VW Golf 1.4 TSi 150 ps vs. 125 ps
Discussion
Hi,
Looking to buy a car for my mother that gets her safely around the country hills but also fun enough to drive when I am in the country visiting her.
Which of these engines would be termed 'best value'?
The issue is we would need to upgrade the spec to GT Edition to get the higher output engine.
The downside is that this spec comes with 18" alloys (up from old 17") and lowered suspension that I am worried will ruin the ride of the car.
I have read good reviews on these two 1.4 tsk engines but are they really better than the 2.0 TDi engine?
Any help would be appreciated.
Looking to buy a car for my mother that gets her safely around the country hills but also fun enough to drive when I am in the country visiting her.
Which of these engines would be termed 'best value'?
The issue is we would need to upgrade the spec to GT Edition to get the higher output engine.
The downside is that this spec comes with 18" alloys (up from old 17") and lowered suspension that I am worried will ruin the ride of the car.
I have read good reviews on these two 1.4 tsk engines but are they really better than the 2.0 TDi engine?
Any help would be appreciated.
Look for the couple of long threads I've started on it before I got the 150.
It's not a characterful engine as such (what modern one is) but it is superb for a 1.4 - and I say this as someone who also has a 3.6 litre flat six. I've done close on 40k averaging 47mpg, though long work miles and longish commute driven largely like a granny!
My GT spec is much nicer inside in my opinion with the piano black, but it scratches very easily. Plus it's on 17's, not 18's and is fine for me ride wise. Mine's Sept' 14 so possibly the specs changed.
I compared back to back with the 2.0TDI, no comparison in my book, it's so quiet & smooth in comparison, plus the 80kg less is all in the nose so much lighter on its toes. For me at least it's been lovely being back in a petrol company car.
It's not a characterful engine as such (what modern one is) but it is superb for a 1.4 - and I say this as someone who also has a 3.6 litre flat six. I've done close on 40k averaging 47mpg, though long work miles and longish commute driven largely like a granny!
My GT spec is much nicer inside in my opinion with the piano black, but it scratches very easily. Plus it's on 17's, not 18's and is fine for me ride wise. Mine's Sept' 14 so possibly the specs changed.
I compared back to back with the 2.0TDI, no comparison in my book, it's so quiet & smooth in comparison, plus the 80kg less is all in the nose so much lighter on its toes. For me at least it's been lovely being back in a petrol company car.
Thanks for the useful information guys.
I have read a lot about the 2.0 D being more "torquey" but the 0-100 times seem to suggest the 1.4tsi 150 ps engine is faster at take off.
Is it worth the extra outlay for the GT Edition (with 150 ps engine) over the Match Edition with standard 1.4tsi 125 ps engine?
A comparative spec A3 is costing the same amount (but with no sunroof and only 17" wheels, not 18") although it only has GBP 500 deposit contribution versus VW's GBP 2,000.
What's your opinions on the A3 as another option? Surely the extra cost of the loan will be recouped come resale time?
Thanks again guys...
I have read a lot about the 2.0 D being more "torquey" but the 0-100 times seem to suggest the 1.4tsi 150 ps engine is faster at take off.
Is it worth the extra outlay for the GT Edition (with 150 ps engine) over the Match Edition with standard 1.4tsi 125 ps engine?
A comparative spec A3 is costing the same amount (but with no sunroof and only 17" wheels, not 18") although it only has GBP 500 deposit contribution versus VW's GBP 2,000.
What's your opinions on the A3 as another option? Surely the extra cost of the loan will be recouped come resale time?
Thanks again guys...
acme said:
Look for the couple of long threads I've started on it before I got the 150.
It's not a characterful engine as such (what modern one is) but it is superb for a 1.4 - and I say this as someone who also has a 3.6 litre flat six. I've done close on 40k averaging 47mpg, though long work miles and longish commute driven largely like a granny!
My GT spec is much nicer inside in my opinion with the piano black, but it scratches very easily. Plus it's on 17's, not 18's and is fine for me ride wise. Mine's Sept' 14 so possibly the specs changed.
I compared back to back with the 2.0TDI, no comparison in my book, it's so quiet & smooth in comparison, plus the 80kg less is all in the nose so much lighter on its toes. For me at least it's been lovely being back in a petrol company car.
