stupep

Thanks for the tip-off - I've missed it when it's been on sale before, but this time managed to get a couple of bottles (in the local Chelmsford branch). Having had to buy some Skoda stuff on ebay a few months ago, I've now got enough to keep me going a few years! Concerning the ingredients, alcohol normally refers to the drinkable variety (which is ethanol), but could also refer to methanol, or lots of other substances ending in "ol". Methylated spirits (meths) is a mixture of ethanol and methanol (which is poisonous, to stop people drinking it), and as this is often recommended as an anti-freeze mixer in the wash bottle, I would have thought either would be OK in the screen wash. So I'm a bit surprised by the comments.

I had to take my Octavia in to the local VW dealership as part of an insurance repair. They didn't do a good job (ended up taking it back a second time), and I found them very discourteous. I don't know if they just don't like Skodas. I was going to get my MOT etc done there (as they were so close), but after this I'm going a few extra miles and getting it done at a Skodaship (actually Preston's in Writtle, for anyone who's close). Much better sevice and no problems (so far). I'm sure there must be better VW places around, or are they all a bit snobbish? Stu

I've had my 1.6 FSI Ambiente over three years from new. No major problems - just the much discussed blocked rear wiper jet and damp pollen filter. Best car I've owned. Stu

There are a few security features in the car. My manual states: "An electronic chip is integratedin the head of the key. The immobiliser is deactivated with the aid of this chip when the key is inserted in the ignition lock. The electronic immobiliser is automatically activated when you withdraw the ignition key from the lock." I'd always assumed that it just set the immobiliser, but it looks like, if you remove the key (and associated chip) from the car completely it may also set the motion detector. This would be a nice feature in case you forget to lock it. I've taken the key out of the car regularly (paying for petrol etc) - I just suppose the wife doesn't move fast enough to set the alarm off.

It's worth checking that the nozzles themselves aren't blocked. A strand of bike brake cable works well.

Let's get some proper science into this. If the air being drawn in from outside is below 4°C, it's going to be dry anyway - the a/c won't make it any drier. (As cold air holds less moisture than warm air.) The main cause of misting is the moisture in the air we breathe out. Putting on the recirculation will just keep the moisture in the car, so that's not the best idea. That's why cold, dry air from opening the window helps, as this will dispace the hot humid air. The condensation will occur on the coldest surfaces, which in general will be the windows. So to remove it/keep it clear, the best way must be to blast reheated (and therefore dry) air across it. This dry air will gradually absorb the condensation, while also heating the glass so the condensation will happen elsewhere. To reduce condensation occuring inside the car overnight, open all the windows for a minute or two after a drive to let all the humid air out and the dry cold air in. Obviously, don't forget to close them!

It does depend on where you've come from, and what you expect. Compared with my previous car (an old 1.6 Nissan Primera), my 1.6FSI is certainly about half a gear more powerful. I'm surprised how well it pulls, and have never been left without power when I needed it, usually without changing down. It's certainly as good as I need and I haven't regretted my choice. This post would probably have been different if I'd come from a more powerful car - I could have ended up with a diesel, and been equally happy. So you pays yer money, you makes yer choice!

On my 1.6 FSi, I got 46mpg displayed overall on my holiday (i.e. mixed motorway/country lanes). With the current price of petrol, I do tend to be light-footed, so that's with (generally) max 70mph on the motorway. Also did a brim-to-brim check, and reckon this figure is about 4% optimistic. The car's just coming to 10k miles, and it's significantly improved over the year I've had it - I hit 50mpg on the trip display for the first time just over a month ago, but have hit it again several times since. The warmer air temperature during the summer also helps. I'm quite happy with that!

Depends what you want. I got my 1.6 FSI Ambiente a few months ago, and I love it. Roads seem so much shorter, not because I'm going faster but because it's such a pleasure to drive. The boot, the aircon, the multichanger, the chime when you've left your lights on, the heaters on the wing mirrors, the colour, the look of the engine . . . . If the 1.8 TFSi or whatever is better, that would be more pleasure than I could handle!

