Never had this issue with any 1.2 Polo I've driven. Anticipate, and carry speed through corners.

Diesel cars have made drivers lazy!

Great theory, unfortunately you first need to develop the speed . Also in attempting to find the speed the mpg is pants

I think a basic S or SE 1.4 TSI is great value in manual guise and it has come in for a lot of praise. The old 1.9 TDI is a noisy engine but I'm very fond of it as it's tough and very grunty: something that its 1.6 relacement is not from what I have read even though power and torque figures are all but identical. If you really like Diesels and want a good honest engine that will have less complications then you should be able to get a heavily discounted one but I would buy the 1.4 manual.

Edited 23 February, 201016 yr by Matt Bodycombe

Guys (and gals) I hear what you're saying about test driving "...the bloody thing!" but there's no disguising the fact that recent reviews of the 1.6 TDI engine, whether in Skoda Octavia, Seat Leon, Volkswagen Polo or Golf, have been less than rousing about performance, in both 90 and 105 BHP format. For example...

AUTOCAR: "Smooth but slow...For gentle town driving or motorway cruising the performance is entirely adequate, but if you want to pick up speed quickly, for instance to squeeze into a gap in traffic, there isn’t the low to mid-range torque you might expect from a turbodiesel." (Golf 1.6 TDI)

THECARCONNECTION: "...is not that fast with the 1.6TDI 90Bhp." (Golf 1.6 TDI)

It would appear there are particular concerns about the 'green' versions, for example:

ROADTESTREPORTS: "...at low revs the car is a pain. A real lack of torque in the lower range really hampers the enjoyment of driving this car – frustratingly so." (Octavia 1.6 TDI Greenline)

WHATCAR: "Performance is flat at low revs." (Octavia 1.6 TDI Greenline)

I'm still trying to find the review of some months back (it was an Ireland review) that said the engine was so-ooo flat it was dangerous on on-slips and round-abouts. But let me make this clear, I don't think for a moment there is a major issue over this engine (it may well be gearing), but as far as I'm concerned, when I'm forking out mucho dinero for a new car, and a lot of reviewers say that if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, looks like a duck ..., then I'm not going to go there.

... you get my drift.

Guys (and gals) I hear what you're saying about test driving "...the bloody thing!" but there's no disguising the fact that recent reviews of the 1.6 TDI engine, whether in Skoda Octavia, Seat Leon, Volkswagen Polo or Golf, have been less than rousing about performance, in both 90 and 105 BHP format. For example...

AUTOCAR: "Smooth but slow...For gentle town driving or motorway cruising the performance is entirely adequate, but if you want to pick up speed quickly, for instance to squeeze into a gap in traffic, there isn’t the low to mid-range torque you might expect from a turbodiesel." (Golf 1.6 TDI)

THECARCONNECTION: "...is not that fast with the 1.6TDI 90Bhp." (Golf 1.6 TDI)

It would appear there are particular concerns about the 'green' versions, for example:

ROADTESTREPORTS: "...at low revs the car is a pain. A real lack of torque in the lower range really hampers the enjoyment of driving this car – frustratingly so." (Octavia 1.6 TDI Greenline)

WHATCAR: "Performance is flat at low revs." (Octavia 1.6 TDI Greenline)

I'm still trying to find the review of some months back (it was an Ireland review) that said the engine was so-ooo flat it was dangerous on on-slips and round-abouts. But let me make this clear, I don't think for a moment there is a major issue over this engine (it may well be gearing), but as far as I'm concerned, when I'm forking out mucho dinero for a new car, and a lot of reviewers say that if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, looks like a duck ..., then I'm not going to go there.

... you get my drift.

Sunds like owning one will drive you Quackers

Then again, it may be perfectly adequate if you're used to a 1.0. It's all relative!

WOW, glad I opted for the 1.9TDi - that has loads of torque at low revs.

When I was buying mine the dealer was really pushing the 1.6TDi as a better engine than the 1.9 in every respect. The only reason I opted for the 1.9TDi was that it had a £1K larger discount on the scrappage scheme (I never test drove the 1.6 though).

