1.2L v 1.4L TSI (used)

[redtee34]

When it comes to buying a used mk3, the larger engine seems really only very slightly more expensive. Difficult to quantify when comparing across cars with different specs and miles, but looks like no more than a few hundred pounds. Price differences pretty much come down to odo and features.

It would seem like a no-brainer to pick up a 1.4L TSI instead of the smaller 1.2L TSI - fuel economy and insurance are virtually the same (Honest John real MPG figures suggest around 4.3% superior economy for the smaller engine).

I'm just wondering if there are _any_ benefits to the smaller engine at all? Is it quieter around towns and/or motorways? (It's occurred to me that possibly the smaller engine is quieter in towns but louder being worked at 70 mph, but I have no idea?)

Is the smaller engine preferable for relaxing drive/comfort or something?

Is the smaller engine likely to last longer if used mostly around towns, whilst the larger will thank you more for being on B roads over its life? Nit picking here but just want to cover everything

 

[deanholmes194]

Having had both, I would take the 1.4tsi every time.

There’s no specific differences - the 1.4tsi just does everything a bit easier. A very good balance of performance and economy, whereas the 1.2 gives you the economy without the performance. That being said, the 1.2 isn’t disappointingly slow!


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[Wastedagen]

I love my 2014 1.2 TSI but would never buy one again for 1 reason only.... It cost me 1L of oil every 1200 miles...
It's actually within spec according to SEAT manual too.. Oil consumption is appalling.. But not sure if the newer models are a lot better....

As for fuel consumption. I think it's brilliant. Quite often hit 700 miles a tank before refuelling... But that is mostly motorway driving averaging 60mph.

I have a tuning box on mine so it's approx 125bhp as opposed to standard 105. Gets up to 60 fast enough... Just after that I loose the race.... Lol..

On the motorway the road noise at 70mph is no louder than my 2.0L Toyota auris.... No complaints from me there..

The reason I went for the 1.2 was I couldn't find a 1.4 auto box... At the time I was buying a car.....

All in all a brilliant motor, just for the oil Consumption.... My 2 cents worth...

 

[redtee34]

Cheers for two really useful replies.

 

[RUM4MO]

Remember that comment about the 1.2TSI would be the older quickly dropped 8V engine, the newer ones got the 1.2TSI 16V engine. Either way, for this size of car, I'd be aiming for a 1.4TSI, my wife has the 1.2TSI 16 110PS in her 2015 VW Polo and it works well in that car.

 

[redtee34]

Does anyone know which engines come with fully independent rear suspension? Is it anything with the word FR in it, or anything above a certain bhp?

 

[Dr.Dash]

Does anyone know which engines come with fully independent rear suspension? Is it anything with the word FR in it, or anything above a certain bhp?

Those with more than 150 BHP. So the only FR with IRS is the 180 HP version.

The models you are looking at have the regular torsion bar set up. I've had both and whilst the IRS is better, in normal everyday driving there's not much in it.

One advantage is cost. Replacing the rear suspension bushes in the IRS set up is fairly expensive, the whole trailing arm needs replacement rather than just the bushes, usually between 50-70k miles you can feel them starting to go, cost £600 iirc last time I had some done at an independent specialist.

 

[redtee34]

Ah ok nice one, not too worried about the IRS then. I'm not going to be taking off any sweet jumps this winter

 

[redtee34]

Remember that comment about the 1.2TSI would be the older quickly dropped 8V engine, the newer ones got the 1.2TSI 16V engine. Either way, for this size of car, I'd be aiming for a 1.4TSI, my wife has the 1.2TSI 16 110PS in her 2015 VW Polo and it works well in that car.

Just to check, are you saying the 8V engine will suffer high oil consumption, whereas 16V newer engines will be better on the oil front?

 

[RUM4MO]

So far I've not noticed anyone complaining about the 16V 1.2TSI using any oil, my wife's VW Polo 1.2TSI 16V 110PS is now over 5 years old and only has almost 40K miles, and no oil needs to be added between services.

