Just noticed this thread where you have ended up with same car as me and off the stocklist.

I wouldn't worry about getting shafted, the 0% deal is very good with the 3 years servicing whether you manage to haggle them down or not. I bought a new vauxhall zafira about 7 years ago on exactly the same deal and never thought id see it again.

Most of my haggling was done on the part exchange price they offered for my old car and when we settled on a price per month on the pcp I managed to get them to take off another 10 quid. I guess it is partly down to experience as I know I got done quite severely when I bought my first new car back in 1994. Trouble once you've dipped your foot in and bought a new car you struggle to consider second hand ever again. Cost me thousands over the years but you cant beat the smell and feel of a new car and knowing no one has inflicted their driving style on.

I notice that you found the octy estate to be quite big, im a bit the opposite as with my last car being a chevy captiva it feels quite small, but in terms of drive ability and mpg there is no comparison and im really pleased I made the switch.

I will certainly look out for your posts over the coming months to see how ypu are getting on as it will be a useful comparison.

Hey Jonny. Im afraid ive got the hatchback. Not the estate. Everything else is all the same though.

yes i it is large (in comparison though, as my last one was a Focus Saloon). My dad couldnt believe i'd gone bigger. Also bear in mind that most of the time it is just me in the car. It isnt used as a family car. It is the largest car anyone in my family has ever had.

My dad has a T reg Honda Civic (Rover 45 lookalike). The Octy towers over it when they are side by side.

So yes, it is large, but i love the space. Large cars are usually more stable, and having spent enough time in the back seat of cars, I dont want to inflict that on any back seat passengers i may have. Also, I love looking out over the wheel, and seeing this large (ish) bonnet stretch out in front. The raised bit of the bonnet running down the centre, also looks really imposing as you see it stretch out in front of you.

 

Anyways. Just finished a near 250 mile run from Kent to Crewe. 243 miles on a tad under 1/2 tank. Thats at 74mph (on the speedo) nearly all the way.

Computer reckons about 56mpg, but im not sure if its quite that. Is it an 11 gallon tank? If I got 500 miles on the tank (it'll be about that), then thats 45mpg. The car is still very young though, so expect that to increase as the engine loosens up. Id expect more like 60mpg or above once the engine is fully worn in.

 

The computer was showing the following consumption figures during the journey:

74mph- 55 to 60mpg

60mph- 70mpg

50mph- 80mpg. Again, not sure how accurate they are.

 

As for the journey. Ive now realised just how stiff the suspension is. On rough motorway it gives you a headache. We went over one obvious join in the road, and a horrible jolt went right through the car. The like of which ive never experienced before. It was as if there was next to no suspension. Get a smooth stretch though, and the car is an absolute joy. Love it. Fairly quiet, next to no wind noise, and as long as the steering is in sport mode, it is very pleasant. I had it in normal mode at first, but at motorway speed, the steering was too loose with no feeling. It was difficult to keep it in a straight line! In sport though, its just about right.

Im assuming the suspension will loosen up as it gets more use. Hope so anyway. Also, im wondering if the tyres are over pressurised. There was absolutely no give in the tyres. May check them before driving home.

Thanks for the update JungleJames. Interesting reading.

 

I believe the tank is 45 litres which is just under 10 gallon. Did you happen to notice the reading on the rev counter at 74 by any chance? Also, are you a user of cruise control on big runs as some say that helps mpg figures?

 

Glad you're enjoying you car.

Regarding tyre pressures, if you are runing round on your own most of the time 2.2 bar or 32 psi all round should be fine. Mine was supplied with 3.2 bar all round which should only be for the rears when fully laden, there is a guide inside the fuel filler flap.

Btw, the tank is 50 litres, but if you fill up when the range gets down to zero there will still be 4 or 5 litres in the system so for rough calcs 45 litres or 10 gallon to a full fill up, so you need to be aiming for approx 540 miles on a tank, I have averaged 54 mpg since new but noticed it's dropped a bit with the winter fuel. Some are getting more than this but depends on your commute. In the summer on a run, I was seeing over 60mpg quite regularly but happy with 55 at the mo.

Thanks for the update JungleJames. Interesting reading.

 

I believe the tank is 45 litres which is just under 10 gallon. Did you happen to notice the reading on the rev counter at 74 by any chance? Also, are you a user of cruise control on big runs as some say that helps mpg figures?

 

Glad you're enjoying you car.

