Hi all

 

I currently have a 1.9 saloon mk2, and see no reason to switch cars for a while despite it getting a bit scabby.

 

My partner however will be getting rid of their woeful MG ZS soon, and I'm left with the task of choosing a replacement. 

 

I think it'll be a Skoda estate. We can't afford any of the newer, taller cars (Karoq / Kodiaq).

 

So I'm wanting to know 1.6 or 2.0 CR? Also, has to be DSG - are these showing to be pretty reliable? I think 100000 miles will be around the target.

 

Appear to be a lack of MK2 estates in the spec I want, either they didn't make enough or they just don't exist anymore, hence why seem to be swaying towards MK3.

 

And then I want to know electronic side wise. I've had very few electrical issues on the MK2 - rear washer motor, some HVAC actuators. 

 

Would like Android Auto / Carplay - is this as easy as fitting something like RCD330 in the MK2?

 

Mechanically my 1.9 has been bulletproof, just needed a clutch, so service item.

 

Ideally I want some kind of warranty as I don't want to have to work on her car. I'm ok working on mine, but just want any problems to be sorted easily. Any ideas?

 

Cheers 

I had a 1.9pd mk2 manual wagon for 7 years and it restored my love of driving after a few pragmatic family based Korean SUVs and a people mover.

I often wondered why I got rid of it when I did as it was driving faultlessly and did not even have a DPF fitted to go wrong (Australian emission rules lag Europe by many years).

Anyway in 2014 we bought a brand new 1.4tsi manual mk3 which has turned out to be equally enjoyable and almost as frugal (perhaps more so with current diesel prices).

Personally I think you should consider including the 1.4tsi on your list. Pulls almost as hard at low revs and has a far bigger usable rev range than the 1.9pd, a lot smoother and about 4 seconds faster to 60mph, but can be surprisingly economical if driven sensibly. The 1.2tsi and later 1.0tsi engines are also surprisingly nimble and worth consideration.

 

I  don't know the UK market well enough to comment on availability of some models but I am not sure what your chances are of getting a good low mileage mk2 are.

 

If the vehicle has to have DSG there are a couple of considerations regarding mk3 options

There are two types of DSG transmission:

The 7 speed 'dry' clutch DSG is generally fitted to vehicles with torque of 250Nm or less so in the mk3 the 1.0tsi, 1.2tsi, 1.4tsi and the 1.6tdi engines.

The 6 speed (and later 7 speed) 'wet' clutch DSG were fitted to more powerful 2.0tsi and 2.0tdi engines and also some awd versions of the smaller engines.

The dry clutch is a good unit but like a manual clutch it is capable of being abused and damaged if driven incorrectly and the cost of replacing burnt out dual clutch packs is eye-wateringly expensive. Driven as the automated manual it is then it is now  quite reliable. Interestingly dry dsg's also have a patchy reliability history with other manufacturers including Ford and Hyundai.

The wet clutch is far more durable and can withstand a lot more abuse since the clutches are in an oil bath. The caveat for this is that the wet clutch vehicle must have a good service history and the transmission oils changed regularly as recommended (about every 40k I think, but I have not owned one). A relatively expensive oil change but not in the grand scheme of things.

 

The mk2 had irs suspension but in mk3 you have to go up to VRS or awd versions to get irs. Personally I'm quite happy with the torsion beam rear suspension on mine but I am far from being an aggressive driver.

 

If it has to be a diesel and you could find a low mileage mk2 1.9pd or 2.0tdi DSG (both with wet clutch) and good service history then that would be the ideal but I am sure it would have unicorn status so personally I'd be looking for a mk3 2.0tdi as there should be a few more of those around.

Unfortunately I have not followed the mk2 2.0tdi sections in Briskoda so I cannot comment on its reliability record.

 

 

 

Edited 6 March, 20233 yr by Gerrycan

I’ve had a mk2 since 2005 now with 170000 miles on the clock, good car. 
I also have a mk3 2019. Different car more refined better in many ways but more electronics 

just seems better put together and more refined. 
Mk3 for me

Just now, mar-mite said:

I’ve had a mk2 since 2005 now with 170000 miles on the clock, good car. 
I also have a mk3 2019. Different car more refined better in many ways but more electronics 

just seems better put together and more refined. 
Mk3 for me

 

MK2 came out in 2004, so in development before that . You're comparing a car launched in 2013 to a car launched in 2004. Don't think fair comparison, considering your 2019 is 6 years on from release. 

 

Wouldn't be stretching to 2019 model, way too expensive. 

9 hours ago, Gerrycan said:

I had a 1.9pd mk2 manual wagon for 7 years and it restored my love of driving after a few pragmatic family based Korean SUVs and a people mover.

I often wondered why I got rid of it when I did as it was driving faultlessly and did not even have a DPF fitted to go wrong (Australian emission rules lag Europe by many years).

Anyway in 2014 we bought a brand new 1.4tsi manual mk3 which has turned out to be equally enjoyable and almost as frugal (perhaps more so with current diesel prices).

