Hey guys, I'm thinking of getting one of these.. I was wondering if you guys know of any good reviews or even better what are your opinions on them..

The fuel costs / power ratio is what does it for me

Cheers

Marc

The PD 170 is a great little engine. It takes a little getting used to due to the huge power surge at 1800rpm which makes it difficult to drive smoothly at low speeds but it does give a lot fun when pressing on. You should expect to get 42-45mpg on normal driving but can get over 50mpg on a run (the highest I ever saw was 55mpg). You will have to try very hard to keep in below 40mpg. The main issue with them is the DPF which can clog but as long as you do some reasonable length journeys then you should not have an issue.

Hey guys, I'm thinking of getting one of these.. I was wondering if you guys know of any good reviews or even better what are your opinions on them..

The fuel costs / power ratio is what does it for me

Cheers

Marc

Hi Marc,

I used to work for Skoda and they are great cars, I drove a fair few as demos! The space is awesome and performance is good - they pull like a tank! The only thing I would flag up is that if you are doing a lot of shorter journeys, the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) in the exhaust can become clogged up where the exhaust doesn't get hot enough to burn off the soot - we had a number come limping in with the engine management light on and car in "get you home mode". There is a procedure where you have to drive for a constant speed (ideally on an A road or motorway where you are not in stop start traffic) for a specified time in order for it to "regenerate" if the DPF light comes on the dash but you only have limited time to do this when the warning light comes on before it gets totally clogged up. Having said this, there were no problems for cars doing regular longer journeys so it just depends on your travel circumstances..........

Hope this helps?!

Rob

Hey guys, I'm thinking of getting one of these.. I was wondering if you guys know of any good reviews or even better what are your opinions on them..

The fuel costs / power ratio is what does it for me

Cheers

Marc

Hi Marc

I have the pleasure of owning one for the last year and 10k miles and have been very pleased with it , i agree with the views of the other guys , mine does do a lot of short runs but have had no probs with DPF.

The car is rooomy ,comfortable and a pleasure to drive . I have had mine remapped so it goes like stink if i want it to and i still get 50mpg . The only problem i have with it is that it gives me face ache with smiling so much .

I have just handed back a company car (vRS CR) and thought it a decent motor. I now have a petrol, but that is down to personal preference.

The diesel does give an impressive economy / performance blend, as long as you are OK with the sudden power delivery at 1750 rpm as the turbo lights up. The car cruises easily at 80+ mph and along my 30 mile dual-carriageway trek to work I was easily getting the mid 40-s in mpg. That was without much trying. The midrange feels very strong once the turbo has spooled up and pushes well up to 4500 rpm. I don't think there was much point in going harder, as the engine gets strained and power falls away. Keep to the midrange and it is a surprisingly quick car.

I have heard a lot about the DPF easily clogging up, but it was cured by the time the CR was launched. I guess an occasional foot in the carpet moment during the journey would help!

Edited 2 June, 201115 yr by OverTheHill

Even the PD has the DPF on it? I thought that was just the CR models?

Even the PD has the DPF on it? I thought that was just the CR models?

No, the PD170 unit fitted to the vRS has a DPF.

AFAIK the DPF on the PD model is more troublesome than on the CR. During 7 months of ownership I never had any DPF issues on my PD car and it did a lot of short urban journeys.

I think it's fair to say that the DPF on the PD unit is more problematic. Some owners have no issues though.

Mainly an issue because the PD technology never allowed for a DPF to be fitted originally, so it's in fact a workround put in place, in order for the VAG engines to continue to meet Euro emission regulations.

Ah right, cheers for the insight guys. Could always get a DPF bypass and decat with a remap. Should be trouble free and pretty quick then right?!

Was also looking at the MK5 Golf 140 Sport's Diesel, they sell for around 5k, so a bit cheaper than a VRS 170. Could always get the golf mapped (heard they map well to 185)

DPF removal is of course an option, as is a decat if you wish. Tuners, including Shark Performance, can undertake this for you.

I personally didn't want the PD170 unit, so went for a PD140 Elegance instead. So you can look at that option with an Octy as well as the Mk5. There was also a Sport model produced of the Octy2, offered with the PD140 which did give a few nicer styling cues between the std model and vRS. So with the PD140 you avoid the DPF. 175-180 would be a reasonable remapped figure to expect from the PD140.

Ah right, cheers for the insight guys. Could always get a DPF bypass and decat with a remap. Should be trouble free and pretty quick then right?!

Was also looking at the MK5 Golf 140 Sport's Diesel, they sell for around 5k, so a bit cheaper than a VRS 170. Could always get the golf mapped (heard they map well to 185)

But you wouldnt look as good in it Keep your eyes open for a Blue one going thro the VX lights , i live not far from them

My Uncle has the 140 Golf. Seems more refined opposed to the mk4 1.9 tdi's (150pd)that I was looking at..

My problem is that i'm used to fast cars (Supra Single Turbo, Scooby P1) so I don't know if the 140 would stop me from being bored.

Another car was the Mondeo ST 155 TDi, looks a cool car, full leather etc..

Thanks for the Octy 2 tip!

Marc