Sorry! 1.6 Vs 1.9

[dt_ 7]

Hi

 

I know how annoying these threads can be, have tried searching for ages for a thread laying this out but have failed constantly.

 

1.6 GTI owners - Why didn't you buy the 1.9?

 

Personal taste? Price difference? Bought on a whim?

 

Will buy myself one at some point, not sure which one to get.

 

Could you either reply here or direct me to a decent archived thread where I can see for myself

 

 

Let the discussion begin!!

[Batfink 201]

In summary because the 1.6 is fun too. More nimble handling as its got thinner and lighter wheels, its more revvy due to the shorter stroke of the engine. gearbox is slightly shorter ratio as well.

The 1.9 has the nicer interior as standard as it has half leather and the best looking standard speedline wheels, everything else is a muchness of muchness.

[d7ve_b 44 1 Cars]

 

 

I went for a 1.6 as I find it more fun than the 1.9. Nothing against the 1.9 (i've had 2) but the 1.6 just floats my boat...

[JamesE 5]

I think these days the engines are getting on a bit and I doubt there would be much difference, certainly not between a bad 1.9 and a good 1.6.

I bought on condition (well, work done) and got a 1.6 on the basis that I'll be changing the engine regardless, have had bad experiences with electric windows and due to rear drums they won't seize while it's stood for months in the garage.

[j_turnell 137 3 Cars]

My advice is to drive a healthy model of each and then decide. At the end of the day it comes down to personal preference, these threds are pointless as some people like the 1.9, some people prefer the 1.6 myself included, it doesn't really aid in anyway. If you do a bit of research you'll find the pros and cons for each model, it's then just a case of driving both and seeing which you prefer.

[Daviewonder 533 3 Cars]

Whatever one you get you'll have fun

[boldy205 75]

Be a man and buy a 1.9. you wouldn't buy half a pint in a pub would you?

 

 

 

 

 

HA! Seriously though, there's apparently not much between them, but i have only driven a 1.9, so can't tell you about a 1.6.

 

Guess you know a 1.9 has disks, (1.6 has drums, but no probs, as the rears don't do much anyway) the 1/2 leather, and nicer (in my opinion) 15"wheels.

 

For me insurance was about £20 more for a 1.9. So 1.9 i had!

 

Matt

[jeremy 70]

I've owned both, and can confirm there is no right answer! My first one was an stil is a 1.9 (sits in the garage with lots of dust all over it). Owned a 1.6 that made me smile everytime I drove it, but sold it as the wife said one of them had to go as bought a Discovery. I'm not saying the 1.9 cannot be as much fun, but the 1.6 made me feel all warm. However My 1.9 has 309 running gear all round so has a different feel to it over a standard one. Ultimately it all comes down to condition.

[dt_ 7]

That's what I was thinking - I first owned an 8v mk2 golf gti, took it cause t was cheaper than the 16v, same as I took a VTR over a VTS for money reasons, fearing it would be the same with 205s as 1.9s seem to be more pricey than the 1.6. So it seems that the cars have totally different characters...

[sensualt101 31 1 Cars]

i have owned both and owned a healthy 1.9 1st then a 1.6 and finally my current car and have found that the differences between the 2 are not as pronounced as some reviews would have you believe.

 

the 1.6 is much shorter geared so is noisier at cruising speeds than the longer geared 1.9 and also requires more gear changing in general driving because it has less torque but is much more eager to rev so having said that the difference is certainly not what i would reasonably expect for an extra 300cc that the 1.9 has.

 

the rear brakes are drum on 1.6 and disc on 1.9 and since peugeot deemed drums fine on the 1.6 i see no reason to upgrade and my car has never caused me concern in this respect though others prefer to have discs no matter which engine size or type they have so upgrade a 1.6 or buy the 1.9.

 

generally the 1.6 has a lower spec interior than a 1.9 but nothing that cant be swapped from a scrapped car to suit the spec you require anyway and the same goes for the wheels.

