I did own a 1.9Tdi PD Octavia 105 and I now own a Fabia 1.6Tdi CR 105 Estate. If you can afford it, I`d go for the newer eingine for a number of reasons. 1: The 1.6 is far more refined especially at motorway speeds. 2: The 1.6 can be driven like a petrol engine as is happier to be revved and there is no real need to use 5th gear until you are travelling at around 55-60 mph. 3: Road fund licence is £20 for a Fabia. 4: Ive never had any problems with the DPF but I do around 13000 miles a year. 5: The only downside is if buying new, the 1.6 CR takes a long time to run and return a really good fuel comsumption. I do around 490 miles on 40 litres of shell diesel as opposed to 520 miles on 50 litres with the Octavia.

Just to put it into perspective on running in.

I do 30,000 miles a year, about 70-75% motorway. Cruise control at 70mph, after 12,000 miles on the car has started returning 60-65mpg depending on gradient of the journey.

My journey to Manchester is uphill on the country roads, and downhill on the motorway. I usually return around 62-63mpg on this run. On the way home from manchester, the motorway run is uphill, however, the country roads are downhill. On the way home I acheive around 68-70mpg.

This is because when it's warm, the engine LOVES 40-50mph on country roads. If I reset the trip when I leave the motorway, and just measure the country roads, I return around 80-90mpg.

I get around 750-800 miles per 55 litres.

Despite what people say, cruise control is much better than my right foot. I know a few people on the Seat forums who feel the same way.

P.S All of my figures are with just me and a full, heavy boot in the car most of the time. I'd say the weight in the boot is about equivalent as having the car full of people. I have noticed adding weight to the front makes a fair bit of difference. Adding another person in the passenger seat can see 'live' consumption figures drop by up to 4mpg.

P.P.S It should also be said that I do hand calculations, because my MFD computer under reads consumption by 1-2mpg usually.

Xreyuk - either you have a heavy load, or REALLY light passengers!

Cruise control is mentioned as being a good way to save fuel however, from using mine I'd say logically it depends. If you have an incline on the motorway, the cruise control, from comparing my feather light foot to it, the cruise will basically floor it until the car reaches the desired speed. -Surely this is not good for fuel economy?

I think putting CC in on a manual is a bit of a weird thing to do.

Cruise control is mentioned as being a good way to save fuel however, from using mine I'd say logically it depends. If you have an incline on the motorway, the cruise control, from comparing my feather light foot to it, the cruise will basically floor it until the car reaches the desired speed. -Surely this is not good for fuel economy?

I think putting CC in on a manual is a bit of a weird thing to do.

Yes and no really.

Where the cruise control isn't as efficient is going down hill as it will maintain the exact same speed where we might not be worried about loosing 5-10mph if it means a bit of free dirving down the hill.

Often when going up hill it is more economical and fuel efficient to use an open and constant throttle than a small ammount of varying throttle.

Where cruise can save fuel is by maintaining a constant speed instead of varying it and on flat surfaces where it will only use as much throttle as it needs to maintain the set speed.

It is, however, going to be a life saver driving to Germany in a couple of weeks.

Thanks Passatnomore for your input.

I have just come across this vid showing (well, sounding out) the noise difference between the older 'PD' engines and the new 'CR' ones..

interesting.

Awesome diesel videos on youtube! That Fairbanks Morse 32D!! Talk about smoke!

1.9TDI for me. I have one in my 2006 Fabia Elegance and from new i have not had one ounce of trouble, it pulls like a train and although it does make some noise .... its a diesel ! I hear of taxi drivers using this engine and getting 500,000 miles with no issues.... thats all i want in a car, 100% reliability with as low as possible running costs. This DPF issue has not yet played its self out, lets see what issues they are having in a few years time !!! Also i don't want to keep thinking of the type of driving i am doing so it '' fits in '' with what the DPF wants or needs to it does not cause me trouble, sod that, i want a car (diesel or otherwise) that just does what i want it to do, even if i run small miles and short runs. My fuel economy is excellent and i can honestly say the car does everything i need, so much so that i have been searching for another ! I am going to change my BMW for another 1.9TDI Fabia, but the Mk2, everytime i think i have found one with the right spec and miles the bloody thing is sold when i ring up..... one dealer told me he can not keep them on his forecourt long enough, when i asked about the newer diesels.... he has them still for sale ! I think i will stick with the plain and simple for now. 1.9TDI for me all day long.

Edited 3 September, 201213 yr by Hudson1

I have read it all and still think the 1.9pd is far more enjoyable. Much more enjoyable to drive than the 1.6cr and actually still puts a smile on my face every time I drive my wifes fabia sport. It gives me lots of smiles per gallon.

I drive a superb 170dsg with a 2ltr Cr engine in. It is nice but the fabia puts a bigger smile on my face.

Ok, thanks for all the info. And what about when I do DPF Delete etc? I'll also do an Chiptuning Stage 1/1+.
If it'll be the 1.9TDI or the 1.6 TDI. I'll bot delete DPF and chip them. Is still the 1.9 better? Because the 1.9's are @ Price icm year they're made. Expensiver then the 1.6 TDI. With newer technologoy etc. So I'm considering an 2011+ with 1.6. But don't wan't an trouble englne. Then I'd rather pay little more price/year seen. I know my Seat Ibiza 1.9 TDI FR 2004 ARL? Had 190-200BHP and 400NM. Engine was a beast and never left me alone..

look, this thread is 13 years old, that cars are also that old, for tuning, engine have to be in great shape, compression, pups, rails, injectors, clutch, gearboxes, etc

if youre planning tune old car, prepare more money.