Hi Guys,

 

  I have had a Fabia 1.9 VRS Diesel in the past (the old 130 BHP) and I am now thinking of buying a petrol. I have read that the 1.2 TSI 105 BHP is a good option economy and power wise and I have seen that it goes from 0-60 in 10.2s whereas my old fabia was touted as taking 9.5s. Am I going to feel the difference in the BHP too much, is it worth going for this after I have been used to the diesel. 

 

Would be great to know if anyone has taken this route  and what they think

 

Thanks

 

 

Edited 9 June, 20179 yr by tribalboy

The 1.9 VRS 130 diesel was probably the best ever VAG pd diesel which always felt very fast with the way torque (229 ft-lb) was delivered in a huge mid range surge  although the power quickly runs out as the revs rise. The pd diesel was also not known for its refinement.

 

The 1.2tsi 104 is a smooth and quiet engine but obvoiusly has less power and much less torque (129ft-lb) but will pull reasonably all the way from 1500rpm to 6000rpm

Whhat age car are you looking at. The newer EA211 1.2tsi 110 is a much better engine 

 

Yes the "Fabia" will feel slower but will be very driveable with a wide power band starting from suprisingly low revs - you need to drive one to judge for yourself.

 

I'd avoid the Fabia vrs 1.4 twincharger - these had a supercharger and turbocharge and had some reliability problems with many needing engine replacements although many now sorted but there are still lots that aren't!

 

 

 

I moved from a Superb 1.9pd 100 to a Superb 1.4 tsi 125 where the lower torque figures were offset by the ultimate increase in power and have enjoyed the transition. The low down pull is slightly lower but the wide power band from 1500-6000rpm feels good and is especially useful for overtaking.  My Superb has 0-60 in 10.5 secs and feels lively considering the cars size/bulk and small engine size - it's suprisingly responsive at motorway speed. Economy has been pretty good as well.

 

 

 

 

Edited 9 June, 20179 yr by bigjohn

1.2 with DSG is worth a look. The short low gears and full-throttle shifts make it feel quite nippy, I had one from new and it could hit 60 well under the 10s quoted.

Edited 9 June, 20179 yr by pearce_jj

Thanks Bigjohn, appreciate your input. I am looking at the 2011 version at a dealer. It's coming with a year's manufacturer warranty,  breakdown cover and I have negotiated it down to £5250. Is this a good price

  

Is there much difference between the 104 and 110. Bigjohn, you've got more power in your new superb but if I go down to a 104 tsi from my 130bhp will it be noticeable. 

 

@pearce_jj how's it on long drives. 

 

Does the power Run out as the revs rise on the tsi, or is it quite steady 

 

Edited 9 June, 20179 yr by tribalboy

Look at the curves. the 85 basically runs out of puff at 4k, the 105 at 5k ish. The 110 seems to pull flat almost to the red line. IMO the 105 is fine for long journeys, the DSG gives you near instant power if you want it by dropping from 7th to 4th or so, its one reason I like the 'box so much.

3 hours ago, tribalboy said:

Hi Guys,

 

  I have had a Fabia 1.9 VRS Diesel in the past (the old 130 BHP) and I am now thinking of buying a petrol. I have read that the 1.2 TSI 105 BHP is a good option economy and power wise and I have seen that it goes from 0-60 in 10.2s whereas my old fabia was touted as taking 9.5s. Am I going to feel the difference in the BHP too much, is it worth going for this after I have been used to the diesel. 

 

Would be great to know if anyone has taken this route  and what they think

 

Thanks

 

 

Hmmm. While on paper there doesn't appear to be much of a difference you'd certainly notice a big drop in mid-range grunt. Aside from that it would be a good choice.

I have a 60 reg 1.2 84hp that's remapped to 120 and it very lively peak is at 5k. You could get your car remapped to suit your power needs with a slight improvement in fuel consumption.

7 hours ago, tribalboy said:

Is there much difference between the 104 and 110. Bigjohn, you've got more power in your new superb but if I go down to a 104 tsi from my 130bhp will it be noticeable. 

