Difference between 6.1 California 150hp and 204hp diesel drivetrains

[AlisonF]

Not comparing apples with pears. I switched from a T6 204 DSG 4 motion Ocean (so a lot of extra weight) to a T6.1 150 DSG Beach.
The Beach is useless on hills with or without towing. And towing the Eriba (which is not heavy) I feel like I need to plan where I am around the HGV’s so I don’t wee wee some one off over taking at 60-65 down hill and then struggling to get over 50 (yes, seriously) on the up hill. I am struggling without towing on the local hilly dual carriage way on a daily basis.
As soon as there is a 204 Beach available in the UK. Yes please.
Don’t have a go at me. I’m just stating my experience.

 

[Mr B]

If you are going 2wd just remap the 150.

More tourque and better fuel economy.

Use the money saved for better options or just save the money.

 

[Wildcamper]

Not comparing apples with pears. I switched from a T6 204 DSG 4 motion Ocean (so a lot of extra weight) to a T6.1 150 DSG Beach.
The Beach is useless on hills with or without towing. And towing the Eriba (which is not heavy) I feel like I need to plan where I am around the HGV’s so I don’t wee wee some one off over taking at 60-65 down hill and then struggling to get over 50 (yes, seriously) on the up hill. I am struggling without towing on the local hilly dual carriage way on a daily basis.
As soon as there is a 204 Beach available in the UK. Yes please.
Don’t have a go at me. I’m just stating my experience.

Interesting. I have no power issues with my t6 150 DSG. Can do 70 uphill no problem. Not towing as I have nothing to tow.

 

[66tim99]

Interesting. I have no power issues with my t6 150 DSG. Can do 70 uphill no problem. Not towing as I have nothing to tow.

I can do 90 uphill in my 6.1 150, maybe more. I wonder if you have a fault @AlisonF ?

 

[66tim99]

At a steady 85mph I’ve found the bigger engine to be more economical.
The biggest difference is the way it picks up speed between 40and 80mph the extra torque makes it far more relaxing, in comparison to our old van it either has the same performance whilst being in a gear ratio or two higher, or far more performance in the same gears.

I don’t feel a difference in relaxation. Cruising at 80mph at 2k rpm in 7th with the ACC, lane assist and the DCC Comfort mode on it feels like you’re on autopilot on Monkeys pink cloud. On my 2 runs to Leeds from London I averaged over 40mpg, the second one 43mpg. My dads was mid-high 30’s (but was a T6 not 6.1) I usually sit at 70mph though, so maybe things change at 85mph

 

[66tim99]

France is big and the speed limit is 83mph got to get through it to Spain somehow.
I’ve not found the need to change the suspension it’s absolutely fine for high speed cruising.

Suspension is definitely adequate for all driving, especially high speed cruising in my experience. But the ability to soften the suspension for eg concrete motorways with expansion gaps, and then firm it up when you come off for the roundabouts or B road twisties makes a big difference. Weighting up the steering with DCC at higher speeds also helps inspire confidence.

 

[andyinluton]

I don’t feel a difference in relaxation. Cruising at 80mph at 2k rpm in 7th with the ACC, lane assist and the DCC Comfort mode on it feels like you’re on autopilot on Monkeys

It’s the getting back up to 85 when the traffic clears after being stuck at 60 especially uphill that you notice the difference.

 

[Tarquers]

I went for the 150 over the 204 because the long term ownership of twin turbos on a heavy diesel (rightly or wrongly) scares me (based on no science whatsoever) but not been disappointed. Overtakes nicely on A roads when needed and cruises on the motorway at any speed you like, but economy drops off above 65 mph I find. Even on long autobahn runs I don't need more power, although I am sure I would use if if I had it.

 

[schterkl]

I see no point in going 204hp as the rest (suspension, high center of gravity, stiffness etc. ) hardly follows 150hp. And if, it should be with 4M, DCC and chasis lowering.

 

[WelshGas]

Awful lot of 150 owners justifying their purchase or intention to purchase . Just saying.

 

[OGII]

Awful lot of 150 owners justifying their purchase or intention to purchase . Just saying.

No need to justify buying my poverty spec 150 engine or my temerity in only buying a Beach. It's all down to choice. You'll be suggesting I need to justify the colour it same in too. WG, please let people have their own opinions, it was their hard earned they spent.

Glad you are happy with your choices.

 

[Wildcamper]

Awful lot of 150 owners justifying their purchase or intention to purchase . Just saying.

Everyone justifies any purchase they make, that's why they make the purchase. One buys what is right for them. I am sure you can justify the spec of your vehicle, and so you should.

 

[WelshGas]

No need to justify buying my poverty spec 150 engine or my temerity in only buying a Beach. It's all down to choice. You'll be suggesting I need to justify the colour it same in too. WG, please let people have their own opinions, it was their hard earned they spent.

Glad you are happy with your choices.

In that case concentrate on the Original Question of this thread instead of banging on about your choice of vehicle.


