Greetings from middle of South Island of NZ

About to buy a late 2006 Octavia Combi 4x4 TDi 103Kw manual with 140,000km on clock, $16,000 NZnew.

(That's the 140PD with about 86,700 miles about 8,000 Pounds for imperialists).

It is in the other end of the country at the moment so I am reluctant to travel there unless it is a good deal.

Searched this valuable forum (thanks all) for info on reliability.

It will do about 15k (mainly) highway miles a year. I realise it is higher mileage and all that comes with that but that is the price we pay in NZ to enter this esteemed group short of another mortgage.

I am aware of the turbo problem and will listen out for it, although that may not detect sudden death syndrome (and probably save for eventual need to replace).

Dealer is replacing cambelt and water pump and fixing non cool aircond problem.

Anything else I should particularly watch out for?

Welcome to Briskoda from an Octavia 4X4 owner. Check that the Haldex unit has had the oil changed every 20,000 miles and its filter too every 40,000 miles. I will leave you to convert those distances into something you can understand. Meanwhile, why km and yet steering wheel on the right? Is that a colonialist thing?

P.S. We exported one of our Moderating Team (RobClubley) to NZ a while ago to keep and eye on what goes on Down Under when we are all tucked in back here in Blighty. Give him a wave if you see him. He drives a red Mk 1 Octavia vRS Estate.

Thanks DGW.

Thanks for your advice. It was serviced at 60,000km according to logbook with a 60,000k service which includes Haldex oil and filter (according to the NZ service schedule). Service log only ran to 90,000km So I hope it is right. Hoping because I bought it!! Then happily drove it 1300km home. Only 80 litres or $120 or 65 pounds worth of fuel plus another $120 in speeding ticket. Great to drive!

Didn't see a red Mk1 in Wellington but was only there overnight to cross on ferry.

On starting this morning rattling noise as clutch takes up while in neutral. Guess this is the start of a love hate relationship.

Metric plus drive on right=confused colonialist attitude to life, or a reflection of life on the Asia Pacific Rim.

The Octavia II 4X4 is a nice car to own and drive. Did you get any sort of warranty with it? If you want advice on the rattling noise, I suggest that you ask in the Octavia II forum.