Thinking of a 1.4tsi

[classic]

Hello all, I’m looking at getting a mk 3 Octavia SE L estate, probably around 2015 model year. I would like a petrol manual, and this pretty much means a 1.4 tsi.

Whats the verdict on these, performance and mpg wise ? 

Ive been in a new 1.0 tsi and was impressed, although it felt a bit low on torque at lower speeds (awesome for a 999cc though !) but it was a basic spec one.

 

Edited 20 November, 2017 by classic
Grammar

[gregoir]

I own a June 2016 one. I find the performance great, even in eco mode, and it pulls strongly and smoothly from 2000rpm. Fuel consumption is best on long runs and I start getting an indicated 50 mpg plus after 30 miles or so. Yesterday I got 54.5mpg (indicated) over 85 motorway miles at the legal limits. Around town I struggle to get more than 35/ 40mpg.

Edited 20 November, 2017 by gregoir

[Gerrycan]

Most people, including myself, who have a 1.4tsi are very happy with the on-road performance and economy on offer.

It would be a bit 'faster' but slightly less economical than the 1.0tsi, about two seconds faster to 60mph and about 5% less economical.

I find a true 70mph on the flat will return 49mpg but as other normal factors, like traffic and speed restrictions, slow average journey speeds then consumption improves markedly.

I get my best economy returns in town, in urban areas with light traffic and journeys over 13km and where I can average 20mph, then I can get 60mpg return indicated (accuracy unconfirmed at these sort of readings).

Very short journeys from cold start will only return high 30's.

My overall average is 46mpg, which I am delighted with.

 

If I were you I would try and arrange a test drive in a 1.4tsi or better still the new 1.5tsi (which offers the performance of the 1.4 and the economy of the 1.0), if that falls in your budget.

 

 

[iriches]

I'm very happy with my 1.4 TSI estate.  It has enough performance to put a smile on the face. It can also return impressive economy.  I'm averaging high 40s to the gallon.  My experience is that a steady motorway @70 mph = 50 mpg.  If there are speed restrictions (or you choose to drive slower) this can creep up to 55 mpg or more.  Driving at 80+ (on the Autobahn, officer) does bring it down a fair bit.  Round town, 30 to 40 mpg depending on length of journey and traffic.

 

What it *won't* do however is fast and economical together.  You have to pick which you want.  My old 1.9 TDI saw much less impact to the fuel economy when pressing on a bit.

[SWBoy]

On retiring I went from a 2006 Audi RS4 (4.2L V8 420PS) to a 2015 Octavia 1.4TSI (1.4L I4 140PS) as I "needed to be sensible". Fuel economy went from 26mpg on Shell V-Power to 45mpg on any 95 RON petrol so I was very pleased. Yes it doesn't have the same performance (with 1/3 of the power that's not surprising) but the mid-range turbo torque makes it a very pleasant drive, sometimes I even smile again!

 

Would I recommend one? Yes, just don't expect it to be a boy (girl) racer drive.

[classic]

Thanks for the replies, I liked the 1.0 but figured the 1.4 would be better when fully loaded etc.

I’m a pretty steady driver so reasonable performance with reasonable economy is good for me. Sounds like the 1.4 would be ok for me

Thanks again

[MorrisOx]

Honest day-to-day economy will probably be somewhere between 42-44mpg, depending on how heavy you are with the right foot and what you’re carrying. That said, I get that figure with the DSG automatic and I’m not complaining.

 

The 1.4 is strikes really good day-to-day compromise in terms of performance and economy, though it it just a tiny bit short on muscle in my view.

[classic]

Cheers MorrisOx, it will be replacing a 1.6 petrol Zafira - which does 35mpg average and feels like it’s permananently got a parachute dragging behind it - so it might feel reasonably muscular 

[fabdavrav]

I have the 140PS (103kW) version, run it only on Vpower, & set in sport mode. I calibrated my MPG to within 1% (used VCDS)..

 

I get 38mpg on a "good" road (twisty & having fun)....had 54mpg on a long motorway trim...

