Hi All,

Just to introduce myself - I'm currently driving a Focus 58 plate 2.0 TDCi which I am looking to change shortly with the Octavia Estate at the top of my list. Now, I'm in a bit of a quandry and although i've read a few posts on the forum I'm still a little in the dark regarding injector problems and DPF issues. My situation is this:

I drive around 15k a year and so want a diesel (plus I prefer how they drive) although the vast majority of my mileage is short commutes to work, around 6 miles each way with a long journey thrown in every few weeks plus two trips of around 2k abroad every year. I prefer an estate for the space (three dogs between the girlfriend and I)and must be able to tow a caravan now and again. This is not essential as we have a Land Rover Defender to do this. My car is used as the run around to the shops etc plus for the longer trips too. With the Focus I get around 38-40mpg around town, 45-48mpg on a run - not dawdling but not giving it the beans instead. I've had a fair bit of hassle with Ford recently hence the look to change plus the Octavia will give me more boot space.

My plan is that I want something that will be as economical, if not more so, than the Focus. I believe that the 2.0Tdi 140 will give me this plus similar performance. My budget won't stretch to the CR engine so it will have to be the PD version. However, I have read a lot about injector issues and DPF problems - is this an issue with the 2.0 TDi? (My focus doesn't have a DPF).

The other option is a 1.9Tdi which i understand is an older technology but inherently reliable although it will feel rather noisy and unrefined comapred to the Focus but on the plus side won't have injector issues or a DPF (is this correct?). I appreciate that with only 105bhp it won't feel overly quick but that it will return good economy. The other option is a 1.6 CR although what i have read on here suggests that the engine isn't exactly inspired but is economical and cheap to tax.

the other left field option is the VRS although the injector problems seem quite bad on this model.

I would appreciate any comments, advice!

15,000 isn't a lot - have you tested a 2.0 TSI vRS instead of the diesel? You may be presently surprised!

1st thing to say is that don't let the tales of woe around DPF & Injectors put you off, as this site is mainly used to assist those with issues, so it will look like that every car has these problems.

Truth being is that you will find a majority of owners are very happy with what they have & have many trouble free miles.

if you apply some common sense and youre doing at least 1 or 2 reasonable journeys that will last at least 30-45 mins each way then the likely hood is that the DPF will get up to temperature & be able to do a regen.

The problems come where month after month the car only does short in town journeys, & never gets a good 30-45 min fast or a high rev run to allow a regen to occur.

If you are seriously considering a PD with the DPF as your purchase,it will be 2nd hand anyway , then speak to the current owner & ask if they have had any issues, & make sure there is all documentation & read it.

If you do decide on a vRS, then I would be very surprised if you are not tempted to go out for a drive Also, double check the following - I think that the vRS is not rated for towing, if not then its something to bear in mind.

I dont think you will be disappointed if you do decide to buy an Octavia, for the size of car the boot space is phenominal, & any joke you hear about taking everything including a kitchen sink is not actually a joke, I got a kitchen sink with draining board in the back of my Mk1 Octy, boot closed .

I believe that the 2.0Tdi 140 will give me this plus similar performance. My budget won't stretch to the CR engine so it will have to be the PD version. However, I have read a lot about injector issues and DPF problems - is this an issue with the 2.0 TDi? (My focus doesn't have a DPF).

Not 100% sure on this but I don't think that the 140BHP PD was ever fitted with a DPF - the only PD diesel that got a DPF was the 170BHP in later VRS.

Are you sure you mean DPF (diesel particle filter) and not DMF (dual mass flywheel)?

Hi thanks for the replies. I've discounted the petrol VRS on the grounds of economy and tax (Defender isn't exactly cheap to run). Yep, I was referring to a DPF as I purposefully bought the Focus without one as I was worried about all the short journeys I was doing day in day out without no opportunity to regenerate. To be honest I ought to be sensible and treat the purchase as a second car for the family run around rather than a bit of fun for me so the economic side of things is important.

But the petrol will be cheaper to buy than the diesel... I'd definitely say look at the figures properly, and test drive both.

Not 100% sure on this but I don't think that the 140BHP PD was ever fitted with a DPF - the only PD diesel that got a DPF was the 170BHP in later VRS.

The PD140 in the Scout had a DPF, but the front wheel drive versions of the PD140 didn't.

It's also probably worth mentioning that the PD140 in the Octavia didn't have the injector issues either - it was only the PD170 that had that problem.

The PD140 in the Scout had a DPF, but the front wheel drive versions of the PD140 didn't.

