motr

The 1.6 FSI registered between 04 and Oct 06 goes up to 175 and in H. Any built from Nov 2006 will be charged 150 and although only 10g/km less is in band G.

Thanks.

When you say Halfords Advanced, after looking at their website, I cannot find advanced, but found these: Halfords Ready Mix Screen Wash 5L from Halfords Price

Still think if you've come up from a smaller engine, if not, then I can totally understand why people could be dissapointed. More recent What Car reader reviews: 24/03/2008 Patrick Lyford, Bucks 1.6 FSI Elegance 5 dr Overall 5 What it's like to drive 5 out of 5 Running costs 4 Quality, practicality and equipment 5 A superb motor car. Had it since January 2008 and cannot fault it. Very satisfying and enjoyable to drive. Very comfortable, excellent road holding, good all round visibility (unlike the Honda Civic). Very well equipped. Had a Honda Civic 1.3 for 18 months before getting the Skoda and there@s no comparison! Excellent sales sevice from Palmers Skoda in Watford. 06/08/2007 Malcolm McPartlan, Buckinghamshire 1.6 FSI Ambiente 5 dr Overall 4 What it's like to drive 4 Running costs 4 Quality, practicality and equipment 5 Ok, I've only had it three weeks - but so far I am delighted with the car. There are so many good extra bits that keep surprising me as I get used to driving and using it. Lights at night are exceptional. MPG, even when not run in, is over 42. Some of the back roads in my area are quite poor and perhaps a slightly 'softer' suspension would help in these conditions but it's more than acceptable even as it is. The supplying dealer (Pillings MK) were good to deal with - I hope this continues when it's time for service. Over the past 30 plus years I have driven a lot of cars and had some good Vauxhalls, Nissans and Fords - but this is by far the best. 18/05/2007 Violet Chen, UK 1.6 FSI Ambiente 5 dr Overall 5 What it's like to drive 4 Running costs 4 Quality, practicality and equipment 4 I recently purchased a Skoda Octavia 1.6 Ambiente after much deliberation; and reading the reviews on this site. The Skoda took a while for me to get used to the size especially with regards to parking (my previous cars were Renault Clios); though I'm slowly getting used to that. The electric mirrors on the door are wonderful to use to help to park - I no longer scrape the wheels on the kerb. I have a bad back and the lumbar support facility helped lots in my decision making. It is very comfortable to sit and drive; though I haven't as yet driven on a long journey as yet. I like that both the front seats can be wound down completely so that you're lying down almost; with lots of legroom at the front; which technically means you can sleep in the front seats. I don't have to fill up so often on petrol with the Skoda than I did with the Clio. The Skoda drives like a dream and at times I forget I'm even driving. Waiting in traffic jams is no longer tiresome as I feel comfortable in my lumbar supported seat, while listening to the CDs. Initially I was embarassed to tell my friends that I was buying and owned a Skoda Octavia though now, having owned one for 6 weeks and driven it, I am finally a proud Skoda Octavia owner!

I have had no issues with the Skoda engine, the only thing is the noise, which has been discussed, but that is how it is unfortunately. The spec in the Elegance is excellent, so no issues there either, the only downside (although not exclusive to this or any other Octavia and manufacture i'm sure, is the way the rainwater gather on the boot which can get in if you are not careful). As for the 95 or 98 ron issue, well, pros and cons even today. Yes, premium fuel is more expensive, BUT, you definately get better performance and better MPG.

Obviously my comment was said in jest ;-) The weird thing is, I get better fuel consumption out of my 1.6 FSI compared to my old Fabia 1.4 16V estate most of the time. As has been said above, we all know that the Octavia is a very heavy car, so I guess the smaller engines will show signs of strain more than a 2.0 version for example and I guess that would have be a minus on fuel too, possibly?

The rain is a great leveller in F1 I think.

