Hey,

 

just looking to buy my first Skoda and it will probably be Rapid.

 

Reliability is really important for me and I have read a lot about TSI engines so that I know I have to buy one with belts.

 

I have one Rapid looked up, its 2013 plate, 1.2 TSI, 105hp.

Are these engines reliable? Any problems with high oil consumption or anything else?

Should I rather choose later Rapids, with 90hp engine?

 

Just want to get a bit more information, to be sure, before I buy 

 

Thanks!

We had a 2015 Rapid SE Sport for 3 years and 28,500 miles no issues apart from a loose battery terminal (probably caused by the numerous local speed bumps) which affected the stop/start. It was the 105bhp Tsi engine and used no oil between annual services (2 done). Nice to drive and very quiet but still pokey enough on the motorway to overtake in 6th gear. Averaged about 45mpg with a best of 64mpg on my mainly motorway commute. Good luck in your search.

I would widen your search to include VW discussion forums for these engines. There are known issues with some of the first 1.4 engines, and developing issues being reported for the 1.5 engines. I'm not aware of reports of issues with the 1.2 or 1.0 engines.

The OP is looking at the 1.2Tsi engine and the 1.5Tsi you mention has never been fitted in the Rapid, just 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 capacity.

A 2013 1.2tsi Rapid has the 8v camchain EA111 engine (CBZB) which has a history of camchain problems, though major engine revisions in 2012 improved matters considerably. Regular oil changes (10k/1 yr max) are key to longevity. Avoid any that have gone much longer between oil changes or budget to change the camchain kit (around £700). Watch out for a telltale noisy extended camchain rattle, often first heard on cold starts for more than around 3-4 seconds.

 

A 2015 1.2tsi Rapid could be the newer 16v cambelt EA211 engine (CJZD) introduced in 2015, much more reliable.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Škoda_Rapid_(2012)

The 1.2/105 is a lovely motor, smoothest 4 cylinder ever. Good torque spread. Makes quite a bit more than 105 bhp in standard tune.

 

The 1.4 in the Rapid is not the fragile Twincharge one which drinks oil and blows up

 

Camchain faults on early 1.2 and turbo faults too. These faults were supposed to have all been engineered out before model year 2013, but at 26000 miles (40000km) my 2014 1.2/105 had the Turbo fail and need replacement.

 

2012/13 Rapids have poor suspension and steering also. Model year 2014 onwards are much improved.

 

 

Edited 1 April, 20197 yr by camelspyyder

Okay, so it is best to avoid starting years of Rapid.

 

You say there were upgrades for 2014. Does that apply for whole Europe or only UK? I'm asking because I am curious if these upgrades were already available at that time in Slovenia.

 

I also went on a test drive with new Spaceback 1.0 TSI and was positively surprised. Good acceleration, low mpg, really a fun engine. Haven't find any bad user reviews about these engines yet.

I have had 3 Toledos and 1 Rapid with 1.2 4 cylinder 8v and 16v engines plus the latest 3 cylinder 12v 1.0 TSI. I have never had any trouble with any of them. They have all been totally reliable with remarkable performance for their size. My 1.0 TSI with 900 miles is now loosening up nicely and I would say that it has the edge on the 1.2 4 cylinder engines for outright performance. However unless sophistication improves with more mileage I would say that the 1.2 engines were slightly more refined and better mannered.

Edited 1 April, 20197 yr by Robbydazzler

10 minutes ago, Robbydazzler said:

I have had 3 Toledos and 1 Rapid with 1.2 4 cylinder 8v and 16v engines plus the latest 3 cylinder 12v 1.0 TSI. I have never had any trouble with any of them. They have all been totally reliable with remarkable performance for their size.

 

Might be easy to say they are reliable if you change them every 3 years and never run them out of warranty or rack up more than 60k miles in any.

Re updates.

After the Space back introduction (model year 14) the suspension and steering on all Rapids was much improved.

 

The possibly troubled chain cam engines of 86 & 105 PS were replaced (model year 16) by new 16v belt cam 90PS and 110PS motors. This update gets interior changes and infotainment upgrades too.

 

Model year 18 gets the 1.0 triple instead of the 1.2.

On 01/04/2019 at 11:34, camelspyyder said:

The 1.2/105 is a lovely motor, smoothest 4 cylinder ever. Good torque spread. Makes quite a bit more than 105 bhp in standard tune.

 

The 1.4 in the Rapid is not the fragile Twincharge one which drinks oil and blows up

 

Camchain faults on early 1.2 and turbo faults too. These faults were supposed to have all been engineered out before model year 2013, but at 26000 miles (40000km) my 2014 1.2/105 had the Turbo fail and need replacement.

 

2012/13 Rapids have poor suspension and steering also. Model year 2014 onwards are much improved.

 

 

Hi Sorry to drag up a slightly old post, but were the model year 2014 Rapids introduced into the UK. I've seen a September 2013 (63) Rapid for sale and am unsure if this would be the newer version? 

3 minutes ago, Adam83 said:

Hi Sorry to drag up a slightly old post, but were the model year 2014 Rapids introduced into the UK. I've seen a September 2013 (63) Rapid for sale and am unsure if this would be the newer version? 

Sorry that should have read when were the model year 2014 Rapids introduced into the UK.

The modified and improved suspension and steering was introduced on the Rapid Spaceback and the Hatch followed suit.

I believe sales of the Spaceback started in November 13 to January 2014 in the UK.

 

September '13 is very likely an old spec car. The quality was distinctly lacking, just look back at all the threads on here.

 

 

 

 

Edited 23 June, 20197 yr by camelspyyder