Skoda Octavia - any good?

BeenThroughItAll

JP08 wrote: »

I suspect bearings is more appropriate than vanes, in which case the comment about oil changes is probably valid.

I think that VAG turbos have some variable vane technology. There is some evidence of this getting gummed up as per my earlier comments, though this is not a lubrication issue. Some methods of cleaning said gunk from the turbo are available on the internet. Most of them involve Mr Muscle oven cleaner. I never had the nerve to try them though.

I've done it on several 1.9TDIs with good results, using Mr M. Much easier when it's longitudinally mounted like a Superb or an A6 than on a Fabia, though!


Best thing to keep your VGT in good nick is to not use the car for short trips where it never gets hot, as per DPF, EGR etc. It's the excess soot from cool running or open-loop fuelling that gums up the vanes.

peter12345678910

Perhaps turbo, but maybe you can diesel for short journeys. Allow the engine to warm up well before, as you can push the engine with a few high reps to make sure it gets hot? ..... for short journeys.

Clive_Woody

I've had my Octavia for nearly 6 years now and love it. It is the 2.0L petrol vRS so a bit more thirsty than the version you are looking at, but it has been very reliable, has loads of room and comes with a good selection of toys.

My wife also previously had an Octavia for quite a few years but traded it in for a Golf a while back.

They are nice enough cars. Well put together and very reasonably priced for what yo are getting,

WellKnownSid

My work colleague has a 63 plate - it's okay but spent significant time in the garage when new with crazy software problems. Not helped by the dearest dealer being 3+ hours away, and not being very good with the technology.

As with most cars these days, they are very complex.

I've driven the 1.2 TSi yeti myself - surprisingly good, not sparkling performance and first gear could get you bogged down as it's very low - but serviceable. I agree with the DI fuelling concerns - like with the Merc Komoressors - it needs to be driven and not babied / never warmed up or you will just junk it up.

gord115

I've had 3 Skodas,(all with turbos) all very reliable,just make sure you keep to the service schedule.

As for the 1.2 being slow, it is actually faster than the 1.6tdi and less likely to give you trouble (no dpf).

loskie

check the Octavia seats carefully take a lengthy test drive (half day). I had a 1999 Octavia for5 years and really rated it. In 2009 and looking for a new car wanted an Octavia Scout, a really good car. Sadly the seats in the new Octavia I found very uncomfy.

leveller2911

We have had 2 Octavias for around 8 yrs in total and the only problem we had in those 8yrs was an "air mass sensor?" on one of them.Apart from that they were excellant cars,serviced every year and the 90BHP one we averaged 66mpg and the 130BHP one about 60.

The only downside was,and still is, they,like the VW's are boring as hell to drive and the insides are designed on a Friday afternoon when they designers wanted to get off home early.

There are few modern cars with a less inspiring interiors on the market but for reliability and costs of sevicing we can't fault them.

consumers_revenge

dads Octavia ran for 300k as a taxi then got sold and is still running AFAIK.


nuff sadi...

dinglefoot

Yup, they're good from what I've heard. I know a few people with them who are very happy with them

andygb

I would say very good, but I wouldn't buy a ptrol, I would go for the 1.9 tdiPD model - no DPF to worry about and if the DMF goes then simply replace with a solid flywheel clutch.