Like a number of people I spent far to much time last winter stuck at home in the snow rather than going to work and earning my daily crust. Now its time to replace my trusty 2009 Octavia 1.9 tid estate, with something new. Only two things wrong with the current car. 1. It gets stuck in the snow. 2 its too noisy on the motorway. Thoughts naturally turn to the Octavia 4x4 estate, in either of its two diesel forms, however demonstrators and information is hard to come by. So a few quick questions to the forum.

I note with interest the 1.6 tid CR 4x4 has a six speed gear box. Anybody got the MPH/1000rpm figures for sixth gear? How quite is it at motorway speeds? What sort of MPG are people getting for these? How sluggish is the 1.6 in 4x4 guise, is it worth paying the extra for the 2.0 CR 4x4?

I have a CR140 2.0TDI Scout which is effectively the 4x4 with bigger bumpers. My observations are:

- It's a good motorway cruiser with no obvious engine noise at speed. No sure of the numbers but the engine is turning over at 2000-2500rpm at legal speeds.

- There is wind and tyre noise and this is more than some other cars I have experienced recently (a diesel CRV and E-class Merc). It is highly surface dependant however being really bad on concrete surfaces. I don't find it a problem - but if you want real hush then this probably the wrong car.

- I find the performance ample really with good overtaking acceleration and torque for hill climbs and load lugging. I would love a CR170 but I'm being greedy.

- Fuel is typically c.50mpg for longer runs, and nearer 40 for short in town trips, based on the trip computer. I've not calibrated this. This is notably better than the PD version.

Keep your 1.9 and fit vredestein all season tyres you will never get stuck in the snow

second the tyre option live in the highlands of scotland and a good set of winter tyres transform a front wheel drive car.

A 2wd Octy on winter tyres will get better traction than a 4x4 on the stock Dunlops.

The 2wd will use less fuel and the 4x4 isn't a proper 4x4 system as it can't put all the power to the rear, only 40% and on summer tyres this isn't enough.

2wd or 4wd in winter you have to put winter tires, snow or not, when temp. falls below 7C, your summer tires will loose grip even on dry tarmac.

4x4 Octavia with latest 4'th gen Haldex can do this:

1. Standard 98% front & 2% rear torque, so always is 4wd driven

2. Up to 100% rear torque (when front completely loses it)

3. Up to 85% of torque can be sent to any rear individual wheel

Consumtion will be about 2-4% more then fwd due to weight.

This is a very virtually proper 4x4 system more advanced that Bmw X drive or Merc 4Matic (bar latest ML class due next year)

Proper 4x4 is with low gearing, front/center/rear diff locks etc, ala Land Rover Defender and not available on any Car or SUV or needed for most

So get the 4x4 Octy + Xenons and have fun knowing you will never be stuck anywhere.

A 2wd Octy on winter tyres will get better traction than a 4x4 on the stock Dunlops.

The 2wd will use less fuel and the 4x4 isn't a proper 4x4 system as it can't put all the power to the rear, only 40% and on summer tyres this isn't enough.

Interesting comments but as a driver of an Octy 4x4 over the last few bad winters I'd dispute them - I've had decent summer tyres on and never yet got stuck, even in 18" of fresh snow...

My neighbour either can't drive or has bald tyres because last winter his scout did a sideways wheelspin trying to get grip on the hill here. Front wheels were spinning and backs just moves the car sideways.

His is the 08 so maybe the haldex has got better.

It's the same situation with 2wd rescue cars coming to save the SUV on M1 last years snow. 4x4 hasn't saved anyone if it doesn't have a decent driver, tires & logic.

My Scout was great in the last hard winter. The only situation that defeated it was a local 1 in 6 hill, which has a tight corner at the bottom so it's not possible to get a run up. I got 80% of the way up but the Dunlop SP01s let it down. This was on 4" of compacted snow and ice.

I will have winters this year and hope to be in control!

Hi. Had our 1.6 CR TDI 4x4 since January '11, and overall very happy with it.

