Hi all,

 

I am trying to find another motor to replace my current 1.4tsi (122hp) Octavia. I need something a little more powerful for caravan towing. Ideally petrol as I now do lower miles and don't fancy £1500+ DPF costs.

 

I am aware of all the problems with the 1.8 petrol engines, and also some of the older generation 1.4 higher hp engines. However the 1.4 148 hp petrol engine has just appeared on my radar, (did not know they did one so I assume fairly new?).

 

Just wondering if there are any "horror" stories associated with this engine variation, (although I accept it is probably to new at the mo)...

 

thanks for any input....

I'd hazzard a gues it'll be underpowered for dragging a caravan round.

I think it is a mk 3 engine? From what I remember of reviews  it drives well, not sure about reliability - may get something back in the mk 3 area if it is specific to that generation.  Still not convinced about a 1.4 petrol for towing a caravan, even with a turbo but no actual experience of than engine I can offer. It is really torque spread that will be useful in an engine for towing a substantial weight.

I guess it depends on the size, but personally I'd want a 1.8TSI or larger for towing.  You'll need the extra torque.

thanks for the replies. I would like an 1800 but did not realise they do this engine "post problems" (as reported)?

..just checked, and the only larger petrol engine I can find on cars up to 4 years old is the 2.0ltr, and at 200+ hp it seems a bit "extreme" for my purposes...

To my mind, if you want to do it properly, it is a diesel job, especially on smaller capacity engines. The mk2 1.9 PD based tdi with only 105bhp would be ok due to torque and delivery even though power is quite modest.  The 2.0 TDI  would broaden your options a lot more but I know you said you don't want DPF.  This is unavoidable in the later diesels but the 1.9 tdi doesn't have one.  You are stuck with a 5 speed transmission and if you are looking for a newer car it is not going to be a goer...

 

I don't think a 2.0TSI vRS is the answer either.

 

Towing = diesel = dpf in a modern euro diesel....

 

Maybe try and see if you can find anyone with actual experience of towing with the petrol engine you want to consider. Like, I say the mk3 area may produce some feedback if it is a mk3 power train unit.

I would say torque and where it is on the rev range is more important for towing than straight bhp. I have a landcruiser colorado 3 litre td for towing it only has 123 bhp but has 295 nm of torque which is what makes it great for towing.

Edited 16 January, 20179 yr by seriesdriver

Never had any issues with my VRS CR170 and dpf. I do a few short runs each week and so far has been trouble free.

My parents kept buying a car that would "just do" for what they were towing. Each car lasted 6-12 months until they decided they wanted a bigger caravan.  As said above, you need a bigger petrol or a diesel ideally.

..thanks for all the replies. I would love a 1.9, but ideally looking for something newer (up to 3 yrs old)...however if anybody knows of a "mint" 1.9 diesel I would be interested!!...

whe I had my race car I had the 1.9 diesel. The tow car would pull the hole lot no problem