Hi there. I'm currently running a Seat Leon FR with the 2.0 PD engine and I'm thinking of switching to the Monte Carlo with the 1.6 TDI. Mainly because it's cheaper to run and I've changed jobs, so I'm forever having DPF problems now, as it's all stop-start stuff I do now, rather than a 25 min run on a flowing road. Would this be too much of a step down? I've driven a Leon with the 1.6 105 and found it to be a decent engine in a car of that weight and size, so imagine it's pretty good in the Fabia.

If you are just doing short runs I'm not sure why you are looking at another diesel,why not the Monte tsi,which will also be cheaper?

Agreed, get the monte tsi 105, smashing little car.just got mine & the peace & quiet in the cabin & ease of driving compared to my diesel is making me smile big time.Dont dismiss the small engine, it really feels nothing like a 1.2., can plod at 40mph in 5th gear & i no longer need to thrash it just to please the dpf.

 

im getting just over 40mpg on my 12 mile run to work.

Agreed and welcome to the forum!

I had the monte 1.6tdi for 12 months and the dpf was a major problem

Chopped it in for a vrs and will likely not go back to diesel for that reason

A monte tsi will probably suit you more

Edited 13 September, 201312 yr by dazz600

Why not have the DPF removed on your leon? 

Day

Hmm. I might investigate the TSi then. Haven't had a petrol for 6 years, but I do miss the peace and quiet on a cold morning!

 

I fancy a change of car anyway, so the Leon will be going soon.

Why not have the DPF removed on your leon? 

Day

 

Sacrilege!

 

Blasphemy!

 

Watch out for the 'Save the Planet' brigade getting on your case

Sacrilege!

 

Blasphemy!

 

Watch out for the 'Save the Planet' brigade getting on your case

 

I think it's more...'Save the People'. 

Oh...and welcome cupofbeans! Yes, I'm a hardened diesel head and yet...even I like the 1.2TSI. Brilliant motor. Very diesel like to drive without the noise.

I think it's more...'Save the People'. 

 

I've come from 10 years of driving diesels, mostly of the French flavour so this is my first petrol motor in quite a while and I do agree that the 1.2 TSI is a cracking engine which I'm loving at the minute.

It does have diesel like torque but loves to rev and is a lot smoother and quieter.

It can be economical if driven steadily but exploit it and it drops to mid 30s which my diesels never did but it's definitely more fun.

I get low to mid 40s on my daily 16 mile round trip to work and back so I'm more than happy with that especially with how good it is to drive.

There's less understeer as well as it lighter at the front which you can really feel when having a bit fun.

I had an Octy 2.0 PD 140, then a Superb II Greenline (PD 105), before getting the Monte CR 105.

 

I think it's a great car, but haven't had DPF problems and drive enough for it not to be.  I don't know how stop-start driving affects the DPF - if it's a short journey, then maybe the car isn't going to get to working temp, thereby supposedly bad for DPF. 

 

I assume your Leon has an older gen DPF and don't know if the Monte would be better, but if you're not doing the miles, then petrol should be ok - my Dad switched from 10years (or more) of diesels to the TSI in his current Fabia.

 

Scarily, in "Honest John" this weekend in the Telegraph Motoring supplement, he advised someone not to buy diesel "because of the costs of replacing the DPF every three years".  It was a "letter" of one paragraph and a response the same length, so didn't really go into journey length expected and all that, but for me, that's the first time I've seen it suggested that DPF replacement is a "standard" practice at a certain age of car.

 

Does anyone have any info on that point, versus the slightly scaremonger approach of "DPF = WILL FAIL"? Is there any evidence to suggest that DPFs will need changing, even if they are running as advertised?