pretty sure if I left a petrol station with a full tank, I'd pass at least one other before the tank was empty, in which case I'd fill up again. I don't plan my fill ups with military precision, if it's getting empty I fill up, before my life becomes so empty that all I think of is filling up at two week intervals. HTH

You can't please all the people all the time. I want Skoda to build a 5 door 4wd that can crack 200mph, runs on petrol, does 1000 miles to a tank and only costs £30 to fill. I want this but whether or not it's actually possible is another thing. Not unless they invent a time machine to about 20 years ago when fuel was cheaper. Skoda have their reasons for what they do and have to appeal to as many people as possible. If the tank isn't big enough then put another in the boot. Plenty of room there.

Interesting to see a 'Sports Suspension' option. Eibachs from the mk2 or just a couple of Czech bricks hidden in the boot?

I love the factory sports suspension that came with the 17" upgrade. First thing swmbo checked was an option as she didn't like the standard setup on a loaner she's had.

No sign of radar assisted cruise control (set distance from car in front)? And what's that ability for the car to read road signs I heard about?

I'm sure I saw it as an extra on the elegance?

Sorry editor has messed up text size and won't let me change

Sorry editor has messed up text size and won't let me change

Can you not get Admin to sort it out,,,,,,,,,,,,,,oh, hang on

OK, I see where this is going, how about this:

Up to 4 years ago, there were exactly 2 cars in VAG brands range (VW, Audi, Skoda, Seat) that had following qualities if you configured them from factory:

high speed

long range

rugged suspension with underbody protection, actually now needed also on UK roads as they got worse.

simple enough to maintain (ie no air suspension / auto box)

winter equipment (electric air heater or parking heater)

understated image (reduces incidence of vandalism/theft)

Those 2 cars were Skoda Superb Mk1 and Skoda Octavia Mk2. As a bonus, Octy Mk2 was also fun to drive.

Superb Mk2 got slower, Now Octavia Mk3 shortened range and got rid of full sized spare, and it will only be fun to drive in diesel version if you get a vRS or a 4x4 (others have budget rear suspension).

So, if VAG/Skoda want to sell cars to average narrow minded muppets who only go to shops and to/from work then yes, by all means the new Octavia fills these needs very well as is evident from recent responses. But notice that Korean cars fill these needs equally well but at a 20% price discount and a full 7 years warranty included in the price.

The point I am consistently making is that by shrinking fuel tank, removing the spare and bodging the suspension, the new Octy may cater for needs of say 90% current Skoda car users, but Skoda brand is bound to lose the remaining 10% customers completely. In fact because this spare removal/fuel tank shrinking madness happens all over VW Group, I daresay that not just Skoda will lose the 10%, entire VAG will. Ironic given that after fantastic experience owning Mk1 Octavia and Superb, I'd pay 50%-100% more just to get another car that works rather than just looks.

Finally, save the 50s comments BS (BraunSchweig, of course), go to petrol station and see for yourself on a weekend how many blokes turn up in either family or girl's cars. Just because you seem to fight for women's right to refuel the cars themselves does not mean they enjoy doing this. Refueling trip gives me also a chance to look over a car I do not normally drive and spot any potential trouble etc.

Edited 17 January, 201313 yr by dieselV6

Not sure why you are arguing the toss over the tank shrinking.....the new car is a fair bit lighter than the outgoing one and is having to drag around 10 litres less of fuel when full. It also benefits from more efficient powerplants with eco tech such as stop start and brake regen. Id bet the 10% tank decrease will be countered by the weight loss and greater engine efficiency.

My greatest concern is that at their proposed list prices with no discount they do not represent good value; glad ive bought one of the last Blackline estates personally

The point I am consistently making

You are indeed.

No doubt the others will deal with the narrow minded muppets comment.

You can't please all the people all the time. I want Skoda to build a 5 door 4wd that can crack 200mph, runs on petrol, does 1000 miles to a tank and only costs £30 to fill. I want this but whether or not it's actually possible is another thing. Not unless they invent a time machine to about 20 years ago when fuel was cheaper. Skoda have their reasons for what they do and have to appeal to as many people as possible. If the tank isn't big enough then put another in the boot. Plenty of room there.

185bhp 2.0CR diesel as planned in Octy 3 is enough for autobahn. 4x4 is nice but I lived without it, up to 3-4 years ago 60l was average fuel tank size (VW using 55-70l and other manufacturers using 60-75l), and spare wheel well was also in the car, it actually cost extra effort and retooling to reshape it in new design.

So I'd say all that would be needed to satisfy the exaggerated demands of this SUK customer muppet (=myself), would be for Skoda/VAG to not give in to temptation of excessive cost cutting and inflating fuel economy numbers.

Not sure why you are arguing the toss over the tank shrinking.....the new car is a fair bit lighter than the outgoing one and is having to drag around 10 litres less of fuel when full. It also benefits from more efficient powerplants with eco tech such as stop start and brake regen. Id bet the 10% tank decrease will be countered by the weight loss and greater engine efficiency.

My greatest concern is that at their proposed list prices with no discount they do not represent good value; glad ive bought one of the last Blackline estates personally

Agreed 100% on poor value for money. Rapid is even worse.

Regarding fuel tank (and removal of spare wheel), at motorway speed and above even extra 50kg weight does not matter, it is air drag that matters. Newer engines are unlikely to be more efficient, they likely are better tuned to pass the lame 25 deg C ambient rolling road fuel economy test.

Finally, I'd have stopped posting on Octy 3 a long time ago, if I had a genuine alternative car in VW stable to choose from.

