Hi all

 

I am a new member and I am after some advice on whether to return to the VAG/VW fold.

 

Before my current bulletproof and frugal but boring Prius, I had a VW B6 Passat 2.0 TDI, it was initially a very nice buy, everything from the looks to the way it drives was everything I wanted until a couple of problems such as injector failure (x2), electronic handbrake failure, air-con failure made me lose all faith for German cars. 

 

Anyway I'm now in the position to purchase again and I really like the Gen 3 Octy VRS TDI DSG, I made this choice because of it's price point compared to the rest of other German equivalents, its size (have a small family with two young daughters) and how it could make me smile  

 

1) Is 'Injector failure' still a common problem with these new CR engines? any common or expensive problems I should know about?

 

2) Is the DSG gearbox reliable? My wife (who hates manual cars) will be using the car to do city school runs so it has to be an Auto, a reliable one. 

 

3) What sort of real world MPG should I expect from this version of Octy? Full tank range? I do 70% city driving during the week and go for longer trips on the motorway during the weekends (take the family out to places etc). 

 

Thanks for your answer in advance. 

 

 

 

You shouldn't have the problems you did on your Passat. Wasn't that the version of the Passat that was beset by all sorts of problems? Seemingly everybody had some problem or another. That seemed to be restricted to the Passats though.

Anyway, the Octy seems a reliable car, and despite its sporty set up, reports are that the VrS is quite a comfortable ride. The only major thing that seems to pop up frequently, is a strange low frequency pressure pulse, booming round the car. I haven't had it in my Elegance, but plenty of others do. Not sure however if the VrS suffers from this, or if Skoda have sorted this problem on newbuilds.

 

As for range, well in my 2.0TDI Elegance (150), Manual, I am looking about 60mpg on average. Up to high 60s on a good motorway run in the summer (no chance in winter).

So you will possibly be looking slightly under 60mpg on average. However before working out the range per tank, beware that the fuel gauge and trip computer don't read the whole tank. With the gauge and trip computer showing empty, chances are you will only manage to fill up with about 43 litres. Not 50 as the tank capacity is. There is still about 7 litres hiding away in the tank somewhere.

Edited 7 December, 201411 yr by JungleJames

In my last O3 2.0TDi DSG Hatch I averaged just over 50mpg across 20,000 miles in a year.

My new O3 2.0TDi DSG Estate is averaging 48ish already for the first 1200 miles.

 

Not heard of injector failure on the new range of CRs yet.

 

The six speed DSG is pretty much bulletproof.

 

The CR150 feels more powerful than my Shark remapped PD140 was in my O2 as well , plus it is a more linear torque curve, rather that the huge surge you got on the PD engines.

Had my VRS with DSG box for five years and no problems at all. Would not have a manual car again!

Had my VRS with DSG box for five years and no problems at all. Would not have a manual car again!

Petrol and DSG is good choice, Diesel + DSG = awful

Petrol and DSG is good choice, Diesel + DSG = awful

In your opinion - I'm on my second and don't have any issues with it.

Petrol and DSG is good choice, Diesel + DSG = awful

I agree with Sheldon on this one

I agree with Sheldon on this one

Disagree I'm afraid. I love my diesel with the DSG. Also had the last gen Octy VRS with DSG and diesel. Loved that too!

Petrol and DSG is good choice, Diesel + DSG = awful

Couldn't disagree more if I tried..... In the past 10yrs I've driven petrol and diesel VW group cars (manual and DSG) and it suits both engines very well.  I've done 10K in 11 months in my vRS TDI DSG including stints in central London and the Welsh Valleys and it worked fine.

Edited 7 December, 201411 yr by back1980

Disagree I'm afraid. I love my diesel with the DSG. Also had the last gen Octy VRS with DSG and diesel. Loved that too!

DSG=Marmite, you either love or hate.

As I have posted on previous threads, they don't work well for slow manoeuvring on slopes, particularly reversing, and as I have to park on a steep slope.....

Added to that, the ones I have driven with diesels have been slow witted. I am aware that they adapt to driving styles, but how long does it take? I did a 1200mile round trip in a mk2 Octavia vRS 170 and it still wasn't doing what I wanted. I have driven VW's, Skodas, and Audis with DSG or S-tronic in various capacity diesels from 1.6 to 3 l and none of their gearboxes impressed me. A petrol 1.2 Tsi Rapid drove better, an Audi R8 v10 even better than that, but I would take a manual gearbox if there was an option.

I am glad others like them, but for me? No

All in my own humble opinion of course

Edited 7 December, 201411 yr by Bristolf2b

Puts head up above parapet, the TDI might not be a good choice given your driving conditions and the 1.4TSI might be a good option.

 

Around town you'll get around 38MPG and on long runs 48 to 50 with four in cruising at around 70mph.

