1.6 vs 2.0 FR

SecretWeapon

Active Member
Jun 29, 2009
54
11
I've just landed myself a new job, which brings two things:

1) More money.
2) A longer commute.

I currently drive a 52 plate 1.4 renault clio which I get 38-42mpg from. Whilst it's served me fairly well, the clutch is on the way out and I had advisory notice for play in my steering rack when I went for my last MOT. That, coupled with the fact that I'm going to be covering more ground now, means I need a new motor!

Anyway, I really like the looks of the 2.0 FR, think the kit it comes with is great and have only read good things about it. Unfortunately though, it's really at the high-end of my budget and so I've been looking at the 1.6 SC as well.

I'm after a car that's about a year old with less than 15k miles on the clock. Obviously the FR's are only just approaching 1 year old, and there's very few about on the used market (I don't know if that's because everyone loves them so much :p), but the 1.6's are easy enough to find.

From what I've seen, FR's are about £13 - 15k and the SCs are about £10k. Now, seeing as you can supposedly get a new FR for £15k, I was surprised to see them advertised for up to £15.5k, a year old and with over 10k miles on the clock. They certainly seem to be holding their value well, Parkers estimated worth of £10 - £11k after a year.

Anyway, I'm looking for something that will give me more performance than my Clio, and better fuel consumption too. On paper, both the 1.6 and 2.0 models look to be able to achieve better fuel consumption, though I've read on here about poor economy for the 1.6? Could any 1.6 or 2.0 owners tell me their real-world mpg?

As for performance, Parkers lists the 0-60 time as 10.2 seconds for both the 1.6 and my current clio. I know diesels are different though, will it feel more powerful? Or will there not really be much difference... I've looked into the option of remapping it but there doesn't seem to be much information out there.

Any personal opinions on each motor and whether the £3k difference for the FR is justifiable are welcome :)
 

jc_boc

Missing the CUPRA R!
Jul 18, 2008
9,304
7
Desborough
One of the guys on here Della_FR I think has had his 2.0 FR remapped and has got some really insane power figures and generally from what I have read the 2.0 seems to be a better option.
 
Sep 2, 2010
569
0
Leeds
From what I've read on here it seems that the 2.0 FR actualy gets better mpg than the 1.6

If i were you i'd stretch the budget and get the FR.
 

dellaFR

Active Member
Oct 16, 2010
133
0
Oxfordshire
It's not mine that's mapped, you're thinking of Andy, i think haha.
Anyway if you're gonna go for the FR you won't get anywhere near the MPG that Seat quote. If i'm driving carefully i can get mid 50s, but that's at a push. And you can't really enjoy the power of the car if you're driving like that... I've given up on trying to get good MPG, as i figured it 's better to just have fun :) i don't drive too silly, and usually get high 30s early 40s. Why don't you give them both a test drive and see what you think?

You'll definitely love the FR though, it's awesome! :D
 

Octane2097

Naturally Aspirated
Jan 20, 2007
792
0
South Yorkshire
your happy with high 30s early 40s from a 2.0 diesel engine?
i seen an audi a8 with a twin turbo v8 diesel 4.2 liter do 40mpg!

i have a petrol FR and im getting 40mpg
id get the petrol myself...
 

J400uk

Active Member
Jan 7, 2010
1,978
3
London, UK
The Ibiza 1.6 TDI will feel quicker than the Clio, although the bhp and 0-60 is about the same, the torque is much greater on the diesel.
 
I used to have the 1.6, nice car! And deffo feels faster than a a standard Clio or corsa which I used to have! As for mpg, I used to get average 54 on a 14 mile trip to work, driving sensible but even when I put the foot down it used to get alrite mpg.. If go for the faster fr, I had it as a courtesy car! Very gd mpg and still can have fun!!
 

m0rk

sarcasm comes free
Staff member
May 19, 2001
27,787
33
Clanfield, UK
Depending on the length of the commute, and type of road - I'd just get an Ecomotive SC & just sit back and get the mpg's they get
 

SecretWeapon

Active Member
Jun 29, 2009
54
11
Well, my commute isn't huge, but it's a 50 mile roud trip. Seeing as I'll be buying it on finance and it'll be staying with me for a good few years I want to have a car that I enjoy, but also won't break the bank in the long-term. I'd be happy with mid 50s for my commute which consists of some fairly long A roads.
 

