Hi everyone,

My dad is about to buy his first ever car, he's retiring at Christmas and has always had company cars.

He loves my Octavia VRS so much he's decided he wants an Octy too, but an oil burner.

He's decided that the spec he wants is a SE Estate, but he can't decide on which engine and I don't know what to tell him.

Choices are:

1.6 common-rail TDI with DPF (105 bhp)

1.9 pump-deuse TDI (105 bhp)

2.0 pump-deuse TDI (140 bhp)

He's a relaxed driver so doesn't need performance but we live in the countryside with lots of hills. Up-front cost isn't really important but long-term costs (mpg/tax) are more so.

Which is the best all-rounder for him?

Hmmm.... Out of those 3 I'd have the PD 140 personally as it'd be the most relaxed drive. I imagine the 1.6 CR will need to be worked quite hard although I've not driven one myself. As a result I'm betting the MPG does take a hit?

The 1.9 is now quite a dated unit. Very good in its day but its starting to show its age a bit.

The 1.9 is now quite a dated unit. Very good in its day but its starting to show its age a bit.

but tried and tested and proven

Up-front cost isn't really important but long-term costs (mpg/tax) are more so.

The 1.6 CR is a clear winner on those grounds with the best efficiency (mpg) and only £35/year tax

The 1.6 CR (and 1.9) will also be cheaper to insure having less power output.

I'd say he needs to test drive both 105bhp and 140bhp models and see if that helps him decide.

1 and 2) 1.6 CR TDI or 2.0 PD TDI assuming no DPF.

3) 1.9 PD TDI - efficient, but a bit noisy and has a fair few of the same issues as the 2.0 PD.

Just get the 1.6CR.

and your CR's are too new to identify any longer term issues they might have.

but tried and tested and proven

True, they are pretty bomb proof, just a bit noisy and with EGR issues (stutter) as they tried to make it comply with emissions regs.

My dad has just ordered the 1.6 CR TDi. Has got fed up with his 1.9 PD, after a new engine was put in some time ago.

Go for the 1.6CR - had mine for a month now and I think it’s a great little diesel. I test drove the 1.9PD and the 2.0PD and both were very agricultural in comparison. The 1.6 however is very quiet and smooth and accelerates right through the rev range making it more petrol like in nature. You will also only pay £35/yr in road tax.

How gutsy does the 1.6 feel? I've got visions of it struggling with a car the size of the Octy.

How gutsy does the 1.6 feel? I've got visions of it struggling with a car the size of the Octy.

Same as the 1.9 PD, 105.

Same power and IIRC similar torque, just different delivery characteristics.

Has got fed up with his 1.9 PD, after a new engine was put in some time ago.

Really? what went wrong with the 1.9?

True, they are pretty bomb proof, just a bit noisy and with EGR issues (stutter) as they tried to make it comply with emissions regs.

What egr issues, do you mean that the engine management light comes on like mine has:confused:

I am getting a new one fitted this week £67 for the egr valve from the dealers, and a tenner for fitting

£67 for the egr valve from the dealers

You sure? thats very cheap for one of those:confused:

You sure? thats very cheap for one of those:confused:

Yes part number 038131501AN for the 105 tdi

I would consider your dad's attitudes to drive, considering that it's easy to hear of issues with the DPF in VAG range, for cars used mostly "gently". The old PD105 shouldn't have one of this absurd devices, so preventing from future (expensive) costs.

HTH

True, they are pretty bomb proof, just a bit noisy and with EGR issues (stutter) as they tried to make it comply with emissions regs.

no issue with mine after having the ecu update. Have you had yours updated?

The 1.6 CR needs to be worked hard to get anything out of it, this has a major dent in economy. Dont expect to get anywhere near the quoted MPG figures in the real world.

no issue with mine after having the ecu update. Have you had yours updated?

I was "lucky" in that I had an ASZ rather than a BLT so mine never stuttered. It's easily fixed either way with a different EGR gasket but it shows what VAG had to do to get the 1.9 to meet emissions standards by ramping up the EGR intake.

The 1.6 CR needs to be worked hard to get anything out of it, this has a major dent in economy. Dont expect to get anywhere near the quoted MPG figures in the real world.

This is my fear with a car the size of the Octavia. Same goes for cars fitted with PSA's 1.6 HDi 110 - it needs to be revved hard, especially when fitted to larger cars and mpg takes a hit as a result. Yeah it'll be cheap on tax but I wouldn't want one. Hell, even the CR 170 isn't exactly gutsy IMO and needs to be pushed to make it go.

My wife has just bought a 1.6 TDI Golf and its as flat as a pancake below 2000 revs. frightenely so. Not a patch on my 1.9 Octavia Estate which has plenty of low down power

I own a O2 estate 1.6 tdi for about a month now. Ok, if you are used to a vrs, this engine might be a deception. I had a 1.9 atmospheric diesel (VW Passat) with over 250.000 miles, and for me the 1.6 tdi is a huge improvement: quick AND silent. For me, performance is more than sufficient. Talking about flat pancakes, my Passat was one. Indeed, you need to have passed 1600 revs, but then you will get a big smile on your face: it pulls and keeps on pulling. And longer than the 1.9 tdi, for sure! Consider this: it might very well be the silence of the engine that makes you think the car doesn't go forward. And fuel economy is far better, that is a fact!

I would recommend the 1.6 tdi, if performance is not on top of your list. If you want a silent engine that allows a very fluent way of driving, that's the car to buy! It is euro5 too!

no issue with mine after having the ecu update. Have you had yours updated?

I mentioned this to my dealer and doesn,t know wtf iam talking about :confused:

I mentioned this to my dealer and doesn,t know wtf iam talking about :confused:

I suggest you get in contact with Skoda UK, and get it from the horses mouth so to speak.