VW 1.4 Petrol engines...?

[Sodemo]

Does anyone know anything about the older VAG 1.4 petrol engines from the late 90s and early 2000s?

I used to have a 1997 Golf 1.4 and for *some reason* it seemed to drink the fuel like it was going out of fashion, it also provided terrible performance, I think around 70bhp. I considered this a one-off and that there was some kind of issue with the car, however I have now just borrowed my fathers 2004 Polo which has the same 1.4 engine in it and it has the same story. Drinks the fuel and is totally gutless. I put £15 of petrol into the car this morning and it has all vanished in one afternoon. I have done about 60 miles and ive been driving it like a good boy, old man style, 60mph on motorway, no big accelerations, flooring the clutch way in advance of junctions, trying to carry as much speed through corners. Checked tyre pressures, they are all as high as they can go.

Does anyone have any knowledge or background info on these things?

Thanks!