Calling other owners of 1.8TSi

Now settled in with the 1.8TSi and very happy with it.

One point I'd like to raise - pull away in bottom, especially on slight hill, at traffic lights for example, seems to require ultra sensitive throttle position.

Seems you either nearly stall (or actually stall !! ) or else get revs like a boy racer trying to break the sound barrier.

It is a bit as if first gear is very high, or, as said, the throttle is too sensitive at the bottom end.

Anyone else find the same or is there some fault that needs adjusting on mine?

Its just a trait of a powerful and torquey turbocharged engine. If you aren't doing enough revs the turbo isn't on boost so it stalls if you aren't progressive enough with the clutch, give it more revs, the turbo boosts and it goes like hellfire. Bear with it and you'll get the hang of it.

I have a TSi for 12 mths and 13000mls now and know just what you are on about, I think you learn to get used to it rather than ever learning how to over-come it

Thanks - It's just that I don't recall my Mk. 1 vRS feeling like that, and it was a similar sort of engine/power.

I can live with it - the rest is brilliant!

Thanks - It's just that I don't recall my Mk. 1 vRS feeling like that, and it was a similar sort of engine/power.

I can live with it - the rest is brilliant!

My Mk 1 VRs was easier to take off in also, but as you say rest of the TSi is great so will forgive it a little hic-up like this

I've noticed the same thing also, but otherwise am very happy with my choice. I've yet to come across another 1.8 TSi and my dealer tells me mine is the only one they have ever sold !!

My mk1 1.8T elegance was like that from new, but settle down a little after around 5k.

The tight engine might be amplifying it a little. Our Mk2 FSI didnt open up properly until around 8K, and needed extra power to get going until then.

The other difference is the floor mounted accelerator, which hinders things a little if you're not used to them. I always stall ours when I swap from the works Mondeo for this very reason.

Yes Ednmra ...mine does similar - think the problem is the turbo on the TSI unit spins up very early (suposedly from 1500 rpm ) giving good low down torque unlike many earlier Turbo engines that tend to need 2000+ rpm before they get appreciable boost. Result is as you write - a bit all or nothing at the low end on take off. I believe the Ford diesels e.g. Mondeo 2.0 TDCI limit boost in first gear to reduce this effect (& probably wheelspin & stress on the drivechain also) This would probably be sensible on TSI also - I'm sure the electronicallly controlled dump/bypass valve (I assume there is one on these) could be programmed to "switch out" the turbo in first gear? (whether ECU knows its in 1st is another matter:rolleyes:)

As an aside I nearly bought a secondhand MK1 VRS a few years back ( but couldn't live with the seat & carpet colours in the event) : how do they compare performance wise on the road?

e.g. I notice the 0-60 & top end figures are extremely similar on paper. The MK1 vrs uses the old 20v 1.8t unit so has different characteristics I'm sure, but power is also pretty similar 180 v 160 (quite small percentage wise). Still haven't noticed anything as quick in grp. <11 insurace as the tsi!

I'm told that the TSi, on a test bed, is much more than the stated 160 bhp ! Possibly this helps the insurance, which is pretty good for what the car is.

However, it seems this is a Skoda trait, and many of the models have higher bhp than stated, so who knows what the Mk 1 vRS really was!! (Did anyone have one on a rolling road?)

I know my Mk1 vRS had a good kick in the back when wanted, but since passing the 1000mile mark, I have not yet had my TSi on a suitable trip to open it up a bit. However, judging by the response in the middle gears, just around town, I think it is going to be an eye opener soon.

Real point and squirt stuff, and a great Q car, just looking like a bog standard Octavia plodder !! Some very puzzled looking BMW owners around here!!

I have a TSi for 12 mths and 13000mls now and know just what you are on about, I think you learn to get used to it rather than ever learning how to over-come it

Same here. I thought it was me and my driving! Totally happy with car in all other respects though.

I miss my MK1's turbo kick.

When I drove a mk2 VRS I was disappointed that it didnt seem as quick as the 20v lump was, and found the 2.0FSI lump I opted for in the elegance much more growly and pully.

On the BHP front of the mk1, I'm sure it was almost 200, yet the book figure was 180, and the standard 20v turbo 150bhp. Best bet is look at the A4 and TT's for a more accurate figure

I miss my MK1's turbo kick.

When I drove a mk2 VRS I was disappointed that it didnt seem as quick as the 20v lump was, and found the 2.0FSI lump I opted for in the elegance much more growly and pully.

I also went from Mk1 vRS to 2.0FSi and didn't much miss the difference in performance generally.

BUT when you go from 2.0FSi to 1.8TSi you realise the torque you were missing, especially when going up hill with a full load. Lots of gearbox stirring with the 2.0FSi, but the TSi treats the Devil's Dyke hill like a flat drag strip - quite some motor.

Noticed it myself on a few of the TSIs at work. Either you nearly stall or you're sitting in a cloud of smoke with the tyres burning. :lol:

Well, maybe I'll just report after a few thousand more miles, like Gadgetman says, let it loosen up a bit, and no doubt my right foot is still learning!