Hi guys, totally new guy to Skoda here (well I have owned a 91 Jetta and 00 Passata Variant like 10 years ago but since been in BMW, my last car being 325i E90 - beautiful and fast but not frugal and not good in winter).

I'm chosing Scout as

- Looks good (to me)

- Price v quality looks atractive

- reliability as its based on Golf (afaik?)

- 4x4 + those plastic bumpers (tired of car dings in parking lot - if you ever owned a BMW you'll know what parking paranoia is...)

So I need some help now:

1) what engine is most reliable and least costly to maintain if car has done 60-80k miles - 100-120k km? - petrol or diesel?

a) if petrol which petrol - 1.8, 2.0 FSI, TFSI etc

b ) if diesel which diesel? 2.0TDI PD 103kw, or whatever else - VW seems to have way too many choices!

2) which transmission? Manual, Auto, DSG if available?

3) Must have options for me are XENON, Automatic climate - do Scouts have this often standard or it's a very rare? Are halogen lights OK on this car or they are weak (again, coming from BMWs where they suck, xenon was the only option for me)

4) Anything else I should know about Scout before test driving or buying one?

Most of my driving is in City. like 80-90%, short distances, think 2-4km one way trips. Occasinoal 200-300km trips but like once a month max. So far I think 1.8 Skoda Scout Manual seems like best car but none around me, only 2.0TDI 103kw with 118000km and belt change done at 95km. Should I look at it?

TL:DR Which Skoda Scout to buy - petrol or diesel? Manual or automatic? Is it a good car overall?

PS- looking for 2007-2008 cars, so not the droopy eyed cars, but ones with boxy headlights like this one:

Edited 14 January, 201313 yr by User440

The Scout is just an Octavia on stilts, so whatever goes for the normal Octavia goes for the Scout as well.

It was available with the 6 speed DSG and it's a wonderful transmission. No conventional automatics were ever offered.

And I don't really understand the "it's probably reliable beacuse it's based on the Golf" talk - Volkswagen is by no means a benchmark for reliability. And I wouldn't want to call it "based on the Golf" anyways. It's a VAG product built from the same bits and pieces as the Golf and many other VAG cars of the same vintage. Not really the same thing. A Seat Exeo is something you can call "based on an Audi" because they just moved the A4 production line from Germany to Spain and continued making it.

For what it's worth, the facelift with the "droopy headlights" has turning xenons. The pre-facelift ones are fixed. Light output is more or less the same as far as I can tell. The pre-facelift light pattern might be slightly wider.

Edited 14 January, 201313 yr by Perc

If you want pre-FL 2007-08 (boxy headlights) then your only option is the 2.0FSI or 2.0TDI engine. Avoid the 2.0FSI like the plague unless you really like petrol stations and not getting anywhere particularly rapidly. The 2.0TDI PD is a rock solid engine - well proven throughout VAG cars, though you will have the DPF to contend with which might be a problem considering your mileage and driving requirements. You'd be best looking for a 1.8TSI FL Scout, as this has no DPF (obviously), nor does it have a cambelt so no need to change that every 4 years. They are pretty cheap to maintain, especially if you've been used to a BMW. However TSI Scouts are pretty rare, so it might take some looking for.

With regards to xenons - these aren't standard on Scouts, but dual-zone climate control is. The standard halogens are pretty good I reckon, so I wouldn't worry too much about them. You might want to look out for maxidot though as this gives you the onboard computer plus steering wheel controls for stereo etc.

I've owned both a 2.0TDI PD and 1.8TSI Scout and liked them both. The diesel was a very relaxing car to drive, but a bit gruff. The petrol is very smooth and has plenty of go, but needs to be worked a bit harder. I would go for the manual as I think its easier in icy/snowy conditions, but also because I prefer the manual. Overall though I think the Scout is a bloomin good car. It fulfils all of our requirements for a car and I really can't see why I would want to replace it, except with another Scout!

Edited 14 January, 201313 yr by GroundHog

Welcome to Briskoda!

The Scout is available used as either a pre-facelift (the one you are looking at) from 2007 to 2009 and then the faclift was introduced (droopy headlights) from 2009 to 2011.

The facelift Scout, as well as the new front end also got the updated interior, larger wing mirrors and slighty different tail lights and rear badging.

There was a mix of the two different versions in 2009 (pre-FL front end but FL interior, wing mirrors and tail lights), but these are rare.

The Scout is no longer produced as Skoda have made space on their production lines for the MkIII Octavia, although it is expected to make a reappearance on the new platform next year.

