One of our cars, a 16 year old VW Polo is coming to the end of its life. We need a replacement and like another Polo. This time we want a diesel but don't know whether the 1.4 TDi or the 1.9 TDi should be bought - secondhand.
I fancy the extra performance of the 1.9 but am worried about extra servicing expense, particularly as the engine is a tight fit - I would think doing a cambelt on the 1.9 is a pig to do.
Any ideas?
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What age of polo are you looking at? If its an older model with a non PD 1.9 then the servicing costs will be lower for the 1.9 (cheaper oil). Also on the performance front, I find the 1.4 has less low end grunt than my 1.9SDI. On the other hand, spin up the 1.4 and it flies.
Given the choice, I'd sooner have a 90bhp 1.9TDI than the 1.4TDI, but SHMBO would probably dissagree.
Joe
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I cannot speak on the 1.9 tdi but i can on the 1.4tdi pd that is in my new type Polo. It is a very good engine especially between 1800 and 2800 rpm where it is very relaxing to drive. Here is the best thing about it. 2200rpm = 60mph =70mpg. Gone are the days days when i use to flip through the gearbox like a maniac now when i get into top gear i can almost forget about the gear lever.Having said that i like to bet you could almost pull away from standstill in top gear in the 1.9tdi pd
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We were thinking of maybe a two or three year old Polo, maybe one that has gone through its first MOT so we know things like the catalyst are ok. I had a1.4TDi as a loan car for three weeks and was quite impressed with it although I think the 1.9 would be more powerful. However I am worried about the servicing costs on the 1.9 - how long does a cambelt take to change compared to the 1.4?
Are there any other obvious small diesels we should be looking at? Although we liked our Polo and it gave fantastic service, I am not tied to a VW.
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The Fabia is cheaper than the Polo, but folk'll warn you about worse residuals.
The Yaris diesel is good, and should be reliable.
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How much are you thinking of spending on this used Polo? VW dealers often have one year olds stickered up at more than a broker would charge for a new one, and even three year olds might only offer a saving of £1000-£1500.
I suppose it helps the reputation VWs have for not losing their value, but three years is a fifth of the car's life - and the first three years will still be the cheapest in terms of servicing, so anything less than 20% and new should work out a better financial bet.
(Not always, of course, but don't take screen prices at their word either).
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All the makers seem to be heading to 1.4 oil burners, in their small cars now.
Emissions, tax banding, lighter engines, all these things point to the lower cc, i guess.
BUT.........do you REALLY need diesel power in a Polo?You'll pay an up-front higher price, possibly lower insurance group with petrol & how many MPG will you save, over the cars period of ownership?
VB
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I'd go for 1.4, only because the VW 1.9 TDI in a Polo-sized car makes it feel very nose-heavy (at least if the Seat Ibiza is anything to go by).
If you're open to suggestions re. make, I've just bought one of those new Punto 1.3 Multijet turbo diesels - give one of those a look before settling on a Polo, and ignore all the rude comments about Fiat. It's the best small car I've driven, frankly. Certainly lives up to all the nice things the motoring mags are saying about it.
(Oh, and I didn't know you could get 12 months' RFL for as cheap as £85 per year!)
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