hello all, i am looking to buy a skoda. i am from barbados and my ideal would be a manual octavia, but the problem with that is that there is only 1 manual octavia in the island and i dont think they are willing to sell anytime soon. so i will have to settle for a maual furby, there are plenty of those around. i am wondering, which engine is better though,(three choices down here, (all furby 1 up to the 2004 models, petrol only) the 1.4 MPi, the 1.4 16v or the 1.4 16v. which engine performs the best in your opinion, and what are some of the common faults faced

1.4 16v or the 1.4 16v

I think there is only one 1.4 16v you can get with a manual gearbox and that's got 100 BHP. I believe these can suffer from head gasket problems although I'm not sure how common these are. The 1.4 MPi is an old OHV engine which was developed from the unit used in the Felicia (I think). Some owners have reported that this engine is quite thirsty. Far less powerful the the 16v - 68 BHP.

If you want to know more do a search.

:sofahide:

my 1.4 16v 100 BHP runs sweet as a nut

i recommend

my 1.4 16v 100 BHP runs sweet as a nut

i recommend

As long as the piston rings are OK. Mine was fine but other people have had

issues

You can get both 75bhp and 100bhp with a manual box (Sport has 75bhp, you can spot a 75bhp by rear drums).

100bhp 16v would be my choice. If you can get a BBY/BBZ engine code etter than the AUA and AUB IMHO.

thanks to all who posted. i went to look @ one today but it was an Mpi, and it was on hold for someone. i am about to enter university and will need a runabout, and i want to stick with the skoda brand. please continue to post your opinions on the 3 engines.

cheers all

Just done over 400 miles on one week touring around north wales.

Never once felt that the engine struggled to keep up (to be honest when in the mood, it was others that felt slow).

Sure the figures look poor, but once used to the engine it's a solid workhorse that'll keep up with modern rivals.

Granted it's thirsty, but at the same time it won't need a cam-belt change as it uses a chain which should never need changing (apparently the engine gets noiser with age and it's due to the chain becoming slack, only then do you need to change it, and even then it's not a safety issue).

My 1.4Mpi doesn't seem to use oil either, in the 2 years I've owned it I've changed the oil twice and checked it regularly in-between and the level doesn't budge at all.

Cruise control would be a nice option on long runs

And if possible look for one with ABS, mine doesn't have it and I have to keep reminding myself of the fact that if in an emergency situation that the car in front of me will stop much quicker as most modern cars have ABS.

Just check the bushes and make sure there's no problem lights on the dashboard, and also check the carpets (under them) to make sure the doors aren't leaking.

Happy motoring...