Hi everyone

Looking for help on which is the better or more reliable model to have a Gen 2 or a Gen 3? and what pitfalls to look out for as looking to buy one. After having used a Gen 3 2.0 litre TDI manual estate for a while and enjoying it. my only concerns are with the quality of the switch gear and its longevity. So any advice would be very welcome

 

I appreciate Gen 3 meets ULEZ for now but it would be nice to have some input from some experienced owners and find out hat to look out for before committing to buy. 

 

I do prefer a manual and a diesel as i know early dsg's had a lot of issues and need regular servicing but any advice would be great

Sorry no help on engines.

 

You appear to have the info on DSG,s totally wrong.

Fitted to 2.0 Engines.

DQ250 6 speed DSG,s are very reliable and need the servicing each 40,000 miles / 64,000 km.    (DQ200 7 speed dry clutch DSG with no servicing is a different matter.)

 

The issue is newer 7 speed wet clutch DQ381from 2018 on is another matter, growing reports of failures of these service @ 80,000 mile DSG,s,

On 06/11/2024 at 07:20, Ootohere said:

Sorry no help on engines.

 

You appear to have the info on DSG,s totally wrong.

Fitted to 2.0 Engines.

DQ250 6 speed DSG,s are very reliable and need the servicing each 40,000 miles / 64,000 km.    (DQ200 7 speed dry clutch DSG with no servicing is a different matter.)

 

The issue is newer 7 speed wet clutch DQ381from 2018 on is another matter, growing reports of failures of these service @ 80,000 mile DSG,s,

thanks for  your  reply,  I agree that wet clutches are proving to be a nightmare but many early dsg's had failures  especially  on Audi's but good to know about  the  6 speed and 7 speed boxes

Are you sure those early Audi Automatics with issues were a s-tronic / dsg, Twin clutch gearbox. 

They were Multitronics.  CVT,s. 

yes they had issues I know some people who had failed boxes. However it would be could to hear from other people about their skoda experiences

I ran a MK2 PD TDI SE manual for a few years, serviced as and when required, treated to super fuel every few tanks, and other than wear and tear items, I can't remember any major prolems, other than the saloon/hatch locking itself and it had to be stripped down and rebuilt.  Garage charge me under £150 for the labour.

 

It was OK for economy, kept up with traffic, had plenty of room but no heated seats, but it was bought to be a Taxi so I just wanted the extra legroom over a similar costing Octavia.

 

Now, as my own provate transport, I have the mk3 Sportline with the 220 TSI engine.  It is the 6 speed DSG.  I bought it last July and have done 20k in it.  It has averaged around 40mpg from memory and on runs, if you bimble along, will happily return high 40s and I have seen it in the 50s.  You can also thrash it an dget low 30s, early 20s, but it is not really that kind of car!

 

I think the MK2 was nicer to drive for primary and secondary ride etc, but I do like the android auto, the DSG box and better lights etc.

 

I suspect, that if you buy one that has been looked after, it will carry on being decent reliable transport, if you are unlucky you might buy one that is on the cusp of requiring bushes, suspension refresh etc.

 

Either can be reliable, comortable and anonymous transport.

Thanks Guy for a very informative reply. I must admit I do like the Gen3 look and upgrades over the Gen 2 and I would like a 2.0TSI like the one I as using but I cannot deny that some of the Gen 2 models are very appealing too.

If you have long legs, the Mk2 has much more legroom in the front.