Golf 1.4 TSI engine differences.

[Haro]

I'm looking at 2 Used Golfs, both are 1.4 TSI Petrol, but have different Tax/emissions and BHP.
2013 is 113g/km @ £30 per year, 138bhp.
2015 is 120g/km @ £125 per year, 120bhp.
Why is the newer car less powerful and produces more carbon?
What's the difference?
Which is the better engine in terms of reliability & driveability?
Thanks

[jagot]

I believe the 138bhp one is one of the highly regarded ACT engines with cylinder deactivation. It can cut 2 of the cylinders when the engine isn’t under too much load. I believe it only came in GT and R-Line spec, and I would imagine that the other engine is in a slightly lower spec Golf. Neither engine is unreliable, but I’d be going for the 138bhp one.

[LeoSayer]

I've got the 138 bhp engine in my A3 and have done 40k in it.

It has a lot more torque (184 lb/fit rather than 148 lb/fit) than the 120bhp which makes it much nicer to drive - diesel like power delivery but the revs don't die at 4k!

Real world mpg is probably the same for both though.

[va1o]

The 138bhp is actually a newer engine. that's why it has good figures. Very well reviewed and seems reliable

The lesser powerful version came out a long time ago and isn't so good.

[LeoSayer]

va1o said:

The 138bhp is actually a newer engine. that's why it has good figures. Very well reviewed and seems reliable

The lesser powerful version came out a long time ago and isn't so good.

The 'new' EA211 1.4 engine from 2012 on is available in 122hp, 140hp and 150hp.

The older EA111 (from 2005) was also available with 122hp - this is the one that had some problems.

http://www.motorreviewer.com/engine.php?engine_id=...

IIRC all mk7 Golf 1.4s have the new EA211.