You made the right choice: PD is noisy and a bit crude but keep the oil changed regularly and it will run and run. I'm not a big fan or CR: smooth yes but sooo complicated. I too think gearing is an issue. I had a Leon Ecomotive on a test for a week with the 1.9 pd and that felt emasculated. People say the 1.6 is smoother throughout the range but I can't stand sluggardly cars. Yes Babs says drive it harder but there is something ridiculous about making a Diesel scream. If I get another Skoda it will be a 1.4 or 1.8 tsi, except if I was buying a Supurb estate when I would prolly spec the 170 TDI CR as the best motor, despite being lairy of CR. I am still a petrol head at heart but respect the engineering of my 1.9 tdi pd. Clio Renauktsport top of my list though!

Of course you should test drive an Octavia 1.6 TDI if you are considering buying one, but you'd be equally mad not to surf the web and read the experience shared by others who have tested or owned cars with this engine - after all, sharing experience is part and parcel of this forum.

Gearing would appear to be an issue. To quote an MSN road test review of the Golf 1.6 TDI 105bhp: "It's geared very long too, the better for emissions and economy but, with widely spaced ratios, resulting in a somewhat leisurely pace. The engine is punchy and strong enough but this Golf won't be rushed." and "There are exciting Golfs - again, look at the GTD or GTI - but this one isn't one of them and, in direct comparison, the perkier, cheaper and six-speed equipped 1.4 TSI petrol would probably get our vote, unless economy really was everything."

The full review is at:

http://cars.uk.msn.com/reviews/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=150652498

Looking at the reviews of testers and ordinary people who have driven / owned cars with the VW 1.6TDI 90bhp and 105bhp engines and who have posted across numerous websites, the few who are most positive talk in terms of the performance being strong, the majority talk about the performance in qualified terms such as "adequate in normal day to day driving" or "sufficient... if you are not a 0-60 demon", and the few who are least positive talk about the performance being "flat".

From all of this you start to sense that the centre of gravity of opinion on the performance of this engine lies squarely in the 'underwhelmed' camp. The concensus is, although undoubtedly smooth and refined, that (and I quote) "you buy the 1.6 TDI for economy, not for performance or enjoyment" and the 1.6 TDI has "sufficient if not overwhelming performance".

And then there is the issue about DPF clogging... but that's another (emerging) story.

Diesel development is emission driven like all other cars, I can see posts in a few years winging about the New Electric skodas we all have to drive & extalling the performance of the old CR diesels they vaguely remember.

As for the dpf issue, tuners will have ways of removing them

Yes but the engines don't have to be dull and boring and the 1.4 TSI isn't. I would not say that the Renaultsport cars and the forthcoming sub £20k Subaru engined rear drive coupe.You paint a grim picture but thank god there are still enthusiast engineers in the motor industry. An article in the latest Automobile Year states that electric cars are not viable for years and the CO2 issue nonsense in countries with coal fired power stations but I digress.

Yes but the engines don't have to be dull and boring and the 1.4 TSI isn't. I would not say that the Renaultsport cars and the forthcoming sub £20k Subaru engined rear drive coupe.You paint a grim picture but thank god there are still enthusiast engineers in the motor industry. An article in the latest Automobile Year states that electric cars are not viable for years and the CO2 issue nonsense in countries with coal fired power stations but I digress.

Matt, I agree. I've actually driven (a friend's) Toyoto Prius (albeit over a limited (30km) distance) and IT WAS DIRE. But, electric and alternatives are the way forward, be in no doubt. Tesla leads the way at the moment, but the day will soon come when it is swept aside and replaced by something affordable that meets the everyday person's need to enjoy driving 12,000 miles a year with economy that is far superior to current diesels and hybrids.

In the meantime, we have to optimise what we have. Whilst economical, it would seem that the VW 1.6 TDI isn't bubbling to the top to meet the 'enjoyable performance' challenge.

