1.2 TSI + DSG in the long run?

[knoccout]

Hi,
I'm thinking about buying a brand new ibiza, 5 doors, 1.2 TSI + DSG,
I had a test drive and enjoyed it by far in comparison to other super mini cars i've tried (polo 1.4 regular, polo 1.2 tsi, hyundai i20, renault senik, chevrolet sonic, toyota yaris),
and of course i really like the looks of it.

but i'm really concerned about making the purchase, since I've read that the combination of the 1.2 TSI engine with DSG could be unreliable, in comparison to regular atmospheric engines. I'm afraid that after the warranty period would end (2 years i believe), something can go wrong with that combination, and that the replacing charges would be extremely relatively high.

furthermore i've read somewhere that it is recommended to let the engine run about one minute before starting the drive, and letting it run about 2 minutes after you park, so the engine would not experience some sort of oil problems. to me it sounds pretty unacceptable to become enslaved to such procedure in a new 2012 car.

can you elaborate on these issues?

thanks!

 

[phil750]

all seat comes with 3 years warrenty just so your aware.

Not thought about the 1.2tsi manual? means it the only engine you can get in manual (thats any good anyway)

 

[medview]

Longivety

Hi All
As a 1.2TSI manual owner I can assure you that the engine looks after its self at the end of journeys, the cooling system continues to pump as required. I confirm 3 year warrantee.

The 1.2TSI is a very simple engine, 8 valve, single overhead cam, no fancy inlet path switching, no variable valve timing, there is less to go wrong and it's very light too. If you opted for the manual you even get the benefit of no dual mass flywheel, another common problem part that's used with larger capacity engines.

I think that the engine is quite understressed.

The DSG is on to its third generation now however I still think this is the most risky bit of kit hence I went for the manual. I'm sure others will set me straight on this opinion...

Having owned my car for 6 months now I'm very pleased with it. I am curious about the DSG though.

Joe

 

[moggytom]

So the 1.2 tsi has a lot less Probs then the 1.4 ? That makes me happy I didn't go for that haha

 

[knoccout]

the manual is not an option for me, I'm too much accustomed with automatic cars,
moreover I'll mostly drive in urban areas with a quite a lot of traffic, and having to change gears really get on my nerves in these situations.. even if the warranty is 3 years, since I'm not sure I could sell the car in the future for a good price, i might as well keep it for longer then 3 years, so this is still a concern. it could also make selling it harder, if potential buyers would be concerned for the same reasons i've mentioned, and they of course would not have a valid warranty, so it is a factor in anyway.

 

[farrar]

So the 1.2 tsi has a lot less Probs then the 1.4 ? That makes me happy I didn't go for that haha

It's only the supercharged 1.4 TSI that's a lame duck, the regular 1.4 TSI 122 is reliable.

There is no reason to doubt the reliability of a 1.2 TSI with DSG. You could just purchase extended warranty after the 3 years were up if you were worried.

 

[Giz]

I wouldnt really call it a lame duck tbh. I know we hear about all the problems they have and i know it seems like a lot but people dont come on here and start a thread about how amzing and trouble free there engine is.
I understand we do see alot of problem threads though.
Id love to see the figures of how many fr/cupra/boc sold in the uk and how many have had serious problems.
My FR has been completly trouble free so far

 

[farrar]

My FR has been completly trouble free so far

Tempting fate

 

[Giz]

100% confidence in it

 

[znww5]

I have a 1.2TSi + DSG with about 19,000 miles on the clock and so far it hasn't put a foot wrong, in similar drivng conditions to those you describe. As medview said, the cooling phase is controlled by engine management, and the low viscosity synthetic oil takes care of any 'warming up' issues.

The warm-up and cool-down periods you've heard about are a total myth. In fact the only time I have ever come across that sort of requirement has been with a turbo-charged aircraft engine - I don't expect a car to come with a pre-start/shut-down check-list

Like you, I was looking for a small automatic for town use last year and considered quite a few:

Fiat - notoriously appalling main agents and light duty construction
Alpha - see Fiat!
Peugeot - a little better than Fiat, but not by much
Citroen - as Peugeot and funky but flimsy
Ford - New Fiesta, still uses a stone-age fuel-wasting old-tech automatic box
Kia - see Ford
VAG - pretty much the only game in town

Of the VAG cars:

Audi A1 - nicely built but very over-priced, sniffy dealers
Skoda Fabia - very boring and staid design, but excellent dealers
VW Polo - over-priced, very 'dead' steering, boring design
SEAT Ibiza - better pricing, not quite as well built as the others, a good, fresh design

Would I buy another Ibiza? Unless the other manufacturers upped their game, yes I would. Well, that's saved the OP a fortnight of ploughing through the brochures