I am due to collect a 1.6 TDI CR SE Estate with 14,000 miles on it for my wife this week and am looking for owning/ running advice. It shall replace a 1.4 MK5 Golf which is used for school runs and other short journeys. The intention is also to use the Octy for the weekends taking family, bikes etc to inlaws (nice round trip of 70 miles).

We liked the idea of the car because it has the space we need, an economical diesel engine and has very low running costs. I am not niave (sp) and appreciate that short runs etc will be hard on mpgs, but currently the golf gets about 30-32 average, so anything over 42/45 average would be fantastic.

However, i have started to read more and more about very poor mpgs, DPF problems, Dual Mass Flywheel issues etc. I have had my 110TDI for 8 years and when i bought it there was a list of potential problems as long as my arm on Honest John (turbo, EGR, Air Mass Meter etc etc), but with the exception of a few niggles the car has been a credit to Skoda. I have a tuning box, Decat (not by choice, cat fell off) Long life air filter and it still drives like new with 106k on the clock and 53+ mpg average (heavy foot and heavily trafficked daily commute)

I am hoping to have the same (with some exceptions) bomb proof skoda ability and durability with the 1.6, but are there any tips over and above the type of mixed journey driving i shall be doing to get the best out of this engine and keep it running pristine.

p.s. i generally fill the tank at a supermarket and every second or third fill add some millers diesel sport. I would hope to continue this with the 1.6??

Thanks

Colm

As long as you are doing regular long runs, you should be ok, with the DPF, its the constant short with stop /start runs & no long - high speed work that has the DPF complaining.

Having had DPF issue previously on another car

We have the 1.6 CR in the Octavia, mostly short runs, i.e. me to my work, 3 mile single journeys, but longer runs most weekends, however about 20k in the first year (but 5k in 4 weeks on hols as part of that), the DPF light has never once blinked.

Currently getting the high 40's (48.5 currently) on the trip which is only a couple of miles optimistic, get slightly better ie 50plus displayed in the summer.For very mixed driving.

Got 60 plus on the 20 mile run from the home place last Sunday mind, it does need a longer run at sensible speeds to push the MPG up, & it might be slightly downhill as well

We have the 1.6 CR in the Octavia, mostly short runs, i.e. me to my work, 3 mile single journeys, but longer runs most weekends, however about 20k in the first year (but 5k in 4 weeks on hols as part of that), the DPF light has never once blinked.

Currently getting the high 40's (48.5 currently) on the trip which is only a couple of miles optimistic, get slightly better ie 50plus displayed in the summer.For very mixed driving.

Got 60 plus on the 20 mile run from the home place last Sunday mind, it does need a longer run at sensible speeds to push the MPG up, & it might be slightly downhill as well

Mine is from 06/2010 and done 32000km.

Not once the DPF showed up.

Drive normal around town, and do not be afraid to rev de engine.

I get about 6.0L/100km around town with my heavy foot.

Highway driving reduces to 5

50/50 driving really for the best mpg, can do around 4.5L.

Dare I assume/presume that VW have got the DPF issue "licked" for all but the most extreme low milage cases?, with the 1.6 CR engine.

Fingers crossed yes?