Edited 24 February, 201016 yr by Cauliflower

Matt, I agree. I've actually driven (a friend's) Toyoto Prius (albeit over a limited (30km) distance) and IT WAS DIRE. But, electric and alternatives are the way forward, be in no doubt. Tesla leads the way at the moment, but the day will soon come when it is swept aside and replaced by something affordable that meets the everyday person's need to enjoy driving 12,000 miles a year with economy that is far superior to current diesels and hybrids.

In the meantime, we have to optimise what we have. Whilst economical, it would seem that the VW 1.6 TDI isn't bubbling to the top to meet the 'enjoyable performance' challenge.

Well said, but reading last weeks Autocar, it stated that 1.4 TSI twincharge running on natural gas is the only car to get the FIAs 5 star green rating whatever that is. There are some interesting variations on the internal combustion engne theme such as the multi compression Merc engine whose name I forget but looks very promising, then there are hydrogen powered Mazda rotaries which all excite me more than a whining electric motor. AS for me I am saving for that simple sub £20K Subaru engined Toyota coupe that is coming out in a few years time: It looks stunning!

Just swapped my trusty diesel Fiesta for my new 1.4 TSI yesterday - in 4 inches of snow.

First impressions: Wow, how quiet is that engine, even outside! Makes the tyre rumble inside more noticeable, though. The gear 'change up' indicator on the dash seems premature - 6th gear at 40 mph? Certainly at low speeds, engine response is immediate and impressive, even in 5th or 6th. The brakes are touch sensitive but that'll quickly settle in. Not as much 'new car' smell as I remember in cars of yore - that's a good thing. Oh dear, why do the windows wind down slightly if I press the key fob too long? Looks like I'll have to read a car manual for the first time in my life. Over 290 pages of it! Very pleased so far, but the snow has prevented any proper driving per se.

I'll wait for the snow to go, drive properly for a few days and post then.

Just swapped my trusty diesel Fiesta for my new 1.4 TSI yesterday - in 4 inches of snow.

First impressions: Wow, how quiet is that engine, even outside! Makes the tyre rumble inside more noticeable, though. The gear 'change up' indicator on the dash seems premature - 6th gear at 40 mph? Certainly at low speeds, engine response is immediate and impressive, even in 5th or 6th. The brakes are touch sensitive but that'll quickly settle in. Not as much 'new car' smell as I remember in cars of yore - that's a good thing. Oh dear, why do the windows wind down slightly if I press the key fob too long? Looks like I'll have to read a car manual for the first time in my life. Over 290 pages of it! Very pleased so far, but the snow has prevented any proper driving per se.

I'll wait for the snow to go, drive properly for a few days and post then.

My 1.8Tsi is just running in and as you say the engine response is just fantastic in any gear. Add to that amazing silence and so far reasonable economy - 35 - 40 mpg. The gear shift indicator does make you drive economically I find.

The 1.8TSi feels very rapid - between 60 and 80 theres a lot of go!!!

OK lads and lasses, the snow's gone and I've managed to get few days driving my new 1.4 TSI SE under my belt and here's the initial impressions. By the way, 'corrida red' is the bee's knees - if you like your reds, it doesn't disappoint.

Let's deal with the big one first. The question over the engine. Very quiet, even when standing outside listening to it with the bonnet up. To those of you wondering 'is it / isn't it up to the job' for this size of car, wonder no more, it is not compromised at all on the road. If you're used to the sort of performance that you get from the really big diesels, VRS, and the top quartile performers of other marques, then you're naturally going to want more. But if you're an average Joe or Joanna driving a Ford Focus 1.6 petrol, Vauxhall Astra 1.6 petrol, or Mazda 6 1.8 petrol (all of which I've driven over the past 6 months), then you'll feel that you've gone up a league or two, it really is that good. If you're a diesel driver, you'll notice the difference in the way the power is delivered, but still admire the lack of compromise regarding 'grunt' on the road.

More 'goods': Ride is comfortable but not flabby, Bolero radio works well and sounds great, general quality and attention to detail inside is impressive, boot is HUUGGGEEEE!!!.

