Hi,

I've read through the guides etc on the forum (very useful thank you!)

I am hoping to go and look at this car http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/skoda-octavia-estate-18t-4x4-elegance-2002-1550-ono/96689981#gallery-item-full-1 today though and wondered if there was anything specific I needed to check for on the 4x4 - how do you know if the diff is ok etc?

apparently toothed belt was done in 2010 at 110k but only has 9 stamps in the book. Seems to be a family who have owned it and from the pics condition looks good.

Any advice before i lay out the hard earned?

cheers,

5t.

If there's a yellow warning light on the dash, which won't go away by pressing the ESP button, there might be a problem.

The only way to truely test the Haldex unit is to drive the car.

You need a roundabout.

Preferably one with no traffic, reasonable size and decent consistent road surface, ideally wet.

Go round and round slowly building up the speed/aggressiveness of the corning.

That should tell whether you've power to rear, and to some extent how much.

Welcome to the fourm !

I owned one for over 9 years and loved it. You can check the Haldex by stopping on wet grass, or better still snow, then seeing if the car is able to pull away without spinning the front wheels. A full service history is highly desirable including cambelt and water pump change within the past 4 years. The impeller on the latter can break up. And check with the seller whether the coil packs have been changed FOC in the last year by a Skoda dealer. If not, it is worth asking a dealer whether or not the car is eligible for that update.

Also check the rear tailgate for rust

Thanks all. Haldex... is that basically the traction control/abs?

From the general review I was more concerned about the oil sludge issue. At least it seems to have had the suspension sorted.

What are the views on the price? Look ok for the cash?

If I buy it I'll be hanging around as I always join the clubs/boards for whatever I own, the advice, as above is invaluable!

Previously had a Subaru WRX wagon and after a Touring BMW looking to move back to the 4x4 turbo world but without the Scooby insurance costs!

5t.

Haldex is the type of 4x4 system

In standard form, you might be a bit dissapointed in how an Octavia 4x4 handles.

The vehicle is designed for rough roads (basically a cheap all-road), and as such the OEM springs, shocks and ARBs' are very soft.

Where to start on a 4x4 1.8T Octavia

Top link thanks. The Scooby was a lot more wallowy than the old ones (classed as a newage blob eye) and after that it was a Merc C class that had more roll than a picnic so as long as it feels composed it'll get the nod.

It's more having a comfy car to commute to work in and something safe to cart the wee one around in when needed!

surprised that owners don't rate the handling so much though. all the reviews say it's great!

5t.

ok so a chat with the owner reveals:

oil change last june/july when the suspension was swapped (one spring broke so they did them all + shocks)

belts changed 2010 along with haldex coupling

He's only the 3rd owner, had the car since 2009

Lots of bills/old Mot's from previous owners

Skoda for 1st four years servicing (perhaps coils swapped?)

No advisories on MOT

bad points

two front tyres on way out

no note that water pump was done with belts (any chance it's a better metal one?? if not, how much just to swap that?)

Some small (he says really small) rust bubbles showing under the rear window. Is this likely to mean the whole thing is already rotten or can I sand it, krust it and re-paint it in time to save it?

Looks like it might be worth the cash if I can haggle a bit....

5t.

Where's the rust?

ok so a chat with the owner reveals:

oil change last june/july when the suspension was swapped (one spring broke so they did them all + shocks)

belts changed 2010 along with haldex coupling

He's only the 3rd owner, had the car since 2009

Lots of bills/old Mot's from previous owners

Skoda for 1st four years servicing (perhaps coils swapped?)

No advisories on MOT

bad points

two front tyres on way out

no note that water pump was done with belts (any chance it's a better metal one?? if not, how much just to swap that?)

Some small (he says really small) rust bubbles showing under the rear window. Is this likely to mean the whole thing is already rotten or can I sand it, krust it and re-paint it in time to save it?

Looks like it might be worth the cash if I can haggle a bit....

5t.

I bought a similar 51 (02) 4x4 elegance estate in December there for 1800 but was advertised at 1999 with FSH (not skoda) and 114000 again in very good nick with a similar amount of MOT and TAX and I haven't looked back.

The tyres I would use to haggle but aren't that expensive as fairly common size now (205/55 R16)

The rust bubbles again try and Haggle but as these cars are Galvanized and have a 10year anti rust warranty, I would get it to Skoda ASAP to get them to look at it as I did. I got the coilpacks recall done and got the rear tailgate done on warranty as it had rust either side of the number plate plinth. They painted the whole tailgate, new plates plynth , lights and badges and waxed and clayed the car for me. Henry's Skoda Glasgow so far Excellent service.

Looks a good car so I would go for it mate and haggle, haggle , haggle, oh and save for the petrol bill

Must read it better lol, rust under the rear window can be a problem. IF I was you id ask a few body shops for a quote as it may mean the whole rear screen taking out and they are bonded in

tailgate rust is very common - source replacement tailgate?

no note that water pump was done with belts (any chance it's a better metal one?? if not, how much just to swap that?)

The cambelt needs removing to replace the water pump - so not cheap. I would keep my fingers crossed and wait until the next cambelt change is due.

Thanks all.

BigPhil - always good to hear positive stories. Are dealers pricey? I'd probably go for an independent in the first instance but if the dealers aren't bad then. I'm only in Falkirk so Glasgow isn't a disaster. Plus, if it goes wrong at least there someone on here to get a second opinion off

Raf - I wasn't sure on the rust zone so interesting to know. I think BigPhil might have dropped on though, I can't see Skoda picking it up outside warranty. I reckon it's worth a look though going on feedback.

STSKODA - are they all likely to be the same? (not sure if it depends on which factory it came out of/where the steel was sourced from like with Mercs

DGW - Reckon it's worth the risk?

5t.

Hi, If you get it, get it into Skoda ASAP and try the warranty 1st. Like I said I had my Tailgate done under warranty. Here is the thread about it:http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/225695-rusty-tailgate-and-warranty/

I see your (potential) car is an 02 plate. My Car is a 51 plate but registered 31/01/2002 I went into the dealer around the 21/01/2012 so days left of the anti-rust warranty. They took some pics sent it to Skoda and got a phonecall about a week and a half later to say Skoda will honour the warranty and sort it

So worth a try before you go and spend money on it. Check the Log Book for the date. I got it all free courtesy of Skoda and a new octavia to swan around in for a week while they did it.