 

 

 

Does the power Run out as the revs rise on the tsi, or is it quite steady 

 

 

On my 1.4tsi  it's starts pulling well at 1500rpm but it certainly turns on the taps as the revs rise.  Infact mine took me by surprise in Germany shortly after I got it and wasn't used to it. I was cruising at about 130kph in the outside lane of an autobahn (on a stretch without speed limit) passing a line of slower vehicles when I was long flashed by a fast moving Merc - to get out of the way I squeezed the throttle a bit to get to the end of the line of vehicles when I signalled and pulled in to let it pass. To my surprise it also pulled in behind me - when I looked at my Satnav I was doing 195kph!!  - you could not have guessed by the lack of noise from the engine (mine is 6 speed though)

 

Both my 1.4tsi 125 and the 1.2tsi 104 are based on the EA111 design although the 1.4 is 16v and 1.2 is 8v

 

The later 1.2tsi 110 is the 16v EA211 engine - this engine is totally different to the previous EA111

 

You will notice a drop from the 130bhp pd but the tsi will still be impressive - it just different - you need to drive to see. If you can afford it though aim for the 110 (better engine, bit more power and breathes better because of the 16 valves) 

 

 

 

I've probably bought my last diesel now as my journey to work is not DPF friendly - saying that my real life economy has proved way better than my original estimates anyway. Re longevity - we shall see

 

Edited 9 June, 20179 yr by bigjohn

Hi mate I own both only recently got the tsi. 

They really are two differant cars. 

First thoughts are  you will miss the torque and obviously the mpg.

I was due a new car as the old vrs is just starting to cost us in repairs but we're just running it now till it breaks! 

I love the monty with the 1.2 tsi ours is 86bhp model but will definitelybe getting it mapped to 120bhp.

I don't drive as many miles now so wouldn't buy a modern diesel because of dpf troubles with it not getting good hot enough.

The tsi for us returns approx 40 to 45 mpg driving around town and country roads.

On the motorway approx 50 mpg but the minute you go above 70 it shows on the mpg. 

For us it fine to drive doing what we do but if it's going be driven on the motorway a lot or longer straight roads I wouldn't look at buying it. Being a small engine it shows massively on these kind of roads.

To be driven on the appropriate roads it brilliant a lot to fun to drive but if your going do it you need to forget about the old vr so because they do feel fast. 

I had a little race with my other half and to be honest I was shocked on the speed. They were about par up to national speed limit but after that the vrs tdi came into its own. This was done on a private road...

Just to add you will notice a difference but the petrol is more refined and more fun drive. The 86bhp really runs out of puff at 4000 rpm no point in revving Any more so hopefully the remap will help with this and overtaking. 

Any more questions please ask.

Edited 9 June, 20179 yr by Damo152003

Its really good to hear all the advice & opinions, thanks a lot guys. Much appreciated...!!!

 

@bigjohn Cheers for the clarification and your detailed posts, I would love to go for the 110 but the budget wouldn't allow for that currently. I might have to change to another one later on

 

@Kenrw8, @Damo152003 thanks for the advice, I thought a remap would cost more on the insurance. Does that not cause any strain on the engine.

 

@Damo152003 I have heard the same about the 85 BHP but from review websites (and also from a couple of posts on this thread) it seems that the 105 BHP would be okay on the motorways. 

 

I am going to test drive a 2013 1.2 TSI 105 BHP Monte Carlo tomorrow and will add my feedback on here

Strain depends on the the map, I consider mine ,and ask for, a balanced map as I was concerned about put too much power through the stock/standard drive train, clutch, gearbox etc.

 

As for insurance mine has not increased, there are two brokers on briskoda offering insurance that help if yours does. Also using comparethemarket allows you state the type modification, I did as my insurance went up when I declared the exhaust, so I found ones that accept my map and exhaust mods with an acceptable premium, in fact got one that was £100 cheaper than my old one. That was a win win you need to shop around .

Edited 10 June, 20179 yr by Kenrw8

PS, I think you will be happy with a 105 MC, you always can mod it , maybe with a catback that will give a few more hp initially and improve your experience of ownership. My catback was £380, a remap with offer was £300, now £399.

Edited 10 June, 20179 yr by Kenrw8

Problem with the MC is no DSG. It's so perfect with the 1.2 that for me that was always a deal breaker.

Careful about cam chain issue, when you start the car listen for the metallic sound which comes for a second. If this is 2011 built probably it may have the weak chain, i would look for the full service history to see what was done.

 

I changed from dci engine to 1.2 tsi 105 hp, i like the performance of the car but still you will feel the difference after 1.9 tdi. However, for this small engine, it has got very good performance. Like someone also wrote, when you push the gas pedal a little too much, you will have a little high consumption, on the highway after 60/70 mph, it will start to consume

 

I test drove newer 1.2 tsi 110 hp fabia as well, it feels a little better than older 105 hp but i did not feel big difference

 

 

Edited 10 June, 20179 yr by istannbullu34

4 hours ago, istannbullu34 said:

Careful about cam chain issue, when you start the car listen for the metallic sound which comes for a second. If this is 2011 built probably it may have the weak chain, i would look for the full service history to see what was done.

