Negotiating buying a new Scout before the current discount deal, of c.£3K, ends on 31st. Any thoughts please on the Scout?

I like mine!, and the wife loves it even more. I have a TSI though.

On the Scout unless you are doing more than 15k miles a year, you really should consider the TSi engine. It's really very powerful and smooth and suprisingly frugal!

Perhaps I've focussed on the good diesel consumption to the detriment of other considerations? I guess the petrol would be less noisy - the wife didn't like the diesel rattle!

One thing I forgot to say is that the diesel felt 'jittery' on smooth-ish roads (such as A50 round Derby) as though it was slightly under-damped. Does the petrol version do this also?

Edited 26 January, 201016 yr by keith

On the Scout unless you are doing more than 15k miles a year, you really should consider the TSi engine. It's really very powerful and smooth and suprisingly frugal!

Less torque than the 2.0TDi though, which I would think is especially important in a 4x4 model like the Scout...

The PD engine in the Scout is to be replaced by the more modern and refined CR unit in the summer. Or so I've read on here somewhere.

Steve

My wife has got the pre-FL TDI Scout and we love it. Slightly hard ride at times, but so controllable and handles wonderfully. Engine is a bit gruff when its cold, but soon settles down once its warmed up. I've never driven the TSI version, so can't comment I'm afraid.

Just to comment on the umph factor - we had a completely full car at Christmas - baby, dog, full boot plus full roof box - and I didn't notice any difference in the amount of pull the car had. It didn't struggle at all.

Edited 26 January, 201016 yr by GroundHog

We have the 2.0 Diesel pre FL model and it has been excellent so far (hope I am not tempting providence there!). It managed very well in all the nasty weather we have had and gave OH a lot of reassurance in driving in such conditions(though a lot of soft snow defeated the 4x4 and Dunlop SP Sports tyres when parked up ). It's our fourth Octavia and while it gets around 42 mpg this is much less than the 54mpg on our previous diesel Octavias. The performance is pretty good all things considered but it is noticeably slower than the equivalent non Scout diesel estate. We are picking up our new caravan in February and good torque in lower gears was a major consideration in choosing the diesel. That and the fact that we got a very good deal on it. It's roomy, comfortable and is well equipped and I have always liked the sound of a diesel engine anyway (and that's only noticeable idling or at low speeds/gears).

:yes: The Diesel Scout is brill at towing with all that low down torq and pulls my 1275kg Fleetwood Colchester with no problems so happy caravanning Dekka. cheers - Stuart

Thumbs up here as well. I do around 12,000 miles a year and find the 2.0 Tdi still give me value for money over previous petrol cars. I have averaged 44.3 mpg since I have had it and that includes long fully loaded trips to France and roof box trips around the UK stacked with Kayak and camping gear.

The extra torque is pretty essential for some of the steep mountain tracks I negotiate on a fairly frequent basis. I only missed my old 2.5 petrol engine for a few days and will certainly consider buying another Scout when I am bored with the pre facelift and can get a good deal on another exdemo or similer.

It seems to have retained its value failry well from what I see similer aged vehicles selling for. I got mine ex demo with 6,000 on the clock and its now done just over 18,000. I did get a set of winter steel wheels and tyres, as others have pointed out the Dunlop SP1's are pretty rubbish for off road and winter coniditons, but I think the FL ones come shod with something different and it depends a bit on where you drive It is now unstoppable in snow and I spend my time laughing at X5 drivers

No real negatives from me provided the price is right ( I paid 15K) and it came with Maxidot and multifunction steering wheel (these 2 options are a must in my opinion). I only wish mine had bluetooth. You get a lot of car and specification for your money in my opinion. Test Drive is essential and make sure you get to drive it on some of your regular routes if you can. If your lifestyle invloves country lanes, outdoor activities, camping, wet dogs and dirty wellies or any combination then you will find it fits nicely. It also has a massive boot!

and I spend my time laughing at X5 drivers

I do that too, no real reason for it, just because...

The PD engine in the Scout is to be replaced by the more modern and refined CR unit in the summer. Or so I've read on here somewhere.

Steve

Is this 'official'?

:yes: The Diesel Scout is brill at towing with all that low down torq and pulls my 1275kg Fleetwood Colchester with no problems so happy caravanning Dekka. cheers - Stuart

Thanks for that! The caravan we are buying is about 1260kg so it's good to know the Scout copes with that very well. We had a 90bhp 1.9 diesel octavia estate about 10 years ago and it was fine unless you were going up a long incline into a headwind - I felt like getting out and walking sometimes.

Is this 'official'?

Who knows? This is the internet!

Steve

Thanks folk so far...

Please advise me then, considering (for want of anything better ) these guiding points:

- diesel is c.£1500 more to buy;

- diesel does c.8mpg more, which can be increased with remap (say 5mpg, totalling 13mpg);

- assuming fuel, at whatever price, stays proportionately the same (c.3p difference);

- assuming 10000 miles yearly.

Does the diesel work out more expensive?

[How's about that then...]

Realy pleased with mine , only down side was the Dunlops , i wouldn't get to hung up about PD or CR unit I havent had any problems ,

I tow an Adrea Altea 542dk 1300kg , I wish the rear springs were a bit stiffer when towing and the nose waight is a bit low at 75kg

If you look at whats out there , pound for pound its still good value .

Thanks folk so far...

Please advise me then, considering (for want of anything better ) these guiding points:

- diesel is c.£1500 more to buy;

- diesel does c.8mpg more, which can be increased with remap (say 5mpg, totalling 13mpg);

- assuming fuel, at whatever price, stays proportionately the same (c.3p difference);

- assuming 10000 miles yearly.

Does the diesel work out more expensive?

[How's about that then...]

The biggest item moneywise is depreciation. Factor that into the numbers: it's way more than the mpg/fuel cost difference. I won't make any comment on choice of fuel, it's too personal a thing. But if you can clarify costs over (say 3 years) at pence per mile taking all into account, then you'll probably find its 6 of one and half a dozen of the other....

Thanks muchly guys for your comments (particularly in so short a time).

Taken the plunge® and ordered a 1.8fsi Scout in anthracite grey (which actually is tinged with blue). Should arrive start of March. Then Jody @ Midlands VW will fiddle with it...

Will write how it goes.

Snap.

New this January PD Scout ,550 miles,love it .Had a 4x4 Octavia beforeand not noticed much in mpg as yet.

Just been Fishing in mine on the River Trent ,through very muddy fields and river banks no problem at all with traction.

Taken the plunge® and ordered a 1.8fsi Scout in anthracite grey (which actually is tinged with blue). Should arrive start of March.

Delivery at start of March...Is that a factory order? I've just ordered my Scout and I'm being told mid-April.

Yes, me as well 1.8TSI in Anthracite 440 miles on clock .

Senior Scout

Delivery at start of March...Is that a factory order? I've just ordered my Scout and I'm being told mid-April.

Quoted "March", but expect it when I see it :S .

Hope this engine doesn't develop the hesitancy that the present 'old' 1.8T has - only partly improved by remap and regular oil change, but with c200bhp a terrific engine when it's feeling happy .

One of the reasons for choosing an estate is accommodating the collie hound . I note that alarms are now fitted - to the car, not the dog - and so wonder how straightforward it is to lock the doors but switch the alarm off? Experiences please .

One of the reasons for choosing an estate is accommodating the collie hound . I note that alarms are now fitted - to the car, not the dog - and so wonder how straightforward it is to lock the doors but switch the alarm off? Experiences please .

Simple. There's a button down by the driver's seat which you press prior to locking the car which disables the interior alarm sensors.