Dear all,

i am buying octavia TDI (y2000-2003), but due to i ride mostly (90%) highways ( 150-160 km/h) i am not sure which type of motor is more suitable for me regarding consumption.

If anyone can tell me what kind of average can i expect under this conditions out of each type of motor or for which to go for.

Thank you all for any suggestion.

obviously on the autobahn then

I doubt there will be anything in it the best option would be one with a 6 speed box

As far as I know the 6-speed gearbox only came with the 96kW (130PS) PD engines - pinstripe is asking about non-PD 90PS AGR/ALH and 110PS AHF/ASV engines, which appear to have the advantage (over the PD engines) of being able to use biofuels with little or no adverse effect..

Added: the UK official average consumption figures appear to be the same or so close as to make no difference, but the 110PS engine has significantly better acceleration figures for 0..100 kph. The official figures appear to be manageable at low motorway speeds.

Edited 2 February, 201115 yr by AnotherGareth

obviously on the autobahn then

I doubt there will be anything in it the best option would be one with a 6 speed box

many thanks for respond ... but obviously you didn't understand the what is the topic about.

Respectlly i am aware of best option of 6 speed box - but i believe these octavias with these type of motor do not have it!

i would just like to know out of expiriance you might have which one has better ratio under upper given facts.

Thx

According to Skoda service book 81kw version consumes less than 66kw version. In this case, more power- better mileage. And 6 speed box just would be great.

I've driven both far enough to get meaningful figures, and there's about 5mpg (60 vs 55) in favour of the lower powered 90bhp/66kW engine at typical British m/way speeds, say 110 to 120km/h. I'd go for the higher powered car for German speeds, because it's slightly longer geared (so lower engine speed for a given road speed) and will still have 20mph speed in reserve.

Edited 2 February, 201115 yr by KenONeill

Going off at a tangent ...

And 6 speed box just would be great.

It depends what you want. With our car, which has the 6-speed box, I find that I'm often using 2nd gear in 30 mph limits, and it's only on straight level roads with low hazard densities that I use 3rd in a 30.

Gear ratios differ between UK spec and german spec Skodas?

Mine naturally aspirated 20v has very short gears. So you get 3k rpm at 100kph. Thats not very economical (about 42mpg). But this is done because of 20v engine. Since it originally was an tubocharged engine, it had some power from lower rews.

And in NA version it only gets full Nm at 4100rpm. Before that rews, the engine is pretty sluggish.

Sorry, a bit off topic.

Well, maybe 5mpg isn't that much. Maybe those extra 20hp and Nm are just what needed.

Going off at a tangent ...

It depends what you want. With our car, which has the 6-speed box, I find that I'm often using 2nd gear in 30 mph limits, and it's only on straight level roads with low hazard densities that I use 3rd in a 30.

Well yes, if it's mainly city driving, then maybe 5 speed box is enough, but on this topic it's about highway driving.

Well yes, if it's mainly city driving, then maybe 5 speed box is enough, but on this topic it's about highway driving.

I thought the ratio for 5th in a 5-speed box is the same as 6th in a 6-speed box, so was trying to point out the compromise of having closer gears in the 6-speed box may have unexpected consequences that affect the way you drive.

Gear ratios differ between UK spec and german spec Skodas?

Mine naturally aspirated 20v has very short gears. So you get 3k rpm at 100kph. Thats not very economical (about 42mpg). But this is done because of 20v engine. Since it originally was an tubocharged engine, it had some power from lower rews.

And in NA version it only gets full Nm at 4100rpm. Before that rews, the engine is pretty sluggish.

Sorry, a bit off topic.

Well, maybe 5mpg isn't that much. Maybe those extra 20hp and Nm are just what needed.

The OP is asking about diesel-engined cars. Your 20v has a petrol engine, which is always lower geared because it revs about 1.5x higher than an equivalent power diesel.

With the mpg figures (both your manual and my practical experience) 5mpg is about 1/12th of the fuel burn.

many thanks for respond ... but obviously you didn't understand the what is the topic about.

Maybe I should have said obviously the best option would be a different model with a 6 speed box which you probably already know but since your intent on buying a cheaper and less well equipped car out of the two choices there wont be any difference at that speed or it will be marginal when factoring in the extra cost of buying and insuring the car with the more powerful engine.

Sorry I didnt give you a thorough enough answer the first time. I dont have an expert knowledge of diesel engines although I did research the 1.9tdi thoroughly before I bought a car with the 130PD version and aforementioned 6 speed box as it is by far the better car and will repay you for the extra spent on it.

Hope that answer is more complete sorry I dont have the quoted MPG figures from the handbook with me nor do I have a table comparing different real world MPG figures from different engines at different speeds. Maybe you could create one from your research to help everyone out when they are choosing their cars and then they wont have to put up with idiots who dont understand their questions answering them in ways they dont like. I think to really make it complete you will need to factor in tyre choice and condition, road conditions and driving style.

