Earlier this year I swapped back from Diesel to Petrol for my daily driver. I swapped a 110k, Octavia Elegance Estate PD 140 for a 1.8TSi Superb Twindoor.

 

I originally looked at getting another diesel due to my yearly mileage (15k) and I have 18 roundabouts on my 30 mile commute! However, my Octavia cost me £4500 in repairs over my 5 years of ownership (turbo, rocker, EGR, IMF, DMF, clutch and gearbox). Most of the repairs were a pain and obviously cost me a lot of money. I was worried about EGR, DMF, DPF issues on the more modern diesels than my PD as any savings in fuel would be eradicated by bills. 

 

I looked at Octavias mainly and didn't really find anything that piqued my interest. I wanted to match the spec of my old Octavia but with Xenons and it had to be an estate. After 2 months of looking and not finding anything I decided to expand my search. The Superb became attractive with the twin door and loved the leg room. 

 

So then it came down to engine choice; CR170 or PD140. Well I wouldn't touch another PD after the problems I had with mine and CR170s were intergalatic mileages. So I looked the 1.8TSi. After many positive reports on here and the glowing report EVO gave their 1.8TSi Yeti, I tried a few. I was hooked!

 

The drop in economy is well worth it for the flexibility that a FI petrol gives you. I love third gear (good from 20-75MPH) and just how much nicer the power delivery is. I paid £8995 for my Superb (58 plate Elegance with Bi-Xenon, MFD3, BT, heated and power seats, leather and 18" Thermitos with PS3s with 56k on the clock). For the same diesel would have been £2-3000 more than my Superb and that equals a lot of fuel. Combined with the cheaper fuel in the first place it seemed logical to me. 

 

So less concerns on DMFs (DMF failures seem rarer on the petrols), no EGR and less boost on the turbo should mean less stress has made me enjoy the driving I am doing and enjoying the 33MPG average I have had over the last 2500miles. 

 

I like the fact there is less weight over the front axle means sharper and quicker turn in and less understeer. It feels more comformtable and natural.

 

Getting into the wives vRS is a bit boring now and frustrating with the narrow power band and on-off throttle in comparison. When we come to change hers next year I will be looking at a 1.2/1.4TSi Fabia / Ibiza / Leon as she only did 7k last year and mostly round town.

 

Would I change back? Nope! 4000RPM in third is too addictive  

Good post and an interesting read. From a financial perspective it paints a clear picture-petrols are far cheaper and an attractive proposition 2nd hand if your not doing stella miles.

Nice comparative review

Glad your enjoying the new car

Cheers

Damo