Greetings All,

Having recently sold my Mk1 Fabia VRS, bought off this forum and owns for four years, I am now actively considering buying a new Fiesta ecoboost.

I'd ruled out a new Fabia because I'm only doing 6 miles each way a day and don't want the potential aggro with the new diesels / DPF etc. I'd also ruled out the 1.2TSI petrol engines, having read all about the cam chains stretching and then jumping / damaging the engines.

Am I out of touch with the TSI engines? Have they properly resolved all of this early issues?

I'm also after an auto, so have read some threads on here with people extolling the virtues of this engine / TSI engine combo.

Before I put a deposit down on the Fiesta, are my concerns COMPLETELY unfounded?

Cheers

You would hope they are unfounded,

the all New 2015 Skoda Fabia was launched late 2014 and arrived in the UK around 1 year ago, 

with Euro 6 Emission 1.2 TSI engines,

if Skoda chose to fit engines with Fundamental Design or Manufacturing faults then there will be in deep doo doo.

Skid, as GoneOffskiroottoot says. Also note that the new 110ps TSI engines do not use a cam chain. They are again using a cam belt which is quieter and has a long life. The new 1.2TSI engines are quite different to the earlier 105ps engines. So far there are no known intrinsic problems that I've heard of. Solid engines and solid auto boxes, again no known issues on these latest boxes. The Fiesta's are good but if you watch all the online Youtube videos from the professional testers such as Which, Carbuyer, CarKeys etc, the Fabia trounces the Fiesta in almost every way and it's less money to buy. I intend to swap my current Fabia Estate 1.6 auto for one of the new 1.2TSI 110ps auto dsg cars very soon. Drove one recently and could not fault it. Smooth, powerful and very economical. The auto box was fantastic. Just a lovely car alround. Take one out, you won't be disappointed.

Thanks very much guys. That's really useful, particularly about them now having a cam belt rather than a cam chain.

I was planning to test drive a second hand Monte Carlo diesel on Monday but now I'll try and arrange a test in the 1.2tsi dsg if they have one.

My main issue at the moment is how long I'm going to have to wait for either car. I'm currently car less as a result of letting my car go earlier than I'd planned and it's a real nuisance.

Edited 19 February, 201610 yr by Skid

What issues?

And a..... Fiesta???

A..... FORD?!

Sheees...

I can support the earlier comments about the 110 TSi with the DSG box. It cruises effortlessly at motorway speeds and the DSG box is so smooth. Around town, it has a decent turn of speed. We previously had the Mark 2 105 TSI/DSG but the Mark 3 is a big improvement on that. I'd strongly recommend that you try it and experience the surprisingly lively performance.

Thanks very much guys. That's really useful, particularly about them now having a cam belt rather than a cam chain.

I was planning to test drive a second hand Monte Carlo diesel on Monday but now I'll try and arrange a test in the 1.2tsi dsg if they have one.

My main issue at the moment is how long I'm going to have to wait for either car. I'm currently car less as a result of letting my car go earlier than I'd planned and it's a real nuisance.

Ask the dealer to search what is on UK stock that meets your requirements...or the "must have" bits, at least and keep,an open mind. That's what I did and got a car I'm very happy with about 2 weeks later. The TSI 110 with DSG is a delight in all respects.

PS Look on the official Skoda used car site - http://www.skoda.net.r66.co.uk

 

You should find a nearly new model for a decent price.

Thanks again one and all. Just been trawling reviews on YouTube.

I've had a Fiesta ecoboost on hire for a week to give me a good idea of how they drive. That goes back on Monday, so then it's back on two wheels.

Some of the reviews I've read / watched, seem to criticise the handling as being a bit vague or uninspiring. What do you guys think?

One of the reasons that I sold my VRS was because I wanted a bit more comfort as I'm getting older. Got a bit fed up with feeling every bump and ripple in the road surface. I'll miss the performance of the VRS but will welcome more compliance as long as it's not too wallowy.