But VAG now makes cars that are either fast and long range (e.g. A6 quattro V6, now missing spare and with auto box only ) or reliable (e.g. 2.0CR 170bhp Mk2 Superb, not fast enough). I need a car that can do fast, long range, reliable and rugged. Mk1 Superb and Mk2 Octavia were fast and long range, could be made rugged, and were very reliable.

No doubt the others will deal with the narrow minded muppets comment.

So I'd say all that would be needed to satisfy the exaggerated demands of this SUK customer muppet (=myself), would be for Skoda/VAG to not give in to temptation of excessive cost cutting and inflating fuel economy numbers..

From VAG/SUK perspective, we are all muppets waiting to be robbed

OK, I've had enough - talk of the fuel tank size has totally hijacked this thread, the technical thread and probably others!!

It is a tedious and pointless discussion - one or two comments were enough dieselv6, not repeating the same point ad nauseum.

Now it is beyond a joke and quite frankly I wish the admins would step in...

Please stop....before I shoot myself......

BACK TO THE THREAD TOPIC PLEASE.....

One thing affecting running costs is that the EA211 petrol engines are now all back on cambelts instead of camchains, I've seen a typical price of £600 to change being bandied out by SUK. Although these may be higher mileage parts (100k), SUK and VAG UK still seem to insist on a 4 yr change (please correct me if I'm wrong)

On the other hand, our american cousins are stating its a non-replacement timing belt

Who is right?

Edited 17 January, 201313 yr by xman

I was looking forward to seeing Skoda UK release a 1.8TSi with DSG in full Superb Elegance trim

I.E. with full leather, xenons, Columbus, electric seats etc

Why have What Car and Autocar tested a 1.8TSI if it is not going to be available in UK?

Cambelts on newer CR diesels are 130k miles, and to date no one posted a genuine non VAG Milton Keynes originated document stating there is a genuine need for 4-year belt service. VAG had over 10 years to update manuals with this requirement as I remember the 4 years quoted to me in 2002 when buying Mk1 Octy. So if 4 year belt changes are not in your car's manual, you are being robbed.

2 most recent threads I recall:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/221177-cambelt-change-on-2ltr-tdi-170/page__st__30#entry3033186

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/253337-cam-belt-change-after-4-years/#entry2985059

I would not be surprised if petrol cambelts were even longer mileage as the stresses on the belt are lower. Though calling them non-replacement is like saying gearbox oil is lifetime fill, pure nonsense.

Note no mention of tank, spare, or suspension in my earlier post, hooray

I would say the 1.8Tsi will be made available at the same time as the RS, the delay is probably got to do with the different rear suspension to the launch models. Production (mass) of this chassis set up is probably not up and running yet.

Just a guess.

Well i have been considering a change in car and was tempted by a run out Octy, but it doesn't look like i will be able to get what I want from within the final stock. As for the price of the Mk3, they are just ridiculous and the fact that there will be no vRS on its debut, I had started to be tempted by a Mercedes A Class or a BMW 1 series. I have a nasty suspicion this is where my money will be going if decide to make the change.

Well i have been considering a change in car and was tempted by a run out Octy, but it doesn't look like i will be able to get what I want from within the final stock. As for the price of the Mk3, they are just ridiculous and the fact that there will be no vRS on its debut, I had started to be tempted by a Mercedes A Class or a BMW 1 series. I have a nasty suspicion this is where my money will be going if decide to make the change.

Very few brands have a sporty version at launch. Most follow a few months later

Very few brands have a sporty version at launch. Most follow a few months later

Fully understand that (unfortunately) and I do consider it to be a real shame that I will not be able to get what I want. However with the prices being indicated, and barring (sp) in mind that the zero vat will not be available, they (Skoda) are creeping into the bottom of the premium car market. Looking at either of the two marques I mentioned previously, and taking into account things like residual value, there now exists a very convincing argument to buy into the premium brands. I wouldn't even consider dare I say Vauxhall or Ford either. The figures just don't stack up.

Ok I am probably not going to be able to afford something in the rocket ship category of a petrol vRS, but in the diesel market that is more than achievable in my opinion.

Fully understand that (unfortunately) and I do consider it to be a real shame that I will not be able to get what I want.

Which is?

Which is?

The vRS, the sporty model that is not available at product (Mk3) launch, ideally as a petrol but it looks increasing more likely that i shall require a diesel

Fully understand that (unfortunately) and I do consider it to be a real shame that I will not be able to get what I want. However with the prices being indicated, and barring (sp) in mind that the zero vat will not be available, they (Skoda) are creeping into the bottom of the premium car market. Looking at either of the two marques I mentioned previously, and taking into account things like residual value, there now exists a very convincing argument to buy into the premium brands. I wouldn't even consider dare I say Vauxhall or Ford either. The figures just don't stack up.

I thought VAG had already decided to push Skoda more upmarket and make Seat the low cost brand. VW seems to have already moved more upmarket still leaving a bit of a gap below it. So if you want budget pricing you may have to swap to a Seat.

The road tests seem to back up the higher quality feel of the cars too.

What determines whether an engine has a cambelt or chain? Quite a few manufacturers seem to use chains - BMW, Honda, Toyota, Mazda, any others?

Does a chain last the lifetime of the car? If it does surely that's the right option as it saves owners in service costs?

Edited 19 January, 201313 yr by Ultima

Haven't Ford moved away from chains again?

Trouble is chains can fail and will do a lot of damage when they go. Someone recently posted about a chain failure

Haven't Ford moved away from chains again?

Trouble is chains can fail and will do a lot of damage when they go. Someone recently posted about a chain failure

So do rubber belts, usually more frequently, and with equally catastrophic consequences. The advantage of a chain is durability, but costs more. A belt is much cheaper, plus the dealers make some money by forcing you to change it frequently.

Seen a few reviews of the Octy 3 in what appears to be race blue. Is this not reserved for the vRS anymore ?