 

 

 

 

OP tribalboy has mentioned it's a 2013 car he is looking at - as far as I know cam chan issues were sorted by then however regular oil changes / service history important. A very brief slight rattle on startup when cold is normal as the tensioner is operated by oil pressure - any longer, Houston....  There are a few TSB's associated with the 1.2. An earlier revision included a revised cam chain cover with extra baffles to keep the chain contained if there was a problem. Lateer versions had revised chain/sprockets

 

It sounds like the 85 version of the 1.2 tsi EA111 tails off at at 4000rpm but the higher power vesion doesn't. The EA111 1.2 is also only 2 valves per cylinder

 

My 1.4tsi 16v doesn't tail off at 4000rpm - infact it seems to have a second kick/surge at this rpm and then pulls strongly through to well beryond 6000rpm

 

 

Edited 10 June, 20179 yr by bigjohn

Had my test drive of the 1.2 TSI 105 BHP. The car is refined indeed as mentioned by @bigjohn, gear change is smooth and handling is good. However I did feel it lacks power as told by you lot towards the higher end. It is by no means a bad car as starting off is ok too but maybe its just me after spending many years with my vRS. I have realised that the grunt is important to me and this has left me a tad disappointed.

 

@bigjohn, @istannbullu34 I was in the process of negotiating a deal with a main dealer  for a 105 BHP TSI, a 2011 SE model  for £5250 but it was a few hours drive from where I live. Hence I decided to go check out a 105 BHP Monte Carlo at my local dealer which was a 2013 version. The price seems good though and as I get a year's warranty I don't think I would like to go for a remap initially.

 

I am now considering my decision regarding a 105 BHP and not sure if I should go for it. I would appreciate any advice from you guys as my budget is around £5500

 

Edited 10 June, 20179 yr by tribalboy

You could look for a fabia MK2 sport with a 1.9 diesel of 105hp , seen white one on autotrader £4250, 50k. But as bigjohn and I agree go for the 2013 one.

Edited 10 June, 20179 yr by Kenrw8

1 hour ago, tribalboy said:

I was in the process of negotiating a deal with a main dealer  for a 105 BHP TSI, a 2011 SE model  for £5250 but it was a few hours drive from where I live. Hence I decided to go check out a 105 BHP Monte Carlo at my local dealer which was a 2013 version. The price seems good though and as I get a year's warranty I don't think I would like to go for a remap initially.

 

 

 

 

Stick to the 2013 - also best to buy from a local dealer just in case there are any warranty issues?

22 minutes ago, Kenrw8 said:

You could look for a fabia MK2 sport with a 1.9 diesel of 105hp , seen white one on autotrader £4250, 50k

 

Yup- pre DPF 1.9 is still a great engine (but noisy) , even the 105 has great torque. HOWEVER DO NOT buy a 1.9pd (or and pd) with a DPF - there are some around - the pd engine does not suit this technology. By about 2010 all diesel cars had a DPF (Think Fabia was fitted with the 1.6 CR after Feb 2010)

 

Tsi considerably quieter though!

Edited 10 June, 20179 yr by bigjohn

I believe only the 1.4 is dpf free 

thanks @Kenrw8, @bigjohn but would that not fall under Euro 6 which means it could be in line for the toxin tax to be imposed on diesels soon

1 hour ago, tribalboy said:

thanks @Kenrw8, @bigjohn but would that not fall under Euro 6 which means it could be in line for the toxin tax to be imposed on diesels soon

 

Depends on the tax and where - eg London

 

For me - I'll stick to petrol now - I like the silence 

 

Edited 10 June, 20179 yr by bigjohn

 

1 hour ago, bigjohn said:

 

Depends on the tax and where - eg London

 

For me - I'll stick to petrol now - I like the silence 

 

 

Yes that is a reason, hence I wanted to stick to petrol as well. The 2013 monte carlo is good but the price goes up by £1500 more than the 2011.

 

Should it matter if the dealer is offering a manufacturer/ approved dealer warranty for 1 year, wouldn't that work across dealerships in the country

Edited 10 June, 20179 yr by tribalboy

1 minute ago, tribalboy said:

 

 

Yes that is a reason, hence I wanted to stick to petrol as well. The 2013 monte carlo is good but the price goes up by £1500 more than the 2011.

 

£750 per year extra - not too bad