TSi 110 + DSG = a lot of fun. There's more to it than that though. In 'D' it's refined, quiet and economical, but not as economical as stated by Skoda, I get average 43 long- term mpg on a urban and motorway mix. But I am not complaining (much) because bung it in 'S' and you have a different car. It's really lively in 'S; mode with plenty of power for overtaking on single-carriageway A roads. The DSG box does work well but it needs a bit of understanding, it is not a traditional automatic and needs more user-participation.

    I have not seen any criticism of the handling. The set up is clever. The ride is supple on a straight road: bumps and ridges are handled well and the damping is just right. When it comes to corners, the steering is sharp and accurate and the car corners very flat, it's the best handling ordinary car I've driven, and mine is an estate version. The handling inspires trust and confidence. I have had my Fabia III for 10 months now and the engine and gear box have been perfectly OK. I have had minor problems with the lights and windows that have been sorted out quickly by the dealers. Also, the estate version gives you lots of boot space even with the rear seats up.

    The only thing that annoys me about the car is the way it fogs up so quickly and the air conditioning system struggles to clear the misty windows. A desiccant pack from Halfords has helped a lot but I think the basic car design lacks ventilation.

TSi 110 + DSG = a lot of fun. There's more to it than that though. In 'D' it's refined, quiet and economical, but not as economical as stated by Skoda, I get average 43 long- term mpg on a urban and motorway mix. But I am not complaining (much) because bung it in 'S' and you have a different car. It's really lively in 'S; mode with plenty of power for overtaking on single-carriageway A roads. The DSG box does work well but it needs a bit of understanding, it is not a traditional automatic and needs more user-participation.

    I have not seen any criticism of the handling. The set up is clever. The ride is supple on a straight road: bumps and ridges are handled well and the damping is just right. When it comes to corners, the steering is sharp and accurate and the car corners very flat, it's the best handling ordinary car I've driven, and mine is an estate version. The handling inspires trust and confidence. I have had my Fabia III for 10 months now and the engine and gear box have been perfectly OK. I have had minor problems with the lights and windows that have been sorted out quickly by the dealers. Also, the estate version gives you lots of boot space even with the rear seats up.

    The only thing that annoys me about the car is the way it fogs up so quickly and the air conditioning system struggles to clear the misty windows. A desiccant pack from Halfords has helped a lot but I think the basic car design lacks ventilation.

 

Thanks SoupDragon. I had the same fogging up issues over the years with my Mk1 VRS. Hoping that I might be able to get a test drive on Monday when Im next off. Cheers 

Well, slightly recovering from that chocking Ford-issue, I can give my view on the 110 TSI.

My early 2015 estate has the sport-package which probably also means a bit stiffer suspension than the standard design, also giving a bit lesser ground clearance, 15 mm. Looking for comfort and easier entrance the standard design will be a better choice. Theres a "bad road" package available giving another 15 mm ground clearance. Got the 16" Turanza summer wheels and 15" Goodyear studless winter wheels. The standard 15" wheels are a bit more comfortable but a bit less directional stable at speed, though that will also depend very much on choice of tires.

I do fancy the sports seats a lot for the firmness and good lumbar support - the Fabia doesnt come with adjustable lumbar support in any version, AFAK

The engine is asthonishing quiet and pull very diesel-like from low revs thanks to the turbo. I drove a 90 hp Polo (same motor, 1,2 tsi, also found in the 90 hp Fabia) when at the Canary Islands a week ago. I didnt find that motor differing much from the 110, only missing a 6th gear.

(Never liked automatics, my Fab has the tight 6 speed manual) The 90 pulled nicely up the steep mountainroads of Gran Canaria as do the 110 on the local motorways. Not many steep hills here. The small motor will just be reminded when going down long steep roads, as the motor braking is quite weak.

There are a bit of road-noise in the cabin mostly due to the single door rubber sealings. Also the tire choice will affect the level in the cabin. The Turanzxas doesnt seem to be the best choice in that aspect.

