I've got an 05 Octy 1.9tdi, it's drive ok but needs a few things done, it's an ex taxi with 230000 mls, so far I've put 16s wheels on, new glow plus, second hand glow plug relay (which I'll get tested tomorrow to see if it works cause I've got doubts). Still needs 2 front shocks, drivers for internal lock, and probably bushes and/or ball joints as there's odd rumbling over bumps and rough rds.

It's got about 9 months mot, no warning lights (so far), a good body with minimal marks, I didn't pay much for it but still needs about 300ish spent on it. I've spent about 250 so far between the wheels, glow plugs, the relay, and top engine mounts, so about 550-600 needed I think....and that's what I think I know about

If I keep going, I'll need to keep it, I don't know what to do as I've also got an 04 Astra 1.7cdti with 116000 and again it's fine and needing virtually nothing I know of......I really have no idea what to do, but one has to go and that's fact...

Forgot to say, the Octy still needs a cam sensor I think as that was a fault codes that came up last week...52 quid from tms....and a gearbox/subframe mount (the 2 round ones at the back) then getting them fitted....I'll be up to about 700ish easy.....is it worth it !?

Edited 11 December, 201411 yr by Cleo

Just because u change all them doesn't mean something else carnt mess up, cars can go up to way more millage but 200 and a lot of parts will need changing down to wear and tear

It's really up to you at the end of the day if you think it would be able to sell in the future

Sometimes its a case of better the devil you know, with the Octy you know what you have and needs doing currently. If you buy a replacement then you are at square one and chances are at the budget end of the market, whatever you buy is going to need some work.

 

I've spent more than 1K on my Audi fixing age related problems this year, and I am not there yet.

 

If it were me, then I'd spend the £700 and go from there.

Car isn't really worth anything. but unless you're buying new the next car could cost money too.

 

At the mileage you have I'd guess it's going to be a fairly continuous process of changing parts and to keep it on the road.

 

If you were changing what would you change to?

From experience I'd say don't rush into anything quickly. Weigh up the pros and cons or selling/cost to get a new car etc. Back in Feb the head gasket in my MG went. Certain sites that buy cars were going to offer me about 250 so it was a case of do I spend 500-600 to keep it going or rush into a purchase of a car. In my opinion any car with good mot and tax (know the rules have changed but back in the day) any car is worth about 1000.  I was very tempted just to get shot of it and get something else but after a week or so I bite the bullet and got it fixed. All sorted then a week or so later the rad went so that was another 100 ploughed into it. 

 

In July I was then looking at a vRS but the garage would only offer 350 part ex for the MG and considering it had just had a fresh mot and tax I wasn't chuffed. Sold her within a week of advertising and got a good price which justified my keeping her. Now I just need to find myself a nice vRS and happy days.

 

If spending the 700 gives you another year or so motoring then I'd go for it. As mannyo says 'better the devil you know'.

If you were changing what would you change to?

I'd use the Astra 

From experience I'd say don't rush into anything quickly. Weigh up the pros and cons or selling/cost to get a new car etc....If spending the 700 gives you another year or so motoring then I'd go for it. As mannyo says 'better the devil you know'.

I am weighing it up but it'll be another couple of months before everything should be done, I like the Octavia but I'd need to try and keep if spending more as I'll never get it back, no chance not with that mileage.....truth be told, I should have left too, oh well..

If you have two cars and need to sell one then just keep the car you like best.  You should be able to get a few quid back on the 17" wheels and winter tyres you've taken off the Octavia, especialy at this time of year.

I like both in their own right that's the problem

As regards wheels....wrong!, a few chancers that wanted them for next to nothing and promptly told to f/o

A problematic 9 year old car with 230,000 miles?  Not much to see of exchange value in that. 

It may have utility value in spades because vehicles that age are pretty durable.   But they become susceptible to little gremlins and glitches as things get tired, ends up just too much hassle.

I wouldn't be ploughing cash into it unless I was sure it would keep going for quite a while hence.  If you can do/ are prepared to do the work yourself, then maybe.

And apart from that....cut my losses and sell or scrap it

That's your decision.

 

Older Skodas are solid and mechanically reliable cars generally. 

Its the niggly stuff that adds up to more than its exchange value.

You're right ie niggly stuff....I think I'll break it as I'm fkd off with it, I just can't get power to the bloody glow plugs despite another relay...enough's enough

Are you still chewing on with the glowplugs? Why? What is you actual problem here, because (yet again) your glow plugs are unlikely to be the problem. If you're having hard starting, and your cam sensor is showing a fault code then change the cam sensor as that could very well be the cause of the poor starting. The ECU needs to know when tdc is hit so that it can start injection at the correct time.

 

Have you checked that there's actually 12v going to the glowplug relay so that it can switch power if necessary? Have you checked the signal wire to the relay to see if it's receiving 12v when you turn the ignition on (so that the relay will switch the glowplugs on if necessary)? Poor starting could be something as simple as a failing battery. The ECU needs to see (from memory) about 300rpm off the starter before it enables fuel injection so if the battery or starter motor are failing then it won;t hit the revs required to start. The coolant temperature sensor may be faulty and not reading the correct temperature to the ecu, so it thinks the temperature is higher than it actually is, so won't even be calling for glowplug function.

There are many things which could affect poor starting, and glowplugs are unlikely to be your problem here. Honestly.

 

I've said this enough times though.

Ok.....as I said before too, I've had an auto spark (who was recommended by the mechanic I use/trust) he checked things, said there's power going to relay but not from it to the plugs hence telling me I need a relay (which I got). As for the coolant temp sensor, I might be faulty too as I disconnected it yesterday and the glow plug stayed on for about 5 secs, but where's still no power going to the plugs, that's pointless. I also had a cam sensor fault code (which as you say could be the problem too), but after disconnecting it yesterday, it's started and ran just the same, but I know I still probably need one.

Yes there's 12v going to the relay but nothing coming out of it to power the plugs, I went to garage I use yesterday for a second opinion and said the same ie no power to them. So it's either a duff relay I bought or something else. I've just had the auto spark on the phone, he said he's going to test/check stuff again in the drivers footwell....but convinced I should have bought a new relay (£75) and not second hand...I'll see him Monday though

Ps.....I do like it and bloody comfy with good pull/torque but really pi55ed off right now

Edited 12 December, 201411 yr by Cleo