Whenever I've read anything about the 1.4 TDI, it's either really slated for its "agricultural" engine, its "weak" performance and "unachievable real world mpg". Or, going the other way, it's praised for its "spirited" performance, "smooth" engine and general good fuel economy.

I dunno. THe car is noisy but new diesels are noisy until they've been run in a bit. Also, with this car, you get the £35 car tax bonus, which adds up over several years. Performance seems more than reasonable to me...

Anyone else got a view on this car? Balance seems hard to find.

It's no 2.0 TDI, but it's a darn site more drivable than the 1.2 HTP IMHO

I have had 2 1.4 TDI polos, and I certainly rate both the performance and economy, and would have another without a second thought.

delivered 3 1.4 tdi roomsters this week and i must say i thought they werent half bad

the pwoer band isnt as wide as the 1.9tdi, nor is it as smooth at idle. but at crusing speed the nosie is gone. plus even on a brand new roo i was getting high 40's on my journey to delivery them. mostly a and b roads too. didnt get on the motorway. but its better than my 1.9, even now its run in.

they rev quite happily and i'd love to see how a chipped one goes

I ve got the 80hp model and the performance is good and averaging 50mpg. Yes it's a bit noisy but not to bad and will probally get quieter after the year service.

First time I ve had a Fabia but this is my 5th Diesel (mostly PSA engines) and I have to say for a 1.4 it's good. Mind the £35 road tax swung it for me.

Whenever I've read anything about the 1.4 TDI, it's either really slated for its "agricultural" engine, its "weak" performance and "unachievable real world mpg". Or, going the other way, it's praised for its "spirited" performance, "smooth" engine and general good fuel economy.

I dunno. THe car is noisy but new diesels are noisy until they've been run in a bit. Also, with this car, you get the £35 car tax bonus, which adds up over several years. Performance seems more than reasonable to me...

Anyone else got a view on this car? Balance seems hard to find.

Hi adrianh

We have the 1.4 Tdi on a 05 plate, and you soon get used to the noise,

but thts the 3 cylinder engine for you

The power is good, no problem under normal driving (ok it wont keep with a VRs) but ample

and as for economy is good, we get about 50+ round town and taking easy on a motorway doing about 60/65 get 68mpg.

Radiotwo

14500 miles covered in my 1.4TDi and no complaints. True, it won't accelerate like a 'big' car but then you rarely need that. It more than holds its own from a standing start and has plenty of power to get up some fairly big hills. Compared to the 1.2 petrol I drove when mine was serviced it is very quick!

I own a 1.4TDi fabia 3 and think the engine is great. It is actually noisier at idle speed than when you are driving which is on the datasheet for the car, but if you have had diesels before its nothing that you aren't used to.

Power is ample for a small car, like everyone says its not going to make any land speed records but has a nice little power band around 2600 - 3200rpm.

Fuel efficiency figures in the book are achievable, HOWEVER, they are based on the car starting its journey already with an engine at full operating temperature, ideal driving conditions and the driving being made up of 1 part urban and 2 parts extra urban, this will easily result in combined mpg.

I personally have achieved over the book 68mpg on combined runs. On motorway runs I am getting around 50-52mpg just a little over 70mph. And all that with 4 fat muddy funster adults in it too.

Can't fault it.

Good posts, much more balanced. Personally I think the engine is a cracker and the £35 car tax is a clear plus over the 1.9.:)

I have had 1.4 TDI's as courtesy cars while my Furby VRS has been in for service and have been well impressed by them. There is a bit of a hesitancy coming of idle in my opinion but the engine is a three pot so that is to be expected (although it has a balancer shaft I believe). You either love or hate the off beat growl of the engine but I love it.

You can get high 50's easy but it is an engine that encourages you to drive it hard which is odd for a diesel but it smooths out nicely at high revs and spins better than my 1.9. It may not be as powerful as my car but I think it is the nicer engine in 80 BHP. For **** sake avoid the 70BHP as it is very underpowered though: Go for it I don't think you'll regret it:thumbup:

I have a 1.4 TDI 3 (80 bhp) which I have had for 5 months and have done 8k miles.

The engine is noisy at idle but once the car is moving it is not intrusive at all.

Performance is pretty reasonable considering it only has 80 bhp. My last car was a 185 bhp Volvo D5. Even though I have lost 105 bhp I can't really say I miss it.

It will cruise all day between 70-90 on the motorway and definitely keeps up with the traffic.

On the subject of economy though I have not been that impressed. It is not that much better than the 150 bhp Golf GT TDI I had two cars ago.

My average seems to be around 48.5 but I am mainly doing motorway miles (mostly at 70) and I wonder if the lack of a sixth gear makes the difference. Our family bus Passat 2.0 TDI Estate gets 45!

It is improving as the miles go on though.

All in all though I am very impressed with it. This is my first sub 12k car in a while and it really makes me think I was wasting money on all of my previous cars. Having said that if the new VRS is a diesel I will be straight to the dealers!

I'm driving a Fabia2 1.4TDi at the moment and whilst I prefer the 1.9TDi engine due to needing the additional power because my commute is mostly back roads with limited overtaking places made even more limited by only having 80bhp compared to 105bhp.

But the 1.4TDi is amazingly good on fuel I'm getting about 52mpg on my commute and thats not even trying. £35 rfl a year I'm sure is a real plus. It is very smooth for a 3 cylinder engine, the only other downfall is I think it needs a 6 speed gearbox as it is a bit revvy on the motorway.

Having said that, I wouldn't hesitate to buy the 1.4TDi over any of the petrol offerings.

All my humble opinion of course....

If I understand the proposals correctly, the 80hp version will also be exempt from the London congestion charge if the proposed system goes through in October.

If I understand the proposals correctly, the 80hp version will also be exempt from the London congestion charge if the proposed system goes through in October.

Worth noting if your considering the 1.4tdi or the 19.tdi.

I'm sure London won't be the only city in the UK using a congestion charge system.

i had a 1.4 tdi courtesy car,and i thought it was a cracking little car,enough power,plenty of econamy a bit noisy,but my fabia vrs is hardly quiet,it rides well,and on balance i think it is a good engine,if performance is a priority,don't buy a 1.4.