1.4 TFSi v 2.0 TDi

L

Lukehh

Registered User
Joined
Sep 28, 2012
Messages
110
Reaction score
10
Points
18
Location
Nottingham
Hi Guys,

I was looking at grabbing a 2009 2.0 TDi 170 but lately after talking with friends I have been thinking about getting a 2009 - 2010 1.4 TFSi then just getting it remapped for another 20bhp roughly.

Can anyone offer me their opinions between the two? The reasons why I was leaning to the 1.4 is the MPG is only a bit less, will be more responsive and better sounding, insurance is cheaper and also will be a cleaner car!

There isn't many about at the moment in the S Line edition but I can just keep my eye out for the right one :)

Also is there anything about the 1.4 i should know / look out for?

Cheers Luke
 
Depends on your driving to be honest.

I've currently got the 140 s line Black edition and its perfect. Keep thinking about getting it mapped but then I don't really struggle for speed on overtakes etc and the mpg is awesome.

I'd have a good look at tourqe figures as much as anything. I had a 118 m sport petrol as a replacement for a diesel and always had to plan an overtake due to lack of tourqe.

happy hunting pal
 
Just looked to make sure in wasn't talking rubbish,

1.4tfsi 148lbs/ft
2.0d 140 236lbs/ft
2.0d 170 258lbs/ft

Hope that helps
 
The diesel is far more popular so when you go to sell it should be easy.
 
Walts2782 said:
Depends on your driving to be honest.

I've currently got the 140 s line Black edition and its perfect. Keep thinking about getting it mapped but then I don't really struggle for speed on overtakes etc and the mpg is awesome.

I'd have a good look at tourqe figures as much as anything. I had a 118 m sport petrol as a replacement for a diesel and always had to plan an overtake due to lack of tourqe.

happy hunting pal
Click to expand...

I'd have to agree.

I was in a similar position a few years back and swapped an A3 2.0 TDI 140 in for a BMW 318CI. The bhp on paper was the same but due to the lack of torque the 3 series was awful to drive! Get the diesel mate!
 
I have a Sportback PD170 & one of the courtesy cars I was given while it was being worked on was an A1 1.4 TFSi. It initially felt quite zippy but after a couple of days I realised how gutless it actually was, especially bearing in mind its half the size of the A3! There's definitely no substitute for torque when driving.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mgf4lfc and Paul76R
Walts2782 said:
Just looked to make sure in wasn't talking rubbish,

1.4tfsi 148lbs/ft
2.0d 140 236lbs/ft
2.0d 170 258lbs/ft

Hope that helps
Click to expand...

All that torque doesn't get past the fact you run out of puff at 4k rpm.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RedDejavu
Minstadave said:
All that torque doesn't get past the fact you run out of puff at 4k rpm.
Click to expand...

Different tools for diffenet jobs I think is the quote. Need something good on fuel for a commute, good on power for pleasure and plenty of curb appeal. My personal preference would be to do this than have to over work a smaller engine.

All this and good residuals was an easy decision for me. Money no object I'd still take an RS3 though :)
 
Minstadave said:
All that torque doesn't get past the fact you run out of puff at 4k rpm.
Click to expand...

Thats the whole point, you don't need to rev it past 4k! The peak power band is between 2-3K, driven properly it will beat the 1.4tfsi hands down and be cheaper to run!
 
But do you want it to beat every car on the road or just be a fun, economical car to run, if yes then 1.4 is a good purchase, zippy little engine in the A1 & its not really that bad in the A3, I was surprised how nippy the 1.6 tdi was aswell on a 2012 8P.
 
cheers guys, yeah NHN my petrolhead days have gone now days I just want something with a little poke (not dead like the 1.0 i drive now) and just really for comfortablity and looks with decent MPG! So going to keep an eye out for 1.4 TFSi's and wait for one to catch my eye.

plus when i get a little bored i can get roughly +20bhp and +80lbft from a remap from JBS who aint too far away!
 
