UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

we only have 1.4 in HK, you really need to pay much attention to the clutch when pulling out, especially when going up slope, but the power band is good at 3500rpm to 5000rpm...

i thought you would have got an automatic gearbox, because everyone i know in HK has an auto!

Yes everybody use Automatic in HK .. and 1.4 Auto is SHXT....

I have had both the 1.2 55bhp and 65bhp as loan cars while my car has been at the dealers. Both 1.2s felt fast and for some reason felt a lot lighter too. When i got back into my 1.4 after 2 weeks i noticed that it used LESS petrol than the 1.2 and felt a lot heavier. And the 1.4 is faster than the 1.2 becuase than extra 200cc does make a difference especially if you have 3 people in the car. I remeber making it over a certain hill north London seemed to burn half a tank of fuel with 3 passengers in the 1.2 55bhp! Also remember the 75bhp is restricted to that and you can remap the ECU at a later date to beef it up to

The bottom line is if you can afford the insurance get the 1.4 for the simple facts that because it is an older engine it's more reliable and if you do motorway driving the 1.2 wouldn't be nice to you petrol-wise. You should talk to Nelson about this, he went from the 1.2 55bhp to the FSi 86 bhp.

Having owned both the 55bhp and 65bhp, the main difference between the two is mid-range shove - the 65bhp is a much safer overtaking tool.

Oh, and both have been gutsy as hell! Saying that, the majority of my driving is around town - long journeys make a big difference to the economy, not that I care much.

tornado_ally wrote:The bottom line is if you can afford the insurance get the 1.4 for the simple facts that because it is an older engine it's more reliable and if you do motorway driving the 1.2 wouldn't be nice to you petrol-wise. You should talk to Nelson about this, he went from the 1.2 55bhp to the FSi 86 bhp.

I would like the FSi engine but its not availible as an option on the Polo Twist.

Do you find the 1.4 is lacking torque compared to the 1.2?

I would be doing Motorway driving on occasions but most days will be just commuting from home to college an back, going out to another town will bring in the longer journeys.

I do find there is a lack of torque at the higher revs and it feels like not enough cool air is getting to the engine for the fuel to burn more efficiently, though this can be sorted if your really into your modding just by sticking in an air filter and all that. If like you say you dont do much motorway driving then stick with the 1.2 65bhp as it would be easier to insure yourself on it and if you aren't going to be on the motorway much then it would work out the better option for you. People say its a good engine and wel made. The choice is yours

Well I'm a full time college student now so most of my time will be taken up by just travelling to college etc

I'm sure the 1.2 is more than adequate for my needs, I'm fairly sure it will be ok on the motorway, i hear its no slouch for a 1.2

I compared the 1.2 65hp with a 1.4 16V 75hp. The 1.2 isn't to bad when driving at normal speed and no extra weight on board. But when you need some extra power to overtake or to speed up a little with some extra persons on board than comes the big difference.

Yesterday I drove 30 miles with 4 persons on board and managed to maintain a speed of 110 mph. I was a little amazed by that because when empty the car doesn't go much faster.

Also I think, the 1.2 is sold more often as a 1.4 The 1.4 will be more attractive for occasion-buyers because the price-difference will be much lower.

Strangely enough, I had my old 55bhp up to 108mph (speedo reading) on a straight, quiet stretch of the M5 with 3 of us on board. I've had my 65bhp up to 110mph (speedo) on many occassions - never dared try to go any faster (still on 2year probation...always regret going at those silly speeds).

As noted above, acceleration does take quite a kick when you start lugging around passengers in the 1.2.

Oh, and by the way MLAM, I'm a full time college student, so my needs are probably quite similar to yours. And yes, for a 1.2, it does go blummin' well...leaves my mates Punto 1.2 and Clio 1.2 for dust (no exaggeration).

im 18 and a full time student and the most expensive running cost is the insurance. i dont see how 10bhp more is worth hundreds more on my insurance. well for me anyway.

Odd - it made bugger-all difference to my insurance with Tesco! Still, now that I can get insured for 1.9 TDi Sport for £250 extra, it's an opportunity I don't plan to pass on!

erm. get the 1.9 TDi and dont think twice about it mate, you will not regret it. i got quoted £135 extra for the 1.9TDi but getting the car itself is a different story

Don't worry, should be placing an order for one in the next month. Currently trying to make a few decisions, namely colour and optional extras.

Torn between Reflex Silver and Diamond Black (would be my 3rd black one in a row).
As for extra's, considering climate control, winter pack, sunroof and ESP. Colour pack and red interior are definates. I could get all of those extras, although not sure if that's wise considering all the modding I'd want to do to it - don't want to go over the top! Might give ESP the chop, I reckon.

I have the winter pack and regret not getting ESP, but the money for the sunroof was silly, and me personally I really don't like auto air con, the standard stuff is better IMHO but auto looks better!

You should get the rain sensors/auto dimming mirror for only £140 absolutely brilliant value for money