I'm thinking of changing my 1.9 mk 2 Octavia for a mk 3 petrol model. At my price range (for nearly new cars), both 1.4 and 1.5 engines are possible. Are there any owners who have had both and can you advise which is the better engine, and which is likely to be more reliable long term? Thanks in advance for any information / opinions

I did exactly the same thing one year ago. I've driven both, but only a 1.4 demonstrator on a test drive, because 1.5s weren't available. I bought a 1.5 SE DSG and I love it. I fancy it's a bit more gutsy than I remember the 1.4. 

I went for a used 1.4 se, and no regrets. Mine is now 4 years old 46k miles and no problems so far.

I have a 1.5 and I love it. Only downside is none of the big name remappers (superchips, revo) have maps available for the 1.5 yet.

I was going to buy a 1.5 but there was a nice 1.4 available at the time (Dec 18) so I bought it.  No regrets - it still goes like a stabbed rat, even in eco mode.

Had Superb 1.4Tsi ACT back in 2016 and good engine averaging 50mpg. Wife currently has the latest 1.5Tsi ACT in a Karoq and there is the odd hesitation widely reported on here in 1st gear. Overall still a quiet engine and averaging 45.3mpg over nearly 13,000 miles. Did just 16,000 miles in the Superb before trading in for my 2.0Tsi Octavia.

The 1.4 and 1.5 are quite different engines, with the 1.5 having Active Cylinder Technology (able to run on two cylinders on light engine load).  I have a 1.5 petrol Octavia and apart from the widely reported 1st gear "kangarooing" issue, it is quite a nice engine - not particularly quiet or refined but flexible and economical.

My 16 plate 1.4 SE 150  has just clocked 68K, only problem has been a £20 sensor., that typically went after the warranty ran out

 

Is the "kangarooing" issue widespread, and is it serious? It sounds incredibly annoying at the very least , in a newish car?

the "kangarooing problem" is apparently very widespread across the whole group using the 1.5tsi engine BUT the majority (99%?) of complaints are from drivers of manual cars … well at least on Briskoda.

DSG owners do not experience anywhere near the same issues.

 

VW group/Skoda have been promising a software fix for quite a while but I suspect that the whole WLTP testing fiasco will make the process of fix creation, homologation and implementation a total nightmare

Edited 24 February, 20197 yr by Gerrycan

We have the 1.5 engine on a manual Ibiza FR and neither me nor my significant other (who is the car owner...) notice any of this mentioned issues.

We have been specifically looking for them.

From memory, so hazy and could be wrong... Istr... If you want to tow the 1.4 is meant to have additional parts like a new radiator and fan I think... But the 1.5 doesn't need it. 

Someone will no doubt correct me. 

 

I get the hesitation in 1st, but it's much less noticeable now... 

12 hours ago, Jaco2k said:

We have the 1.5 engine on a manual Ibiza FR and neither me nor my significant other (who is the car owner...) notice any of this mentioned issues.

We have been specifically looking for them.

Good to hear, but you do seem to be in a minority for manual owners.

 

Always difficult to compare just by owner reports but the sophisticated systems (ACT and variable turbo etc) of the 1.5tsi do not seem to offer better real world consumption (performance?) than my 4yo 1.4tsi.

Emissions were probably the main objective for the new motor.

7 minutes ago, Gerrycan said:

Good to hear, but you do seem to be in a minority for manual owners.

 

Always difficult to compare just by owner reports but the sophisticated systems (ACT and variable turbo etc) of the 1.5tsi do not seem to offer better real world consumption (performance?) than my 4yo 1.4tsi.

Emissions were probably the main objective for the new motor.

Managed 58.7mpg yesterday in wife's 1.5Tsi Karoq on a 27 mile drive. Best last summer of 63.2mpg and brim to brim overall 13,000 miles in 13 months 45.3mpg. Economy depends on the commute and driver's ability to use the tech onboard.

2 hours ago, shyVRS245 said:

Managed 58.7mpg yesterday in wife's 1.5Tsi Karoq on a 27 mile drive. Best last summer of 63.2mpg and brim to brim overall 13,000 miles in 13 months 45.3mpg. Economy depends on the commute and driver's ability to use the tech onboard.

 

I am with you on this one - that Ibiza with the 1.5 engine really is the most economical car I have ever driven.

9 hours ago, shyVRS245 said:

Managed 58.7mpg yesterday in wife's 1.5Tsi Karoq on a 27 mile drive. Best last summer of 63.2mpg and brim to brim overall 13,000 miles in 13 months 45.3mpg. Economy depends on the commute and driver's ability to use the tech onboard.

You know your results are exceptional and they are achieved in part by your good economy driving techniques and  a relatively benign driving environment.

 

I just completed a long driving holiday in my 1.4tsi and a 600km segment into  a stiff headwind on long empty backroads, aircon on  and limited to 100kph returned 49mpg. A later 120km segment largely on a busy but very smooth motorway, cool so no aircon, or any wind and again limited to 100kph returned an indicated best of 64mpg. No special techniques involved other than unavoidable drafting on a busy multi-lane road.

There were other later segments involving steep dirt corrugated hairpinned roads, fully laden with 4 passengers and full luggage where I rarely got out of 2nd or 3rd gear with consumption down to around 34mpg.

The 'ideal circumstances' real life figures of the 1.4tsi and 1.5tsi are quite similar really.

 

The 1.4tsi in a lightly tuned state was pretty bulletproof for me & I ragged the **** outta it but apparently, my old one is no longer on the DVLA database. Maybe it's dead or on a private plate either way, steer clear of 14 plate pathetic blue Elegance models, it had a very interesting if tough youth & teenage years.

Edited 25 February, 20197 yr by themanwithnoaim

My 1.4tsi is plenty quick enough. Had I known this when I bought it I would probably have gone for the superb

On ‎23‎/‎02‎/‎2019 at 20:45, TheITGuy said:

The 1.4 and 1.5 are quite different engines, with the 1.5 having Active Cylinder Technology (able to run on two cylinders on light engine load).  I have a 1.5 petrol Octavia and apart from the widely reported 1st gear "kangarooing" issue, it is quite a nice engine - not particularly quiet or refined but flexible and economical.

I believe the later 1.4s also had ACT.

3 hours ago, gkr47 said:

I believe the later 1.4s also had ACT.

On some other brands/models but not on the Octavia, unless I missed something.

6 hours ago, Octy0GG said:

On some other brands/models but not on the Octavia, unless I missed something.

Thought the 123bhp and 138bhp 1.4Tsi had NO ACT but the 148bhp 1.4Tsi DID have ACT.

7 hours ago, Octy0GG said:

On some other brands/models but not on the Octavia, unless I missed something.

Apologies then but the 1.4 ACT was available on the polo and golf.

1 hour ago, shyVRS245 said:

Thought the 123bhp and 138bhp 1.4Tsi had NO ACT but the 148bhp 1.4Tsi DID have ACT.

Apologies then but the 1.4 ACT was available on the polo and golf.

10 hours ago, Octy0GG said:

On some other brands/models but not on the Octavia, unless I missed something.

I've got one 65 pate 1.4 with ACT

2 minutes ago, Suuntobob said:

I've got one 65 pate 1.4 with ACT

Is it the 148bhp version?