Lukehh said:
cheers guys, yeah NHN my petrolhead days have gone now days I just want something with a little poke (not dead like the 1.0 i drive now) and just really for comfortablity and looks with decent MPG! So going to keep an eye out for 1.4 TFSi's and wait for one to catch my eye.

plus when i get a little bored i can get roughly +20bhp and +80lbft from a remap from JBS who aint too far away!
Click to expand...

Almost certain after reading the first few lines you was going to say the TDi!

The TDi would win hands down with me over a 1.4tfsi... I love the torque of my 140 (getting remap next week)
 
The TDI torque still puts a smile on my face, despite four years of ownership.
 
get a 1.8 TFSI quattro but thats just a petrol head talking :p would beat both :p and still be quite economical
 
I brought my sister the 1.4 TFSI and had it remapped. It has plenty of go and economy. Depends on your choice... petrol head or diesel head? Both are good engines. Don't expect 1.8 or 2.0 like performance though but if you want something that does have a bit of a bite then I would say the 1.4
 
max69vk said:
You don't need high revs with big torque ;-)
Click to expand...

but work with a gearstick like a mad man and 1st gear is just rubbish. Motorways ok, diesel makes sense but as soon as you hit town petrol is way to go. my PD170 struggled a lot around town and lack of decent instant initial response was really surprising sometimes. I know CRs are much more refined and I found them being a good car but mpgs are poor if you drive around low speeds not to mention DPF problems and else. Just petrol is way cheaper to maintain and look after, less complicated and entertaining.

That was the reason I swapped to back to petrols and will not come back as now in my S3 drive is just like rapping a fit random bird every time you open it up after 3-4k revs. Just never get bored of this experience.
 
Last edited:
Rhyso said:
Get it mapped and rev it like a petrol; mine's still pulling hard past 4K...........
Click to expand...

Clattering past 4k is nothing like a decent petrol engine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Artimus and Walts2782
Minstadave said:
Clattering past 4k is nothing like a decent petrol engine.
Click to expand...

What you make up in time us diesels will get back whilst your at that petrol station :ohmy:
And the money we save can go on mods......

In all honesty I really think its whatever the guy needs, if he's not doing massive miles I guess the 1.4 might be all he needs.
 
The best thing about torque especially when a diesel is remapped is that you can leave it in 3rd or 4th and pull through from tickover speeds to way above the legal limit, no gear changing involved. ;-)
 
Diesel all day long unless you get a little 2.0l hot hatch like a clio sport etc.

I had a CS and it was very quick when your doing 6k revs but having torque in a car is so much better than speed whilst revving the t*ts off it
 
Walts2782 said:
What you make up in time us diesels will get back whilst your at that petrol station :ohmy:
And the money we save can go on mods......

In all honesty I really think its whatever the guy needs, if he's not doing massive miles I guess the 1.4 might be all he needs.
Click to expand...

This is where this conversation should start of:D. If he drives long distances then diesel is less hassle and better on fuel but in town I cant find any better option than small petrol engine.
 
Rhyso said:
no but ill be leaving you in a cloud of soot as I do :p
Click to expand...

Fortunately I've got a 2.0T so I shan't worry.

This place is way to evangelical about the 2.0TDI, in fact the world has gone diesel mad, until the dpf dies from all the trips to tesco or limo mode rears its ugly jead and then common sense kicks in.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Artimus
As has been said, they are two very different animals !

Diesel makes sense if you do big miles or like driving the diesel way ( riding the wave of torque at low revs ), but if you aren't doing big mileage, ( which is over 18/20 thousand mile a year ) then the whole life costs of a diesel will be higher ( fuel, tax, servicing etc ).

If you like instant response around town, or don't mind stirring the gearbox, then the 1.4 is a good engine and will be good fun ( up to a point ), but for longer distances then the diesel makes sense.

You can't get a diesel convert to say petrol is better and vice-versa.....two different religions and two very different ways to drive and enjoy an engine..:yes:
 
So many of these threads come up. My answer remains the same. TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI! TDI!
 
Says the man with a picture of an RS3 on the bottom of each post...:whistle2:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Artimus
Minstadave said:
Fortunately I've got a 2.0T so I shan't worry.

