Hi

We're seriously considering an Octavia Estate ( 2006 / 2007 plate ) - I'd be interested in members actual MPG figures for 1.9 TDi and 1.6 FSI particularly urban driving.

Other things I'd like to know

- typical cost for replacement cambelt ( Independent garage)

- many of the Octavias on the market are at 60,000 miles and just out of warranty - what likely expenses are to be encountered in the next 40,000?

- is it a tight fit getting three adults in the back?

I'd also appreciate any advice / things to watch out for - looking at 1.6 FSI or 1.9 TDi models.

Thanks.

Can only answer for my 2l diesel; getting 48mpg overall at present. Better than I used to get in my old Passat 1.9 diesel.

Yes, it is a squeeze width wise for three adults in the back IMHO- but plenty of leg and head room.

I have the 1.9 pd manual estate - I do around 7500 miles per year, mostly short stop/start trips (to and from work, 3 miles each way, all urban; various other short trips from 1 mile to 10 miles) but also a few longer trips. Brim to brim average is 43.5, right on the claimed urban figure. Long runs get me 50 to 60 mpg, but the short trips to and from work on their own are mid 30s, hence the 43.5 average. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the 1.9pd. I don't know economy figures for the 1.6 fsi, buit I can't see it anywhere near matching the diesel and it won't have nearly as as much pulling power.

I can get two big adults plus a child seat in the back, bit tight width wise, don't know what it is like with 3 adults.

Hi Johnny,

I would think the 1.9TDi is preferable over the 1.6FSI, especially if you're thinking of having 3 adults up in the back for any length of time.

I'm getting just under 50mpg brim to brim from my new 1.9TDi from a mixture of rural and urban driving (no motorway/dual carriageway). Most trips are 12 miles rural into town. I'm hoping that might improve a little once the engine has loosened up as an 06/07 plate will have.

Overall I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the 1.9TDi - it's a brilliant engine.

I might be selling mine in a few months if you want a bargain low mileage 59 plate with 2 years warranty left

Something to bear in mind, if you start comparing figures for a 1.9 v 2.0 tdi is the tyres tend to be much wider on 2.0,

which has a huge impact. I drove from Doncaster to Germany yesterday in my 2.0 tdi on it's summer 225/45/17 tyres it did 47mpg.

Last week on my 195/65/15 winter tyres, I averaged 51mpg including commuting but got 56mpg on a couple of trips out.

I still miss my ancient 1.9 (90hp pre-PD) model which could I get upto 75mpg out of (by sticking at 56mph),

although 60+ was more realistic.

The middle seat in the back is a bit harder and slightly cosy if the 3 adults are pretty big.

However, it's loads bigger inside than a Golf.

Octavias are amongst the most popular choices with mini-cab companies for good reason.

Overall I think the mkII is a nicer car than the mkI and in general give pretty good value for money & reliability.

As an added bonus, they're actually quite nice to drive too

Take your time to choose a good one, as there's plenty about & take as long a test drive as you can.

Perhaps have a look in the meets section, as looking at a few cars in the flesh, plus a few owners perspectives,

will give you a little more insight. One mans slight niggle, could drive another insane.

Likewise, read the dealer reviews too, as I'd now say my dealer are good, but a while ago they had a bad patch,

although the problem left with a change of personnel.

I've driven about 170,000 miles in my Octavias so far, I've looked at and driven other cars, but haven't yet been lured away.

Happy motoring ... Darren

on it's summer 225/45/17 tyres it did 47mpg.

Last week on my 195/65/15 winter tyres, I averaged 51mpg including commuting but got 56mpg on a couple of trips out.

AAMOI is the circumference of those two sizes the same?

anyway, back to the OP's question: my 1.9TDI DSG does about 43/44 mpg in mostly urban driving. motorway use seems to up it to about 47. that would be driving more or less within speed limits and pretty gently at that. TBH i was expecting rather more.

those figures are brim to brim calculations, the trip computer lies like a whore's watch. mpg 1 figure is usually over 50, mpg 2 figure has never been below 48.5 and is often over 49.

AAMOI is the circumference of those two sizes the same?

Yes they are about the same 78.4 inches in circumference or 25 inch diameter.

Widths are different though, 8.8inch versus 7.7 inch, hence the wider tyre has more friction = less mpg.

AAMOI is the circumference of those two sizes the same?

anyway, back to the OP's question: my 1.9TDI DSG does about 43/44 mpg in mostly urban driving. motorway use seems to up it to about 47. that would be driving more or less within speed limits and pretty gently at that. TBH i was expecting rather more.

those figures are brim to brim calculations, the trip computer lies like a whore's watch. mpg 1 figure is usually over 50, mpg 2 figure has never been below 48.5 and is often over 49.

Yup, as you've seen from the maths they work out the same.

Both sizes are also listed on the inside of the fuel flap too (it matters in Germany).

The factory supplied spare is a 16", and equates to the same size too.

To date it's never been on & would obviously only be used as a temporary measure.

I mentioned it as one of the selling points of a 1.9 over a 2.0 iss the better economy,

although a good percentage of that is down to the tyres fitted, which on a second hand car,

may have been swapped for bigger alloys.

I had my computer recalibrated (via VAGCOM using Mike Holroyd's tutorial on here) to read much more accurately,

although I do also keep a check whilst filling up brim to brim.

cheers ... Darren

My trip computer has been fairly consistent so far, always ~2mpg over what brim to brim says, so when the trip computer says 52mpg, brim to brim comes in at 50mpg for that tank.

I hit 70mpg on the computer on a trip into town today, but poodling around town and then the return trip (which always returns less) gave an average of 56mpg for the day. I think the warm weather is helping a bit as it was a real struggle to hit 50mpg when the weather was cold.

I'm driving a 55 plate 1.9 PD Combi 105bhp Manual (in my cardigan and slippers, mind you).

I do a round trip of around 50 miles every day to and from work from North East London to West London through a mix of heavy morning local stop/start traffic and 3 lane A road where it's moving at 40/50mph (mostly).

Trip computer tells me average consumption ranges 58mpg (morning) to 68mpg (Evening). I hit an alleged 80mpg the other week during the school holidays!

I spend around 20 odd quid a week on derv topping up the tank. Doing the arithmetic (1.22 a litre/5.53 Gal) I'm using around 4 Gallons a week. A real average of around 62mpg. I have to admit that's just my 14 stone beer gut in there and no other weight.

Bleedin' marvelous economy just the same.

Thanks for the replies.

Went out yesterday and bought an 07 Ambiente Estate 1.9 PD - looking forward to many a happy mile