 

I am not going to mention DPF issues or injector faults, having previously owned a TDI Greenline Fabia that had new engine, all three injectors fail and DPF issues, I don't know what driving a diesel is.

 

As for DSG the 7 speed in the 1.4 is a dream, the VRS gets the 6 speed.

..... but that was a different engine, and a different generation of engines as well

 

You will get similar mpg from the 1.4 as you do the 2.0TDi though.

It does depend on how you drive it though !

Don't know how anyone can average 60mpg unless you're doing a lot of motorway driving, even with a diesel. Best I've ever averaged is just over 60mpg taking it easy driving 50 to 60mph. Last tank was nearer 50mpg with a mixture of short runs, some motorway and lower temperatures. Would expect diesel DSG to be a bit less than that about town but fairly good on longer runs.

70% city driving would suggest petrol would be more suitable, though you don't say how many miles you'll do on a typical trip. I think there is no doubt the dsg suits the petrol engine better though. On the mk2 my dealer advised against one when I bought my Blackline, but has since said one of his family has a mk3 cr vRS with dsg and is very pleased with it. As usual an extended test drive will show which ones better for you. Either way I don't think you'll be disappointed.

DSG=Marmite, you either love or hate.

As I have posted on previous threads, they don't work well for slow manoeuvring on slopes, particularly reversing, and as I have to park on a steep slope.....

Added to that, the ones I have driven with diesels have been slow witted. I am aware that they adapt to driving styles, but how long does it take? I did a 1200mile round trip in a mk2 Octavia vRS 170 and it still wasn't doing what I wanted. I have driven VW's, Skodas, and Audis with DSG or S-tronic in various capacity diesels from 1.6 to 3 l and none of their gearboxes impressed me. A petrol 1.2 Tsi Rapid drove better, an Audi R8 v10 even better than that, but I would take a manual gearbox if there was an option.

I am glad others like them, but for me? No

From what I have read, the DSG does not adapt to your driving style. It is programmed to follow static tables of how to behave, so it does not change according to your style after time.

I know some people think otherwise, but this you can read on for example under DSG on wikipedia.

All in my own humble opinion of course

My Mk2 vRS Blackline diesel had the DSG gearbox and I was constantly infuriated by it - dim witted, sluggish in D, revving like mad in S. That said, at 14k miles it died and is still not back on the road.

 

The DSG in the Mk3 diesel vRS has different software and is like a completely different beast. After the disaster with my Mk2, I was adamant that my next car would be a manual - about a 1000 miles in two of the dealers DSG diesel vRS' persuaded me to give them another go - they finally seem to work quite well with the diesel and I'm quite happy with the new car that's now on my driveway.

2.0 Diesel DSG is very smooth, changes gear quickly, only need one foot.   There, that's 3 positive things about it so I'm not always preaching doom and gloom.

Downside is that it nearly got me sideswiped in eco due to no drive and higher gear ratios than manual = higher fuel consumption.   Each to their own but I'll never have that engine and gearbox combination again.

A VAG 2.0T petrol with DSG was the 2nd best auto car I've ever driven, best was a geartronic Volvo S60 T5.

The PD engine in the B6 Passat I had was supposed to be 'bulletproof', well it probably was for some people but the little and expensive parts like the injectors completely ruined it. I was constantly in fear of which one will fail next (2 failed = £2000) or when the engine management light will come on and leave the whole family stranded somewhere.

 

Thanks for the replies guys, from what I have read it seems the CR engine is more reliable but the DSG is best avoided. If that's the case I might have to look elsewhere as I mentioned I have to go for an auto car.

 

In regards to buying a petrol version, I am only interested in the VRS variant, since the 2.0T is a bit thirsty for my liking, the diesel is the only option.  

If you like it Id say go for it.

VAG cars from my own experience (having owned several new ones in recent years) are pretty good reliability wise; not without their occasional fault/glitch but not one of the cars has had me in the garage time after time. If youre not too bothered about having something sporty but want a well equipped and still v decently quick car a 2.0 Elegance may be the way to go (what I did)....but wont lie to you its not an exciting car to own or drive...just v V competent.

The 150 v 184 debate is an interesting one as the reality is that the vRS TDi is not leagues faster than a 150....whilst it has another 34ps to haul it around it weighs over 100kg more...in terms of power to weight theres about 12hp/ton advantage to the vRS....in other words barely noticable. My situation having gone from a rather nice late Mk2 vRS TDi Blackline DSG estate to a Mk3 150 TDi Elegance estate manual I think for me I should have really gone for another vRS but the more I use the Elegance the higher an opinion I hold of it and would say it is probably in reality about all the daily driver anyone would really need, particularly if you do alot of motorway driving.

In answer to you q's

Injector failure was a very common issue with PD injected 170 motors; this issue has not inflicted the CR motors as far as I know.