This place is way to evangelical about the 2.0TDI, in fact the world has gone diesel mad, until the dpf dies from all the trips to tesco or limo mode rears its ugly jead and then common sense kicks in.
Click to expand...

Unless its the 2.0T found in the S3 or yours is modified then be worried lol. Also I dont have a DPF to worry about

anyhoo.....low miles, town driving - get the petrol
doing medium dsitance driving and beyond go TDI

Although I did spend 12 months doing about 50 miles a week and still achieved over 400 miles to a tank and had no DPF or limp mode issues.

Simples :)
 
If you do round town driving and not much motorway get the 1.4, cheaper to run than a 170 around town and still with a bit of poke, if you want power And do motorway driving then 170 all the way, very quick once mapped trust me, I had a go with my mates Astra Vxr last night from a standstill and we was level pegging till about 75ish then he just started pulling away. I was shocked myself and so was he. Helps having DSG
 
Shadowman said:
Says the man with a picture of an RS3 on the bottom of each post...:whistle2:
Click to expand...

Lol just because two cars share similarities doesn't mean they are the same. There's a big diffrence between a 1.4 and 2.5. it's a nice car I like the look of it, would be happy to make TDI! replica if funds flow my way
 
Minstadave said:
You're annual mileage is 2.5k and you've got a diesel?
Click to expand...

urm no re-read my post......

That was my commute to and from work for 12 months. I now do approx 20k a year. Even if i wasnt doing that mileage Id still have a diesel as i do travel across the country visiting friends and couldnt live with the poor economy of a petrol
 
Rhyso said:
Even if i wasnt doing that mileage Id still have a diesel as i do travel across the country visiting friends and couldnt live with the poor economy of a petrol
Click to expand...

This is the fallacy behind it all though isn't it? "OMG can't live the poor fuel economy of a petrol must buy a diesel!!!".

I do 20k a year in my 2.0T - at 129.9 a litre and 37mpg this costs £3200.

You do 20k a year in a 2.0TDI - at 137.9 a litre and 50mpg this costs just over £2500.

So you save under 1k a year taking into account tax for a noisey, unrefined, unreliable engine. Through in a map to make it less tractorlike, a turbo and the odd injector problem over the lifetime of the car and the saving is even less.

That's ignoring the DPF issues and purchase cost/residuals.

Now do 10k a year and that cost saving is ****** all. Less than that and you're barking.
 
Minstadave said:
This is the fallacy behind it all though isn't it? "OMG can't live the poor fuel economy of a petrol must buy a diesel!!!".

I do 20k a year in my 2.0T - at 129.9 a litre and 37mpg this costs £3200.

You do 20k a year in a 2.0TDI - at 137.9 a litre and 50mpg this costs just over £2500.

So you save under 1k a year taking into account tax for a noisey, unrefined, unreliable engine. Through in a map to make it less tractorlike, a turbo and the odd injector problem over the lifetime of the car and the saving is even less.

That's ignoring the DPF issues and purchase cost/residuals.

Now do 10k a year and that cost saving is ****** all. Less than that and you're barking.
Click to expand...

this is why i've bought S3:D
 
Last time i checked £700 was a fair sum of money to be saving. Add in the fact insurance and tax is also cheaper.

Your 37mpg is good for that motor but I doubt every one is able to achieve such figures thus the savings would be greater.

and you're saying the 2.0T doesn't suffer any problems at all?

ETO

ill stick to my dirty derv and pocket the £700 :icon_thumright:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Paul76R
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
A3 1.4 TFSI to a 2.0 TDI Stronic?
Replies
12
Views
2K
Paul76R
Paul76R
S
1.8 tfsi/2.0 tfsi/2.0 tdi?
Replies
98
Views
10K
sean.smithy
S
D
1.4 TFSI
Replies
25
Views
4K
mister.c.
mister.c.
M
1.4 TFSI
Replies
7
Views
1K
rich1068
rich1068
Sukhy
1.9 TDI vs 1.4 TFSI S Line
Replies
17
Views
4K
Mike597
M
Top
Back