 

so it really comes down to what kind of car you like to drive or even intended use. i use a 1.6 as my daily and realise that not everyone could put up with the noise at motorway speeds so those who require a more relaxed cruise would probably do better with the 1.9 but for a weekend a road blaster or track day car a 1.6 might well suit.

those with a wish for more power would do better to have a 1.9 and also for track the rear discs would be more reassuring than drums.

 

thats my view as ever others may think differently as personal choice is also a factor.

Edited February 6, 2013 by sensualt101

[Daviewonder 533 3 Cars]

If you're comfortable with your penis size then get a 1.6, that's all I can say on the matter.

[sensualt101 31 1 Cars]

If you're comfortable with your penis size then get a 1.6, that's all I can say on the matter.

 

LOL! i have never had any complaints on that score

[Edp 67 3 Cars]

Loved my 1.6, only ever had 1 and wished I'd kept it. Had numerous 1900s.

 

Best bet is a 1.9 with a mi16, everyones a winner

[Daviewonder 533 3 Cars]

As long as no one mentions my 2.0 Turbo conversion, I'm in the clear

[Andy205 2]

Depends a little on what you plan to do with it.

 

They're both great cars to drive and not much between them in driving.

 

I always think if I was looking for another I'd buy a 1.9 just because it has the higher spec. The disc brakes all round are a great start for a GTI-6 conversion and the GTI-6 brakes bolt straight on ( unlike the 1.6)

 

But I owned a 1.6 for a few years and it made me smile every time I drove it!

[omri617 18]

 

They're both great cars to drive and not much between them in driving.

 

But I owned a 1.6 for a few years and it made me smile every time I drove it!

 

Why? Elaborate..

I hear this all the time , what's so good about it ? what's so fun about it?

(I got a 205 GTi - and it's OK ) and I sometimes don't dig the buzz.

Edited February 6, 2013 by omri617

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

For B road fun, the 1.6 is the most exciting as it buzzes and revs more. the 1.9 is better if you do a lot of miles. 1.6's tend to be a bit cheaper to buy and generally lower mileage and often in better condition from what I have seen on the later models.

Shorter ratio box makes it "nippier"

Drums work better than the discs at the back and they have a slightly wider track at the front.

1.6 wheels are a pain to balance at a lot of places when you get new tyres fitted.

Some classic insurers will cover a 1.6 and not a 1.9 too (from experience).

1.6's seem to suffer a bit more from timing set up issues, with the diaphragm for the vac advance on the dizzy often having failed, hence they are either quick low down and slow up the top end of the revs or vice versa.

1.6 cloth seats are worn out by now too.

1.9's have electric windows and central locking.

 

The 1.9 always had the bragging rights back in the day, but IIRC it was slower on the 0-60 than a 1.6 on paper as you needed an extra gear change or something!

 

Fine the right car with the best body. The rest is immaterial.

[welshpug 1,657]

309

[danboo89 1]

Had numerous 1.6s and 1.9s

 

I'd go 1.6 ( apart from my tt conversion 1.9 )

[ORB 227 1 Cars]

Hmm, I have had a few of each.

 

I like the way a 1.6 revs, but I like the stuff you get on a 1.9

 

Id buy a limited 1.6 and put on some 15 inch wheels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then throw 8 more valves at it.....

[welshpug 1,657]

Then throw 8 more valves at it.....

 

 

so would I, but keep the 1.6 crank

[GLPoomobile 958]

Neither 1.6 or 1.9 are quick enough to distinguish between the 2 in terms of real world, on road pace. But they will feel different in their delivery, so it's entirely subjective. I prefer the 1.6 because it feels livelier, whereas the 1.9 feels immediately gruntier but feels like it runs out of puff too quickly. I suppose you could compare it to the difference between a sprinter and a weight lifter

 

When you consider how easy it is to swap parts between 205s (and how commonly it's done) there's really no point in making any distinction between the 2 models based upon spec. So things like part leather, leccy windows, RCL, 15" Speedlines become an irrelevance. A lot of 1.6s will have had these retro fitted. So really the choice comes down to what you want from your driving experience. Having said that, availability and condition are a massive part of the equation, and you'd probably be better off seeking out the best you can find regardless of spec, and then changing the engine later to whatever you prefer.

