Afternoon all.

 

I'm driving around in my son's battered Citroen C2 having canned my own (Mitsubishi) car due to a recurring DPF issue and oil leak.  I want to get back in a VAG pre-DPF derv estate where I'm happy!

 

A BXE code Octy Elegance Estate has come up on private sale locally to me.  300 days of MOT, 122k miles in reasonable shape, full history (up to 44k with Skoda) which I've yet to examine, but belt and pump at 110k, last serviced on 108k.  Could be long-life by the looks of it.  The guy wants £1500.

 

What do I need to look for on the test drive?  I've always had PS130 1.9s - anything to check on these in particular?  At 122K with regular servicing and the right oil, I'd expect the con-rod issue to have happened by now!  Lol!

 

Appreciate any thoughts you have?

 

Cheers.

 

Si.

I have a 2009 1.9 TDI, same BXE engine but in the facelift body. 

Overall it's been very reliable. The only "big" job it needed was when the DMF gave out at around 40k miles but other than that it's been great. Like you say, no DPF and I find that it still gets better fuel economy than modern diesels do. 

Thanks @Squible - good to hear you've had trouble-free motoring.   

I'd imagine there's a good chance the DMF could well have been replaced on this one at 122k.....

9 minutes ago, Raker said:

Thanks @Squible - good to hear you've had trouble-free motoring.   

I'd imagine there's a good chance the DMF could well have been replaced on this one at 122k.....

 

Yes, it may well have been!

I've got a 2007 1.9 estate 163,000m. Has been reliable apart from 4 broken rear spring over the years, check carefully as not obvious on a test drive or a quick look underneath. Last MOT had an advisory about corrosion but was told it had a good few years left. Now used as a local runaround going to the tip and taking the supermarket dings. Watch for the airbag warning light, well known problem with the connector under drivers seat. Fixed mine in an hour once the problem was identified. Also had to replace driver's door lock, DIYable but fiddly, don't think it is a common problem. Did have to replace the A/C condenser a few years ago, corrosion in bottom corner. I would pay £1500 for mine if I needed a local runaround, not sure I would take it to France again!    

Edited 23 June, 20214 yr by GreenMachine1.6
Added condenser issue.

20 minutes ago, GreenMachine1.6 said:

I've got a 2007 1.9 estate 163,000m. Has been reliable apart from 4 broken rear spring over the years, check carefully as not obvious on a test drive or a quick look underneath. Last MOT had an advisory about corrosion but was told it had a good few years left. Now used as a local runaround going to the tip and taking the supermarket dings. Watch for the airbag warning light, well known problem with the connector under drivers seat. Fixed mine in an hour once the problem was identified. Also had to replace driver's door lock, DIYable but fiddly, don't think it is a common problem. Did have to replace the A/C condenser a few years ago, corrosion in bottom corner. I would pay £1500 for mine if I needed a local runaround, not sure I would take it to France again!    

Thank you for this - seems like a good buy at the price then - certainly worth the test drive.

 

Was the condensor a pain?  Not buried behind the dash is it?!

6 hours ago, Raker said:

Thanks @Squible - good to hear you've had trouble-free motoring.   

I'd imagine there's a good chance the DMF could well have been replaced on this one at 122k.....

our 09 plate has done 118k and is original dmf, we have had broken rear springs and one wheel bearing changed but in the 100k+ miles thats all the big repairs we have done. we get occasional turbo over boost limp mode but a good motorway run and a bottle of fuel additive keeps it away for 6 months or more.  With any car in the £1500 range there is a risk but not a massive one.  

The condenser is behind the front grill along with the radiator and is a pain to replace and not too cheap. 

"The condenser works like your car’s radiator by dissipating out heat but also cooling the high-pressure refrigerant gas so it forms into a high-pressure liquid."

 

 

£60 and a doddle to change on my Yeti which is the same platform.

 

Pulling the front off the car may seem intimidating but is in fact very easy, far easier on the Octavia because of the simplicity of the headlamp removal.

 

The same goes for dashboard removal, its also dead easy.

8 hours ago, J.R. said:

£60 and a doddle to change on my Yeti which is the same platform.

 

Pulling the front off the car may seem intimidating but is in fact very easy, far easier on the Octavia because of the simplicity of the headlamp removal.

 

The same goes for dashboard removal, its also dead easy.

Thanks man!  I don't mind getting into something - sounds like it's certainly not beyond me!    Nice one!

Its the outer of the 3 heat exchangers so no need to disturb the engine cooling or intercooler ones.

 

I had the front off to do accident repairs, if there is room between the crash bar & AC condensor it may even come out without removing the bumper, if you remove the top bonnet slam closing panel you will see exactly what is involved.