VAG 1.9 TDI BXE/BLS- can lightning strike twice?

[mclwanB]

Having had a work Octavia stick its conrod through the block, and three colleagues have had similar problems. I have just been offered said Skoda (09 plate, 85k, 21k on new engine) for 3k. I have read about a single person having two engines go on her (same engine code has to be fitted so talks to ecu; hers were 60k and 98k) but garage pretty sure that the unacknowledged fault has been fixed on later models.

At this price surely it's worth a punt? Opinions greatly received!

[nickdrinkwater]

I have the BXE engine in my 07 Passat and no problems having run it since 103k and now on 118k

[mclwanB]

Backup plan of warranty seems from other forums to be only moderately likely to pay out (and be very slow) and will only cover up to 30k and I do 35k approx a year. If cheap enough worth the risk?