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Roomster TSI (105) versus TSI (85)


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Hello All,  I'm a newbie so apologies if "old hands" have seen this question before.  It is the main reason why I joined Briskoda.... I'm seriously thinking about buying a Roomster to replace the wife's Fabia MK1 when it's too long in the tooth.  I don't wish to join the diesel brigade of MPV owners, despite diesel "grunt" and economy, due to bad previous bad experience with Ford PSA DPF engine issues and the toxins released in the environment by this fuel.

 

Also, now being retired, my mileage is reduced to 6K per year.  In view of this and the kind of motoring we do i.e. weekly short local runs to the shops combined with 100 mile round trips to see the grandkids, plus UK holiday motoring, which engine would the forum recommend:

 

The TSI (85) version of the Roomster, which there appears to be more choice of on websites like Autotrader (lower insurance group, slightly better mpg is what my research suggests) or the TSI (105) with faster acceleration, slightly less mpg, higher insurance group but more power (20% more) and slightly less torque (10% less than 105)?

 

On paper figures are one thing but do these differences between the two engine make much "real world" difference??  I'm currently a Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec driver and whilst great to drive the suspension is firm for my age related aches and pains (!) and although no "speed freak" I find it frustratingly under powered!  Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.      

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Hi, suspect that I fit into the same category as you. Had a 1.6 petrol Roomster which was totally reliable (5 yrs old) and had just enough shove to satisfy me (I had rejected the old 1.4 as underpowered). As it is quite a heavy car but very comfy and adaptable it really does need a 105 or better engine IMO.

Actually someone bashed it to bits a few weeks ago so I had to replace and knowing that the new Roomy is due out fairly soon I decided to have a change and get the new Fabia Estate instead with a view to replacing it with the new Roomy in a couple of years time. Fabia Estate is a great car and looks good but is not so adaptable to carrying all kinds of stuff as the Roomy so I will almost certainly replace it with said new Roomy in a couple of years. If you do decide to go for the new Roomy when it becomes available, I do suggest bearing in mind your health issues, that you give it a reasonably long test drive first to ensure that it is comfortable enough for you.

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Ooopps I should have made clear I'm actually enquiring about the MkII Fabia based Roomster - and so my question remains: TSI 85 or TSI 105??  Especially as there are tons of 85's on the second hand market but hardly any 105's.  In short would I regret buying an 85 against the 105 or is there such little difference in the "real" world??  

 

I too am considering the new Fabia estate for the future, so thank you "Eccles" for your prompt answer to a newbie like me in this forum. if the new Roomster is Caddy or Touran based either would be too big for my purposes.

 

Form follows function, follows reliability, comfort, economy, practicality so it has to me a Roomster!

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First of all but not too serious, I think this section is for the new roomy when it eventually comes out but Im sure if Im right a mod will move it over for us.

Ive not driven the 105, Ive driven the 1.6 & 1.2tdi Roomsters and found the 1.6 nice and smooth and enough go about it for me. Not sure how the 1.2tsi 85 compares in fairness however I own the 1.2 85 and love it to bits. More than enough power for me and still goes well with 5 people in it. My other car and in fact the car I px'd was a 2.7 diesel with 125bhp and this defo has more go about it. Still got. 2.7 motor and although noce the roomy defo has it.

Can you not explain to a local dealer and ask if you can have some kind of extended test drive of both?

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Hi Slowlearner and welcome to Briskoda.

 

I suspect I fit in the same category too!  When I bought my first Roomster, I agonised for some time over choice of engine - 80BHP Diesel or 105BHP Diesel.  As with you, I feared I would come to regret buying an 80 against a 105.   But there was so little difference in running costs that I decided on the 105.  Although I very rarely used any of the 25 additional horses, I found it comforting to know they were there if needed.  Looking back, I know I would have regretted buying the 80.

 

My second (and current) Roomster is a DSG, so only one engine choice - 105BHP Petrol.  But if I were buying a manual, my choice would still be the 105 over the 85 for reasons stated.  

 

**Something in the back of my mind tells me the 105 may have a 6-speed manual gearbox whereas the 85 has only a 5-speed.  Could someone please confirm this?**

 

Please take heed of Eccles' advice to have a reasonably long test drive before buying.  I found the seat in my Roomster Scout far more comfortable than the seat in my Roomster SE.  And whilst I haven't driven many Fords, I seem to remember Ford's suspension being more compliant than Skoda's.

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Apologies Dear Moderator, Now you can see why my "handle" is Slowlearner!!! I'm a newbie and Immelman you're right, I had a senior moment and inadvertently posted a Fabia Roomster query in the section on the new Roomster.

