All,

I really can't decide what i should do.

I have seen some low mileage (40k) 60 plate mk2 vrs for around 9k and they're tempting. However i personally think the mk2 facelift version has the worse front of any octavia vrs ever made, still a brilliant car tho! Im nervous though because it won't be from a main dealer, just a standard trader with 3 month warranty which is usually a waste of space anyway.

Alternatively i could get a 2013 mk3 1.4 or 1.2 tsi for around 11k with only 30k on the clock.

We need a family car, we do 10k a year. Above vehicles are proving difficult to find as they are mainly diesel.

Mk2 vrs would be faster of course and look a bit meaner, and should hold money better?

The mk3 1.4 or 1.2 should be up to the job, cost slightly more to purchase but be cheaper to run. This will come with a 12 months skoda warranty which makes a big difference.

How reliable are the mk2 vrs pre facelifts? I prefer the look of them personally to mk2 facelift but the interior looks so dated.

What should i do! I want to keep this car for many years.

Thanks

Skoda's dont have good residuals.

Do you need a 'mean' car? After all it will just be a family wagon. Do you need to transport your family at excessive speeds.

The car with the longer warranty sounds a safer bet.

If you want a fast little toy car for yourself consider a few years old Renault clio sport. 200bhp go kart for £2000.

Thank you, had a clio sport about 6 years ago, fantastic cars that can be had so cheap now.

Tbh i drive like an old man these days and it would be my wife using it 80% of the time to do a 30 mile round trip. However Economy is still reasonable on the 2.0, the car will cost 2k less and will lose less money, and comes with good performance if ever wanted. Just Some reasons why im tempted.

Do you think the mk3 is better than mk2?

Do you think the mk3 will cost less over 5 years? Im worried it wont be worth hardly anything but the vrs will be?

I guess the big question is, what if the mk2 was to go wrong?

Thank you

I think the MK3 is better having owned a MK2 Facelift VRS TSI previously. Some will disagree due to things like the handbrake and bonnet lever being on the wrong side, but overall I think the cabin is a nicer place to be.

I'd also avoid the 2.0 TSI due to its known issues with the chain cam tensioner and it's potential for catastrophic failure.

I think the MK3 is better having owned a MK2 Facelift VRS TSI previously. Some will disagree due to things like the handbrake and bonnet lever being on the wrong side, but overall I think the cabin is a nicer place to be.

I'd also avoid the 2.0 TSI due to its known issues with the chain cam tensioner and it's potential for catastrophic failure.

Thanks, what model of the mk3 do you have? The vrs?

I have read about some failures with the 2.0 as well. Does this effect the 1.2 and 1.4 tsi?

Thanks

7 year old warm hatch (which you don't like the look of and aren't after the power) or a 4 year old family hatch is how I see your question.

 

You're concerned about warranty (and rightly so) but there are after-market warranties that you can pay for if that's the deciding factor.

 

Ultimately due to the age and types of car the older VRS will probably depreciate more (it's older and there's now essentially been 2 models since - 2013 VRS & facelift).

 

1.4 owners on this forum seem a happy enough bunch, not enough grunt for me personally but with the DSG7 box it gets down the road ok.

 

If you're worried about the cam chain tensioner issue then get it changed for the latest revision one....it's lasted 60,000 miles ok so why wouldn't it be ok with a new one for the next 60,000 miles?

 

At the end of the day it's your money, try them both,  pick the one that suits you the best.

The 1.4 mk3 will come with cambelt so no chain issues compared to the mk2 2.0 tsi.

Only downside to 1.4 mk3 is it come with rear beam instead of independent suspension so handling probably isn't as good compared to mk2 vrs

7 year old warm hatch (which you don't like the look of and aren't after the power) or a 4 year old family hatch is how I see your question.

You're concerned about warranty (and rightly so) but there are after-market warranties that you can pay for if that's the deciding factor.

Ultimately due to the age and types of car the older VRS will probably depreciate more (it's older and there's now essentially been 2 models since - 2013 VRS & facelift).

1.4 owners on this forum seem a happy enough bunch, not enough grunt for me personally but with the DSG7 box it gets down the road ok.

If you're worried about the cam chain tensioner issue then get it changed for the latest revision one....it's lasted 60,000 miles ok so why wouldn't it be ok with a new one for the next 60,000 miles?

At the end of the day it's your money, try them both, pick the one that suits you the best.

Thanks for the advice. I think if i bought the vrs mk2 id always feel a little disappointed seeing a mk3 vrs drive by! I saw the mk3 vrs estate today and to me it looks sooo much better! So i think get the mk3 se tsi for now and consider the mk3 vrs in 3 years or so.

Think some of the responses here have helped me make my mind up, just gotta find that extra 2k now haha

The 1.4 mk3 will come with cambelt so no chain issues compared to the mk2 2.0 tsi.

Only downside to 1.4 mk3 is it come with rear beam instead of independent suspension so handling probably isn't as good compared to mk2 vrs

Thanks mate, I've always wanted a vrs tbh but maybe i need to go with my head for now, then upgrade to the mk3 vrs once prices have dropped.

