i might have to replace my 1.4 16 v 2000 fabia cause off a broken piston ring (car going in next friday to confirm this).

i'm looking to get a new car on pcp and i'm looking at either a 1.2 sport or 1.4tdi.i do about 5000 miles a year and mainly city driving.

so which is best for me ?

thanks

If you're doing low mileage town driving, as much as I like the diesels, I think the 1.2 makes more sense.

I've never driven either engines, but think it will warm up quicker than the diesel (so you don't get the bad economy of the cold tdi) and the smaller, lighter engine will potentially make the car more responsive.

The 1.2 engine (64bhp) is an excellent engine for town work. It also drives well at speed on the motorway and will sit at 70 mph all day. My wifes 1.2 Silverline Estate has my 16" vRS alloys on and this does improve the road holding. Cracking little car. Would deffo have another. Have a look at the estste..........I belive it's only 8" longer than the hatch but the luggage space is fantastic..........Hope this helps......................Andy

thanks Andy,i've been thinking about getting the estate.would make a change !

The TDi. I have a Polo with the 1.4 TDi and have driven the 1.2 Fabia as courtesy cars. TBH the 1.2 is a comedy car, it even sounds like a washing machine. OK if you really have to but I hated it, although it will get to motorway speeds the acceleration is so poor that you're constantly blocked into the inside/middle lanes because there isn't enough acceleration to pull out into the next lane to overtake. Whilst all this is going on the engine is doing ludicrously high RPM even in fifth gear. In fact, on a motorway they're frighteningly slow.

The TDi has about the same (or better) performance between 0-30MPH, but afterwards it will wee all over the 1.2 petrol, and will cruise happilly at 90 MPH all day, or at 70MPH doing over 60 MPG (in my experience). Also uses less fuel than 1.2. So, the TDI is an all rounder, but the 1.2 cacks it's pants once you leave town (or you will...).

I've not driven the 1.2 but I've driven a few 1.4TDi's. They are very noisey (I've had several as courtesy cars and colleagues say they sound like tractors), it also revs highly on the motorway and if you really want it move you have to work the engine hard to stay in the powerband (off turbo the engine is dire). For the amount of miles your doing the extra cost of buying the Tdi and running it doesn't make sense (remember diesel is more expensive than petrol and over 5000 miles your savings will be very little).

I've heard good reviews of the 1.2 sport- best thing you can do is drive both and see for yourself.

I'd have a 1.2 Sport. I think driven correctly the 1.2 12v has reasonalbe power and a good spec for the price.

driven a 1.2 sport today was fun and nippy about town does 80 easily on motorways... great little car:) and with the sport u get all the neat touches like red seatbelts, lether wheel, hand break...sport seats

I'd chose the 1.2.

The TDI might be better on paper but when I drove one it just didn't have a nice character. Quite noisy (similar sound to the 1.2 petrol but much noiser and more agricultural) and very laggy.

Even a classic spec 1.4TDI with the lowest power output is

I work for Europcar driving hire cars around all day, which lead me to buy a 1.4 tdi as the 1.2 has no guts which is very noticeable on motorways, also the mpg is terriable compaired to the 1.4tdi.

full tank on the 1.4 tdi the range says something like 600/650 miles

full tank on the 1.2 the range is half that

also on a hill with a full load the tdi with its stupid amount of touque tanks up the hill like its not there, 1.2... well urr does fell like you can get out and walk faster.

I did buy my tdi fabia second hand 55 plate with 10k on the trip it's a classic but it came with extras not normaly found on a classic like cruise control for an example

When I looking a fabias at the time the tdi's seem to come with better deals with extras etc, well second hand ones did anyways.

Also when mates and people I work with found out what engine it is they all say thats a great little engine goes on nothing and goes like hell considering the engine size and being diesel, no ones said anything bad about the engine.

I'd say 1.4 tdi!

I've not driven the 1.2 but I've driven a few 1.4TDi's. They are very noisey (I've had several as courtesy cars and colleagues say they sound like tractors)' date=' it also revs highly on the motorway and if you really want it move you have to work the engine hard to stay in the powerband (off turbo the engine is dire). For the amount of miles your doing the extra cost of buying the Tdi and running it doesn't make sense (remember diesel is more expensive than petrol and over 5000 miles your savings will be very little).

I've heard good reviews of the 1.2 sport- best thing you can do is drive both and see for yourself.[/quote']

Revs highly on the motorway ?

I think not ,70mph = 2500 rpm this I think is just above the halfway mark in the tourque band and there is about 400 to 500 rpm of useful power left.

