So I've been nosing around her for a while soaking all the info in and trying to arm myself as much as possible for when I go and look and buy a vrs. I was primarily looking at the diesel, as frankly there are more around and also more in budget. I'm.looking around 12k. The last few cars I've had have been diesels but I only do about 10k ish a year. Weekly commute is 2 x 60 mile round trips which are made up of fast a roads and a toll or some town/city driving and then some national speed limits which seem to have generally kept my dpfs happy, not had an issue really although on a 2011 bmw 318d I had to force a few regens due to some lumpy idling. 

 

This short commute relatively twinned with mainly short journeys on off days locally and with new young family of 2 kids less than 3 has made me now look at the tsi.

 

From what i can read, they are pretty much solid, with some unfortunate turbo failures but chain issues have been largely eradicated and it would seem that a solid low miler would be more suited to me than a diesel and pose less hassle potential when it comes to issues like dpf dmf and egr etc etc. 

 

Is there anything I need to look for on the tsi? I have an obd scanner to look for fault codes if the dealers will allow me or to scan the dpf but I think my money is on a tsi tbh just for the hassle factor or lack thereof compared to a diesel.  

Had my tsi (14 plate) for a few years and been (touch wood) rock solid. Literally not a single problem its on 95k. 

 

I came from an audi 2.0 tdi 08. I like diesels but just too put off by having to worry about how i drive a car and whether it will impact the dpf. The audi did very long round trips (140 daily) and was great. 

 

I no longer do those miles. 

 

Things to watch out for on tdi vrs is water pump failure seems to be common. 

Water pump on tdi or both tdi and tsi? Is this something that can be preemptively upgraded or is it a case of 🤞🏻 it doesnt fail and if it does then replace with what I assume will be an upgraded part with bits updated where there faults  causing the failures 

Not sure why you would go for the diesel if you don't do enough mileage tbh. Are you sure you can't get a petrol MK3 for £12k?Have you test driven a petrol and diesel to see which engine you prefer? 

3 hours ago, Octaviarse said:

Not sure why you would go for the diesel if you don't do enough mileage tbh. Are you sure you can't get a petrol MK3 for £12k?Have you test driven a petrol and diesel to see which engine you prefer? 

Well that's my thinking now tbh. We have a young family and do long trips to see family and have holidays around the uk a few times in the year but I dont think that justifies a diesel twinned with my commute being halved now due to part time.

 

I can get a tsi for below 12k...the ones I've seen I'd just not buy. And when there are say 10 tsis in my criteria on autotrader and like 50 tdis , your eye starts to wander to the tdis that match what I want in way if kit colour age mileage and hatch or indeed the estate.

 

Have driven both recently but not on full test as these were work colleagues quick spin etc

I'd hold out a bit longer (prices must slip a little when the new one is announced and then comes out) or widen your search, if possible. Unless you prefer the characteristics of the diesel or need it for the mileage, I wouldn't go for the diesel just because it is cheaper. If budget is tight, it will have to be a manual hatchback as the estates generally cost more. Not sure what your thoughts are on the dsg, but I'm not sure I'd buy a used one that's going to be 5-6 years old, tbh, but that's just me.

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/classifieds/category/1-cars-for-sale/

TSI - reliable, don't use oil,  quick and very smooth, 40+ Mpg keeping up with the flow on UK motorways. If you live in a rural or semi- rural location, ie not in the centre of a large town/city and don't thrash it your usual mpg will be 35-40 Mog depending on the ambient air temp. The hatchback is spacious enough to fit a 6 foot long single bed. 

I was genuinely amazed at the space in the hatch and as mentioned above they are more plentiful.not against a dsg, I drive a bmw semi auto and while its nice, and I've heard very good things about the dsg especially with the tsi.... I do find myself getting bored driving an auto

2 hours ago, Octaviarse said:

I'd hold out a bit longer (prices must slip a little when the new one is announced and then comes out) or widen your search, if possible. Unless you prefer the characteristics of the diesel or need it for the mileage, I wouldn't go for the diesel just because it is cheaper. If budget is tight, it will have to be a manual hatchback as the estates generally cost more. Not sure what your thoughts are on the dsg, but I'm not sure I'd buy a used one that's going to be 5-6 years old, tbh, but that's just me.

Buy I used dsg or vrs in general of that age?

1 hour ago, Cranmasterflash said:

Buy I used dsg or vrs in general of that age?

 

I meant I wouldn't personally buy a 5 or 6 year old car with dsg. 

Ah ok. Can I ask why out of interest?

Get a couple of hundred off this one and have them remove the red stripe?

 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201912215531255

 

Cheap but higher mileage

 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202002016823721

Edited 17 February, 20206 yr by Octaviarse

6 minutes ago, Cranmasterflash said:

Ah ok. Can I ask why out of interest?

 

Just because they are hideously expensive if they go wrong and there's more chance of it going bang as it gets older. I'm sure loads go longer than that without fault but it's just my own preference.  And I have a dsg by the way so it's not that I don't like it.