Downsides: I'm not sure I need 6 gears - I seem to change down from 5th to 3rd a lot and 5th and 6th on the way up seem interchangeable - it's not a showstopper in any sense, but do I really need it?

More difficult is the pedal set up - I'm 5' 7" and am struggling to come to terms with pedals. The brake seems to be about 1 inch above the others, meaning I have to crook my foot at an unnatural angle - am I doing something wrong???

Finally, the doorlocks are doing my head in. I am used to one button closing my doors and one button opening them. Can anyone explain to me how (in 3 sentences or less) 1.4 Octavia TSI SE doorlocks work?????

Edited 1 March, 201016 yr by Cauliflower

Finally, the doorlocks are doing my head in. I am used to one button closing my doors and one button opening them. Can anyone explain to me how (in 3 sentences or less) 1.4 Octavia TSI SE doorlocks work?????

On my vRS, I have one button for opening the doors and one button for unlocking the doors and a third for opening the boot. is it not the same on the SE? What happens with your car?

Admittedly, i have mine setup so that I have to press the unlock button twice to open all doors, but I can change that so all doors and boot open with the first press of the unlock button. (This can be changed via the setup menu in Maxidot). If you don't have maxidot, then it's a trip to the dealer of your local VCDS person to make the change for you

Nice mini review

Finally, the doorlocks are doing my head in. I am used to one button closing my doors and one button opening them. Can anyone explain to me how (in 3 sentences or less) 1.4 Octavia TSI SE doorlocks work?????

One click unlocks the driver's door, then after a slight pause (say 1 second), a second click will unlock all doors. If you try to do the "double click" too quick then it won't work (as in it won't unlock all doors). I found it annoying when I first got mine, but you soon get used to it, and as Raglits says it can be changed.

Thanks Raglits and Phil_P, I'm still experimenting with the locks. The manual seems to suggest (and correct me if I'm wrong):

(1) plip the close button once to lock doors AND initiate the safe secure system (this latter I presume prevents people inside from getting out);

(2) plip the close button twice within 2 seconds to lock the doors WITHOUT the safe secure system (if assumption at (1) is correct, people inside can get out);

(3) plip the open button once to unlock the doors (and I presume de-activate the safe secure system);

(4) the anti-theft alarm activates at (1) and (2) automatically;

(5) the anti-theft alarm de-activates at (3) automatically (the alternative key in door approach requiring one to start the ignition within 15 seconds);

(6) the switch in the central console will override the safe secure system activated at (1).

Furthermore, there is reference in the manual to deactivating the safe secure system from the outside (presumably after doing (1)) by plipping the open boot button twice in 3 seconds.

Is this right? And I haven't even got to the part of the manual yet where it talks about locking / unlocking one door / all doors...

Thanks Raglits and Phil_P, I'm still experimenting with the locks. The manual seems to suggest (and correct me if I'm wrong):

(1) plip the close button once to lock doors AND initiate the safe secure system (this latter I presume prevents people inside from getting out);

(2) plip the close button twice within 2 seconds to lock the doors WITHOUT the safe secure system (if assumption at (1) is correct, people inside can get out);

(3) plip the open button once to unlock the doors (and I presume de-activate the safe secure system);

(4) the anti-theft alarm activates at (1) and (2) automatically;

(5) the anti-theft alarm de-activates at (3) automatically (the alternative key in door approach requiring one to start the ignition within 15 seconds);

(6) the switch in the central console will override the safe secure system activated at (1).

Furthermore, there is reference in the manual to deactivating the safe secure system from the outside (presumably after doing (1)) by plipping the open boot button twice in 3 seconds.

Is this right? And I haven't even got to the part of the manual yet where it talks about locking / unlocking one door / all doors...

With regards to (2), there is a button on the door pillar on the drivers side, if you press that, then you don't need to press the lock button twice to deactivate the interior sensors so you can leave people locked in the car but still allow them to get out and not have to stay still

The button in the centre console unlocks all doors at once, but if you've locked the car with the remote I don't believe that it will override that. I use it for unlocking all the doors when I park up when I have passengers so they don't get confused by having to pull the door handle twice to get out (I use the anti-hijack feature, and don't have it unlock all the doors automatically)

You also haven't mentioned the one where if you unlock the car with the remote, but don't open any doors, the car locks itself again after 30 seconds...