I am a diesel loving person... personally I would go for the diesel..... but an honest objective person, would look at your case and say as you mainly do town driving and 5000 miles a year.... therefore motorway driving is a rare thing (I would guess) then I will personally recommend the 1.2 petrol.... after all if you do not do much inter-city driving, there is very little point in worrying about power and acceleration.... and if you go for a long run.... whats the point in rushing !! I currently hve a 1.3 GLi Felicia with a 0-62 of a month and a half, but I am going down to Exeter today, and the little engine can comfortably do the 110 mile round journey and give me 50 mpg + and she has a 67bhp engine so really, I would say to you, save your moneyand get a 1.2 and use the extra cash, for petrol (I know you gonna use PCP but you kow what I mean)

I hope this essay helps.... and I hope you enjoy your new motor when you get it

Q

The 1.2-12v is excellent round town, but severely lacks when the road opens up and you want to press on. However, it depends on your own criteria for choosing it

Chris

What can I say I'm not a fan of the 1.4Tdi! 650 miles on a tank of fuel???

Thats what the range says 600 - 650, I yet to test this, im going to fill it up tonight as I got a long drive to sliverstone tomorrow, I'll take a pic of what the range says, think i'll set the clock to 0miles and see how far i really can go

prob find out in about week if I really can do 600-650 keep ya posted

Revs highly on the motorway ?

I think not ' date='70mph = 2500 rpm this I think is just above the halfway mark in the tourque band and there is about 400 to 500 rpm of useful power left.[/quote']

Sure about that? They hit nearly 4,000 RPM at 80 in fifth, must be a very odd ratio. It has to rev, it doesn't have the power to turn those sort of tall ratios, you'd be down to third to get up motorway hills. I mean think, standards.

I mean, 64BHP and 83 Ibs torque?? Why not go the whole hog and get a C5? (The Sinclair one that is).

Oh yes, the Tdi also only

IMO I would choose the 1.4 TDI anyday - way better fuel economy!

Sure about that? They hit nearly 4,000 RPM at 80 in fifth, must be a very odd ratio. It has to rev, it doesn't have the power to turn those sort of tall ratios, you'd be down to third to get up motorway hills. I mean think, standards.

I mean, 64BHP and 83 Ibs torque?? Why not go the whole hog and get a C5? (The Sinclair one that is).

Oh yes, the Tdi also only

Is the 1.4 TDI chain cam, like the 1.2 petrol?

If you are doing a lot of short journeys (ie. stop-start driving) then a diesel makes by far the better choice. Diesel engines cope much better with this type of driving and are a lot more efficient in this situation. However I'm not a fan of the 1.4 TDI as it's a very noisy and unrefined motor. Have you thought about the PD engines? A second hand 100bhp PD motor would seem to make a lot more sense than a new sport 1.2 petrol.

Stop start city driving is what the Sport 1.2 is good at though, and going back to the original post that's what's needed. The Sport is great up to 50MPH and goes nicely at higher speeds too (as long as its flatish!)

It's gonna take a long time to get the extra cost price of a 1.4TDI back in fuel savings doing only 5000 miles per year.

If I were you, I would take both on a longish test drive around your normal routes and also on the open road. I'm biased as we have a 1.4 TDI and love it to bits. The engine noise is great as it sounds more 2.8 V6 than 1.4 3 cylinder.

What you need to remember is that althought the TDI will cost more to buy initially, you'll have more money in your pocket each week as you won't be putting as much fuel in. Also when you come to sell it it will be worth more than the petrol version.

Hi,

I've a 1.4 TDI. New March 04. Now done almost 60K. No problems. Fuel consumption overall always over 70mpg. Always get more than 700 on a tankful (measured at pump). Tows trailer, motorway drives and country roads. I like it more as time goes by. Noise not noticeable. Biggest problem (which might be the decider for you) - if you're in the car for a short journey is the long time to warm up the heater. During the minus 5 temperatures last winter it started first turn every time, but then took 9 miles to blow hot air.

HTH V.

Is the 1.4 TDI chain cam, like the 1.2 petrol?

!.4 TDI PD = Cam belt.

If I were you' date=' I would take both on a longish test drive around your normal routes and also on the open road. I'm biased as we have a 1.4 TDI and love it to bits. The engine noise is great as it sounds more 2.8 V6 than 1.4 3 cylinder.

What you need to remember is that althought the TDI will cost more to buy initially, you'll have more money in your pocket each week as you won't be putting as much fuel in. Also when you come to sell it it will be worth more than the petrol version.[/quote']

I totally agree with everything you posted about the !.4TDI PD I am as they say "chuffed to bits" with the one I have got.