Hello

I want to get a used Octavia Elegance TDi. I've read that there are differences between the 2001, 2002, 2003 versions of the car. Does anyone know where I could find out more info about these differences? Parkers guide says that the 2002 52 is better than the 2002 02 model, which is better than the 2001 Y model.

Also, I'm regularly checking the Autotrader website for Octavias. Does anyone have any opinions as to the best way to search for a used Octavia? I have quite a specific requirement I think, because I want an Elegance TDi estate, probably 2002 52 or newer.

Thanks in advance :-)

Can't vouch for its accuracy but have a look here http://www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/carreviews/review.aspx?model_id=822&page=7

I think 52 reg was when they offered the PD130 engine as an option which was slightly less economical than the 110bhp TDI engine, but more punchy to drive.

When I bought my new car recently, I was like you and knew exactly what I wanted so I checked Autotrader daily and also the local free-ad type car papers. I ended up travelling 70 miles to get mine, but it was worth it

Chris

I think the engine differences were all that changed between them. The interior spec etc. is the same.

Thanks for your info.

I'm thinking of having a look at this one (excuse the lengthly URL):

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/CARS_popup.asp?modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=SKODA&model=OCTAVIA&variant=&keywords=estate+tdi&min_pr=75&max_pr=9000&mileage=&agerange=&postcode=sn16+9nf&miles=40&max_records=50&source=0&photo=1&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH&start=2&distance=20&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200527199311628

which is a 2002 02 model that has done 99k miles. Offered at

Looks like it has the 110bhp TDI engine which is more diesel like than the newer PD units. Mileage is high for a 2002 car, but as long as it has a full service history to back it up, it should be fine. Also check the small print of the 3 month warranty they offer as they're often not worth the paper they're printed on ... I know the warranty I got given was the "Premium Plus" policy and only has a maximum claim amount of

Thanks for the tips ScoobyChris.

Glasses guide says the following for the Elegance in question:

Excellent condition:

Hi

I do not think that the glass sunroof was as standard on that car.

It should have climatic control.

So that would be another thing to keep an eye on.

But the Green Met. is lovely it was once called Green Magic.Like the pearlescent black.

Lovely car.

Sarah

Thanks for the reply Sarah.

According to the Parkers guide report, an electric sunroof is standard on all Elegance models. Do you mean it's literally just a roof i.e. you can't see out of it unless it's open? Excuse my ignorance - on my Golf (Mk3) TDi GL there is a glass electric sunroof with a sliding door so you can see out of it by opening the sliding door, and leaving the sunroof closed. So I thought all sunroofs were like that...

I think climate control is standard on the Elegance too (air con on the Ambient). when I spoke to the dealer he said he wasn't sure but that there wasn't any difference between aircon and climate control (which isn't my understanding at all as I thought with CC you could set the temperature precisely but with AC you just get cold air). I forgot to ask a whole load of really basic questions too, like tax, MOT, part exchange option... so I might just ring back.

I think climate control is standard on the Elegance too (air con on the Ambient). when I spoke to the dealer he said he wasn't sure but that there wasn't any difference between aircon and climate control (which isn't my understanding at all as I thought with CC you could set the temperature precisely but with AC you just get cold air).

Climatronic has loads of sensors in the cabin which mean the car can maintain a relatively fixed cabin temperature (as specified by you on the display). In auto mode, it will also control fans and vents to achieve this.

In contrast the Fabia has Climatic which is manual climate control and means you can set the temperature to what you want and it just adjusts the temperature of the air going into the cabin (based on a single sensor's feedback on current cabin temperature).

I did also wonder if the Octy had a steel sunroof on that model, but I can't remember... worth checking with the dealer as it may have been a factory fit option when it was new!

Chris

Octy Elegance has a glass tilt and slide electric sunroof with a manual blind which you can slide open and closed yourself to let light in or look out without opening roof.

Thanks for the info :-)

Climatronic sounds lovely. Is it standard on the Elegance? In the Parkers guide for the Elegance it just says 'Climate Control'.

Climatronic sounds lovely. Is it standard on the Elegance? In the Parkers guide for the Elegance it just says 'Climate Control'.

Yep - think it's located in front of the gearstick on the centre dash and should have a digital display showing temp, etc.

There's a pic of it here

Chris

Excellent - thank you!

My '51 reg Elegance has the following as standard:

Head lamp washers

Climate control

Central arm rest between front seats (very useful incl. storage bin)

Electric sunroof

Electric windows all round

Electric heated/motorised mirrors

12v outlet in the boot

6 CD changer

Boot storage unit that brings the boot floor up, level with the sill giving a totally flat floor area and a big, useful storage area for umbrellas, steering lock, picnic rugs etc.

Storage under the above storage box for various things such as a bottle of halfords ready mixed screen wash, spare bulbs etc - all those things you may take on a couple of weeks holiday.

Options include leather, reverse parking sensors, cruise control and a multi-function steering wheel.

The car in the advert will have a CD changer but the garage may not have found it - they are very well hidden Also, that dark metallic green is very nice.

Thanks Goochie :-)

If you can stretch to the 130 pd go for it ........absolute magic and with a tuning box I still think it was faster than my vrs

I've got a feeling that the 130BHP model is pretty rare in the 2nd hand market. I haven't seen any come up on Autotrader in my area anyway.

I've got a feeling that the 130BHP model is pretty rare in the 2nd hand market. I haven't seen any come up on Autotrader in my area anyway.

You could be right only one on the Skoda used car list :eek: very nice but

I've got a feeling that the 130BHP model is pretty rare in the 2nd hand market. I haven't seen any come up on Autotrader in my area anyway.

They are very rare and expensive, my local dealer has an 04 Elegance PD130 and wants

I'm going to look at that 100k miles /

You could be right only one on the Skoda used car list :eek: very nice but

If it's done that sort of mileage then it has spent most of it's life on the motorway so it's only just run in ..there was one on here recently with 380,000 on the clock......suspension may be a bit bouncy but nothing a new set of shocks wont cure....If you want a cheap option for power upgrade try dragon tuning boxes

Thanks Lee. Yes, I'm fine with the engine noise. I have a MK3 Golf 1.9 TDi (90BHP) which is actually noisier inside than the Octavia. So to me, the Octavia is quiet.

The sound from the speakers in the Golf is pretty rubbish too, but good enough for me. I'll probably end up fitting an mp3/cd player to the Octavia anyway as that's what I've put in the Golf (as I'm a bit of a geek like that) and I can squash up to about 10 albums on one CD full of mp3s.

You say "if the climate control is fully charged". Is there any way to tell before buying? Or will I just have to take my chances?

One other thing: when you say "a good tuning box" - is that the same thing as an engine remap (that appears to cost a few hundred quid)?

If it's done that sort of mileage then it has spent most of it's life on the motorway so it's only just run in ..

Or it could have been owned by someone like Jon

Chris

One thing that is wrong with mine is that the sunroof leaks. If you look at the fuzzy looking seal between the sun roof and the metalwork of the roof, check the gap is even all the way round. Mine is pinched really tight on the right and loose on the left - where it leaks in heavy rain.