... The gear 'change up' indicator on the dash seems premature - 6th gear at 40 mph?

I don't seem to have this feature on my FL 1.8TSi SE, should I have? Does it need to be enabled somehow?

With regards to (2), there is a button on the door pillar on the drivers side, if you press that, then you don't need to press the lock button twice to deactivate the interior sensors so you can leave people locked in the car but still allow them to get out and not have to stay still

The button in the centre console unlocks all doors at once, but if you've locked the car with the remote I don't believe that it will override that. I use it for unlocking all the doors when I park up when I have passengers so they don't get confused by having to pull the door handle twice to get out (I use the anti-hijack feature, and don't have it unlock all the doors automatically)

You also haven't mentioned the one where if you unlock the car with the remote, but don't open any doors, the car locks itself again after 30 seconds...

Hmmmm... Is there a Homer Simpson version of the lock / unlock instructions anywhere? Doh!!!

Goosander, from day one my recommended gear change selection indicator appeared as default in the top right corner of the small oblong electronic 'readout' located centrally between the analogue rev counter and speedometer dials. I haven't the first clue how the indicator got there, perhaps someone will. On the same 'readout' appears the bingbong indicator for seatbelts and freezing temperatures, the trip (which I've managed inadvertantly to reset several times), but apparently not the total mileage covered - does anyone know how I see the mileometer? I know this sounds as if I'm a dingbat, but I don't care, I just want to see how many miles I've covered so far. I'm going to need to know for the first 10,000 service ...

Hmmmm... Is there a Homer Simpson version of the lock / unlock instructions anywhere? Doh!!!

Goosander, from day one my recommended gear change selection indicator appeared as default in the top right corner of the small oblong electronic 'readout' located centrally between the analogue rev counter and speedometer dials. I haven't the first clue how the indicator got there, perhaps someone will. On the same 'readout' appears the bingbong indicator for seatbelts and freezing temperatures, the trip (which I've managed inadvertantly to reset several times), but apparently not the total mileage covered - does anyone know how I see the mileometer? I know this sounds as if I'm a dingbat, but I don't care, I just want to see how many miles I've covered so far. I'm going to need to know for the first 10,000 service ...

Is the odometer not the bottom line on the display?

I have Maxidot, so I get the total miles covered in the bottom left of the display and the trip counter on the bottom right...

Yup, the odometer is the bottom line on the display BUT it only displays when stationary. When moving it displays current speed in Km/h.

I'll have a look for the gear change display, maybe its an option I have scolled past without noticing when selecting trip computer displays. I usually have average mpg displayed, though that tends to be a bit depressing!

Cauliflower,

Good to hear your new Octy arrived and apart from getting acquainted with the door locks..you're well chuffed with it.

The euro equivalent of the UK price (incl VRT and VAT adjustment) would have made it c.2k worthwhile for me...but alas I lost that on trade in price offered..as the NI dealer could not get a decent offer from his ROI contact.

Anyway I went back to my local dealer on Saturday...and in an out of body experiece...I signed up for a 2.0 vRS diesel...so shouldn't have power probs with that!

Allegedly...its on the boat..although dont know where the boat is!

So I guess I'm waiting for my ship to come in...LOL...and for a really good Cheltenham to fund the moment of madness.

Goosander, you have solved the mystery. This is the first time I've encountered a car where the odometer is hidden behind a digital km/hour reading, only to appear when the car is stationery. A bit weird, given that km/hour are also shown on the analogue speedo. Anyway, no doubt I can change this if I read another 50 pages of the manual!

Hullabaloo, congratulations on joining the low flying aircraft club, hope it covers the miles for you with a few thrills along the way. The boat in question must be a slow boat to China, given some of the delivery lead time woes on this forum. Hopefully yours won't go to China...