Hi guys,

My parents currently have an aging(!) Mk III Vauxhall Cavalier 2.0, which is starting to need replacing, as the bodywork's starting to let go a bit (which is a shame, really, because the engine is still perfect, despite having 192,000 miles on it). Since I got my Fabia last year, my parents have been very impressed with Skoda's, so they're looking at getting an Octavia - something around 2005-2007, probably Ambiente/Comfort/SE trim. (well, my dad wants a petrol Octavia vRS, and my mum wants a Fabia, so we're going for the middle ground) It's just wanted as a general day-to-day car for commuting, shopping, and general use once they're retired, so it doesn't need to go like a bullet - it just needs to be pleasant to drive.

So, on with the questions ...

Looking at the engines available, they want something with a similar level of "go" as their old car (it's supposed to be 115bhp). As my mum doesn't really react well to change with motor vehicles (took 2 weeks to get used to a new clutch), we're looking for something that "feels" similar to their old car, so we probably want a petrol engine rather than a diesel (although that's not set in stone). My dad doesn't like the idea of small engines in large-ish vehicles (it will wear more quickly), so that rules out the 1.4TSI, and the 2.0TSI costs too much to insure, leaving the 1.6 MPI, 1.6 FSI, and 1.8 TSI (my dad's leaning toward the 1.8 as he thinks the 1.6 is a little small). So, does anyone have any opinions/information on those 3 engines? Are there any common faults that mean any of them should be avoided? Am I right in thinking that the FSI is better than the MPI version, as it's got a bit more power, although Skoda have discontinued it in favour of the MPI in the Octavia range? (I know the TSI engines are based on the FSI ones, so it's a newer pattern..?) I'm sure the 1.9TDi and 2.0TDi PD engines would be fine too, although my mum might need a long time to adjust to the different driving style.

Also, are there any common issues with the Octavia we should bear in mind? I did hear something about an issue with ESP?

Also, any other info/advice?

Thanks for any input

You want someting similar to the old 115 bhp car? in my opinion the 1.4TSI 122bhp fits perfectly. i'd even consider the 1.2 TSI 105 bhp (perhaps with dsg).

A 1.8 TSI 160 bhp is to much to handle i think.

The 1.6 is the non turbo version of the 1.2 TSI. Same amount of power but a lot less torque.

i'd still go for the 1.4 TSI if i where you. Very nice to drive. it was to expansive for me. So i just ordered a 1.2 with DSG.

Well the newest 1.4 tsi gets a lot or rave reviews for it's power - however remember that a 2005 - 2007 model would have a 1.4 tfsi which has slightly less power (and slightly lower economy), although you would probably need to try and find one on the market (check all the local dealers) and test drive it before you discounted it completely...

Edited 13 July, 201015 yr by Delacroix

I agree that a newer 1.4TSI would be ideal for you, but also don't discount a 1.9TDI if going for an older model. I think I'd rather have the 19.TDI than one of the older petrol models, even if only for pottering around town (50mpg is great!)

How about a heavily discounted 59 plate? - mine's going cheap in Sept

Edited 13 July, 201015 yr by Phil_P

Also, are there any common issues with the Octavia we should bear in mind? I did hear something about an issue with ESP?

Yes, there's an issue with a faulty ESP module, but luckily ESP is only fitted to models higher up the range. For example, Ambiente/SE models don't have ESP (only ASR) as standard so aren't affected

If you are looking for a 2005-07 car then you would be looking at a pre-facelift mk2 Octavia, the choice of trims would be classic (not that much on it), ambiente, elegance or Laurin & Klement (all the bells and whistles). Obviously the overriding factor in this is the cost to change, working on that then will give you the options available. At that age of car you won't be looking at a small capacity TSI engine as they are relatively recent inclusions to the range to take over from the 1.6 MPI engine.

You can easily tell if a car has the ESP system installed as the button low down in the centre of the dashboard will say ESP, on models without it will say ASR, it is usually only on the high spec cars. Every car has it's weak spots, though the Skoda marque seem to do better than most, problematic flywheels (indicated by a juddery gearchange) and the occasional turbo failure on the 2.0 140bhp diesel engine and the dodgy ESP sensor are the only real highlights I can think of at the moment, (but I'm sure that fellow Briskodians will put me right on that!)

All I can say is to get out there and see what you can afford then come back to seek advice as there are many people on here willing to help.

Ian

Thanks for the input, guys Sorry for the tardy reply - work got in the way (blargh! :()

You want someting similar to the old 115 bhp car? in my opinion the 1.4TSI 122bhp fits perfectly. i'd even consider the 1.2 TSI 105 bhp (perhaps with dsg).

