Had my new L&K delivered to me yesterday evening, and could not wait till midnight to take it out for a spin

So having taken it for a midnight blast am very well impressed with it and all the toys.

So far the only difference that I have found from the old one is the addition of a mute button on the Bolero screen when you engage the parking sensors, and the sharkfin aerial.

Much much more quieter and smoother than the old 1.9 PD :yes:

Took some pics this morning, took me a while to find out how to post them, but hopefully have got this right......

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_epVmSjkBr6Y/TWzo2sxaQDI/AAAAAAAABsI/fzQJhghSSw4/s800/DSCF1184.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_epVmSjkBr6Y/TWzo_t_CxFI/AAAAAAAABsM/OIx0jO3_mgU/s800/DSCF1186-2.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_epVmSjkBr6Y/TWzo_4c71uI/AAAAAAAABsQ/kz8V4qlQQ3U/s800/DSCF1185-1.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_epVmSjkBr6Y/TWzpEREq2vI/AAAAAAAABso/iT8XD_TJv68/s800/DSCF1183.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_epVmSjkBr6Y/TWzpZ6MQj7I/AAAAAAAABsw/gfgE7aP7rOY/s800/DSCF1182.JPG

The car is being used as a taxi/minicab here in sunny South London, and having just passed the PCO inspection, I will be picking up my first customer of the day shortly from Gatwick, will be good to see what people think of it.......

Edited 1 March, 201115 yr by octavialover

Looks very nice,

Lucky customer, hope they notice the new car smell

pics put on here properly:

you just need IMG in square brackets at the beginning of the link and /IMG in square brackets at the end of the link

congrats on the new wheels looks well but youve left it in gear NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo I do it in my big tank im driving at mo until my octy arrives but thats because its french

congrats on the new wheels looks well but youve left it in gear NOOOO

Why not??

I always leave my cr170 in gear

What is wrong with leaving the car in gear? I always used to leave my manual cars in gear. Especially after my Leon that I used to have rolled off a friends drive one night when I didn't.

Picked up my vrs diesel burner today. Turned lots of heads on the way home Now I have to figure out the maxidot thingy!!

Why not??

I always leave my cr170 in gear

What is wrong with leaving the car in gear? I always used to leave my manual cars in gear. Especially after my Leon that I used to have rolled off a friends drive one night when I didn't.

appears to be in 2nd or 4th in pic better to use the lowest ratio of reverse or 1st depending on gradient but do it on a driving test you will fail

Why will you fail a driving test for leaving it in gear? It's good practice, especially for cars with rear disc brakes as the handbrake can loosen when the rear discs cool and shrink.

I'd suggest everyone should always leave their car in gear when parked.

Incidentally, it doesn't matter whether you leave it in 1st or reverse. Leaving it in gear connects the wheels to the engine so if the wheels move it tries to turn the engine over. Doesn't matter which gear it's in, it'll still try (and fail) to turn the engine over and therefore the car won't go anywhere.

New car looks good mate, very nice to use as a taxi! Don't think I've ever seen those wheels before, look good.

From a fellow cabbie I say wear it well! is she a six speeder? the black trim on centre console looks so much better than the tacky fake aluminium finish.

Agree with that, the piano black looks very classy.

Why will you fail a driving test for leaving it in gear? It's good practice, especially for cars with rear disc brakes as the handbrake can loosen when the rear discs cool and shrink.

I'd suggest everyone should always leave their car in gear when parked.

Incidentally, it doesn't matter whether you leave it in 1st or reverse. Leaving it in gear connects the wheels to the engine so if the wheels move it tries to turn the engine over. Doesn't matter which gear it's in, it'll still try (and fail) to turn the engine over and therefore the car won't go anywhere.

New car looks good mate, very nice to use as a taxi! Don't think I've ever seen those wheels before, look good.

