Just done 26k miles from new. This 1.2tsi 86bhp engine does not seem to willing rev as the past cars I have owned. I was suppose spoilt by the Italian 1.6 Fiat engine which pulled like a steam train and wanted to rev its socks off. I feel with my Skoda engine it is restrained and feels tight and needs throttle to get the surge forward I desire. Yes the turbo does give it a kick up the pants but generally the engine feels flat on the pedal. It cruises without effort at motorway speeds with good fuel consumption. When I drove the demonstration Roomster it felt the same but I put it down to a new tight engine. Even the motoring press said the engine is not a box of fireworks. Perhaps it is horses for courses as the lower bhp puts it in a lower insurance class reducing insurance costs.

It revs to 6,000 rpm does it not if you floor the throttle, and will red line, but then it produces max BHP / Torque of a 86 ps engine maybe really near 95 ps in the UK on 95 unleaded no higher than 3,500 feet above sea level.

Max torque 160 Nm @ 1,500-3,500 rpm,   

Max 86 ps @ 4,800 rpm according to Skoda Figures,  they do better than that though, they are actually minimum figures, they have to achieve those.

 

1.2 TSI engines need the turbo spinning to get any place with any pace, try a 1.2 N/A engine to compare. (or a 1.2tsi with turbo disabled)

It is what it is.  a 1,197cc, 

a 1,198 non turbo, 1.2 6v or  1.2 12v with only 60 ps or 69 ps will be likely to feel even tighter, where actually they just produce less BHP.

 

You have the 86 ps engine so it will not feel like the 105ps one that cost more, but is just the same engine with a different map. (engine management.)

So maybe get yours remapped, then you can have 130 ps just like you can if you remapped a 105ps 1.2 TSI.

Edited 30 April, 20188 yr by Offski

10 hours ago, edbostan said:

Just done 26k miles from new. This 1.2tsi 86bhp engine does not seem to willing rev as the past cars I have owned. I was suppose spoilt by the Italian 1.6 Fiat engine which pulled like a steam train and wanted to rev its socks off. I feel with my Skoda engine it is restrained and feels tight and needs throttle to get the surge forward I desire. Yes the turbo does give it a kick up the pants but generally the engine feels flat on the pedal. It cruises without effort at motorway speeds with good fuel consumption. When I drove the demonstration Roomster it felt the same but I put it down to a new tight engine. Even the motoring press said the engine is not a box of fireworks. Perhaps it is horses for courses as the lower bhp puts it in a lower insurance class reducing insurance costs.

I suspect the 86 BHP engine would respond well to a remap?

 

Certainly in my experience, with a variety of (both petrol and diesel) turbocharged cars, both ultimate performance and throttle response is much improved with a remap. An example is here: http://www.sharkperformance.co.uk/engine-software/stage-1-remap-12tsi-stage-1

 

You could alternately consider a device which directly modifies the throttle response, more here: https://www.diesel-performance.co.uk/tuning/car/skoda/roomster-from-2006-to-2015/1-2-tsi-86ps63kw-1197-ccm-14/

 

I have no personal experience with the "pedal box", but various online reviews appear positive.

 

I still miss my old (2017 57 plate) 1.9 TDi Roomster - one of the most practical, genuinely useful. characterful and roomy cars I ever owned (It also went very well after a Revo map was applied by the supplying dealer)

Yes, I suppose it is what it is. I generally do not exceed 3500 rpm when changing up and gave it some boot last week while joining a motorway which had an uphill slip road. It reached 4100 rpm in third gear. Never exceeded those revs so red lining it will never experience. Just dream of Miss Daisy.

On 30/04/2018 at 20:54, edbostan said:

Yes, I suppose it is what it is. I generally do not exceed 3500 rpm when changing up and gave it some boot last week while joining a motorway which had an uphill slip road. It reached 4100 rpm in third gear. Never exceeded those revs so red lining it will never experience. Just dream of Miss Daisy.

 

Might be worth trying some superfuel (eg BP 99) for next couple of fill ups, the higher octane and additives in the fuel might just help clean any deposits that have built up over time.

 

It costs more, but reports of better mpg will offset that, and it’s much cheaper than paying for extra work on engine in first instance.

I will try the superfuel as I do such a  low mileage that I won't feel the extra hit in the pocket. I tried Tesco Momentum but only a £20 fill up. I am off to Cornwall next month so that will be a 300 mile clean out. I read somewhere though detergent fuels are bad for bore wash and wash away oil from the cylinder walls. Lots of conflicting advice in the motoring press.

Edited 4 May, 20188 yr by edbostan

Borewash is an issue with the 1.4tsi twincharger with 95 or superunleaded and long life oil.   I would not worry about that or the detergents with a 1.2 tsi 86 ps.     The tesco momentum 99 or sainsbury 97 Ron is only costing £2.25 a tank extra and if you notice smoother running worth it imo.    Re BP superunleaded in the UK,  it is 97 RON,   Costco superunleaded or Shell v-power nitro + are 99 Ron.

On 30/04/2018 at 20:54, edbostan said:

Yes, I suppose it is what it is. I generally do not exceed 3500 rpm when changing up and gave it some boot last week while joining a motorway which had an uphill slip road. It reached 4100 rpm in third gear. Never exceeded those revs so red lining it will never experience. Just dream of Miss Daisy.

 

What your car desperately needs is an Italian Tune-up!  Modern low capacity turbo engines need to be revved!  Low down torque is non existent in small turbo petrols so acceleration in high gears is measured with a calendar not a stopwatch, but get the revs up and ..............................

Take it out, get the engine nice and warm then drive it like you stole it for 20-30 miles using full throttle and plenty of revs.  Choose a route with a few reasonable hills that you can gun it in 3rd gear up to 60 or 70.  Repeat at least once every couple of months.  During every day driving try to use full throttle and high revs (at least 5k) at least once or twice every journey once the engine has warmed.  Experience has shown every turbo car I have owned (diesel and petrol) benefits massively from this treatment in terms of performance and improved fuel consumption. It also keeps your turbo healthy - a good high speed spin-up keeps the variable vanes moving freely.

 

 

You sound like me ex-work colleague who designed and built dragsters. He recommended the full throttle treatment at least once a week. Funnily enough I was reading one of Richard Hammond's books when he drove vans for a living. He and his mate were given new vans and Hammond drove his carefully for the first couple 1000 miles as detailed in the owner's handbook. His mate ragged it from the start and ignored the manufacturer's advice and according to Hammond his mate's van was the fastest and most economical out of the two!