Hi. I know there's a 'considering buying' forum but this is about an oldie so I thought this may be a better place to post...(a query for the long committed fans?)?

I already have a 2005 Octavia Estate (1.9TDI PD105) and it is by a country mile the BEST car I have EVER owned. I bought it in 2013 for <£2.5k and apart from needing to do the clutch straight away it hasn't needed much over the 80k miles I've done in it since. However it is close to 180k miles now, the clutch is juddering and the emissions aren't great (it's pretty stinky). The plan was just to keep it until it really does die, and then spend big on something much newer.

BUT...

Recently a friend of a friend mentioned that she wants to sell her 2007 Octavia II. It's for genuine reasons (she bought a small car to teach kids to drive and doesn't need both). It's better spec than ours (Elegance, which excitingly for me includes cruise control!), has 119k miles with FSH (independent not dealer) and apart from a couple of scrapes is in pretty good condition. I assumed it would be the same engine but have since established that it's the 2.0TDI PD, engine code BKD (140bhp?). It's a bit lumpy starting from cold, with a bit of smoke, but seems pretty smooth and smoke free once warmed up. It's not that expensive, but it will mean swapping from 'the devil I know'. Obviously I'm tempted.

The main thing that's putting me off is that it's an auto. I'm not sure how to find out exactly what box it is (I have the VIN), but research on-line suggests it may be a DSG. My local mechanic (who will need to look after it) said they're awful to drive (particularly car parks etc) and VERY expensive if they go wrong, so was steering me away, but others I've spoke to rave about them (and it seemed fine to drive to me). Google suggests they're pretty reliable if oil is changed every 40k.

So I'm looking for opinions and pointers.... Will it definitely be an upgrade that will prolong my view that these are the greatest cars ever, or could I be asking for trouble? I'd welcome any thoughts from those in the know if you're out there...? (ps I really value forum communities for my long time VW T25 passion, but genuinely haven't had ANY need to delve into the same world for my Skoda!)

Many thanks in advance for any info or suggestions you can offer.

John

Octavias aren't my subject area but I think @mac11irl might be able to give you some input on this.

I would be very grateful if they could. Thanks for highlighting it to them 🙏

I've got the 1.9pdi with 189k miles. I've owned it for 16 years and yes, now getting a bit smelly. I can't really see the 2.0 being much better in this respect. These engines are apparently bulletproof and that mileage shouldn't scare you. I'm tempted to advise you to keep it, even if you have to renew the clutch. My car also has the dsg box and apart from often being jerky, has been totally reliable until last week when it gave some problems. I have a separate thread on this, but I'm hoping it's abs sensor related.

Remember a gearbox problem on the dsg effectively writes off the car where, on a manual, a second hand box is relatively cheap. Another thing, a dsg box has a clutch, I think it's quite expensive to replace.

Those are all good points Kenbo, thanks. It’s the DSG breakage = write off that I’m most concerned about but the car is in better condition (and spec) than mine in other respects. As for the emissions, I assumed these were mileage related (is it piston rings?) and mechanic said it struggled to pass MOT, so I thought this could also be terminal at some point? The 2.0 smokes on startup but is much better once warm…

Luckily I have no Mot problems, I'm in Northern Ireland which just has a visual test for emissions. My car isn't smoky, but like most older cars, smelly in comparison. If your car is used in built up areas, and with stop start use, then there may be wear. Likewise clutch, I've never ever had to renew one (last car covered 250k miles with me)

I live rural, probably less wear and tear.

Tricks for emissions? I'm told, use some type of diesel purge a few times approaching Mot date plus a short high rev drive on the way to the garage.

I'd buy Dsg again but more likely to go Electric as recent second hand models are really good value.

Thanks Kenbo. 250k on one clutch - amazing!! we’re in a city and although this car is mainly our long range machine it does need to do a lot of stop start as well. We’ve also had a Zoe (41kwh) for the last 2.5years so now do most of the city work in that. I can recommend them for value (I paid £8k for it and pay about 1.5p/mile) but did have a major fault and it was a nightmare to get fixed. I think it might be the joy of cruise control in that car which had made this auto Octavia so much more attractive 😂.

I’m going to have another look at this car at the weekend and will need to make a decision then 👍

My 2010 2.0 BKD with DSG is 16 years old, 123,000 miles and shows no signs of stopping. Worst thing I've had to replace has been the turbo, the gearbox has been great.

I did hear bad things about the DSG, but also heard if it gets last 50,000 miles they tend to last quite well.

Mines is by far the best car I've ever owned, and is in much better condition than the car it replaced at the same age - I scrapped the old one, the Skoda has years left in her yet.

It looks like the gearbox code is KCU. Can anyone confirm whether that is a wet twin clutch DSG box? I've heard there are earlier dry clutch versions which are not very good. Thanks....

If it's a 2.0 TDI engine it will be a wet clutch dsg box.

The dry clutch boxes were only fitted to the lower powered 1.4 petrol and 1.6 TDI in the facelift cars from around 2010 onwards