I personally would look at the 1.4TSI (although I've just seen it was introduced in 2008 - oops!). The reason why my parents were looking at the larger engine was that (apparently) you can be "lazy" when driving them - they generally have more "go" low down, so don't need revving as much as a smaller engine would (and thus last longer - apparently). I'm not sure if/how this carries in the world of T(F)SI?

A 1.8 TSI 160 bhp is to much to handle i think.

Reason why my parents were considering it was they thought it should behave a bit like a "normal" 1.8 lower down the rev range, and only go like a scalded fast thing when it's being pushed a bit?

Well the newest 1.4 tsi gets a lot or rave reviews for it's power

Yeah, I saw the 5th Gear review of that engine in the Golf, and they really liked it. Does it need pushing at all, or does it have "go" from the bottom up? (I don't want to seem obsessed with power here, as I keep on mentioning "go" - I just can't really think of another way of describing low-end pull)

I agree that a newer 1.4TSI would be ideal for you, but also don't discount a 1.9TDI if going for an older model. I think I'd rather have the 19.TDI than one of the older petrol models, even if only for pottering around town (50mpg is great!)

Yeah, I love the engine in my Fabia (the PD100) - it really is great! My dad isn't really sold on the diesel, because although he thinks it's a good engine, he thinks demand has made them a little on the expensive side. I'm not entirely sure how well my mum would adapt to a diesel, having never driven one before, and not being a natural driver..!

If you are looking for a 2005-07 car then you would be looking at a pre-facelift mk2 Octavia, the choice of trims would be classic (not that much on it), ambiente, elegance or Laurin & Klement (all the bells and whistles). Obviously the overriding factor in this is the cost to change, working on that then will give you the options available.

They'd probably only be looking at the Ambiente or Elegance trim (due to lack of toys on the Classic, and the L&K being a bit OTT, although if it came along at the right price...)

At that age of car you won't be looking at a small capacity TSI engine as they are relatively recent inclusions to the range to take over from the 1.6 MPI engine.

Yeah, didn't realise the TSI's didn't come in until 2008 How does the FSI compare to the MPI engine? I've seen a few of the FSI's on sale locally. I'd have thought that the FSI was a better engine than the MPI (given the the TSI's are based upon it, and marketed as TFSI in other countries), but Skoda seem to have dropped it and kept the MPI..?

Yes, there's an issue with a faulty ESP module, but luckily ESP is only fitted to models higher up the range. For example, Ambiente/SE models don't have ESP (only ASR) as standard so aren't affected

Every car has it's weak spots, though the Skoda marque seem to do better than most, problematic flywheels (indicated by a juddery gearchange) and the occasional turbo failure on the 2.0 140bhp diesel engine and the dodgy ESP sensor are the only real highlights I can think of at the moment.

So just the normal stuff then. Did they have the leaky rear door issues like the Fabia?

All I can say is to get out there and see what you can afford then come back to seek advice as there are many people on here willing to help.

It's only early days yet (just starting to look around and see what's available). Once they've seen one or two, I may well be back asking of opinions.

Edited 14 July, 201015 yr by martinch

Thanks for the input, guys Sorry for the tardy reply - work got in the way (blargh! :()

I personally would look at the 1.4TSI (although I've just seen it was introduced in 2008 - oops!). The reason why my parents were looking at the larger engine was that (apparently) you can be "lazy" when driving them - they generally have more "go" low down, so don't need revving as much as a smaller engine would (and thus last longer - apparently). I'm not sure if/how this carries in the world of T(F)SI?

Reason why my parents were considering it was they thought it should behave a bit like a "normal" 1.8 lower down the rev range, and only go like a scalded fast thing when it's being pushed a bit?

Yeah, I saw the 5th Gear review of that engine in the Golf, and they really liked it. Does it need pushing at all, or does it have "go" from the bottom up? (I don't want to seem obsessed with power here, as I keep on mentioning "go" - I just can't really think of another way of describing low-end pull)

Yeah, I love the engine in my Fabia (the PD100) - it really is great! My dad isn't really sold on the diesel, because although he thinks it's a good engine, he thinks demand has made them a little on the expensive side. I'm not entirely sure how well my mum would adapt to a diesel, having never driven one before, and not being a natural driver..!

They'd probably only be looking at the Ambiente or Elegance trim (due to lack of toys on the Classic, and the L&K being a bit OTT, although if it came along at the right price...)