I saw a pregnant woman standing in front of a vehicle knocked over when it was started in gear that's just a personal experience but as it was a work place thing the H&S exec investigated it and declared that both driver who left it in gear and driver who failed to take it out of gear before starting the next day were both equally at fault. Despite Rule 252 of the highway code saying to engage when facing down hill and parking reverse and 1st facing uphill H&S Exec pointed out that this is not law and only "advice". I personally even on a flat surface if leaving my car for weeks at a time will not even use the handbrake just leave it in gear and chalk the wheels.

Used to have a Mk4 Golf 1.4CL at work often used for demonstrating this exact problem using a fairly if not slightly overly steep gradient but not as steep as many roads in the UK, if left facing downhill in 1st gear it would SLOWLY jump an inch or 3 at a time under its own weight and momentum as it slowly turned the engine it would take about 5 minutes to move 1 meter. Then by engaging reverse and vice versa if facing the other way it would not move even with handbrake off. This method worked particularly well on the Mk4 Golf but didn't on some other vehicles we used for driver training, but an excellent physical demonstration to show people. A heavily laden car would have a lot higher a risk or with a trailer of this creeping problem essentially trying to jump start the car. I am sure at some stage you may have in a car by accident selected reverse when moving forward or maybe slightly too early before coming to a complete stop that would show you that it will not let the wheels move in the opposite direction than it is geared to move.

But in examiner roll I would fail anyone for doing it! It is VERY clear what is expected and required of a provisional driver under examination and that is not part of the completed stopping or parking procedure. Mainly because it could be seen to support or encourage an action which may lead to a injury that's all really (unless on a steep gradient where id accept it after a verbal reference to the good advice given in the Highway code inc which way to angle the front wheels if a pavement is present for both up and down hill showing a clear and sound knowledge of the procedures advised).

I saw a pregnant woman standing in front of a vehicle knocked over when it was started in gear that's just a personal experience

It couldn't happen in newer Skoda's (and most other new cars) now as you have to depress the clutch before the car will start

But surely as a taxi it should of been a Superb??

It couldn't happen in newer Skoda's (and most other new cars) now as you have to depress the clutch before the car will start

Yes it is an excellent safety feature and a lot better for starting the engine too but mainly on VAG cars UK's market leaders have not adopted this still I can smell a new EU ruling on it soon enough. I have a fleet of Vauxhalls, Fords about 8 diff models and none have this feature come to think of it nor do our mercs or Toyota or Nissan's all under 12 months old!

Lady knocked down was hit by an LGV unfortunately driver wasn't intending to start it he was turning ignition to on for checking lights

Edited 2 March, 201115 yr by FUBAR

But in examiner roll I would fail anyone for doing it! It is VERY clear what is expected and required of a provisional driver under examination and that is not part of the completed stopping or parking procedure. Mainly because it could be seen to support or encourage an action which may lead to a injury that's all really (unless on a steep gradient where id accept it after a verbal reference to the good advice given in the Highway code inc which way to angle the front wheels if a pavement is present for both up and down hill showing a clear and sound knowledge of the procedures advised).

But is it not also the case that you are required to check a car is not in gear when beginning your driving test? (I'm certain it was when I took mine in ~95)

In which case it makes this decision seem slightly strange:

...the H&S exec investigated it and declared that both driver who left it in gear and driver who failed to take it out of gear before starting the next day were both equally at fault...

If I was equally blamed because some fool didn't bother to check a vehicle was in gear before starting it up I'd be livid.

Edit: and for something slightly more on-topic:

Fantastic-looking new car, very brave using it as a taxi! Any reason you didn't go for a lower-spec knowing it'd be used as a taxi? I suppose if you're spending 8-10(?) hours a day in something you want it to be comfortable.

Edited 2 March, 201115 yr by BigC

But is it not also the case that you are required to check a car is not in gear when beginning your driving test? (I'm certain it was when I took mine in ~95)

In which case it makes this decision seem slightly strange:

If I was equally blamed because some fool didn't bother to check a vehicle was in gear before starting it up I'd be livid.

you may have missed this

Lady knocked down was hit by an LGV unfortunately driver wasn't intending to start it he was turning ignition to on for checking lights

You checked it was in neutral to ensure someone has not left it in neutral..... but I did say that this could be used on a steep gradient without attracting my wrath however this would NOT be done on any practical driving test approved route.... generally only carried out on completion of the test if all had gone to plan that is....

ps on the back to topic front "If Carlsberg did taxi's"

Are heated rear seats standard on the L&K!?

