I do rate skoda and have owned a oct vrs full leather all the toys i also had it chipped it had the same engine as a Audi tt 20v everything is stamped vw/Audi but just costs a fraction less, skoda do a dsg in the diesel and it's a stonker it's all down to badge snobbery.
Vauxhall's diesel 1.7 cdti engine suffer with egr probs on a regular basis the 1.9 D in the vx is a fiat engine goes like a scalded cat either 120-150 bhp but is sh1t the box cant take the torque and falls to bits around 50k If driven hard, egr faults still and many more they now don't do the 1.9 they say it's to do with emissions but the truth be told it was a crap engine and the warranty claims have put a end to the engine.
BMW diesel is a cracker you won't go wrong with one of em 320d is a good en 335d is the best by far 300bhp will keep up with a new m3 till 90mph as its a twin turbo diesel and will do 40mpg ! also only available/ in auto/tip as they never made a manual box that could handle the torque ive seen touring/ estate versions sell for 7k its a real cracker also Volvo I've also had a Volvo t5 in fact 2 t5 quality is second to none everything is bang on and 200k is nothing, just closing the door sounds like its s proper built car not a tin can.
Ford I've never rated ford the 1.8. Tdci did not return the same mpg as the above cars i so thought was poor and died not feel of Any quality.
Vw hold resale values and young lads like em because the diesel goes like stink if you want the same car but more ie dsg full leather and low miles for your money and badge snobbery is not a issue buy a skoda and what you save get it chipped and gain mpg more and will blow the sox of most hot hatches.
Dave.
