Small turbo engine reliability?
Discussion
Morning all,
I am going to be looking at a lot of cars tomorrow with my Mum to get her a replacement for her 1.2 Corsa C which has died. She was originally going to go for a 2005 ish Civic but decided to potentially up the budget (12k or so) and look at something a bit nicer.
Top of the pile at the moment seems to be an Audi A3 / VW Golf with either a 1.6 or 1.4 TSI engine. This car will be kept for the remainder of its life, so we aren't looking for something that will get changed in a couple of years.
The 1.4 TSI looks great on paper, but how reliable are they in the long run? Any issues to be aware of? It will be used mostly for a 5 mile commute each way to work and the occasional long motorway drive. Sheer performance and driving dynamics are not a consideration as she doesn't drive fast, but a bit more grunt than the 1.2 Corsa would be good for overtaking etc.
Is it unreasonable to expect a fairly new car with 20k or so on it to last 10 years without issue on regular servicing alone? She just wants a reliable car with good fuel economy that is a bit nicer than her old Corsa.
While I am at it, are there any other cars we should be looking at? It must have a petrol engine, manual gearbox, be a hatchback, and be reliable with good economy.
Thanks
I am going to be looking at a lot of cars tomorrow with my Mum to get her a replacement for her 1.2 Corsa C which has died. She was originally going to go for a 2005 ish Civic but decided to potentially up the budget (12k or so) and look at something a bit nicer.
Top of the pile at the moment seems to be an Audi A3 / VW Golf with either a 1.6 or 1.4 TSI engine. This car will be kept for the remainder of its life, so we aren't looking for something that will get changed in a couple of years.
The 1.4 TSI looks great on paper, but how reliable are they in the long run? Any issues to be aware of? It will be used mostly for a 5 mile commute each way to work and the occasional long motorway drive. Sheer performance and driving dynamics are not a consideration as she doesn't drive fast, but a bit more grunt than the 1.2 Corsa would be good for overtaking etc.
Is it unreasonable to expect a fairly new car with 20k or so on it to last 10 years without issue on regular servicing alone? She just wants a reliable car with good fuel economy that is a bit nicer than her old Corsa.
While I am at it, are there any other cars we should be looking at? It must have a petrol engine, manual gearbox, be a hatchback, and be reliable with good economy.
Thanks
BorkFactor said:
The 1.4 TSI looks great on paper, but how reliable are they in the long run?
My colleague has had a Golf with that engine from new, and she's had it five years or so. She's not had any problems with it at all.I recall reading that changing the timing belt is a pain in the hoop though.
BorkFactor said:
Is it unreasonable to expect a fairly new car with 20k or so on it to last 10 years without issue on regular servicing alone? She just wants a reliable car with good fuel economy that is a bit nicer than her old Corsa.
With that criteria I'd be looking at a Toyota and not any VAG product.How about a Yaris? They have cam chains which in itself could save 1,000 or more over the 10 years just in belt changes.
Suzuki Swift would also be a good shout. The keyless system on them is great and chain driven engine also.
HarryFlatters said:
My colleague has had a Golf with that engine from new, and she's had it five years or so. She's not had any problems with it at all.
I recall reading that changing the timing belt is a pain in the hoop though.
Is that the 1.4 TSI? Good to hear it has been OK. Has she mentioned if the economy is realistically as good as they say? I recall reading that changing the timing belt is a pain in the hoop though.
Surprised to hear you still get timing belts on modern cars, even my 16 year old E46 has a chain!
funkyrobot said:
Don't the TSI engines drink oil? Or have I got that wrong.
I know the Polo GTI had a problem with that, thought it was confined to the higher performance models? trickywoo said:
With that criteria I'd be looking at a Toyota and not any VAG product.
How about a Yaris? They have cam chains which in itself could save 1,000 or more over the 10 years just in belt changes.
Suzuki Swift would also be a good shout. The keyless system on them is great and chain driven engine also.
Have VAG gone downhill in recent years? My Dad has had a 2008 B7 from new and it has been utterly brilliant. How about a Yaris? They have cam chains which in itself could save 1,000 or more over the 10 years just in belt changes.
Suzuki Swift would also be a good shout. The keyless system on them is great and chain driven engine also.
Will have a look into the Japanese alternatives, I am sure we can get past the looks!
mnkiboy said:
How about a nearly new Kia C'eed with the majority of its 7 year warranty remaining? Bit of piece of mind for your Mum.
Not a bad plan, hadn't considered the Korean options. I would be a little concerned about what they are like once the warranty runs out though? Do they go through a lot of warranty repairs? funkyrobot said:
Thanks, will have a read! Bennet said:
Fair enough, you've upped the budget, but why did you stop looking at civics? They seem to tick your boxes.
