Vw Polo / Audi A1 - Polo/A1 cylinder on demand 1.4

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Fri 1 Nov 2013 13:30
Vw Polo / Audi A1 - Polo/A1 cylinder on demand 1.4 - GHSAUNDERS40
Hi. After having a few Diesels and looking at a new 120d I have decided, for me diesels are too much trouble than they are worth and as a private buyer I'm not willing to take the risk again. I do around 25000 miles per year and repairs on my last two diesels have negated any fuel savings made ( and more). With this in mind I want to go back to petrol.

I want a car with a good amount of power, but sips fuel. I was tempted by a hybrid, but I just can't get along with the CVT gearbox despite really enjoying the Yaris hybrid for most of the time I had it. I have been researching different cars, preferable I want something no bigger than a focus. I have been looking at the Polo and A1 with the 1.4 140 ps engine with cylinder on demand technology.

I borrowed the polo for 2 days and on my commute averaged 52.3 mpg. I'm happy with this, it seemed comfortable and had plenty of power in reserve. I'm likely to buy new and extend the warranty to 90k and avoid the DSG like the plague.

I am concerned regarding oil consumption of the VAG TFSI engines. I have looked on the internet and can't find much information on the COD 1.4. Has anyone had any experience of this engine and any potential issues?

Thanks,
Gareth.
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Fri 1 Nov 2013 23:31
Vw Polo / Audi A1 - Polo/A1 cylinder on demand 1.4 - 659FBE

Gareth, before making a final decision I suggest strongly that you research the reliability of the timing chain drive fitted to these engines. My experience indicates that as yet, VAG are incapable of producing a reliable chain drive. Some of their belt driven engines (1.9 PD diesel for example) are reliable.

All of the applications utilising American involute non-roller chains which I have looked at have proved to be unreliable and I would not be prepared to own such a drive. Caveat emptor - the internet is your friend here.

Which were the troublesome diesels and what went wrong with them?

659.

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Sat 2 Nov 2013 01:02
Vw Polo / Audi A1 - Polo/A1 cylinder on demand 1.4 - GHSAUNDERS40

Gareth, before making a final decision I suggest strongly that you research the reliability of the timing chain drive fitted to these engines. My experience indicates that as yet, VAG are incapable of producing a reliable chain drive. Some of their belt driven engines (1.9 PD diesel for example) are reliable.

All of the applications utilising American involute non-roller chains which I have looked at have proved to be unreliable and I would not be prepared to own such a drive. Caveat emptor - the internet is your friend here.

Which were the troublesome diesels and what went wrong with them?

659.

I'm finding it somewhat of a challenge to find a car with some pace that is not diesel and is not too thirsty. I will dig deeper on the net, I presume that it's the same engine as the vrs fabia? It's a shame that they do not produce an engine like the pd tdi's. My dad ran a Sharan 1.9 130 pd for 9 years, it never skipped a beat. My troublesome diesels include: 2004 Renault 1.9 dci 130 ate egr valves like sweets and many other issues - say no more...... 2008 1.9 jtdm 130 Punto - Had the misfortune to run this car to 100k over 3 years. 2x Turbo 3x egr valves Random power loss ( never explained) Over heating spend 6 weeks at dealers 2x clutch and flywheel Common rail fuel pump Starting issues never explained Gearbox ( not really diesel specific) Never used oil strangely Useless dealers did not help. Auris 2.0 d4d - actually really like this car, it's just getting a bit long in the tooth now, I'm worried about big bills and I can only extend the warrenty for one more year with Toyota. I've dropped oil changes down to 5k now. it's a shame Toyota have decided not to put a biggish diesel in the new Auris and went with down the hybrid road. I'm mot sure how good a move this is as I'd buy another diesel Auris in a heartbeat and I'm sure there are others who would too. I just don't like the Avensis. Are there any cars I'm overlooking? I've looked at the focus 1.6 ecoboost, but it's too much effort to keep it running a reasonable rate of mpg. I've looked at the Kia c'eed and i30 1.6 crdi 128 ps ( for the long warranty) in addition to the 1 series, but they just don't have enough pace despite being similar on paper to my Auris. The i40 is just too big for what I need and I don't really like it. It's not that I drive over 70 mph, I just enjoy a bit of power under my foot. Other cars I've looked at: Hyundai veloster 1.6 gdi - thirsty Volvo v40 t3 ok, but as the focus. A160 - it felt too slow to accelerate 116i same issue as the 120d, felt overpriced on reflection for what it is I just can't see or feel the 'quality'. Thanks for your input.
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Sat 2 Nov 2013 10:52
Vw Polo / Audi A1 - Polo/A1 cylinder on demand 1.4 - daveyK_UK

What is the suzuki swift sport like on fuel?

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Sat 2 Nov 2013 12:42
Vw Polo / Audi A1 - Polo/A1 cylinder on demand 1.4 - Engineer Andy

Gareth, before making a final decision I suggest strongly that you research the reliability of the timing chain drive fitted to these engines. My experience indicates that as yet, VAG are incapable of producing a reliable chain drive. Some of their belt driven engines (1.9 PD diesel for example) are reliable.

All of the applications utilising American involute non-roller chains which I have looked at have proved to be unreliable and I would not be prepared to own such a drive. Caveat emptor - the internet is your friend here.

Which were the troublesome diesels and what went wrong with them?

659.

Isn't the latest VAG 1.4 TFSI a belt-cam engine? Its the main reason (shelling out to replace the belts every 70k or sooner - just maintenance costs, not a reliability issue) that I haven't considered the SEAT Leon SC 1.4 petrol (as well as my feeling that the mpg figures for this type of engine are way over the real-world figures) for my next car. The VAG 1.2 & 1.8 TFSIs are chain cam engines I believe, although I have heard of reports of unreliability as well for their chain cam engines.

I wonder whether Mazda and their different approach to their latest engine lineup (as well as using tried and tested reliable chain-driven engines [to be honest, most Japanese chain-driven engines are faily bullet-proof]) will prove the right one, given they may be reliable and trusted for mpg figures in the real world. Shame about the possible reliability issues on VAG cars at present - I really like the Leon (Audi A3 good but over priced for me). Looks like another Mazda for me when my Mazda3 expires (hopefully not for a good few years though) - maybe VAG will have gotten on top of the quality/reliability issues by then.

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Sun 3 Nov 2013 10:59
Vw Polo / Audi A1 - Polo/A1 cylinder on demand 1.4 - Big John

"Isn't the latest VAG 1.4 TFSI a belt-cam engine?"

The latest 1.4 AND 1.2 TSI engines are all the EA211 "long life cam belt" engines.

Both engines are now totally different to their predecessors. They are much lighter and shorter and all have 16v (even the 1.2). The engines are also now installed with the exhaust side facing backwards towards the bulkhead.

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Sat 2 Nov 2013 11:58
Vw Polo / Audi A1 - Polo/A1 cylinder on demand 1.4 - Avant

That 2.0 diesel was a lovely engine for the Auris, as is the 1.8 petrol that we hired abroad. Toyota UK have some sort of death wish and won't sell them here.

If your budget will run to it, the forthcoming Audi A3 e-tron hybrid might suit you - maybe extend the Auris warranty for one more year and have a look at this when it comes out next year.

Edited by Avant on 05/11/2013 at 18:45

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