Audi A4 1.4 TSI 150 bhp

HenryHonda

Your thoughts please...

Having had four turbo diesels (VW, Volvo, Audi x2) in succession, over 16 years, I'm planning to go for a petrol engine for my next car now I'm retired.

Reasons:
Less mileage - risk of damaging diesel DPF
Government is irrationally penalizing all diesel cars irrespective of modern measures (e.g. AdBlue) to keep CO2 and NOx emissions very low.

I have a chance to get a very low mileage 67 reg Audi A4 with 1.4 TSI 150 bhp petrol engine at a very good price.

I just have a worry that the 1.4 is being strained a lot to produce 150 bhp - so the longevity would worry me.  Apparently, Audi is no longer offering the 1.4 - it being replaced by a 150 bhp de-tuned version of the 190 bhp 2.0 TSI.

Anyone with a 1.4 TSI 150 bhp engine able to advise - or anyone else able to offer constructive comments?

I should say that the potential new car is a DSG automatic.

Thanks in advance

duffbeerdrinker

I think it will be fine.  You will probably notice the reduced torque after driving a diesel but the DSG gearbox is good at hiding some of that.
The 1.4 engine is very popular - we have a few of them as company cars at our office and they all drive well.

DroidSkin

I've got the 1.5 TSI 150bhp in an A3 it doesn't feel strained to me (although the A4 is a bigger car, so maybe). I know this doesn't help much, but a lot of the reviews I read/watched were using the 1.4 TSI and it wasn't criticized in the A3. Have a quick look through Utube and see if you can find some A4 1.4 reviews.

They are putting a 1.0 engine in the A3 these days. I don't think they would if the engine couldn't manage it. I'd guess the same would be true for a 1.4 in an A4.

doubledragonxx

Hi,

I went from a Skoda Octavia hatchback VRS TDI to a Skoda Octavia estate 1.4 150 bhp with the DSG gearbox just over a year ago.  We’ve done a few long drives including fully laden car to France and coupled with the active cruise control it’s been great.  I can’t honestly say I notice the torque difference and DSG is a god send.  Just completed 60 mile journey which incorporated A roads and dual carriageway and car averged 45.3 mpg with bike racks fitted which is not bad in my eyes.

Performance wise this beats the old VRS on paper and certainly feels quicker.


Hope this helps.

Bl4ckGryph0n

I drove that engine recently and I hated it, I felt like doing a Fred Flintstone getting my feet out and pushing it along a bit...But others love it.

Point is that it is all down to personal experience and preference. And not just that, it also depends on the environment where you'd drive it most regularly.

gibbsy

I drove one in an Audi Q2 which was a courtesy car. Surprisingly quick and refined and mated well to the DSG box. Didn't run out of puff too quickly on some of the long steep hills that I have to travel. It's one of the engine gearbox combinations I'd think of next time I change, suited the character of the Q2.

I'll miss the torque of my 184 diesel but 150 will be enough for a (then) 70 year old. Something to look forward to I suppose.

Bl4ckGryph0n

Please don’t start acting your age   Next you’ll be going to the Skoda forums they all talk like that as well. A real eye opener.

HenryHonda

Thanks all for your responses.  Didn't respond earlier as I was away celebrating my 65th birthday...  (sorry, yes, another 'wrinkly' - without the wrinkles )

Well, some more research has revealed a potential deal killer...  It appears that the VAG group have completely pulled the 1.4 TFSI 150 PS engine as they can't get it through the new WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Lightweight Vehicles Testing Programme) emissions testing process.

If I buy it, would I be buying a 'lemon' ?  Of course, the car would be no different than it is now (real world mpg figures don't look great) but, is it going to start depreciating quickly as  the public get used to new WLTP figures being published?  Will cars with these engines suffer from being banned from pollution zones, such as those in London?

Still can't help thinking that VAG are screwing the life out of this engine to get 150 PS.  I like the idea of the detuned 2.0 TFSI engine (190 PS -> 150 PS), but none available at affordable prices on the Approved Used market yet.

TBH, I'm getting rather fed up with VAG and their dysfunctional engine group since 'Dieselgate'.

Oh, well...

IronGiant

A year or two ago I'd say sod it, by diesel. That's what I did I'm not going to get rid of mine, until they punish me into the ground, but if I was after a new "keeper" I'd go back to petrol.

HenryHonda

Cancelled test drive, deposit refunded, dealer didn't really appear to be surprised and didn't try to change my mind.

I'm guessing that VAG dealers aren't going to be happy bunnies, being on the receiving end of yet more mess brought about by the dysfunctional VAG engine division.