[Keith]

Hi to all, nice looking site, well done to the Owner & Moderators 

Currently a member of The Fiat Forum & driving a remapped 1.9 MJet (diesel) Grande Punto, which has been very good for 4 years & 73,000 miles now.

But it's time to change, don't do as many miles these days so having looked at the options, & seeing the standard kit on the i30 Premium 1.6 petrol, I'm 99% sure I will be in one in a week or two, what are your thoughts on the 1.6 motor? The other thing is "Auto or Manual.."? I'm expecting the drop in power / torque, that's OK, I don't see much bad said about the i30, what are your honest thoughts, I know a dedicated Forum isn't the best place to ask, but so many people cant see past the Hyundai badge to give objective advice...

Here's to you all... Ffoxy (Keith)

[2i30s]

welcome aboard mate. the wife's got an automatic 2.0 petrol cw/estate and I've got a manual 2.0 petrol hatch. at the end of the day it really comes down to either,what you want or what you can afford to buy. 

[Dazzler]

Hi Keith and Welcome.. The 1.6 litre motor is supposed to be quite a sweet little unit (It hasn't been sold in Australia for very long) Until this year we only had the 1.6 diesel (lovely moata) and the 2.0 Petrol..

Being that you are used to a diesel a bit surprised you aren't considering one of those...All the reviews and many of the members on here say it is the pick (but I guess a 1.6 petrol would be cheaper 2nd hand)

The 1.6 petrol doesn't generate much if any negative feedback on here either..which has to be a good thing 

[AlanHo]

I test drove the 1.6 petrol and 1.6 diesel cars. For me it was a no brainer - the diesel is very refined, has much better mpg and better performance.

So I ordered an i30 1.6 CRDi Premium to replace my 3 year old Audi A4. I take delivery of my new car next month.

I suggest you try out the diesel before you commit to a petrol one.

Whether you have auto or manual depends on personal preferences - the auto has greater emissions - hence higher road tax and worse mpg - but is perhaps easier to drive for those used to an auto box.

[Myowni30]

Hi Keith,

Welcome to the i30 Owners Club 

[Hemmi]

Hi Keith and welcome

[eye30]

Welcome Ffoxy

I've the diesel and love it. 
Never drove the petrol as I decided on the diesel after reading write ups.

[Opa_1]

Welcome Keith

As you can tell from the emerging pattern there are quite a few satisfied Diesel owners here.. including myself 

I'm sure you'll enjoy your i30 which ever you choose.

[Shambles]

Hiya Keith

You say you "don't do as many miles these days". Quite often, the difference (aka, choice) between petrol and diesel workhorses is governed by the mileage covered annually. I moved to diesel because of my c.22k miles per annum. Works out a whole lot cheaper being able to get around 750 miles per tank, and enduring the small additional cost at service time (again, for me, every 7 months). I'm sure you're aware of that having driven a diesel Fiat GP.

Your other main query was auto vs manual.

Go manual. Stay in control of the machine you buy.

[Keith]

Such a warm welcome & sound advice, thanks to all. I used to do around 18k milesa year but not any more. Also wary of the current Eco DPF's fitted to the latest diesels especially with few long trips, true he DPF issues I have heard of have not been Hyundai i30's but so many makes suffer from blocked DPF's, poor economy & performance during regeneration & £200 a time for a dealer to do a forced regeneration & clear logged ECU codes.  Looking forward to being turbo free, no intercooler worries and 5p / litre less for fuel (around here anyway). Cars used to be so simple "back in the day" lol! 

So... despite the Mickeytaking from friends & Fiat forummembers I'm heading towards a well specc'd reliable little bus then I hope 

[Dazzler]

Fair call Keith (can understand your reasoning although DPF used in i30 appears reliable so far..)

[Lorian]

The i30 DPF doesn't ever do a regeneration while driving. They are a new type of DPF (aluminium titanate). No power or economy loss at any time. There is an option to force a regeneration in the Hy service application menu but so far there have zero incidents reported of anyone needing yo have this done, and this type of device has been fitted to UK 1.6CRDi since production from the middle of July last year.

[SRT Metro]

Hi Keith!
Welcome to the club! 

[bumpkin]

Hi Keith and welcome

I have the 1.6 petrol Premium and love it to bits, city driving gives about 300 miles to the tank and combined I can reach 400 miles to the tank.

Like Steve says, manual wins for me also.

Good luck!
Brian

[Keith]

The i30 DPF doesn't ever do a regeneration while driving. They are a new type of DPF (aluminium titanate). No power or economy loss at any time. There is an option to force a regeneration in the Hy service application menu but so far there have zero incidents reported of anyone needing yo have this done, and this type of device has been fitted to UK 1.6CRDi since production from the middle of July last year.

Wow thats interesting and good info Lorian thanks...  Puts a whole new perspective on the diesel option, I'll have to look again, I like the spec on the Premium models, presumably Hy 1.6 diesels have a Premium option with the same heated leather seats etc etc as the 1.6 petrol? The economy still draws me obviously, plus the lazy low end grunt... will I be able to resist the temptation of a quality tuning box or re-map... thats the BIG question for me...

[sparki30]

Hi Keith

Are you buying new or used ? I noticed you mentioned heated seats it's my understanding is they are included only when you have the full leather pack option on a new motor.

Doh ! just read the subject title 

[Keith]

  No sweat, it's 30 months old but really low mileage, no cruise control but hey....

Just realising more & more how far behind the pack Fiat are in terms of goodies, fit & finish + general quality.... my Fiat feels so "low rent" now..

I'll miss the Fiat grunt, (194 Bhp 263ft lbs torque) and 53 Mpg was nice too...

But I wont miss the feeling of being at risk of breakdown every time I go out in it 

[babis_xo]

A breakdown with a Fiat isn't a risk... it's a certainty (*) 
I was a fellow-suffering from the Fiat disease; the 128 one. Most of the time i was under the car than over it 

P.S.: Sorry for the time lag ... (better late than never) Welcome! 

[bumpkin]

A breakdown with a Fiat isn't a risk... it's a certainty (*) 
I was a fellow-suffering from the Fiat disease; the 128 one. Most of the time i was under the car than over it 

I thought everybody knew that FIAT stands for Fix It Again Tommy!!

Same as LOTUS is Lots of Trouble Usually Serious

[babis_xo]

 
I didn't know that!
I wrote it down

[Keith]

Lol at the good old cliche's! Seriously guys, the problem with Fiat is the dealerships not the metalwork... the cars are fine these days but I will say in all honesty, the i30 exceeds my expectations in all respects.

Very Happy new owner. 

[babis_xo]

Lol at the good old cliche's! Seriously guys, the problem with Fiat is the dealerships not the metalwork... the cars are fine these days but I will say in all honesty, the i30 exceeds my expectations in all respects.

Very Happy new owner. 

I was referring at the "good" old times. When i was "married" to a mechanic and i used to "live" in a garage