1.4TSI ACT FR vs 1.8TSi FR

[moriarty]

I'm new here having traded in my 2011 A3 1.8 TFSI (160 bhp) for a new 1.4 tsi ACT 150 last week.
Only noticable difference is that short shifting from 2nd to 4th can bog down a bit, only done 200 miles so not run in and still getting used to car but it's a good engine and far better economy than the old car ever managed.
A 400 mile round trip is on the cards this weekend. If it does around 50mpg from Edinburgh to North of Inverness then will match previous diesels.

 

[Toon]

Your Audi had the gen 2 engine?

 

[KenTT]

I'm new here having traded in my 2011 A3 1.8 TFSI (160 bhp) for a new 1.4 tsi ACT 150 last week.
Only noticable difference is that short shifting from 2nd to 4th can bog down a bit, only done 200 miles so not run in and still getting used to car but it's a good engine and far better economy than the old car ever managed.
A 400 mile round trip is on the cards this weekend. If it does around 50mpg from Edinburgh to North of Inverness then will match previous diesels.

Not really worth short shifting, the car seems to have a lot longer gearing than previous Audi's that I've owned, probable help with the fuel economy.

BTW the fuel efficiency seems to get better once run in, I have done just over 2,000 miles now and its definitely got better, no doubt warmer weather helps too.

 

[Johnny Leon]

Had trip to dealers to drive a 1.8 FR and they didn't have any either as demonstrators or 2nd hand. Said they rarely see one now as everyone's going for 1.4 ACT. I know the 1.8 has never been available on latest Golf. I had a look at Audi's website as was originally considering a 1.8 A3. Seems its now only available in S-line trim (whereas 1.4 ACT is available on all) so looks like Audi are phasing it out too ?

 

[Toon]

Nationally seems there are only 14 for sale across the Seat group website (of which 5 near where I live in the SE). I doubt its about to be phased out, the VAG 1.8 engine was only introduced end 2012, its bang up to date and meets EU6 requirements. On the new car selector the 1.8 is still an option.

 

[Famandy1]

I'm assuming the 1.8 petrol engine is the same just recently introduced in the Polo GTI to replace the very complicated 1.4 twincharger engine?

 

[guari]

Finding a demonstrator 1.8 wasn't easy for me either. I had a drive on a 1.4act and had to make up my mind if I wanted the extra umph of the 1.8 blindly. I mostly care about being able to overtake with plenty of power in reserve if needs be.

Getting the 1.8 was a no regrets decision

 

[dieselface]

I'm assuming the 1.8 petrol engine is the same just recently introduced in the Polo GTI to replace the very complicated 1.4 twincharger engine?

Yes but in 190PS tune. I would guess that come mk3 facelift (if offered) it is branded with the 190PS output. I say branded as it seems most are already around 190 on the RR data out there both in A3's and Leons.

 

[Stagsfell]

Had trip to dealers to drive a 1.8 FR and they didn't have any either as demonstrators or 2nd hand. Said they rarely see one now as everyone's going for 1.4 ACT. I know the 1.8 has never been available on latest Golf. I had a look at Audi's website as was originally considering a 1.8 A3. Seems its now only available in S-line trim (whereas 1.4 ACT is available on all) so looks like Audi are phasing it out too ?

Coincidentally just been on the Audi site and 1.8TFSI is still shown as available on Sport as well as S-Line.

 

[Stagsfell]

Coincidentally just been on the Audi site and 1.8TFSI is still shown as available on Sport as well as S-Line.

Correction - just been looking again and on one part of the site it does show 1.8 as available on Sport, but in the pricing/CO2 section it only shows it as S-line with Quattro!

 

[moriarty]

Your Audi had the gen 2 engine?

Probably Gen 2 as was the 160 version and not the more recent 180. Hopefully they fit decent piston rings in the latest version, my car use a litre of 5w30 every 2000-2500 miles which was supposed to be normal!

Just done the round trip up North and according to the computer averaged just under 50 mpg over 400+ miles mainly on M90 and A9 plus some more local roads.

Very impressed with 1.4 ACT.

 

[JackReacher]

There can't be that much demand for the 1.8, the 1.4 ACT and Cupra make it largely irrelevant. The 1.4 has 90% of the performance but 20% better economy, and if you want more performance then the Cupra destroys it without a massive economy advantage. They make a good used buy but can't see that many people would buy one new now.

 

[Mr Mustard]

There can't be that much demand for the 1.8, the 1.4 ACT and Cupra make it largely irrelevant. The 1.4 has 90% of the performance but 20% better economy, and if you want more performance then the Cupra destroys it without a massive economy advantage. They make a good used buy but can't see that many people would buy one new now.

Maybe if you can't or don't want to stretch to a Cupra and want DSG (not available on the 1.4 for some crazy reason).

The extra 30bhp, brakes & suspension upgrades are tempting too.

 

[guari]

Maybe if you can't or don't want to stretch to a Cupra and want DSG (not available on the 1.4 for some crazy reason).

The extra 30bhp, brakes & suspension upgrades are tempting too.

+1

I wanted DSG, I wanted the extra power and the bigger brakes. I can't recommend it enough.

The 1.4 is a great engine, but it is running at it's the upper limits for it's size. Remember all the horror stories of getting 160ps out of the gen2 1.4?

On the other hand, the 1.8 is a short stroke 2.0 tsi engine, much beefier, better structure and will take much more punishment.

 

[italianjob]

'The 1.4 is a great engine, but it is running at it's the upper limits for it's size'

If it's at the upper limit then what's it at with a Shark remap that takes it to 179BHP?

 

[guari]

'The 1.4 is a great engine, but it is running at it's the upper limits for it's size'

If it's at the upper limit then what's it at with a Shark remap that takes it to 179BHP?

Being able to do something doesn't mean you should.

Anyway, anyone can do whatever they please with their hard earned money.

 

[Stagsfell]

Correction - just been looking again and on one part of the site it does show 1.8 as available on Sport, but in the pricing/CO2 section it only shows it as S-line with Quattro!

Looking further at various Audi sites/forums, it does indeed look as if, with the exception of the S-tronic only S-Line quattro, Audi are phasing out the 1.8 on the A3, though I understand it is to replace the twincharger 1.4 on the A1, as with the Polo GTI, so not disappearing altogether for now. It does leave a huge gap on the petrol A3 between the 150ps ACT and 300ps S3.

Remains to be seen what SEAT will do.

 

[Fred99]

Maybe if you can't or don't want to stretch to a Cupra and want DSG (not available on the 1.4 for some crazy reason).

That's a UK thing. It's available with DSG in Spain and other countries. SEAT UK could introduce it tomorrow if they wanted to (unless it's a weird RHD problem).

 

[KenTT]

+1

I wanted DSG, I wanted the extra power and the bigger brakes. I can't recommend it enough.

The 1.4 is a great engine, but it is running at it's the upper limits for it's size. Remember all the horror stories of getting 160ps out of the gen2 1.4?

On the other hand, the 1.8 is a short stroke 2.0 tsi engine, much beefier, better structure and will take much more punishment.

In what respect, main journal bearings, top end bearings, what exactly? I would hardly say a force induced 1.4L engine producing 150PS is near the top limit, there are many normally aspirated engines producing over 100PS/litre.

 

[GrahamFR]

In what respect, main journal bearings, top end bearings, what exactly? I would hardly say a force induced 1.4L engine producing 150PS is near the top limit, there are many normally aspirated engines producing over 100PS/litre.

well it is an EA888 engine...(different turbo i believe) but i think you may have insulted a few 1.4 owners here guari