on test drive's so I'm told, althrough it's not moved today, so I must presume the sales guy is trying not to sell me one.

I'll be coming from a tdi140 with a dying turbo. I'm really unsure as to how it will feel in comparison hence I want to test one. £23k is a lot of money regardless of how much car you get.

Yes mine is the Tdi 140 DSG. For an extra £1k the Golf GT 1.4 Tsi DSG with 18" wheels added. .

 

[derelyth]

So Snows managed to nab one off their Southampton branch

Now I think I'm just used to my TDI and feathering it due to it being injured as the TSI seemed slow off the mark. But Wow. When it gets going it doesn't have the shove of the PD TDI but bugger me is it rev happy! Effortless acceleration considering the figures - was up to 70 on the Slip before I knew it!

Like many on here, I was a bit miffed at the narrowed steering wheel but I ended up having too much fun buzzing around to care. Felt a much smaller car than a Leon - the Ibiza Cupra must be fun.

Got back, nailed some figures and put in an order!

 

[gar074]

I'm looking round for something to replace my Citroen DS3, and have just tried a 1.4 tsi SC and 1.8 tsi SC back to back. The 1.4 had SE trim, while the 1.8 was an FR. Both were on 17" rims.

I was genuinely surprised at how spritely the 1.4 felt, with great throttle response and quick pick-up. The 1.8 felt a lot more muscular, of course - with a lovely growl past 4k revs - but I didn't feel its throttle response was as good as the 1.4s, and it felt like it had at least an inch of dead spot in the throttle. Having said that, once you put your foot down it flies to the red line.

I was also surprised at how little difference there seemed to be between the 2 rear suspension set-ups. I took them both along some particularly challenging east anglian B roads, with loads of bumps, uneven camber and deformed edges (and twice around a large roundabout, to check the limits of the grip). The 1.4 coped extremely well, feeling controllable, composed and secure at all times. The 1.8FR felt noticeably firmer on its sport setting, but not bone-jarringly so like the old mk 2 FR. On its comfort setting, it didn't feel any different to the 1.4SE tbh - but perhaps a bit quieter?

I could happily live with either engine and either suspension set-up, so on balance I'd probably go for a 1.4SE and save some pennies.

The only downside for me is how similar the 3-door Leon is to the 3-door Ibiza. The designers really should have worked harder to make them more distinguishable imho. But the Leon interior is much better than the mk 3, although still lacking any wow factor, and not nearly as classy as the A3/Golf (sorry folks, I tell it like I see it).

 

[cilurnum]

The 1.4 was a tidy little engine when I drove it. Nice and nippy, although you could notice it didn't respond on the motorway. If I was going for a petrol I'd go for that.

I fear like others that the 1.8 future residual value will nosedive and over the next few years the costs of owning a petrol will go up dramatically both in terms of tax and fuel cost.