 

 

[gregoir]

5 hours ago, Gerrycan said:

Most people, including myself, who have a 1.4tsi are very happy with the on-road performance and economy on offer.

It would be a bit 'faster' but slightly less economical than the 1.0tsi, about two seconds faster to 60mph and about 5% less economical.

I find a true 70mph on the flat will return 49mpg but as other normal factors, like traffic and speed restrictions, slow average journey speeds then consumption improves markedly.

I get my best economy returns in town, in urban areas with light traffic and journeys over 13km and where I can average 20mph, then I can get 60mpg return indicated (accuracy unconfirmed at these sort of readings).

Very short journeys from cold start will only return high 30's.

My overall average is 46mpg, which I am delighted with.

 

If I were you I would try and arrange a test drive in a 1.4tsi or better still the new 1.5tsi (which offers the performance of the 1.4 and the economy of the 1.0), if that falls in your budget.

 

 

My best mpg is on the motorway at a true (GPS speedo) 70mph, or less, and my journey of 85 miles yesterday represents that with several stretches at a true 50 mph. My trip computer reading is always within 1 mpg of the actual 'full to full' readings- so I believe it.

21mpg today on a short 1.5 mile uphill run in town from cold. The worst I've seen.

The performance is zippy and I can spin the wheels easily in damp conditions. Being able to hit 60 mph at max revs is a real performance bonus should you wish. But I rarely go beyond 3500rpm, the engine is just so torquey. My previous Octavia was a 2l PDI of 140hp, with more torque and I did not get such good mpg over comparable long journeys.

[Octy0GG]

6 hours ago, iriches said:

 

What it *won't* do however is fast and economical together.  You have to pick which you want.  My old 1.9 TDI saw much less impact to the fuel economy when pressing on a bit.

Agreed my 1.9 PD was economical regardless of roads, temperature, load, driving style, anything you threw at it. 1.4 TSI can be as economical but only when all the conditions are right. Have gone back to paying a bit less attention to economy - not sure it's good for your state of mind. 

[Gerrycan]

2 hours ago, Octy0GG said:

Agreed my 1.9 PD was economical regardless of roads, temperature, load, driving style, anything you threw at it. 1.4 TSI can be as economical but only when all the conditions are right. Have gone back to paying a bit less attention to economy - not sure it's good for your state of mind. 

Another sentimental vote here for the 1.9pd.

I enjoy maximising consumption in urban areas, it adds a challenge to the drive and requires a certain zen state of mind and acceptance of the traffic conditions.

I'd contend that trying to make up time in traffic is far damaging to your state of mind, blood pressure and risky.

 

[Hoarace]

Still getting used to my new (to me) 63 plate 2014 hatchback 1.4tsi.

My previous car was a 1.8 07 plate Avensis, which to be fair was reliable and had clocked 160K. You had to rev the nuts off that to accelerate though, over 3.5K before it started moving

 

But as soon as I drove the 1.4 it was clear everything had moved on. The hit from 1.5k to 3.5K is super smooth by comparison. I don't need to drop gear when overtaking on the motorway , just stay in 6th. And I had to set the speed warning beep at *cough* because going 80 odd was a bit too easy and felt tranquil. Smooth and quiet (comparatively).

 

My commute is about 5 miles across Swindon in crawling traffic (20 mins) and 15 miles motorway/dual carriageway (15 minutes). The trip computer is telling me about 40-41 MPG average on a tank of fuel. I guess the estate is heavier but ...

 

Putting that into context, I reckon I'm getting slightly more mileage than the Avensis. And its costing £10 or so less to fill. In just 700 tank fills it'll practically have paid for itself

 

The only thing I find is I'm changing gear a bit more round town than I used to, following the computers 'eco tips' on gear change. Suppose I don't have to.

 

Absolutely the best car I've owned to drive engine wise and overall too  (mostly family yawn cars mind, Mondeo, Avensis, etc). Just hope it stays reliable.

[Gerrycan]

Welcome @Hoarace,

Glad you are enjoying the new car.

