My question is really aimed at those of you who have had a mk2 and now have a mk3 petrol VRS.

I have posted previously that I am waiting till next year before buying a mk3 VRS, as the price at the moment is still a bit too high. My question is, is the mk3 so much better than the mk2 it's worth the extra money. Should I buy a late 2012 mk2 with low miles, or spend that bit more and buy a mk3. My thoughts are on a mk3, as long as I don't have to pay next year more than 13k, but I am still undecided!! Another way of looking at it is, for about 13k I am probably looking at a mk3 private sale, no warranty! Get a mk2 for less than 13k and I could go to a garage and get one with a years cover.

Some decisions are hard to make, just wanted some intelligent input on the subject. 

I was pretty much in your position around a year ago.

 

I had a Mk1 Octavia VRS for 11 years and it was just starting to feel sort of tired, I looked at replacement Mk2 facelift VRS's but the 2.0L tsi engines suffer from timing chain issues, which tend to have catastrophic results when they fail (have a look on the Mk2 thread as it has it's own sticky).

 

I made my decision after my Doctor told me to give up rallying as it was having a detrimental effect on my back (which is foo barred), so seeing as my rally car was going I had to console myself with a brand spanking new VRS!

Hi butchvrs

Thank's for your reply. Yes I have noticed that some do have this timing chain issue, as I have been scanning the forum for a while now. Has this problem generally been solved with the mk3 then. I do like the look of the mk3. Will pick up your reply later.

With every evolution of the Octavia, a bit more fun gets taken away.

 

Obviously they are better and safer with each generation, but I drove the mk3 with a view to buying one, and it left me a bit numb tbh 

 

So much so, I ruled it straight out of the equation, especially as they are still very expensive.

 

Get a mk2, and save some money IMO

As your initial investigations have found out you will get more in the way of warrenty etc if you get a mk2. However its heavier and has around 20 odd ps less than the mk3 so wont be as quick if thats important to you but will still get a shift on. The mk3 will be better on petrol too if you drive both the same way. I think the camchain tensioner problem was mostly on cars circa 2010 and the design has changed since -it may be the same in the mk3 as later mk2s which would be worth finding out. Personally I think the mk3 looks a little understated its difficult to spot one from any other mk3 but you might want that. Test drive them both and see which you prefer/which fits your budget. Don't forget the mk3 has only been out a couple of years so there may be some gremlins that have yet to surface. Either car will be great to druve though.Good luck

Umm, have you driven both, the torque and the way the engine delivers in the Mk 3 petrol is in a different league to the Mk 2 let alone the performance pack brakes and infotainment superiority. It's like a completely different car so I don't see how it is comparable here apart from they are both called Skodas.

I'd say forget about cost vs age and decide what you want in a car because it's not just the same car, one being older and cheaper vs one being newer here.

Edited 28 May, 201511 yr by snala

Timing chains on the TFSI engine are a known problem across the entire VAG range, they can be replaced and many Golf GTI owners get theirs done at 60k and have no issues whatsoever so this shouldn't be of concern to you, just budget that in when costing a car.

 

A newer model is always more appealing than an older one but the Mk3 is an evolution from the Mk2 (as opposed to a revolution).  Everything is slightly better but the Mk2 FL Octavia was a nice car to begin with.

 

Don't worry about the performance difference too much, there's only 10Kg weight difference.  The 42 lb/ft extra torque is noticeable but a remap of the Mk2 would negate that.

 

Infotainment wise the Amundsen in the Mk3 is not worth it (except for the brand new MY16 onward models), the Columbus is great but aftermarket double din units are superior (and cheaper) so again budgetting in for a Kenwood,Pioneer etc double din professionally fitted unit would be worth considering.

 

All in all, a late model Mk2 FL VRS is a very nice car and would be much cheaper than an early Mk3 VRS.  Timing chain replacement, new Infotainment and a remap would make the Mk2 a sound choice.