I actually prefer the look of the estate but not sure its worth the extra cost, the boots not much bigger is it.

Gonna head to main dealer tomorrow. Ill need to haggle a bit, worth a shot in January i guess.

The 1.4 mk3 will come with cambelt so no chain issues compared to the mk2 2.0 tsi.

Only downside to 1.4 mk3 is it come with rear beam instead of independent suspension so handling probably isn't as good compared to mk2 vrs

Sorry but will the 1.2 tsi also come with cambelt?

Thanks, what model of the mk3 do you have? The vrs?

I have read about some failures with the 2.0 as well. Does this effect the 1.2 and 1.4 tsi?

Thanks

Yeah I have the MK3 2.0 TSI VRS, though all the chain issues appear to be fixed on MK3 so its not really an issue. My MK2 also drank oil for fun, whereas my MK3 doesn't appear to have used any.

Not sure how reliable the 1.2 and 1.4 tsi engines are in the MK2 FL, but not aware of any major issues in MK3.

Yeah I have the MK3 2.0 TSI VRS, though all the chain issues appear to be fixed on MK3 so its not really an issue. My MK2 also drank oil for fun, whereas my MK3 doesn't appear to have used any.

Not sure how reliable the 1.2 and 1.4 tsi engines are in the MK2 FL, but not aware of any major issues in MK3.

Great, it will be the mk3 tsi ill be buying so that is good news.

Thanks again

Hi if would like 2.0tdi vRs e mail cheers

Sorry but will the 1.2 tsi also come with cambelt?

 

yes the mk3 1.2tsi will come with a cambelt

yes the mk3 1.2tsi will come with a cambelt

Thank you. I assume same goes for 1.4 tsi on mk3?

Do you think 1.4 worth the premium over the 1.2?

Well i looked at 3 mk3s today, and they were all terrible, scuffs, dirt etc. Can't believe how some people treat their cars.

Dealer told me he could get cars from other skoda dealers if required.

Typically ive just seen a mk2 vrs (march 2011) 55k miles. Ive been a bit put off after reading about some of the engine failures and because the mk3 SE model probably is all we 'need'

However im tempted again as this mk2 vrs is only £8695 and from a main dealer meaning id get 12 months warranty!

The mk3s I've been looking at are around 12k so id be saving just over 3k to begin with

Decisions decisions!

Maybe some leased cars are not looked after. Why? The car will be handed back and is not a 'keeper'. Its not a brand with any kudos. The Octavia is seen as a utilarian vehicle, a workhorse.

Just my thoughts.

Maybe some leased cars are not looked after. Why? The car will be handed back and is not a 'keeper'. Its not a brand with any kudos. The Octavia is seen as a utilarian vehicle, a workhorse.

Just my thoughts.

Yea i get that mate, shame for those that cant afford new eh :(

Maybe some of the vrs models are looked after a bit more as some owners maybe enthusiasts but at the same time they could just get ragged as they know they are under warranty and returning at the end of the lease

Yea i get that mate, shame for those that cant afford new eh :(

Maybe some of the vrs models are looked after a bit more as some owners maybe enthusiasts but at the same time they could just get ragged as they know they are under warranty and returning at the end of the lease

It's a gamble buying used so the warranty aspect offered is a big factor.

It's a gamble buying used so the warranty aspect offered is a big factor.

After reading more about the chain issues on the 2.0 i still think its just too much of a gamble.

So it has to be a mk3.

Thanks for all your help

MK3

Edited 22 January, 20179 yr by Croat

I have a mk2 fl vrs but a diesel.

I'd go for a mk3 due to the tensioner issues.

After reading more about the chain issues on the 2.0 i still think its just too much of a gamble.

So it has to be a mk3.

Thanks for all your help

Dont buy a used mk3 for £12K. You can have a new 1.0 TSi 115 SE for £15k on 0% finance. Have a look on broadspeed.com

A lot of the low spec Octavias end up as daily rentals, so can be a bit scuffed and scratched.

Dont buy a used mk3 for £12K. You can have a new 1.0 TSi 115 SE for £15k on 0% finance. Have a look on broadspeed.com

 

But you can get a 1.4TSi SEL inside this budget if you buy something 1 yr old. You could argue "don't buy a 1.0TSi SE for £15k". Regarding the scuffs and scratches, both myself and my brother-in-law bought 1yr old Octavias and there's nothing wrong with them. Mine has a small dull patch on the rear quarter where it looks like someone cleaned it with something abrasive, but it's small and quite mild and I don't really care. The Elegance (mine is now 3yrs old) is a much nicer place to sit, in my opinion, than the SE, so it all depends whether you prioritise the spec over the newness or vice versa. 

 

Out of interest, is 'newness' a real word? If it isn't it should be!

Actually, I can impart real advice here: There are too many cans of gunk around, so whatever you go for insist on a spare wheel being added if it doesn't already have one.