Bazzman

I don't want to start a "mine's older than yours" competetion here, but my 2006 1.9TDi is still on it's original battery. I was concerned last winter that it might let me down but never missed a beat. I think that doing maybe 100 miles each and every weekday does a battery good. Having said that, i don't want to push my luck too far here.

Thanks all for your advice, and I've decided to stick with the staus quo, and keep the car for at least another year. Cheers guys!

more food for thought. Sound like it's edging towards a 1.6 then, or maybe a 2.0 110? Can you chip the 1.6CR?

Thanks all for your replies, a mixed bunch to say the least! Sadly, I'm past the boy racer days, but I do like a bit of ooomph. Only trouble is that as I'm self employed, and business is up and down. I do a fair number of motorway miles, usually with just me on board and so the 1.9 is, I suppose, grudgingly, fast enough (I'd love a vRS!!) but I have to think about the boring stuff, like mpg and VED and all that gonads. In fact I'm quite disappointed in myself for even looking at the 1.6, but sadly, not sure if I have a choice. My 1.9 is fine, needs tyres and so on, so do I spend the money on this or trade up. Seriously don't know...and really appreciating your advice, all of you. Keep it coming! :yes: and thanks again

Hi all My 06 Octavia 1.9TDi has only done 70k miles but I'm wondering if it's time for a newer car. Does anyone have experience of the 1.6 CR engine in the Octy? The 1.9 is a bit agricultural but it's reliable and not bad on fuel. Is the 1.6 a sensible engine for the Octavia, or should I go for a 2.0? I won't be buying new, maybe a year old or so. Cheers all

Today, AA Motors Anlaby Common, Hull replaced my cam-belt with a VAG kit on my 2006 Octavia PD TDi. Got to give praise where it's due, they called me back to tell me what was going on, and to authorise an alternator drive belt as an extra. They supplied a free courtesy car, I only had to replace the fuel I used, and all in all gave me a great experience. Price was more than fair too. So, on this basis, I'd recommend them. I'll certainly use them again So my thanks Andy and the guys at AA Motors. Cheers all Barry

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the 2litre have a 6 speed box and the 1.9 only a 5 speed? So, assuming lower revs on fast A roads and motorways, wouldn't you tend to get better mpg with the 2 litre? Dunno if that helps. Depends what proportion of driving you would do in 6th gear. Not something I think you'd use anywhere except as above Cheers Barry

Thanks all! I think I'll go for the Golf Mk. V manual. And I just did, found one on Flea-Bay! Cheers again. Cheers

This is probably SUCH a silly question :p but I see that Haynes do a Manual for the Octy up to 2004. I know it's a different model, but how much change was bodywork and how much was mechanics? I mean, say the 1.9PD engine, how different is that for <2004 vs >2004? Just a thought, maybe 75% is usable with a early Octy Jaynes book? Cheers All

I bet it's your reversing sensor making the bleep it makes when you put the car into reverse! I always reverse into my parking spot at home, and usually leave the car in gear. So next time I start it up, it makes one loud BLEEP but as I'm (hopefully) no-where near the wall, I don't get the regular bleeping. Did it for me. Cheers Bazzman

If there IS a software/firmware update that sorts this problem, is there an easy way to check if it has been installed? Like, can I check the version number or date somewhere/somehow? Cheers

Mine did this (56 plate 105bhp 39k miles) when I bought this a couple of months back, some days stuttered a lot, others not at all, but recently the yellow check engine light came on. Keith's in Leeds were great, fitted me in really quickly, diagnosed a faulty EGR valve, fitted it and I had a transformed car. No hesitation at all. Now, after maybe 500 miles and 2 weeks, the stutter is back. :thumbdwn: Same as most others here too, on light throttle, very noticeable on motorway cruising. And yes, it's really irritating! Bazzman

I used one of those dent-removal firms a while back on a Golf I had. I had a dent on the edge of the roof, above the doors, looked like a plank had fallen on the car, and also had a dent on the rear wheel-arch. The car was silver so showed up every mark. Guy came to my work in Leeds and did a FABULOUS job! Expected to see a bit of ripple left, especially on the roof dent, but nothing to see at all on the surface, except as has been said, a tiny grommet where he had to drill into the door jamb/frame below the dent to get access. But the hole was maybe 5mm in size and properly filled with a grommet, which was totally covered when the door was closed, and you wouldn't notice anyway as it looked original. The rear wheel arch was fixed by removing the wheel-arch plastic trim an inch or two and he got access from there. Only cost about £60 too. Took maybe 30 minutes! Give them a try. Bazzman

I've got to agree with the previous posters, especially The Plumber. I have had a Mk V Golf for a year, then a Mercedes W203 Estate for 18 months. Now an Octy 1.9PD Elegance. I have to say the Skoda is just the same build quality as the Golf, and maybe even better than the Merc (though the merc was a 2002 model, not renowned for quality of build around that time :thumbdwn:). Certainly, the Skoda vs the Golf: So similar I was amazed, my Golf was a 54 plate, same climate controls, minor controls, switches. And of course the running gear: engine, gearbox, brakes , steering, all the same. I found it great value for money. If you need the badge, well, that's why the VW and Audi are there:D Frankly good luck, if you want the badge, go for it. But for value, the Skoda is a revelation. I'd suggest getting at least an Ambiente trim, Elegance if you can, extra toys, and useful bits too. I've had a lot of cars, some fab, some not so good, (depending on how well my business is going:P at the time), gotta say, real impressed with the Skoda. So far, my feeling is that a great deal of money is saved at the dealers, not with the car itself. Dealers seem to have much cheaper premises (more out-of -the -way places) and obviously spend less on the "fluffy bits", the danish pastries by the coffee machine, the glossy mags, and so on. The cars have impressed me greatly, quality of switches, door trims, hinges, all seem first rate. And I get let out of side turnings more often than when I had the Mercedes! It might be a leap of faith for your colleague, but my opinion: Go For It! You really won't be disappointed. Bazzman