New to A2 - 1.4 Petrol or Diesel?

R

rain.parade

Member
Hi - new member here, finally ready to jump into an A2 having toyed with the idea various times over the years!

I'd be really interested to get expert opinion on the relative advantages / disadvantages of the 1.4 petrol vs the 1.4 75 diesel. This would be a second car (to my less than practical Beetle convertible), and annual milage would be very low, so I don't particularly need a diesel for fuel economy / being able to put on big miles - although low road tax wouldn't hurt! However, I understand the TDI is considered possibly the most reliable choice, and although I'm very comfortable with basic maintenance, lack of off-road space (and time!) means I'd like to avoid something that needs too much TLC.

Any related buying advice would also be appreciated - e.g. is service history more important than miles for each of the engine choices, and are there specific model years I should be seeking out or avoiding?

Thanks in advance!
 
If doing low mileage then I’d opt for a petrol 1.4 as much more refined around town with a much sweeter gear change and less to fail as no turbo / intercooler and far less complicated. If you seek out an early model say pre 2002 then hard touch switches etc so look better as they age internally
Dave
 
That is a can of worms you've opened @rain.parade

Hello,
I've traveled some 70k miles in my diesel. 1.4 75 AMF engine which has been remapped and fitted with a MAL gearbox.
I've always liked the AUA & BBY 1.4 petrols because they feel lighter and nimble in comparison to the heavy front end on the diesel.

Try and get a test drive in both fuel types before you get too bogged down with detail.
Good luck. :)👍

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TDI 75
Edit
once you've got an A2 it doesn't take long before you buy another.
 
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I`m a 1.4 BBY 2003 owner and I recommend them but, they`re not that good on Motorways, ideal for round town and short pops,

You will find a lot more 1.4`s with low mileages, the diesels are normally used for racking up the miles with their brilliant fuel economy.
 
My 1.4 petrol is extremely slow compared to a modern car but is quiet, smooth and reliable running Shell V-Power 98 Perfect for short town or supermarket runs and great fun on twisty B-roads, however motorways and steep hills are best avoided.
 
The 1.4 petrol is very able on motorways and comfortable at 70mph +😳. And good for 42mpg+

The 1.6 petrol is a little gem if you can find a good one👍 And good for 45mpg+

A chap stopped me outside Screwfix this week to chat about my A2, could not believe the condition for a 20 year old car…. told him to join the forum after 20 minute chat.

Either of petrols (in my case anyway) allows travel in to city as euro4.

And as previously stated, the petrol is smoother/quieter 👍👍
 
JavaGreen said:
The 1.4 petrol is very able on motorways and comfortable at 70mph +😳. And good for 42mpg+

The 1.6 petrol is a little gem if you can find a good one👍 And good for 45mpg+

A chap stopped me outside Screwfix this week to chat about my A2, could not believe the condition for a 20 year old car…. told him to join the forum after 20 minute chat.

Either of petrols (in my case anyway) allows travel in to city as euro4.

And as previously stated, the petrol is smoother/quieter 👍👍
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1.4 is the safe choice, 1.6 FSI is the most exciting, possibly in more ways than one. I love mine,, 🥱
Mac.
 
Diesel all the way. Never driven a petrol version but have had 4 diesels and 1 FSI as a spare/breaker in my 16 years of A2'ing

Cheap road tax, plenty of power and the MPG, ticks all boxes for me :)

However, the ULEZ has ruined it slightly overall, although didn't stop me from buying another one recently for a runabout :D
 
Thanks for all of the replies so far - great food for thought!

I'm not too worried about performance of the petrol to be honest - I've been driving my 1.4 New Beetle for the last seven years, which is generally considered a bit underpowered in that heavier car, so I'm assuming the A2 1.4 petrol wouldn't be any great shock in that department? Equally, I've owned diesels before, and ULEZ isn't currently an issue where I am in Norwich (although there are plans for a Zero Emissions Zone in the very centre), but who knows longer term?

Main reasons for getting an A2 in addition to the Beetle is to make it easier to haul guitar equipment to occasional weekend gigs, and to placate my teenage kids, for whom lack of rear space (and rear doors!) is becoming an increasing source of irritation when we're all in the car together and one of them has to sit in the back. The sensible option would be to get rid of the the Beetle and buy a single standard family car, but I think I'd rather have two cheap interesting cars...
 
dj_efk said:
I would just go and look at cars you like the look of that are within reach of where you live and see whether you get on with the engine choice on a test drive.

Try and buy from within the forum as you’ll get more for your money.
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Thanks - yeah, I was coming to that conclusion based on the previous replies. I’ll just have to wait it out as there’s virtually nothing up for sale in my neck of the woods (East Anglia) at the moment!
 
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