Hi, I am on the hunt...!

[Anonymous]

Morning all,

I am contemplating replacing my 14 plate Fiesta ST with an RCZ so thought I'd pop on to say hello and do some research! Always like to use these forums.

I was looking at about 2011/12 (ish) age and ideally 1.6 GT model, 200bhp.

I must admit, slightly put off by lots of the threads I have been reading to be honest! Am I right in thinking I should be looking at the 2.0 hdi for better reliability. Running costs are not really any hassle for me as I do less than 8k miles per year.

I have searched through common faults for looking etc but any stories on how well someone's car has performed and lasted would be much appreciated!

I was looking at RCZ, Audi TT or S3. I just can't get away from the RCZ looks though.

Lewis

 

[2retro]

Hi there and welcome to the forum!

Audi TT?!

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07So_lJQyqw[/youtube]

Just kidding (sort of) but I'm sure you will not be disappointed with an RCZ in your life. :thumbup:

Not sure what posts you have been reading that have worried you but generally all the RCZ engines are very very good and equally reliable so the decision between petrol and diesel is really down to whether the mpg/cost benefits of one outweigh the other for you.

Personally I would never have such a beautiful sports coupe as the RCZ as a diesel though but that is nothing against the quality of the engine (or other peoples choices in the matter) - it just seems crazy to me. A bit like people who buy a Porsche 911 and then have it in beige... :roll:

 

[DKZ5745]

You are certainly looking at the right car. Don't be put off by the threads, remember, people don't post when there is nothing wrong with their cars, so the only technical posts you will read will be people with faults. It's does make the car sound unreliable, yet, there is more than 1 person on here that is now in their 3rd RCZ. Can't be all that bad :eusa-think:

I have a GT200 Mk2. I haven't really had any issues at all as yet. Just a couple of warranty things, nothing major.

It might be an idea to go for the petrol version if you don't do many miles. The diesel is pretty much bullet proof, but it doesn't like short journeys all the time. I think I have read about coking issues. MPG is excellent pretty much accross the range too, unless you drive it like I do :eusa-whistle:

The Mk2 (2013-on) seems to have had a few of the more common faults sorted, so maybe you might want to look at that model?

Good luck with your search, let us know what you decide. :thumbup:

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies. :thumbup:

See I fancied the Audi because of the reliability reputation, TT's I just like!

Unfortunately my budget wouldn't let me stretch any further than a 2012 plate from what I have seen advertised.

There has just been 2 put up for sale in a garage local to me in Beccles, literally 3 miles away! Both diesel though so not for me. It was nice just being able to have a sit in and good close look at them though.

Looking at the range I am thinking blue, grey, white or the metallic red colour. (Not too fussy!) I like the full black leather seats, they're stunning. So I am going to have to go for GT spec I think? Is there much difference between sport and GT specs?

Common issues I've seen spoken about are temperature sensor, petrol pump, rattling when cold and jacking points out of shape. Any more real common ones I should look out for when viewing? Spoiler common to stop working or anything?? :idea:

Also, does the boot only open via the key fob? Didn't remember seeing a button anywhere inside to open it! :crazy:

 

[Anonymous]

Audi and reliability? Who have you been talking to lol.

You have basically covered all the major issues, all of which are fairly easy to rectify.
Im on my 2nd RCZ, my first being a 156GT, you may find it difficult to find a 200 as they are quite rare and your mileage per annum means a HDi isnt for you.
The only thing i will add is like many direct injection engines, they dont like short journeys on a regular basis, worth noting as it can lead to engine coking issues later on in life.

 

[DKZ5745]

As has been pointed out, the more common issues are easily sorted, the boot has a button just above the number plate, under the lip between the number plate lights. No internal opener, just on the key fob.
I haven't heard of any issues with the spoiler at all, only people being concerned about if it actually activates or not (you can't see stage 1 from the drivers seat).

I think there are threads covering the difference between sport & GT, or you can look on Peugeots web site & they list the full specs for both. Yes there is quite a difference.

Performance wise, I have only driven the 156 & the 200. Never been in an R. The difference between the two was noticeable.

I'm pretty sure you will not be disappointed whichever Z chooses you :wave:

 

[Anonymous]

Just Audi in general have a better reputation in my viewings.

Cannot believe the price of the RCZ though, such a good looking interior and exterior on them.

I only commute about 6 miles total a day so I shall definitely need to go for a petrol in that case. Do they still suffer if used on short journeys. I can always take the long way home!!

What is the power difference like between the 156 and the 200, when behind the wheel? I assume they are turbo'd engines so can be remapped easily...

