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Comparing 8v to 16v

Rosc0PColtrane

Active Member
Jul 7, 2007
70
0
Yeovil Somerset
Really interested to see how they both stack up, statisticaly, side by side.

i.e. stock bhp, 0-60 times, total weight, torque... plus anything else anyone can think of?
 

Cupra Kid

Has a TDI!!
Oct 13, 2005
3,380
1
Chesterfield, Derbyshire
I've had both now so i'm pretty qualified to comment, the best all rounder is the 8v by miles. Its more economical and its more ready to go at lower speeds, the 16v takes alot of working up to get the full potential and in everday life isnt as driveable as the 8v. The 8v is also cheaper to insure.

The 8v is also a simpler engine and in my experience has fewer problems than the more complex 16v and doesnt cost as much to maintain. The gear change on the 8v is also better than the cable change fitted to the 16v in my judgement

On paper the 16v is 1.5 secs quicker to 60 than the 8v but i don't think its than much of a gap really.

So why do i have a 16v?? Simple really, mines been well looked after, it only cost me £1000, its got a massive boot (being a cordy) and also has A/C. So i put up with the crap economy and because its been well cared for it hasnt cost me much in maintenance. I'd still rather have a 8v for driveability though.
 

Smithy

Old School
Jan 17, 2002
965
0
Hertfordshire
I've had both now so i'm pretty qualified to comment, the best all rounder is the 8v by miles. Its more economical and its more ready to go at lower speeds, the 16v takes alot of working up to get the full potential and in everday life isnt as driveable as the 8v. The 8v is also cheaper to insure.

The 8v is also a simpler engine and in my experience has fewer problems than the more complex 16v and doesnt cost as much to maintain. The gear change on the 8v is also better than the cable change fitted to the 16v in my judgement

On paper the 16v is 1.5 secs quicker to 60 than the 8v but i don't think its than much of a gap really.

So why do i have a 16v?? Simple really, mines been well looked after, it only cost me £1000, its got a massive boot (being a cordy) and also has A/C. So i put up with the crap economy and because its been well cared for it hasnt cost me much in maintenance. I'd still rather have a 8v for driveability though.


Bloody ell, didn't realise my old vid from Santa pod was still up there lol Haven't checked my youtube for a while.

Agree with above comment, love the feel of the rod shift, torque low down, feels less nose heavy than the 16v, cheaper to run and fewer probs. Still very happy with mine, might keep it as a spare car as it's not worth much yet mechanically and cosmetically very sound. As you can see in the vid, not much in it to 60, but once you gather momentum in the 16v its much quicker after 2nd gear. Just depends what kinda drive you're after mostly. On the Santa Pod vid, it gave me the chance to experience with gear changing at different revs, theory was it might be quicker as torque is more middle. That's rubbish though, just change near the red in every gear and leave it in 3rd til the line for best result. The 16v has a strange TCS below 20mph which limits it a little off the line I found. Changing to 2nd produced a slight wheel spin though.
 
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Dolly_Gti

G60 spooling up.
Aug 15, 2006
1,412
0
china town
ive had both, so am i super qualified ? :cartman:...

8v easier to drive, floor it goes well. lazy reving engine plently of torque and after testing top speeds 8v has more top end... 16v has a choccy gearbox and slack gear change.

why i prefere my valver... pay the fuel bill to keep it above 4k most the time and youll keep smiling :p
 

Fl@pper

Back older greyer and less oilier but always hope
Jun 19, 2001
12,368
25
Gloucester
why i prefer my valver... pay the fuel bill to keep it above 4k most the time and you'll keep smiling :p

i do so love that change of engine note when that comes up [B)] and the mrs thinks im nuts and usually tries to scream at me to pack it in :lol:

'but love it's only just started waking up give it a chance ?':doh: ooooh k ill slow down then.

and the kids seem to have a photographic memory of the damn speedo - must get em a dvd player to keep em otherwise amused :funk:
 

Rosc0PColtrane

Active Member
Jul 7, 2007
70
0
Yeovil Somerset
Thanks for the input. That's the sort of stuff I was hoping for. Definitives rather than just vids of a race where even in identical cars, the drivers will be different and you'll have 1 winner and 1 loser.

I'm fairly certain 115bhp for an 8v would be a very pessimistic figure.

The 2 litre in my heavy old e30 cabriolet is meant to be about 130 stock. Is in great condition, just touched 93k miles and pulls better than most 2 litre e30 3series I've been near. The 8 valver pulled away from me in every gear.

I imagine mine(e30, the gti is her indoors') will have lost a few horses over the years, but has been chipped, so I'd say the bhp would be comparable between the two cars with the difference being down to weight/gearing.

Have to say I do love the little car, feels solid and responsive. May look to make subtle changes to it, ie drop the ride height 30-40mm. The intention is for an oem or extra oem look. No Halfrauds, ebay Barry tat please!!
 
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