VRS buying advice

[Maieth]

Hi all.

 

Returning to the forum to get some advice as I line up my next car.

A mk1 Fabia VRS has been my daily drive for 5 years now and it has been a fantastic car for my needs, but a change of job means I don't necessarily need a diesel any more for the economy (50 mile daily round trip used to give me an actual 55mpg, but work is now 5 mins away) and a new addition to the family has taught us very, very fast that a smallish hatchback simply doesn't offer enough space for a toddler and a newborn.

 

I'm looking at mk2 Octy VRS estates now to get comparable/better performance compared to the Furby and all the space we need. 

Would appreciate any advice on what to look out for and what to avoid. In particular, any insight into TFSI Petrol vs PD diesel would be very useful - noticed the thread on critical problems with the TFSI, do these occur on the VRS? 

 

Lastly, if anyone knows of cars for sale, please give me a shout. Atm my wishlist includes full leather interior (5 years with that grey cloth has definitely taught me to avoid it ) and cruise control.

Many Thanks. 

Edited 20 August, 2018 by Maieth

[PSM]

I would not recommend the PD VRS for short journeys as you will more than likely get DPF issues at some point. Also if looking at older diesel VRS's then make sure they still have their DPF and that it has not been removed since the MOT rules have tightened up a fair bit on DPFs. The later CR engine was a lot better with the DPF and also gave a more linear power delivery compared to the PD engines. The facelifted VRS's could be specced with a full leather interior (I had it on mine) and this was very practical with a young family and wore well too (had the car for nearly 8 years and the interior still looked good).

[Maieth]

Thanks PSM. Good to hear the leather seats wear well, though it  looks like few were specced with it. Didn't realise it was only available on facelift models, that explains the prices. 

 

Good point on DPF.  Would never reach burn cycle on my commute. Well worth keeping in mind. The Furby was old enough to dodge dpf issues completely thankfully. 

[skinnyman]

We've had our 2007 petrol estate for two and a half years now.  It's taken everything we've thrown at it as a family of five and so far, it's going well.  We use the car for everything from pottering round town to driving to France.  It's been used as a van all summer to take stuff to the tip and bring things back from B&Q.  I have added some of what I consider to be essential mods such as exhaust, remap, suspensions bits and we're really happy with it as a family car.

Over the 24k miles I've put on the car, it's returned an average of 35mpg which I'm happy with.  If you have any questions, fee free to PM me.

[SimpsonMrG]

The TSI engine failures on the octavias as far as i understand are from the CCZA engine, the tensioner going in it. Which were put in the mk2 FLs basically, you can replace the faulty tensioner with a revised one, which my car is getting done tomorrow! 

[Nuclear_Jules]

I’ve seen a car with engine code ccz333930 build date 7/11/2011 do you think it’s got there revised tensioner? Do the 2.0 tfsi suffer with the oil consumption problems that the 1.8 tsi do?

[Maieth]

4 hours ago, SimpsonMrG said:

The TSI engine failures on the octavias as far as i understand are from the CCZA engine, the tensioner going in it. Which were put in the mk2 FLs basically, you can replace the faulty tensioner with a revised one, which my car is getting done tomorrow! 

Do you mind me asking what that kind of refit costs? Feel free to PM if youd rather not post figures here. 

 

Currently weighing up the TSI OctyVRS against Passat 3.2 V6. Very different engines, but finding Octavias with the leather seats optioned is looking difficult and expensive. 

[SimpsonMrG]

1 hour ago, Maieth said:

Do you mind me asking what that kind of refit costs? Feel free to PM if youd rather not post figures here. 

 

Currently weighing up the TSI OctyVRS against Passat 3.2 V6. Very different engines, but finding Octavias with the leather seats optioned is looking difficult and expensive. 

I'm having the tensioner replaced with the latest revision, which including labour I was quoted 270 pounds, I also added a camchain in there. So I'll tell you tomorrow what he charges overall! And there are a few nice full leather examples and generally they cost around the same, they're just on the rare side

[SimpsonMrG]

3 hours ago, Nuclear_Jules said:

I’ve seen a car with engine code ccz333930 build date 7/11/2011 do you think it’s got there revised tensioner? Do the 2.0 tfsi suffer with the oil consumption problems that the 1.8 tsi do?

Mine is a 2011 TSI, and my mechanic checked it 2 weeks ago and it was the first revision of the tensioner, as in the worst one. The latest to my knowledge is the k variant that was released mid 2012. Unless it has receipts proving it was done. Assume it wasn't 

[Maieth]

Thanks all for the help and feedback. 

I never eliminated anything with a V6 after I started to look at tax and economy, test drove a 2.0TFSI Audi A4 that was unbelievably dull and then found about the most carefully maintained, low mileage VRs I could have hoped for. 

I've actually ended up buying a saloon without the leather interior, but was really impressed with its condition, care and the room it gave. It's been serviced more than annually and more than every 10k, has had every common flaw already rectified, timing tensioner included. Quite a find.

[SimpsonMrG]

That sounds very much like a find mate! I'm glad you found a decent example

[Nuclear_Jules]

How much did tensioner and cam chain cost you in the end?

[SurreyJohn]

On ‎21‎/‎08‎/‎2018 at 21:06, Maieth said:

Do you mind me asking what that kind of refit costs? Feel free to PM if youd rather not post figures here. 

 

Currently weighing up the TSI OctyVRS against Passat 3.2 V6. Very different engines, but finding Octavias with the leather seats optioned is looking difficult and expensive. 

 

Maybe this is a bit left field for you, but also worth widening your search and also looking at the Octavia L&K

Not quite as fast to accelerate, but well equipped and slightly more comfortable (which might be sensible with 2 young children)

 

As with all cars of that age, check everything works properly as replacing parts is expensive

 

I had 2 L&K Octavia estates, both autos, a 2001 Mk 1 with the 20v 1.8 turbo and a 2006 Mk 2 2litre FSI

Both were brilliant, but fuel thirsty compared to modern cars

 

 

[SimpsonMrG]

3 hours ago, Nuclear_Jules said:

How much did tensioner and cam chain cost you in the end?

420 quid mate, new chain, tensioner, oil change and oil filter. 

[Ootohere]

Amazingly good price.  Was that at a VAT registered garage?

[rawcas]

4 hours ago, Offski said:

Amazingly good price.  Was that at a VAT registered garage?

 

I was thinking the same. Just had a cam chain (not timing chain) and tensioner done on my 06 tfsi and it cost 700 quid. Got 3 quotes for the work as well, including local VAG specialist....really thought I'd done my home work!!!! Is the later TSI easier to work on?

 

Sorry for the thread hijack :-) 

[SimpsonMrG]

14 hours ago, Offski said:

Amazingly good price.  Was that at a VAT registered garage?

Nah, he's a new start garage, been in the game for less than a year and i know his uncle. So a bit of the old mates rates i think! He did a good job and was super nice though. 

[Maieth]

On 10/09/2018 at 22:53, rawcas said:

Sorry for the thread hijack :-) 

 

Lol, no problem

 

Loving my Octy and very happy the tensioner has already been sorted.  And the wiper.  And the aircon.  And the callipers.....

Someone was one very careful owner indeed.