TDI vs FSI

[Buck_geraint]

Ok so i'm sold. I'm gonna buy a new leon... (the bank manager's lookin worried)

So i'm going to start a riot by asking which do you guys think are better the 170BHP TDI or the 200BHP FSI.

I'm drivin a Rover 25 at the moment so either would be better and I'm not after the usual "TDI will get more miles" as i'd prob get the the TDI chipped.

I'm after more handling and pleasure to drive over long periods as theres only so much a test drive can tell you

Any info wold be greatly appreciated

Geraint

 

[jimbo_FRDSG]

Haven't driven the Leon TDI (but had a short test run with the usual salesman in the back of the VW Golf TDI DSG so not much chance to judge), however I have the TFSI FR in DSG guise and it is total fun I guess its the old decision about fuel consumption, if its crucial to you and you do a lot of mileage then I suppose the TDi is the one but I would imagine you would find not much difference in fun between the two.

J

 

[rpmleon]

I have just changed from the Mk1 150 TDi PD Cupra to........ the TFSI FR DSG!

My dealer allowed me to test drive both the 170 TDi FR and the TFSI FR DSG for half a day each. If I was driving a lot of miles each year I would most definitely have gone with the TDi but, as a person who only does about 8000 miles a year, I decided to go with the TFSI FR DSG. Had it 3 weeks now and loving it but the mpg and additional annual car tax does sting a bit!

See if your local dealer will allow you extended test drives on both models. If so, it's just a case of making up your mind!

RPM

I found

 

[amnesia]

I think the petrol version, too. Besides, they're doing 0% interest on the FR's, so I'd go for it. I'm thinking of just trading mine in and going for DSG, just because it's 0%. I'm not sure, though. I don't know if it actually makes a difference or not, the 0% I mean. I know the DSG does, lol.

 

[MikeShaw100]

I test drove both and found both offered slighly different experiences, but went for the TDi (my first diesel) as I do around 22K a year. Its been 6 weeks and 3K - Loving every minute of it and no regrets on the diesel.

Mike
57FR TDi, Crono, 18", BT, Armrest, Alu trim, Muddies and Mats (and between 45-49 mpg on chilled runs).

 

[cuprascott]

I went from a petrol Mk1 Cupra to the diesel mk2 FR. The diesel is very torquey and pull right to the red line unlike other diesel's ive driven before. The only reason i went diesel was to save some cash. I Got a £40 quid refund on my insurance its £70 a year less to tax it plus the extra MPG (TBH I was expecting more MPG's than im getting but it still has less than 1k on it!)

The other thing to consider is resale value.

When i traded my petrol in if it had been a diesel then i would have got probably another £1500 quid for it as the diesel's have held their money much better. Dealer reconed that the new 170 diesels are going to hold their value even better than the old ones as well.

The only other thing that would swing it for me is the DSG - Cant get it on the diesel

Id say Drive both see what you like better do your sums then choose.

Ps 170 doesnt actually mean thats what you get typically people have been over 180 when theyve been dynoed

 

[Jace]

Depends on your milage really, above 12k, go derv, below, petrol
I've had mine 3 weeks now & done 2k in her already, (had a mapped PD150 GOLF prior) & its great. Handles much better than the golf did, mpg is getting better with the miles too, getting about 500 a tank at mo.

Build quality is as good as the mk4, if not better... interior isnt as bad as that make out, stealthy black is the future

Its a lot better sound deadend than the golf was too, doing 80 seems nothing, hardly any noise.

 

[cuprascott]

Depends on your milage really, above 12k, go derv, below, petrol
I've had mine 3 weeks now & done 2k in her already, (had a mapped PD150 GOLF prior) & its great. Handles much better than the golf did, mpg is getting better with the miles too, getting about 500 a tank at mo.

Build quality is as good as the mk4, if not better... interior isnt as bad as that make out, stealthy black is the future

Its a lot better sound deadend than the golf was too, doing 80 seems nothing, hardly any noise.

I got 406 miles out the first tank till the light came on - im expecting better from this tank hopefully. engine is loosening off now a bit.

 

[BanziBarn]

I drove both.

The Petrol was faster when really gunning it, but the TDI felt faster when driving normally.

For this reason, and becuase the tax is lower, and fuel economy was better and the car wasn't more expensive to buy (second hand) I went for the TDI (despite only doing 10k per year).

My only gripe is the noise of the engine, which is much louder and "diesel like" than other similar engines such as the 2.2 honda unit for example.

 

[BanziBarn]

Remember the DPF on the diesel makes remapping very restricive . Only 200ish safe bhp where 220bhp is possible without the DPF.

Also remember TFSi maps to 240 odd bhp.

Yes, so the cost of mapping the tdi is quite high when you consider the increase in power.