Deleted member 55317

Guest
i got 46.1 mpg out my old 1.6 tdci fiesta.... atm im now getting 46.7mpg out my 1.4 tsi cupra on the same commute :p so get a cupra lol!!! (sorry not very helpful) i'd get the fr as it look great and the running costs wont be too much different its just the initial buying price but the way fuel prices are going sporty diesels will be huge lol!!

suppose it depends how you drive if you drive it like you stole it the fr will drink more fuel but if your sensible(ish) it wont drink that much extra
 

m0rk

sarcasm comes free
Staff member
May 19, 2001
27,787
33
Clanfield, UK
In all honesty - I was about to suggest the same... the 1.4TSi in a Cupra is a far nicer (quieter) place to be. And the economy across an A road is something I can't knock.
 

Biker

Full Member
Oct 6, 2003
1,593
12
Northumberland
Visit site
I drive a 1.6 CR TDI and from my experience I can recommend it. I have just returned from a Sunday afternoon drive which consisted of 55 miles of mainly urban and some (about eight miles) dual carriageway driving.
It returned 73.4 MPG for the journey according to the trip computer. I know some on here argue the trip computer is about 4MPG out, even if that were to be right, I still did better than the manufacturers claimed combined figure.
I have found the economy to be much better over the last 1000 miles, the car has now covered 11500 miles and has definitely gotten better as the mileage increased.

Don't dismiss the 1.6 TDI, test drive them both then make a decision!
 

reefa x

Guest
I have a 2.0 fr and think its really powerful, its a good drive. I usually commute to uni a lot so i drive around 60 miles there and 60 miles back, i get around 45-50 mpg but i can say i dont drive too sensibly so my diesel goes quicker, but with diesels current high prices im now spending so much money filling my car up even though its quite fuel efficient.. I used to own a 1.25 fiesta zetec n petrol lasted forever in that, i could say my fr is quite as efficient as my old car.... After havin my fr since june i am wanting something more powerful though so im looking to get mine remapped in a few months.. When i have the funds that is :(.... Overall i would recommend buying it, i got mine brand new with extras for just over 15k, thats not on finance
 

dellaFR

Active Member
Oct 16, 2010
133
0
Oxfordshire
I guess aswell your MPG and fuel comsumption depends on the journeys you do, if you got all motorways your fuel is gonna last alot longer, mine is pretty rubbish as i'm stop start and on alot of country roads all the way to work.
And nope, my low MPG doesn't bother me as i enjoy driving the FR so much :)
 

R22 JGB

SEAT Leon FR184 DSG
Aug 29, 2010
304
1
Gateshead
I drive a 1.6 CR TDI and from my experience I can recommend it. I have just returned from a Sunday afternoon drive which consisted of 55 miles of mainly urban and some (about eight miles) dual carriageway driving.
It returned 73.4 MPG for the journey according to the trip computer. I know some on here argue the trip computer is about 4MPG out, even if that were to be right, I still did better than the manufacturers claimed combined figure.
I have found the economy to be much better over the last 1000 miles, the car has now covered 11500 miles and has definitely gotten better as the mileage increased.

Don't dismiss the 1.6 TDI, test drive them both then make a decision!

I'd be ecstatic if i got that mileage in mine!!
 

reefa x

Guest
I guess aswell your MPG and fuel comsumption depends on the journeys you do, if you got all motorways your fuel is gonna last alot longer, mine is pretty rubbish as i'm stop start and on alot of country roads all the way to work.
And nope, my low MPG doesn't bother me as i enjoy driving the FR so much :)

I agree with dellafr i do mostly motorway journeys, but if im in traffic or in town my diesel goes quicker
 

dellaFR

Active Member
Oct 16, 2010
133
0
Oxfordshire
I don't think i'd ever expect to get amazing MPG out of the journeys i do. But to be honest, i have alot more fun on the roads i drive, i don't think i'd trade that for better MPG sittings on a motorway, haha :)
 

reefa x

Guest
Yea thats true i dont think my cars bad anyway! Im happy with how efficient it is and your right it is fun on country roads :D
 

reefa x

Guest
I just did a 30 min journey of country roads n motorway driving with speeds ranging 40-70 and when i got home it said id done 46 mpg
 
Chris Knott Insurance - Competitive quotes for forum members