I know this is a model railwayvforum but im thinking of getting a newer car. Ive found a nice 1.6 petrol seat leon but i dont know what it does to the gallon and i never trust manufacturers figures. Motoring forums havent much help as they get bogged down in details. Does anyone here have one (or a vw golf 1.6 petrol) and can tell me what they get.
Thanks
Richard
Quote from: B757-236GT on February 18, 2014, 09:15:00 AM
I know this is a model railwayvforum but im thinking of getting a newer car. Ive found a nice 1.6 petrol seat leon but i dont know what it does to the gallon and i never trust manufacturers figures. Motoring forums havent much help as they get bogged down in details. Does anyone here have one (or a vw golf 1.6 petrol) and can tell me what they get.
Thanks
Richard
I am now on my second new petrol Golf but it is the new spec 1.4 TSI with turbocharger. It has two personalities. You can drive like a saint using cruise control in which case it achieves 52 mpg according to the trip computer by the end of say a 50 mile trip. Or you can use it's performance in which case it uses all of it's 127 bhp and returns about 40 mpg. I do a bit of both types of driving. A full tank lasts about 450 miles.
However the older 1.6 engine is quite a lot less powerful and probably is good for about 38 mpg overall. Good cars though.
Rich,
Don't get the petrol one, get a diesel one.
You know my car is the Golf Estate 1.6 tdi Bluemotion and I can get upwards of 60mpg on a long run. I'm averaging 550-600 miles per tank.
Oh yeah and the Golf is fabulous I don't want to get rid of it, but as it's a company car and nearly 4 years old, I have no choice.
It looks like I may be getting a Vauxhall Ampera as a replacement. Not sure what that's going to be like, but suffice it to say, I won't be able to cart HHC around anymore :-(:-(
Cheers
Neal.
Don't get petrol just look for a diesel if economy important. Golf now looks overweight (like me) compared to the Leon which has a younger image. I have a 2L Volvo S60 diesel which produces 163bhp and have just come back from SW France on 3/4 tank of fuel averaging 55mpg cruising at 80mph. Diesel only the equivalent of £1.06/L there so one good thing about France.
In the end it depends what sort of motoring you do.
Dan
Ive had a 58 reg Golf 1.6 Match Fsi petrol for 30 months. I get about 40 mpg, but I do short runs of town driving and you should get more on long runs, but I don't think its to bad. When I bought it I was told that the diesels are a good idea if you do a lot of miles for economy (obviously) but can have problems if they don't do long distances most days, something to do with the fuel filters. But this could have been car salesman BS. I'm very happy with the car overall, its comfy and well built, although the after sales service I (and friends) have had from the local VW dealer has been useless (8 months to get the I pod dock working!). If you get one, find a good independent garage for servicing, he can still stamp the service history.
Regards,
Andrew
Quote from: apsheehan on February 18, 2014, 02:15:50 PM
but can have problems if they don't do long distances most days, something to do with the fuel filters. But this could have been car salesman BS.
I was warned off of diesels by 2 independent garages for that very reason when I last changed my car. I only do short distances normally so took their advice although I really prefer diesels
Time was when diesels had to be serviced more frequently than petrols - don't know whether that is still the case?
However, diesels generally have greater longevity than petrol.
Cue lots of stories................ :doh:
DO NOT buy a diesel engined car unless you're doing more than average mileage, the particulate filter will get "clogged" up unless the engine gets a good motorway blast every week and the cost is mind blowing.
Why on earth would this be "salesman's BS", its damn good advice, do a Google search for "particulate filter".
What is your avaerage mielage and what age 1.6 Golf/leon are you looking at? In Golf terms, I'm assuming it'd be a mk4 or 5...
Diesel is great etc but only if you're doing more than about 15k a year. There are lots of things present on a diesel engine which can go wrong, particulate filter, turbocharger, intercooler, fuel pumps etc which are EXPENSIVE. A petrol engine won't give the same mpg, but the expensive parts like turbos and I/Cs generally aren't there (so they can't fail on you!)
Quote from: Rob H on February 18, 2014, 03:36:34 PM
DO NOT buy a diesel engined car unless you're doing more than average mileage, the particulate filter will get "clogged" up unless the engine gets a good motorway blast every week and the cost is mind blowing.
Why on earth would this be "salesman's BS", its damn good advice, do a Google search for "particulate filter".