DSG is reliable, Im in the camp of thinking it doesnt mate quite so well with diesel power but havent driven a DSG equipped MK3 so cant really comment.

MPG regularly get high 40's to low 50's from the 150 but I do have a bit of a lead foot, driven with care it will return high 50's without too much trouble. The 184 will be a bit worse but still frugal for a 144mph diesel car.

The PD engine in the B6 Passat I had was supposed to be 'bulletproof', well it probably was for some people but the little and expensive parts like the injectors completely ruined it. I was constantly in fear of which one will fail next (2 failed = £2000) or when the engine management light will come on and leave the whole family stranded somewhere.

I must admit i was always scared of that with my B6 passat but VW recalled it and changed all the injectors for me! That was at 100k and being its 4th owner, also its second engine which the previous owner had changed at VW due to the oil pump failing which was apparently also common on the BKP series of 2.0TDI...

From what I've heard the CR engines are far better all round

I came from a Picasso auto, I suppose Citroen's version of DSG, now that was poor.

My 2Ltr 4x4 DSG is brill, and I have to reverse up a very steep narrow drive!

It's so good that this week we hope to pick up our new DSG Scout   don't want any other kind of gearbox now after 50 yrs of manual.

Hi all

 

I am a new member and I am after some advice on whether to return to the VAG/VW fold.

 

Before my current bulletproof and frugal but boring Prius, I had a VW B6 Passat 2.0 TDI, it was initially a very nice buy, everything from the looks to the way it drives was everything I wanted until a couple of problems such as injector failure (x2), electronic handbrake failure, air-con failure made me lose all faith for German cars. 

 

Anyway I'm now in the position to purchase again and I really like the Gen 3 Octy VRS TDI DSG, I made this choice because of it's price point compared to the rest of other German equivalents, its size (have a small family with two young daughters) and how it could make me smile

 

1) Is 'Injector failure' still a common problem with these new CR engines? any common or expensive problems I should know about?

 

2) Is the DSG gearbox reliable? My wife (who hates manual cars) will be using the car to do city school runs so it has to be an Auto, a reliable one. 

 

3) What sort of real world MPG should I expect from this version of Octy? Full tank range? I do 70% city driving during the week and go for longer trips on the motorway during the weekends (take the family out to places etc). 

 

Thanks for your answer in advance. 

 

Hey

 

I have the model you are thinking of getting, I have had it nearly two weeks. I won't comment on mpg other than i am happy with it so far. 

 

DSG is a dream, i drive a mkii Paramedic Scout with DSG and never ever had a problem, we have a fleet of 9 on station that work 24/7 and none have ever missed a beat with the DSG. We all love them, and as you would imagine they are driven very hard indeed. The space is amazing and there is nothing i don't like, i have come from a V60 D3 and adored that car, but I would not swap back. 

 

Sure there are reports of issues with the DSG, I have never come across one. Around town its a left leg saving in heavy traffic, and when i am making full use of those horses the DSG is great.

 

I have not heard of any issues with our work fleet regards the injectors and neither has our workshops who look after a fleet of over 200 of them, again I am sure that someone will say differently but this is just my experience.

 

Great price, great space and great spec. Whats not to like. I do with i had leather and a moon roof but i took a dealer ghost order.

Wow I was waiting for some proper positive feedback to push me towards paying the man with tie some money, you certainly have done that. Can't argue with that sort of stats. It'd be interesting to know the MPG too. 

Hi Buddy

 

One of the things that I love about this forum is that its not very often that someone will jump on your views, they are respected on here. 

 

Mine, like others, is just an opinion. It is based on driving the mkii scout to its extremes and my own mkiii for fun. 

 

As for MPG i go buy these two simple rules. 

 

1. Am i happy with what i am getting

2. Can I afford to keep running the car

 

I had a box fresh MkV Golf GTi,  I loved it until the novelty of the pure acceleration wore off and then one day I noticed as the speedo went up I could see the fuel moving down, it took the shine off it for me. So off it went.

 

The vRS to me is a one tick solution to a lot of requirements, two young daughters and a springer have to go in the back ....they are all happy. The boss and me in the front and we are more than happy. It has plenty of gage in it and I have the Amdumanny sat nav and I really rate it. This brings me to my next point, a lot of people on here don't rate it, and to be honest if I had been speccing it myself I would not have gone for it, but it works for me. Insist on a extended test drive, and if you have not driven a DSG for a long time give a chance.

 

On the way to work today on the motorway I looked at the MPG just for you and it was showing 57 at 70 with cruise on. Now before people start choking on their cornflakes, that is what was indicated.

 

I am now sat on standby, on the last job I had to drive it up a steep hill backwards, no problem at all although please take into account this is a mkii scout.

 

let me know how you get on.