Ibiza 1.4 EcoTSI FR Technology - Deposit Paid

[HonestIago]

One of my first posts here, thanks to the good folks who helped on my previous decision-making thread.

I've kept the spec rather light:

5 door
Mediterranean Blue (no cost and looks nice enough)
Rear Tints
Ambient Mood Lighting (how could I not for £65?!)
Space Saver/Spare Wheel Kit

Been quoted 16 weeks delivery which should coincide perfectly with my leased Ibiza 1.6 TDI going back. I must say I am very excited to be changing to a petrol daily with a bit of go but reasonable running costs!

I've had a few reasonably quick cars before: Clio Trophy, Impreza Turbo and currently have a 330bhp STI Version 6 Wagon for summer fun.

Really curious to see just how competent this Ibiza is, by all accounts a brilliant blend of decent punch, practicality and economy (I do 16-17k pa). The discounts on offer make it an absolute bargain too IMO! Looking forward to collection, posting pics and being able to contribute here!

 

[bcr5784]

I have the ST Technology version of your car. I went for climate, drive profile, rear tinted windows, spare wheel (better to get it in base spec - it's NOT a space saver or speed limited) rear parking sensors. None are must haves - but I'm happy with my choices.

Regarding performance - I don't think you will feel short changed (probably pleasantly surprised). I've had a WRX and now have a 981 Porsche Cayman S. In the mid range it doesn't feel that much slower than either (quicker than the Trophy), and much less lag than the WRX - remarkable considering the long gears it pulls. Refined too - but both the Subaru and Porsche make nicer noises.

Compared with the Trophy it's both more roomy, refined, and much more comfortable - but nothing like the fun, a completely different animal. The Fr is a really nice 7 tenths car. (I hate that word "nice" - but in truth the Ibiza is genuinely one of the nicest cars I've owned - and I've owned a few).

 

[HonestIago]

Thanks for the reply and particularly your car comparisons - the Trophy comparison is pretty much exactly as I'd view it having spent 18+ months with my FR TDI (not quite an EcoTSI I know).

I pondered the drive profile but decided against in the end to keep cost down. I'm also of the rather pessimistic mindset that it would be one more fancy bit of kit to go wrong! I plan on keeping the car 5+ years in all likelihood.

 

[steveemacz FR]

I got the 1.2 TSi FR Technology as a new car. My older car was the 1.2 TDI Ecomotive.

Seemed as though you've specked it up quite well there. 16 weeks is normal for the delivery date of a new Ibiza. Though mine was the standard FR Tech spec no extra frills and was waiting on the Forecourt unregistered at the time. Alor Blue too, which is a rare colour that I like and hard to get hold of.

The 1.4 Eco Tsi is the best of the petrol ranges. 150Bhp will deliver enough punch and for economy it shuts down 2 of its 4 cylinders in Low Speed traffic to save fuel consumption. Also has engine stop/start at Lights or when the handbrake is on.

 

[KXL]

Also has engine stop/start at Lights or when the handbrake is on.

I wonder if it does that on my 1.0 EcoTSi DSG...will have a try this weekend! The engine shutting off when handbrake is engaged..

 

[steveemacz FR]

I wonder if it does that on my 1.0 EcoTSi DSG...will have a try this weekend! The engine shutting off when handbrake is engaged..

Make sure the stop start button is activated first. But the 1.0 EcoTSi definately has this. I'm not sure how it works with it being a DSG automatic. But think it works when you have the handbrake on.

My past Ibiza 1.2 TDI ecomotive, Had start/stop feature , engine shut off when I had the handbrake on.

 

[KXL]

Make sure the stop start button is activated first. But the 1.0 EcoTSi definately has this. I'm not sure how it works with it being a DSG automatic. But think it works when you have the handbrake on.

My past Ibiza 1.2 TDI ecomotive, Had start/stop feature , engine shut off when I had the handbrake on.

I will try (in D mode), brake, engine shuts off, handbrake on...brake pedal off, engine should stay off...saves me keeping brakes pressed all the time...I know if I put in Park, handbrake on, brake pedal off engine stays off, haven't tried in D yet.

 

[markm49uk]

I got the 1.2 TSi FR Technology as a new car. My older car was the 1.2 TDI Ecomotive.

Seemed as though you've specked it up quite well there. 16 weeks is normal for the delivery date of a new Ibiza. Though mine was the standard FR Tech spec no extra frills and was waiting on the Forecourt unregistered at the time. Alor Blue too, which is a rare colour that I like and hard to get hold of.

The 1.4 Eco Tsi is the best of the petrol ranges. 150Bhp will deliver enough punch and for economy it shuts down 2 of its 4 cylinders in Low Speed traffic to save fuel consumption. Also has engine stop/start at Lights or when the handbrake is on.

Not quite true. The ecotsi 1.4 can shut down two cylinders at speeds above the legal limit. Bit strange at first driving at 80 on two cylinders. As long as your speed is steady and the engine has a consistent demand then it shuts the cylinders down.