There are four engines in the Scout, a 1.8 petrol, 2.0 petrol and 2x 2.0 litre diesels (the older PD and newer CR).

DSG (automatic) was introduced only a few years ago so not available on the pre-FL models.

All diesel versions are fitted with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) which are not suited to short journey's, this might be something you want to read up on here first as they are well documented.

As mentioned above the Scout is basically a standard Octavia with jacked up suspension and Audi's Quatro 4x4 system (search Haldex) with different body mouldings and some pretty comprehnsive underbody protection and unique 17" Proteus alloys and tyres.

Mine has xenon's and finding one took some effort as it's difficult to tell that they have them (at least on the pre-FL) as all Scouts get the headlight washers as standard (normally a tell-tale sign of xenon's) so most adverts don't mention them and unless you can see the headlight switch it makes shopping online difficult. Saying that I would have them again as I think they are worth their weight in gold.

One to thing to check is that the Haldex system has had an oil and filter change every 40,000 miles.

Also check the alloys as their polished surface makes them susceptible to corrosion.

The Scout is a rare car (and at least for the Octavia) demand the most money, however the pre-FL car's you are looking at are now approaching 5 years old so most tend to have higher mileage on them.

They are also favoured by vets and farmers so check it's history (and evidence of off-roading) carefully.

Good luck!

Edited 14 January, 201313 yr by silver1011

Wow, great responses so far, thanks!

Following up -

So the PD engine is very good? 2.0 TDI with 103kw in 2007 car is a PD I assume. And 1.8 is the one to go for on a petrol version. Manual is the way to go as well, and short city driving means 1.8 should be the focus.

On DPF - can't you take it out? Or go fast for 30 min to burn it trhough? I ran a 320d E90 for about 5 years and into 60k km (from new) and DPF was not an issue ever, as it usually goes on BMW aroudn 150k km. However I did hear that VW DPF fails fast and brutally expensive. So I wonder how widespread is the cut out of DPF is?

ON Haldex oil change ... is that manufacturer required or actually a recommended thing? Because if it is just recommended I bet noone from usual owners does it and only guys who have forum user names do this... sadly.

Xenons are VERY good. I can only imagine what LED will do soon, but Xenons are fantastic in most ways except replacing bulbs at 40 EUR per one.

As mentioned above the Scout is basically a standard Octavia with jacked up suspension and Audi's Quatro 4x4 system (search Haldex)

It's not really "the quattro system". Quattro is just a badge that means all wheel drive. A good rule of thumb is that VAG products with a transversely mounted engine gets Haldex. This means the Octavia and most other cars. The bigger Audis (A4 and up) use a Torsen diff instead.

It doesn't have the plastic bodykit of the Scout, but you can get the 1.9 PD diesel 4x4. Can't that with a manual gearbox be a contender for the most reliable?

However, it is underpowered at only 105hp standard.

The PD140 in the Scout is 8V SOCH instead of the 16V DOHC on the other Octavia's so it pretty reliable and doesn't suffer the turbo failures that plague the 16V.

It has different gear ratio's too (shorter 1st gear for towing / rough terrain etc.) which makes it quite different to drive.

Yes, the DPF can be removed for around £500 although it requires more work as either the Haldex/diff/subframe (can't remember which) need to be removed to access it.

The 2.0 litre petrol is very, very rare. There is a 2007 (57) red one on Autotrader now which is the first I've ever seen advertised.

The PD140 engine is good and seems easy on the DPF. My wife drives ours. We've had it since 8,000 miles / 1 year old and it only ever does short trips (school run etc.) and no DPF issues (it's now on 40,000 miles / 4 years old). My 2.0 PD170 however has been plagued with DPF related issues and it spends its time on the motorway. In short - don't let the DPF put you off a diesel, at least on the Scout.

Edited 14 January, 201313 yr by silver1011

ON Haldex oil change ... is that manufacturer required or actually a recommended thing? Because if it is just recommended I bet noone from usual owners does it and only guys who have forum user names do this... sadly.

See here...

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/261825-haldex-controller-question-unbelievable-story/

I suspect there are very, very few older Scout's out there that have had their Haldex oil/filter replenished at the recommended 40,000 mile interval.

Where abouts are you located, I'm assuming you aren't UK based?

when you guys say PD140 - is it the 103kw diesel? So that 8v motor should be OK you say. that's good.

I'll test drive a scout I found (the 103kw one) this weekend and come back and share my impressions.

So far I only found the 150 and 160hp 2.0 TSI motors - those I understood are to be avoided because of belts (expensive) and thirst?

