New Highline Passat, petrol 1.4 or diesel 2.0?

Squeaksoutloud

So I have a new model Passat on order (metallic, sportspack and RLine exterior) and have been in between choosing various engines. Had originally ordered 1.6 diesel but was able to alter it to 2.0 diesel as build not for another while.

My original thoughts were against the petrol as they just don't sell here (7 vs 491 diesels on carzone!). I also based my original calcs on the difference in price between the 1.4 125bhp petrol and the 1.6 diesel - both manual. However never even stopped to compare the cost of the 2.0 v the 1.4 until tonight! There is a full €4,245 difference between the two :eek:. No difference in tax costs and don't know about insurance - petrol usually less. Would save small bit in interest but minor as rate is 0.9%. Have it on PCP but intend to buy out after 3 years.

I have a short commute but do a good bit of driving with work which I get expenses for and includes plenty of motorway spins and average annual mileage will still likely be around 16,000 km.

Based on mileage alone I reckon it could take 5/6 years to make that amount of money up and I could even go for the auto now. The only other issue is I will be on a lower expense rate per km with the smaller engine so it will actually make things match up much closer - I reckon I would be down about €600 a year there so really evens it up over a 6 year period.

Anyone have any opinions on that 1.4 125bhp engine? There was a 150bhp with cylinder deactivation previously but doesn't seem to be on offer anymore I'm afraid. The newer 1.5 petrol in the Arteon doesn't seem to be an option yet either. Seems to be slower than the 2.0 and cant find much real world reviews on it or havent taken it for a spin.

Stallingrad

Squeaksoutloud wrote: »

So I have a new model Passat on order (metallic, sportspack and RLine exterior) and have been in between choosing various engines. Had originally ordered 1.6 diesel but was able to alter it to 2.0 diesel as build not for another while.

My original thoughts were against the petrol as they just don't sell here (7 vs 491 diesels on carzone!). I also based my original calcs on the difference in price between the 1.4 125bhp petrol and the 1.6 diesel - both manual. However never even stopped to compare the cost of the 2.0 v the 1.4 until tonight! There is a full €4,245 difference between the two :eek:. No difference in tax costs and don't know about insurance - petrol usually less. Would save small bit in interest but minor as rate is 0.9%. Have it on PCP but intend to buy out after 3 years.

I have a short commute but do a good bit of driving with work which I get expenses for and includes plenty of motorway spins and average annual mileage will still likely be around 16,000 km.

Based on mileage alone I reckon it could take 5/6 years to make that amount of money up and I could even go for the auto now. The only other issue is I will be on a lower expense rate per km with the smaller engine so it will actually make things match up much closer - I reckon I would be down about €600 a year there so really evens it up over a 6 year period.

Anyone have any opinions on that 1.4 125bhp engine? There was a 150bhp with cylinder deactivation previously but doesn't seem to be on offer anymore I'm afraid. The newer 1.5 petrol in the Arteon doesn't seem to be an option yet either. Seems to be slower than the 2.0 and cant find much real world reviews on it or havent taken it for a spin.

The 1.4 is a fine engine and makes the whole Passat experience smoother and more refined. We have both the 1.4tsi ad the 1.4tsi ACT in the family. Even ignoring your low mileage that's the one I would go for.

Squeaksoutloud

Thanks for the feedback. Was concerned the 125 version might be a bit weedy but might see if can change over to it. Take a long long time to make back the 4,250 difference.

Found the 1.6 diesel gruff and underpowered so was worried the petrol would be slow enough.

Think I will see if the change is an option..

Stallingrad

Squeaksoutloud wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback. Was concerned the 125 version might be a bit weedy but might see if can change over to it. Take a long long time to make back the 4,250 difference.

Found the 1.6 diesel gruff and underpowered so was worried the petrol would be slow enough.

Think I will see if the change is an option..

125bhp is surprisingly quick when pushed, allied with it being so smooth it really is far superior to the diesels IMO. Mine has been faultless for 110K bar the timing chain which does not effect your version.

Mr.David

Saw review recently of seat ateca v skoda kodiaq - the former with the 1.4tsi and the later with the new 1.5tsi. they preferred the 1.4 (150hp version) and said it was smoother, keener and more responsive!

bazz26

I'd imagine the Kodiaq being a bit bigger and heavier than the Ateca might have a bearing on performance too.

bennyineire

New model Petrol cars are going to be a lot easier to sell than diesel cars in the next few year IMHO.

