hi folks

I'm interested in the 4x4 octavia, but I have a couple of questions:

Is the car permanent 4wd/awd? -- and if not, when not in 4x4 is is front or rear wheel drive?

- if not permanent, is it "part time 4x4" i.e only supposed to by driven in 4x4 on loose terrain/icy conditions, etc?

thirdly or fourthly, what is the mpg like in 4wd (& 2wd if applicable)? - though coming from a 15 year old shogun, anything over 20mpg is going to be an improvement!

and lastly, are there any model specific possible problems to look out for when buying?

I'm sure there were more questions I wanted to ask, but Ive forgot them right now.

thanks for your time

Interesting username ...

Is the car permanent 4wd/awd? -- and if not, when not in 4x4 is is front or rear wheel drive?

- if not permanent, is it "part time 4x4" i.e only supposed to by driven in 4x4 on loose terrain/icy conditions, etc?

thirdly or fourthly, what is the mpg like in 4wd (& 2wd if applicable)? - though coming from a 15 year old shogun, anything over 20mpg is going to be an improvement!

and lastly, are there any model specific possible problems to look out for when buying?

Assuming your looking at a Mk1 1.8t ... the car uses a Haldex clutch which basically means an electronic ECU engages the diff to send more torque to the rear wheels when needed.

The normal split is 90/10 front to rear. It is not permanent like the Audi Torsen system or Subaru setup. The advantage here is better fuel economy as the diff is only engaged when you need it.

Mine is a bit fiddled with but on my daily 50 mile commute I get 28-34mpg, which is a mixture of town, backroad and motorway driving. This morning the roads were very clear so I was a bit more spirited down the backroads, hence the 28 mpg... I think at least one member runs LPG on there 4x4 if you wanted to consider that.

Gearboxes are a known weak point - make sure there are no grinding noises and that the clutch is smooth and slipfree. The Haldex oil should be changed regularly - there is no way to check the oil level so make sure the service book shows its been changed , every 30k IIRC. Else it's about £70 to have done.

Other than that, a good service history should put your mind at ease ...

Interesting username ...

Assuming your looking at a Mk1 1.8t ... the car uses a Haldex clutch which basically means an electronic ECU engages the diff to send more torque to the rear wheels when needed.

The normal split is 90/10 front to rear. It is not permanent like the Audi Torsen system or Subaru setup. The advantage here is better fuel economy as the diff is only engaged when you need it.

Mine is a bit fiddled with but on my daily 50 mile commute I get 28-34mpg, which is a mixture of town, backroad and motorway driving. This morning the roads were very clear so I was a bit more spirited down the backroads, hence the 28 mpg... I think at least one member runs LPG on there 4x4 if you wanted to consider that.

Gearboxes are a known weak point - make sure there are no grinding noises and that the clutch is smooth and slipfree. The Haldex oil should be changed regularly - there is no way to check the oil level so make sure the service book shows its been changed , every 30k IIRC. Else it's about £70 to have done.

Other than that, a good service history should put your mind at ease ...

excellent, thanks for taking the time, much appreciated, thanks!

regards,

...

hi folks

I'm interested in the 4x4 octavia, but I have a couple of questions:

Is the car permanent 4wd/awd? -- and if not, when not in 4x4 is is front or rear wheel drive?

- if not permanent, is it "part time 4x4" i.e only supposed to by driven in 4x4 on loose terrain/icy conditions, etc?

thirdly or fourthly, what is the mpg like in 4wd (& 2wd if applicable)? - though coming from a 15 year old shogun, anything over 20mpg is going to be an improvement!

and lastly, are there any model specific possible problems to look out for when buying?

I'm sure there were more questions I wanted to ask, but Ive forgot them right now.

thanks for your time

It's permanent in so far as there is no driver intervention needed... I typically get 51-53mpg on the motorway, driving smoothly and usually no more than 70mph.

thanks for the info guys

Next challenge will be finding one in the west midlands for under £2k (manual) if anyone knows of one going?

regards,

...

thanks for the info guys

Next challenge will be finding one in the west midlands for under £2k (manual) if anyone knows of one going?

No worries. They are farely rare cars to find at that sort of money. With a mileage below 100k and decent history I would expect around £2.5k to be more realistic, especially at this time of year when demand for 4x4's increases. Saw a black high miler on pistonheads.com for less than £2k though... They are all 5 spd manual BTW

Edited 30 December, 201015 yr by modra_vrs

There is a black one with 18" wheels on eBay as well;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2002-SKODA-OCTAVIA-ELEGANCE-T-4X4-BLACK-EXCELLENT-COND-/270685715418?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3f06203bda

There is a black one with 18" wheels on eBay as well;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2002-SKODA-OCTAVIA-ELEGANCE-T-4X4-BLACK-EXCELLENT-COND-/270685715418?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3f06203bda

thanks for that, I'll keep my eye on that 'un, though it's a little far out to be ideal. if I do get time I'll take a roadtrip and have gander, see whats what.

regards,

...

thanks for that, I'll keep my eye on that 'un, though it's a little far out to be ideal. if I do get time I'll take a roadtrip and have gander, see whats what.

regards,

...

Wouldn't the fact it's done 150k put you off?

I got a 70K super clean example 2 years ago for £2200 so bargains are out there. Mine would be one of the ones on LPG as well just having to wait to get it into the garage for pot hole repairs :-(

the 4x4 is also slightly closer ratio box than the vrs as well

hi folks

I'm interested in the 4x4 octavia, but I have a couple of questions:

Is the car permanent 4wd/awd? -- and if not, when not in 4x4 is is front or rear wheel drive?

- if not permanent, is it "part time 4x4" i.e only supposed to by driven in 4x4 on loose terrain/icy conditions, etc?

thirdly or fourthly, what is the mpg like in 4wd (& 2wd if applicable)? - though coming from a 15 year old shogun, anything over 20mpg is going to be an improvement!

and lastly, are there any model specific possible problems to look out for when buying?

I'm sure there were more questions I wanted to ask, but Ive forgot them right now.

thanks for your time

Very nice car

Got my 51 plate for 1900 and had just under 40k done with full service history and all bills for anything thay had done over its life :-) was mint as well.

Mine is lowerd now and on new wheels.

So take your time and look for a good one thay are out there.

Mine would be one of the ones on LPG as well

Mine too.