Skoda Octavia Estate - 2nd hand - mileage vs bells & whistles (Octavia)

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
View Threaded
Mon 18 Aug 2014 14:58
Skoda Octavia Estate - 2nd hand - mileage vs bells & whistles (Octavia) - Wallop

Hi - any advice greatly appreciated.

Looking into buying a Skoda Octavia Estate

Have got 2 lined up at similar prices

1.9 diesel Ambiente DSG with 60k miles

2.0 diesel Elegance DSG with 95k miles

Ideally I'd like the Elegance as has parking sensors etc but is it worth taking a hit on the mileage??

Also, are there any problems with the DSG at these milages?

Thank you!

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 18 Aug 2014 15:45
Skoda Octavia Estate - 2nd hand - mileage vs bells & whistles (Octavia) - RobJP

Have you actually READ any of the reviews and (sadly) horrendous long list of problems that the various DSG gearboxes have been infamous for ?A simple search will provide you with enough information to give you nightmares (if an owner) for months.

The 1.9 diesel engine was an absolute gem. Probably one of the finest diesel engine designs in the last 30 years (bear in mind that the same basic engine was put into VW/Audi cars in the 1980s, and you'll see what I mean). The 2.0 diesel is far more problematic, though a lot of the real problems were in VW/Audi cars, and I believe the Octavia only got this engine after they'd rectified most of the design faults.

In short : a 1.9 TDi Octavia, with a manual gearbox, is the only possible choice. Anything else, avoid like the plague.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 18 Aug 2014 15:57
Skoda Octavia Estate - 2nd hand - mileage vs bells & whistles (Octavia) - Wallop

Obviously not!

Problem solved, thanks for your input

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 18 Aug 2014 16:11
Skoda Octavia Estate - 2nd hand - mileage vs bells & whistles (Octavia) - skidpan

The 7 speed DSG used in the lower powered cars has been somewhat problematic but not every single car made by VAG and fitted with one has suffered a failure. Just consider how many have actually been fitted to VW's Audis, Seats, Skodas. On balance I would not buy a car fitted with one, still too much of a risk.

On the other hand the 6 speed DSG fitted to more powerful cars is a totally different animal. Very few reported issues with those. Mrs had one as a pool car where she worked. Was 6 + years old, driven and abused by all and sundry for well over 100,000 miles with no issues. One of those is probably worth a risk.

But only if you must have an auto. Manuals are a safer bet.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 18 Aug 2014 22:32
Skoda Octavia Estate - 2nd hand - mileage vs bells & whistles (Octavia) - Avant

I agree - go for the 1.9. You should be able to get rear parking sensors fitted to an existing car.

The common-rail 2.0 TDI (2009 onwards) is more reliable than the earlier 2.0 PD, but the 1.9 still has less to go wrong. There are plenty around: unless you have to have an automatic, go for a manual which should be cheaper anyway.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link