Hi all,

In just over a week we will be trading in our W-reg Fabia 1.4 MPI Classic for an 04-reg Octavia 1.9 TDI Elegance. We've had almost three years of excellent motoring from the Fabia (barring various sensors failing), but need something bigger and newer. The Octavia we're getting (old shape), and we were really impressed with the test drive we had at Elmside Garage during the week. Looks very nice in Black Magic Metallic and large alloy wheels.

I would be interested to hear any comments - nice things, things to watch out for, etc. - about our soon to be car. There were a few cosmetic type issues which the dealer will be putting right before we collect, but nothing major at all. Any experiences with engine, equipment, electrics, etc.? I'm also interested to know exactly what we might expect from "variable servicing"? Does this mean it is only serviced when it asks, or should it have an annual inspection and old change anyway?

Thanks in advance.

I have bought my Octavia 2 months ago. Now it has 6000 Km. Nice car, big (very big some times...) but quite "empty" inside. Be carfull with the portbagage (how you call the back part of the car :( ) because when its rain and you open the 5th door, waters came inside.

My car has 193ps and it a very nice feeling seeing some BMWs or Mercedez beeing slower!!!!

I'm also interested to know exactly what we might expect from "variable servicing"? Does this mean it is only serviced when it asks, or should it have an annual inspection and old change anyway?

On variable servicing there are no set service intervals and, depending on how you drive your car and the conditions of use, a service will be required anywhere between 9000 miles up to a maximum of 30000 miles or 24 months (whichever is the soonest). You must use a spec VW 506 01 Longlife oil (PD engine) and top up with that between services. You will see a warning message in the indicator display when a service is imminent (normally 1000 miles beforehand).

Thanks for the tips - all very helpful.

We picked up the car yesterday and it looks lovely and drives brilliantly. Sad to say goodbye to our Fabia though.

No real work required to be done on the Octavia bar oiling the little cup holder thingy by the handbrake - the dealer (Elmside Garage) did a very good job in terms of preparation, and we bought a set of genuine car mats for

Thanks for the tips - all very helpful.

We picked up the car yesterday and it looks lovely and drives brilliantly. Sad to say goodbye to our Fabia though.

No real work required to be done on the Octavia bar oiling the little cup holder thingy by the handbrake - the dealer (Elmside Garage) did a very good job in terms of preparation, and we bought a set of genuine car mats for