Hello. I'm helping a friend buy a used Octavia Estate. We're on the cusp of buying a 1.2 TSI-DSG (105 PS) with 65,000 miles, 2011 model. It has a full 12-month Skoda 'Approved' warranty.

 

Any things to watch out for? Feedback appreciated. Currently the car is running on cheapo Chinese rubber which will probably be the first thing we'll change, if we buy (any recommendations? I understand the Estate has poor noise insulation so would want a QUIET tyre, to reduce the overall cabin din. Kumho? Falken?). 

 

With thanks

 

Adrian, London

Edited 16 October, 201411 yr by Adrianh1

Really surprised that there was a 1.2 engine in this heavy car..... I have a 2.0 Ltr Diesel (BKD) engine and I sometimes feel at 140BHP that it could do with a bigger engine.

 

People who have a lot more experience on this subject might be able to help!

I understand this particular Octavia's kerb weight is around 1230kg. I understand the weight of a Yeti 1.2 TSI is around 1,335 kg. Apparently the Yeti is fine with this engine - if you read the adulatory reviews.  So we're going on the assumption there is enough tug, or torque, to pull this car along. Even from its puny-sounding 1.2 engine (105 PS).

Edited 16 October, 201411 yr by Adrianh1

I had this engine/box combo in a fabia elegance estate which admittedly was ~100kg lighter and found it to be excellent - surprisingly nippy as the DSG enables you to get the best out of the engine. (The engine responds very well to a tuning box too taking it up to ~125PS if that's your bag)

Tyres- I can recommend Goodyear Efficientgrip Performance - so quiet. They are currently at a bargain price at Kwikfit on-line with a cashback offer too. (I shuddered at Kwikfit too but the price was amazing, just make sure you check your pressures and wheel nut torque after, they WILL be wrong   )

A common modern engine misconception - low engine size = low power.

 

This is now no longer the case what with the progress around turbo and super chargers. The 1.2 TSi engine is very capable and more than adequate to make steady progress when fitted in an Octavia.

 

Cheap Chinese rubber would alert me to scrimping on costs by the previous owner, unless the Skoda retailer has had to put new tyres on to sell it.

 

What is the service history like?

Thank you Silver 1011... I have learnt something new today... 

If it's going to be your mate's main car make sure you get a decent test drive so you can assess it's capabilities against all the type of journeys he does in the various speed limits and it fits in with his driving style. Also make sure it has the same sort of loading of passengers etc he normally carries. What's its history as that's high milage for a 3 year old car.

Thank you for your replies. It will be a car generally used for short journeys to local shops and friends with the odd longer jaunt too. Generally carrying 1-2 passengers max. My friend doesn't speed and is happy to sit at 60mph or so max on the motorway. Very steady. Her previous car was a 2.0 litre SLi Octavia Estate, now dead.

 

The new car's history has a full set of Skoda service stamps and carries a one year Approved Skoda main dealer warranty. It sounds hopeful.

 

Tyres, the Goodyears sound interesting...

 

Any technical/reliability issues with this engine/gearbox (DSG)? 

 

Thanks

I had a couple of minor issues but they were sorted under warranty on a service bulletin. The turbo had a shim fitted and the DSG box had at least one software update but these will definitely have been done. Some of the DSG dry clutches have had trouble with judder (search DSG judder on here) but I don't know of any 1.2 TSi issues

Check in the service history if the timing chain has been replaced. It's one of the common problems on 1.2 TSI produced in 2010 and early 2011. Also DSG7 is not a reliability model in dual clutch gearboxes. Lots of people had their clutches replaced or mechatronic. 

I don't think power will be an issue, especially as it has a DSG. It's instant changes and 7 ratios ensure the engine is always at a suitable RPM.....it's pretty good at doing this seamlessly.

 

I would echo concerns regarding 7 speed DSG reliability. There is a Norwegian website that collects DSG failure data, and something like 80-90% of all DSG failures/issues happen on the 7 Speed DSG gearbox. However there seems to be a link between engine power and 7 speed DSG failures.....the higher the power output the more likely a failure. The 1.8 TSI and 1.6 TDI mated to the DSG7 seem to be a lot more prone to failures than the 1.2 TSI, so that's good news as far as your friend is concerned.      

All good points. Will raise the timing chain issue. I understand the DSG gearbox oil was recently changed, as per schedule. I have a feeling that the Octavia (2011) 1.2 TSI-DSG has a six-speed gearbox, not seven, though not 100% sure. Again, thanks.

My car has 105 bhp and weighs over 1500kg. Goes fine!

 

All good points. Will raise the timing chain issue. I understand the DSG gearbox oil was recently changed, as per schedule. I have a feeling that the Octavia (2011) 1.2 TSI-DSG has a six-speed gearbox, not seven, though not 100% sure. Again, thanks.

 

It's definitely the 7 speed gearbox.

 

The 6 speed is only used with engines over 250nm of torque.

The recent dsg oil change will be due to the worldwide recall on 7 speed dsg as the incorrect oil was used and will be replaced with mineral oil instead

I have a feeling that the Octavia (2011) 1.2 TSI-DSG has a six-speed gearbox, not seven, though not 100% sure. Again, thanks.

 

As Phil mentioned, it will definitely be a 7 speed DSG.....absolutely guaranteed on a 1.2 TSI.   

Edited 17 October, 201411 yr by booke23

I had a fabia 1.2 dsg while my car was in for mot and warranty work.

It was adequate if a little underwhelming, hardly a surprise with less than half the HP and shed loads less torque than my car!

The dsg box was very good, did its work totally unnoticed. Lack of paddles was a shame.

I don't think I could live with a 105 bhp Octavia, many will find it adequate transport, quick it most certainly won't be! If you can't justify an oil burner due to low annual milage and can't afford or don't want a rapid 1.8/2.0 turbo petrol or even a vrs diesel then its probably the way to go.

I would tire of it most quickly though. As said previously, try to get a decent test drive covering town, country and motorway/nsl dual carriageway to make sure you will be happy with the 1.2 performance on a day to day basis.

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I found that a set of new Vredestein tyres on the front reduced the noise considerably, but they are noisy cars.