FR TDI vs Petrol? and other comparisons

[ultimate]

Hi,

new to the forum today so apoligies if this has been posted before i did have a look and could'nt find anything!

i am considering an FR tdi or petrol and would appreciate anyones views on which would be better in my circumstances.
i will be doing approx 12k maybe 13k is it worth getting a diesel at these distances?

i test drove the FR TDI and was really good torque and acceleration. was impresssed with it overall.

i am considering also a Focus ST and would appreciate anyone elses views if they have considered this when purchasing the FR.

thanks in advance!

 

[Snoopcousins]

Hi and welcome to the site!

Dont get anyone on here started on a diesel v petrol debate!

I would say test-drive the petrol and diesel FRs back to back and see what you prefer as its horses for courses.

I do the same miles as you and I chose the MK1 FR TDI over the petrol mainly because of the mpg i would have to say though more than happy with it.
You would roughly save on average £600/ Year on fuel but then factor in cheaper Tax, insurance it may be more but then the Petrol FR would cost less to begin with.

ST is a good car but I would still prefer a SEAT and its still only the MK1's that do it for me though im warming to the new Cupra...

 

[Stuart83]

I tried the focus ST when I was looking around for cars, and I wasnt impressed.

The engine, although powerful and very torquey seriously lacked character, which is something I look for in a car. The steering was very responsive, but it did feel like you were navigating a boat due to the huge amount of weight at the front of the car.

I also thought the interior was a bit tacky - problem is the focus ST is basically a cheap Ford family car, upgraded with a big engine and suspension, unlike the Seats/VWs which are slightly more upmarket to begin with (IMO). Don't think residual values are fantastic on the STs either.

It's all personal preference though.....all i can say is test drive one. I didnt get above 18.5mpg on my test drive, and that was driving quite slowly. Also check your insurance, as my insurance company have quoted me £500 more per year to insure an ST over a Leon FR Tdi. I am only 23 (24 in 2wks time) though.

 

[jtmac]

If you're buying brand new you might want to look seriously at the diffence in deprieciation of the diesel and petrol. You'll want to get back as much as posible when you trade-in.

Watch out if it's your first diesel. When I switched to diesel I started to get really geeky about MPG. You push yourself to go further and further between fill-ups, etc..

But if you like the Petrol better when you try it then why not? I think 13K is a good mileage to go with the one you like best. (I do 25K so it's lucky I like my big ol'diesel)

 

[m0rk]

this any use?
http://www.seatcupra.net/seat_news/reports/seatcupra.net_exclusive,_leon_fr_road__track_test.html

I'd say if you're doing the miles you'll pay for the diesel premium in your saving

 

[Bogwoppit]

Good write up m0rk, you lucky person!

 

[yell_oh]

Oooh another thread to talk petrol vs diesel ;-)

Don't worry, I won't get started on the diesel engine torque vs torque at wheels issue...

I actually had a Focus ST on order as it was a better car than the TFSI FR I now drive, but they kept messing me around on delivery dates so I cancelled and got my 2nd choice (FR).

The Focus will be more expensive to run (mainly due to insurance), but fuel wise, on a long hard test drive I had around 22mpg, which is exactly what I'm getting from my TFSI FR.

The Focus ride quality was MUCH better and it didn't have the dangerous A-Pillar blind spot that the Leon has. Also according to most statistics, the Focus is much more reliable the Golf and are now second only to Hondas.

If you'll regularly be carrying passengers any distance, they may well complain about the truly shocking ride quality in the Leon... I've upgraded mine with Koni FSDs to improve comfort, but it's still pretty bad .

And I've never been tempted to buy ANY diesel, since I'd always feel guilty saving a few pounds a month, but giving kids asthma and cancer etc from all those nasty particulates (and a DPF doesn't solve the problem).

Also consider an Impreza WRX via a discounter as they're a similar price.