 

Thank you Robjon for confirming my thoughts on the 105 vs 85 option.  If the last of the 105 Roomy's had a 6 speed box (which the Rapid Spaceback has I'm certain) it would be absolutely ideal.

 

I know to some my query may seem trivia but the expense of buying a car and the stress and greater expense/loss of having to change it I think is considerable these days. I will certainly take the advice on an extended trial from the local dealer.  However, I'm really grateful for all helpful advice from long-term owners who have identified (potential) long-term issues. 

 

Again, many thanks for putting my mind at rest.  BTW I currently drive a Focus Zetec, the suspension although "sporty" is more compliant than a Mk1 Octavia I tried.  But when my back is bad (which it is off and on) my wife's Mk1 Fabia I find far more comfortable.  I was surprised to read the seat in the Scout being more comfortable than the SE - maybe it needs to be because the increased wheels size of the former?  It'll be an SE for us as I really want the glass roof.....I figure the grandkids will love it and of course us of the older generation too!

 

Once again my thanks to one and all.  

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No Roomsters have ever been produced with a 6 speed manual box I'm afraid.

 

I have a Roomster with the 105 Tsi engine and it is very nippy for a 1.2 (but it is crying out for a six speed box). The 85 TSi is not quite as nippy but doesn't feel underpowered at all, only you would be able to make the decision as to which suits you best. The probable reason for there being a lot more of the 85 Tsi versions around on the used market is because there have been lots of promotions on that engine variant in both the Fabia and Roomster over the last few years.

 

A point to note is that the 105 and 85 engine cars are mechanically identical, it is just the engine software that is different. It is possible to re-map the software on the 85 Tsi engine to take it up to the same power as the 105 and beyond if you so wish, obviously doing that will affect your insurance and possibly your warranty, however, if you are buying a used car this may be less of a concern. There are a number of specialist companies that could do this for you and can advise you accordingly.

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Hello All,  I'm a newbie so apologies if "old hands" have seen this question before.  It is the main reason why I joined Briskoda.... I'm seriously thinking about buying a Roomster to replace the wife's Fabia MK1 when it's too long in the tooth.  I don't wish to join the diesel brigade of MPV owners, despite diesel "grunt" and economy, due to bad previous bad experience with Ford PSA DPF engine issues and the toxins released in the environment by this fuel.

 

Also, now being retired, my mileage is reduced to 6K per year.  In view of this and the kind of motoring we do i.e. weekly short local runs to the shops combined with 100 mile round trips to see the grandkids, plus UK holiday motoring, which engine would the forum recommend:

 

The TSI (85) version of the Roomster, which there appears to be more choice of on websites like Autotrader (lower insurance group, slightly better mpg is what my research suggests) or the TSI (105) with faster acceleration, slightly less mpg, higher insurance group but more power (20% more) and slightly less torque (10% less than 105)?

 

On paper figures are one thing but do these differences between the two engine make much "real world" difference??  I'm currently a Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec driver and whilst great to drive the suspension is firm for my age related aches and pains (!) and although no "speed freak" I find it frustratingly under powered!  Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.      

When you say the TSI are you talking the 1.4 petrol 85/86bhp old model ? If so thats what i have and in all honesty i wouldn't recommend it if you are only doing short trips to the shops,it takes about 8 miles for the engine to warm up,in the meantime its drinking petrol from cold.The economy for short trips is not good at all,on longer trips its much better on fuel but its very underpowered off the line and accelerating from junctions, as the bloody ECU starves it of petrol when you floor it to pull away quickly,which in my view is damn dangerous and has given me more than a few heartstopping moments.

Edited by faradaycage
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I was surprised to read the seat in the Scout being more comfortable than the SE - maybe it needs to be because the increased wheels size of the former?  It'll be an SE for us as I really want the glass roof.....I figure the grandkids will love it and of course us of the older generation too!

 

Yes, the Scout does have a firmer ride due to its 16" wheels and use of wide, low-profile tyres.  The SE with 15" wheels and normal profile tyres gives a much nicer ride.  The Scout seats seemed firmer and better shaped than the SE seats and the squab had less rake, which I found more comfortable.

 

The glass roof was a £600 option on my Scout and in my opinion, worth every penny.  It transformed the interior and I would not want a Roomster without one.  Fortunately, the glass roof was standard equipment on my SE.

 

@ Greenstripe - thanks for the information on gearboxes.

 

@ Faradaycage - I think the old 1.4 85BHP was known as the 1.4 16V.  The newer 1.2TSI 85 and 1.2TSI 105 are different animals.

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