Had a MK 1, 2 petrol TSFI and now 3 TSI vRS and a CR Diesel vRS, which I chopped in for my corrida red Combi TSI. I have DSG Amundsen, Canton and Black pack with tints. The car always turns heads, Some other colours look a bit dull for the vRS, and I would include the race blue in there. Just too many around to set it apart. It's a different car altogether. The engine is a peach but then again they were in MK 1 and 2's. Quite happy with mine apart from door cards and crap fuzzy felt type weave carpets. Canton is a bit disappointing, but i am glad I specced it because the standard sound system is lousy. A massive downgrade from the MK 2  

Thanks guys, some very good arguments for either car. Hard to test drive both, as the petrol models are not so common as the diesel ones, so not a lot about. I have been keeping an eye on the market already. Early part of next year I will really start to look to buy, as I think it will be a while before the right one comes up. Would like xenons  and reverse sensors on the car. My Mazda at the moment has xenons and I don't want to go back to ordinary lights. We will see what sort of price a mk3 is next year, if a bit too much, a good mk2 with low miles could be the answer. A remap on a mk2 should keep me happy with the power, as long as the clutch can take it. When I had a remap on a previous Honda Accord, the clutch did suffer. New clutch sorted that out though. I do about 20k miles a year, so the better mk3 mpg does also sway my decision. Nobody say get a diesel though with that sort of miles per year. After the Accord my one and only diesel, I worked out, I don't really like diesels. Just a personal thing guys, not trying to start a petrol v diesel argument. Thanks again for the replies. It has given me some thinking to do. Really good informative site this one. The Mazda forum is a little quiet compared to this Skoda one. Can't wait to be a genuine member with a VRS.  

I had a petrol manual MkII VRS TFSI and have a MkIII manual petrol VRS so I can tell you with accuracy what to expect. If you want toys and torque in a bigger more comfortable package get a MKIII. If you want a solid roomy car with get up and go buy a MkII. Simply put, the new version costs a fair bit more as it has more tech, which many MkII owners specced as extras or wanted to have but are reluctant to pay the extra money for on the newer version. If you buy an early 2014 petrol version it might not have the cruise control and flat bottomed steering wheel. If you buy a Blackline diesel MkII you will get a good deal as Skoda loaded them up with extras towards the end of the model's run.

Mk3 is the better all round car, better looking, more modern, more toys, lighter, faster with better, cleaner powerchains.

My only negatives....some evidence of cost cutting over the MK2 particularly with interior plastics and the standard sound system isnt up to much. Poor residuals too if purchased new without a significant discount.

Mk2 is a brilliant car still but given the relatively low used prices of nearly new O3's now unless I really couldnt afford to Id go Mk3 any day of the week.

My 2.0 Elegance is now 15 months old with approaching 25k and it really has not skipped a beat apart from one occasion it didnt start first time (occasional laboured starting seems to be relatively common on the EA288 diesels fitted to the O3 - a characteristic rather than a fault) and a dodgy boot light bulb.

Brilliant car, not at all exciting and up to my nuts in neg equity on it but it is a brilliant car for what it cost new.

Well I think I have made up my mind. I am not waiting till next year but on the lookout now. I am going for a late mk2 petrol VRS around 2012 build. Looking to spend about £12.5k so should get a low mileage one for that money. I am already used to xenons so want this option and for a vehicle this size I want parking sensors. Heated seats would be nice as the misses does like a warm backside in the winter! Manual gearbox as well and yes I do know how good the DSG one is, but I do prefer a manual. It seems not a lot of Octavias of this year and spec come up, as I have been keeping an eye on Autotrader for some weeks now. Might be a little while but I will be properly joining the VRS club. Might have to start posting in the MK2 section soon I suppose. MK 3 VRS still a bit expensive for me I am afraid.

Edited 12 June, 201511 yr by roaddetective

Not got my mk3. But in all honesty if that was my decision and was going for second hand then the mk2FL would be best.

At the moment the mk3 is not really that amazingly better than the mk2FL to justify the price difference. Considering its probably double what you are thinking about spending on the mk2FL

Not got my mk3. But in all honesty if that was my decision and was going for second hand then the mk2FL would be best.