Rev counter is a tad over 2000rpm in 6th gear i believe. I'll check on way home.

Yep, always use cruise control.

Thats another thing. Im sorry, but the cruise setup is awful. When you brake, its meant to cancel and reset the cruise. But it doesnt reset it. So lets say you brake and slow down from 70 down to 50. Then press the end speed button again to start it again. The car takes over and speeds up to 70 as it still has 70 stored in the system. So i have to use the stupid fiddly switch on top of the indicator stalk to switch it off, then back on. Doing that takes thought, and its also too easy to accidentally activate the indicators whilst doing it. Sorry, but Skoda really need to take a look at the Ford system, and the location of the buttons on the wheel. No fiddly switches. Its all decent sized buttons. Doesnt take any thought at all. Everything is located perfectly where your thumb usually sits. Operating the Cruise is just second nature. Same cannot be said for the Skoda.   

Rev counter is a tad over 2000rpm in 6th gear i believe. I'll check on way home.

Yep, always use cruise control.

Thats another thing. Im sorry, but the cruise setup is awful. When you brake, its meant to cancel and reset the cruise. But it doesnt reset it. So lets say you brake and slow down from 70 down to 50. Then press the end speed button again to start it again. The car takes over and speeds up to 70 as it still has 70 stored in the system. So i have to use the stupid fiddly switch on top of the indicator stalk to switch it off, then back on. Doing that takes thought, and its also too easy to accidentally activate the indicators whilst doing it. Sorry, but Skoda really need to take a look at the Ford system, and the location of the buttons on the wheel. No fiddly switches. Its all decent sized buttons. Doesnt take any thought at all. Everything is located perfectly where your thumb usually sits. Operating the Cruise is just second nature. Same cannot be said for the Skoda.

Sounds to me as though you are pressing the resume button, not the set button (of the two buttons on the rocker switch) that reactivates cruise using the last set speed. You want to press set if you want it to take the current speed.

The on off rocker on the top of the stalk can also be flicked half way and returns to on in order to reset the cruise in the same manner hitting the brakes and dipping the clutch do. The only way to clear the previously stored speed is to turn it off then on again.

Rev counter is a tad over 2000rpm in 6th gear i believe. I'll check on way home.

Yep, always use cruise control.

Thats another thing. Im sorry, but the cruise setup is awful. When you brake, its meant to cancel and reset the cruise. But it doesnt reset it. So lets say you brake and slow down from 70 down to 50. Then press the end speed button again to start it again. The car takes over and speeds up to 70 as it still has 70 stored in the system. So i have to use the stupid fiddly switch on top of the indicator stalk to switch it off, then back on. Doing that takes thought, and its also too easy to accidentally activate the indicators whilst doing it. Sorry, but Skoda really need to take a look at the Ford system, and the location of the buttons on the wheel. No fiddly switches. Its all decent sized buttons. Doesnt take any thought at all. Everything is located perfectly where your thumb usually sits. Operating the Cruise is just second nature. Same cannot be said for the Skoda.   

 

 

Sounds to me as though you are pressing the resume button, not the set button (of the two buttons on the rocker switch) that reactivates cruise using the last set speed. You want to press set if you want it to take the current speed.

The on off rocker on the top of the stalk can also be flicked half way and returns to on in order to reset the cruise in the same manner hitting the brakes and dipping the clutch do. The only way to clear the previously stored speed is to turn it off then on again.

 

Was going to post the same thing pipsyp

 

I've always liked the VW group style of Cruise control, its easy to use and has all the functions together that you will need.

A few points raised on this thread.

 

Fan running for two minutes after engine switch off - yes happened to me a fair few times now, down to dpf regeneration, supposed to calm down in time. I had it on my previous car but the situation was more alarming as the fans used to run at tremendous speed suggesting that the car was preparing itself for take off! Nowhere near as bad with the Octy.

 

Yes around 2000rpm at 74mph in sixth, unreal!

 

Second gear is a definite no no whenever you are close to stationary. Dawdling up to traffic lights, crawling along in a traffic jam, first gear for me everytime if you want to avoid a massive jolt and a stall.

Glad I went DSG now by the sounds of things, didn't go diesel either, don't do the milage anymore a bit sad really as I did like my old one.

 

Regards

T

Glad I went DSG now by the sounds of things, didn't go diesel either, don't do the milage anymore a bit sad really as I did like my old one.

The second gear thing is a minor niggle and takes little away from what is a really smooth gearbox.

