Since 2005, I've been the very satisfied owner of a 2001 1.9 TDI 110 Octavia Elegance, taking it from 57,000 to 157,000 miles in the process.  It's now starting to feel rather tired, with the engine seeming a lot noisier than it used to be, the clutch often juddering from a standstill and a host of other smaller niggles* that I've been happy to live with.  I think the time for a replacement could be nearing...

 

With my good experience with the Octy 1, an Octy 2 would seem the logical progression - but I'm at a loss as to which engine to get.  Budget would be up to £9k max - and like the current car I'd plan to keep it for as long as possible.  Looking at the engine choices, and ruling out the non-turbo petrols for lack of a decent performance/economy mix, we have:

 

• All TSIs: Timing chain & oil consumption issues?  Are these widespread or not worth worrying about?
• 1.9 TDI: No DPF - Good! - but seeming issues with conrods exiting the block on the later models I'd likely be looking at.
• 2.0 PD TDI: Host of issues with injectors, oil pumps etc.  Also concern over DPF.
• 1.6 TDI CR: EGR valves?  Also DPF
• 2.0 TDI CR: not sure of any issues - but pretty much out-of-budget at present, and has a DPF

 

My daily commute is ~20 miles each way, consisting of 10 mins urban crawl to get out of Bedford, 15 mins 40-60mph single carriageway to Milton Keynes and then 10 mins dashing between roundabouts in MK.  Is this enough to keep a DPF clean?  Motorway and longer blasts are on a less than monthly basis, on average.  

 

My total annual mileage is around 12,000 / year, and I'm currently averaging 58mpg on the somewhat optimistic on-board readout.  

 

The 1,4 TSI seems to me to be my likely best fit - but how likely is it to reach 150,000 miles without serious issue?

 

Thanks for any input.

 

Ian

 

* These include seeming untraceable small water leak into boot; headlamp height adjusters AWOL; microswitches on door locks for lights-on warning buzzer etc. AWOL; driver's seat a bit tired & saggy; needs regular application of full throttle to avoid turbo vanes sticking.  Any cheap/low cost solutions to these welcomed ;-)

Edited 9 January, 201412 yr by iriches

I think really you want to be looking at a 1.9 PD105.

 

It might sound slower on paper but it has more torque than the older 110 TDI and feels much quicker.

 

The conrod issues are quite isolated and seem to relate mainly to a batch of engines mainly fitted to VW Tourans and Golfs.

 

You can get a lot of car for your money for £9k. Ours was £8k- 20,000 miles, 1.9 PD105, DSG, Full service history and cambelt and service before purchase.

 

A manual geared car of similar spec etc could be had for a decent price I reckon.

 

Phil

The 2.0pd 140 has no oil pump issues, this only relates to superb and passat. Only issues was po

rous head on earlier models but later ones are fine.

Only pd170 and scout had dpfs fitted. injector issues only relate to the vrs pd and does not affect the pd140

I have a 2.0 TDI PD 140 it doesn't have a DPF (none of the 140bhp did) and it's now on 154,000 and still going strong. No plans to replace.

the 1.6 cr is a great engine. All those vw caddys you see driving around for various companies will mostly have the 1.6 cr. I've done 37k in 2 years my caddy and its never missed a beat, never seen the garage bar servicing

 

i'd say your commute is fine for dpf to keep clean yea

..can anybody confirm if the 1.9 diesel 105 hp varient has a DPF or not?

A 1.6 TDI is of course a replacement for the 1.9 TDI 105 and they are both very good engines. The 1.9 TDI does not have a DPF I can't say about the 1.6 TDI but I know the 1.9 doesn't have one.

..can anybody confirm if the 1.9 diesel 105 hp varient has a DPF or not?

Mine doesn't, so I'm assuming none of them do (I also think I read that on this forum).

Ryan, I thought most of the caddy's used 1.9 SDI

all the blue motions use the 1.6 cr, the company I work for uses blue motions and a few c20's. Thats thousands of vans over the entire group. The 1.9 sdi seems to be in the older models. 

Thanks for all the inputs.  Interesting that there were no votes at all for any of the TSIs.  Any TSI fans lurking out there?

 

If not, it looks like I'll be seeking out a 1.9 PD 105 or 2.0 PD 140 when the time comes.  Must admit that the thought of the 2.0 is quite appealing!

The 2.0 TDI does go like stink

Mike the 2.0 TDI PD doesn't have a DPF

I've covered 150k with no turbo issues..

I am not a big fan of remapping, it leads to issues which the manufacturer is rarely likely to help you.

Edited 10 January, 201412 yr by Octyman140

So does a remapped 1.9PD 105, without some of the turbo and DPF issues od the 2.0

Mike

 

What sort of cost is involved in a remap Mike? Is it wise to uprate the brakes (I think they are pretty good anyway) or suspension?