At the moment the mk3 is not really that amazingly better than the mk2FL to justify the price difference. Considering its probably double what you are thinking about spending on the mk2FL

You could spend £12-13K on 3-4 yr old MkII or would you rather spend £18-19k on a much newer MKIII? The MkII is great but the newer one, whilst not amazingly better, is all round a better car. That is what you are paying for, bigger, more comfortable, quicker and I think with the right toys, is worth the money if you can buy a good second hand one or heavily discounted new. We all look for nirvana, heavily specced, cheap, driven by an angel, serviced every 6000 miles, immaculate. Tough to find the right one.

If my budget was 13k then yes

Difficult call...the Mk3 vRS's particularly the early ones are getting ever cheaper. The Mk3 is the better car, also even a base model with no options will ahve alot of the attractive Mk2 options as standard.

That said 13k wouldnt buy a Mk3 but would secure a late Mk2 or a Blackline which would still be a v nice car.

...personally Id suggest looking for a decent Blackline and if the lack of Xenons is a problem look to do a HID conversion on it perhaps?

Are some of you trying to get poor old me to spend more money? I still really don't like diesel engines, so no matter how good the Blackline is, you guys can't persuade me. Great to get all of your input though, it does make me think. Such a good forum this one. Very active with informative members. Be glad to fully come on board when I eventually find the right car. 

Mark 3 for me, but I'd pick it up on PCP or PCH and not have to find 10k plus, however if you want to own outright then...

Yes mate I want it all mine, ALL MINE. Sorry went a bit mad there!! Got the cash waiting as I don't like finance. Hard to find the right car though. In the last 2 months when I have just been casually looking not going to buy, I have only seen 2 I like that fit the bill. Patience, patience I keep saying to myself. Of course now I an wanting to buy, nothing at all will come up.

I look forward to seeing what you decide to spend your hard earned on .

Are some of you trying to get poor old me to spend more money? I still really don't like diesel engines, so no matter how good the Blackline is, you guys can't persuade me. Great to get all of your input though, it does make me think. Such a good forum this one. Very active with informative members. Be glad to fully come on board when I eventually find the right car.

Fair shout to you mate, petrol is of course the more fun (arguably better) variant but sadly TDI's are alot more prevalent so you'd stand more chance of finding a good spec (particularly late) one to your kind of spec requirement. I always found it a bit of a shame Skoda didnt do a TSI Blackline as that would have sold by the boatful too.

Yes mate I want it all mine, ALL MINE. Sorry went a bit mad there!! Got the cash waiting as I don't like finance. Hard to find the right car though. In the last 2 months when I have just been casually looking not going to buy, I have only seen 2 I like that fit the bill. Patience, patience I keep saying to myself. Of course now I an wanting to buy, nothing at all will come up.

 

keep looking and wait for the car you want, don't do what I did and buy something for the sake of it! I wanted a TSI Race blue vRS but ended up with a Blackline in white, really regret it despite being the best car I've ever had! now I'm stuck with it until I can afford a new mk3!

When I sold my Superb 3 months ago, I had about £16k for a new car.

 

I looked at putting a lump sum down on a mk3 VRS, so test drove it, and it didn't feel that special (Sorry Octy 3 owners)

 

After debating what to get (Still wanted to stay Skoda) I thought sod it, lets have some fun and bought myself the car I have now (Stage 2 mk2 VRS running 275bhp)

 

Best fun Ive had in ages, and I only paid £4k for it.

 

Price made me happy (and the missus was happy with the saving) plus I get to tinker with it, such as spray painting console trims etc (which I would have never done if Id spent £16k on a car!)

 

Its great, and makes me smile every time I drive it.

 

Don't rule older cars out, just for a later numberplate

I am not going to jump into the first car that comes along don't worry. I have at the moment a Mazda 2.0 petrol sport early 2009. It's a really great car, it's just that I am if I am honest, a little bored with it after 3 years of ownership. The vehicle I do find might not have all the extras I want, but I am going to make sure it's the right decision. Not quite sure yet which is the number one colour for me either. Something understated, a grey perhaps? Low mileage is the main priority anyway. Cheers guys for your comments. I may be getting a bit old now, but isn't it true, we are all like small boys waiting for Christmas where new cars are concerned!