Depends on the engine. I have a 2005 Audi A3 140 Tdi and it doesn't have a DPF.....
I only do about 6-7000 a year, it's a dsg and soooo relaxing to drive; it has paddles if you want to pretend to be a boy racer! My trips are mainly town and the moors, it rarely gets into top gear but returns a consistent 45 mpg, brim to brim on the trip meter. :bounce:
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/fuels-and-environment/diesel-particulate-filters.html (http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/fuels-and-environment/diesel-particulate-filters.html)
This article by the AA explains in simple terms why it would be inadvisable to buy a diesel engined car if you drive low mileage.
"Depends on the engine. I have a 2005 Audi A3 140 Tdi and it doesn't have a DPF.....
I only do about 6-7000 a year, it's a dsg and soooo relaxing to drive; it has paddles if you want to pretend to be a boy racer! My trips are mainly town and the moors, it rarely gets into top gear but returns a consistent 45 mpg, brim to brim on the trip meter. "
Your car was built prior to 2009, every diesel engined car built since 2009 has to have a particulate filter by law !
Hope this helps,
Rob.
Quote from: Rob H on February 18, 2014, 03:36:34 PM
DO NOT buy a diesel engined car unless you're doing more than average mileage, the particulate filter will get "clogged" up unless the engine gets a good motorway blast every week and the cost is mind blowing.
Why on earth would this be "salesman's BS", its damn good advice, do a Google search for "particulate filter".
Quite agree diesel particulate filters are trouble unless you are constantaly driving hard. Repairs are generally at least 1.5K. I know form the personal experience of family.
My daughter swears by her petrol 2.0L Golf R.
Dodger
Hi mate I cant say on the mileage of a 1.6, but I can vouch for build quality etc as I own a bora. One of my friends use to have the old 1.8 turbo engined audi a3 which did about 30mpg, mine is a1.9tdi pd130 with a remap and averages 50mpg-mixed driving. Very cheap to run, and as long as youre willing to spend a bit on servicing and replacing tbings that need doing the car wont let you down. Look after it and itll look after you!
Plenty of Golfs and Seats in Tenerife, but the car that now people appear to be buying more and more is the Skoda (which are owned by VW hence quality has improved leaps and bounds in recent years).
Skodas now come out top in User Satisfaction surveys and are no longer the laughing stock they used to be, but because of their past reputation they tend to be much cheaper than say an equivalent Golf. Just a thought.
Tenerife Taxis which used to be mostly Mercs are now being replaced by Skoda Octavias & Superbs, and Taxi drivers wouldn't choose a car that is going to be unreliable.
QuoteYour car was built prior to 2009, every diesel engined car built since 2009 has to have a particulate filter by law !
So buy a pre - 2009 car without a dpf! Mine'll do me for at least the next 10 years. :thumbsup:
The diesel vs petrol saga could roll on for years. I have had both and true enough for mpg fanatics then diesel does better for high mileages. However, I got fed up with stinky soles on my shoes and smelly hands when filling up the diesels. Going to a turbocharged petrol engine is a revelation.
Diesel engine particulate filters and their exhaust systems have astronomic prices - more than £1000 for official original equipment parts are not unusual.
Quote from: Rob H on February 18, 2014, 03:36:34 PM
DO NOT buy a diesel engined car unless you're doing more than average mileage, the particulate filter will get "clogged" up unless the engine gets a good motorway blast every week and the cost is mind blowing.
The requirement for regenerating the filter, at least on my 2.0 TDI Golf Plus, is a lot milder than "a good motorway blast". VW recommendation is 10-15 minutes at 2,000 rpm, which OK, you're not going to hit if you only drive a mile each way to work, but it doesn't need you to be a travelling sales rep either.
I do around 10 miles each way to the station (two stretches of urban with some windy country roads in between) in the week, and typically one to three 20-40 mile runs with some dual carriage-way at the weekend, and I've yet to see the DPF warning light come on. A few times I've had it be mid-regeneration when I stop, which leaves the fan running and a lot of heat after the engine's off and the car's locked up for another five minutes or so, which was quite scary the first time until I understood what was going on :doh:
Nudges 65 mpg on a good long run, still pretty respectable on the station commute, and DSG is smooth as silk.
QuoteMy daughter swears by her petrol 2.0L Golf R.
Ah yes , well known for their economy ;-)
Neal- Ive only got a budget of 3k so most of the diesels have well over 100k on them which is far too high.
