I've always had VAGs my last being a 1.9 tdi 2010 Octavia. However cant get that brilliant engine anymore. So looking at a 2017+ Octavia Estate to do trips of 180 miles each way once a week South Wales to Midlands. I dont know if to go for a 1.6 or 2.0. I have other fun cars so this is purely cheapish commuting tool. Also DSG or Manual? If your sat 70mph is the 2.0 150bhp actually better?

Mine, obviously not the fastest on acceleration, sits at 70mph effortlessly  with 2 ppl in it and no load. 

2 hours ago, Bikerz said:

I've always had VAGs my last being a 1.9 tdi 2010 Octavia. However cant get that brilliant engine anymore. 

 

I had a similar comparison a few years ago albeit re a Skoda Superb. I agree the 1.9pd was a great engine. I owned a mkI 1.9 pd Superb for 10 years from 18 months old that mechanically was brilliant - rust was an issue though sadly. I know it's a bigger car but when I drove the 1.6 diesel Superb mkII it felt flat although I'm sure it would have been fine cruising at 70mph. The 2.0 diesel version felt way way better however I noticed a good deal on a 2014 1.4tsi petrol at the time (2015 pre dieselgate) so I tried that and loved it. Not quite as low down torquey as the 1.9 pd (still reasonable though)  but rather interesting as the revs rose.  I was worried about the economy but on the local test drive it was showing 44mpg and after purchase my average was about 46mpg but 50mpg+ is possible on a gentleish run. However the big difference were the engine noise levels - the petrol was soooo quiet in comparison.

 

Re Octavia mkIII my son has a 2016 1.2tsi and it's surprisingly lively - I'd say the 1.4tsi Octavia is worth a try! Clearly the 1.6td would be the most economical though.

Edited 2 June, 20233 yr by bigjohn

My wife has a 2015 1.2 TSI Seat Leon (MK2 engine, not MK1 which had problems) and it's indicating it to be very economical. We visited my parents on the moors on Thursday so a mixture of national speed limit, town and hilly B roads and with 2 adults, baby, dog and boot full of stuff we achieved 58MPG. She's seen over 50mpg on motorways too. Fitted to a variety of cars including the Octavia. Just in case you were considering other engines/cars.

 

Sounds like you are doing decent mileage so a diesel may still yield better results, especially with the cost of diesel not wildly different to petrol now. I have no experience of the 1.6L but from what I've seen from various posts they are a little less reliable than the 2L although probably a bit better economy wise. Every DSG I've ever driven has always provided a lower economy than manual equivalent but depends where else you are driving in between too.

Edited 3 June, 20233 yr by Dooge

I would avoid the 1.6tdi.

 

The 1.6tdi has a reputation for snapped cambelts well before any recommended intervals. I have witnessed one go just a few yards from where I live. A company Superb, serviced on time.

Several threads on Briskoda iirc.

 

Also iirc the EGR valve is an issue with this engine, when it fails it is eye wateringly expensive to change due to its inaccessible location at the back of the engine.

 

The 1.6tdi DSG is the dreaded DQ200 dry clutch unit. Are you feeling lucky?

 

The 2.0tdi has a much better reputation for reliabilty although there are reports on the manual gearbox of the Sachs clutch spring diaphragm breaking and chewing its way through the bell housing. Probably only affects certain models/ build years.

 

The 2.0tdi DSG on the other hand is the 6 speed wet clutch unit which is probably the most reliable DSG unit ever made, provided its had its DSG oil changed every 40,000 miles max.

 

 

With both diesel engine watch out for the coolant reservoir "mit silikat" issue. Search and learn.

 

Edited 3 June, 20233 yr by xman

5 minutes ago, xman said:

I would avoid the 1.6tdi.

 

The 1.6tdi has a reputation for snapped cambelts well before any recommended intervals. I have witnessed one go just a few yards from where I live. A company Superb, serviced on time.

Several threads on Briskoda iirc.

 

Also iirc the EGR valve is an issue with this engine, when it fails it is eye wateringly expensive to change due to its inaccessible location at the back of the engine.

 

The 2.0tdi has a much better reputation for reliabilty although there are reports on the manual gearbox of the (Sachs?) clutch housing fingers breaking off and chewing their way through the bell housing. Probably only affects certain models/ build years.

 

I replaced mine at 8 yrs old. Mine has been faultless. Pretty bulletproof engine in my experience.

4 hours ago, xman said:

 

The 2.0tdi has a much better reputation for reliabilty although there are reports on the manual gearbox of the Sachs clutch spring diaphragm breaking and chewing its way through the bell housing. Probably only affects certain models/ build years.

 

 

This was quite a while ago now - I suspect just about all of the faulty versions have been sorted by now.

 

Hi

 

I came from the 1.9PD (2005 Seat) to a 2016 2.0TDI DSG (wet clutch DQ250) which is effortless to drive with whatever is on board (4 up full boot and roof box) 

 

The ease of pulling the DSG lever back into Sport to drop a cog to overtake is more fluid than changing gear in a manual. 

 

At 70mph it sits around 1400rpm and will make around 55-58mpg (dash readout) I can get 60mpg if thinking about driving more and using the DSG eco mode that coasts the gearbox when lifting off the pedal to save fuel.

 

Tank to tank I rarely see less than 54mgpg and about 520 miles per tank ~45 litre brim to brim (there's ~5litres in reserve) 

 

From my viewings of threads on here, the 1.6 seems to need to be worked more, the 2.0 has a lot better lower torque. 

My VRS TDI when driving on the motorway sees figures getting into the 50s

 

Went 4 up to Aber Falls along the north Wales expressway on Monday and got 47.5mpg there and back.

 

The normal 2.0 would be a bit better on fuel and you'd still have a bit more poke than the 1.6 TDI.

A good version of either 1.6d or 2.0d can give you excellent fuel consumption on a long run, but years of reading owner reports on Briskoda suggests that there can be quite large variations between individual vehicles consumption, even allowing for different driver habits and driving environments.

 

A good test drive with a keen eye on consumption results should enable you to avoid a lemon of either variety.