I'm contemplating replacing my 54 plate 2.0 TDI 140 Ambiente hatchback. Its been a great motor - 142K from new but, although the engine is probably good for another 100K, too many things are wearing out and it's starting to cost money.

My main requirements are loads of boot space (for the dog's cage and luggage), best possible fuel economy and space for a baby seat in the back.

I'm thinking Greenline II but haven't driven one yet - then again I could go for a Fabia Estate Greenline or even the Rooomster Greenline.

The smaller engine doesn't really bother me but I've no experience of the start/stop technology and have visions of sitting in a queue of traffic with the starter motor turning and nothing happening.

Is it reliable and is it worth considering?

I picked up my Greenline II company car two weeks ago today. So far I've covered 1,600 miles and I'm really pleased with it.

I'm also relieved as I couldn't get a test drive in one before I ordered it

The engine pulls strongly and is plenty quick enough and although the gearing is long you quickly get used to it. The ride quality is excellent.

The stop start is pretty intuitive although a bit unnerving the first time you try it. It always starts instantly and it is really quite peaceful sat at the lights with no engine on. I've got the car for the next three years and 90,000 miles so time will tell how well it works at a higher mileage. If you don't get on with it there is always a button on the dash to turn the stop/start off.

Economy so far is averaging at 55mpg with a maximum of 65mpg on a run back from the lakes to the East Midlands. This isn't as good as what's advertised but it's still pretty good for a car of this size. It will be interesting to see how this changes when the engine loosens up.

As I've said mine is a company car and I choose it specifically for the ultra low BIK/company car tax as I'm fed up of giving my money to the tax man. If I was a private buyer I'm not sure that I would find the extra cost of this model would be worth it as I don't think it will pay you back that much compared to a std 1.6 tdi.

The problem with the Greenline (and the S and SE) is the lack of front fogs / DRL's.

I appreciate its probably just me but the Octavia just doesn't look right without them.

Anyway the Greenline is great, my boss has one and loves the 65mpg. As above the stop/start can be turned off.

I've just had a Seat Ibiza as a loan car for a week with the 1.6 CR105 TDi engine and was impressed

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'm in two minds about the Greenline now - I've put together a spreadsheet that shows money saved through a combination of MPG and VED based on a variety of mileages per year and over 1-7 years.

If I go for the same engine in an SE or even and Elegance, there's not an awful lot in it at todays fuel costs. I suppose if fuel get very much more expensive, then the Greenline will become better value.

Also, Octavia's are on 20% off (VAT Free) at the moment but only certain models are 0% finance (not the Greenlines) - if I was to finance an Elegance at 0% I think it may be cheaper over 5 years than the Greenline.

Hmmm. This isn't very straight forward now. Back to my spreadsheet...

..and I'm off to testdrive a Greenline tomorrow.

Edited 1 February, 201214 yr by catzi

I had the choice between a SE Plus and Greenline II. To be honest I would had the SE Plus over the Greenline II except that it didn't come with ESP and as I was getting a "stock" car I didn't have much to choose from. Having said that I'm very pleased with the Greenline II and the only thing I probably miss from the SE plus would have been the Bluetooth (as the Greenline had a Amundsen instead of the Bolero anyway)

They are doing %0 over five years! Mines only over 2.

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'm in two minds about the Greenline now - I've put together a spreadsheet that shows money saved through a combination of MPG and VED based on a variety of mileages per year and over 1-7 years.

If I go for the same engine in an SE or even and Elegance, there's not an awful lot in it at todays fuel costs. I suppose if fuel get very much more expensive, then the Greenline will become better value.

Also, Octavia's are on 20% off (VAT Free) at the moment but only certain models are 0% finance (not the Greenlines) - if I was to finance an Elegance at 0% I think it may be cheaper over 5 years than the Greenline.

Hmmm. This isn't very straight forward now. Back to my spreadsheet...

