9582djk....
you have to carefully consider what you want out of the car or what you want it for/to do.
I have a highly modified CDI, and I did own a Brabus, so I think I can comment on both.
The Brabus is a turbo and different engine to the 1.5 petrol. The 1.3 petrol is as near as makes
no real difference as powerful as the 1.5 petrol. Torque will be a bit better on the 1.5 though.
1.3 better on fuel...marginally, and a wee bit cheaper on insurance..just.
The Brabus....
As stated, is a really wonderful car. Exclusivity is undeniable, and so few know what it is
truly capable of. JJ (Problemchild) and Musmart both have remapped Brabs', both
have over 200bhp to play with ! And they love them. But even standard at 177bhp they are
'pocket rockets' and a 'wolf in sheeps clothing'.
The downside is; as already mentioned; fuel consumption (can get as low as 22mpg !)...that
and the insurance are the 'killers' so to speak. (If only it had had a 6 speed gearbox ).
Oh, and of course one mustn't forget the soft expensive andeasily damaged wheels + rear
shocks that leak even after only 20k miles in some cases !
The CDI...
Came as 68 or 95hp.....the only difference is the mapping.
The 68 is a good 'plodder' though a little gutless. The 95 is better with more oomph.
The 68 can be mapped to 95 simply, without the need for a custom map, but ensure the
EGR is 'mapped out' if you do have it done. Both the 68 and 95 can be mapped to over 120.
For reliability 115 is perfect, but mileage and previous service history and how it now runs
or performs needs to be taken into consideration when having it remapped.
I would always recommend a custom map (if going over 95) not an off the shelf 'clone'
or copied map as many inaptly named 'tuners' will offer you.
(Tony of Tune4performance is the master of custom remaps, properly set up on a dyno).
Cons...not as fast as and doesn't handle like the Brab.
Pro's...Cheap Insurance, even when re-mapped (MSM Insurance). Great fuel consumption,
easily remapped to suit, can fit Bilstein suspension to transform the handling, can
fit stronger aftermarket 16" or 17" wheels and tyres to add to the handling,can be
further modifed to bring it up to Brab level with s/hand parts etc. Once remapped it
is a good match for the Brab in the mid range. Torque gives a wonderful powerband.
Fuel consumption after remap unaffected and often improved if driven in the same
manner as before the remap as the torque is stronger so less gearchanges.
And finally, gearboxes....manual or AMT....
Manual is the only choice on the Brab.
Manual 5 speed in all cases, AMT is 6 speed. AMT gives better fuel consumption.
There are some issues with the AMT which have never been resolved, so I would
advise choose a manual, though having said all that I have not had any real issues
with my AMT....apart from when I took it on a race track. the problem there was
that I wanted to downshift a gear after a bit of acceleration, but the 'electronic brains'
thought I should be shifting up (even though I was driving it as a manual) and it duelly
shifted up ! ! So it didn't help at all with the tight corner I was just entering into....
It was scarry to say the least...and if I hadn't KW coilover suspension on the car that I
had, then the car would have ended up going straight ahead into the rough or a barrier.
But that was extreme...and on a race track.
So...make your choice.....
