I have a 1.4 mpi which is frankly a limp unit until it gets over 50mph. Majority of my driving is round town day to day, not exceeding 40mph, but might do motorway couple of times a month, and want to be able to cruise and overtake easily at 70mph (or thereabouts).

I will hopefully like to upgrade in the next 12 months. Still want a Fabia 1 Comfort (or similar spec later version) but that gives you a myriad of engine options (1.4 16v, 1.4tdi, 1.9sdi, 1.9tdi).

I would ideally like a much more fuel economical engine, but clearly a diesel with no pick up between 0-20 would frustate me daily.

Any advice as to which engine offers best economy vs acceleration in day to day driving?

vRS :P

Think your best bet would be the 1.9TDi I've driven the SDi and found it good to drive but far less go than the TDi

My opinion only though

2.0 in the Fabia is good. 140bhp springs to mind.

Dave

Edit: Might be wrong there, think it is the vRS engine and I might be thinking of a different car.

Tricky choice, how long is your commute?

Under 10-15 miles at 30mph or less I would say go petrol (as a committed diesel driver that does cause me some pain!).

If you do regular long jouney's or your commute is over 10-15miles each way then go diesel. Remember the diesel will give power at lower rev's, so be more relaxed and more capable in traffic (IMO).

I have the 1.4TDi and am perfectly happy with it. Whether you choose the 1.4 or the 1.9TDi seems to be pure preference. The 1.4TDi is a 3 cylinder engine, which can take a little getting used to. MPG-wise I've never had less than 50mpg (inc. commuting) and it will happily sit at 70mph with power to overtake.

HTH, Test drive both and see which you prefer!

Hewesy

1.9TDi if you can justify the initial price difference. Amazing torque and relaxed revs even at 77MPH. It's also a refined diesel, and once moving you would be hard pushed to notice it's a diesel.

1.9TDi if you can justify the initial price difference. Amazing torque and relaxed revs even at 77MPH. It's also a refined diesel, and once moving you would be hard pushed to notice it's a diesel.

"REFINED" you got to be joking. powerful. fast. torquey. reliable I would agree with but not refined.

its more refined than some of the tractor sounding derv drinkers out there

The vRS is the clear pick of the bunch . . . If they'd have done a 1.8 20v T id be in one!

"REFINED" you got to be joking. powerful. fast. torquey. reliable I would agree with but not refined.

Depends how much 2 stroke oil you put in it

Don't get a 1.4 16v they are pony!!!!!!!!!! Diesal all the way i think as power is your issue that rules out the 1.2!!!lol

We've a 1.4 TDI (me) and a 1.9 SDI (SWMBO)

SDI good around town and unstallable. Warms up fairly quickly. Acceleration pants. No problems at 81K 60mpg.

1.4TDI. Brilliant. Slow to warm up (9 miles in winter). Good acceleration (60mph in 5th is just at start of turbo so motorway overtaking is confident). No problems at 110K. 70 mpg

I wouldn't swop my TDI and SWMBO wouldn't swop her SDI.

The vRS is the clear pick of the bunch . . . If they'd have done a 1.8 20v T id be in one!

The 1.8 20v T in my old Golf MKIV was such a limp wristed engine. I would never buy another car with that 150bhp version installed

Seb - How can you say that . . . All round the 1.8 20v T engine has to be the best ever! bloody loved mine, such a laugh pullin 220!

Well im shocked too mate, i couldnt beleive how un-responsive it was. I've never tried the 180bhp version, but this was the 150bhp in the golf gti. I went from a peugeot 205 gti to this, and I knew instantly I had made a mistake lol

Before we get too off topic, I would go for the 1.9 tdi - good torque and probably a bit more economical than the vrs.

To rear off topic one last time . . . Seb, was it serviced. Had it on the rollers? I loved the engine . . . . as to the majority dub scene?

Either you've very very VERY high expectations or a dud?

Serviced, 4 years old, 45k miles, minter. I could barely get 120mph out of it (private road!). Never rollered. Felt really strangulated and over computerised - computers had a comittee meeting before allowing me to floor it. And the ESP left me stranded with NO power/revs after slightly energetic junction pull-outs...I'd call that dangerous! I know a lot of people adore that engine, but that car was a disaster for me - got rid after 10 months. VRS is a totally different story

I've had a couple of cars with the 1.4 3cyl motor (Seat Arosa / Fabia Comfort) now I have a Fabia Elegance with the 1.9TDI. Both are good but the 1.9 has bigger balls :-)

JON

No question it's the VRS. Have some fun get one immediately.

Well, thanks everyone for the opinions. Nearly broke out into a fight there at the end.

Not many have gone for the 1.416v do that's probably out. Few votes for the SDi either.

If the 1.9TDi is the same as in the old Bora, then I have driven it and it is great, but probably excessively good for my requirements. I'm no boy racer!

Also, I had a 3 cylinder 1.2 petrol in my old Polo (also available in Fabia I believe) so they oddness of a 3 cylinder won't peturb me. That engine needed revs but was actually quite fun (would struggle with extra size of Fabia though).

Think I'll look at the 1.4Tdi - I pretty much had my eye on it anyway, just wanted to make sure it wasn't a turkey.

My mates just bought a Fabia diesel, but don't know which one. Will see if he'll let me have a go this weekend and that might help.

Thanks again - you are aknowledgable bunch.

Sounds like your well placed to judge the 1.4 TDi. I'm perfectly happy with mine, but a few people coming from the "hotter" 1.9's (VRs, PD100+) have criticised it.

I too would ignore the 1.2, but that is because I do a lot of M-way miles and tow a trailer.

Have fun, good luck testing your mates!

Hewesy

2.0 in the Fabia is good. 140bhp springs to mind.

Dave

Edit: Might be wrong there, think it is the vRS engine and I might be thinking of a different car.

Er, it isn't and you must be. The Fabia 2.0 is the old 8v unit, with a mighty 115bhp. Second only to the 130bhp 1.9 diesel in the vRS, but pretty thirsty in comparison to either of the 100bhp units (1.4 16v and 1.9TDi)...

Tap up Awesome Sarah to find out what you can get out of a 1.9 TDi Fabia!

Oooh yes go on tap me up

I have the 100PD and mine is mapped up to 141BHP , but I do believe it will go more , but I wanted better fuel economy , we have seen up to 150ish on that unit

I get approx 65ish MPG and on long journey`s down the motorway its 60ish

Mine is up to 151k miles and still runs well too

(touches wood)

Sarah

The 1.4TDI is not a bad engine, and you could map it a bit to give it more smoothness and torque. The 1.9 turboed ones are great too.

The 2.0 petrol, I doubt that's gonna be working out cheap.

The 1.2 petrol is worth a test drive, I found it a better engine than the 1.4 in it's low power guise.

1.4 TDI is a great little engine but make sure you get the 80BHP version. If a VRS is too hot for you try a 1.9 TDI 100. Still a very brisk little car? Happy hunting!