Anybody got a 1.6 TDI?

[alexperkins]

Guys,

Im currently in the process of looking at a 1.6 TDI SEL to replace my Edition 30 as a daily driver for economy

Has anyone got one? I know they are pretty rare as most go for the 1.2 TDI

If you have, what are they like performance and economy wise. I did test drive one earlier in the week, but couldnt get a true feel as I was plodding in traffic for most of it

Cheers Guys

Alex

[jammydodger]

I think there's only 2/3 members that have the SEL TDI and they aren't exactly active members the only thing I think of thats general across the the 1.2's and 1.6's is that you need to be in the right gear at all times, you can't lug around in 4th at thirty like you could in the old PD versions as when you come to the slightest incline you'll find yourself changing down, I think its down to the map being to linear. Ours was in the dealers the other week because of a faulty fuel pressure sensor and it turned out to be the clutch failing that made it undriveable. They replaced it FOC after a bit of arguing, but looking at the A1 forum it is a frequent fault with the diesels' clutches failing. I can't comment on economy for the 1.6 but I get around 550-600 to a full tank but we usually only fill half tanks at a time, covering around 700 motorway miles and about 200 town miles a month. She's plenty capable on the motorway and we're regularly in the fast lane keeping up with the Audis and Beemers, she sits comfortably at 85 doing about 2700 rpm and she's got enough torque to feel safe enough to overtake etc. With the 1.6 having 15 bhp and 50 ft/lbs of torque more than the 1.2 I'd presume it'd be even more capable. There's a Solderless Shark Remap for all 1.6 TDIs that will take them upto around 140 bhp and 230 ft/lbs of torque so that will liven things up a bit. Hope this helped.

Oh and make sure it's had the latest software update on it, this eliminated the surging issues and DPF issues people were having with them when they were first released.

[alexperkins]

Lol sounds like a definite rare then

Interesting points raised there regarding software.

I assume you have a 1.2 then?

[jammydodger]

Yeah they are, they're only really starting to become sub-10k now so they've held their money quite well. Most of them should have had the software update done by now but always worth a double check.

Yep, we opted for the 1.2 TDI because it was newer than the 1.6 TDI with the same miles and came down to around the same price after a bit of negotiation. They were both the 75 BHP ones. We also didn't want any issues regarding the surging and DPF and so far so good, the DPF light hasn't been on once (touches wood).

[alexperkins]

Just had an interesting read about DPF. I didnt realise the kinda problems it can cause if the car isnt driven on reasonable journeys! Certainly gives food for thought.

[alexperkins]

What is it like for going up hills? Does it slow down at all? (the 1.2)

[jammydodger]

Yeah it was certainly a hard decision whether to choose a new diesel or go for an 'old' one without the DPF, but I'm glad to say I feel I made the right choice as it hasn't caused me any bother. The car is fine on hills has enough torque to pull along but as said you need to be in the right gear at all times, my reference is 3rd at 30, 4th at 40 and 5th at 55. The gear indicator always wants you to go into the highest possible gear but it doesn't take into account for inclines. Changing up is fine on flats and down hill but because you're not spinning the turbo so are basically labouring the engine which ends up in you using more fuel, it may feel like you need to move up a gear but these engines have been designed to drive around in 3rd regularly due to the long gearing.

[alexperkins]

Hmmm i might have to drive my brothers 1.2 again

Ill be doing 1000 miles a month, so its gotta be the right decision!

[jammydodger]

Definately! Similar mileage to what we do so you shouldn't have any DPF issues as long as some of it is motorway. You really need to get used to them first to appreciate them and know how to drive them and its basically down to how long geared they are! I can't think of how much it'd cost you in petrol with the Golf! It was costing us about £200 a month in the 1.2 60ps 6R to do this sort of mileage. Oh and I've ordered a TDI-Tuning box to see what it does for the car so I will let you know what it's like when it arrives.

[ubiquitous-j]

I haven't come across many diesel Polos at all of this generation apart from the Bluemotion. Its a shame they don't offer the 1.6 TDI in 105PS form as that suits the chassis quite well and is available with the A1, Ibiza and Fabia.

[vc-10]

The Polo engine lineup in the UK is a bit rubbish TBH- no 1.2 TSI 90PS, no BMT versions apart from the 'proper' Bluemotion or the BlueGT.

[jammydodger]

And there's no 2.0 TDI I think VW missed a trick with that one because they could've introduced it as part of the R-Line rane like the Seat Ibiza FR.

[vc-10]

Yup- it's just irritating about the others as they're offered in Polos on the continent.

[ChunSel90]

Hey there!

1.6tdi owner here! I think its safe to say, I totally agree with the above.. 1.6tdi are rare, and those on this forum are pretty much inactive like myself.. I only pop on here on and off so

But to help you answer some questions, first of all fuel economy.

I go to work every morning during rush hour traffic (7:45am) and I probably average around 39-42 mpg, this is for back roads/town roads, so a lot of stop starts. Also from Sheffield.. which means loads of hills!

Going home, around 1:30pm, I average around 47 - 49mpg this is with pretty much smooth traffic all the way, with a combination of some dual carriage ways and town/city driving.

In terms of motorway, I drive down to London quite often with an avg speed of 80mph, I normally arrive with an avg 55 - 58mpg (so driving at 70 probably higher?).

Secondly in terms of power:-

It definitely ticks all the boxes for overtaking with the torque being there, you can quite happily accerlate up a hill in 4th gear providing you spin your turbo a bit before the hill (normally around 2000rpm?) if not you can always downshift into 3 and it will pull. But like the above said, you have to get used to spinning the turbo if you want the power, if you drive casually you'll find no power at all due to the turbo lag.

Now to help you with some comparisons, my brother recently got the 1.2Tsi R-Line, with a 0-60 of 9.7 secs? and the 1.6Tdi is around 11.x seconds?

From start, its quite obvious the petrol wins anyday, pulls away quickly etc. So we decided to take it up a hill with starting speed 40mph. The results quite surprised me, it was only around the 80mph mark the 1.2Tsi managed to pull past, up until that point it was pretty much neck and neck.

I hope this has helped you! If you require any more further information, feel free to contact me!

[ChunSel90]

Ooops, forgot about the DPF issue!

At the start (September 2010) the first few hundred miles were fine, but after a while there was a problem with the DPF. It would appear and the recommendation was to drive at 40mph for 10 - 15 mins or so.. which is quite hard in UK .

Spoke to the dealer service manager, a good family friend, and he basically recommended to give is some beans (so to say) every so often just to help clear it, followed these instructions, seemed to help at the start, but the problem still persist.

However since the software updates, the DPF light has not popped up since, so providing you get the newer models, or a old model with the software updates you should be fine!

One thing I would warn you on, in the engine coolant fluid... (the pink one to the left) Mine at the start would use it quite quickly and appear below the min, but it seemes to have sorted itself out now, so maybe it was a one off issue?