It's also probably worth mentioning that the PD140 in the Octavia didn't have the injector issues either - it was only the PD170 that had that problem.

What he said:

PD140 - No DPF (Scout Excluding)

PD140 - No injector issue.

= Go for it, you will not be dissapointed.

Thanks everyone for the advice. The PD140 is my first choice but I assumed it had injector issues and that it had a DPF after reading about the Scout. Right, time to start looking I guess.

If you buy it from a Skoda Dealer, then you will get 12 months warranty - that should give you enough time to catch any "timebomb" problems that may occur.

Hopefully though you won't have any.

I've done 40K in two 2.0 PD 140 Octavia's and my Dad has 20K on his (albeit 6 year old) and we've not had a problem between the three.

That's reassuring to know; what has your 'real world' economy being like if you dont' mind me asking?

That's reassuring to know; what has your 'real world' economy being like if you dont' mind me asking?

Long term average of 45mpg but thats in a Scout Tdi, normal 2wd should achieve a good 10mpg over this.

Have you thought about,say, a 1.8t petrol.Ok it might cost a few hundred pounds a year extra in fuel but will be cheaper to buy in the first place than an equivalent diesel,and no DPF probs.

Time to get the calculator out maybe.

P.S the vrs is ok to tow with,I regularly tow my caravan with my petrol 2.0t vrs.

Edited 3 November, 201114 yr by gord

15,000 isn't a lot - have you tested a 2.0 TSI vRS instead of the diesel? You may be presently surprised!

Its plenty. In fact its 200 gallons difference if you work on 50mpg vs 30mpg. That equates to around £1200 at £1.32 a litre per year and also cheaper road tax on the diesel.

He's not gonna get 50mpg doing 6 miles each way though is he?

Plus add the extra purchase cost....

My handbook says on page 188:

Code 7GG on the vehicle sticker indicates that your vehicle is equipped with a diesel particle filter. The vehicle data sticker is located on the floor of the luggage compartment and is also stated in the service schedule.

My sticker in the front of my service book says 0GG for my 2008 2.0TDI PD.

The other sticker is under the carpet in the boot where the spare wheel is.

Anyone know what code 0GG means?

The 2.0 is way better than the 1.9 and my average MPG is 51. You get a 6th gear with the 2.0

Edited 3 November, 201114 yr by Web Ferret

Option code 0GG = Emission standard EU4.

Option code 0GG = Emission standard EU4.

Thanks DGW so that confirms no DPF to worry about.

Second 140PD here - first did nearly 70k over 4 years, this one's on 40k after 2.5 years, nothing significant to mention about either that would make me question the overall package (yes, I've had problems - you can search for most of them on this forum! - but my first car is now in a friend's hands at 6 year old with nearer 90k on the clock and still doing fine and I'll keep this one for another couple of years yet).

Maxidot would report an average of 50mpg overall but that's been improving since 25k+. On a good run (e.g. cruising at 120kph+ on the continent) and I routinely get 55mpg+ (5+ l/100km). Real economy is perhaps a little lower, and I'm not gentle when accelerating.

I tried the 1.9 and it just wasn't refined enough for me - although any diesel Octavia isn't going to be silky smooth, partly because of the soundproofing and partly because of the distinctive VAG clatter.

I do 20,000 miles a year in my PD 140 with a mix of town and motorway driving 40/60 split and average 54mpg (brim to brim), If I was more gentle then this would probably be higher.

The only real problem I have had with the car has been the turbo needed replacing at 54,000 miles. There are numerous threads on here with regard to turbo being slightly weak, however, there are plenty of people that have had no turbo problems and have done well over 100,000 miles.

I had a Shark Performance remap 10,000 miles ago and would highly recommend it. The engine now has much wider power bands and delivers the power much more like a CR engine rather than the all or nothing you get from the PD engine normally.

Matt

I've had a 2.0 petrol hottish hatch in the past and the short distance of my commute used to hammer my fuel economy, hence my preference for a diesel. My last few cars have all been diesel and I'm used to and now prefer, how they drive. Interesting about what you say about having a remap - does it hike your insurance premium at all?

I've had a 2.0 petrol hottish hatch in the past and the short distance of my commute used to hammer my fuel economy, hence my preference for a diesel. My last few cars have all been diesel and I'm used to and now prefer, how they drive. Interesting about what you say about having a remap - does it hike your insurance premium at all?

My remap cost me £70 a year on my insurance, however, some companies won't insure your car if it has been remapped so its worth checking before you do it. There are some of the site sponsors who insure modified cars and plenty of others in the main stream such as admiral, but cost will vary depending on your driving history, postcode etc.