Technical 1.4 or 1.2 engine?

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Technical 1.4 or 1.2 engine?

Rabbit67

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I can't decide which engine will be best for me. I don't like the fact the 1.4 seems so thirsty but I'll mostly be driving on A roads and motorways living, as i soon will be, on the outskirts of Leeds (which looks like motoring hell). Given that's the case will the 1.2 be too limiting to deal with these roads even though I am going quite short distances - my daily commute to work will only be 15 miles each way? I've only had experience of in-town commuting being currently based in London.
 
I find the 1.2 perfectly capable.
The only reason for going with the 1.4 is if you like to drive a car pretty hard sometimes. It has so many disadvantages compared to the 1.2 and the only real thing it has as an advantage is the power.
 
The 1.2 is more than capable on motorways, once you are cruising at 70 it holds its speed well even on the inclines and mpg rises to 50 ish

The 1.2 struggles on hills where you haven't built up enough speed before you hit the hill, so more noticeable on rural roads.

It's pretty nippy around town......I'm certainly pleased with ours and much prefer it to the diesel which I test drove originally.
 
I'm in similar situation and downgraded from 2.5 car to 1.2 500. I did find it somewhat lacking in grunt on steep hills (how many are there in your area?) and overtaking is a bit of a problem (where can you overtake anyway?) but overall I think its perfectly capable and certainly more quiet and refined that 1.3 that I test drove. I haven't tried 1.4 so I can't comment but with the prices of petrol and motoring in general going north all the time, I would say it it expensive if nothing else.
 
I'm in similar situation and downgraded from 2.5 car to 1.2 500. I did find it somewhat lacking in grunt on steep hills (how many are there in your area?) and overtaking is a bit of a problem (where can you overtake anyway?) but overall I think its perfectly capable and certainly more quiet and refined that 1.3 that I test drove. I haven't tried 1.4 so I can't comment but with the prices of petrol and motoring in general going north all the time, I would say it it expensive if nothing else.

Testdrove a 1.4 twice and it seemed a little gutless to me coming from a 1.9 turbo diesel Pug. Never got the chance to really open up the throttle and rev the think though so I don't know if it got a lot better higher up in the rev range.

If anyone is really concerned with economy and is going to own their 500 for a while then hold out for the 2 cylinder 500's. The 900cc NA engine has the power of the 1.2 but but gives about 80mpg. The 900cc turbo has more power than the current 1.4 but with fuel economy closer to that of the 1.2. Not much use if you want to order one tomorrow of course but still something to consider if you're worried about rising fuel costs.

900cc NA replaces the 1.2
900cc turbo replaces the 1.4.
 
I'll add our impressions, as it looks like we're the only ones to comment who actually have a 1.4 so far.

I believe it really is about what you want out of the car. If you want a very refined and frugal car then go for the 1.2. We took the 1.2 for a good run down the motorway at a steady 80mph and it cruised lovely, and very refined too - in fact nothing like a car of it's size.

We purchased a sport model and therefore the 1.4 because it does what it says on the tin really and suits the sport down to the ground. It's got a rorty engine note and loves to rev right round to the red line and above. Ok it's not going to break any records, but it's certainly no slouch. Over the first few days of ownership we were giving it some real stick and it returned an average of 38mpg. Now, on normal driving it's around 44mpg which to us is perfectly acceptable.

So like I said, I think it's down to what you want the car to do really and obviously for most people cost is a big thing too. So really my opinion as others is just subjective.

But that's our side of the story! (y)
 
We downgraded from a 1.6 2004 Megane to a 1.4 500. (I don't really see it as a downgrade though, ie a Renault to a Fiat, more of an upgrade)I certainly CAN see an improvement in the fuel economy over the Megane. According to the display on the 500, although I've not managed to achieve more than 41 MPG so far, it's still it's a fair bit more than on the Megane.

I chose the 1.4 over the 1.2 as it seemed, to me, more responsive and lively and I liked the engine note too, as there's a bit of grunt there. It felt as 'lively' as the 1.6 Megane I was used to,if not livelier, whereas the 1.2 in comparisan to the Megane and 1.4 500, felt less so. I didn't test drive either the 1.2 or 1.4 on the motorway, so can't comment on which engine size is best suited to motorway driving. I drive 5 days a week from Brighouse to Bradford and back, plus over to Dewsbury twice a week and Harrogate twice a month, so there's a mixture of road types, and I've no gripes with the 1.4 engine at all.

At the end of the day I'm still saving money on petrol and a small amount on road tax, over my previous Megane, yet the car is more fun to drive and more responsive. I know that if I'd gone for the 1.2 or the diesel I would have saved even more money, but I am happy with my choice and have no regrets getting the 1.4.

See if you can get your dealer to let you have a longer test drive of both 1.2 and 1.4 before you make your mind up. We got our 500 from Clemo in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire - pretty good service overall. Good Luck.
 
I can't decide which engine will be best for me. I don't like the fact the 1.4 seems so thirsty but I'll mostly be driving on A roads and motorways living, as i soon will be, on the outskirts of Leeds (which looks like motoring hell). Given that's the case will the 1.2 be too limiting to deal with these roads even though I am going quite short distances - my daily commute to work will only be 15 miles each way? I've only had experience of in-town commuting being currently based in London.


