Mrs Wants a VW Polo 1.2 TSI - Any Tips

[ron130888]

My wife needs to get a new car and has her heart set on a VW Polo, 2014/15 year.

Looking at what is available, the 1.2 TSI looks like a good bet but I know literally nothing about VAG petrol engines.

Are they particularly troublesome and are they chain or belt driven at this age?

She won't listen to my advice of buying a Suzuki Swift Sport!

[SlowV6]

I am no expert but a quick Google suggests VW changed from chains to belts around the era that you are considering.

My mother has a 2016 1.2TSI DSG Polo, which is definitely a belt. The interval for these seems to be 6yrs/60k miles.

I was very impressed with it on a test drive. Quiet and smooth, certainly not slow and the turbo+DSG combination seems to give it a very linear delivery. I couldn't really see why you would want a manual in a car like this. It was very easy to live with.

I would do a little research on the chain vs belt engines and when they changed over. Possibly better to go for the later belt option if in budget and accept it will cost £400 every 5yrs or so to change it.

The Skoda Fabia has the same drivetrain btw and always seems to win the group tests. I'd be looking out for one of those instead I think and get a newer/higher spec car for the same money.

[Sheepshanks]

SlowV6 said:

The interval for these seems to be 6yrs/60k miles.

Where did you get that interval from? VW UK insist it's 5yrs regardless of mileage on all their cars with cambelts, even the ones that are supposed to be 'lifetime'.

Edited by Sheepshanks on Thursday 25th March 10:05

[J1990]

I'd be thankful that she wants such a reasonable and low budget car and I'd get it bought before she could change her mind.

What I'd give for my Mrs to have such reasonable car desires, it would leave far more money in the bank for splashing out on a nice little F-Type R.

[ron130888]

SlowV6 said:

I am no expert but a quick Google suggests VW changed from chains to belts around the era that you are considering.

My mother has a 2016 1.2TSI DSG Polo, which is definitely a belt. The interval for these seems to be 6yrs/60k miles.

I was very impressed with it on a test drive. Quiet and smooth, certainly not slow and the turbo+DSG combination seems to give it a very linear delivery. I couldn't really see why you would want a manual in a car like this. It was very easy to live with.

I would do a little research on the chain vs belt engines and when they changed over. Possibly better to go for the later belt option if in budget and accept it will cost £400 every 5yrs or so to change it.

The Skoda Fabia has the same drivetrain btw and always seems to win the group tests. I'd be looking out for one of those instead I think and get a newer/higher spec car for the same money.

Thank you for your reply. I will look into the chain/belt changeover point and hopefully find one that is belt driven.

She won't consider the Fabia or Ibiza equivalent despite me saying the same as you, newer/better car for the money.

Let the search begin.

[SlowV6]

Sheepshanks said:

SlowV6 said:

The interval for these seems to be 6yrs/60k miles.

Where did you get that interval from? VW UK insist it's 5yrs regardless of mileage on all their cars with cambelts, even the ones that are supposed to be 'lifetime'.

Edited by Sheepshanks on Thursday 25th March 10:05

Apologies. I got the above from a Briskoda thread. I didn't intend to mislead. A similar thread on HonestJohn, where a poster emailed Seat UK, suggests you are right and it is 5yrs. Quote below.

"The replacement schedule is

Inspect at 60,000 miles and every susequent 20,000 miles. Replace if signs of damage or wear.

But it must be replaced every 120,000 miles or 5 years regardless of any inspection."

e&oe

[SlowV6]

ron130888 said:

Thank you for your reply. I will look into the chain/belt changeover point and hopefully find one that is belt driven.

She won't consider the Fabia or Ibiza equivalent despite me saying the same as you, newer/better car for the money.

Let the search begin.

Good luck! The engine family for the belt driven engines is known as EA211. I am sure this would be evident somewhere in the engine bay if there is doubt. There is probably a really obvious way of identifying it too.

[ZX10R NIN]

ron130888 said:

Thank you for your reply. I will look into the chain/belt changeover point and hopefully find one that is belt driven.

She won't consider the Fabia or Ibiza equivalent despite me saying the same as you, newer/better car for the money.

Let the search begin.

She'll probably say no but show her the 1.0T Kia Rio, smart cars that'll still have 3-4 years warranty left too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101208...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009203...

[ron130888]

SlowV6 said:

Good luck! The engine family for the belt driven engines is known as EA211. I am sure this would be evident somewhere in the engine bay if there is doubt. There is probably a really obvious way of identifying it too.

Cheers and thanks again for your info.
I have found a few articles online saying that from 2015 onwards, the EA211 was fitted so we'll play it safe and search for 15 onwards.
I am surprised at how well they hold their money though, pricey little cars!

[ron130888]

ZX10R NIN said:

She'll probably say no but show her the 1.0T Kia Rio, smart cars that'll still have 3-4 years warranty left too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101208...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009203...

That's a great deal and the car looks really smart. Probably a waste of breath though!

[Trevor555]

ron130888 said:

SlowV6 said:

Good luck! The engine family for the belt driven engines is known as EA211. I am sure this would be evident somewhere in the engine bay if there is doubt. There is probably a really obvious way of identifying it too.

Cheers and thanks again for your info.
I have found a few articles online saying that from 2015 onwards, the EA211 was fitted so we'll play it safe and search for 15 onwards.
I am surprised at how well they hold their money though, pricey little cars!

Take her to see a Fabia Monte Carlo edition, they've got so much more spec on them. And the 109bhp 1.2Tsi 4 pot engine is lovely. (6 speed box)

Glass roof, Auto emergency braking, Bolero sound system (surprisingly good) Smartlink to mirror your phone, sporty leather steering wheel etc..

And more importantly, I've found Skoda dealers so much better to deal with.