BUYING ADVICE NEEDED - 1.4 122bhp or 160bhp??

[jaket5222]

Thanks sean28uk I think the 1.4 will suit me better forhow i would use it and im sure i will love it whichever i get!

[Andy Rocc]

I too was looking at the 1.4s for the same reasons you are but after test driving a couple of 2.0 TSi's I knew I had to have one. The 122 version seems a bit sluggish, but I never tried a 160 and was put off with all the rumours about them. Also with the 2.0 you get the GT spec.

[drfez]

I went for a 122 and must admit, wish I'd gone for the higher power unit. You think you've saved yourself a bit but end up spending £££ to improve it! Took a 170 TDI out and really enjoyed it and can't help but think wish i'd gone for that.
I think you're best off trying to put a few more quid aside and go for the bigger power unit and not jump in like I did

[lewihoga]

I went for a 122 and must admit, wish I'd gone for the higher power unit. You think you've saved yourself a bit but end up spending £££ to improve it! Took a 170 TDI out and really enjoyed it and can't help but think wish i'd gone for that.
I think you're best off trying to put a few more quid aside and go for the bigger power unit and not jump in like I did

Agreed! However, I am still happy with my 122 and once its remapped it does actually go quite well! Also for the price I was looking for £12,500-£13,000 I was restricted somewhat and didn't want to plunge into a pre-2011 160bhp due to the misfire/reliability issues!

[Mick]

I have a 2.0 ltr TDI Bluemotion Mapped to 184bhp on a 61 Plate...To be fair I found the it very sluggish until I had it mapped. I also find now im getting around 54mpg around the doors and 64 mpg on a run.

[nemerkh]

2.0 tdi either 140 or 170. Steer clear from the petrols except for the. 2.0 tsi

[drfez]

lewihoga, what have you managed to get out of it now after the remap?
I was exactly the same position - same budget and either an older (possibly dodgy) 160 or a high mileage 2.0 or tdi - so hopefully trying to maximise its potential for now!

[sean28uk]

Personal taste. I tested the 140, more money than the 160 to buy. The 140 was to me like driving a sports car with a 1litre engine, pointless. I would not have bought a scirocco if that had been the only option. I know you can remap but some people just want to buy a car and not mess with it. My petrol is very smooth and has been brilliant over 40k miles. So in 3 years the mpg difference would not have costed in for the 140 and it is slower. I am not anti diesel I just wouldn't have it in a scirocco.

[lewihoga]

lewihoga, what have you managed to get out of it now after the remap?
I was exactly the same position - same budget and either an older (possibly dodgy) 160 or a high mileage 2.0 or tdi - so hopefully trying to maximise its potential for now!

Managed to get 150 out if it just by remapping! Looking into full cat exhaust system now including turbo downpipe which should get more like 155 - 160bhp which isn't too shabby! But I definitely think the 122 is underrated the fuel consumption is great and it is a fun little car to drive! Plus is only had 28k on the clock and was in mint condition. So yeah I'm happy with mine plus i got the car when i was 20 and was my first car! Now i'm 21 will probably get something more powerful in couple of years but probably switch to Mercedez as like the amg a classes!

[F1_STAR]

The 160 BHP power unit, is a good engine despite some of the negativity surrounding it. Mine is an 11 plate, so far after 34500 miles all is ok. (touch wood!), no issues with the DSG either, got a free DSG oil change through the ''service campaign'' recall. Engine gets more responsive when setting to sports mode, steering gets heaver and ride becomes firmer. From what some people have said the 160 BHP is a complex engine, and questions start to be asked especially that on the face lift 2014 model they have stopped doing the 1.4 TSI 160 HP, they just do it in the 122 BHP spec, and Adaptive chassis control is no longer standard, DSG boxes will only be only on the 2 litre versions....

[3t3p]

I owned 122 previously and went straight to an R.

If you rev into the power band the 122 isn't bad but I think with second hand prices being as they are now go 2.0TSI. As has been covered MPG isn't bad and performance in a nice sweet spot.

The R is mental and I love it to bits but I get 30MPG as my average in the manual.

General driving is both more fun and safer when you have more power.

[r.gbrown]

Go for the 160. I ve got one, a DSG and love it. No problems, 3 years old this January. No issues. Like anything else just treat it with respect and it will repay you with loyal service

[lewihoga]

The 122's are actually holding their values quite well tbh!

[BishBosh84]

Well I bought my 60 plate 122 after driving a mk3 golf 1.4 for over ten years and the jump from that was more than enough for me. I also looked at the 160 and the 2.0, but for the mileage I do and insurance etc, I couldn't justify paying the extra. I compensated by waiting for a higher spec 122, and I am more than happy with mine. No problems, but every ones different

[lewihoga]

Well I bought my 60 plate 122 after driving a mk3 golf 1.4 for over ten years and the jump from that was more than enough for me. I also looked at the 160 and the 2.0, but for the mileage I do and insurance etc, I couldn't justify paying the extra. I compensated by waiting for a higher spec 122, and I am more than happy with mine. No problems, but every ones different

you remapped it yet?