 

[ibiza]

My new ibiza 1.2 TSI FR arrives in my country at 9pm tonight I have waited 6 weeks for mine, they managed to find a car which was already lined up to be built which matched the door size & engine I had chosen so I guess I was lucky! I can't wait!

 

[bcr5784]

Not quite true. The ecotsi 1.4 can shut down two cylinders at speeds above the legal limit. Bit strange at first driving at 80 on two cylinders. As long as your speed is steady and the engine has a consistent demand then it shuts the cylinders down.

Not quite true either! mine shuts down on light throttle openings at almost any speed or gear, though at motorway speeds it needs all four either up inclines or above about 85 on the flat.

 

[steveemacz FR]

Not quite true either! mine shuts down on light throttle openings at almost any speed or gear, though at motorway speeds it needs all four either up inclines or above about 85 on the flat.

Must depend on driving, i assume it would probably shut down 2 cylinders if you were crawling at 50 in 5/6th gear on Motorway roadworks But would use all 4. For example when you need too boost to 70, or need a burst of quick acceleration for overtaking.

 

[KXL]

I will try (in D mode), brake, engine shuts off, handbrake on...brake pedal off, engine should stay off...saves me keeping brakes pressed all the time...I know if I put in Park, handbrake on, brake pedal off engine stays off, haven't tried in D yet.

I tried this, and it doesn't work. At the lights, stop....engine goes off, pull handbrake...release brake, the engine restarts and as my foot is off the car tries to drag handbrake...maybe only in Manual and in neutral with handbrake?

 

[bcr5784]

Not driven the auto box cars but it's normal (and unavoidable) on conventional (torque converter) autos to get the tendency "creep" you sound to be having once a gear is engaged.

It isn't necessary on dual clutch boxes but, presumably because those used to creep like it (which can be used to advantage on slight gradients) some (most?) dual clutch boxes have creep built in. Personally I don't like it for the sort of reason you state.

 

[steveemacz FR]

I tried this, and it doesn't work. At the lights, stop....engine goes off, pull handbrake...release brake, the engine restarts and as my foot is off the car tries to drag handbrake...maybe only in Manual and in neutral with handbrake?

Yeah, I forgot that you have to put the car in neutral to get it active. Which is why I got confused , because I didnt know how it works for autos, with no clutch pedal.

Must only work when it's in neutral mode for the DSG. Mine was a manual

My sequence be to stop would be, slow down, Brake. Press Clutch, change gear to neutral this pull hand brake, this would make engine stop . I'd get a start/stop active on the dash. I do this to stop my foot being on the clutch pedal in heavy traffic or long wait on lights.

To go, I would press the clutch (this would activate engine) release handbrake and go.

I assume when the cars on D, It's the equivalent of having a gear engaged as its ready to go. Neutral with handbrake should activate it.

 

[gh2]

Ibiza ST

I'm waiting on delivery of my Ibiza ST 1.4 FR Technology in Monsoon Grey. It's a 16-plate with 2700 miles on the clock.

Coming from a Leon SC 1.4 FR, I was keen not to lose any power (I test drove a Skoda Rapid Spaceback with the 1.2 but felt it was too slow) and to keep as many of the niceties from my current car too.

 

[KXL]

Yeah, I forgot that you have to put the car in neutral to get it active. Which is why I got confused , because I didnt know how it works for autos, with no clutch pedal.

Must only work when it's in neutral mode for the DSG. Mine was a manual

I assume when the cars on D, It's the equivalent of having a gear engaged as its ready to go. Neutral with handbrake should activate it.

On DSG, I know for a fact, if I put into P (park) I can lift my foot off brake pedal and engine will stay off, even if I press brake again.

Will try to see if it does the same in Neutral...

 

[Fr2013]

I can't confirm that putting the car into neutral and taking foot off brake makes the car restart.

1. Come to a stop, foot on brake
2. Car goes into stop/start mode and engine turns off
3. Put car into neutral, take foot off brake and car restarts.

The only way to use stop start and not to be on the foot brake is to put it in Park.

1.0 TSI FR DSG (2016)

 

[KXL]

Maybe just me, but isn't there a very 'odd' highway code rule that at the red traffic lights especially at night, you shouldn't be 'shining' your brake likes to the person behind when stopped?

 

[bcr5784]

Maybe just me, but isn't there a very 'odd' highway code rule that at the red traffic lights especially at night, you shouldn't be 'shining' your brake likes to the person behind when stopped?

Not sure whether there is a rule or not, but it's not a very courteous thing to do. Unfortunately it's something that automatic gearboxes tend to encourage drivers to do and I suspect relatively few drivers of automatics slip into neutral or park when stopped.

 

[Fr2013]

I for one don't slip it into neutral. I sit in drive with the start/stop engaged and my foot on the brake. Otherwise, what's he point in me having it?