 

I'll also go against the grain and suggest to you that seeking more power by way of a 16v transplant (or turbo etc) can ultimately tarnish the experience if you want a pure road car. The joy of a 1.6 is being able to trash the tits off it on an A or B road whilst not going too far above speeds that will see you losing your license and/or risking death. I have a 1.9 Mi on a 1.6 box myself, and it is great, and of course we all seek more power or crave the bark of ITBs or the chatter of a turbo, but it can often be a frustrating experience if you only drive on the road, as you can really only use a fraction of the performance available.

 

As for brakes, there's nowt wrong with drums, they do the job just fine, and at least you don't risk having a rear pad migrate and find you've got no brakes (as does happen with these). And stock front brakes (be it 1.6 or 1.9) are fine for road use with some decent pads. Upgrading to GTI6 brakes just increases unsprung weight.

Edited February 7, 2013 by GLPoomobile

[Anthony 1,003]

Neither 1.6 or 1.9 are quick enough to distinguish between the 2 in terms of real world, on road pace. But they will feel different in their delivery, so it's entirely subjective. I prefer the 1.6 because it feels livelier, whereas the 1.9 feels immediately gruntier but feels like it runs out of puff too quickly. I suppose you could compare it to the difference between a sprinter and a weight lifter

I would disagree with the initial part of that.

 

There might not be much to distinguish on a track in terms of outright speed, but on the road, a 1.9 is generally going to be the faster car thanks to the wider, more accessible powerband compared to the 1.6. Put simply, the 1.6 needs to be kept on the boil to get the most from it, which can be rewarding or frustrating depending on your mindset, whereas a 1.9 is much more willing and tractable owing increased torque from the extra capacity, easier able to give a quick squirt to nip into a gap in traffic or nail a cheeky overtake.

 

Much of the eagerness of the 1.6 can be put down to the shorter gearbox that it runs compared to the 1.9, and fitting the same gearbox to a 1.9 rids it of much of the laziness. On the other hand, a 1.6 on a 1.9 gearbox feels dreadful, the want to rev sapped from it. It's amazing how much a mere 10% difference in final drive makes in the real world.

 

The answer as to which to buy though is the best example that you can find and/or afford, as there is a massive spectrum of cars out there, some sublime, some utter dogs, and you really need to see and drive them to distinguish between them as price, mileage, and apparent shininess in photos doesn't tell you a great deal.

 

There is a massive difference between a "good" engine and a "bad" one, as much in feel and delivery as outright performance, and there's an even bigger difference between how different cars will handle and drive, despite appearing the same on paper. A good 1.9 will happily and eagerly pull around to the limiter, a completely different beast to the wheezing and unwilling character shown by a poor example.

 

Personally, all else being equal I'd have a 1.9, but I'd take a good 1.6 over a mediocre 1.9 anyday.

[GLPoomobile 958]

I would disagree with the initial part of that.

 

 

You didn't actually disagree with what I said, you just took it slightly out of context and then sort of elaborated on the point I was making. Yes, the 1.9's delivery is a bit more accessible, and that will make it slightly faster in some circumstances. But that's the thing about road driving, the circumstances will always be variable, and over a wide variety of conditions, the 1.9 isn't going to be much quicker. That was my point - you can't separate them massively. It's not like the night and day difference you experience between a 1.6 and GTI6. And so if there's not much between them in terms of overall speed, then it comes down to how you like your eggs cooked.

[dt_ 7]

Thanks for all the responses, expected to get flamed tbh. Confirmed my suspicions- buy on condition, I'm relatively handy with my tool(s) so am not too tightly bound by this, just will need to make sure it's got a decent shell and I don't pay too much for it. Quite liking the look of the 1.6s as I do mainly town driving with the odd motorway run; I quite like driving to be more of an event rather than a chore so high rpm/ buzzing at high speeds does not worry me too much.

 

Just to add I had a really good look through the back pages of this board and found a similar thread on this topic at about page 60 odd, but wasn't as detailed as this one!