I have heard that it can improve the fuel economy as well, which sounds a bit far fetched. Would it work OK with my single flywheel conversion?

 

Andy

Re: DPFs in Octavia IIs

 

With DPF:

All CRs

PD140 - 4x4 and Scout

All PD170s

 

Without DPF:

All 1.9s

All other PD140s

 

To run to high mileage, I'd go for the 1.9. Though I have 120,000 on my DPF equipped PD140 and its showing no signs of getting old.

Re: DPFs in Octavia IIs

With DPF:

All CRs

PD140 - 4x4 and Scout

All PD170s

Without DPF:

All 1.9s

All other PD140s

To run to high mileage, I'd go for the 1.9. Though I have 120,000 on my DPF equipped PD140 and its showing no signs of getting old.

1.9 TDI is a reliable lump but I wouldn't be going anywhere near it as it's just too underpowered

1.9 TDI is a reliable lump but I wouldn't be going anywhere near it as it's just too underpowered

 

I came from a PD130 Cordoba and I haven't once felt that the PD105 is underpowered even in a heavier car.

 

It's more than capable of pulling the Octavia around. Never felt I can't make an overtake.

 

I've never driven a manual version though so don't know how different that feels but with the DSG it feels very spritely.

 

Also have a friend who went from a 2.0 PD140 Passat to an Octavia 1.9 DSG estate and he loves it!

 

Phil

1.9 and con rods. That old horror story again. It's scaremongering and it don't happen. I had my 1.9 from new 2006 until I exchanged it in 2013 and never had a single engine problem in all that time. It had 70K with fsh when I parted with it. The best Octavia I ever owned. I had the last BXE engine and it's great with brilliant fuel economy and reliability. It's an old engine the 1.9 and is the best that VAG have ever made.

Sent from my PID using Tapatalk

A lot of 1.9TDi lovers here! It is a cracking engine and I have had it in several cars I have owned (115PD Bora Sport, Fabia vRS, Beetle TDi 100PD and I currently also own a 105PD Altea Sport), it definitely doesnt feel underpowered in the Octavia BUT its not quick, its sufficient, if you are after that extra oomph then a remap or a 2.0TDi is where you wanna be.

 

Lewwy

A lot of 1.9TDi lovers here! It is a cracking engine and I have had it in several cars I have owned (115PD Bora Sport, Fabia vRS, Beetle TDi 100PD and I currently also own a 105PD Altea Sport), it definitely doesnt feel underpowered in the Octavia BUT its not quick, its sufficient, if you are after that extra oomph then a remap or a 2.0TDi is where you wanna be.

 

Lewwy

 

Spot on there.

 

It's not underpowered, it's not fast but it's not slow either.

 

I have never driven a manual PD105 so no idea what it's like but my DSG feels very lively.

 

Overtaking is a breeze:

 

 

Phil

A lot of defence here for the PD105, I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the PD105 but I have owned a PD105 and PD140 and (or course) there is a huge difference in power. I just prefer the power of the PD140.

Edited 20 January, 201412 yr by Octyman140

How do you actually find the fuel economy compares, in the real world, on a similar journey, between the 105 and the 140?

 I know the 140 has a 6 speed box and the 105 only a 5, but have often wondered how the two actually deliver when side by side.

 

Thanks

 

Mike

 

When I had a 1.9 for a while as a courtesy car I found I was getting about 10% better consumption on my 23 mile drive to work, compared to the 2.0TDI.

Just got back in. Good mix of driving through town with a couple of stops. Then some country lanes and dual carriageway. 32 miles in total. Mine is DSG though obviously so not quite as good as a manual:

 

Edited 20 January, 201412 yr by Phil-E

Never seen a DSG without Maxidot either, so presumed the same!

 

I think the OP question here is one of known reliability - and it would be the 1.9 PD105 for me here as well. Having driven a few myself, I would agree that to drive it, is does mask it's relatively low power output very well

 

Other issues have been covered well so far I think. For higher mileage and what you want to do, I think diesel would be the way forward.

 

As far as PD140 use goes, I'm happy with mine.... now it has a fresh turbo on it It is remapped and reasonably modified from standard (which might offend some!) but does what I want it to - 195bhp & 320lb/ft but 58mpg (brim-to-brim) from the NEC to Manchester last Sunday, on an M6 run. Can't complain

I wish I did have maxidot. I think it must a FL thing then as mine definitely doesn't have it and it's the elegance so not like it's a base model. Still tempted to do a retrofit.

 

I haven't calibrated it yet. I need to start tracking my fill ups and working out the MPG so I can recalibrate the display.

 

Phil