Hi All,

A thread in the Octavia forum about DSG has got me thinking about which engine to choose in the new Superb.

The 7-speed unit in the new Superb is a definite improvement over the 6-speed unit, as the CO2 emissions on the 1.8TSi 160 don't go up when you specify DSG. With the 6-speed gearbox (in the diesel), they go up by at least 10 g/km.

If you look at the fuel consumption figures, then the manual averages 37.1 mpg and so does the DSG. In actual driving, the DSG gets marginally better figures in urban situations, but slightly worse on the motorway.

This fact has lead me to think twice about choosing the 170TDi. The 1.8TSi and the 170TDi both have the same company car tax percentage (24%), and the difference in diesel cost just about evens out MPG advantage of the diesel (40.5 mpg vs 42.1 mpg).

Given that the petrol engined car is cheaper, it's what I'm seriously considering going for.

Has anybody out there actually driven cars (obviously not the Superb) which have either, or both, of these engines? If so, I'd be interested to hear what you think?

Bagpuss.

Well, I’m from Romania and our way of expressing consumption differs quite a bit, but anyway I have the following figures: for 1.8 TSI: 7,6 l/100 km and 180 g/km CO2 and for 2.0 TDI 170 DSG: 6,1 l/100 km and 159 g/km CO2. From emissions’ point of view the diesel engine is to be chosen. From consumption’s point of view it’s the old theory: it depends how much you travel a year: below 15.000 km it doesn’t worth it to buy a diesel, otherwise it does. But I think we’ll have to take into consideration another factor: the future price of fuel which will be higher and higher. From this point of view an engine with a higher consumption means higher costs and lower chances to sell the car in the future. And if we think that maybe from 2010 or 2011 new technologies of engines will appear…(Honda announced recently that they intend to launch in mass production from 2010 an engine fuelled by water). Sometimes I wonder if it worth to buy a new car these days…or just wait and see what happens. I will not be very happy to buy a Superb in 2009 and find out that in 2012 I will not be able to sell it... What do you think?

I read a report recently that you need to be doing 30,000 a year over 3.5 years for a diesel to be economically beneficial, taking into account inital outlay, servicing, fuel costs, etc, etc. I'll see if I can find that report and link it here.

105'000 miles to pay back an extra £1k... erm no.

The TSFi DSG seems very promising.

Are all the new diesels going to be common rail? sorry its a bit off topic:D

Are all the new diesels going to be common rail? sorry its a bit off topic:D

Not initially, it will be a mix of PD and CR engines. The engine type should be stated though.

I must admit I'm considering not buying a diesel for my next car. The torque's great, but the cost - which of course is the initial reason for buying - is so large these days a smaller turbo engine would probably be more efficient.

My money's on the 1.8 TSI 160.

I spoke to a chap at Skoda business sales a couple of days ago, and has been been able to drive cars with both types of engine.

He recommends the new 170TDi, saying that it is so much quieter than the current PD lump, and that power delivery is so much smoother and more progressive.

I have to say that it will probably come down to economics for me. Currently, the 1.8TDi with DSG looks like being a lot cheaper on my company scheme, not to mention being cheaper on the tax.

Bagpuss.

...saying that it is so much quieter than the current PD lump, and that power delivery is so much smoother and more progressive...

Perhaps also because the CR diesel attracts a premium over the TSI petrol?

How friendly of him

Drove an Audi A4 1.8TSi 160 today, and didn't think much of it.

If you thrash the nuts off it, then you can overtake eventually, but there is very little in the way of lowdown grunt.

I'll definitely be giving it a miss in the new Superb. Looks like the 170TDi for me.

Bagpuss.

...If you thrash the nuts off it, then you can overtake eventually, but there is very little in the way of lowdown grunt...

It's not a bad engine, I think someone may have been spoilt by the torque of the PD170!

If you drove the 2.0FSi and then the 1.8TFSi you'd notice a monumental difference in favour of the 1.8TFSi.

It just felt completely gutless, compared to what I'm used to.

I know that the TDI is going to cost more, but I think it will be worth it. I guess I expected more from a Turbocharged engine.

My previous experience has been with the 2.0TFSI, the 225 TT, and then several Imprezas and Evos, so I guess my performance perception is somewhat skewed.

Given that there won't be much in it from a running cost perspective, I'll take the diesel over the petrol for sure.

Bagpuss.

Knowing what 170bhp feels like in the old Superb that will be the engine of choice for me ......and being lazy the diesel suits me fine ....but it would have to be the manual version

I think someone may have been spoilt by the torque of the PD170!

Agreed!

On a serious note though, there's no way a 1.8 TSI could compete with a 170bhp TDI in terms of torque....

Everyone knows the 170 CRTDI has well over a million torques