..and I'm off to testdrive a Greenline tomorrow.

Well forget your spreadsheet check this site out it what we use for our company cars,

Click on the Tools button and the car running costs.

Then select the milage / months and then make and model.

It will then give you all the info you need in a Cost ppm ( pence per mile ) forthat given model.

This includes average servicing and tyres and fuel.

Fleetnews

Cheers Ruffday that site is the business. As it turns out only the Octavia Elegance models are available on 0% finance (although as the previous poster noted only over two years and with 50% deposit). I'm now looking at the Octavia Elegance 16TDi Estate this compares favourably with the Greenline both in terms of running cost and overall price especially when taking 0% finance versus regular finance into account.

I took the Greenline Estate out on test drive and thought it drove well - perhaps better than I'd thought it would. Not as quick as my 140 TDi but responsive enough. I also like the fact that with the estate that the rear passenger doors are full height - it will make getting our toddler out of his car seat much easier - the swoop on the hatchback makes this really quite awkward.

I have been using that site for a fewyears now and find it really useful.

Im looking to change mine in around 6-7 months and was wondering how the 1.6 TDi was in comparison to others.

Im going to have an extended drive in one soon. It wont match my 1.8TSi but thats now out of my Company car budget.

Im looking at an Elegance estate in solid Red with sunset glass and the 17 inch wheel package. Should look nice.

Im looking at an Elegance estate in solid Red with sunset glass and the 17 inch wheel package. Should look nice.

My current Octavia has 17 inch alloys - which look great - but I'm fed up with the ludicrous cost of 17 inch rubber. I was using Continentals for a while (which seemed to wear really well)but last time I got them renewed Kwikfit wanted £600 for four! Even going online, the difference in cost between 16" and 17" is significant.

Since I'm now in money-saving mode I'm actually looking forward to 16 inch alloys!

Well I have 16s on my TSi elegance at the moment and I have tried a few different tyres and I think Goodyear are a very good allrounder plenty of grip and wear quite well and they are quiet as well.

17s wont worry me as its a company car so I dont pay for them.

I nearly went for an octavia greenline as my new company car, but was disappointed with the level of spec that a greenline has ( cloth interior, no front fogs etc ).

Purely by chance when I was in the showroom I glanced at the superb and thought that's got to be way more expensive - its worked out 2k more expensive for a greenline superb SE spec compared to the octavia. Same engine, gearbox, stop start etc but 100kg heavier but WAY more spec as standard ( half alcantara half leather, parking sensors, front fogs, bigger boot etc) So that's what I ordered - should be collecting it next week.

I nearly went for an octavia greenline as my new company car, but was disappointed with the level of spec that a greenline has ( cloth interior, no front fogs etc ).

Purely by chance when I was in the showroom I glanced at the superb and thought that's got to be way more expensive - its worked out 2k more expensive for a greenline superb SE spec compared to the octavia. Same engine, gearbox, stop start etc but 100kg heavier but WAY more spec as standard ( half alcantara half leather, parking sensors, front fogs, bigger boot etc) So that's what I ordered - should be collecting it next week.

I agree that the Superb is a nicer car and that's what I would have gone for but the emissions are just that bit higher. For this year you'll pay the same rate of company car tax but in the coming years the rate of tax will increase more for the superb than the Octavia.

It is still a cheap way of getting a new car but I'm so fed up of the tax man screwing me for every penny I've got that I'm stuffed if I'm going to let them have any more of my hard earned cash

My car list had most cars on the market up to the Audi A4 Avant and included the full lineup of the Skoda range. I'd have loved the Superb Estate 4x4 ... but like I said I'll take the cloth seats, no fog lights etc if it means less money to the tax man and more in my pocket.

I have been thinking about the Greenline as well. I like the £0 tax and better economy but like has already been said, the spec of the car is basic. The Greenline II does not even have a rear wiper! I think the elegance trim would be a better bet in the long run with the 1.6 CR engine.