Hanslow

I've just changed my fronts over to Brembo discs and pads. The pads came with a wear indicator wire fitment, but the ones I removed most definitely didn't. I actually did a caliper swap as I'd refurbed some that would take the 312mm discs and there were definitely no wires connected to any part of the caliper, neither the caliper itself, or the brake pads within them. I didn't know this prior to fitment, so ended up just snipping the wear indicator off (as close to the pad as possible) with a pair of wire cutters. Mine's a 2011 1.8t. If the pads fit, you may just need to snip the wire off and all will be good

Had a search but couldn't find a buyers guide :( Should be off to look at a 51 plate 1.8T 4x4 with 69k on the clock this weekend. Are there any particular things I should be looking for as potential problems? Cheers Steve Oops just realised that this is almost identical to the previous thread I posted Must be in donkey mode :(

Well scratch the brochure question. Didn't realise that Skoda still had them available on their website

Hi all I'm currently going round the houses (endlessly) in trying to find a car that'll be reliable as a daily runaround, relatively cheap to run, not too expensive to buy, a modicum of performance and doesn't wallow around corners like a boat on the ocean. So far I've been through a Corolla D4D, Avensis D4D, Mazda 6 2.0D, Civic Type S, Fabia vRS and my dad's Octavia TDi. So far, the closest to what I'm after has been the Civic, but it's a lot more expensive than some of the other options. I was originally after a diesel, but changed tack now and am open to petrol power I've seen a 4x4 1.8T 2001 nearish me with 69k on the clock for 5.5k. 1) What sort of things would I need to look out for on a car with this mileage? 2) Is the price reasonable? 3) Would a car of this age and mileage be a reliable daily runner (and relatively cheap to run)? 4) Do they wallow on bends (my dad's diesel did a bit....) I'll be trading down from my '04 MR-2 and will be looking to free up some cash in the trade (which the dealer seems happy to do). Does anyone have, or know where I can get, a PDF copy of the original Octavia brochure so I can have a look through at the specs and details? I'd go out today and get a test drive, but we live near the peak district, on a hill, and my neighbour was struggling for about 45 minutes to get out of his drive and up the hill to the main road in his BMW, so I don't really fancy it in the MR-2 :eek: If there are threads that you know of that have pretty much covered this already then feel free to point them out I realise this is a lazy way of seeking answers, but appreciate the help Oh, I'd be after the hatch as well and not the estate. Cheers Steve

Well the test drive went well, which was done at Horton's in Lincoln. It was arranged there as my folks have both had dealings with them and they came recommended. Met Steve Horton in the morning and was instantly put at ease. Quick cup of coffee and a chat, details of my MR-2 taken, keys handed over and told to enjoy it Got in the car and did the pre-drive checks, knobs, switches, etc. Seat felt high, so pumped it down to the bottom, felt better. Took it cautiously to start with pulling out of the garage forecourt gingerly. Reached the junction with the main road, nothing coming, 1st gear, pull out, change up, 2nd gear, put foot down a bit....jeeeesssssuuuussss!!!! Wasn't quite prepared for the torque in 2nd gear Found myself up to that particular road's speed limit very quickly so eased off. Having lived around Lincoln for a number of years, decided to hit the village roads (including the muddy single track ones ) on the south side. Car felt quite composed on the road, giving enough feel about the road surface without following every hole and bump in the road (and believe me there were some!). Started to build up some confidence so pushed it a bit more into some of the corners. Occasionally had slight understeer moments, as I like to learn the car gently, so soon got an idea for how quickly I could attack bends. My concern on suspension setup for cornering was happily dismissed. In comparison, the 2.0 Corolla diesel I'd tried a couple of weeks back seemed like driving a boat round bends. Whilst not being in the same league as my '2, there was little wallow in bends and felt like it was giving nice progressive loading on the corners. Couple of issues I had with 2nd gear....it revs and runs out of numbers far too quickly! Also had a couple of torque steer moments booting it out of some low speed bends in seconds, but that's all part and parcel of relearning FWD with buckets of torque. Overall, very impressed. Certainly ticks most of the boxes for a daily runaround. Slight concern over the number of condensation problems being reported, but that's no worse than other car issues I've read about. Had a look under the bonnet and was a bit surprised at the front grille being attached to the bonnet and appeared very plasticky, looking like it would snap off if you dropped the bonnet too hard. I was told I could have the car for the weekend if required, but given that we actually live just over an hours drive away, decided to give the car back the same day having covered a modest 80 odd miles (we had relative visits to squeeze in as well ). You can probably tell my style of driving from the trip computer telling me I had 215 miles left when I got in the car. After the 80 odd mile drive, it was now telling me I had 230 miles left....better ask for a pipe and slippers for xmas Quick chat with one of the other chaps in the dealership when I dropped it off led to him asking me what I felt about the car. His comments were 'that it goes like a rocket', with my response of 'yeah it's not bad'. He seemed somewhat shocked that I hadn't found it rocket ship material, but then he didn't know my driving history. Think he understood when I mentioned the Scoob Note for dealers, never assume things about your potential client..... Overall, I could see myself in one of these cars, I just have to adjust my driving style and remind myself that the Elise will come when we've sorted the house a bit more and cleared the garage out. I've always liked sitting in a car with my **** about 2" off the floor so this is a little more removed from that experience and more sensible than what I'm used to Thanks for the comments folks, hopefully other people may find this useful in future. I'll be getting a phone call from Steve on Monday and we'll be discussing what sort of deal could be done. The shame for me is that leather interior isn't an option, but I've been reading the forums and seen that it can be done by a third party so if I get one, that could be a future proposition. I'd be looking to get around an '04 vRS and some cash back on the deal which would help fund the Lotus, but I'll have to wait and see what can be done..... Cheers Steve Forgot to say, I'm sincerely hoping it wasn't the drive, but ended up with stomach cramps mid afternoon which led to me chucking my guts up twice that evening :eek: I'm assuming it was some dodgy food or something, but don't honestly know. Somewhat spoiled the day, but I guess that couldn't be helped :(