 

I saw the grey one and thought a out 12.5k tbh. Just no toys like heated seats but does have smartlink. I'd prefer other way round though lol. Also seen 2 white ones. 1 on 60k and 1 on 45k. 

All long distances though as I live in Midlands 

 

5 hours ago, Cranmasterflash said:

I saw the grey one and thought a out 12.5k tbh. Just no toys like heated seats but does have smartlink. I'd prefer other way round though lol. Also seen 2 white ones. 1 on 60k and 1 on 45k. 

All long distances though as I live in Midlands 

 

Wait a while, prices will come to you with the release of the Mk4 & you really want certain extras, wait till you see one you like. It's not like your current car is broken.

1 minute ago, themanwithnoaim said:

Wait a while, prices will come to you with the release of the Mk4 & you really want certain extras, wait till you see one you like. It's not like your current car is broken.

Haha it's funny you say that because the fact  my 3 year old sportage is currently on the ramp with kia and has been for 3 weeks bow and I've only owned it 8 weeks meaning I'm in the process of rejecting it. So the money returned 🤞🤞 will go towards the vrs. I do have a courtesy car to use tho So I'm not pressured into buying any one just for the sake

3 minutes ago, Cranmasterflash said:

  I do have a courtesy car to use tho So I'm not pressured into buying any one just for the sake

Widen your search, it's not like mileage on a courtesy car is costing you other than petrol.

 

Depends how much you want certain options, take a look at SashaGrace's build thread, anything can be added, gonna cost but, anything can be added

Options wise I just want heated seats..had them and now dont want to not. I start my commute at 4am and even in summer a bit of warmth is welcome at that hour. Smartlink isnt a necessity but I'd like it and tbh most cars I'm looking at are 65 onwards so have it anyway. Low mileage as in about 10k a year and looked after. Silly things like good tyre brand I've always maintained is a positive sign that penny pinching hasnt necessarily occurred. 

I'm hoping to look at a 40k 16plate tsi in the next day or two. 

 

Is there anything I should be mindful of, such as turbo whistle/whine? Turbi failure scares the **** out of me more than dpf issues kn diesels tbh. Any way of looking or listening or feeling for a failing turbo.

 

New expansion tank will also be on list to look for and or replace myself anyway as I've read the silicone grain ones can be problematic. I dont mind spending a few quid here and there upgrading bits to hopefully reduce likelihood of failures on bits like that.

 

Think this model is a 230 with the fancy diff...anything to be mindful of with this?

 

Thanks all again for the input.. my mate pointed me here and I'm glad I joined. Really good and friendly forum 😁

You will find a DSG car that has been looked after with the gearbox serviced etc...To be ok, I have a DSG with approaching 50,000 miles on a (63) as long as it's had its service around 40k & been looked after! there should be no reason why it won't last, just as long as you look after the gearbox & not trash it all the time & especially when cold, Since having DSG, I hate driving manual cars. Also DSG in paddle mode is a lot of fun. Yes agree with Octaviarse to a certain degree but any car can have it's issues just like the Kia?  

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKODA-OCTAVIA-2-0-TSI-VrS-DSG-2015-ONLY-19-425-MILES-ONE-OWNER/184170568598?hash=item2ae16bdb96:g:S10AAOSwLmheOW0t

Edited 18 February, 20206 yr by BATVANVRS

Absolutely. No car make or model impervious to issues and faults. But when a car develops a fault like this within 6 weeks and less than 800miles which is now being discussed as engine issues due to the lack of oil pressure.... I cant help but now think what else is going to happen.  Fortunately the warranty is there to pay for it, and I appreciate it's a how long is a piece of string issue. Chances are I'll have years of trouble free motoring... but maybe not. To fail on me so soon has left a sour taste and I have thought long and hard about rejecting or selling on the vehicle. I've decided to exercise the consumer rights act which is there to protect everyone. 

 

I've had 20 years of motoring and bar a head gasket going on a k series mg back in the day I've been largely trouble free bar general wear and tear and maintenance. 

 

To have such an issue on an £11500 car bought to serve my new young family so soon is just a no no. And I'll cut my losses and move on. Always liked the vrs but only now am I in a position to buy one. Dont do PCP or HP, so I'm thinking why not. Get a reliable, 3 year old wagon with space to accommodate the family on trips, but also have a little bit of enjoyment in it too. The vrs fits thay bill and my only grievance is I didnt go for one before the sportage.... 

Why don't you if you want that too...Add the estate vRS in to your search, loads of space especially for family outings/trips/holidays etc...& still have the power 😎 There are a few estates with low miles around on ebay & auto trader.

The estate is what I actually began looking at but in tsi they are rare. I've seen a few good low mileage tdi options but I am waiting for a tsi due to my mileage a year. 

 

The hatch tbh is probably more than enough and we have a full thule touring box to boot if needed for holidays. I'm in a good position i think where I dont NEED an estate as the hatch is still huge. So really just need to best i can get and if an estate even better but no drama at all if  not 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skoda-Octavia-VRS-230-TSI-Estate/293481219967?hash=item4454d8077f:g:4JMAAOSw10FeSttV