I thought the ratio for 5th in a 5-speed box is the same as 6th in a 6-speed box, so was trying to point out the compromise of having closer gears in the 6-speed box may have unexpected consequences that affect the way you drive.

I believe it is, therefore no advantage to having the 6 speed box on the motorway.

Going off at a tangent ...

It depends what you want. With our car, which has the 6-speed box, I find that I'm often using 2nd gear in 30 mph limits, and it's only on straight level roads with low hazard densities that I use 3rd in a 30.

?????? Odd, with mine, 4th provides rapid acceleration from 30mph, 5th at 30mph is no problem whatsoever just cruising along and adjusting speed slightly, and even 6th at 30mph is fine running downhill! You must have a low powered car or a knackered engine.

?????? Odd, with mine, 4th provides rapid acceleration from 30mph

To get rapid acceleration you must be willing to use quite low revs in 4th as 1500 rpm in 3rd is an indicated 28 mph.

Before I got the car and shortly afterward I read a lot about what factors go to make for long term reliability as we hope to keep it for another 5+ years while at the same time keeping maintenance and repair costs low. One piece of advice I noted was not to drive below 1500 rpm. Through experience since we've had the car, I've found the following to get good 'driveability' results:

• only use 1st gear below 1000 rpm
  
• only use 1st and 2nd gears below 1500 rpm
  
• only use light throttle below 2000 rpm
  
• above 2000 rpm give it death
  

I reckon many people say, well, 'it's only a diesel' and then expect vibration and a kick when the turbo comes in, but doing it this way results in less vibration and a more linear response to the throttle when accelerating. When pressing on, I reckon you need to be changing up as it hits 3000 rpm although I'll happily go all the way to maximum revs when it's inconvenient to change gear earlier.

When others drive our car, (and this happens quite a lot), I've noticed how they try to accelerate briskly from lower revs, and always there is a feeling of digging in before the car takes off. What I find hard to understand is why, when faced with this behaviour, people keep on trying the same and expecting different results. It seems pointless to be trying to accelerate to any 'interesting' degree when the engine revs are too low to respond quickly.

Dude, just go for whichever car is in the best condition ... 90/110? Makes so little difference I'd concentrate on the service history/condition of individual cars.

I went looking for a 110 but found a 2001 90hp ALH with 87k miles and a full service history ...

Dude, just go for whichever car is in the best condition ... 90/110? Makes so little difference I'd concentrate on the service history/condition of individual cars.

I went looking for a 110 but found a 2001 90hp ALH with 87k miles and a full service history ...

Makes sense to me; The reason I've got an Elegance 110 is that it was the best condition car within budget. I'd have been happy with an Ambiante 90, but note comment earlier about the difference in our typical highway cruising speed.

To get rapid acceleration you must be willing to use quite low revs in 4th as 1500 rpm in 3rd is an indicated 28 mph.

Before I got the car and shortly afterward I read a lot about what factors go to make for long term reliability as we hope to keep it for another 5+ years while at the same time keeping maintenance and repair costs low. One piece of advice I noted was not to drive below 1500 rpm. Through experience since we've had the car, I've found the following to get good 'driveability' results:

• only use 1st gear below 1000 rpm
  
• only use 1st and 2nd gears below 1500 rpm
  
• only use light throttle below 2000 rpm
  
• above 2000 rpm give it death
  

I reckon many people say, well, 'it's only a diesel' and then expect vibration and a kick when the turbo comes in, but doing it this way results in less vibration and a more linear response to the throttle when accelerating. When pressing on, I reckon you need to be changing up as it hits 3000 rpm although I'll happily go all the way to maximum revs when it's inconvenient to change gear earlier.

When others drive our car, (and this happens quite a lot), I've noticed how they try to accelerate briskly from lower revs, and always there is a feeling of digging in before the car takes off. What I find hard to understand is why, when faced with this behaviour, people keep on trying the same and expecting different results. It seems pointless to be trying to accelerate to any 'interesting' degree when the engine revs are too low to respond quickly.

I think you are thinking too much! I just drive by feel. There is no vibration, no hesitation, 90K on the original DMF and clutch and feels as good as new! Acceleration is fine from a genuine 30mph (i.e 33 indicated) in 5th. It will pull cleanly from idle speed in motion in any gear except 6th. If you have a PD130 engine, I'd still suggest yours isn't 100%.

Guys,

thanks to all of you for helping me with this. I didn't want to be fast with response, but now - i have bought in September 2011, 110 - pulls like a train and i would not imagine to go with 90. Consumpiton is /was best what i would ever expected (3,9 avg per 100/km within city and local roads to 5,8-6,2 max on highway 160 km/h constantly) to have in mind, that we have hilly highways (Slovenia).

Although i believe i have now a problem with temp sensor - warming light stays on to max. heat time .... therefore the consumption have increased to 6,6-6,8. At least i believe this might be a problem.

Otherwise i am more than happy with the car!