Hi,

I'm looking at buying a second hand Roomster and need some advice on which engine to go for...model-wise I'm assuming the Scout is the one to pick but then should I go for 1.4 or 1.9 diesels...?

I drive 16-18,000 per annum of mixed motoring and would like to keep the car for 5 years...

So will a 1.4 work for me or do I need to upgrade to a 1.9....?

Many thanks

The 1.9 by all accounts is the one to go for.

I am averaging 47mpg with a lead foot ..

I would always go for the 1.9 on the grounds you dont want to be driving a 1.4 wishing you had bought the 1.9

There is little to choose between the two engines in terms of fuel consumption and both fall into the £120 Road Tax band. I have driven 2,000 miles from new in my 1.9 and the computer indicates an average of 52mpg. I am well chuffed.

It has been suggested in other threads that the 1.4 is the noisier of the two engines and is susceptible to turbo lag. I cannot offer an opinion as I have not driven the 1.4

I went for the 1.9 for the reason given by Decron and I have not regretted my choice.

I test drove the 1.4 80bhp and the 1.9. The 1.4 was quite willing but sounded a little harsh. The 1.9 was smoother (of course) and had plenty in reserve on the motorway, so we bought it Haven't got it yet mind, gotta wait for the cherished plate transfer off the px...

Would recommend the 1.9 aswell

The 1.4 does feel abit slower.

Agree with the others, the 1.9 is the one to go for... I had a 1.9 Fabia Estate, changed it for the 1.4TDi 80 and then when we got the Roomie went back to the 1.9, much the better engine.

As for the Scout as the model to go for... its not neccessarily the best one as its a case of horses for courses, we have the 3 'cause the spec suits our needs better. Take a look at both and decide which extras you want, that will guide you to one or the other.

My 3 was an ex-demo but it was the version I would have chosen. However, the 1,2, & 3 are no longer available, they are now S, SE, & Scout and I don't think the SE is as well specced as the old 3.

imo i would have the 1.9 due to better pulling for motorway driving etc

As above, but you could always test drive them both?

Don't touch the 1.4TDI with a bargepole. I had one in a 08 Fabia 3 and it was very underpowered so in a Roomy it'll be a lot worse. Also watch the wheels - the Fabia's low profiles made driving in snow useless, which is something I've not found with my Fabia 1.9PD estate (06).

Never found the 1.4TDI underpowered in the Mk1 Fabia estate I had as a courtesy car... 5-up and a boot full of sound equipment, still pulled very well!

And it'd wide tyres that offer reduced grip in snow, not low profile.

Edited 29 December, 200916 yr by Babs

1.4 in my hatch has plenty of go .Did see a 1.4 (I think) Roomster on TOP Gear and JC said that he wished he'd gon for the bigger engine .Possibly the 1.4 can't cope with the body shape

1.4 in my hatch has plenty of go .Did see a 1.4 (I think) Roomster on TOP Gear and JC said that he wished he'd gon for the bigger engine .Possibly the 1.4 can't cope with the body shape

i think the 1.4 on TG was the 70bhp, rather than the 80bhp which also has quite a lot more torque

i'd go for the 1.9 in any case: despite being essentially Fabia based, the Roomster is quite a substantial car.

You only have to worry about the body shape when you get up past about 110... then it really starts to hold it back.

The Roomster is 65KG heavier compairing 1.9 Scout to 1.9 Scout, which is actually quite a bit....