Quote from: Tdm on February 18, 2014, 06:11:55 PM
Plenty of Golfs and Seats in Tenerife, but the car that now people appear to be buying more and more is the Skoda (which are owned by VW hence quality has improved leaps and bounds in recent years).
Skodas now come out top in User Satisfaction surveys and are no longer the laughing stock they used to be, but because of their past reputation they tend to be much cheaper than say an equivalent Golf. Just a thought.
Tenerife Taxis which used to be mostly Mercs are now being replaced by Skoda Octavias & Superbs, and Taxi drivers wouldn't choose a car that is going to be unreliable.
As i spend a little time on the island each year my family have a Golf V5 Auto out there (in white of course). I think the worst ive seen is 11MPG but by god is it quick to get on the motorway, but i have noticed the octavias appearing replacing the old mercs, still plenty around though.
Im not a fan of modern diesels, DPFs, DMFs, naff injector seals etc so im now staying with the good old green pump.
After all this i viewed said Leon but i was told its 3 grand take it or leave it, oh and tax and Mot will cost extra. So i ended up looking at a Ford C-Max somewhere else which my heart likes alot. I got 47mpg indicated out of a 1.6 petrol which is 7MPG more than book figure. Needs a little work and a cambelt next year but theyve offered to do all the repairs put 12 months MOT on it and knock £200 off purchase price
Richard
C-max is a great car, but i am a Ford fan so i'm a little biased ! (8x fiestas, 4x escorts, 5x sierras, 1x mondy, 1x cortina and 2 orions !)
Mechanically they are very reliable, just keep a eye out for rust underneath especially at the rear. You may also want to replace the god awful radio, you won't believe the difference a decent headunit will make...
Im a ford man too. It has a little (and by little i mean little) rust in the bottom of the rear wheel arches but nothing too major and it is also 9 years old. My plan is to keep it 2 years till i start my new job and then shop it in for a Mondeo or possibly a focus estate.
Richard
Quote from: ParkeNd on February 18, 2014, 07:48:31 PM
Going to a turbocharged petrol engine is a revelation.
^^ That. I went from a 6-pot BMW turbodiesel to a 4-pot Saab turbo petrol. (Lexus 6-pot NA in between but let's not talk about that)! ;D The Saab turbo is quick to say the least :goggle eyes:
If going for a diesel just do a DPF delete and depending what car an EGR bypass and map.
For anyone who wants a very well built car that is fun to drive, only needs servicing every 20,000 miles or two years, and can go economically one minute, and the exhaust note change to a refined snarl the next, the Golf with a TSI engine is hard to beat if you are spending your own money- no cam belt either - chain. Ford C Max is a whole different car for kids and baby seats - great if that is what you need. Had 8 Fords when companies bought and ran them for me - sensible and reliable.
Well despite me thinking id sorted my new car, i still havent as the Cmax needed more work than i thought, then there was a Focus which was just too cheap(Full main dealer jistory , drove fine, looked good but it was at somewhere i didnt have too much confidence in and its £700 cheaper than anywhere else. Hopefully tomorrow will be more successful as a Vauxhall Astra 1.6 beckons, lets see whats wrong with this one!
Richard
Quotebut i am a Ford fan
[/i]
The only heap of crap I ever had to abandon in over 50 years of motoring was a
Fix
Or
Repair
Daily..... :'(
Think we are straying a little bit away from leon/vw golf :D
Well i didnt end up with a Seat or a VW or a Vauxhall. But i did end up with this and i have to say i think it was a very good buy!
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/50/thumb_10543.jpg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=10543)
I have recently,ie before Christmas part ex'd my Seat Leon 14tsi for a Seat Ibiza 14tsi Fr with the dsg auto box. I have a gammy left leg, legassy from falling off a motrcycle years ago I think and also steel stairs before the days of insurance claims. My leon was excellent on fuel as an example we went to cornwall from m/cr on a full tank and still had fuel for a few days before needing a refill,plus the cruise control was also a benefit.
Quote from: B757-236GT on February 26, 2014, 05:11:58 PM
Well i didnt end up with a Seat or a VW or a Vauxhall. But i did end up with this and i have to say i think it was a very good buy!
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/50/thumb_10543.jpg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=10543)
good choice !
I'd happily buy another fiesta if I didn't spend all my money on n gauge !