 

[DanGB]

I went for a petrol as I wanted the tuneability and the pure power

 

[Snoopcousins]

And I've never been tempted to buy ANY diesel, since I'd always feel guilty saving a few pounds a month, but giving kids asthma and cancer

 

[jonjay]

Hi and welcome to the site!

Dont get anyone on here started on a diesel v petrol debate!

I would say test-drive the petrol and diesel FRs back to back and see what you prefer as its horses for courses.

I do the same miles as you and I chose the MK1 FR TDI over the petrol mainly because of the mpg i would have to say though more than happy with it.
You would roughly save on average £600/ Year on fuel but then factor in cheaper Tax, insurance it may be more but then the Petrol FR would cost less to begin with.

ST is a good car but I would still prefer a SEAT and its still only the MK1's that do it for me though im warming to the new Cupra...

Yep totally agree. ST isnt very good on fuel economy, ask DamoR...

 

[ultimate]

thanks for the replies some usefull info there! and thanks for the welcome!

jtmac - which depriciates more the diesel or petrol?

also ive seen some stick on aluminium door trims in another post are these available for the centre console around radio/ac control?

i forgot to look on test drive but is there cigarette socket nearer the dash than the one near the handbrake? otherwise it will be really messy with tomtom wire going from there upto dash.


thanks!!

 

[DanGB]

No you can only plug in your cigerettes by the handbrake, or a second socket behind the centre section by the rear passengers footwells.

 

[Xe]

Really enjoy my 1.9 TDi Stylance, cheap to run and fun to drive. They should make a solar powered TomTom tbh...

...on a side note DanGB what 18's do you have? and how much have u lowered ur car by?

 

[DanGB]

Really enjoy my 1.9 TDi Stylance, cheap to run and fun to drive. They should make a solar powered TomTom tbh...

...on a side note DanGB what 18's do you have? and how much have u lowered ur car by?

I have the 18" Seat sport wheels (same ones which came with the Aero bodykit, except the 'non-polished' version)

Lowering.. not sure how much by.. but its alot! Not always practical actually!
There on eibach coilovers so adjustable.

 

[Xe]

Does that mean a factory spec is not adjustable? You got a link to the actual eibach coilovers product? This is an area I nothing about yet

 

[DanGB]

Does that mean a factory spec is not adjustable? You got a link to the actual eibach coilovers product? This is an area I nothing about yet

No factory car would be adjustable!

Basically there are two ways of lowering.

1. Put on aftermarket springs. such as the eibach Pro-kit, which lowers the car 30mm. You can also compliment this by replacing the dampers as well.
The prokit costs about £130 plus labour. Dampers such as the highly regarded Koni FSD's are a few hundred pound.

2. coilovers are are springs and dampers in one package. (set up to match each other). all coilovers are hight adjustable which a big supplied spanner, although its not the easist thing to keep adjusting. generally a wheel off job.
But coilvers also have adjustable dampers.

The eibach Pro-street-s coilovers are very decent mid range setup. I think I paid about £650 for mine fitted.

There is a decent selection here which will give you a rough idea of basic prices: http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pa...html?category=suspn&sub_category=coiloverkits

I love the coilover as it really makes the car look good I think!
It was lowered alot, but then raised slightly as it waould occasionaly rub on bumps, and the wheels would rub on the arches if going round a corner fast (as the car is leaning!)
It aint too bad now but just cant go over humps or bumps to fast.

Ride wise.. its very comforatable, I really cant remember what the original setup was like, although everyone says it was really bumpy! Its great for handling though, especially as I like the odd dabble on the track

http://www.eibach.de/frame.inc.php?SPA=1&C_lang=en&LID1=2&LID2=60&LID3=0

 

[k4ith]

I went for a petrol as I wanted the tuneability and the pure power

Ditto, if you want to tune it then the TFSi is your car, but if its decent performance with fuel consumption its the FR TDi, also cheap insurance.