Currently I drive a mk2 1.6tdi, which does the job, but I've always hankered for a vrs and a bit more power.

I have a 120mile round trip for work, so spend plenty of time in the car each day.

Now my question is mk2 or a mk3?  Previously I used to have a 110tdi mk1 which was actually a better drive than my 1.6 (primarily due to the engine).  I suspect that with my normal driving style I won't see much of a change in economy between the 1.6 and 2.0cr, but my smiles per mile have the opportunity to increase.

 

Are there any major issues with the DSG boxes if I go down the auto path?

In the mean time I'm off to read/research what I can, so hopefully haven't spoken out of turn, but figured I should get the ball rolling.

Thanks :-)

The difference between the mk 2 and 3 is a big one in my opinion. My mk 3 quality, looks, pace, handling and ride is miles ahead of my two old mk2 VRS TDIs. I drove the new TDi and settled on the Tsi this time as i dont do the mileage anymore but If you have the finance, mk 3 the way to go :-)

Edited 9 September, 20169 yr by ima

The difference between the mk 2 and 3 is a big one in my opinion. My mk 3 quality, looks, pace, handling and ride is miles ahead of my two old mk2 VRS TDIs. I drove the new TDi and settled on the Tsi this time as i dont do the mileage anymore but If you have the finance, mk 3 the way to go :-)

Agreed except for the distinct lack of sound proofing and extra rattles on the mk3

I hate the clattering noise I get when closing the door if I leave the window open a little

Before you even get the petrol v diesel. Sounds like you have your mind made up already but if you are automatically ruling out petrol then you are doing yourself a huge disservice IMO

Mmm tough one and depends on budget, cheapish half decent tsi mk3 prob around £14k but you could get a cracking late mk2 tsi for £10k. Yes mk3 better car by some accounts but some are let down by there build quality ie rattles, poor paint but wouldn't discount mk2 most seem better built with less rattles. If needed the 200bhp engine can easily be mapped to 250bhp and is still pretty good on fuel, I have a mk2 manual petrol vrs and can't fault it imo there such a good car for the money

Edited 9 September, 20169 yr by dsj20v

I have seem some nice looking mk2 for around 10-11k, but adding in another 4k takes me to a mk3, which seems to come better loaded with toys too.

 

I'll have a columbus from my mk2 I can flog on (as I replaced the bolero) anda  few other bits I bought and haven't got around to fitting (towbar, DRLs/fogs, new BCM, etc).  I think my daily commute of 120 miles pushes me in the diesel direction.  I need to check that the mk3 will actually fit through my garage doors too (the mk2 fits in with an inch or so on the edge of the mirrors.)

 

Paintwork on my 61 plate mk2 isn't great either, but I get the impression that is a Skoda thing these days.

 

The more I think about it, the more the mk3 is appealing to me.

I went through this as a replacement for my Fabia 1 getting a bit old ( but still going and still use more !)

I was looking at get a good value mkII, cheapness, but then settled on the mk3.

 

In one sense I'm glad due to its more cutting shape and styling, I don't think I would have felt much of an upgrade otherwise.

There are a few common grumbles ( and for me as amazing as the seats are the lack of full leather lets them down so I think I'm going to retrim front seats), also complains its more refined than I would have hoped ( would have liked a bit more noise ) but have plans for this too if you follow the threads.

 

but on the whole its a mega car and for similar performance in a less subtle format , (e.g.Nissan, Porsche, Focus ST et al), you'd be looking at far bigger fuel bills, running costs, and tax bills for what its worth. But after all it is quite a sensible choice motor ( even in petrol form) you can live with day to day, rather than such ostentatiousness

 

Just had the £140 tax bill land through (this is 2nd car also), that is a nice relief. I can see it going the other way with those who've been smug on the diesel front, soon.

I went from a 1.9 TDI Mk2 to a 1.6 TDI Mk3. In general I am very pleased with the newer car, it feels noticeably lighter than the old car and is a nicer car to drive - I always felt the older car to be more 'tank like'. The newer car is a lovely looking car too, there is nothing else out there at the moment that appeals to me.

 

However, the build quality doesn't seem as good and I too have a few squeaks from the interior. My old car was replaced as it was written off, otherwise I was intent on keeping it and seeing how long it would last.. with this one I am not so sure of its longer term longevity.

Can't speak for diesel but my Mk 2 1.8TSi was imho a better car than my current Mk.3 1.4 TSi in terms of build quality and what you got for the price, which was much lower.

The Mk. 3 feels a bit tinny, even if it actually isn't!

 

However the Mk. 3 is surprisingly powerful for its engine size and economic to run, in terms of mpg, road tax, insurance, and maintenance.

I've not lived with a mk2 but I test drove a TSI vrs before buying my mk3 TSI VRS. The mk3 was better in every way. Styling is personal choice but the interior is much more modern and feature packed. It handles better, feels more nimble, is faster, better on fuel, stops better and mine doesn't rattle at all. Doesn't feel as solid as the Passat I had before but that was like a tank in comparison so not really a surprise.

I found the paint quality on my mk3 to be absolutely 1st class for a production line car - and with my job i spend hours staring at paintwork on many different cars.

 

Re the DSG then I seem to remember a lot of people saying its not suited to the diesel for some reason. Another consideration is that there are a fair few thread asking about issues with their DSG so maybe it can have issues. My other car (a golf) has DSG and it has a host of benefits such as fast changes and easy when stuck in traffic. I do find it can be a little tardy sometimes and can get the guessing wrong with gear selection.

Edited 12 September, 20169 yr by Wakey