Opinions on 1.8tsi engine

[Oldbutswift]

Currently I have an Ibiza ST estate 1.4 Ecotsi and I'm thinking of upgrading to a Leon ST estate because I need the extra space.

The 1.4 engine is great in the Ibiza,powerful and good economy,but my thinking was go up to the 1.8 engine in a Leon to keep good performance in what is obviously a heavier car.

Good idea or not? Interestingly the 1.8 has no more torque,on paper,than the 1.4.
Is the 1.8 known to be reliable and what sort of mpg can I expect?

Thanks.

 

[Tristan]

Currently I have an Ibiza ST estate 1.4 Ecotsi and I'm thinking of upgrading to a Leon ST estate because I need the extra space.

The 1.4 engine is great in the Ibiza,powerful and good economy,but my thinking was go up to the 1.8 engine in a Leon to keep good performance in what is obviously a heavier car.

Good idea or not? Interestingly the 1.8 has no more torque,on paper,than the 1.4.
Is the 1.8 known to be reliable and what sort of mpg can I expect?

Thanks.

The torque is the same up to 3,500rpm, but the 1.4 peaks there while the 1.8 holds it to 5,000 rpm. So the 1.8 has more power but it's all at the top end. How often do you rev the engine past 3,500rpm and how important is the extra power compared with fuel economy?

I currently have a Ibiza Cupra 1.8T that has a very similar torque curve to the current 1.8TSI, but rarely feel the need to take it beyond about 4,000rpm. So I went for the 1.4 for the Leon I recently ordered on the basis that the power will be the same for the rev band I use 99% of the time, while benefiting from the improved efficiency.

 

[CAPS_LOCK_STUCK]

Only had my car a few weeks and only done 800 miles, averaging around 36MPG but currently have only done one longer run and the rest is an 8 mile a day return commute to train station, mainly through town, I should see possibly 38 or 39MPG once she has done a couple of thousand miles.

I love the engine, test drove the EcoTsi too and loved that, but there is just a bit more enthusiasm in the 1.8 but noticeable higher up the rev range, it just feels more powerful.

 

[trebor]

I had my 1.8 for 2 years and could see 40 mpg on most trips, nearer 45 if I really tried.
The 1.8 also gets better rear suspension and bigger brakes than the 1.4.
Once it had done around 5-6000 I found it to be a peach of an engine. Had a bit more poke than the typical 140-150 bhp cars out there which was good for overtaking off roundabouts etc.

I’d have one again.

 

[Oldbutswift]

Thanks for the comments.
Doesn't seem like there is much in it for basic day to day driving performance wise but I had forgotten about the different rear suspension and brakes.
Keeping my options open ATM...

 

[R4CK5]

Despite the suspension I'm impressed with my 1.4 fr handling wise. Does everything I need it too with relatively quick road use. Just as capable as other cars I've had with multi link read ends. Probably notice the difference more on track but 95% of us won't be doing that anyway.

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[j.owen]

I too have the 1.8TSI engine in the Ibiza Cupra, it as a well rounded engine and can be very economical when driving lightly.

As you said OP, it depends on your daily usage. However, there is no replacement for displacement I'm regularly seeing 42-45mpg on my 22 mile commute via B-road and motorway, 32-35mpg around town - I don't hesitate to plant the right foot when the appropriate situation arises I must add!

 

[Tristan]

I too have the 1.8TSI engine in the Ibiza Cupra, it as a well rounded engine and can be very economical when driving lightly.

As you said OP, it depends on your daily usage. However, there is no replacement for displacement I'm regularly seeing 42-45mpg on my 22 mile commute via B-road and motorway, 32-35mpg around town - I don't hesitate to plant the right foot when the appropriate situation arises I must add!

From what I've read fuel economy is around 10mpg higher on the 1.4 ACT than the 1.8 TSI. So it just depends which is more important to you - high end power or mpg.

 

[SRGTD]

I have the VAG 1.8 tsi EA888 petrol engine in my VW Polo GTI. It has a slightly higher power output in the Polo (192 PS) compared to the Leon (180 PS). IMO it’s a great engine; gives good performance and surprisingly good economy - I’m currently averaging around 41 mpg; mainly A road driving with not much town stop-start driving.

