Fellwalker

at least 6 autos before this one. The DSG came as a revelation, with almost unnoticeable changes even after 40k miles. Hesitation from standing start. You feel its going to get in the way of that car coming up on you, then all of a sudden they are a distant speck in the rear windscreen. About once a year i use the "manual" paddle gear change, but its such a waste of effort. The DSG has little hesitation in changing down, and picks up quickly except from that standing start. Occasionally i drop to sport to come down long steep hills, and very occasionally use the "manual" setting to cut it to 3rd or 2nd on very steep down hills - but only long ones. I'm considering change, and cannot find another auto that is as smooth. You couldn't pay me enough to swap back to a "proper manual" car.

Dangerous!

Hi Guys. Anyone using the satnav part of this unit? That's why its £1500 instead of £300 for an mp3 and dvd player. How accurate is the navigation? I think back to my Copilot 6 which used to think all A roads were 60mph. GOing to London CIty airport from the north, it took me along the old A1 through northern London. My friend's TomTOm took tehm M62/M11 and got them tehre an hour quicker. That was only the worst occasion. DOes it do up to date accurate POI's? The POIs and safety cameras on my TomTOm can be updated from PocketGPSWorld (fantastic). I'd not like to lose that. How new are the maps? THose on TomTom are more than a year old by the time they get out. Anyone got any feedback?

I hope you are right on the mpg. I've now done 42000 miles in mine. It gets better, so you will enjoy it. Whilst I love the car, and so far have not found anything to touch it as a replacement (Merc, BMW, Audi, VW, Lexus all checked out), a word of warning. My Octy's MFD showed i was getting nearly 50, but when i actually measure it, brim to brim over 2000 miles, it was only getting 44.3. Average 43.6 from new over 18500 miles. I gave up measuring as it was fairly consistent, and the difference kept upsetting me. I do not trust the odometer either. Checked against sat nav, the miles travelled was incorrect for me (albeit only about 1%). That might mean I'm getting marginally more mpg. Oh, and the speed shown is wrong too in mine - a true 70 is indicated 74. True 30 is indicated 32. The law allows them to register faster than our actual speed, but not to indicate too slow. My previous two Honda Accords (old shape) were both accurate to the satnav. The dealer could have replaced the sensors under warranty, but could not guarantee the next set would be any more accurate. Also, imagine the issues when I sell, having changed the recorded miles!

Actually the Audi is not the same spec. It has a boot, not a hatch - a big downer in my book. I can think of 5 times in the last 2 years when i could not have done what i needed to. The seats are not as comfortable for me. There is nowhere to rest your right foot when you are using cruise control. The door pockets don't fit a bottle of water upright. It's missing all sorts of little storage features in the cabin, like hte cup spaces between the front seats, and I think the sunglasses holder in teh roof and the coin tray front right of hte driver. The parking sensors i was shown were audible only, no maxidot diagram. I would love their 2.7D engine mated to a DSG and 4wd, but you've got to live in it too. The Passat is much closer spec.

Just to say I agree that the DSG is exceptional. I have had auto cars for 14 years, and this is the best. Over my first 14500 miles I got 43.6mpg, but in the last 200 that had increased to 44.3mpg as the car was run in. That is driven, as the Briskoda site says, "briskly", and compares to the book 45.6. I've now had my Octavia for just over 2 years, and done 42000 miles. I should check again. Its stopped using oil, which it did from around 5000 to 30,000. My only issue is that just occasionally i'd like a bit more power and 4wd. I keep hoping that Skoda will bring us a 170ps version of the DSG!

a great shame they do not use the DSG auto box from the Octavia. It means I won't be in the market for one. Damn, as I had great hopes.

Just seen the new A4 on the VW web site. It looks like it might be the answer. Still not sure about the foot rests (photo's do not show as its LHD) and the water bottle holders (no space in the doors that I can see).

Looking at alternatives to Octvia L&K 2.0TDi DSG, frustrated because I need auto (left knee problem) and Skoda will not do the 170ps engine with auto. I have put plusses and minuses compared to my Octy. I am not wishing to remap the engine and have all the hassle with an insurance company. Besides, more power should come with better brakes and perhaps suspension. Clearly the Passat is from the same stable as the Skoda - many of the dials are familiar. + quality + engine + all the sensible bits, layout and cubby holes. A rest for my right foot. + electric parking brake - fabulous in the DSG format. - boot, not hatch - more expensive - longer Its a tough call. I think if they did the 170PS engine with the 4motion drive, i would have one now. With the 140PS engine it is quite slow at 10.2 compared to 9.6 for the Octy. That's more than 6% slower.

