1.4SE - not as swift as expected?

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marcman
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1.4SE - not as swift as expected?

Post by marcman »

Hello group, this is my first post.

I've just purchased a 1.4SE (16v, 75bhp) in incredibly good condition, X reg (Dec 2000) with a mere 16k on the clock and a full VW service history. I'm sure the car has only ever been used for short journeys around town (hence the low mileage) and I doubt that much of the rev range has ever been used - it really isn't as responsive on acceleration as I expected it to be. I've been driving a 1.0 (mk4) for a few years prior to this and although the SE does feel slightly swifter, the difference is not what I expected. I had a Citroen AX GT prior to the 1.0 and was expecting the SE to be similar in performance (I used to find the GT quite thrilling at times!)

I'm loving the SE and it's miles ahead of the 1.0 that I had but I cant help feeling slightly disappointed with it's speed. Could the short, town journeys that the SE has been doing all it's life be responsible for my disappointment or were my expectations a little too high? Will things get better as I subject it to a more varied driving environment (my daily commute is a combo of country lanes, motorway and a bit of inner-city)?

Thanks for any help
Marc
Prash
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Post by Prash »

Giving it a damn good thrasing should help with it having done short journeys/low revs all its life, did for me anyway !
RayBanUK
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Post by RayBanUK »

Hi Marcman, ditto, I just mine on Saturday :)

Mine seems OK and quite nifty but tbh it does seems sluggish at times esp in the higher gears. I find myself having to go down a gear or 2 whenever I slow down in fifth to gain any power back. Off the mark, it seems perfectly adequete and quite nippy.

What I do have a problem with is the bouncy wallowy ride which makes me less confidnt around corners.
Arnoldo
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Post by Arnoldo »

RayBanUK wrote:Hi Marcman, ditto, I just mine on Saturday :)

Mine seems OK and quite nifty but tbh it does seems sluggish at times esp in the higher gears. I find myself having to go down a gear or 2 whenever I slow down in fifth to gain any power back. Off the mark, it seems perfectly adequete and quite nippy.

What I do have a problem with is the bouncy wallowy ride which makes me less confidnt around corners.
Yup Same here...I have only had mine a month or two and I find this too !! Im goin to re clean the throttle body to see if it helps much.
Arnoldo
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Re: 1.4SE - not as swift as expected?

Post by Arnoldo »

marcman wrote:Hello group, this is my first post.

I've just purchased a 1.4SE (16v, 75bhp) in incredibly good condition, X reg (Dec 2000) with a mere 16k on the clock and a full VW service history. I'm sure the car has only ever been used for short journeys around town (hence the low mileage) and I doubt that much of the rev range has ever been used
lol thats near the same as mine. Mines a 1.4s, same bhp, same x reg, full service history and came with 16,000 miles :P

Give it a gd thrashin to get the cobwebs out of her and use reddex to clean her out too ;)
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jonnopolo
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Post by jonnopolo »

Hi, I've just joined the group & this is my first post. I have a 2001 X Reg 1.4 Match and compared to the MK1V that my wife owns it seems quite gutless. I'm running it on Ultimate which seems to make a slight difference. The MK1V goes like a rocket when you put your foot down, but the MKV seems almost sedate. I think the MK1V is more exciting to drive & has a better gearbox too.
Arnoldo
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Post by Arnoldo »

jonnopolo wrote:Hi, I've just joined the group & this is my first post. I have a 2001 X Reg 1.4 Match and compared to the MK1V that my wife owns it seems quite gutless. I'm running it on Ultimate which seems to make a slight difference. The MK1V goes like a rocket when you put your foot down, but the MKV seems almost sedate. I think the MK1V is more exciting to drive & has a better gearbox too.
b*******s :P
RayBanUK
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Post by RayBanUK »

Is your Match a 60bhp though? Sorry, it may just be me and I may b mistaken, but I thought the Match was only in 60bhp guise? Certainly was the case when I was car hunting. If it is, I know what you mean as I did test the 1.4MPI engine and it was sluggish.
loud
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Post by loud »

i've never driven one myself but I can vouch for their fifth gear lacking, i didn't even have to drop a gear to overtake one :P
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jonnopolo
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Post by jonnopolo »

Yes, as far as I know my Match is 60 bhp. I really like the design of the car though, inside & out, but just wish it had a bit more 'grunt'.
marcman
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Should I clean the throttle body?

Post by marcman »

Will cleaning the throttle body be likely to make any difference? If so could somebody explain (or beter still post a pic) of the throttle bodys location :oops: and what product is best used to clean it?

On another note, Ive driven the Polo to work this morning (fisrt time since original post) and thrashed it a bit on the way. I think it's starting to feel a tiny bit swifter - can't be sure yet but im feeling optimistic.

Cheers
Marc
loud
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Post by loud »

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