That's a typical comment from someone that hasn't considered anything but the headline power figures! Forget the fact that the torque sits at that 'gutless' level from 1500rpm to 4500rpm before peak power arrives at 6000+ rpm. Ive pretty much driven every 170 vag model and wouldn't swap my humble 1.8 for any of them. Oh and the basic fact that the 1.8tsi is a quicker car against a 170 means nothing I guess also? ;-)

Yes, and it is more punchy than my Mk 1vRS was, with much more low down torque. The best I've seen re mpg, on the read out, was just over 49. that was on a steady motorway cruise at about 58 mph, though at that point I'd only done about 40 miles on the motorway.

yes of course Ecceshill I agree, but I was assuming, 'all things being equal' .

Erm.... exactly. The comparisons here are not "all things equal" which is why we see anomolies!And if I remember correctly you were asking how this could be.

A typical comment it might be but 250nm if that is correct is not impressive for a 1.8l petrol, my old 1.8t had 279lb of torque and another 102bhp. Sorry to offend but that's in my opinion and of course not yours! The PD170 was hardly a rocket ship before it went to Shark for Stage 1 and DPF delete, it's lively enough now but ultimately a bit boring (& course) which of course is diesel for you.

I'd consider a 1.8tsi with a remap and a few tweaks though as I assume the torque would be a lot stronger?

A typical comment it might be but 250nm if that is correct is not impressive for a 1.8l petrol, my old 1.8t had 279lb of torque and another 102bhp. Sorry to offend but that's in my opinion and of course not yours! The PD170 was hardly a rocket ship before it went to Shark for Stage 1 and DPF delete, it's lively enough now but ultimately a bit boring (& course) which of course is diesel for you.

I'd consider a 1.8tsi with a remap and a few tweaks though as I assume the torque would be a lot stronger?

I think "gutless" is relative. I have never driven a VRs so can't comment on how my 1.8TSi compares.

All I can say is that 160BHP and 250Nm (ft/lb? can't remember the units!) through the seamless 7 speed DSG is plenty for me. I certainly feel the difference when I get into SWMBO's 1.4 Micra.

And from someone that has driven (owned for two years) a stage 2+ mk 2 octy VRS with 330lb/ft torque, my opinion still stands regarding the 1.8tsi ;-)

Fair enough! Would be interesting to drive one sometime..

A typical comment it might be but 250nm if that is correct is not impressive for a 1.8l petrol, my old 1.8t had 279lb of torque and another 102bhp. Sorry to offend but that's in my opinion and of course not yours! The PD170 was hardly a rocket ship before it went to Shark for Stage 1 and DPF delete, it's lively enough now but ultimately a bit boring (& course) which of course is diesel for you.

I'd consider a 1.8tsi with a remap and a few tweaks though as I assume the torque would be a lot stronger?

If anything, the 170 PD feels nippier than the 170 CR due to the linear nature of the newer units power delivery IMO. I drove a CR 170 vrs back to back with a petrol 200 vrs last weekend and I have to concur with the diesel being boring comment. However, I still prefer the 1.8tsi unit to the 2 litre. I think it's smoother and freer revving. The unit feels more refined overall. It feels as though the internal bits that are moving up and down are lighter (yes, I know that may sound like im taking drugs) ;-) I also find the economy, frankly, amazing. It's like it offers 90% of the benefits of the vrs petrol lump but with 70% of the running costs!

Power and torque go to around 220 and 225 respectively with a stage 1 map. So that's 225lb/ft torque dropping off around 5,000 rpm (past the point of changing up with the diesel) and onto just shy of 7,000rpm for the peak power. Oh and DPF's, leaking injector seals and cambelt replacement costs aren't even on my worry list. ;-)

I can certainly see the sense in it, but then I didn't want to spend lots of money on a car (wife has no job) so for £6700 my car was ideal. Fingers crossed it stays fairly reliable, only time will tell.

If I wasn't in the position of being able to own more than one car (or did less mileage), it would be petrol all the way for me.

When i see the missus drive it does my head in. She never reads the road ahead i.e accelerates up to cars then has to brake rather than coasting up without needing to brake, problem is every time i point this out an argument normally ensues. No-one like to have their driving critiscised.

That sounds familiar, that and driving round bends with one hand on the wheel and the other on the gear stick. I had a day with an ex copper when I was 22 and he said that you should always have 2 hands on the wheel so I try and tell her and get moaned at