I'm coming up to 9 years ownership of my O2 (2005 1.9 Tdi).

It's taken me from 5K to 97K with complete relialibility, just passed its MOT, drives as well as ever, no rattles or indications of problems.

But it's now 10 years old, and the next service will include a cambelt change. 

 

So, I'm wondering about getting a nearly-new O3 (1.2 Tsi SE), but am slightly discouraged by criticisms of the ride, and reports of poor build quality (compared to the O2).

 

What do you think? After the new car novelty has gone, will I regret spending c. £12k (with the consequent depreciation) on a car which isn't a huge improvement on my O2.

Or will I be enjoying it, and looking foward to another 9 years of Octavia ownership?  

 

Thanks in advance for your comments.

Edited 6 March, 201511 yr by Nigel J

I spend 12hrs a day in a mk 2 scout for work and i love it.my mk3 vrs is so much better for many reasons. Is it better? Hell yes. Will it last me 6 years ? Yeah im sure it would.

A lot of your questions will be answered by a decent test drive, but it sounds like now is a decent time to sell while the old car still has some value. Once it gets past 10 years and 100k it will be harder to find a buyer.
Leave it too much longer and you may as well run it in to the ground.

You have a perfectly good car that you know has been well looked after for many years, has no known faults and you obviously like it.

 

On the other hand you will have to change it at sometime in the future, and it could go expensively wrong tomorrow, but then so could a three year old car just out of warranty.

 

If you can comfortably afford to change it then have a test drive and then decide if you still want to change, if you're pushing the finances a bit or still not sure after the test drive keep the current car.

 

The VW Group cars from that era did seem better built and the 1.9 TDI has to be one of the toughest engines made - I've had several 1.9 TDI's (130 versions) for over 150k miles, one I kept until 215K (older 110 bhp version) before it went bang which was my fault for not changing the auxiliary belt - still kicking myself now, it didn't use oil or water and everything else on the car still felt tight at that mileage, so don't worry about the 97k on your current car. At your current 10k/year mileage it should go on for many years yet.

 

Last year I sold a 2005 Passat Sport Estate 1.9 TDI 130 with about 150k on the clock, and still wishing I hadn't sold it.

 

I have tried the 1.2 TSI in a Golf and it went quite well, I though it was a 1.4 TSI until I checked, and very economical it was too, but then so is the 1.9 TDI you have. What you do miss is the low down torque of the 1.9 TDI, the smaller petrol engine has to be revved a bit harder, I prefer a more relaxed drive so I thought the 1.9 TDI was better in that respect.

 

A suggested above a good test drive first, don't rush into signing anything there and then, let the excitement of potentially getting a new car fade for a few days, then decide which way to go.

If you want a new car, have a new car.  

But dont change it just cos you think  approaching 100k is a problem. It is just run in and should easily do another 100k if you keep the oils changed. Would be a cracking s/h buy for someone!

 

I bought mine with 101K on it, its now done 240k and see no need to change it. Only major expense was a new clutch and flywheel 

Edited 6 March, 201511 yr by moatmeister

I'm coming up to 9 years ownership of my O2 (2005 1.9 Tdi).

It's taken me from 5K to 97K with complete relialibility, just passed its MOT, drives as well as ever, no rattles or indications of problems.

But it's now 10 years old, and the next service will include a cambelt change. 

 

So, I'm wondering about getting a nearly-new O3 (1.2 Tsi SE), but am slightly discouraged by criticisms of the ride, and reports of poor build quality (compared to the O2).

 

What do you think? After the new car novelty has gone, will I regret spending c. £12k (with the consequent depreciation) on a car which isn't a huge improvement on my O2.

Or will I be enjoying it, and looking foward to another 9 years of Octavia ownership?  

 

Thanks in advance for your comments.

I was in the same situation as you I had a 1.9D manual that I loved to drive, it was incredibly economical, reliable and a great x-country tourer.

It was due some maintenance items and the Mk 3 came out here in Australia with good pricing and addressed my only complaint with the Mk2 of being a bit cramped in the rear seats (mk3 about 100mm wheelbase longer than the Mk2).

I test drove the 1.4tsi (103kw version was the base version here in Australia) and was sold on the extra performance, space and still good ride from the torsion bar rear.

The new petrol version is a LOT lighter than the old diesel and certainly makes it easier going for those gaps in traffic that I just would not try for with the Mk2. The power available and the way it puts it down is just right for me, you really do not have to worry about spinning the wheels in the dry.

As you would expect the economy is not quite as good but is only about 1.2 l/100 worse on a run and the same for my overall average.

You do have to drive with a bit more anticipation on the petrol compared to the diesel to achieve good urban economy, mainly due to the petrol's comparative lack of engine braking (seems like none)

The lighter car weight while conferring performance/economy benefits does not give quite the same feeling of solidity of build, nor the same steering implacability.

For me the Mk2 was totally unaffected by strong cross winds or side drafts from trucks or 'tram-lining' from worn roads, the Mk3 is still good just not as good as the Mk2 (maybe the weight maybe the multi link rear suspension?). The steering weight feel on my Mk3 is definitely lighter than the Mk2, which was just perfect for me, but my wife prefers the Mk3.

I think the Mk3 is quieter (I do not have the rumble or pressure problems), the ride is firm but still compliant. It handles some situations better due to the longer wheelbase, but bumpy bends were better on the multi-link.

In retrospect it would have been more economic to do what was needed on the Mk2. I cannot complain about the mk3 and neither do my rear passengers, but I do miss the 1.9D.

Obviously I have not tried the 1.2tsi but as the reported performance is very similar to the diesel I would heartily recommend trying the 1.4tsi if you do decide to make the switch.

Edited 7 March, 201511 yr by Gerrycan

Thanks.  Some really helpful comments. 

 

Given it's running well, I rather think I would come to regret replacing it just because some routine servicing & fettling is due (per cnc wishing he hadn't sold his Passat).

 

I suspect like Gerrycan I would miss the economy and the feeling of solidity of build. Like cnc I do like the relaxed drive of the 1.9tdi.

 

So,  240k here we come!!  (Or until there is a more pressing reason to change).