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1.5 tsi, any progress?

Mr Pig

Active Member
Jun 17, 2015
2,701
953
I'm looking at a 1.5tsi 150 FR from 2020, one of the last made before the new model. Did they sort out the hesitancy and general shiteness of this engine or is it still best avoided? I's a manual, not a DSG, by the way.

Thank you.
 

Cubbington

Active Member
Mar 26, 2024
61
47
UK
Why are you looking at one if you think the engine’s sh*te?!

Genuinely interested, not trying to be antagonistic 😊

Cheers,

Nick
 

Mr Pig

Active Member
Jun 17, 2015
2,701
953
Fair enough, not considered a different engine?
I don't want a diesel. I don't want a less powerful petrol. I don't particularly want the extra weight of the 1.8 or the independent rear suspension. I'm happy with the 1.4 FR and just want a younger version of the same car.
 

decker53

Active Member
May 20, 2024
16
10
I read about the 1.5tsi manual that was problematic with the kangaroo effect, seems like a software update helped with this. I have a 2019 Leon 1.5 tsi FR 150 in DSG and love it
 

grabania

Active Member
Aug 14, 2022
127
152
Gdansk, Poland
grabania.pl
I've got 1.4 125HP manual Leon from 2017 and drove for about 2 weeks 1.5 130HP manual Leon estate from 2019 I believe. It was heavier than mine (I've got hatchback) so that might also amplify the effect, but those engines are additionally restricted by GPF and the experience of driving it was so bad. I wouldn't necessary say that I have heavy foot, but that car didn't want to drive on lower gears compared to my. I had to wait really long to feel that it is accelerating... Unfortunately last 1.4 125/150HP engines came out around 2018
 
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Mr Pig

Active Member
Jun 17, 2015
2,701
953
I'm looking for a newer car but the 1.4 is such a peach, I don't want to buy an engine that's worse. I was kinda hoping that by this point they would have sorted the 1.5 out. Unfortunately the car I'm looking at is too far away for me to test drive it, hence the question. Unless I can satisfy myself that it will drive as well as the 1.4 I'm not buying it.
 

Mr Pig

Active Member
Jun 17, 2015
2,701
953
LINK

By the sounds of things this issue has not been completely addressed. I have no doubt that VW know what the issue is but my guess is that it's something so fundamental to the construction of the engine that it would cost a fortune to fix, so they're trying to get around it with software patches.
 

Glosphil

Active Member
Nov 10, 2004
451
196
Gloucestershire
In 2019 I was looking at buying a 2018 Golf GT. They had the then new 1.5TSi 150hp engine. I drove 3 & all had hesitation. Tried a 2018 Leon FR which still had the 1.4TSi 150hp engine & bought that. Engine far better & the car was cheaper than the Golf GTs & better equipped in some areas - climate not basic a/c, LED headlights. However, the Golf had better front seats, rear suspension and ride quality.
Still have the FR & never regretted my decision.
 
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RUM4MO

Active Member
Jun 4, 2008
7,963
1,059
South Scotland
I thought that it was the 130PS version that could exhibit this issue, and obviously the manual gearbox versions that helped showing it up.

A friend of my wife has a Golf with the 1.5TSI 130PS and manual gearbox - and her husband, says that this has never been an issue for them - that car is an "18" plate - March 18 - with the DACA engine code.
 
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Mr Pig

Active Member
Jun 17, 2015
2,701
953
However, the Golf had better front seats, rear suspension and ride quality.
I had a Golf GTD and in my opinion, the Leon FR suspension is better. The Golf is too soft. The Leon can be too hard and lack composure but it's all down to the tyres. With Goodyear Ays5 (6) on the car it's one of the best balanced cars I've ever had.

My controversial opinion is that the beam rear axle is different rather than worse and I prefer it. Depends on the car but on the Leon I think the beam setup is really well sorted and behaves brilliantly once the tyres are right.
 