" Are the 2 drivetrains the same with only different software mapping to increase power and torque?

or does the 204hp have different parts such as bigger turbos, exhaust configurations or gearbox/engine internals? "

 

[Mr B]

I've noticed that if I drive the 150 van on the accelerator the pick up is incredibly sluggish.

However if I use the cruise control speed adjuster and whack it up say from 50 to 70, even for example on a hill, it picks up way faster.

I've never had any issues with going up hill or overtaking.

I suspect the accelerator pedal is purposefully programmed and designed to stop you flooring it, I expect for emission purposes. It's certainly odd.

Try it yourself or it might just be my van but I drive it mostly on the cruise control even in town. I just find it easier and more relaxing and the power delivery is fine.

 

[Pollewop]

Awful lot of 150 owners justifying their purchase or intention to purchase . Just saying.

Yes, and some people just like to see their name on this forum... Just saying...

 

[OGII]

Awful lot of 150 owners justifying their purchase or intention to purchase . Just saying.

Always happy to take a pop at people with different views and then use the "stay on thread"response when called out on it.

As others have said before you are an amazing and helpful source of Cali knowledge, maybe leave out the "150 owners justifying their choices, just saying" replies. That was off thread.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Yes, and some people just like to see their name on this forum... Just saying...

Thats a bit rude.
32 messages vs almost 20 000
Just saying…

 

[WelshGas]

Yes, and some people just like to see their name on this forum... Just saying...

Agree, I like to give more than I take from the Forum. Hopefully you will do the same in time.

 

[Calimili]

A lot of 204 owners trying to justify why they went 204 instead of 150. The argument is valid both ways.
There is no doubt the 204 pulls away better than the 150. The torque is much stronger. With the 204 is easier to overtake, pull a trailer uphill. It will get off quicker at the traffic light.
Question is, how do you drive and do you need so much performance, considering it is a camper van?
How many bhp do you regularly use?
On the Autobahn, I travel usually at 150km/h. The van would go faster, but having a wind out awning on the side and a bike rack at the back, doesn't make much sense. The brakes are the same 150/204 with the 17". So both will need to be able to stop and have the same brakes.
At 150km/h I am not using 150bhp. I'm using less.
I don't floor the gas pedal at the traffic light as I don't need to be as quick as possible. Again not using the full torque. 150/204 have same transmission and gearbox.
If I were to have to pull a trailer uphill on a regular basis I would need the full torque of the 150 and benefit from the much higher 204 torque, but that's not my case.
It would be interesting to know how many of the 204 owners regularly need all the available power.
The braking and cornering limits are the same on 150/204.

Apart from the extra turbo and components, I wouldn't be surprise if the cooling system was upgraded on the 204 vs the 150.

 

[Wesel]

Here as elsewhere, many want to convince (or convince themselves?) that their choice was the best choice.
I'm not sure many would have chosen a 150 hp if there wasn't a price difference between the two choices.
I have a 150 and I am very happy with it !
But it is true that if there had been no price difference I would have bought a 204 hp.
My reason was budget, it must be dared to say it.

 

[Mr B]

Here as elsewhere, many want to convince (or convince themselves?) that their choice was the best choice.
I'm not sure many would have chosen a 150 hp if there wasn't a price difference between the two choices.
I have a 150 and I am very happy with it !
But it is true that if there had been no price difference I would have bought a 204 hp.
My reason was budget, it must be dared to say it.

I bought second hand and would of loved 4x4 204bhp but settled for a lovely Blackberry 150bhp.

There wasn't much choice and it was based on what was available and budget.

There's no denying IMO that 4motion (with difflock) 204bhp is the daddy - but I've yet to get to stuck with my lowly 150bhp and it drives fine.

I think the tyres help a bit

 

[WelshGas]

I'm still struggling to understand what the last 44 Posts have to do with the Original Question.

Are the 2 drivetrains the same with only different software mapping to increase power and torque?

or does the 204hp have different parts such as bigger turbos, exhaust configurations or gearbox/engine internals?

 

[Mr B]

I'm still struggling to understand what the last 44 Posts have to do with the Original Question.

Are the 2 drivetrains the same with only different software mapping to increase power and torque?

or does the 204hp have different parts such as bigger turbos, exhaust configurations or gearbox/engine internals?

Answer: No

The rest of the posts - opinion on 150 vs 204 by the owners. Still interesting though - but no need to struggle anymore

 

[OGII]

I'm still struggling to understand what the last 44 Posts have to do with the Original Question.

Are the 2 drivetrains the same with only different software mapping to increase power and torque?

or does the 204hp have different parts such as bigger turbos, exhaust configurations or gearbox/engine internals?

You are 100% right. Post 3 onwards descended into the usual one is better than t'other. Standard forum banter.

One argument I've heard is that second turbo makes it even harder to access parts of the the engine bay, adding time and cost to maintenance. It's all good though as the 180/204 owners make up the time later at the traffic lights.

 

[WelshGas]

Answer: No

The rest of the posts - opinion on 150 vs 204 by the owners. Still interesting though - but no need to struggle anymore

But it would be helpful if others could answer the original question with informative information/details.