I'm looking to change my current 8v 1.6tdi Sport in the next few month. Budget can stretch to a 1.6Tdi SLine or a 1.4CoD SLine. I've found my 1.6 to be OK but am attracted by the better performance of the 1.4, though with a daily commute to work of 60 miles each way I need to maximise mpg, hence I'm still considering the TDI. I need help to weigh up the pros & cons of each.
TDI or TFSI
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gamegenie
Eazy-E CPT OG from the Otherside
I suggest you test drive the 1.4 before reaching any decision, the engine has more power and the same torque with the mpg not to far off the diesel either...
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As above, take a test drive in the 1.4. I had an A1 with the standard 1.4 engine (not COD) and it was very punchy and fun to drive, with great MPG. Check out the below thread for discussion on the efficiency of that engine in particular.
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/who-was-it-that-said-id-never-get-50mpg-from-the-1-4cod.250664/
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/who-was-it-that-said-id-never-get-50mpg-from-the-1-4cod.250664/
Perhaps I should go for a 2.0tdi in Sport trim as that would still be within budget. This may give the best compromise between performance and mpg. Will a 2.0 achieve at least 55mpg on mostly motorway commute at 70-75?
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I've just switched from a 1.6 Tdi to a used 1.4 (122 not COD), both S line. Much prefer the petrol: lighter, quieter, punchier and handles better. COD has more torque than my 122 - so more akin to the 1.6 Tdi in that respect, I assume.
I should qualify that in 25 years of driving I've owned only two diesel cars, so I could probably be considered a little set in my ways. The 1.4 is just more like the cars I'm used to, simple as that.
(MPG - I'm averaging mid 40's in the 1.4, was getting mid 50's in the diesel)
I should qualify that in 25 years of driving I've owned only two diesel cars, so I could probably be considered a little set in my ways. The 1.4 is just more like the cars I'm used to, simple as that.
(MPG - I'm averaging mid 40's in the 1.4, was getting mid 50's in the diesel)
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You have just answered your own question..If you are after economy stay with the TDI...Simples
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Yes, if it's just about economy then only one likely answer and, with the sort of mileage you do, I'd have probably stuck with the diesel. I don't do that level of mileage though so less clear cut.
Go for the 2.0 TDI, it will give you better perormance than the 1.6 & nearly as good mpg.
If you can stretch to the 2.0 TDi then do it's a superb engine.
Or S3 and move closer to work!
Or S3 and move closer to work!
Definitely TDI if you need economy. You'll get economy out of the COD but it'll make you work for it.
In my experience diesels tend to be more forgiving of heavy footed drives (like me) and still give you decent MPG.
In my experience diesels tend to be more forgiving of heavy footed drives (like me) and still give you decent MPG.
Better than 20mpg in the COD!
TDIs revolutions are lower, which also improves MPG if you're right foot heavy. On a motorway doing 80mph the engine revolutions sit around 2,500 in the COD. In the TDI it's 1.5. Hence better MPG.
Eigdoog
±§~Quadzackular~§±
Not sure if this will help but i had a A4 avant 2.0 diesel 170bhp, it flys with a return of about 40-43 mpg but then i had a remap to revo and then it really flew! Got about 45-48 mpg and always saw 55 on the motorway.
If i was in the game for a MPG car with speed the 2.0 diesel 170bhp would be the only thing on the cards for me.
If i was in the game for a MPG car with speed the 2.0 diesel 170bhp would be the only thing on the cards for me.
Diesel will aways give better economy, but its dirty and bad for the environment, and not a whole load of fun either.
But if diesel gets back to being considerably more expensive than petrol the cost benefit is much reduced.
But if diesel gets back to being considerably more expensive than petrol the cost benefit is much reduced.
Dont want to throw a spanner in the works but If you are concerned over performance of the 1.6TDI look at the total cost of ownership including running costs because....
1.4COD and 1.6TDI are about the same price but running costs for the petrol will be higher (low 40's v low 50's MPG) so if you could afford to run the 1.4 TFSI looking at total cost of ownership given the number of miles you do a day the 2.0TDI could be an option.
It will give you a lot more power and torque, I was very impressed with my 2.0TDI and averaged over 50mpg. Its £1500 more but fuel wise could save you nearly enough, around £1000 based on saving £4/day
1.4COD and 1.6TDI are about the same price but running costs for the petrol will be higher (low 40's v low 50's MPG) so if you could afford to run the 1.4 TFSI looking at total cost of ownership given the number of miles you do a day the 2.0TDI could be an option.
It will give you a lot more power and torque, I was very impressed with my 2.0TDI and averaged over 50mpg. Its £1500 more but fuel wise could save you nearly enough, around £1000 based on saving £4/day
Scottyg
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Also with Diesel cheaper than petrol and looking to stay that way for a while, diesel seems more sensible. Are you buying the car outright? If so there's a thread on the go just now about mapping the 1.6TDI. Gets it up to around 150-160Bhp and a big increase in torque. Two birds, one stone!
This is good advice right here. If you're not looking to max your budget then the 1.6TDI seems all round the best option. And like scottyg said - get it remapped for around £500 and you'll get performance and possibly better MPG as well.
Thanks for all the replies. It has given me lots to think about. Out of interest I compared the 1.6tdi, 2.0tdi and 1.4CoD using Fleetnews running cost tool. Based on 3yrs, 20000miles/yr
A3 Sportback 5Dr 1.4TFSi CoD Total cost per mile 34.23p
A3 Sportback 5Dr 1.6TDi Total cost per mile 33.22p
A3 Sportback 5Dr 2.0TDi 150 Total cost per mile 35.00p
There were all in 'Sport' trim. Interesting result which would indicate in terms of performance/£ the 1.4CoD is the better solution.
