After spending the last few hours searching the forum I'm a bit disappointed there's no buyers guide or easily accesible information about the MK2 Octy vRS.

i'm looking to purchase a vRS (MK1 Fab or MK2 Octy) at some point.Currently drive aen E46 330d so ideally I'd like to get into a MK2 Octy. From what I understand the vRS was available from 2005 in petrol guise and later available with the PD engine. Can someone clarify what the difference if any is between the TSI and TFSI engines.

It seems that the diesels within my budget are 100K+ and the petrols are sub 100K, unless I go for a Fab but I'd rather get an Octy. Whilst I would prefer a petrol, the diesel seems to be the sensible choice, however will I be driving a ticking time bomb with one that is >100K.

My annual mileage will be over 10K made up of a 15 mile journey to and from work (dual carriageway mainly) town driving and 2 or 3 long runs a month.

Edited 4 June, 201214 yr by Adhal

Sounds like you are making a good choice. Many people report 200K on their Octavia so you need not worry too much on that score whether you go for petrol or diesel.

The TSI engine came in 2009 I think and has a chain driven camshaft. The TFSI engine before that had a belt that needed changing every now and again. They are both good solid engines.

I've recently gone from an e46 (330ci) to a diesel (CR) Octy VRS too.

I had a mk2 Petrol VRs with the belt driven cams. It was a real hoot with approx 38mpg on a run and 28 in town. It never missed a beat and never failed to arrive with a smile on my face. Now got a Fabia VRs 180 that also is fun to drive, cheaper on petrol but cursed with high oil consumption. Octavia was a 6 speed manual which was good but the 7 speed DSG in the Fabia is great!

Best tyres on the Octavia was Goodyear NCT5 which were grippy and quiet and I had over 70k miles had tried quiet a few makes.

Sounds like you are making a good choice. Many people report 200K on their Octavia so you need not worry too much on that score whether you go for petrol or diesel.

The TSI engine came in 2009 I think and has a chain driven camshaft. The TFSI engine before that had a belt that needed changing every now and again. They are both good solid engines.

Apart from the cam/chain difference, were there any other differences between the engines i.e. power/torque, economy etc

I've recently gone from an e46 (330ci) to a diesel (CR) Octy VRS too.

Had a 330Ci previous to the 330d and I absolutely loved it, I regret selling it...

I think I'm gonna need economy over anything else so I'll probably stick with diesel. What sort of things should I be looking out for over 100K?

TSI is a bit more economical apparently. Light foot will see low 40s rather than the high 30s of the TFSI.

Also a lower VED band for a small saving.

Touch wood TFSI is solid and reliable. I've had mine since new and no issues yet in 5yr/60k. Residuals are not great and imho that makes a used petrol VRS is one of the best used bargains out there.

Edited 4 June, 201214 yr by Aspman

A +100K TDi is probably a better choice IMO. At that stage you can be fairly certain (close scrutiny of SH to make sure) the DMF/clutch will have been done, the cambelt kit/waterpump too and even in my case the DPF has been replaced. Get a low mileage one and pay the premium price for it and then you'll most likely have all the above to look forward to as well in the not too distant future. Haynes state the cambelt intervals as 76k for PD's upto 2006, 95K for PD's after 2007 and 120K for the CR. No mention of years (as in for example either 95K or 5 years whichever comes first like other manufacturers do)

Edited 4 June, 201214 yr by hatchy

So I'm decided then that I'm after a diesel. I have seen this one that fits the bill.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110889150794?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648

What sort of maintenance issues should I ask about?

Well it's had the injector recall in April which from what I have read on here means that it may not have had the loom replaced as part of it. Sure I've seen it posted on here that after March it wasn't included 'free'. At least though the injectors are done though. Check it's had the cambelt/waterpump done by now and the DMF/clutch would be a bonus too. It's says he does a good commute each day which wont be a bad thing as I believe that sort of daily driving is good for the DPF. It's the short/pootling about town driving that does them no good.

Tax is £170 a year too not £160.

Not had mine long so learning all the while but that would be the major points I would be looking for. If you do your own servicing, get it off 'variable' too. There is no way a car (especially a diesel) should be allowed to go 20K+ (no matter how good the oil is) between changes.

Check oil level too, some report a rising level (diesel getting into the oil) after the injectors are replaced. If it's well above the max I would look elsewhere as damage may already be done.

The lambda sensor gets a mention on the service booklet pages too so that might be worth checking if it's been changed too by now.

Edited 4 June, 201214 yr by hatchy

Just got off the phone with the seller of the above car I posted. He's owned it about a year/8000 miles and says it had the DPF removed by the previous owner. Since having the injectors AND loom replaced, he said he needs to go get the car remapped again due to the DPF map being removed by the injector recall. So he's taking it to JBS in Chesterfield tommorow, about 45 miles from me so rather than trekking 200 miles to Kent he is willing to meet me after his appointment.

Off the top of his head it will need a cambelt change next year as it has already had one done but he will confirm this later with service history pics. Also he is not aware of the clutch/flywheel being replaced but says there is no need.

After spending the last few hours searching the forum I'm a bit disappointed there's no buyers guide or easily accesible information about the MK2 Octy vRS.

Just a thought why not write one based on your research if you feel one is missing?

Just a thought why not write one based on your research if you feel one is missing?

Considering the car has been about for 6 years perhaps it wouldn't be unexpected that a site as big as this would have one already (I think there is something for the petrol version,is there not?). Rather than asking a new member who hasn't even purchased one yet to do so. I've only had one a month but felt compelled to answer the poor sod with the little knowledge I have as no one else with no doubt vastly more experience of these cars was seeming to bother.

Edit note: The Vrs guide is for the mk1.