When reading the manual, look out for an asterisk after the heading - the asterisk tells you this is an optional extra which, if you haven't bought one of the higher models or asked for anything special, probably means you haven't got it.

I live in Chelmsford. I first went to Prestons, but they have lost their dealership (though they will source through a sister dealer). Also difficult to get a test drive anywhere near Chelmsford (Skoda UK note). So I ended up at Underwoods in Colchester. Michael there arranged an immediate test drive, accepted my target price, and two months later I collected my Octavia from Julian. Also had a chat to the service manager. All very friendly, everything pretty smooth, and only one problem since (wrong postcode on the registration).

I had to make the choice a few months ago. I took a long time over it. Reviews are very much biased by the preferences of the reviewer, so I tended to avoid these. With any make, you could get a raspberry, so I looked at the larger surveys, at least to weight the odds in my favour. Japanese cars tend to come near the top, but the Octavia was there or thereabouts, and with the advantage of price. Needless to say, I plumped for the Skoda and haven't regretted it (yet). But, however you look at it, it's a bit of a lottery. stu

Mine's a 1.6 FSI Ambiente (Red), two months old. Since I bought it, I've been looking out for others - very few and far between in this area (Chelmsford). Do I mind? Certainly not. It's nice to have something different, and to see other people looking with (I believe) interest. And, so far, I love it.

I tried this double-clicking on my 1.6 FSI Ambiente. The fuel flap doesn't unlock fully, but it certainly comes out further than in a fully locked condition. My guess is that there is a mechanical adjustment inside the bodywork at the fuel flap which would enable this option to work (or to disable it if you don't want it). My old Primera had a similar adjustment on the boot lock, enabling or disabling the option to open the boot from the driver's seat. I'll have to investigate further.

Bought my Octavia Ambiente here in June. They were the only place local (to Chelmsford) we could get a test drive. Everything went smoothly, car arrived earlier than original estimate (as they found a swap). Everyone courteous, so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. Haven't needed the service department yet (I'm pleased to say).

Update on my continuing battle with the "Boy Racer" in my office: Having had numerous people ask me about the new car, comment on the looks/quality, talk enviously about a vRS, etc, he decided to do a search on the internet. He came up with a custom car site with Octavias :P ; found an interior shot and said "does yours really look like that?" :confused: ; uttered various comments like "don't they have those on BMWs?" :eek: . . A bit more work, and I may even have a customer for my Ambiente when I decide to upgrade! NB Still no negative comments from elsewhere. My only regret is I didn't stretch my finances a bit further for a higher model.

So are people's attitudes to Skoda changing? I've just taken delivery of my new Octavia (though only a lowly 1.6 Ambiente). Most comments I've had have been positive, even if pointing out the Volkswagen heritage (and then generally viewing this as being an asset). But one "boy-racer" advised me never to let my 17 year-old son be seen to have a lift in it, for fear of losing his entire "street cred". Apparently my son driving a K-reg Fiesta is OK, but Skoda is No Go. :confused: So should I ban him from the Octavia or not? Am I risking his entire social life, or would I be boosting it? Those looks I get as I pass youngsters - are they amusement or just envy? Needless to say, I personally am proud to be seen driving it!

Many of these are of course supplied on the standard display. It's really the last item that makes it different. Stu PS Collected the new Octavia on Saturday - No problems at all so far - well, only learning all the features!

First I was quoted 12 weeks - they got this down to four, as they managed to swap one they had with one already in production. This will depend on choosing a "popular" model, colour etc.

It'll be interesting if both faults go away when you fix the pipe. Stu . . . waiting for a delivery . . .

Hi folks, Well, I'd had my Primera for ten years, and decided it was time to move on. Also decided to buy new for the first time (though my three-year-old buys had always done me well), and started leaning towards the Focus. Then started looking at the surveys, reviews etc, and thought, why buy a Focus when I could get an Octavia, which seems to be rather more appreciated by its owners (that's you lot!). Took the plunge three weeks ago, and my Ambiente is due for delivery at the end of the month. So the reason I am here comes down to you. Looking forward to it, of course, I'm already following the forums with interest, and hopefully will eventually contribute. Thanks for your help so far, and nice to be here! Stupep