Edited 29 December, 201312 yr by jonnybgood

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Edited 29 December, 201312 yr by jonnybgood

Jonny, I don't doubt its good just, in my mid 40's for a family car doing only 11k p.a. the 1.4 TSI DSG would seem a little too comfortable for me to resist. Horse for courses I guess, one thing I do know is that we'll all enjoy our new cars.

Regards

T

Jonny, I don't doubt its good just, in my mid 40's for a family car doing only 11k p.a. the 1.4 TSI DSG would seem a little too comfortable for me to resist. Horse for courses I guess, one thing I do know is that we'll all enjoy our new cars.RegardsT

I'm a similar age to you and I would have considered DSG but the wife said she wanted manual, and sometimes I can't be bothered to argue especially when I don't care either way.

At the end of the day I went into my local skoda dealership with a fairly open mind and was prepared to consider anything except the 1.2 tsi and the 1.6 tdi. The wife narrowed the options down for me even further by excluding the hatch and DSG!!

Second gear is a definite no no whenever you are close to stationary. Dawdling up to traffic lights, crawling along in a traffic jam, first gear for me everytime if you want to avoid a massive jolt and a stall.

 

Aye fully agree as I have stalled it twice at lights since I took delivery just two weeks ago 

Right, now im back home.

74mph in 6th is 1900rpm.

Cruise control- Eventually worked it out coming back. On the end rocker switch/ button, press the bottom part to set the new current speed, or press the top part to resume on the previous saved speed. I think thats what a couple of you mentioned. Thanks. I still stand by the comment though that the Ford system is much better. Placed in a more natural position (the only time it isnt is if you are going round a sharpish bend, but who plays with cruise when going round a sharp bend?) Plus the operation of it is much more natural as well. But anyway, im fairly used to the Octy now, so we will live with it. I really do suggest Skoda take a look at the Ford set up though.

Checked the pressures on the tyres. Front right hand tyre was at 35 or 36, but rest were at 32 or 31. All set at 32 now. Suspension is a tiny bit better (loosening up?) but still uncomfortable on rough roads. Hopefully it will loosen up some more. Needs it. Noticed my tyres are Dunlop Sport tyres. Hope that doesnt mean my car has been set up for sport, with sports suspension!!!! 

 

Fuel economy-

A total mileage of 494 miles. Computer is saying 20 miles range left in the tank. Needle is in the red pointing halfway between the bottom and middle of the 3 short marks. So computer isnt too far out I dont think.

Anyway, it was claimed there is about 4 or 5 litres in the system at range 0 (I wont be testing this. Had my last car down to 1 mile on the range calculator and was shi***ng myself).  

So assuming 45 litres- Thats 51.4mpg. I'd be hoping this improves quite a bit as the engine loosens up. Id be wanting between 55 and 60.   

Im hoping there is another 4 or 5 litres going undetected as that sort of mileage on 50litres is pretty poor.

Driving was virtually all motorway. Only about 8 miles not motorway. Most of motorway was 74mph, except for a few bits of 50mph. Coming back home there was a lot more slow running due to traffic, so that would explain why I seemed to use slightly less fuel coming home.

Aye fully agree as I have stalled it twice at lights since I took delivery just two weeks ago 

All i can say is im glad im not the only one!!

To be fair, starting away in 1st gear isnt too bad. In a petrol, youd get a jolt, and a massive increase in revs, but in a diesel its perfectly smooth. So it doesnt bother me. Its just getting used to driving a diesel. Thanks all for your replies on this.

 

Now for something even more embarassing. Again its down to getting used to the low revving of the diesel, and having a 6th gear. Coming into a service station, slowing down from 70mph, I slowed down too much in 6th gear, and diesels dont make it as obvious as petrols when struggling. Just as I got the clutch down, the engine stalled. Fancy stalling an engine in 6th gear! It seems that it didnt stall until the clutch was depressed though. I never realised it was stalled until i saw the message telling me to manually start the car (stop start was deactivated). I dont know whether you could stall an engine in 6th gear (with it in gear), and if you could, i cant imagine what it would feel like. But the car decided to stall just as i depressed the clutch. Im guessing i was mega lucky, and got the clutch down just in time.

All i can say is im glad im not the only one!!

To be fair, starting away in 1st gear isnt too bad. In a petrol, youd get a jolt, and a massive increase in revs, but in a diesel its perfectly smooth. So it doesnt bother me. Its just getting used to driving a diesel. Thanks all for your replies on this.