There will be a big shift towards petrol over diesel through consumers (it's already starting to happen) and through Government policy (i.e. more tax on diesel fuel and probably motor tax)

If I was a buying a new car today diesel would be my last option if I was concerned about resale in the next 3-5 years

bazz26

The same thing seems to be said nearly every day now in the tabloids which then the same hysteric headline seems to get stuck in people's heads.

Diesels still have a purpose and will be around for a good few years yet. Diesel sales are returning to what they were before the boom, people are now buying petrol/hybrids again who really had no use for diesel in the first. People who drive long commutes or drive for a living, along with commercial usage will continue to buy them. Also there are alot of diesel cars already in the country. Not everyone is just going to stop owning them overnight, people may not be able to afford just replacing their diesel car in the short term with an alternative. Yes the long term life span of diesel for domestic use will probably decline more and more but this notion that everyone is going to ditch their diesel car overnight really is just hype.

Also it will be a good while before the Government will start interfering with tax on them because any Government would be totally idiotic to piss off voters like that.

bennyineire

bazz26 wrote: »

The same thing seems to be said nearly every day now in the tabloids which then the same hysteric headline seems to get stuck in people's heads.

Diesels still have a purpose and will be around for a good few years yet. Diesel sales are returning to what they were before the boom, people are now buying petrol/hybrids again who really had no use for diesel in the first. People who drive long commutes or drive for a living, along with commercial usage will continue to buy them. Also there are alot of diesel cars already in the country. Not everyone is just going to stop owning them overnight, people may not be able to afford just replacing their diesel car in the short term with an alternative. Yes the long term life span of diesel for domestic use will probably decline more and more but this notion that everyone is going to ditch their diesel car overnight really is just hype.

Also it will be a good while before the Government will start interfering with tax on them because any Government would be totally idiotic to piss off voters like that.

I don't disagree with you but this is the beginning of the end of diesel car engines, long way to go but it would still be my last choice for a new car. In any case the op has stated he will be doing under 16K a year so petrol would suit him best

DaveyDave

In terms of performance the 1.4 125hp in the Passat is quicker than the 1.0 110hp in the Golf. 9.9 Vs 9.6 so it's no slouch. I find the 1.0 Golf quite nifty so the Passat will be slightly better. Not quite 150hp but petrol normally has better low end power. The long trips you take are covered by work and (people forget this part) you still get good fuel economy on motorways, just not quite as good as diesel. The torque is available from 1,400rpm which is near idle so it's always there.

It's a shame the 150hp engine isn't available, the 1.4 is only recently available as DSG! I wish there was more options as the UK has 150, 180 and 220hp models, all of which are available in DSG.

A lot of people will say "oh I drive down the country once a month so I was thinking of a diesel" which is just plain wrong. I read somewhere once, regarding moving house, don't buy a car with a big boot because you need to move house once or twice. That's what moving vans are for. Buy the car that is for the driving you do. I know people who have diesel and are driving 20 minutes to work, but there's a lot of "what if" for driving down the country twice a year...

Sure you won't get 70mpg on a 2 hour motorway run but you'll still get good economy. Also you mentioned automatic, absolutely go for it. The likes of auto hold and adaptive cruise control really work well together with the DSG.

Stallingrad

By the way OP, I'd cancel that order and get a Superb with the 150bhp, we have both and it is a better car than the Passat IMO.

Squeaksoutloud

Stallingrad wrote: »

By the way OP, I'd cancel that order and get a Superb with the 150bhp, we have both and it is a better car than the Passat IMO.

Ha Superb is a great car but funnily enough I didnt see it as much better value than the Passat. Updated specs on the Passat are great with LEDs, TFT, heated seats, adaptive cruise etc all standard on highline. I just preferred the styling on the Passat with the Rline add on so was a personal preference.

Looked into the 1.4 today. Less of a deposit contribution available and with my work mileage (and more than likely this will increase) the gap closes considerably. I think I'm just going to stick with the 2.0 diesel. Will be a well looked after car :cool: so hopefully wont hit too many issues and plenty of motorway spins. None of my family have had diesel issues to date. Will make the switch to leccy/hybrid in a few years time with the wife's car.