66TSI vs 77TSI fuel economy

**expatNoob** · 27-03-2022, 12:26 PM

Hi all-
Currently looking for a nice, used small car in today's ridiculous market. After fainting over the ridiculous prices that the Yaris, Jazz, Mazda 2, etc. are commanding on the used car market (and FFS, no cruise control???), I've turned my attention to the Polo. They don't have this model where I'm from (see screenname), so I'm not super familiar with this line. Parents at home have a 2000 TDI manual Beetle (aka "The Indestructible Long Haul Ranger") and had a 2002 Passat AWD V6 wagon (aka "The Useless POS Tank That Ate Tires"), so my experience with VW has been somewhat mixed.

I'm leaning toward manual mostly because I like driving stick and they're going for slightly cheaper than the autos. Currently about to take a look at a 2014 77TSI manual but am wondering if it's worth waiting for a 66TSI to show up since getting 4.8L/100 km as opposed to 5.5L is looking more and more attractive with today's petrol prices.

I would primarily be doing mixed driving with the occasional long haul trip thrown in.

Is there really that big of a difference in fuel economy between the two, or am I splitting hairs?

Thanks!

**Hillbilly** · 28-03-2022, 08:19 AM

Splitting hairs because you wont get that consumption in everyday driving.
We had a 77 and it was quite economical and if you are worried about .7 of a litre per 100km perhaps you should be looking at pushbikes LOL

Also 77 has a bit more grunt than the 66

**expatNoob** · 28-03-2022, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by Hillbilly

Splitting hairs because you wont get that consumption in everyday driving.
We had a 77 and it was quite economical and if you are worried about .7 of a litre per 100km perhaps you should be looking at pushbikes LOL

Already have one of those, doesn't get me far enough.

I think my biggest concern is the timing chain. Have read a number of posts stating they crapped out before 100k. Asked owner about it and he didn't know of any issues, nor did the VW dealer or other specialist in the area. I'll have a third party inspect it, but how well can you tell just by looking at the chain that it's on the fritz?

**Sharkie** · 29-03-2022, 08:50 AM

66TSI has the newer engine without the timing chain issues. That alone is worth it.

It also has a RVC and Apple Carplay/Android Auto radio as standard.

And if you are so inclined, the 66TSI can very quickly become a 100TSI. About $950 for an ECU tune to increase performance significantly.

We have a 66TSI in the family and its an honest little hatch that drives very nicely. I'd recommend it.

**expatNoob** · 29-03-2022, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by Sharkie

66TSI has the newer engine without the timing chain issues. That alone is worth it.

It also has a RVC and Apple Carplay/Android Auto radio as standard.

And if you are so inclined, the 66TSI can very quickly become a 100TSI. About $950 for an ECU tune to increase performance significantly.

We have a 66TSI in the family and its an honest little hatch that drives very nicely. I'd recommend it.

I'm not too concerned about the car play or nav screen - most of the time I just shut it off when I'm in the car, too annoying to look at.

I heard they had resolved the timing chain issues by MY13 - is that accurate? Any input, @Hillbilly?

**Sharkie** · 30-03-2022, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by expatNoob

I'm not too concerned about the car play or nav screen - most of the time I just shut it off when I'm in the car, too annoying to look at.

I heard they had resolved the timing chain issues by MY13 - is that accurate? Any input, @Hillbilly?

No, the engines are completely different with MY15 the 1st year of the new engines. Pre MY215 it was the EA111 which has the timing chain issues (any fixes are just stopgaps) and since MY15 it was the EA211 without the timing chain issues. Look for 1 that has an engine code of CJZC (66TSI) or CJZD (81TSI).

Buy any earlier at your peril.

And BTW, CarPlay or Android Auto (in Brisbane) will save you from too many fines as it (with Waze) reports mobile speed camera locations near you. Unless you don't speed, in which case, by all means don't use it LOL.

**expatNoob** · 30-03-2022, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by Sharkie

No, the engines are completely different with MY15 the 1st year of the new engines. Pre MY215 it was the EA111 which has the timing chain issues (any fixes are just stopgaps) and since MY15 it was the EA211 without the timing chain issues. Look for 1 that has an engine code of CJZC (66TSI) or CJZD (81TSI).

Buy any earlier at your peril.

And BTW, CarPlay or Android Auto (in Brisbane) will save you from too many fines as it (with Waze) reports mobile speed camera locations near you. Unless you don't speed, in which case, by all means don't use it LOL.

Mine says it's a CBZE, so I think I'm screwed. Unfortunately the post 2015 cars are above my price range (as is everything else in the market nowadays). My other pick was a 2008 TDI 1.9 manual Golf with 143k, but I'd be paranoid that I'd need to drive it a minimum of 30 minutes every time or I'd be ruining the engine.

**Sharkie** · 30-03-2022, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by expatNoob

Mine says it's a CBZE, so I think I'm screwed. Unfortunately the post 2015 cars are above my price range (as is everything else in the market nowadays). My other pick was a 2008 TDI 1.9 manual Golf with 143k, but I'd be paranoid that I'd need to drive it a minimum of 30 minutes every time or I'd be ruining the engine.

What sort of budget are you looking at?

In the ~12K range there are some 66TSI's (manuals) around on Carsales.
In the same range you could find an early Mk7 manual Golf too. A much better car than the Polo and not any heavier on fuel realistically.

If you are willing a 2009-2010 Polo GTI can be had for less and are much livelier than either and also not much heavier on fuel. I had 1 and regularly got low to mid 5l/100km on the highway. The 1.8 engine in this is also much more reliable than anything since built by VW. 3 door only, so that limits its use as a family car.

**expatNoob** · 30-03-2022, 11:26 AM

About $10K. Market is insane now, I'm seeing 2012 Yarises with 150K+ going for like $12000. Or ones with major paint/clear coat peel for the same. Polos seem to have been largely ignored until now, suddenly everyone wants one because the Japanese used car market is so inflated.

Also do not want a 3 door, so that limits me a bit.

I prefer manual though.

**expatNoob** · 04-04-2022, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by Sharkie

What sort of budget are you looking at?

In the ~12K range there are some 66TSI's (manuals) around on Carsales.
In the same range you could find an early Mk7 manual Golf too. A much better car than the Polo and not any heavier on fuel realistically.

If you are willing a 2009-2010 Polo GTI can be had for less and are much livelier than either and also not much heavier on fuel. I had 1 and regularly got low to mid 5l/100km on the highway. The 1.8 engine in this is also much more reliable than anything since built by VW. 3 door only, so that limits its use as a family car.

You'll be happy to know I passed on the 2013. I couldn't justify driving something that was potentially a ticking time bomb in terms of the chain.

Looking at two TSIs, a 2015 and 2016. Both have <100k but one has the backup camera and alloys, the other is a little more basic but much cheaper (and I like the colour better

). I suppose I can get mags on the used market, but it sounds like the RVC is a little more labour intensive.