I have owned Pandas with both engines and tested the 1.4 500. The important thing to know about the 1.4 is that the power and torque come in high up the rev range so if you drive in an economical way (high gear, low revs and constant speed) the 1.2 is a more adequate choice as you will not notice the power difference, just the extra fuel consumed.

If however you enjoy revving the engine above 4000rpm, and using the gearbox and you must overtake/go up hills/join motorways then the 1.4 is more suitable. It is also good in traffic to get in and out of gaps in short bursts.

It is more noisy as 6th is lower than 5th on the 1.2 and the exhause note is deliberately sportier but I actually prefer it.
 
1.4 lounge owner here. Some real world observations on the 1.4 for you:

- My daily commute is 74 miles round trip, half motorway, half city.
- I usually leave my power button turned on unless I'm sitting in stop/start traffic thats really bad.
- I only ever fill her with premium unleaded.
- I've done 3400 miles so far.
- My average consumption is 38 mpg.

I've never had an issue with motorway cruising or hill climbing or overtaking. That said, the engine doesn't really get frisky until about 3500rpm. If you want to do anything fun or overtake or climb a hill or just feel like a psychotic Roman driver you need to rev it which is probably why I'm not seeing better fuel consumption.

When looking online and sitting in the showroom ordering, it never crossed my mind to get anything other than the 1.4. The 1.2 just never figured in my thinking. I'd read plenty of good things about the 1.4 in the Panda 100hp and it seemed fun so I ordered it with that.

cheers
j
 
See if you can get your dealer to let you have a longer test drive of both 1.2 and 1.4 before you make your mind up. We got our 500 from Clemo in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire - pretty good service overall. Good Luck.

our local dealer gave us a 1.2 500 for the day picked it up at 10 took it back at 5 we took it on a 60 mile trip incl a good motorway stint overtaking was no problem as everyone slows down for a nosey anyway :D i did see the otherside of 100 so the 1.2 is no lorry lane car...
 
i did see the otherside of 100 so the 1.2 is no lorry lane car...

It's not about how fast it can go. It's how quick it gets there. My 406 is a piece of poop but being a turbo diesel it's got shedloads of torque which is what you really need for overtaking plus a decent gearbox with well thought out ratios. If you're doing 50 behind a lorry on a bit of an upward slope with someone coming up behind doing 70 plus you're going to struggle to pull out from behind the lorry and be up to 70 before the other car comes along unless they slow down a bit.
 
we were same, the 1.2 or diesel never crossed our minds

loving the point & squirtness of the 1.4 (y), but have to say it's totally dull without sport button pressed
 
Have read this thread with interest, I have a 1.4 sport on order, I will be going from a 1.9TDi Seat Ibiza and previously, a 1.4 turbo Punto so used to torque-ey (is that a word?) cars.

I didn't even consider the 1.2, I live in a rural area and my car is only used for my daily drive to and from work which is only about 12 or so miles but on windy roads. The 1.4 I test drove felt adequate, lacking slightly compared to my current and previous cars but I am willing to forgive as it was such fun and I loved the noise vroooooooooooooooom!
 
Hi everyone,

I'm about to get a 1.2 Lounge to potter around town and I must admit I never imagined it'd be a good idea to go in motorways with it - have you tried one, and can it cruise confortably at 70 or will I be pulling it's neck???

What happens when trucks go past at 90, do you change lane thanks to he wind and end up unintentionally in sad english motorway cafe' with bad coffee? (us "psychotic Romans" like good coffee, jnoiles...)

Disgruntled Italian
 
Hi everyone,

I'm about to get a 1.2 Lounge to potter around town and I must admit I never imagined it'd be a good idea to go in motorways with it - have you tried one, and can it cruise confortably at 70 or will I be pulling it's neck???

What happens when trucks go past at 90, do you change lane thanks to he wind and end up unintentionally in sad english motorway cafe' with bad coffee? (us "psychotic Romans" like good coffee, jnoiles...)

Disgruntled Italian

You misunderstand me. I meant psychotic Roman as a compliment. :D

There is a frantic excitement to the way they drive 500's in Rome that seems absent from the UK 500's I've seen on the road.

And I completely agree with you on the sorry state of English motorway cafe's and dull thames water-like coffee they serve. I'm in Milan this weekend and one of the considerations for picking it as a weekend away was that it had good coffee and ample opportunity to sit and enjoy it :)
 
I was palying... :D

Oh, Milan! I hope you know pwople there, it can be hit and miss to find the hidden jem eateries etc... otherwise, it's a great gothic cathedral and a castle but not much more I'm afraid!

I hope you enjoy the sun and the coffee and... da pasta!

(y)
 
Think about how many 1.2 Puntos are plodding the A roads and motorways as hire cars - they are perfectly adequate for m-way use, although you have to plan your move into the outside lane a bit more. The 500 1.2 has a bit more power than the Punto equivalent too.
 
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