Hi everyone, new member here. I have just taken delivery of my brand new Octavia Estate, a 1.6 diesel SE Plus. I already love my car, it's great to drive, feels really well built, is comfy and has plenty of gadgets to explore. However, I have got a nagging feeling that perhaps it is a little underpowered and I should have gone for the 2.0 diesel. I chose the 1.6 because it is cheaper (although only by £500 or so), it averages around 5 miles more per gallon across all areas and finally it is slightly cheaper on VED. I test drove one for a day and it seemed OK even on a dual carriageway. The salesman, hardly surprisngly gave me the spiel, saying he had a 1.6 and often forgot it was "only" a 1.6. To all those of you who have the 1.6 what are your honest thoughts about this engine size? Do you notice a lack of power on the motorway, especially if your car is loaded up? I am going to Kent in 3 weeks and the cavernous boot will be full, I will also have the wife and two kids in tow. I am hoping my car will be OK. My wife has a 1.9 Fabia (57 plate) and when I see how much bigger the Octavia is I am becoming a little concerned that I have let a little thrifty shortsightedness over rule a more sensible engine size.

Welcome to Briskoda!

The choice is simple, performance or economy, some engines offer a nice mix of both but non excel in both areas.

1.6 TDi is great for economy and is no slouch.

2.0 TDi is plenty powerful enough but likes a drink.

The 1.6 TDi is a great engine and it happens to be fitted to a very capable car, forget about the 2.0 TDi and enjoy your new motor!

I don´t know how many kms had the one you tried for a day, but like mine only over 15000km was when the engine started to get loose along with less mpg.

Do use the break in process like they say in the book, then don´t need to worry, and yes in 5th going along at about 100km/h, just floor it and it will reach 140/150km/h in little time.

Here´s a small video of mine in fifth

http://imageshack.us...os/864/u4x.mp4/

Edited 2 July, 201213 yr by alberg

When you look at your mix of miles how often will it be fully laden and a bit slugggish.

Rest of the time you trade those few hours of sluggish for MPG and lower tax and adiquate performance

(was there an insurance difference as well?)

Edited 3 July, 201213 yr by P&N

Mine is now 4 months old with a brand new wing and door but thats another story. I thought the same as you, as I came from a MondeoTDCi 130 and that had a lot of low end grunt and fast for a big car. I noticed the difference on the way to work up a tricky bank, with a few twists. Had to drop down to 4th, whereas before the Mondeo would just pull and pull.On the motorway, never had a problem as it pulls strongly all the way.I have just done a week in France, 2 adults + Fat Black Lab + boot full of gear and it never missed a beat, and is certainly much more responsive now. I did follow the recomendation of running in for 1500 miles, so no harsh acceleration and keeping it below 2500 rpm, but that's not hard to do. I bet its much better after your hols.I have now 4500 miles and its running well, although I still don't like the clutch. I get a vibration through it when changing up 1st to 2nd is more noticable, and when stop start driving sepecially up hills or slip roads when you have to put a bit of revs on.2 weeks in a Toyata Yaris loan car certainly makes you realise what sluggish and unresponsive really means

Edited 3 July, 201213 yr by ianbenny

My 1.6 is on 56000 miles. I came from a Mk1 Fabia VRs so a PD130 and notice a bit of difference but not significant. Cracking motor in a cracking car (being the greenline helps though with £30 tax and no less than 65mpg!).

This engine is great in the Fabia and had no issues with it being underpowered. Came from a MK1 fabia 2.0 elegance petrol and the performance in comparable but with twice the fuel ecomomy.

It did take a while to run in, mine is now at 3700 miles and drives much better than it did at 1000 and my mpg is up 5 since then too.

However in Octy guise you are carrying at least 200-300kg more.

I find our 1.6 TDI very adequate, in the Octavia hatch, as a direct replacment for the renowned 1.9TDI in a 1998 Galaxy.

The clincher is the behavouir of the DSG when meeting inclines or wishing to overtake, quite fabulous in these respects.

I am pleased with our choice, her was run in by simply driving normally, Motorways an all, at 80 odd, let the gearbox pick the cogs.

Now at over 30,000 miles and uses NO engine oil, or so little as to be of no consequence between 18,600 mile services.

PS

The 1.6 is after all a direct replacment for the 110HP 1.9 TDI.

I would presume in due course "hotter" varients of the 1.6TDI will be introduced, 125PS sounds about right.

Cheers

M

I bought the 1.6SE a couple of years ago. When I went to test-drive they only had the 1.9 and I was told it would be the same performance as both produced 105BHP. When I collected my car it felt like it had much less 'grunt' than the 1.9, but was much quieter and smoother. For me, the big plus of the 1.6SE is the amazing economy (over 60mpg average) and £30 road tax and cheap insurance - my annual motoring costs have fallen considerably. I love it.

This has puzzled me for months and I'm still not sure.

Can 105 horses and 184 foot pounds from a 1.6 really feel like or have the same "quality" as 105 horses and 184 torques from a 1.9 ?

Most answers are a bit bendy. Yes but. or generally. Or why would you load up your car that much. Or how often do you need to go any faster than ----(fill in blank)

Signed puzzled/not sure/ doubtfull..

Problem is no test drive will ever fully help you choose. Oh dear !! I think I'll buy a Dacia.

