Agree, personally I think this model is the sweet spot of the range other than the flakey manifold issues. Are you running the ProBoost?If nothing else, the ProBoost upgrade gives peace of mind on a car that has it's detractors.
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This is a modification I see too regularly!investigated why the EML on the otherwise sweet running 1.6 FSI Sport wasn’t operating, found this non-standard upgrade from a previous owner!
Yes, I have one of the first batch Steve brought in. I had no EML issues but occasional hestiancy, like a misfire and uneven idle were a concern. I really wanted to keep the FSI. Have covered over 2k miles now and has not missed a beat.Agree, personally I think this model is the sweet spot of the range other than the flakey manifold issues. Are you running the ProBoost?
I actually drove the Devon car in anger for the first time today. Just a reminder, it's a remapped TDi75 with OSS and my previous A2 (and introduction to the same) was a non-OSS 1.4 petrol.
Drove the whole length of the A272 going from East Sussex to Hampshire to paddle a bit of the Kennet and Avon canal with my brother which was wonderful, even if appropriately socially distanced.
Anyway, point of this is to mention how different the two cars feel. There's no doubt the diesel has a ton more grunt, but a) you can really, really feel the weight of the engine up front in tight left-right / right-left bends. b) Ditto the roof: hardly surprising given it's the same as strapping an extra two or three bags of cement to the roof of the previous car, and c) the tight rev range you end up working in: around 1800-3300, so 1500 revs, d) the gearbox compared to the 1.4 petrols: feels amazingly hefty (as in industrial heritage) vs the flickerty flick of the petrol's.
Conclusion? Hmm, I feel another 1.4 petrol coming on. I'd never tried the diesels, but did feel that the little light but refined 1.4 petrol suited the ethos of the futuristic A2 rather well.
Expect the Devon car will be on the way out although there are definitely likeable aspects there.
I did wonder about FSI but see they're iron block so I guess the engine weighs similar to the diesel?
Very interesting to read. I have only experience from my two 1.4 petrol, but is sort of dreaming about an diesel A2.
I am attracted by the fuel economy and torque of turbodiesels, and also the calmness I get when driving other diesel cars, that engine type sort of rocks the driver into calmness I think. And isnt always the sound from 3 pots nicer than 4 pots?
You get me hesitating ?
Try an FSI, it might have an iron block but 110bhp makes it sprightly, it is 2.5 seconds to 60mph quicker than the 1.4 which is a lot.
I see your point about low weight, and in that context it feels good to know that the 1.4 petrol has a gearbox housing of magnesium, thats pretty cool for us technology interested.Yes, I guess so: you're into MK3/4 GTi power to weight ratios at least. Might be worth a try
EDIT, just seen the weight: since for me the whole point of the A2 is light weight, it's got to be the 1.4, even if it needs rowing along a lot more.
I actually drove the Devon car in anger for the first time today. Just a reminder, it's a remapped TDi75 with OSS and my previous A2 (and introduction to the same) was a non-OSS 1.4 petrol.
Drove the whole length of the A272 going from East Sussex to Hampshire to paddle a bit of the Kennet and Avon canal with my brother which was wonderful, even if appropriately socially distanced.
Anyway, point of this is to mention how different the two cars feel. There's no doubt the diesel has a ton more grunt, but a) you can really, really feel the weight of the engine up front in tight left-right / right-left bends. b) Ditto the roof: hardly surprising given it's the same as strapping an extra two or three bags of cement to the roof of the previous car, and c) the tight rev range you end up working in: around 1800-3300, so 1500 revs, d) the gearbox compared to the 1.4 petrols: feels amazingly hefty (as in industrial heritage) vs the flickerty flick of the petrol's.
Conclusion? Hmm, I feel another 1.4 petrol coming on. I'd never tried the diesels, but did feel that the little light but refined 1.4 petrol suited the ethos of the futuristic A2 rather well.
Expect the Devon car will be on the way out although there are definitely likeable aspects there.
I did wonder about FSI but see they're iron block so I guess the engine weighs similar to the diesel?
Interesting comparison for sure - in my case (being A2 naive) I’m leaning towards diesels because of the lower revs and hopefully noise on the motorway (I’m also set on gearing upgrades). What cruising speed do you settle at in the petrol and how do the two types of power train compare in this regard?
I don't know how many TDI A2's you've driven Rusty (love that name BTW), whether it's just this one or more but one thing I will say, having owned and driven countless TDI's is that they all seem to drive a little differently and each have their own character and personality.
For me condition and how they have been maintained and looked after is my number one priority, and although for some people the OSS seems to be a must, for me it's the exact opposite, as I agree with you that the weight of it makes the A2 feel a little top heavy and additional light benefit aside (as in sun rather than weight) for me it's a pretty impractical and fairly unusable addition that breaks, leaks, rattles and causes buffeting when open at any reasonable speed.
I don't know how well your TDI was looked after previously but I know you have had a lot of things to fix but please try a later, well looked after TDI before you right it off or discount it, as for me, personally, I love them and is the only A2 I would have ?
I see your point about low weight, and in that context it feels good to know that the 1.4 petrol has a gearbox housing of magnesium, thats pretty cool for us technology interested.