For engine-issues Im still wondering.

The DSG (Automated Manual)  is rather good going down hills, and you do not need to think on Engine Braking or lack of with the petrol engine.

The DSG excels in Snow / Ice as well, due the the technical advantages over just a 5 or 6 speed manual with a foot operated clutch. The Automated manual is pretty good at decelerating with a smart ECU or pretty seemless manual downshifts from the driver.

How things change over the years.

Edited 20 February, 201610 yr by GoneOffskiroottoot

Thanks again one and all. Just been trawling reviews on YouTube.

I've had a Fiesta ecoboost on hire for a week to give me a good idea of how they drive. That goes back on Monday, so then it's back on two wheels.

Some of the reviews I've read / watched, seem to criticise the handling as being a bit vague or uninspiring. What do you guys think?

One of the reasons that I sold my VRS was because I wanted a bit more comfort as I'm getting older. Got a bit fed up with feeling every bump and ripple in the road surface. I'll miss the performance of the VRS but will welcome more compliance as long as it's not too wallowy.

 

Skid, I took the 110ps TSI hatchback out for an extended test ride and the handling and roadholding were par excellence!  Couldn't fault it. Corners nice and flat into and out of tight fast turns and bumps didn't seem to upset it. I observe for an IAM drivers group and we 'get a move on' when doing training and trial tests. One of our members has the new estate Mk3 and his car just hurtled along the undulating country roads without any worrying handling or roadholding traits. I certainly think the new Mk3 is the best Fabia ever for handling so far. And I'm talking standard suspension setup, not sport. 

Where they have 215 width tyres makes a difference as well, 

something that other VWG small cars had before but Skoda did not fit as standard.

Thanks again one and all for your input.

I've worked out that in the week that I've had the Fiesta, I've out £30 of fuel in it and done 250 miles. It is the 125bhp engine with a manual box, but in basic calculations, using £1.02 per litre as an average fuel cost, that works out at 38.5mpg.

Frankly I find that not particularly good. Its got and I have been using the stop start. My journeys have included some motorway / dual carriageway work, going to and from various car dealers and four days of to and from work, a six mile each way drive.

Clearly, I've explored its engine characteristics but I've also driven it sedately, so the car has seen pretty much all round usage imho.

I'm beginning to wonder what the lower powered 100ps auto (only auto available) might deliver in the way of "economy".

It's not about the economy particularly, but I was getting mid 40's mpg from my 125k Mk1 Fabia VRS in the same useage, which would rise to just above 50mpg on a run and that was with bucket loads of performance.

What sort or real world figures are you guys getting from your 1.2Tsi with DSG or manuals please?

The 1.6 105ps Powershift Fiesta is a lovely car to drive IMO, and you can get as good economy with it as you wish.

the 1.0 Ecoboost 100ps Auto is dead easy to drive economically, that is what it is designed to do.

 

http://broadspeed.com/new_cars/Ford/Fiesta

Edited 21 February, 201610 yr by GoneOffskiroottoot

110ps 1.2 manual and I'm getting around 52mpg average with a daily round trip of 56 miles consisting of 20 odd miles on the motorway and the rest on A-roads. Usual open road commuting speeds of 40-60 mph and 70 'ish on the motorway.

 

After many years of diesel motoring the 1.2 petrol seems peachy smooth and you can change into sixth at quite low speeds without labouring the engine.

 

Regards Bob

TSI 110/DSG with circa 4500 miles on the clock from new...so still fairly tight. Last tank was 50:50 mix of town and fast A-road and showed 43.7mpg on actual fuel used, not computer guesstimate. Worst tank I've had was 35mpg when very new and around tow/urban.

In real performance terms I don't think this engine is terribly different from my bog-standard Mk1 vRS. The vRS, from memory, felt quicker but I bet the numbers show it to be closer than we might think. Major benefit of the TSI is a nice warm car within a couple of miles on a freezing morning, rather than waiting for the 1.9TDi cast iron lump to warm up...which did take a while in city/urban traffic.

