Looking at a 103TDI or 118TSI, advice needed!

[iampivot]

Oh yeah - watch out for cheap ex-Europcar rentals

Like this one? 2010 SKODA SUPERB AMBITION DSG 3T Sedan Cars For Sale in QLD - carsales.com.au

[RSOK]

I bought my petrol RS over the diesel only coz I don't do enough kms annually to justify the difference, probably slightly preferred the petrol's 'reviness' too to be honest..so the 118 engine should do you nicely BUT based on what I've read I'd certainly take the 6-spd DSG over the 7-spd, seems to be more issues or risk with the 7-spd box for whatever reason (dry plate arrangement?)..in which case that swings you back to the diesel.

Either engine in conjunction with the car's general set up and nature will provide you with the driving satisfaction you're looking for. Btw my brother-in-law switched from an '06 Forrester to Octavia 118, but has had some transmission issues with the 7spd box.

[brad]

I have a 2007 118TSI Manual hatch with 98,000km on it & bluefin since 2009.

I love this car & the only thing I'd change if I was doing it again would be to get a wagon.

Fuel pressure regulator died at about 5,000km; boost pressure solenoid died and wasc changed recently; clutch feels a bit dodgy & will probably be read the last rites when my daughter starts learning to drive next year.

The advantage of the 118TSI is that it has a timing chain, so you aren't paying for a belt replacement every 100,000km.

Fuel economy is great below 90kmh & a bit heavy above 105kmh or in stop start traffic around the suburbs. Lifetime average is 6.8L/100 but I do 80% motorway driving.

Running costs are pretty cheap. I do about 24,000km pa
Depreciation has been ~20c/km or ~$4500pa
Service costs 3c/km
Fuel 9.2c/km
Tyres (and wheels):0.87c/km gross or 0.36c/km after selling the 2 sets of wheels when the tyres wore out.
Standing charges (insurance, rego, greenslip): ~8c/km

[onyertod]

In late 2009 I so wanted a Scout but no auto for SO saw me was happy to settle for a FL Octavia Wagon - 118 tsi. with 7 speed DSG.

This car is a pleasure to drive. The engine is a gem and mated to the 7 speed DSG means there is always ample power on tap.

My only complaint is that since I moved closer to work I don't get to drive it enough.

40,000 klms up, and the only thing that has failed was a two dollar number plate globe.

cheers,

Max.

[Mysticality]

I have the 125TDI vRS and love it. 6 months old, 25,000km and it sings.
Average around 4L/100km highway, 6L/100km town.

Chose the diesel for three reasons: I love diesel torque; diesel is more economical when you're doing this amount of k's; can't drive turbo-petrol on your P's.

But mainly the first two.

[iampivot]

I have the 125TDI vRS and love it. 6 months old, 25,000km and it sings.
Chose the diesel for three reasons: [...]

If buying used, would you choose a diesel over a petrol, if the diesel had done 2X the kms?

[brad]

50,000km isn't much for either fuel type

[sukebe]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I've gone off the idea of the diesel now, having a test drive in a 118TSI on Saturday.

[Mysticality]

If buying used, would you choose a diesel over a petrol, if the diesel had done 2X the kms?

Depends on the amount of k's.
If it were 50,000 vs 100,000, then it'd depend, really.
But say 30 vs 60 then probably diesel, yeah.