Personally I think you should consider including the 1.4tsi on your list. Pulls almost as hard at low revs and has a far bigger usable rev range than the 1.9pd, a lot smoother and about 4 seconds faster to 60mph, but can be surprisingly economical if driven sensibly. The 1.2tsi and later 1.0tsi engines are also surprisingly nimble and worth consideration.

 

I  don't know the UK market well enough to comment on availability of some models but I am not sure what your chances are of getting a good low mileage mk2 are.

 

If the vehicle has to have DSG there are a couple of considerations regarding mk3 options

There are two types of DSG transmission:

The 7 speed 'dry' clutch DSG is generally fitted to vehicles with torque of 250Nm or less so in the mk3 the 1.0tsi, 1.2tsi, 1.4tsi and the 1.6tdi engines.

The 6 speed (and later 7 speed) 'wet' clutch DSG were fitted to more powerful 2.0tsi and 2.0tdi engines and also some awd versions of the smaller engines.

The dry clutch is a good unit but like a manual clutch it is capable of being abused and damaged if driven incorrectly and the cost of replacing burnt out dual clutch packs is eye-wateringly expensive. Driven as the automated manual it is then it is now  quite reliable. Interestingly dry dsg's also have a patchy reliability history with other manufacturers including Ford and Hyundai.

The wet clutch is far more durable and can withstand a lot more abuse since the clutches are in an oil bath. The caveat for this is that the wet clutch vehicle must have a good service history and the transmission oils changed regularly as recommended (about every 40k I think, but I have not owned one). A relatively expensive oil change but not in the grand scheme of things.

 

The mk2 had irs suspension but in mk3 you have to go up to VRS or awd versions to get irs. Personally I'm quite happy with the torsion beam rear suspension on mine but I am far from being an aggressive driver.

 

If it has to be a diesel and you could find a low mileage mk2 1.9pd or 2.0tdi DSG (both with wet clutch) and good service history then that would be the ideal but I am sure it would have unicorn status so personally I'd be looking for a mk3 2.0tdi as there should be a few more of those around.

Unfortunately I have not followed the mk2 2.0tdi sections in Briskoda so I cannot comment on its reliability record.

 

 

 

Thanks for this very extensive summary. 

 

I've just got back from Australia and don't really think you seemed to get many diesel's, or not that I saw, anyway. I did see a few Octavia's, but pretty sure no MK4! 

 

I have seen a few 1.9 dsg, but not enough to have a comfortable frontrunner. Then they're pretty expensive for what they are, evidenced by how many don't sell on eBay.

 

MK2 tdi 2.0pd I'd just avoid, I've never heard a good thing about them. 

 

1.6 cr would be most likely or 1.9, same power but newer engine and obviously related to the cr engine in MK3 and the 2.0cr. Early 1.6 I've heard had problems so possibly only option is 1.9 in the MK2! 

 

I'll keep your comments in mind and keep looking, although it's possibly a Volvo might take the spot.

Having gone from a MK2 VRS ( modified with Koni's STR's Eibach spings , various uprated bushes ,dog mount etc etc ),to a more humble  MK3 2014 1.4tsi se. I find the mqb platform the mk3 is based on, a better car to drive in general  than the mk2. The VRS was for a younger me ,,,,but the older me really likes the handling , comfort and cornering ability of the mk3. It's also a more spacious car in the rear seats. My only suspenson modes to this car , is my old VRS 18" alloys , 12mm hub centric bolt on spacers ( for a slighly lower look without using lowering springs) and continental all season tyres. I do miss the out right performance of the VRS ...but thats about it. Effectively go for the newer car ....it's an improvement in my opinion.

On 13/06/2023 at 12:52, Imgouki said:

Having gone from a MK2 VRS ( modified with Koni's STR's Eibach spings , various uprated bushes ,dog mount etc etc ),to a more humble  MK3 2014 1.4tsi se. I find the mqb platform the mk3 is based on, a better car to drive in general  than the mk2. The VRS was for a younger me ,,,,but the older me really likes the handling , comfort and cornering ability of the mk3. It's also a more spacious car in the rear seats. My only suspenson modes to this car , is my old VRS 18" alloys , 12mm hub centric bolt on spacers ( for a slighly lower look without using lowering springs) and continental all season tyres. I do miss the out right performance of the VRS ...but thats about it. Effectively go for the newer car ....it's an improvement in my opinion.

 

I've driven a few MK3's, and material quality is worse than the MK2. Also, not all MK3 are IRS, whereas MK2 were.

 

Reliability wise more issues on the MK3.

 

Anyway, car was chosen and it wasn't a Skoda.

No problem. Once your happy with your choice ..thats the main thing. I don't drive to that degree anymore to really appriciate irs. Hence not getting another VRS sadly. As regards quality , the mk3 is built down to price. Recently starting looking at the mk3 Skoda Superb 😉