Well...........yes.........................SI units is SI units and numbers is numbers.

But it may be the somewhat "gruffer" power delivery of the somewhat racous 1.9 lump made it FEEL faster.

Akinda to support this proposition, a very well engineered car, Merc s class, 7 series BMW will never "feel" like it is going as fast as it IS .........................until one looks at the speedo ( blue flashing lights might well be involved)

Wheras a "buzz" box of a 107 type vehicle is more go-cart like and feels to be travelling faster in comparison.

It is all in the engineering.

Plus re the power & torque from low capacity engines.........vis-a-vis older large capaciy engines .....................try a drive in the wee squirt of a PETROL 1.2TSI.

It in my experience drove like the 1.9TDI VW lump, in that I stepped straight out of a "tweeked" TDI engined car, straight into a 1.2TSI Yeti .............................and NEVER stalled it once!! ....................despite urban driving and very light use of my stubbornly diesel educated right foot.

I was truely astounded.

Technology Eh!!

Edited 4 July, 201213 yr by dieseldogg

Does the 1.6 have a dpf???

Does the 1.6 have a dpf???

Yes it does.

Edited 5 July, 201213 yr by flying pig

Overall, I've got to agree.

We have a '11' plate 1.6Tdi estate & it's a great car.

Then again, it's quite doubtful that it'll be fully loaded at any point (maybe in terms of volume, but not weight), & there's no signs of previously fitted towing gear (I always look at vehicles for this

SWMBO uses it a lot for her business trips to South Wales, & regularly turns in 55MPG+, compared to the 32MPG (max average!!) from the C-Max we previously had (1.8 petrol)

Any problems with the DPFs like lose of power and how much roughly to have the DPF removed

Any problems with the DPFs like lose of power and how much roughly to have the DPF removed

The problem is not removing de DPF, problem is remapping the ECU so you wold not have dash lights, such as engine, limp modes

No remaps yet, rumour goes that it´s in tests.

The 140hp TDI people have done this

Edited 5 July, 201213 yr by alberg

Hmmmm.

So if/when our DPF fails, remove DPF, re-map with an "off the shelf" electronic package, and if need be stick a disposable filter somewhere in the exhaust....................for the MOT only..................... remove after the MOT test.............................and anyway only if they introduce particulate testing in our MOT.

Simples.

(how fine do air filters go down, perhaps soak it in fine oil/diesel if not sufficiently fine for the pm10 particles)

btw i understand the HGV's/44tonne boys have already got an electronic "work-around" for their urea equipped engines.

Progress Eh!

Edited 5 July, 201213 yr by dieseldogg

No issues with 1.6; even in 4x4 drive train. Chose smaller engine for exact same reasons as O-P and not regretting it some 28K miles later.

Anyone else have a vibrating clutch pedal?

Whats a clutch? :think:

That was some kind of meadieval instrument of torture warnt it?

DSG :love: all the way

55 mpg after 1200miles so far. I find that you have to be in the correct gear for good pull. Apart from that its fine.

Can anyone tell me how to change the km/h reading on the bottom of the computer to MPH (Not maxidot) 1.6 TDI Elegance.

Cheers.

Anyone know a VAGCOM to get my DRL turned on, Dont want to have to drive back to dealer in edinburgh (AC)

The Skoda Garage in Broxburn wanted to charge me for it as I did not buy the car from him.

55 mpg after 1200miles so far. I find that you have to be in the correct gear for good pull. Apart from that its fine.

Can anyone tell me how to change the km/h reading on the bottom of the computer to MPH (Not maxidot) 1.6 TDI Elegance.

Cheers.

Anyone know a VAGCOM to get my DRL turned on, Dont want to have to drive back to dealer in edinburgh (AC)

The Skoda Garage in Broxburn wanted to charge me for it as I did not buy the car from him.

55mpg from a 1.6 sounds a bit low, I would have expected more like 65 (I get 50+ out of my Scout on runs).

To Change km reading to mph use vcds to change country code to Australia.

And yes should be simple to turn drl on with vcds.

Whats a clutch? :think:

That was some kind of meadieval instrument of torture warnt it?

DSG :love: all the way

You are soooo right!!

I am now considering seriously trading in for a DSG in September. I have lost heart in this car after getting hit and run last month. I know it's going to cost me dearly, but as the 20% offer is still on and £500 deposit contribution I am very tempted.

Got my 11 plate Greenline II Estate on 12k miles and it's now just clocked over 22k, still love driving it.

When driving alone in the car the 1.6 is enough for me, easily able to get me into trouble and put a smile on my face. Torque is immense in 2nd gear and dropping off in third, by 4th it's smooth driving.

I bought the car to fit a new addition to the family in. With us all packed in, two adults, two children a baby and her buggy and stuff there is quite a bit more weight. You do notice it more and i'm sure the 2.0 CR engine would handle it much better, but the increased costs and loss of fuel efficiency simply wouldn't balance up.

I've got a roof rack with two cycle carriers on it, so am not going to get optimum mpg motorway cruising, but todays 140mile round trip with everybody in still returned me 65mpg traveling at 65 mph, the versatility of this car is just too good.

My 1.6tdi celebrated 2 years old yesterday

The gift was 2 new tires, out with Bridgestone Turanza ER300 and in with Goodyear, they where on promotion.