Still an option I suppose, are they as reliable as Hondas of old? They aren't pretty cars, I do think the A1 / A3 are much nicer looking cars with better interiors. I think that VAG's legendary reliability ceased in the early 2000's when the bean counters got involved and diesel engine technology changed. For instance, older TDi engines were quite bullet proof and would go on and on and on (I had a Bora and it was faultless).
I can't really comment on more recent times as I haven't researched the brand for a while. However, I am aware of a few incidents with diesel engines and their injectors over the last ten years.
First hand, I know of one issue where the company I work for had a major engine failure with a 2007 Audi A4 2.0 diesel. I think a shaft or drive system for the oil pump failed resulting in a lunched engine on a car that had done 70,000 miles. After lots of arguments Audi paid for a new engine, but the labour had to be funded by our company.
Edited to add - I mentioned the oil consumption thing because I have heard a few stories about new VAG diesel engines drinking oil. People that have questioned this have been told by dealers that it is normal.
Oh yes - sorry for diverting off track. This thread is about small turbo engines, not diesel lumps.
I can't really comment on more recent times as I haven't researched the brand for a while. However, I am aware of a few incidents with diesel engines and their injectors over the last ten years.
First hand, I know of one issue where the company I work for had a major engine failure with a 2007 Audi A4 2.0 diesel. I think a shaft or drive system for the oil pump failed resulting in a lunched engine on a car that had done 70,000 miles. After lots of arguments Audi paid for a new engine, but the labour had to be funded by our company.
Edited to add - I mentioned the oil consumption thing because I have heard a few stories about new VAG diesel engines drinking oil. People that have questioned this have been told by dealers that it is normal.
Oh yes - sorry for diverting off track. This thread is about small turbo engines, not diesel lumps.
Edited by funkyrobot on Friday 23 May 11:04
For a car you want to keep for 10+ years I would be thinking Japanese. I don't think you have too much to worry about with long term turbo reliability, although anecdotally higher underbonnet temperatures do seem to cause higher failure rates of hoses, electrical connectors and ECUs at 10+ years old. Possibly worth avoiding direct injection petrol engines if you are being conservative.
I certainly wouldn't buy a VAG product for long term private ownership these days, based on the problems we have with <3 year old cars in our work fleet.
I certainly wouldn't buy a VAG product for long term private ownership these days, based on the problems we have with <3 year old cars in our work fleet.
Mazda 2 any good? Do they still do a 1.5 version?
Nearly-new Suzuki Swift Sport.
Ford Fiesta 1.4 or 1.6 petrol. OK, not as bullet-proof as the Japs but dirt cheap to buy, fix and maintain and the lower residuals won't be an issue if you're keeping it for 10 years. Good to drive too.
VAG products don't seem particularly reliable these days - it's all about perceived rather than actual quality.
Nearly-new Suzuki Swift Sport.
Ford Fiesta 1.4 or 1.6 petrol. OK, not as bullet-proof as the Japs but dirt cheap to buy, fix and maintain and the lower residuals won't be an issue if you're keeping it for 10 years. Good to drive too.
VAG products don't seem particularly reliable these days - it's all about perceived rather than actual quality.
BorkFactor said:
Is that the 1.4 TSI? Good to hear it has been OK. Has she mentioned if the economy is realistically as good as they say?
Surprised to hear you still get timing belts on modern cars, even my 16 year old E46 has a chain!
Aye, it's the 1.4 TSI in her car. She gets high 40s MPG, mostly town driving with some long journeys. I don't think I've ever seen her rev it over 2.5k though Surprised to hear you still get timing belts on modern cars, even my 16 year old E46 has a chain!
Not sure if it's a chain or a belt, but I'm sure that someone in the know will be along shortly to confirm
trickywoo said:
BorkFactor said:
Is it unreasonable to expect a fairly new car with 20k or so on it to last 10 years without issue on regular servicing alone? She just wants a reliable car with good fuel economy that is a bit nicer than her old Corsa.
With that criteria I'd be looking at a Toyota and not any VAG product.How about a Yaris? They have cam chains which in itself could save 1,000 or more over the 10 years just in belt changes.
A timing chain doesn't necessarily mean big savings either. Tensioners and guides often wear out to the point of the ECU no longer seeing the cam sensor any more.
And my Mum's Corolla blew up at 54K miles. That was after 6 years from new and had nothing but services.
SuperchargedVR6 said:
trickywoo said:
BorkFactor said:
Is it unreasonable to expect a fairly new car with 20k or so on it to last 10 years without issue on regular servicing alone? She just wants a reliable car with good fuel economy that is a bit nicer than her old Corsa.
With that criteria I'd be looking at a Toyota and not any VAG product.How about a Yaris? They have cam chains which in itself could save 1,000 or more over the 10 years just in belt changes.
A timing chain doesn't necessarily mean big savings either. Tensioners and guides often wear out to the point of the ECU no longer seeing the cam sensor any more.
And my Mum's Corolla blew up at 54K miles. That was after 6 years from new and had nothing but services.
One day !!!
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