JonesyST

Hi,

Skoda newbie here! Looks like a great forum.

I'm considering buying a Roomster 1.4 tdi (80 bhp) for my wife, I took it for a test drive yesterday & was pleasantly surprised with the performance, but would ideally go for the 1.9.

The problem is the car in question (08 plate demo with 100 mile on the clock) is at our local dealership & is bang on the money & in the colour I like (black).

My questions to you Roomster / Skoda gurus is what's the 1.4 tdi like to live with on a day to day basis? Would I regret not buying the 1.9?

Jonesy
Also, has anyone had their 1.4 remapped? If so was the performance dramatically improved?

Thanks Guys, look forward to your comments!

Captain Sisko

TBH Theres only one way to find out.

If you're happy currently after taking a test drive in the 1.4 chances are you will not be dissappointed unless you want the extra grunt the 1.9 will give.

I bought a 1.6 Felicia and it was only when I saw the lower tax of the 1.3 which made me think did I make the wrong choice?
But I'm glad to say every time I turn that key makes me realise I have a good car


But I'm hoping some 1.4 owners will come to give their views as I'm wondering myself how the 1.4 is in the Roomster!

__________________
98 Felicia 1.6 GLXI 112000 miles now with a borked head gasket

Clickable for "boring" info

skodaw

Well I've just traded down from my vRS that was chipped to 180bhp to a 1.4TDi Fabia Bohemia, and whilst its not as quick - its a very capable vehicle that returns decent economy. Personally I would go for the 1.4 over the 1.9 - cheaper to maintain and reliable as well as cheaper to tax and fuel

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Dave
'05 Silver Fabia vRS

Stylophone

If your doing less than 28k per year then your better off with the petrol. I worked it out over 3 years you would need to do over that for the diesel to be cheaper.

mdk1

Welcome to Briskoda,

I have the 1.9tdi. i tested the 1.4 but just kept thinking i would want the 1.9tdi.
So i went with my gut feeling .
Don't regret it one bit.

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Mike.

Mine Skoda Roomster 3 TDI in matallic Anthracite Grey MK**LJK

Swmbo's Skoda Fabia 2.0I Elegance in Dark matallic Blue MK**LJK

bahnstormer vrs

Going to the 1.9TDI you'd miss that lovely gruff burble from the three-pot 1.4TDi - sounds a bit like a 1970's Italian motorbike! I love it.

I have driven both and for every day motoring the 1.4 TDi 80bhp has more than enough umph. Remember it is often a case of "it a'int what you drive, but the way you drive it".

PS> We have just last weekend taken delivery of our Scout and IMHO it has to be the spec to get.

PPS> Even though you may think that the one you have got is 'on the money'; it will be worth haggling for a bit more off the price or some accessories. Dealers are really keen to move metal at present!

Good luck.

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Mine - '07 Octavia vRS TDI, Superchips BlueFin (210bhp/293lbft) 'Winter wheels' 7.5J x 17" Audi S-line, Ultrac Sessantas 225/45 17, xenons, rear parking sensor, heated seats (driver's Recaro Style full leather), climate/jumbo etc., Koni FSDs, Neuspeed Rear ARB & Short-Shifter, K&N induction kit, RallyFlapZ - Colin McRae memorial decals.
Wife's - '08 Roomster Scout 1.6 Tiptronic, Cruise, parking sensors
Son's - '02 Fabia 1.4mpi, vRS 16" alloys, Michelin Pilot Exalto 2 195/45 16, vRS front bumper, Koni Sport shocks.

Captain Sisko

I take it Cruise control can be retro fitted though if it's not already on the car? (if buying used)

Bahnstormers right
Scout is the spec to get it has everything!!!
The only thing I really had to tick on the options was the third headrest!!

__________________
98 Felicia 1.6 GLXI 112000 miles now with a borked head gasket

Clickable for "boring" info

Meadway

Yes, it can. Look around here for threads on the subject.

bahnstormer vrs

Cruise control IS available as a 'dealer fit' accessory (in the brochure), as are Rear Parking Sensors.

