PD170 vs CR170

[SeanCorky]

I know the CR170 is meant to be more efficient, burns cleaner etc. But performance wise, what is it like to drive compared to the PD170?

I've read that the PD170 is more punchy & feels quicker, is this the case? Would I feel like, engine wise, that I had downgraded if I was to change to the CR170?

Anyone had experience of the two?

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[Haddock]

I know the CR170 is meant to be more efficient, burns cleaner etc. But performance wise, what is it like to drive compared to the PD170?

I've read that the PD170 is more punchy & feels quicker, is this the case? Would I feel like, engine wise, that I had downgraded if I was to change to the CR170?

Anyone had experience of the two?

Sent from my HD2 using Tapatalk

I too read that the PD170 is more punchy & feels quicker...

But having had a PD170 from new, covering 40k miles I now have a CR170.

The CR to me feels quicker throughout the rev range, much quieter, and much smoother.

 

[SeanCorky]

Sounds good then, nearly all positives that i've read.

How is 1st gear on the CR170 compared to the pretty dead 1st on the PD170

 

[Haddock]

Sounds good then, nearly all positives that i've read.

How is 1st gear on the CR170 compared to the pretty dead 1st on the PD170

To be honest I cant say I've compared them... I suppose I drive the common rail the same as I drove the PD, where I don't usually use full throttle until 2nd..

Maybe just habit though, will try in the morning - although I expect it'll be similar amount of needless axle tramp!!

 

[WeeG]

Personally speaking a standard PD170 is a faster car than the CR. Was very dissapointed performance wise with the one i test drove, and the same was echoed through the salesman that i'm friendly with. It feels to much like a petrol car missing 2k revs, where as the pd170 gets away with the less revs in standard form by booting you up the a**e with it's torque spike and gear ratios. The CR however was much quieter and interior wise was superior, but personal preference i preffered the pre facelift looks, as i could have chosen either. And decided to buy one of the last PD's.

Different strokes for different folks

 

[Haddock]

Personally speaking a standard PD170 is a faster car than the CR. Was very dissapointed performance wise with the one i test drove, and the same was echoed through the salesman that i'm friendly with. It feels to much like a petrol car missing 2k revs, where as the pd170 gets away with the less revs in standard form by booting you up the a**e with it's torque spike and gear ratios. The CR however was much quieter and interior wise was superior, but personal preference i preffered the pre facelift looks, as i could have chosen either. And decided to buy one of the last PD's.

Different strokes for different folks

Dont get me wrong, I loved my PD170 - but I think the lack of refinement of the PD may have made it feel like the quicker car.

The area under the graph is bigger for both BHP and Torque on the CR.

Have a look at the standard curves here:

http://www.superchips.co.uk/curves/VAG20TDiCR170ps.pdf
http://www.superchips.co.uk/curves/vag20tdi170.pdf

There's no torque spike either... both fairly similar curves in fact...

 

[SeanCorky]

I've driven an Astra Sport 1.9 CDTI and that felt faster than my FR (until i got back in mine), i think it was the petrol feel of the common rail diesel?

I may test drive one at the weekend anyway and see what i think

 

[jezyg]

The VAG CR engine is alot like the BMW N47 2 litre derv in that is has a very linear power band that is also wider and less of a drop off at the rev limit. So the car does not feel as punchy as a PD or some other less linear dervs on the market especially the 1.9 CDTi 150 that has a wee bit of lag before the surge of power and even more so if the common EGR valve being clogged up is present (dog of an engine).

But in real life and against the clock there is nothing in it between the PD and CR just CR is quieter and smoother with a better mpg. But the PD gives you a greater sense of speed and power.

 

[seatcupramad23]

cr is a common rail technology which shud b more eco n smoother but from my experience pd engines feel more torquey low dwn and is much simplier to machine. n if u check generic map quotes from most of the tuners will get u a bit more power

 

[SeanCorky]

I think i'll like it once i test drive it, i'll see over the weekend.

Not sure what colour i'd go for?

 

[WeeG]

The VAG CR engine is alot like the BMW N47 2 litre derv in that is has a very linear power band that is also wider and less of a drop off at the rev limit. So the car does not feel as punchy as a PD or some other less linear dervs on the market especially the 1.9 CDTi 150 that has a wee bit of lag before the surge of power and even more so if the common EGR valve being clogged up is present (dog of an engine).

But in real life and against the clock there is nothing in it between the PD and CR just CR is quieter and smoother with a better mpg. But the PD gives you a greater sense of speed and power.

I am sure the factory quotes are different in performance. Pd 170 0-62 8.0, top speed 136. Cr170 0-62 8.2, top speed 132mph?

 

[jezyg]

I am sure the factory quotes are different in performance. Pd 170 0-62 8.0, top speed 136. Cr170 0-62 8.2, top speed 132mph?

Nope both the same 0-62 8.2 less DSG CR FR which is 8. Due to new front bumber top speed of the CR has dropped from 135 to 133 but cheaper tax band at 139g c/o2 compared to 159g/co2 and CR combined is 6.2 mpg better.

 

[SeanCorky]

My tax is due at the end of the month, £155, i checked the CR and it's only £110

MPG savings would be nice too.

Basically, i'm in a position where i might be able to hand my car back as a final payment to SEAT Finance and also use as a deposit to take a brand new CR on the same terms.

I'm starting to think wether or not to do it?

 

[GainfulShrimp]

Unless you do a tiny mileage, the tax is a red herring. It's a nice bonus of course but £45 is a drop in the proverbial ocean compared to the difference 6mpg could make to your annual fuel bill.

I know it's an extreme case and I do a high annual mileage admittedly, but having swapped my petrol FR for an Ecomotive is saving me £235 per year in VED tax but saving well over £2k in fuel costs.

Swapping from a PD FR to a CR FR is a worthwhile change in my opinion: the interior and styling changes are all good (personal taste thing though of course), and you'll get a few extras on a brand new CR FR due to the MY11 changes: hill hold assist, conv pack as standard, that sort of thing. If you opt for the tech or media packs, you'll get the new Media System 2.1 with DAB radio included, too.

 

[SeanCorky]

I'm swaying towards it, slowly persuading her aswell

I think i'd like a white one but she thinks white is chavvy, she's into the red, but i'm an Everton fan so thats a non starter

 

[GainfulShrimp]

I'm biased, but I think white Leons look very nice.

 

[SeanCorky]

My FR i have now was very close to being white but i bottled it at the last minute and went for black to be safe!

I really like the white, shows off the curves the best

 

[GainfulShrimp]

I know what you mean, I like black too (my much loved Golf TDI was black). The missus is awaiting her new company car (Audi A4 Avant) and she's ordered black as we thought two Candy White cars on the drive would be a bit weird.

Black or white both look fantastic when clean but they're hard to keep that way!

 

[jezyg]

My wife does not like white either so went for silver which does look nice on the FR more understated I suppose. But I do like white and my VW Polo I intend to order next year to replace my bus pass (I kid you not) will be white

 

[GainfulShrimp]

New shaped Polos are nice, although still think I'd have a new shape Ibiza instead - more gadgetry for the buck.

Silver is certainly easier to keep clean-looking. My mate at work drives a dark silver 5 series and only washes it about every six months!