Hello all

After a brief and miserable stint with a 530d BMW for the past year I have seen the light and I am now looking to return to a VRS. This time round I am looking to get an Octavia 2 (previously had the mk1) but I am stuck as to whether I should go for the Petrol or Diesel??

Any thoughts and or opinions greatly appreciated.

Thanks as always

Hard to say without knowing your mileage and driving style.

Christ what's so miserable about a 530d?

Good point Ken. Mileage wise I don't cover more than the average 12k per year. Driving style is a mixture of 15 mile A road commute to work and occasional motorway runs. Other than that moderate distances for days out with the kids etc. I don't have a heavy right foot unless the mood takes and I want to have a little occasional fun 'making progress'.

The 530d is a great car it's just that I have been very unlucky with stuff going wrong and costing me a fortune to put right. It's now got to that point where I want a change and having driven a couple of Octavia 2's in the past I have to say I prefer them to the BMW

petrol, the diesel is ****

I'd steer towards petrol, but it's not absolutely 100% clear cut, with your mileage.

Edited 31 March, 201412 yr by Fr0d

12k you'd probably be better in a petrol.

 

If you've the budget the later TSI engine will keep you out of the higher tax band and save a bit on fuel (95 Vs the TFSI 98+) but you might want to look at the posts about the chain cam tensioner failures.

Driving a diesel VRS here and only do 5,000 miles a year.  

 

Have had no DPF issues despite the usual scare stories.  Liking the economy (averaging 50mpg) and only visiting fuel station once a month.  Dynamics of the petrol engine would be nicer (although a bit of a beast IMO) but the CR engine power output is more than enough for me and lower mpg would get annoying.

 

At the time of buying, the diesel VRS was £800+ more expensive, however I snagged a Blackline and with the various freebies, VAT free, £500 finance discount etc etc this £800 difference was acceptable for me even although my mileage was low.

 

Happy hunting.

 

Health warning - dealers will pull your pants down when coming to trade in a high powered petrol engine.

Edited 1 April, 201412 yr by BA Baracus

The 530d is a great car it's just that I have been very unlucky with stuff going wrong and costing me a fortune to put right. It's now got to that point where I want a change and having driven a couple of Octavia 2's in the past I have to say I prefer them to the BMW

Fair shout. My advice would be to go TSi if you can live with the greater depreciation and fuel/running costs. Had a Blackline TDi DSG and i found it quite dull; the excellent spec and price of the blackline went along way to ease that feeling but a big part of me feels even now I bought the wrong variant. The first gen CR engined cars lacked character and had a very hole-ridden power delivery, often felt strained under acceleration and never felt like a 170ps car. Had a Mk6 Golf CR 140 and that was just the same but worse care of less power and a similar kerb weight.

Interestingly the Mk3 150 TDi Elegance I now run is a different animal altogether, somewhat a rocketship for a 150hp car and just completely different (better) power delivery....the vastly lower kerb weight helps for sure.

Edited 1 April, 201412 yr by pipsyp

Try them both and buy the one that best meets your needs. If you fancy the diesel but want more umph but don't want the higher running costs of the tsi then a crd-t dtuk tuning box will give you in excess of 200ps and transforms the car. A search will find you the threads involved if you're interested.

I have a Blackline and am very pleased with it though can understand it might not be everyones cup of tea.

Good luck.

I too have a Blackline. I find the 170cr engine fantastic aswell as economical. Let's face it, the roads aren't a bloody race track and most of the time you're stuck in freaking traffic!!!!

The blackline has an advantage in that the depreciation on the value has been especially low - probably helped by the inflated cost of the mk3...

Petrol vs Diesel? Try both yourself, Consider the fuel economy and make your choice !!

I've got the petrol and it's a brilliant engine, very tractable and very quick. It's a pleasure to drive. I drive many different cars out of the pool at work which are mostly diesel A4s and 3 series with the odd C class as well. The petrol VRS is way better than any of those diesels in my opinion.

It really boils down to cost and how important that is to you. 

 

However you cut it, the diesel will cost you less money no matter how low your annual mileage is. Some people prefer the experience of the petrol and are happy to be poorer for the privilege. If you are not bothered about costs then a test drive of each car should settle it for you. If you are really bothered about costs then it has to be the diesel. If you are somewhere in the middle of the costs/drivability equation, then the decision becomes a bit more tricky.      

Hi Taz which VRS MK1 did you have? If your coming back to a newer VRS from your previous experiences then you may already have your answer. I had 2 MK1's petrol VRS and decided it was time to be more sensible and we got a 2.0tdi Patriot. 2 years later and I'm back with the MK2FL petrol VRS. I'm glad to be back as will you in either petrol or diesel so go and test drive them both and then get the petrol :-)

Edited 1 April, 201412 yr by amh