Yes, the car now comes with 18" Durban alloys as standard in 2016's the GT's new "GT Edition" spec. How are the two 1.4tsi engines, 125 ps and 150 ps, actually different?It's not a characterful engine as such (what modern one is) but it is superb for a 1.4 - and I say this as someone who also has a 3.6 litre flat six. I've done close on 40k averaging 47mpg, though long work miles and longish commute driven largely like a granny!
My GT spec is much nicer inside in my opinion with the piano black, but it scratches very easily. Plus it's on 17's, not 18's and is fine for me ride wise. Mine's Sept' 14 so possibly the specs changed.
I compared back to back with the 2.0TDI, no comparison in my book, it's so quiet & smooth in comparison, plus the 80kg less is all in the nose so much lighter on its toes. For me at least it's been lovely being back in a petrol company car.
I recently got a 1.4 125ps TSi Golf for my other half as a shopping/run-around/nursery hack.
I have to say the engine has REALLY surprised me. The 125ps comes with a really smooth 6sp manual box, so it'll sit on the motorway and cruise at ease, and it's also very punchy and revvy around town. I don't mind doing nursery drop off duties in it at all, it doesn't in any way feel weak/slow, or want to run out of puff.
Match Edition spec means it came well kitted with 16" Alloys, Discover Nav, Adaptive Cruise Control with pre-crash, Winter Pack, Mirror Pack, Convenience Pack.
Any questions, shout.
I have to say the engine has REALLY surprised me. The 125ps comes with a really smooth 6sp manual box, so it'll sit on the motorway and cruise at ease, and it's also very punchy and revvy around town. I don't mind doing nursery drop off duties in it at all, it doesn't in any way feel weak/slow, or want to run out of puff.
Match Edition spec means it came well kitted with 16" Alloys, Discover Nav, Adaptive Cruise Control with pre-crash, Winter Pack, Mirror Pack, Convenience Pack.
Any questions, shout.
kmpowell said:
I recently got a 1.4 125ps TSi Golf for my other half as a shopping/run-around/nursery hack.
I have to say the engine has REALLY surprised me. The 125ps comes with a really smooth 6sp manual box, so it'll sit on the motorway and cruise at ease, and it's also very punchy and revvy around town. I don't mind doing nursery drop off duties in it at all, it doesn't in any way feel weak/slow, or want to run out of puff.
Match Edition spec means it came well kitted with 16" Alloys, Discover Nav, Adaptive Cruise Control with pre-crash, Winter Pack, Mirror Pack, Convenience Pack.
Any questions, shout.
Fabulous looking car mate! Did you drive the 150ps also? Did you look at the A3 also?I have to say the engine has REALLY surprised me. The 125ps comes with a really smooth 6sp manual box, so it'll sit on the motorway and cruise at ease, and it's also very punchy and revvy around town. I don't mind doing nursery drop off duties in it at all, it doesn't in any way feel weak/slow, or want to run out of puff.
Match Edition spec means it came well kitted with 16" Alloys, Discover Nav, Adaptive Cruise Control with pre-crash, Winter Pack, Mirror Pack, Convenience Pack.
Any questions, shout.
daniel_mughal said:
Fabulous looking car mate! Did you drive the 150ps also? Did you look at the A3 also?
Thanks. I looked at all options. Criteria that was set by the missus to me was: 5dr, Manual, enough space for two kids, powerful and comfortable enough for long motorway trips to take our kids to see parents, big enough to feel safe, but also small enough to park easily etc, max £200pcm.Straight away I discounted anything with 5 gears due to the gearing being short making it feel strainy on the motorway. Then I discounted all soot-chuckers due to the limited mileage(5k a year) and types of journey it would do. Having had a 2.0D Diesel in the past I know they take ages to warm up, and diesel only performs efficiently at running temperature. Put all that together and their are no benefits of a clattery diesel over this silent petrol unit. At traffic lights I have to sometimes check the engine is still on, it's that quiet!
As you've identified, the 150 means a jump up in model line, but that also means sacrificing some of the toys of the Match Edition, which we weren't prepared to do as it meant paying extra for things that were standard on the ME. All I paid for is the Limestone Grey metallic Paint (free Urano Grey is the dullest paint I have ever seen!), the rest of the car is box standard spec. After test driving the 125ps it was clear there was no need to go any sportier/faster, it really is that good.
