Few years back I had a lovely 1.9pd scout roomster. Sold it as I was doing 80+ commute over the peak and wanted something I could relax into.

Fast forward 3 years, not doing that journey, not even close. I use <1 tank of juice a month now as I'm self employed.

So I'm looking to downsize and pocket some money; a rare treat when buying cars. What I cannot make my mind up on is the following.

I will be doing < 12k a year I think. More than that, money won't be an issue, so I know diesel is not going to pay me back the extra outlay. a 4 yrs old roomster D v P is about 500quid.

However if I go away I tend to pack lots of metal (climbing, bikes etc) Imagine 3/4 people + 120kgs kit at worse case. I got to borrow a 1.2tsi rapid out for a few days and I quite liked it, but didn't get to load it up. Even took a a 1.2htp fabia, both fine for my local requirements, and passable for a long haul up to Scotland or the Alps for the old back.

But I want a roomster, as it's just too practical, that or a transporter, but can't afford one of those.

So question really is for any of the petrol owners, how much umph does it have when laden? umph in this sense means going up hills, m-way at 70(ish), caravan overtaking for 40-60pickup...

See the wallet says petrol and the small fragment of diesel heart, says diesel (1.6 or 1.9). The petrol ones not emote enough to trigger the old petrol head in me. I kid myself thinking I can live with a 60 or 70ish bhp, so it will be a 105 base and old enough to drop a remap on without warranty cares.

Thoughts either way, can't/don't want to make a wrong call, roomster no2 will be with me for a long time.

Thanks for reading.

Speaking about my 1.2Tsi 77KW on 195/55/15 steels and after three years and 41.000Km I can say that, when travelling at speeds between 80 Km/h and 120Km/h for more than 120 kilometers of distance I got an 6.2 to 6.5 Lt/100Km (average speed at 87 to 89 Km/h). That means about 1.000Km of autonomy. I've seen 1.120 Km of autonomy 30Km after refueling to tankful. These always happens with two little boys of 5.5 and 3.5 in their childseats, my wife, myself, a full boot (you cannot imagine that) and a/c on.

If speed is from 70Km/h to 90Km/h (average speed from 67 to 76 Km/h) the consumption is between 5.0 to 5.8Lt/100Km depending of uphills or downhills.

In everyday city commute i get from 7.5Lt/100Km to 9.8Lt/100Km depending the weather, city traffic and if I am getting to work or back home, because going to work means two school runs and steep uphill while returning I have one school run and no steep uphills.

Today travelling alone at speeds from 120Km/h to 160Km/h in a 61Km distance (average speed 93Km/h) I got 7.5Lt / 100Km and autonomy showed 690Km only.

Speaking of average speed I mean the Board Computer's average speed indication. Consumption are also computed by me, after refueling at the same petrol station, by hand and the difference with BC indication varies from 0.0 to 0.2Lt/100Km

The 1.2 tsi 77Kw is perfectly adequate to Roomster's needs. You get 175 Nm of torque from 1550 to 4100 rpm with a weight of 1250-1300 Kg. (it depends on each model specs). I think that with 3-4 people and some stuff is a perfect choice. It is not an engine you need to rev up hard to get the most out of it.

Consumption: after 33.000 Km (20.505 miles) I get 5.8 lt./100 Km (48.7 mpg.). Let's say 20% town, 60% b-roads, hills and countryside, 20% motorways and A-roads. Normal driving style, usually avoiding brisk accelerations, etc. 195/55 15" stock tyres.

Edited 14 May, 201313 yr by Lorenzo

If you can get a facelift, one with the newer TSI 105 (turbo) engine will have more than enough oomph, remapping will probably make it even better. I have no experience whatsoever of the older 1.6 engines

I have been running the 1.2, 105hp with DSG for coming up to 2 years. The main difference I notice when fully loaded 3 kids, 2 adults is that it holds onto a gear for longer to get the revs higher.

When at motorway speeds in 7th you are using 2.5k revs, kickdown can take you to 4th gear to use up to the 6k red line. 50mph to 70mph is also not too shabby as long as you are in the right gear.

What I have noticed is a big difference in MPG depending on ambient temperature, warm motorway runs can easily give over 40mpg whilst cold in town runs take things down to between 30 and 35mpg.

Super thanks guys.

Economy I'm not so fussed about, it's got to be better than a 170+bhp 4x4 superb

It's really the when laden exposure to danger timing. I figured any of the range would suffice, but I'm quite inclined to go up steep hilly roads a lot as it's easier than walking

Will continue the hunt.

for all the things you are looking for, it sounds like Torque is important, therefore I would suggest you look at a 1.9 TDI roomster, proven engine, and does everything you need.