Hello Scotty! I love your chanel so much!
My friend is interested in buying a 2012 VW polo 1.2 tdi (75hp) with 160.000km from a private individual for 4150 euros. The car has Italy plate so its probably made in Deutschland, we live in Romania by the way.
Do you think its a good idea to buy it assuming the mileage is real?
Thank you!
I’d look out for atleast a 4cyl diesel VW.
This 3cyl diesel may already be at the end of its useful life -
https://www.motorreviewer.com/engine.php?engine_id=46
Perhaps @dan has a different opinion of the EA189?
The car has Italy plate so its probably made in Deutschland
This generation Polo was only manufactured in Spain, India, South Africa, Russia, China and Malaysia -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Polo_Mk5
Perhaps @dan has a different opinion of the EA189?
I don't know much about the EA189's a tiny version.
I think the 69 US MPG claim is bogus, and I agree that a bigger diesel would be a much better choice.
The big 1.6L or even bigger 2.0L versions were fine, I just do not have the information on the smallest variant.
But overall we are talking about a Polo, aka 4th generation Ibiza, and they are NOT known for their reliability.
As far as longevity, the ones in my area trend slightly bellow average - they just aren't great.
Is it better than a Dacia? sure.
Is it a great car? no.
I’ve actually driven the 1.2L diesel Polo. There is NO power, only noise.. 14 seconds to reach 100kph. The 1.6L diesel has superb drivability and would be my choice. I’ve seen them regularly with over 300,000 kms.
@itwt Interesting. Yep definitely, sounds like a 3 cylinder diesel!
But 0-100 km/h in 12-14 seconds is quite typical for a small European Market car...
For instance, my old Corolla takes way over 14 seconds for a 0-100, unless I select the EasySport or TipTronic shift mode:
(video from the internet, you can see how the AMT hesitates to begin a shift and to re-engage the clutch)
https://youtu.be/9cR7i5dVlkk?t=3
The Euro-Corolla (1.5L 3cyl + Launch Gear CVT) even in "sport" mode takes over 12 seconds (in regular it'd be over 13)
The worst part is that it has little sound insulation and sounds like a jackhammer.
https://youtu.be/KaVPKX-jLdg
My cars are also on the slow side, it takes about 12 seconds, but it does it in a quiet, smooth, and in a 'dignified' fashion.
https://youtu.be/C79LNCUOIfc?t=52
I’m comparing to the Polo 1.6L & Ka turbo diesels and even the Punto turbo diesel all which have much faster acceleration times. Petrol NA econoboxes obviously have slower acceleration when compared to a fast turbo diesel..
Well those are just tiny econoboxes with engines from cheap family sized economy cars - but they're a dying breed...
Most car manufacturers are de-turning their bigger engines very aggressively when installing them in smaller cars significantly damaging performance - not to the level of 12-14 secs but usually to 9-11 secs which is still a disappointment.
It's how both the small Clio and the medium sized Meganè both get the same 0-100kmh out of the same 1.5 dCi.
https://youtu.be/CSjaQLGk8Hk?t=159
https://youtu.be/MOD62EKUGQc
(minus the tiny speed bonus the Meganè gets from the 2nd gen EDC aka Volvo MPS7, Mercedes 7G-DCT, BMW and MINI StepTronic)
I advise a mechanick checks it out.
Sadly but true, Romania and other balkan countries are usually junkyards for used cars from Northern and Western parts of Europe. I'd be very leery.