Last weekend's trip from Killearn to Evesham (M74/M6/M5) at 2000rpm in 6th (65mph) with a modest load, (2xadults, 2xkids, 2xmedium sized luggage bags plus 3/4 tank diesel at journey start), gave Ø59mpg on the Maxidot for that journey.

Normal trips give high 40's/low 50's Ømpg. (Maxidot is notoriously inaccurate however).

Car is v.quiet at motorway speeds, (certainly no worse than our Passat Estate, which it replaced), but having read some threads on here re.noise, one of the first things I did was to line the wheel well/boot area, and under the rear passenger seats, with Dynamat. (Cost approx. £100). Also, we've got the raised boot floor option and a rubber mat over the textile mat, so any excessive noise is well and truly killed off.

Never had any issue with the standard fit 'summer' stock tyres re. noise and handling, and I've got a set of Nokian WR G2 tyres on 15" steel wheels, (with plastic wheel trims - look neater IMO), to strap on in the winter. The only issue re.snow and ice becomes depth of snow; you don't want the front skirt to act as a snow plough - they usually break off! So, as long as the snow is'nt touching the skirt, I can go anywhere. (I've got a set of snow chains should I get stuck, but apart from their 'trial fitting' they've never been on in anger).

The only complaint I have with the car itself is that on our trip to Sweden this summer, with a roofbox, full boot and bike rack on the rear towbar, it doesn't half drag its butt...

For that reason alone I wish it had the slightly higher (17mm) ground clearance which the Scout has, but I wasn't go to pay the extra for the Scout just for that. (The additional standard Scout trim items over those of the 4x4 didn't persuade me to buy one either).

I did consider going for the 2.0L engine, but the MPG, VED, cheaper insurance and lower purchase price of the 1.6 CR swung it. Besides, if I have the urge to behave like a boy racer I've the Polo to play in, therefore I'm seldom driving in a style or situation where I find myself wishing the 1.6 CR had more oommff. It doesn't feel like a diesel to drive, and took a bit of getting used to following the 1.9 TDI in the Passat, but once you adapt your driving style re. mph/rpm/gear selection it's fine.

Hope the above helps.

R-k

Edited 1 October, 201114 yr by Rab-k

Currently on my second Yeti and fourth Haldex equipped VAG car; just to concur with some points above.

The Gen 4 system currently used by Skoda in it's 4x4 models is much improved and faster to respond the the earlier Gen 2 fitted to the Octavia I and earlier MKII's

225/50 R17 W summer tyres as fitted to the Yeti SE/Elegance and Octy Scout are pretty poor in winter and best replaced by a winter tyre or Goodyear Vector 4 Season or Nokian eNtyres's.

Ride comfort is the standard Octy 4x4 is better than the Scout due to the smaller wheels, although the 180mm ground clearance of the Scout (& Yeti) gives you more of a fighting chance in snow.

Oh currently getting a fill to fill of 46mpg out of my brick shaped beast (2.0 TDI 110 4x4) on the run to work across the Wolds, so I'd expect similar from a more aerodynamic Octy TDI 1.6 105 4x4.

TP

Hi. Had our 1.6 CR TDI 4x4 since January '11, and overall very happy with it.

Last weekend's trip from Killearn to Evesham (M74/M6/M5) at 2000rpm in 6th (65mph) with a modest load, (2xadults, 2xkids, 2xmedium sized luggage bags plus 3/4 tank diesel at journey start), gave Ø59mpg on the Maxidot for that journey.

Normal trips give high 40's/low 50's Ømpg. (Maxidot is notoriously inaccurate however).

Car is v.quiet at motorway speeds, (certainly no worse than our Passat Estate, which it replaced), but having read some threads on here re.noise, one of the first things I did was to line the wheel well/boot area, and under the rear passenger seats, with Dynamat. (Cost approx. £100). Also, we've got the raised boot floor option and a rubber mat over the textile mat, so any excessive noise is well and truly killed off.

