Finally picked up my first Skoda.

I just sold my 150k mile BMW E39 530i sport auto and got a 2008 diesel Octavia L&K Estate in black. It's quite a change!

I did love the silky smooth straight six petrol engine in the BMW, but as my workplace has moved and I have to drive 70 miles a day, so the 26mpg I was averaging, plus the likelihood of some big bills coming along persuaded me to change. Also, for a big car, the lack of folding seats was annoying. I got embarressed asking friends with small hatchbacks to pick up stuff for me from Ikea.

First impressions are:-

Great economy - looks like I will halve my fuel bills

Engine is noisy at idle, but fine once I'm moving. I used to be able to set off early for work without waking my wife, so far she's heard me every morning

The DSG gearbox is brilliant - I like it better than the one in my BMW. Seems more responsive and direct

Build quality - while not quite up to the E39 (still not one one squeak or rattle at 150k miles!), I reckon it feels as well made as a modern 1 or 3 series

Audience radio and speakers sound pretty tinny

Packaging - the best of any car I've owned, by a long way. The estate's load space is really good (no more begging for friend's hatchbacks), and there are so many cubbies everywhere. It has a tray under the passenger seat and an extra storage tray behind the rear seats. Should be great if we have a second child, as we managed to fill the Beemer's boot with one.

Front wheel drive - my last 3 cars were rear wheel drive. They drove brilliantly in the summer, but after having to leave the Beemer on the drive for 3 weeks last winter, my wife made it clear that we wouldn't be having another as the family car. I'm thinking of putting some Goodyear 4 All Seasons on

Value for money - for the money I spent on this 2008, 30k mile L&K, the best 3 series Touring I could find was a 2006 model with 60k miles and no toys

I've ordered a Fiscon Basic Bluetooth module, even though it has a BlueConnect fitted. I want to be able to have the voice directions from my iPhone Tom Tom app override the radio via Bluetooth, and be able to stream music. Got a Brodit mount ordered, and may wire up permanent power to the iPhone from the fuse box.

I've ordered some silver vision indicator bulbs and LEDs for the sidelights, interior and number plate to match the Xenons. For the main beams vie ordered some Philips extremes, as I'm more bothered about seeing properly than white full beams

I like a clean look to the car, and it's a good start being black with privacy glass in the back. There's a lot of badges on an L&K! I'm thinking of removing them.

The rears had funny bald patches on, which the dealer changed for some no-name new ones. I want to get a geometry check done. I've seen some new values in a thread by vrsstu, so I guess these are the ones?

I'd love to get a Shark Performance remap done, but seeing as I have 6 months left on the Skoda warranty, I think I'll wait until that's up.

The only fault I've found so far is with the parking sensors. They worked on the test drive, but have an error now. I narrowed it down to the rear passenger one by listening to the clicking. I'll try the hair dryer trick first, which seemed to sort my Beemer's out, but if that doesn't work, it's time to meet a dealer. My nearest is West End in Bathgate. Anyone got anything positive or negative to say about them? Otherwise it would be one in Edinburgh, where I work.

Anyway, that's me for now. Here's to lots of enjoyment of the "new" car, and I look forward to joining in with you all on here. I will try to get myself along to the Scottish meet in Whitburn the end of this month and say 'Hi'. I'll need to get my Fiscon unit coded, so I'll have some beer money for anyone there with VAG-COM.

Cheers,

Mike.

Oh, P.S. Has anyone used Autohaus near Ikea in Edinburgh? I'm looking for a good independent who knows VAG cars.

hi & welcome

Good choice ... another Happy Driver

i know a few Beemer owners who needed a push to get going in the ice & snow last winter

Welcome and a great choice of car

I had an E60 530d auto a couple of years ago and I get better MPG in my petrol octy vRS than i did in that! IMO beemers are going downhill, some of the new designs are not the best shall we say!

Anyway enjoy your new car

hi & welcome

Good choice ... another Happy Driver

i know a few Beemer owners who needed a push to get going in the ice & snow last winter

Thanks. Yeah, I reckon it's all down to the tyres, after all, they're not short of snow and ice in Germany :yes:

Hi Mike, welcome to the sensible drivers club, a couple of things though, be aware that the Octavia has a bulb failure warning system so as the LED bulbs use less power and give lower resistance then you may get bulb failure warnings come up on the maxidot display, the way around this is to put a resistor in the light circuit to fool the bulb failure system, though (and don't quote me on this) I think there are LED bulbs out there specfically designed for this type of application. You ask if the dealer near you is any good, there is a forum on this site where people can relate their experiences at a particular dealer, find that and you may find some answers you seek.

Ian

Hi Mike, welcome to the sensible drivers club, a couple of things though, be aware that the Octavia has a bulb failure warning system so as the LED bulbs use less power and give lower resistance then you may get bulb failure warnings come up on the maxidot display, the way around this is to put a resistor in the light circuit to fool the bulb failure system, though (and don't quote me on this) I think there are LED bulbs out there specfically designed for this type of application. You ask if the dealer near you is any good, there is a forum on this site where people can relate their experiences at a particular dealer, find that and you may find some answers you seek.

Ian

Thanks Ian, I'll take a look. There's so much information, here, I think it's going to take a while to get round everything.

I've ordered LEDs that are supposed to be 'no can bus error', so I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Cheers,

Mike.

Welcome and a great choice of car

I had an E60 530d auto a couple of years ago and I get better MPG in my petrol octy vRS than i did in that! IMO beemers are going downhill, some of the new designs are not the best shall we say!

Anyway enjoy your new car

I have to agree with you there. I can't help thinking Audi have BMW well and truly trumped in the styling stakes - the latest Beemers just look so bland, with no character. They still drive well though, although I hate the insistence on run flats. Let's hope VWAG don't go that route.

Edited 20 October, 201015 yr by pixor