General Panda 4x4 75 or 95bhp

[Popoffchris]

Hi all, I'm planning to get a 2015 or 16 model Panda 4x4 or cross diesel sometime soon but I would like someone who has had the older 75bhp diesel 4x4 that has now got or at least driven the newer 95bhp euro 6 engined panda to give me ther opinion on the way the newer euro 6 diesel drives compared to the older version, having the extra 20bhp sounds very nice but its no good if the things now all flat low down then all go when the turbo cuts in if you know what I mean, any help would be much appreciated

 

[Al D]

I had a Panda 169 model Multijet 75 once. Economical, but quick it wasn't. The 95 engine should make it a fun car. Both engine bays should only have a small turbo so fairly linear would have thought. Had a Punto Multijet with the 70 engine. That felt lot faster than it was as got a major kick in the back. Definitely need to test drive both. The 95 could have a higher 4th and 5th gear and some of the horses could appear to have vanished.

 

[murphyv310]

Hi.
I had a 2012 Doblo van with my last employer, it was the 95Bhp version. It suffered with turbo lag and it was at best irritating and at worst verging on dangerous if attempting a quick pull out. I'd suspect the 75 Bhp version having a less of a problem.
Otherwise the engine couldn't be faulted with excellent torque and economy. It did though lots of DPF regenerations which I though odd for a van used mainly on long motorway runs (Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh) with over 30,000 miles a year.

So if you can accept the turbo lag then fine, perhaps get a decent test drive first.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

I had a 2013 Panda 4x4 with 75bhp diesel, and have recently replaced with a 2017 95bhp version, so feel that meets the brief of the question

The overall driving experience is very similar - no dramatic change in the way it pulls, or of power delivery (so no issues such as those that Euro 6 1.2 petrol owners have reported here). But yes, you can sense that it is more willing from a standing start and feels like hills are less effort. Both engines had a little less oomph if below 1500rpm but very smooth after that. But will easily creep in traffic, even up hill, just on the tickover (at 800rpm). Lifting the clutch automatically raises the revs a bit, and this works very well. I have never noticed turbo lag - unlike my old Multipla JTD or (much worse) Ford/Peugeot-engines Volvo.

The newer engine is also noticeably quieter at all speeds and at idle.

My new one's only done 3500 miles so maybe unfair to compare fuel consumption, but, based on the trip computer, where I previously saw 57-60mpg without trying, the new one has managed 52 at best and dropped into the high 40s for a while on similar routes and in similar traffic.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

...Both engine bays should only have a small turbo so fairly linear would have thought..

The 95/euro 6 engine has a variable vane turbo which appears to be physically larger - hard to tell as it's under various heat shields, and these are certainly larger. The air filter housing is different too. So there are noticeable visual, as well as performance, changes.

I believe the gear ratios are unchanged - still shows 2800rpm at 70mph in top (5th) gear

 

[Popoffchris]

Thanks for the quick replys and yes I'm trying to get a test drive sometime soon hopefully, but there's not many about really especially with the spec I'm after so your experience driving them is a good reference

 

[oyumurtaci]

I too have a 2012 4x4 with 75hp, and test drove a 95hp when considering if it would be worth the upgrade. The upgrade itself is worth it as the newer engine feels usefully quieter and slightly more eager, but the trade in deal offered to me wasn't so I still have (and am happy with) my 2012.

 

[Popoffchris]

So I managed to get a test drive in a 16 plate 4x4 today, must say it drove quite well, quite peppy once on the go when the turbo kicked in and not too noisy ether when up to speed, first couple of gears quite low but otherwise ok for what it is, certainly a different drive from my petrol skoda vrs! But that's half of the fun of changing to something completely different only problem is getting the right px deal now....

 

[Ubba]

I own a 2017 4x4 and before that i did multiple test drives on 75hp model. Biggest differnces i noticed: PROS 1) less vibrations at idle 2) less noise at high speed 3) better acceleration 4) higher top speed. CONS 1) slightly bigger turbo lag(think 75hp turbo was smoother).

 

[Popoffchris]

Thanks for all your input, decision made at long last! just ordered my 2016 4x4 m-jet can't wait to pick it up now so I can have a play ;-)

 

[Popoffchris]

well a week after picking up my 16 plate 4x4 I'm a happy bunny, must say it's been interesting adopting to it after being used to driving the vrs with less than half the bhp pulling out onto a busy dual carriageways is sometimes a bit scary! But very surprised at how well it handles quite fun on a good B Road although I've never had to change gear so often before!

 

[Jabe]

Traded in our 2012 4x4 MJ 75bhp last week, bought a pre-reg 95bhp and it seems to accelerate a lot faster, even though we have been driving it quite gently (still only 150 miles on the clock). With the extra power it feels as though it deserves higher gearing, or maybe a 6-speed box. Haven’t noticed much turbo lag.