So, I’ve always fancied one of these and I’m looking for a new motor so I thought I’d come and see what I should be looking out for.

I’ve been looking at models between 14-17. I see a mix of TDI and FSI engine. Am I right in that the latter has a chain where as the former has a belt?

I’m also looking at a DSG. Does anyone have a link to the service schedules for the cars before I go looking? I’m going to assume of having previous VAG motors that it DSG service should be somewhere between 30 and 60k but I’d like confirmation.

Are there any weak spots to look out for? Or things most people don’t do but should be done outside of the regular servicing and maintenance?

Is there any rare optional extras I should look out for? Or things I should make sure the motor has?

And finally, I like the look of the nardo grey? (I think that’s the paint colour). Is this one of the rarer options?

Welcome. that would be TSI or TDI. & if a DQ250 6 speed wet clutch DSG then the DSG service of an oil and filter is @ 40,000 miles. (7 speed wet is a DQ381 with a 80,000 mile service but best do sooner from 2017 on.)

Yeah, TSI sorry!

Perfect. I guess the easy way to distinguish between the two is to check what the listing has the number of gears on the box as.

Edited 18 January18 Jan by micp

I had a 2015 vRS TSI (Yes, the EA888 is chain driven, and the diesel a belt) DSG (DQ250 as Evolution13 has already pointed out) and thoroughly enjoyed my time with it. The DQ250 is a better DSG than the DQ381 in my opinion and has aged better in terms of overall reliability.

Weak points are few. Some of the TDI's get coolant pump issues, which there's a thread on in the Octavia 3 section. It'll also be worth reading up on the 'Mit Silikat' issues - some cars have an oblong bag of (usually) pink silicate granules in their coolant header tank. These bags can rupture and cause sometimes costly headaches, in clearing the blockages caused (usually the heater matrix) and restoring cabin heat. There are several threads on this particular issue, but it's relatively straightforward to remove the bag, and if you're inclined, change the coolant to G12 Evo.

Very versatile cars 👍 I had mine mapped to just north of 300bhp, which gave it a fair bit more pep.

Gaz

TDI water pump thread:

Silicate bag thread (one of many):

Edited 18 January18 Jan by Gaz
added a couple of links

Thanks man.

Yeah the silica bag was also in the cupra 280s so I know of that issue.

I’ll make sure the belt and pumps have been done on any looking at depending on age/miles.

I’ll have to keep looking for a decent example that fits my needs.

Thanks for all the help.