Now for something even more embarassing. Again its down to getting used to the low revving of the diesel, and having a 6th gear. Coming into a service station, slowing down from 70mph, I slowed down too much in 6th gear, and diesels dont make it as obvious as petrols when struggling. Just as I got the clutch down, the engine stalled. Fancy stalling an engine in 6th gear! It seems that it didnt stall until the clutch was depressed though. I never realised it was stalled until i saw the message telling me to manually start the car (stop start was deactivated). I dont know whether you could stall an engine in 6th gear (with it in gear), and if you could, i cant imagine what it would feel like. But the car decided to stall just as i depressed the clutch. Im guessing i was mega lucky, and got the clutch down just in time.

I'm no expert but I guess the engine revs dropped so low the stall was a safety measure to stop damage to the engine. I guess if you'd slowed down to around 25mph and then hit the throttle the same thing might happen. As I say I'm no expert.

I've been driving with six gears for a couple of years now but it still feel a tadge strange when you reduce speed quickly and have to decide whether to gi into fifth or third or what.

Another quick question. The light/ main beam assist. Am I right in thinking its simply a case of putting lights to auto, and then put the main beam on? If so, it doesnt seem to be working. Main beam never switched itself off. Dont think it will make much difference though. Main beam seemed to be rubbish. Made a slight difference, but very little.

I'm no expert but I guess the engine revs dropped so low the stall was a safety measure to stop damage to the engine. I guess if you'd slowed down to around 25mph and then hit the throttle the same thing might happen. As I say I'm no expert.

I've been driving with six gears for a couple of years now but it still feel a tadge strange when you reduce speed quickly and have to decide whether to gi into fifth or third or what.

It seemed strange how it stalled once i depressed the clutch, but suppose what you say makes sense. Once the wheels stop driving the engine (depressing the clutch), the engine decides it is too slow, and so just stalls. Is it possible to slow the engine down to such an extent with the wheels, that the engine loses the ability to fire itself once the wheels are no longer driving it? So when you do depress the clutch, it obviously stops. In effect, the engine has stalled, but being forced to move by the wheels.

Dunlop tyres, oh no, not the Pilot-Sports I hope, they come outta the moulds with 6.5mm of tread or, 2mm less than the Continential Sports Contact 3's which I not only love but, trust my life to.

 

Still, the Dunlops will wear out faster enough.

 

Regards

T

It seemed strange how it stalled once i depressed the clutch, but suppose what you say makes sense. Once the wheels stop driving the engine (depressing the clutch), the engine decides it is too slow, and so just stalls. Is it possible to slow the engine down to such an extent with the wheels, that the engine loses the ability to fire itself once the wheels are no longer driving it? So when you do depress the clutch, it obviously stops. In effect, the engine has stalled, but being forced to move by the wheels.

That is strange because once you have depressed the clutch the engine is disengaged from the gearbox and it shouldn't matter what gear you are in as you are freewheeling and a stall shouldn't occur.

As I say I'm no expert.

Dunlop tyres, oh no, not the Pilot-Sports I hope, they come outta the moulds with 6.5mm of tread or, 2mm less than the Continential Sports Contact 3's which I not only love but, trust my life to.

 

Still, the Dunlops will wear out faster enough.

 

Regards

T

Mine came with these on, and the beggars are still like new after 13k, even so, I'll still be swapping for CSC3's when the time comes as they served me well on the old Berb!

Dunlop tyres, oh no, not the Pilot-Sports I hope, they come outta the moulds with 6.5mm of tread or, 2mm less than the Continential Sports Contact 3's which I not only love but, trust my life to.

 

Still, the Dunlops will wear out faster enough.

 

Regards

T

Dunlop Sports Maxx RT

Dunlop Sports Maxx RT

Now you mention it, mine are the Sport Maxx RTs so perhaps they are better than the Pilot Sports! Still prefer Contis tho!

Now you mention it, mine are the Sport Maxx RTs so perhaps they are better than the Pilot Sports! Still prefer Contis tho!

What is better about the Contis? Continental i presume you are on about?

What is better about the Contis? Continental i presume you are on about?

Just a good blend of grip and durability for all year round use, I don't bother with winters. On my Superb, Continental Sport Contacts lasted for 60k on the rears and over 30k on the fronts. The last pair on the front had done 32k and still had 3mm of tread but the inner side walls were starting to wear heavily, apparently quite common if you regularly go over those little square speed humps!