1.5 3 cylinder experiences
Discussion
A relative of mine is thinking of a 218 coupe to replace her Octavia 1.6 diesel, but is wary about the engine. Not performance so much as refinement and reliability. Is this engine noisy or busy on the motorway? Do you have to work it hard to make any progress? I've heard you do in the 318. Any mechanical horror stories?
Thanks.
Thanks.
I've only driven a Mini Cooper courtesy car with a version of the engine, but I didn't like it.
It sounded like a diesel, and to get it to move at any sensible rate it needed plenty of revs, so I can see why it might not be economical.
But the best thing would be to get a test drive in one.
It sounded like a diesel, and to get it to move at any sensible rate it needed plenty of revs, so I can see why it might not be economical.
But the best thing would be to get a test drive in one.
Had a 118i as a loan car the last two services on my 330d which uses the 1.5 3 cylinder engine in the facelift model.
Was it as quick as the 330d? No - but I didn't expect it to be, and frankly if I was coming from an Octavia 1.6 Diesel it's probably quicker... with a caveat that if you drive as though you're afraid of 2,100rpm then it isn't in any way quick. If you drive ignoring the silly shift indicator and using that old fashioned thing of judgement to make a decision then you'll find yourself making plenty reasonable progress without diving over 3500rpm often.
Was it quieter than my 330d? Yes, by far but then I always felt the 330d Touring was a bit of a noise box. I think overwhelmingly what I noticed was a drop in road noise first, a drop in diesel clatter second.
Was it smooth? Yes, I'd say smoother than the 1.0 Ecoboost engine that Ford make.
Was it reliable? Pass - loan car.
Was it as quick as the 330d? No - but I didn't expect it to be, and frankly if I was coming from an Octavia 1.6 Diesel it's probably quicker... with a caveat that if you drive as though you're afraid of 2,100rpm then it isn't in any way quick. If you drive ignoring the silly shift indicator and using that old fashioned thing of judgement to make a decision then you'll find yourself making plenty reasonable progress without diving over 3500rpm often.
Was it quieter than my 330d? Yes, by far but then I always felt the 330d Touring was a bit of a noise box. I think overwhelmingly what I noticed was a drop in road noise first, a drop in diesel clatter second.
Was it smooth? Yes, I'd say smoother than the 1.0 Ecoboost engine that Ford make.
Was it reliable? Pass - loan car.
A mate of mine rang me - should their car stall when the clutch is depressed? No it shouldn't. 2016 1.5 Mini (same engine) with 16'000 miles. Engine absolutely shagged, oil like silver Hammerite because the thrust washers have failed and fallen out (as usual) and crank is eating into the block. New engine FOC.
They're crap.
A 218d with the B47 unit is vastly superior, and a really nice thing.
They're crap.
A 218d with the B47 unit is vastly superior, and a really nice thing.
We had an F56 MINI for three years with that engine, which my other half used as a daily. In 22k it was perfectly reliable; used no oil, averaged 40mpg in the time we had it.
I didn’t think it was a bad little engine; it’s nicer than the 4 pot in the cheapy 116 I bought to replace the MINI. I liked the noise it made too, but it’s louder in the MINI than the bigger cars. As a little run about, I had no complaints. It was more than happy lugging the MINI about on the motorway too.
It’ll be more refinement than the Octavia on the motorway; I’ve had a vRS for four years as a company car, and it can be quite noisy on motorways. I imagine the smaller engined ones won’t be any better.
I didn’t think it was a bad little engine; it’s nicer than the 4 pot in the cheapy 116 I bought to replace the MINI. I liked the noise it made too, but it’s louder in the MINI than the bigger cars. As a little run about, I had no complaints. It was more than happy lugging the MINI about on the motorway too.
It’ll be more refinement than the Octavia on the motorway; I’ve had a vRS for four years as a company car, and it can be quite noisy on motorways. I imagine the smaller engined ones won’t be any better.
Had my 218i coupé (auto) for 9,000 miles and love it. The best thing for me is how it handles. It is so composed, no matter what the road throws at it - that gives you confidence to keep going instead of nervously lifting off all the time. And when you brake hard it is all so undramatic - it just stops very quickly* and in a perfect straight line. I'd say the relatively little weight under the bonnet, and the fact that the small engine can be pushed quite far back, helps the handling a lot, along with the natural balance of the coupé.
It is very quiet when cruising along in town or on the motorway. It makes a nice little noise when you push hard through the revs (though once over 70mph you won't hear it because the tyre noise takes over). But after years of diesel, you rediscover the joys of revs (even if it is only up to 6,000rpm and the last 100rpm is a bit rough when in Sport mode).
Yes, it is relatively slow in a straight line so A/B road overtaking isn't easy. But it is actually quite nice to be out of the dual carriageway two litre diesel race - I just let them get on with it. Having said that, it still very easy to move from 70mph to 90mph if you need to do some dual carriageway or motorway overtaking.
It is very refined from the inside. Zero rattles, very quiet and very solid. But I've listened to it idling from the outside and it doesn't sound very nice. It clunks a little when the start element of stop-start kicks in, but I quite like it as it feels mechanical.
Mpg is fine if you are careful (but dreadful when pushing on). I did the 15-mile stretch of roadworks on the M4 near Reading at an indicated 52mph and got just over 69mpg. I think 70mph on the M4 gets me about 51mpg, at around 2,000 rpm.
Looks are subjective of course, and I am completely biased as I think it's one of the nicest looking cars out there.
It is very quiet when cruising along in town or on the motorway. It makes a nice little noise when you push hard through the revs (though once over 70mph you won't hear it because the tyre noise takes over). But after years of diesel, you rediscover the joys of revs (even if it is only up to 6,000rpm and the last 100rpm is a bit rough when in Sport mode).
Yes, it is relatively slow in a straight line so A/B road overtaking isn't easy. But it is actually quite nice to be out of the dual carriageway two litre diesel race - I just let them get on with it. Having said that, it still very easy to move from 70mph to 90mph if you need to do some dual carriageway or motorway overtaking.
It is very refined from the inside. Zero rattles, very quiet and very solid. But I've listened to it idling from the outside and it doesn't sound very nice. It clunks a little when the start element of stop-start kicks in, but I quite like it as it feels mechanical.
Mpg is fine if you are careful (but dreadful when pushing on). I did the 15-mile stretch of roadworks on the M4 near Reading at an indicated 52mph and got just over 69mpg. I think 70mph on the M4 gets me about 51mpg, at around 2,000 rpm.
Looks are subjective of course, and I am completely biased as I think it's one of the nicest looking cars out there.
- The upgraded brakes might help it stop so quickly.
We have just bought a 118i hatch ( 2018 ) previous car was a 116i 4 cylinder same bhp 136. The newer 3 cylinder car is smoother & quieter, I did a bit of research & it seems the block & internals are the same as the 116d diesel ( so a tough little petrol engine in theroy ) time will tell though.
I think coming from a 1.6 diesel it will be less torque on a motorway like hills etc , but I think in all other driving it will smother & very refiend. I am getting near 50MPG ours is an Auto which I would also reccomend.
I think coming from a 1.6 diesel it will be less torque on a motorway like hills etc , but I think in all other driving it will smother & very refiend. I am getting near 50MPG ours is an Auto which I would also reccomend.
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