Interesting post hurricaine.....I found the 2.0D4D very wallowy indeed :( Maybe I've been spoilt somewhat with my MR-2? The vRS won't be being used as a track weapon....that's what the Lotus will be for Should be able to get a full day in the car even though I've been offered a full weekend. I've arranged to test drive it near my parents as I'm over there this weekend and my parents have been happy with their Octavia and Fabia from them I'll report back my findings and opinions over the weekend..... Just for interest, my driving 'history' consists of '04 MR-2 Roadster with TTE springs, '00 UK Impreza turbo with full decat, boost controller and Eibach springs, '99 Ford Puma. All have handled really well, but as I'll be (eventually) going down the two car route, I don't have to have the vRS as the ultimate handling machine, I just don't want it driving on marshmallow Report to follow Sunday sometime I'm really hoping that I like it

Thanks all, particularly Chowy Don't need the car to be razor sharp, just wasn't keen on the wallowing in the Corolla. The other car that I intend to get will make up for the handling Looking forward to having a good long drive in it now Thanks folks

Hi all Joined in July 2003 when I was interested in an Octavia but after redundancy ended up with nothing, got job and ended up with an '04 MR-2. Now looking for a change and want to get a 'sensible' car and then a second car for fun. I've got a test drive booked for tomorrow in a Fabia vRS and I was wondering what people thought about the standard suspension setup. I've read through some of the posts on here and see that some people think it's fine, others think it's a bit wallowy and needs stiffening. Obviously it's not going to handle like my MR-2 (which has stiffened and lowered springs) but, I was wondering if anyone had taken out the Toyota Corolla diesel when they were test driving and if so, how did it compare suspension wise, particularly when cornering, to the vRS. I'll find out myself tomorrow, but I'm keen to know whether it'd be better, similar or worse so that I don't set my expectations too high Thanks Steve

I'd go for one of Dabs , Komplett or EBuyer . Never had a problem ordering from any of them

Don't need to convince me guys I like the Q-car factor with the 4X4. Looks a little more discreet than the vRS. What with my greying hair should suit me down to the ground looks wise Could buy one now, but need to get a job sorted first :( I'm all excited and haven't even got one yet

Thanks again for the info. I too had one of them Scooby things Remap would be on the cards sometime (probably sooner than later) and would prefer 4X4 to keep the traction Some more delving to be done first, and get some test drives in. Will try a standard 1.8T as well as a 4X4 and a vRS to see which one I like the feel of better. Seen the ones on Autotrader and look OK value for money. Haven't a problem with second hand Ought to get a job sorted first but hey, cars are more fun

LOL Thanks for the info so far chaps I don't mind getting one imported if needs be but UK one would probably be easier

Scuse the ignorance, I'm new round here I've been looking through the old posts, parkers info, what car, and a number of other sources but I still don't have a definitive answer!!! My question is about the 4X4 model of the Octavia and what I want to know is whether it ever was, or still is, available in a saloon/hatchback version and not just the estate version? For some reason I seem to think that it was available in the saloon/hatchback version but now may only be in the estate version? Could somebody please clarify and let me know if it was only available for a short period of time, what model year(s) was it available from-to? Thanks Steve (Skoda wannabe )