Hi,

I'm thinking of getting the wife a new car and almost certainly the fabia estate.

She has a daily commented of 25 miles each way, all cross country driving. She does circa 13k miles a year in total.

Car is used as a dog wagon and carrying kids about as well.

Costs wise the diesel will cost a bit more, be cheaper to tax and cheaper to fuel but all in all, there isn't much in it (I think).

Any comments on what's the best engine is welcome. My thoughts are that a 1.2 is tiny and does it have enough torque to move the car well? My wife isn't a sporty driver so the car needs to be able to work in the low to mid rev range.

Comments from owners of the 1.6 TDi (75) and 1.2 TSi (86) are welcome.

PS - is the TSI the engine that drinks fuel for fun?

Edited 9 April, 201412 yr by a900ss

The 1.2 TSI is very torquey for a petrol so don't be put off by it's size, the same engine is used in Golfs and Leons !

Ford use a 1.0l in the Focus and it push out up to 125 bhp.

It's never going to be as economical as the diesel but diesel costs more to buy and so does the car so you've got to weigh everything up.

I've never driven the TSI 86 but my 105 is plenty fast enough through the lower gears and is smoother and quieter than any diesel I've had and I've had quite a few.

The TDI 75 should be adequate too but Diesel engines are heavier so if it's got less bhp to push more weight then this might outweigh any Eco bonus but it will have a bit more torque.

Driving them both back to back is the only way to tell though.

The 1.2 TSI doesn't drink fuel, I average between 40-45 mpg on my 16 mile round trip to work on mostly 30 MPH roads.

I'd get the 1.2tsi. Lots of torque as it's turbo'd so won't be lacking in the low and mid-range but will be much more fun to drive than the derv! Forget the fact it's a 1.2 -I suspect it will be quicker than the 1.6tdi 75 anyhow.

Only real way for you to decide is to testdrive both and go for which one you prefer.......

Unless you are thrashing it the little 1.2 TSI won't drink fuel for fun.

Have fun choosing and welcome to the forum!

PS - how long does the TDi take to blow warm air from the blowers in winter?

I've had various diesels over the years. My current car has an electric heater to blow warm air almost instantly. Other diesels I've had have taken 10 minutes to blow air warm air in winter.

Hi iv'e owned the 1.2 tsi (85) for a year and a half and i love the wee engine it's so eager to please and i would have another one tomorrow .

I've had 2 x diesels (PD and a CR) and also a petrol - get the 1.2 TSI - that's the way to go!

The TSI doesn't have DPF issues either

The heater's great in my Tech, it only has manual aircon but it heats's up really quick although it is garaged overnight so doesn't stand outside in cold ambient temperatures.

Go on, get the TSI, it's a great little engine.

I've been working on 40MPG from the 1.2 TSI and 50MPG from the 1.6TDI.  IS that a fair guess for cross country driving on single carriageway A roads?

Over all im getting 45mpg,ish combined. 

I would say that's bang on.

Low 40's round the doors, high 40s-50 on a run with my TSI.

Sent from my RAZRi using Tapatalk

The TSI doesn't have DPF issues either

 

Neither do 99.9% of 1.6 TDi's

 

I've been working on 40MPG from the 1.2 TSI and 50MPG from the 1.6TDI.  IS that a fair guess for cross country driving on single carriageway A roads?

 

Can't speak for the 1.2TSi but I think you are a little pessimistic on the diesel.  On 50/60mph A roads my 105PS in a bigger, less aerodynamic body easily gets into the 60's.  Even on 70/80mph motorway trips it gives high 50's.

Looks like my wifes mileage will now be closer to 17k making the DERV more attractive.

Looks like my wifes mileage will now be closer to 17k making the DERV more attractive.

It's starts to make sense by going for the TDI then as you'll probably be better off on that mileage, I'll be lucky if I do half that in my first year.

Good luck and hope your wife enjoys whatever you buy, I'm sure she will.

I've found the boot of the Fabia quite small for a dog - I've a terrier size dog and she's fine, but the boot is high to get into and small in width inside - my previous was a mk4 astra estate which seemed huge in comparison.

 

I'd go for a diesel - £20 to tax for a year is a good saving.  It does take bloody ages to get warm though.

 

I would guess the diesel will hold it's value better too.

Edited 10 April, 201412 yr by jme808

I had a good look round a Fabia Eatate today and was very impressed with the boot.

Yes, it does have a big lip but our dog is a Labrador, young and fit, so poses no problem. For a smal car, the boot is huge. I agree it's a lot of depth rather than width though.

For a dog/child wagon, it seems fine. A 4 seater than a 5 seater. It that's fine, I only have 2 kids.

Takes a long time to get warm though? How long for warm air from blowers in winter?

I'm really drawn to the TDi and might sign the order within a few days.....

Mine gets warm (doing about 30-40 in rush hour) after about 5 mins or so - I'd say another 5 before it's fully hot.  Basically from Thornbury to the M4/M5 interchange which can seem like ages when it's freezing.  I think you can get heated seats an an option though?  Wish I had them on mine.  I've been really pleased with my scout tdi though overall.

 

Not sure if anyone else finds it the same or it's the way I drive it.

I have a 1.6tdi and am averaging 60/61 mpg(real world brim to brim figures not trip computer)

I personally wasn't at all impressed in the, admittedly quite short, test drive in a 105bhp tsi. It was immediately after testing the 105bhp TDI which felt/feels stronger and only a little less refined.

I do about 18k miles p.a. so it was always likely to be the derv but short tests in each confirmed very quickly that the TDI suited me

The estate 1.2 TSi is on offer for £9995 in SE trim. The 1.6 75 TDi is only avialable in S trim and has a list price of over £12000.

 

Just recently had a drive of a Rapid courtesy car with the TSi engine and it felt more than quick enough for me.

I'm looking at the 1.6Tdi Special Edition thats based on an SE but also has metallic paint and a few bits and pieces included - £10,995 and hoping to get a further deal on that.

 

 

Is there any recommded dealers for good PCP deals?

The 1.2TSI could pass for a diesel in respect of torque and general driveability.

But I ud still rather have the 1.6 diesel.

for your intended driving regime.

A workaday run yesterday incl urban and busy "A" road driving.

And I was surprised to see 58.8 mpg as I returned home after a total of 36 miles.

3 Stops and re-starts included in my relatively short outing.

I had not been striving for max fuel economy either, merely driving between tasks.

Marcus

Been averaging about 44mpg in my 86ps 1.2tsi SE hatch, 18months from new.

Interestingly, filled it with Shell V power last time (curious!), done about 200 miles so far on that tank (with more town driving) and it's showing just under 47mpg; I'm not aware that my right foos's any lighter with this tank either!

On our second TSI 85/86 and having also extensively driven the 1.6 TDI 105 in the Fabia and Octavia, then my vote would normally be for the TSI; lot quieter and smoother motor, with lots of go. However higher mileage does make the TDI a better proposition regard running costs once you start getting over 15k a year in mileage.

 

 

TP