Never had any issue with the standard fit 'summer' stock tyres re. noise and handling, and I've got a set of Nokian WR G2 tyres on 15" steel wheels, (with plastic wheel trims - look neater IMO), to strap on in the winter. The only issue re.snow and ice becomes depth of snow; you don't want the front skirt to act as a snow plough - they usually break off! So, as long as the snow is'nt touching the skirt, I can go anywhere. (I've got a set of snow chains should I get stuck, but apart from their 'trial fitting' they've never been on in anger).

The only complaint I have with the car itself is that on our trip to Sweden this summer, with a roofbox, full boot and bike rack on the rear towbar, it doesn't half drag its butt...

For that reason alone I wish it had the slightly higher (17mm) ground clearance which the Scout has, but I wasn't go to pay the extra for the Scout just for that. (The additional standard Scout trim items over those of the 4x4 didn't persuade me to buy one either).

I did consider going for the 2.0L engine, but the MPG, VED, cheaper insurance and lower purchase price of the 1.6 CR swung it. Besides, if I have the urge to behave like a boy racer I've the Polo to play in, therefore I'm seldom driving in a style or situation where I find myself wishing the 1.6 CR had more oommff. It doesn't feel like a diesel to drive, and took a bit of getting used to following the 1.9 TDI in the Passat, but once you adapt your driving style re. mph/rpm/gear selection it's fine.

Hope the above helps.

R-k

Know what you mean about it dragging it's butt - I've had a similar look to yours (albeit not so bad) when going to the rellies in Belfast with a bootfull and four bikes on the back - Not sure if helper springs or something similar for temporary use are available?

Thanks everybody for the interesting updates.

I cant keep the car, its a company vehicle and will have to be changed at 100000 miles. For the same reason I cant change the tyres. I did broach the subject of winter tyres with our fleet manager once, you would have thought I'd sprouted horns. "they are not speed rated, you will not be insured, they overheat on tarmac, gross misconduct, and anyway we don't get snow in Oxfordshire. etc etc etc". I left before she had a complete breakdown. Probably not a good time to enquire after upgrading to 20inch rims with spinners.

Re the gearing in 6th, I surprised at the replies that suggest that the 4x4 is geared about the same in 6th, as my current 2wd 1.9 is in 5th, about 30mph per 1000rpm. I was expecting the 6th gear to be more of an overdrive. Is it the other way round, i.e. that 1st is a low "crawler" gear in the 4x4's or just that the 6 gears in a 4x4 is spread over the same range as the 5 gears in a 2wd? In which case what is the point?

4x4 vs the Scout? Personally I'm not to keen on the look of the Scout, I prefer the look of the standard 4x4, which also makes a saving in company car tax, and economy.

4x4 vs the Yeti? I do like the Yeti, and intend to take a test drive. On our economy scheme the price difference between the 110 and 140 Yetis, is much less than the price difference between the 105 and 140 Octavia 4x4. Who could not like the vast sunroof, compared to the small letter-box affair you can get with the Octavia. The SE Yeti is also better equipped than the 4x4 Octavia. However my Wife has pointed out that model for model the Yeti is slower, much less economical, and smaller inside, and she doesn't like the looks, oh well.......

I guess in my own mind its going to be a 4x4 Octavia, but I still cant make up my mind, 1.6 with more options, or 2.0 for more power, but less toys? The head says speed cameras, economy and the possibility of heated seats emmm, the heart says power power power, and who cares about a hot backside

You're right about 1st being a "crawler gear"; no sooner are you in it, you're out of it. One of the things you get used to. I guess the point is fuel economy at the top end - instead of 2000rpm giving you 58mph in 5th, you can instead sit at 65mph in 6th at the same rpm/fuel consumption.

Yeti not to everyone's taste apparently - see other threads on this forum.

Insurance companies are fine with winter tyres in my experience, so long as they are same size as, and the load index is not below, the standard/stock tyre the vehicle came with. The speed rating must also be suitable for the car. The Octavia brochure states the 4x4 1.6 CR has a top speed of 115(185); which was probably with a 6 stone girly at the wheel, with 5 litres fuel in the tank, and a favourable wind on a cold day. Therefore, as long as your speed rating is a T or higher, you're fine.