 

[DKZ5745]

Both have turbos, but the power difference is definitely noticeable. I don't really know about the coking up on short journeys. I think that most cars of this nature do, and I don't think the RCZ is any better or worse than any other for that. As far as remapping, yes, quite a few on here have gone down that path. As mine is still under warranty, I won't be going there for some time, if at all to be honest, as the 200 is very potent straight out of the box, and of course any remapping does put excess strain on many parts, so carries a degree of risk of increased wear over time.

The 156 I test drove felt much quicker than my previous car, well it was much quicker than my previous car (Megane CC). And if I hadn't gone on to try the 200, I'm sure I would have been very happy with the performance.

That's why I don't want to try an R

 

[renegade79]

The GT spec has 19' alloys, heated leather seats and bigger front brakes 340mm over the standard 302mm brakes. In your case the petrol version is the one to go for as the diesel is more suited to longer journeys when the DPF filter gets fully warmed up and is able to do its job properly. if it is only used on shorter journeys you will start to get DPF warning lights on the dash because the DPF filter has not been allowed to warm up correctly and extract the gases.

The choice then is the 156 or 200bhp. i have the 200 bhp engine in my 208 GTi and its a cracker, but that all depends in how much power you need or want and how much power you have in your current car. A 156 in GT spec might tick all your boxes - best thing is to take both for a test run and see for yourself. You won't be disappointed. There has been some good advice already posted here so don't be put off by the thp engine issues some of which are posted by occassional forum members only when they have a problem. Indeed there a few members who are now on the 3rd RCZ and that says it all really. good luck and keep us posted :beer:

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks again, all replies are appreciated.

I have seen the spec differences between the GT and Sport and will definitely be going for the GT. I have found a 2011 GT 200 at my local Peugeot dealership. In grey but with ivory leather. I would like to see it in the flesh so have asked to have it sent to my closest dealer and to test drive it.

My current car is about 220bhp currently so I don't think I would be impressed with the slower of the 2 RCZ
engines.

Has anybody gone between an RCZ and TT to compare the 2 on here?

 

[RCZ1]

I'm on my third RCZ. The latest being the R !

My first two were both 156 Sport models, with various extras. I purposely went for the Sport as I was wanting the smaller alloys for the smoother ride at that time. I also had the seats retrimmed, to make it unique, so again I didn't want the leather seats the GT came with.

The 156 is no slouch and is very deceptive. Get the revs up in third gear and wait for the turbo, boom! Takes many a car by surprise.

I'm sure whichever model you choose you will like but I think you need to test drive both to see which suits you best.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the confidence boost with the 156! The RCZ choice for sale around here seems to be select. So my decision might be helped by whichever model/s come up for sale within a reasonable distance.

I would love the R but they would be out of my budget so there will be no point torturing myself looking at one.

I assume the petrol versions are far better than the diesel for power deliverance? Is the handling good on all models? They look as though they should handle really well with the stance they have.

 

[RCZ1]

The handling on all RCZs is excellent. Holds the road well and is great fun to drive on fast twisty country roads.

I know a few people who have the diesel and it's very torquey. Pulls well.

I travelled for 3 hours to view my R before buying it. Look on Autotrader or Ebay and see what matches what you are looking for. If you see the right car it's worth travelling for

 

[tianorth]

I have the diesel and I wouldn't call it slow.
Handles very well just like all rcz's.
If a diesel is driven properly it can embarrass a few sports car drivers!

 

[2retro]

Thanks for the confidence boost with the 156! The RCZ choice for sale around here seems to be select. So my decision might be helped by whichever model/s come up for sale within a reasonable distance.

Mine is a 156 Sport and it goes like the proverbial $h!t off a shovel. There's not much on the road that it can't either leave standing or easily keep pace with and that includes BMW's, Impreza's, etc. so don't worry about that.

Also, I flew from East Midlands to Glasgow to collect it and the 5 hour drive home was just awesome so it's worth going further afield if it's the right car for you. :thumbup:

 

[Anonymous]

Jumping on a plane to view a car is a good effort! I've just moved but was living about 10 minutes from East Mids. Would have been an easy journey.

I'll just have to try out the local ones to decide on the model I want, then find the best one out there for sale.

Looking forward to the test drives now after all your comments!

 

[DKZ5745]

3 hour trip to get mine, can't beat 2Retro though :lol: :clap:

 

[tianorth]

My dealership is only 20 minutes away so I picked up my rcz then drove home arriving 2.5 hours later!

 

[DKZ5745]

Good effort :thumbup:

 

[2retro]

Or just really bad traffic?