Its a 1.4 Zetec Blue and had done 40k with a full main dealer sevice history. In terms of toys it has bluetooth and the sony upgrade CD with multichanger, front fogs, trip computer, folding and heated mirrors and the heated front screen. It was £3990 and for that its taxed an tested till november, has three new tyres, new pads and disks on the front although they looked fine to me, valet and a mop and got 6 month warrenty and a tank of fuel. Given the next cheapest to this is a cat D write off i thought £3990 was a steal! I also had the longest test drive eve of 48 minutes. 17 minutes driving and 29 minutes stuck in a queue on the A40 northern ring road. I did get 50.3 mpg out of it though so you could say im very pleased!
Richard
I was a Ford man for years loads of fiesta's best one was a Fiesta Black, last was a 05 Focus last of the old shape. Stopped being a Ford man when I only got £3000.00 for a 5 year old car after dealer service and everything.
If it was a petrol with 50-60k on that was a good trade in price! LXs or studios are pretty much worthless and black ones also have a poor re-sale value. I dont know the exact model you had but 3k isnt impossible.
Richard
Yes I know it was not a top model, I did pay £12.000 for it though. I got a far better deal on my Leon when I changed that last year.
A little update
Well the Fiesta has now gone already and has been replaced with a nice Ford Focus Estate TDCi. Why the big change, well i fly RC aircraft and i cant get my 64 inch wingspan P-51 Mustang in the back of a Fiesta whereas the Focus has 6ft length in the back. I was a little miffed to let the Fiesta go but i suppose its for a good reason. It did have a few faults in my 3 months/5000 miles that i had it and there was the fault which was diagnosed from being a terminal engine failure to just a little standard tappet noise (which need to be adjusted at 70k anyway). Having said that the Focus is a great cruiser and ive been getting well over 70MPG but its only when you try and take into town you realise how awful the gearbox is and the clutch is something else, you cant feel the biting point which for someone who likesw a clutch with a biting point that would give you whiplash is not a good thing but im sure ill get used to it, it also has one of those DPF things too :worried: Given its done low mileage how long would it be before the light comes on!
Richard
Just give the car a good thrashing once a week (insert joke here) and the dpf (diesel particle filter) will last a lot longer. It works like a catalytic converter but needs to get hotter for longer to do it's job.
Quote from: 4x2 on June 23, 2014, 11:10:35 PM
Just give the car a good thrashing once a week
a la Basil in Fawlty Towers you mean? :D
Paul
Quote from: B757-236GT on February 18, 2014, 09:15:00 AM
I know this is a model railwayvforum but im thinking of getting a newer car. Ive found a nice 1.6 petrol seat leon but i dont know what it does to the gallon and i never trust manufacturers figures. Motoring forums havent much help as they get bogged down in details. Does anyone here have one (or a vw golf 1.6 petrol) and can tell me what they get.
Thanks
Richard
Hi Richard,
You have chosen two very good cars in the Golf and Leon. As you probably know there is a great deal of parts sharing between all the VAG brands so mechanically there is little to choose between their cars. The differences come down to price, packaging and style at the end of the day.
One other consideration is depreciation (although less of an issue if not buying new). Traditionally VW tends to depreciate at a slower rate. Again not fair, just badge snobbery.
As for the engine type, modern petrol engines are excellent and offer refinement, performance and very good fuel consumption. My wife has a VW Polo with their 1.2TFSI petrol and it does well over 50 to the gallon. It is also a "pocket rocket" and great fun to drive. My own Audi A4 has the 1.8TFSI engine and once again I get in the mid to high 40s which is not bad for a big saloon.
As for petrol over diesel - well you need to do the sums. Diesel costs more than petrol but this is offset by the higher MPG. Having said that, diesel cars tend to cost more than their diesel counterpart - not sure why this should be so given the number sold these days. Finally, diesel cars tend to need more frequent servicing so often the difference can be very close.
For example, until recently I was doing 20K+ miles per year and taking everything in to consideration it was still more cost effective for me to buy a petrol Audi.
Whatever you choose, I hope it is a great car and serves you well.
Best of luck.
Paddy
Im now on my second car since the seat leon and i have to say i still fancy a golf/leon but i think ill have to stick with my Focus for the time being as Golf Estates are like rocking horse stuff and the Leon isnt (i know the current one is) available as an Estate.
Richard