Oh, and I have not had any misting problems whatsoever, quite the opposite. Climate system defrosts etc very quickly.

Edited 22 February, 201610 yr by alltorque

Thanks again one and all for your input.

I've worked out that in the week that I've had the Fiesta, I've out £30 of fuel in it and done 250 miles. It is the 125bhp engine with a manual box, but in basic calculations, using £1.02 per litre as an average fuel cost, that works out at 38.5mpg.

Frankly I find that not particularly good. Its got and I have been using the stop start. My journeys have included some motorway / dual carriageway work, going to and from various car dealers and four days of to and from work, a six mile each way drive.

Clearly, I've explored its engine characteristics but I've also driven it sedately, so the car has seen pretty much all round usage imho.

I'm beginning to wonder what the lower powered 100ps auto (only auto available) might deliver in the way of "economy".

It's not about the economy particularly, but I was getting mid 40's mpg from my 125k Mk1 Fabia VRS in the same useage, which would rise to just above 50mpg on a run and that was with bucket loads of performance.

What sort or real world figures are you guys getting from your 1.2Tsi with DSG or manuals please?

I have the manual and around town get 45, on a run 55. Interestingly, prior to my current car, I had the Focus Ecoboost with the 125bhp. Brim to brim figures was always 41mpg regardless of how I drove it. Liked the car, but always thought the figures were disappointing.

I have the manual and around town get 45, on a run 55. Interestingly, prior to my current car, I had the Focus Ecoboost with the 125bhp. Brim to brim figures was always 41mpg regardless of how I drove it. Liked the car, but always thought the figures were disappointing.

I drove a similar Focus 1.0 turbo manual last summer when visiting relatives in the UK and thought it was quite good except I seemed to have difficulty maintaining a steady 50 mph on light throttle through all the extended road works in the area.

A bit more throttle and I was accelerating above the target speed, ease off a bit and I was falling below. Must have just been at the turbo cut in point.

I have never experienced anything similar with my manual Octavia 1.4 tsi, which I think is a fabulous engine, so I would expect the 1.2tsi to be as good even though I have not tried it

I'm only 5' 10" and 68kg but I found the Fiesta (as passenger in sister's car) amazingly cramped especially compared to my niece's 8 year old Toyota Yaris

I have only sat in the new Fabia in Australia but space is not a problem and the Estate doubly so. Might be my next car.

I have 1.2tsi 110 estate and love it. Pretty punchy and decent torque for a small petrol. I commute 42 miles a day to London - mixture of fast and stop start. I average 47mpg. I've recorded up to 56 mpg on some journeys.

Only issue I have with car is that it mists badly in winter and takes an age to de mist, not sure why? Also a few cabin / dash rattles.

Jon

Thanks very much one and all for your very useful input. Having read all of your responses, I was reassured about the 1.2Tsi engine. 

 

In light of this, I went and had another test drive and today picked up this one..................

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201508105942442/usedcars?logcode=visc

 

I know the colour may not be to everyones (many peoples) liking and frankly, it wouldn't have been my first choice either. That said, its a significant saving on a brand new one and has some extras that I would have otherwise had to pay extra for, heated seats, alloy wheels, sports suspension, panoramic roof etc etc. I also managed a small reduction in the price. 

 

Only driven it back today but absolutely love the car. The DSG box is sooooo smooth in the way it changes and for what Im going to be using it for, the engine / car will be pretty much perfect. Best of all, because its the same size as my old Fabia, I won't have to pay £4k odd to have new sliding gates installed. The sweep stakes have started on how long it takes before the other half is trying to nick the keys. I guess buying it in a girls colour won't have helped in that respect! 

 

Happy days!  

What's the girly colour? With the exception of 'hairdresser white' I can't think of any girly colours that Fabias come in.

What's the girly colour? With the exception of 'hairdresser white' I can't think of any girly colours that Fabias come in.

It's the metallic Rallye green with dark panoramic roof.