If not then you are very generous to your paying passengers!

Are heated rear seats standard on the L&K!?If not then you are very generous to your paying passengers!

Nope, but I like to treat my customers well, after all if it wasn't for them I wouldn't be able to make a living

Have been doing this job for a long time now, and one thing I have learned is treat your customers well and they usually treat you well in return........mind you when I first started minicabbing, I had a clapped out old Datsun Sunny 1.3 DX, cost me £500, and the only luxury item on it was the tilt and pop out sunroof, so its nice to drive something which is a damn sight better than that old jalopy!

But surely as a taxi it should of been a Superb??

Yes, I did look at the Superb, but at the time of ordering what with the VAT free offer, the price and figures did not stack up for the Superb. Also, was concerned with the depreciation and the residual value on a highish mileage Superb, come trade in time, big cars usually take a big hit....... :'(

The Octavia is fine for what I do, and I gather reading the taxi trade press that it is now the most popular taxi/private hire/minicab in the UK.

New car looks good mate, very nice to use as a taxi! Don't think I've ever seen those wheels before, look good.

Thanks, wasn't so sure about the wheels as shown in the brochure, but they are definitely better looking in the flesh, just don't like the idea of cleaning them......

Prolfe - thanks for sorting the pictures

FUBAR - The road I live in is quite steep, and over the last ten years, I know of 5 cars that have ended up crashed down the bottom, because either the handbrake was not on properly or some how failed to hold the car. Hence, if its not on the drive, I always leave it in gear as a secondary back up to the handbrake.

Thurian - Yes it is the six speed manual, I keep forgetting about sixth, till I notice the gear change indicator prompting me to put in sixth, will take a while to get used to. At 70mph it appears to be only doing about 1750rpm

The piano black trim definitely finishes off the interior very nicely.

Fantastic-looking new car, very brave using it as a taxi! Any reason you didn't go for a lower-spec knowing it'd be used as a taxi? I suppose if you're spending 8-10(?) hours a day in something you want it to be comfortable

BigC - This was a treat and a reward to myself for making it my 10th new Octavia, have had most of the others in the range, started off with the very bare and basic classic, then three ambients, and then five elegances, all the same 1.9 tdi pds. I live in the car for 10 hours a day so its nice to have some toys to play with

Have been very impressed and am really happy with the way it drives compared to the old 1.9, very smooth and very quiet, my customers have been very impressed with it.........even though its a Skoda!

That looks great! Very lucky passengers :yes:

I haven't seen that wheel design before either and agree, they work well on the car.

Edit: and for something slightly more on-topic:

Fantastic-looking new car, very brave using it as a taxi! Any reason you didn't go for a lower-spec knowing it'd be used as a taxi? I suppose if you're spending 8-10(?) hours a day in something you want it to be comfortable.

My car is a Elegance spec Combi with factory fit leather, auto, heated seats, cruise, mf steering wheel etc, when I ordered the car it came to a not inconsiderable €33,000 (27,000 + €6000 on extras) when I could have got into a basic spec (taxi spec) for around €21k. It's not always about the customer, we spend a lot of time behind the wheel so you may as well have it specced the way you want it. Customers do compliment me on the car and regularly comment on the hi spec.

That looks great! Very lucky passengers :yes:

I haven't seen that wheel design before either and agree, they work well on the car.

Wheels are standard face lift Laurin & Klement jobbies = 17" Cepeus

I have them on mine and find that the Skoda wheels don't get as much brake dust on them that my BMW. I recomend this brush

http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m37b78s3519p3877

Not cheap, but works and lasts longer than the cheeper crap you can get.

Simon