Hello, thinking of buying this car from local Skoda dealer D M Keith

Only 50k on the clock and drives like new.

I want it for my family car and to tow the caravan.

Also because its a 2.0 petrol engine I was thinking of getting it converted to run on LPG at Leeds LPG, just round the corner from me and seem to be recommended.

Six speed gear box and 4 wheel drive should be just what I need.

Does anyone know anything about these as they seem quite rare?

Any bad points? I guess it was replaced by the Scout.

Thanks

Rob Leeds

Why not a diesel for towing?

Because its cheaper, diesels cost a fortune.

At least no turbo lag like the Renault Laguna 1.9DCI it would be replacing

You don't mention your mileage per year

Not that I am trying to put you off, just asking - I guess you have done your maths anyway

I was wondering about the reliability etc of the four wheel drive system, gearbox and clutch, if its any good in snow/mud? I know it won't be like a Land Rover but should be better than the Laguna on caravan rallies in wet fields.

I know how good the VW/Skoda Diesel engines are but not so much the petrol. The dealer said it was a VW engine found in a Golf or Audi A4 do they have problems? Anything to look for?

Thanks

Rob

The Scout didn't replace the 4x4, they are were sold alongside each other. Both models have recently been discontinued until the launch of the new Octavia MkIII sometime next year. This is pushing up their prices.

Also be aware that dealers know the value of Scout's and 4x4's in the run up to autumn/winter so prices will start to get even firmer over the next few months.

Under the fancy body of the Scout is a standard 4x4 Octavia estate (excluding the metal sump guard on the Scout).

If you can do without the bell's and whistles of the Scout then the 4x4 (especially with a petrol engine) is an absolute bargain, and incredibly rare.

As the alloy's are already 16" then the choice of winter tyres is as good as it gets. With a set of winters on the 4x4 is almost unstoppable in snow/ice.

A 4x4 is only as good as it's tyres. If you get stuck it doesn't matter how many wheels are spinning. If they are spinning then you are stuck! The Octavia 4x4 use's VAG's Haldex system (search for Haldex on either this or the Yeti forum to see lot's of video's of it in action) which has been fitted to Audi Quattro's for a lot of years. Check the Haldex has had fresh oil every 40,000 miles (so at least once in this car's life) and get the car up on some ramps to check the seals on the Haldex and rear diff as these can perish and leak over time.

For towing the extra ride height and grip will be a big bonus. Be warned the rear suspension on all Octavia's is quite softly sprung which does often result in them sitting very low with a big caravan on the back.

As has already been mentioned a 2.0 litre petrol 4x4 will be a lot thirstier than your 1.9 litre diesel Laguna (and also much more reliable!) so make sure you do your sums.

Edited 16 September, 201213 yr by silver1011

The petrol is very juicy even when your not towing. It's geared very low for a petrol. The diesel will always be a better towing vehicle, but for the price the petrols are going for compared to the diesel you will be getting a bargain.

This is a fair point, 2.0 FSI's are dirt cheap

I looked at a 2.0 FSI 4x4 a couple of years ago with this in mind but at the time it wasn't possible to fit LPG to the FSI so I left the idea there. Make sure you find an experienced LPG place that has done FSI conversions before. There is a bit more to converting them than most ofther engines due to them being direct injection. They have to use a system that runs on both petrol and gas to avoid the injectors/valves overheating. There may be a few systems about now but I'm not sure.

I'm loving my 4x4 1.9 TDI. Its a little slow at the moment but hopefully some shark attention should sort that out.

Cheers,

Mark.

Edited 16 September, 201213 yr by MarkyTDI

I take it all back! AVOID!

I've just seen that it is 'Sahara Beige Metallic'.

Just kidding (you might notice that I'm not a big fan of beige!).

I had Sahara Beige. I quite liked it, though my wife called it "Grandad Gold" LOL

It was meant as tongue-in-cheek gest, we all know how immotive a subject colour is on Briskoda!

If we all favoured the exact same colour the world would be a very boring place

ha ha no not my favourite colour but I need a good car, 4x4 is a real plus, I've wanted a skoda as our main car for years and the Laguna is dead!

Great car and can't see the colour from the inside

I think Grandad gold is a good name ha ha

Thanks for the replys

PS I wanted a Diesel Superb really with around 50k ish but couldn't find one

In estate form?

The Superb estate is still relatively new and the cheapest are still around £12,000+.

Edited 16 September, 201213 yr by silver1011

In estate form?

The Superb estate is still relatively new and the cheapest are still around £12,000+.

Yeah too much money for me (Estate Mk2) but a Mk1 Superb saloon would be fine. Saw a couple but quite far away.

I think beige is also referred to as "Jewish Racing Gold" LOL

Just walked up to Leeds LPG, it was all locked up with no body there.

The sign says open Monday to Saturday 8am until 6pm but 9.15 this morning it was shut!

Have they gone under or is it just Monday morning running late?

Also another company only a couple of miles away West Yorkshire Autogas. I know this company have been doing conversions for years as I used to do deliveries round there but are they any good?

Ta, Rob

Sahara Beige is a great colour if you hate cleaning cars, it can be filthy & still look OK

Edited 17 September, 201213 yr by Stuart_J

Leeds LPG seems to have shut down, been back and closed.

Went to west yorkshire autogas instead, nice bloke with good honest advice.

He said the FSI is very hard to convert so much so he won't do them. He also said even if you do get it done it needs to use so much petrol as well as gas so no real saving :-(

So I think the Petrol Octavia is maybe a no then.