 

[redtee34]

Wikipedia shows the TSi engines have had 3 changes since the mk3 launch:

Am I correct in assuming the brief "2012-" ones were the 8V ones with high oil consumption? There aren't many of these about so easily avoided.

I'm more interested in any differences between the "2012-2014" and the ones which followed 2014. Since the PS are so close, I'm guessing performance is essentially identical but it makes me suspect there might have been an issue which was addressed? Otherwise why replace with almost identical attributes?

 

[RUM4MO]

My way of looking at that table reckons that only the 110PS 2014 > is a EA211 ie 16V engine.

In any other models and VW Group marques, 105ps = 8V and 110PS = 16V., so why not same here.

 

[redtee34]

Hmm you might be right.

On auto trader there are several 105ps 1.2L Leons which claim valves: 16 under 'specifications' section. For example:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008272992719?fuel-type=Petrol&make=SEAT&radius=200&model=LEON&body-type=Hatchback&sort=relevance&colour=Black&colour=White&year-to=2016&postcode=ss92rq&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&price-to=8000&maximum-badge-engine-size=1.2&price-from=7500&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1

This could be a mistake, either manually entered or the algo matches the wrong engine.

Meanwhile here's a Golf with 1.2L 105ps and it actually lists 8V under spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009083449277?make=VOLKSWAGEN&radius=200&model=GOLF&body-type=Hatchback&sort=relevance&postcode=ss92rq&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&price-from=7000&maximum-badge-engine-size=1.2&price-to=11000&fuel-type=Petrol&advertising-location=at_cars&year-to=2013&page=1

So maybe auto trader valve numbers are correct after all

 

[RUM4MO]

I sort of assumed that some dealers are just being lazy, when I was looking for an Audi S4 back in 2013, a few seemed to be in LandRover dealerships and most claimed to have the optional spare wheel mounted on the rear door - if true, a very bad choice of "upgrade"!

Edit:- now if these dealers selling Leons had included a picture of two of under the bonnet, then you would be able to tell if it was an 8V or a 16V - turbo is mounted in front of the engine on 8V engines and on the back of the engine on 16V engines.

 

[RUM4MO]

And as by luck or magic, there is a picture of an EA211 engine - okay a 1.4TSI version but looks the same as a 1.2TSI one, in the Ibiza 2008 > 2017 section of this forum, the posting about the water pump!

Edit:- correction 1.4TSI ---- Coolant Pump.

 

[redtee34]

That's handy! I'd hope to rule out the old 8V engines before finding myself at a test drive though

 

[BigJase88]

I would recommend getting the highest output 1.4 TSI. The leon really needs minimum 150bhp. I had 130bhp 1.5 TSI and it was like a milk float, had to post a letter 3 days before thinking about an overtake

 

[redtee34]

Yeah 1.4 is my preference but I do enough town driving and find myself stuck behind a fiat panda often enough to consider picking up a 110ps if there's a serious amount of green queens to be saved. Nevertheless the above confusion still applies to the 1.4 engines, namely are any of the ones in 2012-14 Leons those dastardly 8 valve oil guzzlers? And what changed between pre & post 2014 TSi engines?

 

[BigJase88]

Yeah 1.4 is my preference but I do enough town driving and find myself stuck behind a fiat panda often enough to consider picking up a 110ps if there's a serious amount of green queens to be saved. Nevertheless the above confusion still applies to the 1.4 engines, namely are any of the ones in 2012-14 Leons those dastardly 8 valve oil guzzlers? And what changed between pre & post 2014 TSi engines?

2014 is ACT, active cyclinder technology so will go down to 2 cylinders to save fuel when trundling along

the difference in mpg between a 1.2 and 1.4tsi is negligible, the harder you will have to work the 1.2tsi will negate any fuel saving.

buy the 1.4 tsi

 

[mdaw1985]

I have the 1.4tsi act 150 and it really is a good little engine. Very good on economy and decent power when needed. Very refined for a small engine to. Its effortless around town and economical. It doesn't need many revs to get it moving and just glides along smoothly.