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Mr Pig

Active Member
Jun 17, 2015
2,701
953
I thought that it was the 130PS version that could exhibit this issue, and obviously the manual gearbox versions that helped showing it up.
I don't know that I want to risk it. I don't want to get rid of a car that drives beautifully and buy one that might give me grief. I'm reading reports of people buying 2020 and later 150ps cars that had the problem, that's after VW said it was fixed.
 

moriarty

Active Member
Apr 6, 2015
98
17
Edinburgh
I've had a 2019 1.5 (150) since end of 2019, bought at 7 months old, had it for 4.5 years now. Would I buy another, probably not, but it is fine. I'd probably choose the 2.0 if I could find one but it's hard to argue with the economy of 1.5.
I get a bit of hesitation/ jerkiness in stop start traffic and sometimes notice in cold weather it fells a bit rough but most of the time absolutely fine. I used to use V Power until prices went through the roof and its been on standard unleaded for a couple of years with no noticeable difference..
I don't see 1.5 as being as good as the 1.4 I had previously and still wonder why VW felt the need to replace the 1.4 ACT that was quite a new engine.
 
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MA1601

Active Member
Jan 3, 2023
44
15
Not sure if the 1.5 issues have been sorted but the 1.4 ACT 150 is one of VW group's best engines. Can you not go for a facelift Leon 2018 as that was the last year with the 1.4?
 
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Mr Pig

Active Member
Jun 17, 2015
2,701
953
Not sure if the 1.5 issues have been sorted but the 1.4 ACT 150 is one of VW group's best engines. Can you not go for a facelift Leon 2018 as that was the last year with the 1.4?
I agree, the 1.4 is sweet. I'd rather stick with it but finding the right car is tricky. A 2018 car is already six years old and ideally I'd rather get something younger with low millage.
 

Tester01

Active Member
Oct 24, 2022
105
11
I'm looking for a newer car but the 1.4 is such a peach, I don't want to buy an engine that's worse. I was kinda hoping that by this point they would have sorted the 1.5 out. Unfortunately the car I'm looking at is too far away for me to test drive it, hence the question. Unless I can satisfy myself that it will drive as well as the 1.4 I'm not buying it.
You have the right to return within 14 days for a refund, as it’s a distance sale.

So you could technically buy it and test it out for a week and see how you like it or don’t like it.

Obviously would be better finding one closer for you to test drive but there’s always that option, if this car ticks the boxes for you on first glance.
 

G.P

Active Member
Sep 3, 2011
1,271
41
Worcestershire
Mr Pig, it's not the tyres, not , not, not the tyres, I have just replaced both my rear shocks (Bilstein OE) and the car is back to what it was, nice and planted especially on the Potenza Sports, which I feel suit the car best and yes maybe one of the better modern FWD balanced cars I've driven.

Mines the 1.5 (150) with the DSG manufactured April 2019 which was run on Esso petrol until E10 came in then its been run on E5 Esso/Tesco and now Shell, its always hesitated very mildly/softly when cold and only on very light throttle, my wife does not notice nor do any passengers, but its got no worse its now on 45,000. Family member has the 2.0 MY2019, it to hesitates as does my wife's Ibiza 1.0, both only when cold, but again she has never noticed and it would not stop me buying one.

Don't discount the Mazda 3 or A Class through..
 

SuperV8

Active Member
May 30, 2019
1,541
685
There is an 2018 1.5 150 Troc in my family which I have driven a few times. I know not a Leon - but same engine.
Generally drove nice - feeling smooth, quiet and nippy.
Did a little hiccup when cold for me when first pulling away - but as I was not familiar with the car/clutch I wasn't too concerned, and the owner used to say it would hiccup/kangaroo when cold sometimes - but I think they have now learnt it's 'quirk' and drive around it - generally not being too gentle when on a cold start.

In my humble - this is due to the tuning and trying to get very quick warm up of the CAT for reduced cold start emissions - and as VW have had their fingers burnt with emissions, and this is how is has been homologated they won't be putting out any meaningful ECU fix.
I would think if kangarooing is an issue which can't be 'driven around' then a remap would help.
 
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