Thanks for the thought Stuart, but to be honest, no. The reason was I did not really want to go bigger than my present car, or away from a hatchback. The Octy is 4572 long, the Superb is 4803. That's more than 9 inches longer. Bearing in mind one reason to change is to fulfil the implied desire in your signature the Superb does not fit. Its slower than mine, even more so in the 2.5 V6 TDI 160. My ideal car is a hatchback, auto (DSG is delightful), probably diesel because the torque is so useful. 0-60 in around 8 secs. Cruise Control and climate control required, as are parking sensors. Electric memory seats with a decent lumbar support. The boot must take two sets of golf clubs and electric trolleys. By preference, no bigger and if possible slightly smaller than the Octy. The cabin must have somewhere to hold two bottles of water, hidden change for hte parking meters, a proper space for CDs, and would ideally have the roof space for my sunglasses like in the L&K. If I start getting into the ideal car, the list grows! Also it would be nice to have the seat back pockets for my maps, and a glove compartment that holds a box of tissues. Either space for the SatNav receiver to hide, or a sensibly priced in-car version that is regularly updated. The heated seats are great in winter, but I'd not go for leather because it is so hot in summer. Fog lights are a given, front and back. Bluetooth for my mobile, and of course my PDA which has the StaNav on must go somewhere. I have not got round to an MP3 player, but my PDA can do that if I ask it and it had somewhere to plug in to. Oh, forgot to mention the automatic lights, welcome home lights, auto wipers, auto dimming rear view mirror. And the maxidot type multifunction computer. Compared to my Octy, I would like a speedo that is accurate. And an odometer that is accurate. Well, it sounds like an Octy, all bar the 0-60.

Looking at alternatives to Octvia L&K 2.0TDi DSG, frustrated because I need auto (left knee problem) and Skoda will not do the 170ps engine with auto. I have put plusses and minuses compared to my Octy. I am not wishing to remap the engine and have all the hassle with an insurance company. Besides, more power should come with better brakes and perhaps suspension. Drove New C220CDI + name + quality + acceleration better - Overriding problem - teh steering wheel is offset to the left. I could not be doing with it. - small entry to the boot - no where to put my right foot when using cruise control - not enough / right shape cubby holes and containers for the vital bits we all carry around - change for parking, water bottles, CDs and so on. - reversing sensor is audio only, not showing which side you are approaching and with less idea of distance to go. - costly - pay extra for all the things that are standard on Octy L&K

Looking at alternatives to Octvia L&K 2.0TDi DSG, frustrated because I need auto (left knee problem) and Skoda will not do the 170ps engine with auto. I have put plusses and minuses compared to my Octy. I am not wishing to remap the engine and have all the hassle with an insurance company. Besides, more power should come with better brakes and perhaps suspension. Clearly the Audi is from the same stable as the Skoda - many of the dials are familiar. Drove both in 2.0 TDi 170 versions + name + quality + acceleration better(in A3 guise, even the 140ps is faster) - A4 Smaller entry to the boot. A3 just a small boot, and surpsrisingly the sportback made very little difference. - Here is the odd one - the smaller A3 had space for my right foot with a rest, but the bigger A4 had no where to put my right foot when using cruise control - not enough / right shape cubby holes and containers for the vital bits we all carry around - change for parking, water bottles, CDs and so on. The cupholders look as if they are just asking to snap off. - reversing sensor is audio only, not showing which side you are approaching and with less idea of distance to go. - on teh A3 SE there is a pretty centre console, with sort of "struts" either side of the gearstick (joining the main console with the lump in teh middle that feels as big as a transmission tunnel, but should not be as this is a front wheel drive). Anyway, those struts stop you using the tray behind the gearstick, which i guess would otherwise be useful for change. - the central armrest gets in the way! Apparently most people swing it up and out ofhte way to drive the car! I found that putting on the handbrake meant i hit it with my elbow, even then. Oh, and I drove a TT becasue I was wondering about that 3.2 engine in an A3. But overall lack of practicality keeps me away from teh Audis.

Looking at alternatives to Octvia L&K 2.0TDi DSG, frustrated because I need auto (left knee problem) and Skoda will not do the 170ps engine with auto. I have put plusses and minuses compared to my Octy. I am not wishing to remap the engine and have all the hassle with an insurance company. Besides, more power should come with better brakes and perhaps suspension. Drove 320d + name + quality + acceleration better + coupe is gorgeous - seat not quite as comfy - tiny entry to the boot - no where to put my right foot when using cruise control - not enough / right shape cubby holes and containers for the vital bits we all carry around - change for parking, water bottles, CDs and so on. The cupholders look as if they are just asking to snap off. - reversing sensor is audio only, not showing which side you are approaching and with less idea of distance to go. - costly - pay extra for all the things that are standard on Octy L&K

Just a trip computer if you only use the basics. But I am very glad I got it, if only as an anorak! Loads of other bits if you read hte forums and get into the technical codes.