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Mine - '07 Octavia vRS TDI, Superchips BlueFin (210bhp/293lbft) 'Winter wheels' 7.5J x 17" Audi S-line, Ultrac Sessantas 225/45 17, xenons, rear parking sensor, heated seats (driver's Recaro Style full leather), climate/jumbo etc., Koni FSDs, Neuspeed Rear ARB & Short-Shifter, K&N induction kit, RallyFlapZ - Colin McRae memorial decals.
Wife's - '08 Roomster Scout 1.6 Tiptronic, Cruise, parking sensors
Son's - '02 Fabia 1.4mpi, vRS 16" alloys, Michelin Pilot Exalto 2 195/45 16, vRS front bumper, Koni Sport shocks.

Stylophone

Not for the Scout. You have to ask for Cruise (As they can fit it in the factory but still don't put it as an option). It's a devil of a job if you try retrofitting it, a dealer needs about 5 hours

StuartBell

It's not just a question of cost. Just back from 1600 miles in France towing a heavy and big (700kg) folding camper with a 1.9 TDI; it would accelerate at 60mph going up motorway inclines in 5th, and was reporting 45-47mpg towing all day at 58-64 mph. No petrol Roomster would do that.

Stuart

lizmelparkerson

I have the 1.9 great engine on motorways good mid range torque don,t worry about the nerdy sums how many years it would to pay for this and that,much better the 1.4,get out there and enjoy the drive

bahnstormer vrs

Fair point and agreed; BUT JonesyST is looking to buy a 1.4TDi (not petrol).

__________________
Mine - '07 Octavia vRS TDI, Superchips BlueFin (210bhp/293lbft) 'Winter wheels' 7.5J x 17" Audi S-line, Ultrac Sessantas 225/45 17, xenons, rear parking sensor, heated seats (driver's Recaro Style full leather), climate/jumbo etc., Koni FSDs, Neuspeed Rear ARB & Short-Shifter, K&N induction kit, RallyFlapZ - Colin McRae memorial decals.
Wife's - '08 Roomster Scout 1.6 Tiptronic, Cruise, parking sensors
Son's - '02 Fabia 1.4mpi, vRS 16" alloys, Michelin Pilot Exalto 2 195/45 16, vRS front bumper, Koni Sport shocks.

silvermog

If that Black Scout demonstrator happened to be in the Hereford area, don't settle for the prices ... been there and moved on to much better deals ;-)

We test drove a 1.4Tdi for a couple of days over mixed mileage as we were looking for a A4 Avant 1.9Tdi replacement. Our driving involves considerable motorway driving, approx. 30-40k min per year total and kids/dogs/horse tack etc being hauled around.

The 3-pot was surprisingly fun to drive overall, great in town and certainly seemed quite frugal, but on the motorway or 4-up you noticed the missing torque of the 1.9Tdi. Certainly if the missus wanted it purely for general family stuff and/or local then I think it would have sufficed.

1.9Tdi Scout in White is on the production line as we speak ... delivery on a 58 in a week or two ... ;-)

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Silvermog

pinkpanther

I test drove both the 1.4 TDi (80 bhp) and 1.9 TDi engines and felt I just couldn't live with the noise and vibration in the 1.4 3 pot. As previoulsy mentioned the 1.9 is significantly more powerful, with little penalty in terms of fuel economy over the 1.4. On this basis I went for the 1.9 and haven't regretted it yet.

Then again some people prefer the slightly "offbeat" warble from the 1.4 3 pot, not for me though.

I'm not sure how much cheaper a 1.4 Tdi would be to service over say 3 years compared to the 1.9. Can't be much in it surely.

wobbly

I've gone for the 1.9 based on the extra torque over the 1.4 (and the petrol) model. I did try the 1.4 & can't say I noticed much difference, but then there was a gap of 6 months between test drives...

I'd say - if you've found a car you like at reasonable money & you don't have a pressing need for a 1.9, go for it!

vRSLen

1.9 would be the best choice TBH Being a well developed engine too

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Current car: Black MKII Octavia vRS Combi
Previous: Black MKI Octavia vRS Combi
Black Fabia Elegance 100 BHP

Organist

1.9 is by far the better choice.

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2008 Skoda Octavia II Elegance 1.9 Tdi Estate in Storm Grey, factory fitted with High Intensity Discharge Lights, Light Assist, Maxidot, Multi-function Steering Wheel, MP3 with Aux in and Sunset Glass. 'Supertooth' phone unit. Also 2005 Black Skoda Fabia VRS. Best of both worlds!
60+MPG