1.6 FSI good enough?

[motr]

No, I don't think that it was knackered - it had about 1500 miles on it but seriously, I was comparing it to an old Honda Accord I had which did about 40ish to the gallon, but was a whole lot nippier than the Golf.

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?

[Captain Sisko]

20/07/2006

Lynne Taylor, East Yorkshire

1.6 FSI SE 5 dr

Rating - 3 out of 5 Overall

Rating - 2 out of 5 What it's like to drive

Rating - 3 out of 5 Running costs

Rating - 3 out of 5 Quality, practicality and equipment

Having been initially impressed with the drive & handling. I'm left 18 months later feeling disappointed, let down, wishing I had purchased the Toyota 1.6 hatch.

The car has been back to the dealers 4-5 times in the past year. Twice to correct a persistently faulty airbag light, the rest to investigate lack of performance (engine management upgrade solved that), independantly minded windscreen wiper (new sensor fitted) & engine 'pinking'.

Being female, I think they dismissed my comments the first few times. The last time it went in, I insisted on the service manager coming out on a run to listen (also helped by having my male partner with me on this occasion!) This time they confirmed that it WAS pinking, but after speaking to VW this is an unresolvable problem. Although THEY don't classify it as one.

Unfortunately, although the technical specs say that the car CAN run on 95 RON without any problems, the truth is that it's 98 RON only that will do. So now I'm faced with paying through the nose for superunleaded or listen to continuous pinking.. which I know will ultimately damage the car .

These problems, along with poor visibility from the driver's position make this car a chore to drive & not the pleasure that I had anticipated. Although the dealership have been as helpful as they can, VW do not seem to care or be bothered about true Customer Service.

VW will not get my custom when replacing the car.

Taklen from What Car reader reviews.

Obviously the review is a few years old and a VW Golf but the FSI engine is the same.

Edited 7 July, 2008 by Captain Sisko

[motr]

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.

[motr]

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!

[rvacaru]

I am using Octavia 2 1.6 FSI in Germany (37k km now). I drive a lot city and sometimes highway (2 persons). I never felt that I need more power. We had a 4 adults trip for about 1500km and the car was pleasant to drive, offering a nice 6.5 l/100 average fuel consumption. I use a mixture of 95 and 98 gas (half/half when I tank ) The engine is a bit noisy (maybe because of chain?) and it misses a lot the 6speed gearbox that is available on Audi A3 and Golf 5.

If you drive more in the city I'd go for 1.6 FSI. If you drive a lot highway with more than 130 km/h or a lot of hills then better 1.8TFSI

Or, if you can wait, you have the chance to buy maybe at the end of the year the O2 facelift with 1.4T 122BHP (1.6 FSI successor).

PS: Do not forget the rear parking sensors from the order. IMHO they are a must for O2

[skisbp]

Or, if you can wait, you have the chance to buy maybe at the end of the year the O2 facelift with 1.4T 122BHP (1.6 FSI successor).

That's what I was thinking as I read through his thread.

As the 1.8TfSI-160hp replaced the 2.0FSI-150hp...

The 1.4TfSI-125hp is replacing the 1.6FSI-115hp!

With REVO just releasing it's remap of the 1.8TfSI-160hp giving it 220hp or so have to imagine it may be preferable over the older tech. 2.0T-200hp at least until it's soon replaced by the 2.0TfSI-211hp!!!

Back on point try the 1.4TfSI-122/125HP available in the SuperbII, LeonII, A3II, etc... Sounds like it may be what your looking for. Not that you'd be disappointed by the 1.8TfSI:thumbup:. Purely a expense related thing.

[PumpeDuse]

Last time I drove a 1.9tdi it was horribly unrefined, very noisy and the power came in one big lump, no finesse at all

You can't beat the torque surge of the 1.9's, common rails are very linear in comparison and feel more like a petrol.

[onestar]

You know what I no longer understand any of this weight/bhp power thing!

I drove a 1.8 Civic - parkers state it to be 138bhp/1280kg. Smooth start, but seemed to lack punch at motorway speeds on inclines.

I drove a 1.8(allegedly) Mazda 6 - parkers states it to be 118bhp/1385kg. Nippy starter, adequate power on motorways, quiet comfortable. eh? Wondering if it wasn;t a 2.0 I had test driven. Going to get another test!

Already said about the Auris 1.6 being quiet, smooth and nippy.

Still trying to get an Octavia 1.8T and Vectra 1.8 test drive.

So what am I missing here? How can that lumbering Mazda feel pretty good in comparision?

[sebulbus]

Different gearbox setup, probably.