My winters are 205/60 R15 95 H NOKIAN WR G2 XL, which are good to 130mph, and are fitted to Skoda 15" steel Avantgarda wheels; the wheel fitted to the full-sized spare which came with the car. My insurers are Skoda themselves and so long as I tell them when I swap them over with the summer tyres they're absolutely fine. Your Fleet Manager needs to read up on the subject.

If its all about "power, power, power" then get the 2.0L; if a vRS isn't in the offing that is. Power aside, you'll be pleasantly surprised with the 1.6 I recon.

R-k

PS 'Skomaz' mentioned "helper springs" - never heard of them, can someone elaborate?

I wouldn't fret about the heated seats, mine didn't materialise as a result of a mistake on the order, and I haven't once missed them. They burn diesel too of course albeit via the alternator.

The crawler first is great offroad - you can creep forward with the engine on tickover and it seems unstoppable, if not quite a low range box.

Take your point about the tax savings with the 1.6, although the gap with the Scout isn't as great as it was with the PD engine - the CO2 has dropped from 173 to 155g/km with the CR.

If you offer a brewery tour, you can have my Scout for the duration for a test drive!

Les.

PS 'Skomaz' mentioned "helper springs" - never heard of them, can someone elaborate?

I've found my own answer...

MAD progressive / helper springs

Thanks for the link!

Interesting thread.

I had an Octavia 2.0PD TDI L&K DSG before my Yeti. I too found the noise a pain, having cone from a 5 series 530d. Also not being able to work due to the bad weather cost me a lot of money.

I was originally looking at a Scout, but it wasn't available at the time with DSG. I don't buy a manual for medical reasons.

I wanted the Superb because it was quiet and comfortable,but is only avaiable in 2WD with DSG.

When looking at the Superb I discovered the Yeti had just been released with DSG & 4x4. I now don't need the cavernous Octavia or Superb estate boot.

So I went with the Yeti. Not one regret.

I also bought a set of steel wheels and winter tyres.

What I like about winter tyres is you can stop AND start on a 1 in 6. I couldn't get up the steep hills around me without a run up before as mentioned above.

Winter tyres transform a car in cold weather, be it dry, wet, ice or snow.

My overall average is about 36mpg, but I drive around South London every day. Which isn't bad for a 4x4 auto in heavy traffic. I'm lucky to average over a tankful over 17mph!

PS. I spoke to Continental Tyres recently and they recommended winter tyres all year round as a better compromise than summers and no, the tyres do not shread to bits in hot weather. That is a myth.

Rab-K - I've just checked the photos of mine when loaded up in the boot and with 4 bikes and it was nowhere near as low at the back as yours so I wonder if the 1.6CR 4x4 has softer springs???

Ok checked out the Yeti, nice to drive, but just not quite big enough boot. Also checked out the Superb, very nice, but with 4x4 only with the 170 engine, or 140 dsg, both of which have big impacts on my company car tax.

So one last question (Hopefully). Nit Picking I know, but is the Interior Silver Trim highlight round the Stereo, Dash, and Doors plain on the Octavia 4x4 as per the S and SE, or is it Silver, dappled with black dots as per the Elegance?

Pretty certain the trim pattern is specific to the Elegance only, but I might be wrong. I have a Scout and that has plain silver trim.

Plain

I can only comment on the Haldex 4x4 system, not the actual car or engine (i have a 170 Suerb Estate 4x4) and did fit Vredestine Wintrac tyres to it last year (on 18" rims) and it never let me down - infact, it was EXCELLENT - as has already been said, the Haldex 4 based system is fab - more info from WiKi here

Al.

Thanks for that, I'm sure my 5 year old can convert the plain trim to the dappled trim with the aid of a permanent marker pen. (Ruler optional). What could go wrong?