Yeah, didn't realise the TSI's didn't come in until 2008 How does the FSI compare to the MPI engine? I've seen a few of the FSI's on sale locally. I'd have thought that the FSI was a better engine than the MPI (given the the TSI's are based upon it, and marketed as TFSI in other countries), but Skoda seem to have dropped it and kept the MPI..?

So just the normal stuff then. Did they have the leaky rear door issues like the Fabia?

It's only early days yet (just starting to look around and see what's available). Once they've seen one or two, I may well be back asking of opinions.

I bought a 1.4TSI with the DSG box, 10 months ago. It's perormance closely matches my old Passat 1.8. though with a far better mpg. It's the best engine/box combination I've driven: quiet and responsive with a lively, but not demented turbo (on 'normal'). It's just effortless except going down v steep hills in the Peak - it tends to engage a very low gear with consequent v high revs. I've now got the hang of using the paddles to over-ride it.

I bought a 1.4TSI with the DSG box, 10 months ago. It's perormance closely matches my old Passat 1.8. though with a far better mpg. It's the best engine/box combination I've driven: quiet and responsive with a lively, but not demented turbo (on 'normal'). It's just effortless except going down v steep hills in the Peak - it tends to engage a very low gear with consequent v high revs. I've now got the hang of using the paddles to over-ride it.

Thanks for the input - much appreciated!

Seeing as you keep on about low down pull i'd say your parents should really consider a diesel

Seeing as you keep on about low down pull i'd say your parents should really consider a diesel

but not the latest commonrail offerings as they drive more like a petrol, you need to work them to get anything from them even then the power delivery is more linear than a mass of grunt as found in the pd diesels.

Seeing as you keep on about low down pull i'd say your parents should really consider a diesel

I'm probably not explaining myself very well. Their current petrol has a reasonable amount of pull without being revved lots, which means you can drive it in a "lazy" manner (you're not revving it all the time to make it move). They just want something like that, as it's obviously more relaxing to drive. I don't really think a diesel would be that great for them, as it'll be doing short trips all the time.

I'm probably not explaining myself very well. Their current petrol has a reasonable amount of pull without being revved lots, which means you can drive it in a "lazy" manner (you're not revving it all the time to make it move). They just want something like that, as it's obviously more relaxing to drive. I don't really think a diesel would be that great for them, as it'll be doing short trips all the time.

What you describe sounds just like a diesel to me lol, far more relaxing than a petro lcar to drive due to the torque low down.......not sure why journey distance has a bearing?

Obviously its up to them but get them to test drive one!

What you describe sounds just like a diesel to me lol, far more relaxing than a petro lcar to drive due to the torque low down

Well, I do love my little diesel Fabia, although I've never actually driven a petrol..! I'm just going by how my parents say their car is to drive (and their comparison between it and a 1.2 Corsa hire car they had) ...

.......not sure why journey distance has a bearing?

I thought diesels took longer to warm up than petrols, so shortish journeys were worse for them..?

Edited 19 July, 201015 yr by martinch

Be aware that if it is a diesel & has a DPF, lots of short journeys, can cause issues with a DPF recycle not completing ( i have found from experience what the consequences are ).

Bear in mind this experience is not based on Skoda, but can possibly be any car with DPF. - Once a DPF cycle starts, any interruption to this process will do the following , 1- It will trigger a warning light on your dash, but not necessarily telling you its a DPF incomplete cycle, possibly telling you to stop & not drive the car. This can be very disconcerting if you dont know what the warning light means.

Now for the good news

You will get some very minor performace loss ( not Limp mode unless you push the card hard), so call the dealer and ask if they can force a recycle, and reset any error codes, Once done you will be back on track. Your dealer may charge you to do this.

It might be worth asking around if there is any way if identifying when a DPF recycle is active, so we know NOT to switch the car off during this process.

Hope this helps your decision.

Be aware that if it is a diesel & has a DPF, lots of short journeys, can cause issues with a DPF recycle not completing ( i have found from experience what the consequences are ).

Yup, it is something to look out for/be aware of (and something I'd forgotten about!).

You will get some very minor performace loss ( not Limp mode unless you push the card hard), so call the dealer and ask if they can force a recycle, and reset any error codes, Once done you will be back on track. Your dealer may charge you to do this.

I have a hand-held fault code reader/resetter, so I may be able to do it myself.

It might be worth asking around if there is any way if identifying when a DPF recycle is active, so we know NOT to switch the car off during this process.

I thought it put something on the dash? Maybe in MaxiDot? I seem to remember reading something to that effect somewhere (or maybe I'm imagining it ).

Edited 19 July, 201015 yr by martinch