A3 Sportback 5Dr 1.4TFSi CoD Total cost per mile 34.23p
A3 Sportback 5Dr 1.6TDi Total cost per mile 33.22p
A3 Sportback 5Dr 2.0TDi 150 Total cost per mile 35.00p
There were all in 'Sport' trim. Interesting result which would indicate in terms of performance/£ the 1.4CoD is the better solution.
Interesting figures there. Never thought of it like that. How do they calculate those figures? Are they taken from actual road users or based on manufacturer MPG figures * average fuel prices?
I still think a 1.6 TDI will give you the best economy. But if you're looking for more of a balance against performance and don't want to remap, then I'd go 1.4 COD. You get the power of a 2.0 TDI, but if you drive it reaaaallllllly carefully you'll get the economy of a 1.6 TDI. So don't accelerate hard, stick to 70mph, don't put your foot down to beat a red light, stick to high gears etc. You'll get decent numbers.
For long mileage and motorway journeys a TDI will generally give you better economy. You'll sacrifice "refinement" (subjective) and get a tractor-like engine sound on a cold start but those low revs will keep you out of the petrol station.
I'd summarise that the 1.4 COD is a good balance but you risk getting poor MPG - it depends on your driving style. A TDI is probably more forgiving of an uneconomical driving style.
I still think a 1.6 TDI will give you the best economy. But if you're looking for more of a balance against performance and don't want to remap, then I'd go 1.4 COD. You get the power of a 2.0 TDI, but if you drive it reaaaallllllly carefully you'll get the economy of a 1.6 TDI. So don't accelerate hard, stick to 70mph, don't put your foot down to beat a red light, stick to high gears etc. You'll get decent numbers.
For long mileage and motorway journeys a TDI will generally give you better economy. You'll sacrifice "refinement" (subjective) and get a tractor-like engine sound on a cold start but those low revs will keep you out of the petrol station.
I'd summarise that the 1.4 COD is a good balance but you risk getting poor MPG - it depends on your driving style. A TDI is probably more forgiving of an uneconomical driving style.
Yeah but however I drive mine I have never seen that average, however for a constant motorway use I'd agree upon the diesel, if you can stand the noise, but not the 1.6..
For me personally, this is why I couldn't buy a diesel. Fortunately I do low miles so don't have to worry about high running costs, but a chap pulled into the car park for my flats today and would of sworn it was a transit van to drop off a delivery..it was in fact a facelift (had personal plates so don't know exact year) A5 2.0TDI....and that wasn't even a cold start!
I think our driving styles are wildly different. Or maybe mine has a fault or needs an upgrade. I still think we need to meet up and swap cars (though I'll probably owe you £20 in the extra fuel I'll end up using in your car...).
My Dad has a 2.7 TDI A6. It's 2006 though so it's not as refined as today's diesels. I can hear it coming before I can see it...
Well the oldest this A5 could of been is 2012...The thing I loved about my old 2.0TFSI was how it was near silent at idle. Not so much with the 3.0TFSI, but I quite enjoy the V6 sound
The numbers come from the car running cost tool on the 'Fleetnews' website. I think they use official mpg figures, and I know reality is a lot less, but as it is a side by side comparison any difference between real world mpg and official mpg should have a roughly similar effect on the numbers.
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So then 1.6tdi..Have you made your mind up as to which car you are going to get??
There are a lot of very interesting posts on this thread. In my mind tho I would probably go for the 1.4 petrol it seems to offer the best compromise on running costs and price..Let us all know your choice..
Scottyg
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No I will drive yours and then we'll see what it can do being driven 'briskly'
I'd agree with Whitestar here. You currently have the 1.6 TDI engine so you are very familiar with it's characteristics and only you can say if you find it 'wanting', although the wording of your first post suggests that you do. I personally find my 1.6 to be a little low on torque when pulling away from junctions and traffic lights, even in comparison to the 1.4 TDCi Fiesta we had before. On the motorway it is perfectly adequate, although a little more grunt for overtaking wouldn't go amiss. As you have both said, the 2.0 is near enough on MPG to not make a real-world difference and but offers a useful perfomance increase.
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The 1.6tdi is an adequate engine, all subjective of course. The 1.4 petrol has alot more "poke" in 6th gear in motorway situations. To be honest I found attempting overtaking in the 1.6 a little butt clenching on the motorway.
If it's all about economy go for the diesel, 2.0 tdi if you can stretch. If it's about anything else go for petrol, as I said entirely subjective but just basing it on my experience of having driven a 1.6tdi and a 1.4 (122).
If it's all about economy go for the diesel, 2.0 tdi if you can stretch. If it's about anything else go for petrol, as I said entirely subjective but just basing it on my experience of having driven a 1.6tdi and a 1.4 (122).
@burnleynotbarcelona , love the screename! My wife is from Burnley and still has a Clarets' season ticket, meaning we're there almost every weekend. I'll have to keep an eye out for your car.
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Ha, yes - don't live in Burnley but I am a season ticket holder.@burnleynotbarcelona , love the screename! My wife is from Burnley and still has a Clarets' season ticket, meaning we're there almost every weekend. I'll have to keep an eye out for your car.
I agree the 1.6tdi is adequate and quite a good engine. I just miss that extra 'poke' so I think I will go with the 2.0Tdi in Sport trim. I'll have to change my username though!
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