Probably jumping the gun here a bit, I blame it on my tendency to be a bit neurotic.. 

 

Decided to get either the 90 or 110 TDI Octavia after scrapping the SDI idea on the basis that I couldn't afford or fit a gearbox should it expire given the history of unreliability.

 

After reading many horror stories about VNT turbo's failing, disintegrating, chucking bits of metal into the engine and killing them and my worst fear, seals going and feeding on engine oil I've decided to eliminate the possibility and just throw a refurb on when I get the car. 

 

Any recommendations on where to go for a refurb chaps?

 

 

of the top of my head xman750, on this forum, or simply xman750 on ebay

Not many of the TDI turbos end up in the engines, if anything they might have a sticky vanes/rusty control ring.  Likewise, I haven't heard of many seal failures.  If the car still has its anti-shudder valve fitted then you should be able to catch an engine runaway too.

i wouldnt bother just get a nice example one thats been well looked after those 1.9s are bulletproof

Abit over cautious tbh. If its not broke dont fix it

I have run high mileage turbo cars for years without any problems. I certainly would not be changing a working part. If it does ever runaway, just stall it.