40000 miles in my Octy. No problems. I am thinking of changing, becasue i have saved for it. BMW - smaller, small boot with difficult access. Cockpit not practical, door pockets pathetic, no nice spaces for change, no where for my sunglasses in teh roof! Cruise COntrol is an option, but it has no where for my right foot to rest. Merc - same, but also the steering wheel is offset to teh left - could not do with that. Mondeo - just too big for my garage. VW GOlf - too small, but a very nive car. VW Passat - a little on the big side, but lovely. Costs more but you can see why. The only car on the short list! On balance, I have stayed with my Octy. I only wish that the vRS engine came with the DSG gearbox.

1. 37900 miles in Mk II Octavia 2.0TDi DSG. No problems. 2. Once bought an electrical item following recommendaton in Which? (I read it in the library - no way am i getting on their mailing list!). The item did not live up to its review. I'm sorry I cannot remember what it was, as it was 25 years ago.

Well Carl, sadly an English to Czech translator does not help!:confused: I can't blame you if you could not get into the site, but its quite amusing. I have previously tried using this Czech to English translator on several pages in the Czech site, and it translated about 1 in 10 of hte words on hte page. I've spent a good deal of time trying to find an online translator, and most links actually came back to this web site. We need a real person!

Totoally agreed. The odometer needs fixing too. At 70 mph per my satnav (three different ones say so) the speedo indicates 76mph. On a 20.1 mile journey, the odometer indicates 20.4 miles. When the trip computer said I did 47.10 mpg over 2410 miles, a calculation on mileage covered to fuel put in over the same period said 43.20. The odometer error would if corrected bring the indicated mpg to 46.4, so its not that. And also less sensitive, as it will wipe in teh dry. Hmmm, one that works properly then. Yep, particularly the indicator light. Its embarassing setting off so slow, then rushing. If I come out from my estate, I know that the car coming up the main road has no chance of reaching me, but he thinks "Oh, dear, there's a slow car coming out" and might slow down before he thinks "wow, where did he go" Beside all this, excellent car. I'm love'n it! I agree.

I miss my parking ticket holder. My windscreen got cracked by a stone, and the replacement does not have the holder. Now I'm back to sticky bits on the windscreen - how old fashioned!

Chris As you say, so it is, but previous posters don't get that using the brakes is not the best way to disengage. You are right, CC makes no difference to teh situation, EXCEPT that drivers stay using it too long, becasue htey don't look ahead. If it were that obvious, why do previous posters disagree? For example, GAFF who said

Having read recent comments, please can I ask everyone to have a read of these links. They are explanations of how, when a car in front does something unusual (LIKE TRUNDLING ALONG ON CRUISE, COMING UP BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE, THEN BRAKING AS THEY GET TOO CLOSERATHER THAN HAVING ALREADY SLOWED DOWN), drivers often respond by hitting the brakes. That in turn makes the next driver brake. Soon, a wave of commuters are flashing red brake lights. Please think about not using hte brake to cancel the cruise control. LiveScience.com - The Science of Traffic Jams Fun waves of cars in this one:- SCIENCE HOBBYIST: Traffic Waves, physics for bored commuters Come on Skoda, give us adaptive cruise control!

Vodafone for work. Seems OK, company has a really cheap deal. Virgin for home due to exceptionally good customer service when i only had PAYG, now on a contract. Virgin coverage not quite as good, and neither gets a usable signal downstairs at home (in town, not the wilds).

Disappointing - I see they are currently advertising European imports. I'll not be using them.

I sort of agree and disagree with JohnMorr. There is no more inherent danger in using CC responsibly in 30 limits than merely driving. CC means you don't have to keep looking down at your speedo, so more of your time can be spent watching the road ahead for potential danger. If traffic conditions mean you are constantly switching on and off hte CC, then wihtout doubt ou should not have put it on in the first place. I have had CC on various cars for over 10 years. Sure, there are many times I don't use it if the traffic is heavy, even on motorways. BUT, without a shadow of a doubt it is added value to many driving situations. At the end of the day, if you are a considerate, careful driver, properly watching the road ahead, then CC will help. If you are too fast, too close, too sudden on all your manoeuvers, it won't. Two "rules" I have picked up that help me are "Mirror, Signal, Manouever" meaning that you have to have thought about what you are about to do. "Only a fool breaks the two second rule" is a great mantra on motorways, when the temptation is to follow the guy in front. It fits with those chevrons that are painted on some M-Ways to keep you a safe distance from the vehicle in front.

85mph according to the manual and practical experience. Light assist gets fooled by shadows and contrast even on bright days.