Hello,

I am thinking of buying a Roomster to accommodate the growing family and would be grateful for any advice:

1. I was interested to see that Skoda have a 'VAT-free' offer that ends at end of March 2010 which could save best part of £2000. However, from research on this site I discover that new models are due this March. I am no great hurry to buy. Should I wait and see what the new models are like but most likely miss out on the offer?

2. I have never had a diesel but would like to get more MPG. We do more than 10,000 miles per year. However, I am worried about diesel prices in the future. (When there was a spike in petrol prices a couple of years back, diesel seemed to be more than 10p extra per litre...) But also there is some suggestion that diesels are less reliable in the long-run - is this the case with the Roomster do you think?

3. The 1.9 diesel is not a great deal more than the 1.4. My Fabia often struggles up hills so am inclined to go for the 1.9 (but of course it would not be so economical to run). Any thoughts on this much appreciated. (Should I wait for the Greenline version?).

I feel I am being very demanding having just joined the site but any advice would be much appreciated...

Many thanks,

Matthew.

Hello,

I am thinking of buying a Roomster to accommodate the growing family and would be grateful for any advice:

1. I was interested to see that Skoda have a 'VAT-free' offer that ends at end of March 2010 which could save best part of £2000. However, from research on this site I discover that new models are due this March. I am no great hurry to buy. Should I wait and see what the new models are like but most likely miss out on the offer?

2. I have never had a diesel but would like to get more MPG. We do more than 10,000 miles per year. However, I am worried about diesel prices in the future. (When there was a spike in petrol prices a couple of years back, diesel seemed to be more than 10p extra per litre...) But also there is some suggestion that diesels are less reliable in the long-run - is this the case with the Roomster do you think?

3. The 1.9 diesel is not a great deal more than the 1.4. My Fabia often struggles up hills so am inclined to go for the 1.9 (but of course it would not be so economical to run). Any thoughts on this much appreciated. (Should I wait for the Greenline version?).

I feel I am being very demanding having just joined the site but any advice would be much appreciated...

Many thanks,

Matthew.

hi matti,

no problem asking questions as soon as you join

it looks like the 105bhp diesel is going to be replaced by a 105bhp 1.6 diesel,

some of the decision to buy early or later comes down to likely residual values and that depends how long you keep your cars

as to cost of diesel , remember you get at least 25% more mpg under most conditions so at current prices of about 115 / ltr diesel would have to cost 143 / ltr to lose the initial difference

as to reliability, my last 1.9tdi octavia was 7 years old and 235,000 miles on the clock and my current 2007 roomster 1.9tdi has 97,000 miles, and if reliability of diesels was an issue why are most taxi's and commercial vehicles diesel?

i think most dealers quote a 15,000 miles/year as the break even point for adittional cost of a diesel model v fuel cost saving, but many like me buy a diesel for the reliability and pulling power (for towing) of the diesel engine as well

peter

Hi Matthew,

In answer to some of your questions.

1. It's up to you whether you want to wait to see what the new models bring. As I understand it the Roomster is due a "facelift" which going on experience of other model facelifts this will be some styling tweeks. The change in engine choices will be "harmonising" the Roomster model with the rest of the VAG fleet in terms of enginges that are currently produced for other marques (VW, Audi, SEAT).

If it was me, I would wait for the facelift, see if you like it. If you do, have a look at what savings can be had through places like Drive The Deal. vs the VAT free offer. If you don't there'll be a good number of pre-facelift models in dealer stock I would think, although you may not have the option of "factory fit" options from dealer stock.

2. In terms of the reliabilty of the VAG diesel engines (the PD in particular) you only have to take a look around the forum and check some of the monster mileages that people have racked up with very few (that I have seen) major problems. My Fabia vRS (PD130 engine) has covered 130k miles in various states of tune and is currently running +/- 175bhp nad has been for around 100k. With regular maintenance I see no reason why there should be any reliabilty issues. I certainly took into account the experience of reliabilty of the PD engine when I bought our Roomster Scout.

Petrol v Diesel wise I'm all for diesel as I cover 25k+ a year.

3. In my opinion go for the 1.9tdi without question. In the PD105 guise it has plenty of grunt and if you find it sluggish you can always consider a re-map for more power and torques If you have an expanding family you'll have expanding luggage/buggy/people/kit requirements too

Hope that helps

Edited 10 February, 201016 yr by Jonny5ive

diesels are fine if you keep away from dual mass flywheels and particulate filters - keep to the lower powered models and you will be fine. Keep an eye out and dont be too rigid - buy when you find a bargain in comparison to the p/x prices quoted on Glasses on the Vauxhall.co.uk site. If you pay little, you won't get a bit depreciation hit.

All of the PD's should come with DMF's

They are perfectly reliable unless you push the car past what's meant to do, I have had four 1.9 PDs and the only one that didn't give me 100k+ trouble free miles was the one I tuned and tracked.. Go for the 1.9 or wait for the 1.6 diesel. You get anything else and you will be sat there in a years time going " I wish i had have......"

Edited 10 February, 201016 yr by Decron

Hi Matthew,

In answer to some of your questions.

1. It's up to you whether you want to wait to see what the new models bring. As I understand it the Roomster is due a "facelift" which going on experience of other model facelifts this will be some styling tweeks. The change in engine choices will be "harmonising" the Roomster model with the rest of the VAG fleet in terms of enginges that are currently produced for other marques (VW, Audi, SEAT).

If it was me, I would wait for the facelift, see if you like it. If you do, have a look at what savings can be had through places like Drive The Deal. vs the VAT free offer. If you don't there'll be a good number of pre-facelift models in dealer stock I would think, although you may not have the option of "factory fit" options from dealer stock.

Saying that the engine choice changes will simply be harmonising the Roomster with the rest of VAG is probably a little harsh because all the rumoured new engines for the Roomster (and Fabia) are all pretty new. There will be styling tweaks on the outside, probably some styling tweaks to the interior too plus new stereos, fabric choices, wheel styles e.t.c. Given that virtually the entire engine range will be replaced, it's a pretty substantial update for a mid-life facelift.

But I agree with Jonny5ive, wait until the facelift is presented (should be anytime now we get official pics and specs) and take it from there - you can then make an informed choice whether to get the latest model or save yourself a bit of cash and get a pre-facelift stock car which they are bound to be selling off cheap.

Great - thanks for all the replies. Really useful.

I am test driving a Roomster in a couple of weeks so may have some more questions after that.

I think I will wait and see what the facelift brings and take it from there but it sounds as though diesels are a good option as I think we will hit 15000 miles each year now.

Cheers,

Matthew.