1.4 160PS vs 2.0 210PS

[paularmour]

Hi there,

I'm looking to buy a Scirocco but I can' decided between the 1.4 160PS and the GT 2.0 210PS versions. I was leaning towards the 1.4 but I'm concerned that it won't have the oomph a car like the Scirocco deserves. I can't find a dealer anywhere in central Scotland that has a 1.4 available for test drive so I would really appreciate any thoughts/comments from people who have experience of both engines.

I have read that the VW 1.4 is not the average 1.4 engine and delivers performance close to a 2.0l but is this just good marketing spin?

Thanks
Paul.

PS. Apologies if there is already a thread on this subject but I could find anything via the search facility.

[trix]

Hi
I love my 1.4 its got more than enough power, when do you get the opportunity to use all the power available in the 2.0 to its full advantage anyway? any other questions fire away

S

(http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/ ... erformance )

[jen308]

It was the same dilemma for me - Im in central scotland as well and couldnt fnd a 1.4 to test drive anywhere at the time I was ordering. Was so sure I was having the 1.4 so didnt want to test the 2.0Tsi in case I was disappointed. Eventually though I relented and guess what I ended up with - a 2.0Tsi Was gonna put most of the GT extras on so in the end I just went for the 2.0 - its delivered next week so pretty excited!

[paularmour]

Thanks for the info and the link....my search skills are obviously lacking somewhat.

[RW1]

It was the same dilemma for me - Im in central scotland as well and couldnt fnd a 1.4 to test drive anywhere at the time I was ordering.

Same for me last July.
Test drove the Golf GT 1.4TSi 160PS instead. It's the same for engine/gearbox/weight and general handling. Ordered on that basis. Two week afterwards, finally found a 1.4 Scirocco to drive which confirmed my choice was right for what I needed the Scirocco for. Not regretted it since.

C.

[paularmour]

Great idea test driving the Golf.

[Tallguy]

Last March I had the choice of a black 1.4 TSI (4 optional extras) or a red 2.0 TSI (1 optional extra) both at the same (discounted) price. I choose the former and have never regretted it - the engine is remarkable for it's size with more than enough performance for my needs. My VED is £150 pa, my comp insurance is £200 pa and I get nearly 40 mpg.

[RW1]

My VED is £150 pa, my comp insurance is £200 pa and I get nearly 40 mpg.

£125 if its a 1.4 160PS DSG version

C.

[trix]

£125 if its a 1.4 160PS DSG version

[Tallguy]

Wanted a manual car but £125 VED is great!

[Andy-GTI]

Buying a 1.4 just says you couldn't afford the 2.0 tbh

[wigit]

210 all the way, cracking engine

[Andy-GTI]

210 all the way, cracking engine

Just about 50 short of a great engine

[wigit]

210 all the way, cracking engine

Just about 50 short of a great engine

[ZephyR]

£125 if its a 1.4 160PS DSG version

Yes but how many years at £25 per year will it take to recover the extra cost of that DSG ?

1.4 TSi is fine for me as most of my driving is around town in 30 mph speed limits awash with speed cameras and speed bumps. Didn't make any sense to me going for the 2.0 TSi - cost more to buy, more to insure, higher fuel costs, more to tax and more to maintain

[RW1]

£125 if its a 1.4 160PS DSG version

Yes but how many years at £25 per year will it take to recover the extra cost of that DSG ?

Simplified maths.....
Resale value higher and better mpg. Complicated maths......

C.

[ZephyR]

Right I'm obviously bored and got nothing to do so here goes ...
Simple maths - £1300 / £25 = repaid in 52 years .... Mmmmm.

Complicated maths - better mpg by about 2 mpg on average. Working on current petrol costs and assuming 10,000 miles per year I reckon that's a saving of £100 per year. So now its £1300 divided by £25 + £100 = about 10 years. Yawn !

Better residual value ? Well that depends upon when you sell and how well the DSGs perform over the next few years. Traditionally automatics have had lower residual values because of the much greater cost of getting them fixed if they go wrong which is more likely because of their added complexity. I reserve judgement on whether DSGs will fetch more a couple of years down the line.

[RW1]

Thanks for that Zeph, I knew the bait would hook. So if I keep it for the 19 years like the last one, I do break even

Cheers
C.

[ZephyR]

Thanks for that Zeph, I knew the bait would hook. So if I keep it for the 19 years like the last one, I do break even

Cheers
C.

Eerrrr .... I think so
Just don't come back to me in 19 years time if I'm wrong Chris. I won't be paying out.

[Gary_Monkey]

Paul,

Here is my two penneth worth. Warning - this review is unashamedly biased

I too faced the same dilemma as you, last June, when I was trying to compare a 2.0TSI vs 1.4TSI. It was impossible to find a 1.4 with DSG at the time so I ended up test driving a 2.0TSI DSG. This was a MY2009 200PS version but I still loved it. Even though I only drove the 2.0l I still took a risk and bought the 1.4l.

I don't really need that extra power the 2.0l provides (it's all down to what you want). Also, coming from a VW Golf 2.0 GT TDI, I wanted something a little more powerful but not GTI power if get where I'm coming from. The 160PS the 1.4 provides is fine for me. Why spend more when that is enough for me.

As RW1 suggests, if you can't get hold of a 1.4 TSI up your way then seek out a Golf 1.4 TSI and give that a whirl. There should me plenty more of them around compared to the Scirocco.

I've not regretted buying the 1.4 one jot. It's a fabulous engine. A little wonder the way it seamlessly transfers power between the supercharger and the turbo. It's wickedly quick off the mark because of that supercharger. I'd say the only weak area compared to the 2.0l is the torque and mid-range punch (you have to change down a gear a bit more often - just a different way of driving). Both stronger in the 2.0l. Having said that it doesn't put me off at all.

As others have said if you buy it with DSG (which is amazing by the way) you get better MPG and lower road tax too. A bonus!

Hope this helps. Now go and find a 1.4 TSI and join the club

Gary