(I'm living in Estonia at the moment, work/family here )

Edited 14 January, 201313 yr by User440

Personally I think i'd rather have a normal 4x4, a FL with a 1.8 TSi engine would be a great car.

If you are dead set on a pre FL Scout go Diesel all the way, the 150 FSi petrol engine lacks torque and isnt as quick or anywhere near as efficient

Edited 14 January, 201313 yr by pipsyp

Personally I think i'd rather have a normal 4x4, a FL with a 1.8 TSi engine would be a great car.

If you are dead set on a pre FL Scout go Diesel all the way, the 150 FSi petrol engine lacks torque and isnt as quick or anywhere near as efficient

The 4x4 would be more money - I'm liking the X3 E83 Facelift BMW with 2l or 3l diesel (used - almost same prices) but they are like I said 50% more money and given I'm not planning any offroading in particular I probably wouldn't care for it. The 4x4 is necessary given how our winters are (long, roads are a mess first few days it snows, the highway drive can be tricky etc - after 7 years in RWD cars I'm throwing in the towel and want to have 4wd). What sort of 4x4 would you recommend that's economic, gets around town well, can handle crappy roads in town all the same and is relatively OK to look at ?

It seems diesel will have to be the way to go as no cars are around me in petrol guise... The TDI I referred to earlier has 60k miles and had belt change around 50k.

Edited 14 January, 201313 yr by User440

It sounds as though in mainland Europe the specs for the Scout might be different to those here in the UK, especially the choice and availability of the petrol engined versions

Yes the PD140 is the 103KW, this is the only PD engine fitted to the Scout in the UK.

I also drive a PD170 Octavia vRS (see signature) and prefer the Scout over the vRS for numerous reasons.

You may laugh but if you can live with the looks you may want to consider a Seat Altea Freetrack 4.

This is identical to the Scout (chassis, Haldex etc.) but with the PD170 engine (from the OCtavia vRS) and a larger bodyshell. Here in the UK at least they are fully loaded as standard and are around half the price of an equivalent Scout.

A bit too thirsty at motorway speeds for me otherwise I would have one - fantastic value for money!

Or if you are feeling brave!

There isn't a mention in the service book about the 40k service interval for the Haldex, which isn't exactly helpful.

I got the dealer to do the service on mine (though mine is just a 4x4 not a Scout) when I bought it as it had 60k on the clock and nothing to prove it had been done, even though it had a full main dealer service history.

In the link above it is mentioned that the service interval for the Haldex recently changed to 3 years, mileage has no influence.

This is for car's built after a certain point, so at least with regards to the OP's choice of a pre-FL he will be looking at 40,000 miles for a Haldex oil change.

I agree though that it is a poor show by Skoda UK by not making more of an effort to alert owners to this additional service requirement.

Don't the pre FL cars have the 2nd generation Haldex whilst FL have 4th generation? Is that the reason for the difference?

Scouts a great car, apart from a diff changed under warranty weve done 79000 in 2.5 years with no other issues. Still rattle free as well which considering the way its thrashed is a credit to the build quality.

Re the bumpers they are a painted finish, its pretty durable & came away unscathed after a silly lady tried to push us out of the way in Paris but we did damage the fiont one back to the light grey base colour but a cheap fix.

Xenons are definately good but not essential. Our previous Octy didnt have them & I just fitted 100W rally bulbs

Haldex system is brilliant, far better than permanent 4WD unless you are planning on rallying, Ive had an Impreza & the Skoda sytem is definately better, gives you excellent 4wd capability without the fuel consumption & harshness of permanent 4WD. Re the haldex service its only a filter & oil so inexpensive. I tuned a previous Octy to over 350 BHP, trashed gearboxes & clutches but the Haldex took it all in its stride for tens of thousands of miles.

Re transmission I would always go manual, tried & tested & if it ever fails which is incredibly unlikely its easy to find a s/hand box. The newer semi Auto has to be more expensive to fix if it breaks & is still relativly new technology.

Petrol / Diesel is a personal thing, I went diesel for the economy as we do a lot of miles & the longevity as the car will be between 150 & 200,000 miles before its replaced. Petrol cars will b3e cheaper to buy & are likely to have been privately owned

Personaly I would have a small list of things you really want & look for a well cared for car that ticks those ferw boxes, the condition of the car is more important that it having everything on a long wish list.

There are a few Scouts coming to the market which are ex Police & Paramedic cars, will have had a hard life but will have been maintained.

I always consider the condition of the interior is an insite to the car being loved or abused & a good service record always helps

Happy hunting