Was it knackered or something? Sounds it. And when you say fuel consumption in the high thirties is pathetic, what do you expect? Can't remember what teh official figures are but I average 37-45 mpg on Ron 99 which seems pretty ok to me. But it keeps being said, if you drive cars with bigger engines, its pretty pointless slagging off smaller engines isn't it? Drove a BMW M3 today (one of the bosses wifes car) and I would say any Skoda would feel pretty flat compared to that, but you'd expect them to.

I would agree totally with you on that one.

I am sure its excellent Bryan. There is about an 1600.00 price difference between the two (elegance spec) and the 1.6 is in band D and 1.8 is in E. I think the 1.6 is insurance group 6 or 7 and the 1.8 is 11. Its all about pros and cons and what you really want.

I know its been covered, but yeah, you are right, its not a bad engine at all, especially if, like me, its the biggest engine you've ownded. I have driven 2.0+ mercs, Saabs and Fords at work and all not bad at all, but thirsty as hell (petrol not diesel). I can cruise well enough at 80mph+ with a full load in a 1.6FSI and yeah, it isn't the quickest at pulling away, but then, I am not a boy racer, if I was, i'd own an even heavier car weighed down by the subwoofer , but yeah, for a family of 4, I have no regrets whatsoever. I did test drive the 1.4 Octavia before deciding on the 1.6 and that was rough.

Isn't the 1.8 160 bhp compared to the 115 in the 1.6? I honestly thought you'd notice a difference compare to your 1.8. Its ok going up, but coming down?

The 1.6 FSI is 115 bhp.

Found it fine on motorway although you may to drop down a gear or so when town driving, due to, as you say, the bulk of the car, but on motorways at speeds you say, I would say you shouldn't have too much of a problem.

Sorry, missed that bit. To be honest, the 1.6 FSI is the biggest engine i've owned, so have no idea how it would compare to a 1.8. I had a 1.4 16v Fabia before and there was an impressive leap between that and the 1.6 I have. I would have thought that there would be a slight difference between the two cars you have and are looking at, although I guess it depends how old the Avensis is. Have to say, I love my Ocatvia (also in Elegance spec with a few extras) and don't have a bad word to say about it really.

Had a full load when I went to France last year (including roof box) and mine was fine. There again, I don't do 100mph wherever I go. Best thing is to take a testdrive if you can.

Yeah, I can just imagine a Matiz with a spoiler :P Spoilers look ok on sportier looking cars, on family cars when not intended, sorry, they just don't look right.

Thank god your persistance and insistance paid off.

Must admit, mine is great for the kids in the back during the hotter days. Does its job ok. Prefer the roller blind to the ones that actually go on the glass itself.

I tried that with my local dealer, there was lots of scratching heads, consultations with other staff members and in the end, I was told and I quote 'don't know how you've got a price that low, we can't get anywhere near it'. When I pushed on what sort of discount I could get get, I was told three or four hundred pounds off - and I was a cash buyer. Twice this has happened with the same dealer, so I came to the simple conclusion that they obviously have too much business.

But if they use UK delaers, then you will get a UK spec car. With the options I added to my Elegance in 2006 and a part exchange, I actually saved just over 12 percent on list price. Although that does explain why the dealer went bust half way through. Fair play to Sparshatts who agreed to take on the deal after a nod from someone here and a bit of help from SkodaUK.

I have used CARFILE to buy two new cars and they were excellent as were the skoda dealers they deal/dealt with. On my first car, a fabia estate, i had a couple of warranty issues and the local dealer here was happy to sort out, once confirmation sorted from head office.

So here's a quick tip. NEVER take your car there. With the bigger pictures, it looks even worse. See, the problem is, when I had part of my car resprayed due to some clown at Wings being a bit slap dash with a drill, the approved bodyshop told me that insurance jobs mean they get a damn site less money than a private customer paying cash. Maybe that tells us something. Doesn't mean its right though.

IIRC, 06 plates as of June 2006 had the MP3 jack in the arm rest (sorry, jumbo box). Mine was built in July 06 and had it.

That is clearly a bad job and if I could offer one bit of advice to the bodyshop manager, it would be to find a new job. Unreal!