A3? didn't even bother. Everything is an option, making it ridiculously expensive for a second car. If I hadn't got such a bargain lease on the Golf (3+23 @ £174pcm) i'd have looked at Seat. My parents (in their late 60's) have a Seat Ibiza, and the quality inside is on a par with the Golf.
My advice, try and drive one. It's a real hidden gem of an engine. As you'll see from my profile my main car is a RS4, and I've had a plethora of so called 'fast' cars in the past, so for me to be satisfied with the engine says something.
HTH
Worth looking at the Leon as well, in FR spec it is a far bit cheaper than the Golf GT, about £4k if I remember correctly. Our is coming up to 2 years and 40k miles and has been excellent, its got the 150bhp ACT engine.
Wouldn't bother with diesel unless you are going up and down motorways all day, where the extra torque might be useful. I had an A3 2.0tdi for 2 days as a courtesy car before the Leon, and the extra weight in the nose is very noticeable. The 1.4 petrol engines cars are more fun, no question.
Wouldn't bother with diesel unless you are going up and down motorways all day, where the extra torque might be useful. I had an A3 2.0tdi for 2 days as a courtesy car before the Leon, and the extra weight in the nose is very noticeable. The 1.4 petrol engines cars are more fun, no question.
I used to own the 1.4 TSI 125 in the previous shape Leon and to me it felt quite a bit slower than latest generation EA211 1.4 TSI 140/ 150 fitted to the latest models. Haven't tried a 'new' 1.4 TSI 125. Don't think you can really go wrong with either though. I think I'd be tempted by either the Leon FR or Golf GT Edition with the higher output version. The Golf Match Edition is very well equipped but just a little bit dull looking on the outside for my tastes.
Agree to dismiss the diesels, just not worth it for lower mileage users and not as much difference in MPG as there used to be.
Agree to dismiss the diesels, just not worth it for lower mileage users and not as much difference in MPG as there used to be.
va1o said:
I used to own the 1.4 TSI 125 in the previous shape Leon and to me it felt quite a bit slower than latest generation EA211 1.4 TSI 140/ 150 fitted to the latest models. Haven't tried a 'new' 1.4 TSI 125. Don't think you can really go wrong with either though. I think I'd be tempted by either the Leon FR or Golf GT Edition with the higher output version. The Golf Match Edition is very well equipped but just a little bit dull looking on the outside for my tastes.
Agree to dismiss the diesels, just not worth it for lower mileage users and not as much difference in MPG as there used to be.
Great feedback, I am glad to hear there is (or 'was' versus the old generations) some difference felt in power of the 125ps and the 150ps. Quiet how these are both different I am still not sure?Agree to dismiss the diesels, just not worth it for lower mileage users and not as much difference in MPG as there used to be.
I also like the GT Edition spec car and although it is quite a bit more than the Match Edition car. However, you could argue that the standard £1,000 sunroof (a must for my Mum), the upgraded 18" alloys versus standard 16" on Match, sports suspension, piano black interior, suede (alcantara) sports seats, more powerful engine, chrome surrounds and ambient lighting were worth it. Yes, we lost the winter pack as standard in the Match Edition but this was only £400 to add on. We also added the automatic climate control as we would have had to have done with the Match Edition also.
I am worried the 18" wheels will ride a little firm, especially coupled with the sports suspension. However, as the previous reply mentioned, the 17" the car used to come with rides okay.
Good to hear your thoughts on the Diesel, as previously mentioned by another reply, diesels take a long time to warm up and for the relatively short drives my Mum will do on the Cumbrian country lanes, this is a big issue.
Interesting the GT now comes with 18's & a sunroof as standard.
Likewise I too am not really sure of the differences between the 125 & 150ps models other than ACT, they're the same displacement (1395cc).
I do like the noise on two cylinders, against a wall with the window down you can clearly hear it, only time you can hear the engine!
Likewise I too am not really sure of the differences between the 125 & 150ps models other than ACT, they're the same displacement (1395cc).
I do like the noise on two cylinders, against a wall with the window down you can clearly hear it, only time you can hear the engine!
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