 

[Oldbutswift]

With my Ibiza ST 1.4 ecotsi the trip computer says we average just under 40 mpg in winter and just over in summer...but this is with a lot of local short trips and traffic.
On a longer run it's not difficult to get 50 mpg or more.
If the 1.8 was always 10 mpg worse than the above then I would be disappointed.

 

[j.owen]

With my Ibiza ST 1.4 ecotsi the trip computer says we average just under 40 mpg in winter and just over in summer...but this is with a lot of local short trips and traffic.
On a longer run it's not difficult to get 50 mpg or more.
If the 1.8 was always 10 mpg worse than the above then I would be disappointed.

Well, if MPG is of up most importance to you then go for the 1.4 ecotsi

 

[Oldbutswift]

Well, if MPG is of up most importance to you then go for the 1.4 ecotsi

What I mean is I would expect 5 mpg worse,10 mpg worse seems excessive.

 

[surrealjam]

Well, if MPG is of up most importance to you then go for the 1.4 ecotsi

I agree with this. I doubt any one would choose to spend more money on fuel if they didn't have to... but the performance difference between the 1.4 and 1.8 is not huge. If you rate performance slightly over running costs, go 1.8. If you rate running costs slightly over performance, go 1.4.

SEAT sell a lot more of the 1.4s than the 1.8s. For more people it's the sweet spot.

 

[CAPS_LOCK_STUCK]

In terms of a new car the 1.8 also comes with 2 months less wait time which was one reason I went with it (I also only do 4-5k mileage per year) but the point will be moot soon as the EcoTsi is shortly on it's way out to be replaced by the newer 1.5 that has already been adopted by the others in the group including Skoda.

 

[j.owen]

What I mean is I would expect 5 mpg worse,10 mpg worse seems excessive.

Based on the fact that I have the Cupra, so slightly more performance oriented I imagine, as well as my heavier foot then I suspect you’ll be seeing about 5-7mpg less than the 1.4TSI. Which in my opinion is worth it for the extra grunt, as you say it’s a bigger car, as well as the brakes and suspension upgrades.

The 1.8 is a rarer engine and from what I’ve read on here in the past it is more sought after on the second hand market, so I’d bear that in mind also!


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[Sonofzelda]

As usual I agree with j.owen

 

[Oldbutswift]

All things considered,including that the discounted price difference between a 1.4 and a 1.8 is only about £650,I'm swaying towards the 1.8.

An extra question,can anyone say when the current Leon will be discontinued for an all new model?

 

[SRGTD]

All things considered,including that the discounted price difference between a 1.4 and a 1.8 is only about £650,I'm swaying towards the 1.8.

An extra question,can anyone say when the current Leon will be discontinued for an all new model?

If you can believe the recent item in Auto Express, first half of 2019. I wouldn’t assume it’ll look anything like their speculative renderings though as they’re usually pretty inaccurate.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/seat/l...t-leon-to-get-sportier-looks-and-plug-in-tech

 

[Oldbutswift]

If you can believe the recent item in Auto Express, first half of 2019. I wouldn’t assume it’ll look anything like their speculative renderings though as they’re usually pretty inaccurate.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/seat/l...t-leon-to-get-sportier-looks-and-plug-in-tech

Thanks for that,so2019,...and probably later than it says there,that's usually the way of things.

 

[marinipersonal]

I'm glad with my 1.8TSI.
As mentioned before, bigger brakes and better suspension was enough to persuade me choosing it over the 1.4.
MPG, as many would criticize me for it, but 5-10mpg, up to 10k miles a year, isn't that much money. It's nice to save money, but in my situation, the extra fuel, wasn't a deal breaker.
Another well pointed factor, is the power band and how far you can get with some remap/decent tuning box. The 1.4 can get close to the 1.8 standard or slightly over it. The 1.8 will be around 230-240, in most cases, but depending on the car.
Since I've bought my car, about a year ago, the price didn't drop too much, as it was already 2 years old, and low mileage, about 12k miles at the time.
Not too many 1.8TSI around, so I guess at some point the prices tend to hold a bit better, even considering how good the 1.4TSI is. Just my opinion.
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/fuel-c...&modelId2=85703&v2=M128070&p2=23,055&m=10,000