Just coming to the end of a round Ireland tour in our 2011 2.0 Kendo RC ( and what a week to have done it, the roof has never been up!) Have really enjoyed this car though the mileage is only about 18500 (no that’s not a misprint). However as we are getting a little older the firm ride and “rev happy” nature of the engine are beginning to grate a bit…after 7 days and 1300 miles of steady driving.
So we were wondering about a Mk 4 1.5. On paper it seems the 0-60 time is only down 0.4 seconds compared to our current car and much faster than the mk 3 1.8 engine which we felt was gutless.
Key questions…is the new 1.5 engine a little more refined than our current 2.0? Is there much of a difference in real world performance and is the ride a little less harsh…yes, I know it’s a sports car but after a week of motoring our fillings are starting to loosen ??
has anybody else made that change, what did you think?
Personal opinions are just that - personal. As you can see below I have an ND 1.5l and love it. The only REAL way for you to find out if it’s right for you is to test drive one yourself.
…can’t help you regarding your potential change from a mk3 to a mk4, only real way to judge is a test drive.
However I note that the mk4 boot is spec’d at being 20 litres smaller than a mk3 (150 v 130). We have just returned from a 3 night jaunt in our mk2, (not sure how this boot compares to a mk3/4), but it was “tight”. I know from a recent Mk4 test drive that there is not a lot of stowage if you are hoping to tour?..(I still want one though ) …
As the owner of a gutless 1.8 engined mk3, I can only reiterate what others have said, get out there and drive one! You’re not happy with a Rev happy engine? I thought that was the nature of these cars, sounds to me like a diesel would suit you better with plenty of low down torque to suit your steady driving? My impression is the 1.5 likes to be revved and needs to be if you want the best performance? Countryboy could possibly advise on this.
Yes, a test drive will obviously help but what I’m looking for are opinions from people who have driven both cars over extended periods, a test drive doesn’t show you what a car is like to live with over time.
and yes, I stand by my opinion of the 1.8 which is what I had previously. The day I struggled to get past a diesel Peugeot 208 who didn’t like the fact I was overtaking him was the final straw. Having driven both the 1.8 and 2.0 over thousands of miles the difference in performance is like night and day, even the quoted 0-60 time is 2 secs faster.
Rev happy doesn’t worry me too much as long as it’s not “thrashy”.
Mmmm, might have to try the turbocharged 1.4 in a Fiat 124 but would prefer to stick with Mazda if I can.
Two of us can pack for a week in the ND, soft bags and essentials only.
The 1.5 engine is free revving and does need to be worked to get the best from it at the higher end of the performance range, part of the pleasure. That said it’s more than happy pootling around in the 60 - 70 range (average speed cameras etc) with cruise control on.
The only conditions where the 2.0 with extra torque (and some extra weight) have an advantage would be a long upward stretch, bits of the northern M6/M74 for example
‘The only conditions where the 2.0 with extra torque (and some extra weight) have an advantage would be a long upward stretch, bits of the northern M6/M74 for example’
This statement is misleading so please try the different cars for yourself including sport and non sport suspension and see what suits YOU.
I don’t know about other people’s experiences, but when I owned cars with , say, 180+ bhp, I never had many overtaking problems.
When I owned, or drove, somewhat less powerful cars… , on anything other than dual carriageways, or motorways, it could be rather discomfiting
when faced with a seemingly mundane ‘Eurobox’ whose driver has decided to press on a bit, or perhaps to make their car ‘wide’ at appropriate moments.
Although it’s obviously been said several times above, you won’t know about the MK4 till you try it…, if you don’t like the rev happy nature of your Mk3, perhaps it’s
having driven both a 1.8 Kendo and once I traded it, a 2.0 Kendo I would respectfully suggest the differences are more than stated above. Have you driven both over thousands of miles? I know I have! The quoted manufacturers 0-60 time for the 1.8 is 9.9 secs whilst for the 2.0 it’s 7.9 secs and my own personal experience would support that difference . In steady driving you might not see much of a difference but when you need to accelerate eg overtake it is, as I said, night and day whether uphill or on the flat. That’s what suits ME!
My concern here is that the 1.5 has sufficient performance to meet my needs without going to the extra expense of the 2.0 this time around.it certainly seems closer to the old 2.0 than the 1.8 in terms of figures on paper.
in terms of “thrashy“ we come down to NVH My 2.0 is quite harsh under acceleration but perhaps I’m looking for “sewing-machine” revs ie the car still revs but smoothly…
Not such a daft idea. Given my “every day runner” is a C Class it’s a discussion we already have had.
No, I still like the concept of a small light sports convertible for touring etc, my current MX5 has done more of its miles during my ownership outside the UK than inside. It’s just that after a week or so the NVH element becomes a bit wearing. Interestingly thats exactly the comment a motoring website made about a long term test of a Mk 4. However these things are all relative…hence my initial question to pepole who have owned both…
I have had MK2 98 car for three years then MK3 07 for three years and swapped to 1.5 MK4 last in January. All have there merits and down sides but do enjoy new one as lighter and more willing when revved up. Its going for first MOT this pm
apart from the BBR exhausts I really enjoyed the whole driving experience, lighter, more comfortable, beautiful handling and steering…pretty much everything I wanted but…
Later today I’m picking up an Audi TT Roadster 2.0TFSi on a 62 plate. Why?
Because the space and practicality of the ND is appalling- for my needs at least. OK, I could get away with the lack of a glovebox but the boot is ridiculous! I took a small suitcase with me to the dealership. This slotted into my mk3 quite easily but it was a real effort to try and force it into the Mk4. Given we want to use the car for touring we decided it just wasn’t going to work for us.
so after 8 very happy years in the MX5OC attending nearly every rally since Belfast in 2010 we’re off to Audi. Going to miss the club, was one of the real highlights of ownership
Got a cracking trade in on my car, a 2.0 Kendo RC…£3700 depreciation in 5 years. That will do nicely.
…sorry to “re-open” your thread…but you have given me food for thought now.
We have had a mk1 (4 yrs), and a mk2.5 for the last 16 years. I recently had a test drive in a 1.5 mk4 and loved it…but after recently finishing work and like you, my main priority now is for “touring” and I think in this respect the Mk4 is not very practical. (I even considered the option of fitting the exorbitantly expensive boot carrier and case!!).
However I now feel the need to test drive and Audi :( …Auto Trader he we come…
I am also an owner of … As you said a gutless 1.8 mk3 I would put my 5 against an mk4 gen anyday , sorry I cannot help with your question but enjoy what ever you drive all 4 generations have pro,s and cons it is all in the drive I quess … Top down always
I’ve had my ND 1.5l for almost 3 years now (didn’t go for the “sport” model as my arthritic back would find its suspension too stiff), no problems of any sort, love it, best driver’s car I’ve ever had!
Having now driven the ND I can fully agree it was a lovely drive, really enjoyed it. The 1.5 was all the engine I would have needed but in the end it was the practicality issue that rules it out. If I was just using it as a run around an ND would be in the drive right now but for touring…
The suitcase that would barely fit in the NDs boot is swallowed in the TT, in fact we could easily get two of them in, not a big boot but twice the size of the NDs space And a proper glovebox to boot.