Best engine?

[Bobupndown]

Hi,
So looking to buy a 2014/15 polo and wondering is there a 'best' engine or one to avoid. I've ruled out the 60hp 1.0 or 1.2 as just too slow, had one as a courtesy car and while it was a nice car it was slow.
There seems to be a big choice of 1.2 petrol and diesel turbo or non turbo, 1.4s, some 3 cylinder, some 4. Some cam chain, some cam belt. Not interested in the 1.8 gti for insurance reasons.
If anyone can help narrow down the search it would be appreciated. Car is for my son who unfortunately is not a petrol head so he's not into car forums. He'll be doing a 24 mile round trip daily so petrol or diesel would suit. He currently has an Up with the 1.0, 3 cylinder 60hp and while it was a good first car he just wants a step up in size and performance. The mid 2014 facelift with the higher spec ice would be ideal (RCD330?) although from briefly scrolling through threads it seems like this is a simple upgrade from the RCD310? If it is a straightforward plug in swap that wouldnt be an issue. He's got vw brand loyalty already and doesn't want to consider anything else even though an equivalent Skoda or Seat would probably be cheaper.

[iichel]

The 1.2/1.0 TSI with a cambelt is a decent engine, the 1.4 TSI ACT 140/150hp is good, the 1.4 MPI engine is fine, the 1.4 TDI from after 2014 is also perfectly fine.

[RUM4MO]

I'd suggest aiming for a 2015 6C Polo with the 1.2TSI engine, 90PS version should suit his normal usage.

Just make sure that you are buying a 6C and so one with the cam belt engine - the turbo is situated on the side of the engine nearest the passenger cell.

SEAT Ibiza could be cheaper though I don't know which build states were available in Ireland - again make sure that it is the newer engine that is fitted.

SEAT hope to aim their cars towards younger owners, so that means stiffer suspension normally.

Edit:- sorry I see that you are in NI so anything getting into mainland Britain should also be getting sold in NI.

[Bobupndown]

Hi, thanks
Yes UK cars.
Seen a 2014 1.2 tsi Rline advertised locally which looks very nice, is there a problem with pre 2015 1.2 tsi engines?

[amer6R]

get your self a toyota or a honda.

[Bobupndown]

No thanks!
Not into all that boring reliability.

[amer6R]

Then get a 1.4 tsi

[RUM4MO]

Ouch, but very true!

[Bobupndown]

Well after a short search we found a 2014 1.2 Tsi R Line.
Deal done!

283141505.1920.jpg (361.18 KiB) Viewed 2722 times

[RUM4MO]

Good colour, enjoy!

[iichel]

Looks good. Did you go for a pre-facelift on purpose? It looks like this is one of the very last 6R's before the facelifted 6C came.
Great colour, enjoy it!

[Bobupndown]

No not on purpose, it would have been ideal if it was a face-lift model but couldn't fault it, really tidy car. Will probably update the stereo in due course but other than that it seems to tick all the boxes. He'll collect it on Tuesday.