The new generation of small capacity, turbo assisted petrol is a whole new ball-game and it is remarkable this technology is not just available in expensive cars but also pretty basic vehicles in the range. I also drive an old school (2003) 1.3L Toyota Echo/Yaris, so I don't take what the 1.4tsi offers in refinement, flexibility, performance and economy for granted.

One tip to preserve your sanity, don't bother taking the eco-tip's gear change recommendations too seriously. I don't find they work for me at all and I do a lot of short shifting to reduce the number of gear changes I need to do around town and as you say on a run you rarely need to come out of sixth.

 

Touch wood, but reliability of the mk3 1.4tsi (manual) has not really been an issue in this forum to date, but it will take a few more years and miles to prove that.

If there was one thing that Toyota have historically done well and that is reliability which has done more than anything to build the brand. I believe I once read a claim that 90% of all Toyota cars made were still on the road. But my goodness, the new cars they produce are ugly.

 

[Hoarace]

Ha, yes, the gear change selection suggestions will be duly ignored now I'm getting used to it. 

 

At first though they were very useful, it was like learning to drive again! 'You want me in 4th, at this slow speed, we'll stall and.. Ooooh'

[gregoir]

I came from a growly low revving 2l PDI diesel to the smooth quiet and torquey 1.4Tsi. It's so quiet that I can easily forget to change up. I appreciate the reminder but I do not blindly follow the advice if I'm shortly going to encounter a hill or bends. I can't think of any other reason to ignore the advice. At steady speed in the recommended gear ,the mpg is not worse than the gear I shifted up from.

Edited 21 November, 2017 by gregoir

[fergiet]

 One snag with the 1.0tsi in the UK is that it's only available in S or SE trim. No SEL version, seems a bit short sighted of Skoda UK.

[Gerrycan]

18 minutes ago, fergiet said:

 One snag with the 1.0tsi in the UK is that it's only available in S or SE trim. No SEL version, seems a bit short sighted of Skoda UK.

Most manufacturer's base motive powered versions are not the most lavishly equipped.

 

And anyway  "Two out of Three Ain't Bad" - Meatloaf 1977.

[Octy0GG]

On 20/11/2017 at 23:11, Gerrycan said:

Another sentimental vote here for the 1.9pd.

 

A vote for yes but sentimental, well no. That genuinely was my experience and the car is still too recent to be donning the rose tinted specs or making any allowances.

 

If I start waxing lyrical about Hillman Avengers that just might be a sentimental vote

[fergiet]

On 21/11/2017 at 12:16, Gerrycan said:

Most manufacturer's base motive powered versions are not the most lavishly equipped.

 

And anyway  "Two out of Three Ain't Bad" - Meatloaf 1977.

 

I understand to some extent. However in other countries it's available in the higher specs, e.g. UK equivalent of SEL.

[flybynite]

On 11/20/2017 at 13:03, classic said:

Hello all, I’m looking at getting a mk 3 Octavia SE L estate, probably around 2015 model year. I would like a petrol manual, and this pretty much means a 1.4 tsi.

 

Just make sure it was not previously owned by @themanwithnoaim  

[themanwithnoaim]

He should be safe, I had a hatchback !!!!!

Edited 23 November, 2017 by themanwithnoaim

[Gerrycan]

3 hours ago, Octy0GG said:

A vote for yes but sentimental, well no. That genuinely was my experience and the car is still too recent to be donning the rose tinted specs or making any allowances.

 

If I start waxing lyrical about Hillman Avengers that just might be a sentimental vote

Bad phrasing on my part lol.

I was adding MY sentimental vote for my 1.9pd mk2 estate.

 

[Octy0GG]

16 hours ago, Gerrycan said:

Bad phrasing on my part lol.

I was adding MY sentimental vote for my 1.9pd mk2 estate.

 

It's all good fun and it's fair to say that the only cars which I owned that have not improved in retrospect have been the two Fords. The sheer awfulness of a Mk5 Escort has kept me away from the brand for nearly 20 years, despite the fact that from the Mk1 Focus on they have came up with some pretty decent cars.