Hi,

 

Im not sure if this is the most appropriate place to post, but I've found this group through Google Search.

 

My Nissan Primera has started smoking so Im looking at buying another car. Must admit, been sorely tempted by a VW Passat for the economy and size, but the cost and loan puts me off.

 

So I've seen an Octavia 2006 1.6 FSI for £3800 with 60k. Looks quite good for economy and everything. Very tempted.

 

I've heard about problems with tensioners etc and gummy valves? These things have timing chains right? Maintenance free timing chains? What's the service interval, and can I "service" it myself? Is it true it's a nightmare to get to the spark plugs?

 

In terms of more pressing matters, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity.

 

I gather that the CAN Gateway would need to be upgraded if I wanted to upgrade to a Bolero unit? Im presuming CAN Gateway, Bolero and an MDI interface and someone with VCDS to reprogram - how that works yet I don't know. Im gathering though that a Swing radio (as it looks like one is just the same as a VW RCD310 so that might be compatible with the MDI interface for iPod. But for all this little lot, we could be talking around £600?

 

I understand that that the black and white display on the dash is called "maxidot" (or what the VW calls MFD?)

 

The car Im looking at only has an LCD screen I believe and not maxidot. Is it still possible to fit MDI and Swing/Bolero without maxidot?

 

How much to upgrade to maxidot in the future?

 

Simon

CAN gateway will be required if fitting a newer type radio. You will need someone to code it, or buy a pre-coded one (send me a PM if you require one) 

 

Bolero and MDI can be picked up cheap enough if you are not in a hurry

 

Maxidot retrofit is possible, not required for the MDI or Bolero

 

Finding a 2nd hand one will be a challenge

Thanks for that. Good to know. Im hoping that the Swing Radio and MDI would be a good cheap alternative idea instead of going up to Bolero, but I think those can be found on eBay cheap enough.

 

Octavia 1.6 FSI, good car? Or should I go with Diesel? I only do 10k miles per year.

 

Thanks

Simon

I've had the same since Feb. no problems and love driving the car.

Not the best engine to be honest. Give emissions issues too.

For a bit more money you can have a tfsi vrs.....no contest surely

VRS is tempting, but the MPG, Tax and inevitable insurance increases are a bit off putting.

 

But I note from one of the respondants with regards to the 1.6, problems with emissions and not a great engine?

 

What is a great engine with no emissions? And what is ungreat by it? Is it as "great" as my Nissan Primera? Im just really looking for something that's not worse than that.

 

Simon

I would go for a 1.9 tdi as the Octavia is a heavy car and 1.6 is no ball of fire, the 1.9tdi is a very reliable engine and one of taxi drivers favourites.

But I note from one of the respondants with regards to the 1.6, problems with emissions and not a great engine?

 

What is a great engine with no emissions? And what is ungreat by it? Is it as "great" as my Nissan Primera? Im just really looking for something that's not worse than that.

 

In all honesty, I don't think the 1.6 FSI is a bad engine. I think what Davidsr20 was alluding to is that practically every other engine choice in the Octavia is perhaps better, in the context that the 1.6 FSI is pretty old technology these days.

 

The 1.8 TSI is much more powerful for about the same MPG, and the 2.0 TFSI is a bit more powerful again albeit with poorer MPG. The newer 1.2 TSI and 1.4 TSI engines are great compared to the 1.6 FSI, but these choices are going to cost you more to buy (especially in the case of 1.2/1.4 TSI), so I can see why the 1.6 FSI is still attractive for some people.   

I consider the 1.6 as a similar engine output to my 1.8 Primera. 

 

Struggling to find any 1.8 Octavias though on AutoTrader, and the 2.0 - nice, but MPG, CO2 and Insurance considerations. 1.4's seem to be much newer cars.

 

I'ts the difference between spending £4k and £8k I see.... £4k on an average car like the 1.6 Skoda, or for anything better, you're looking £6k+ which by the time I've gonae the extra £2k, I may as well add on another £2k and go with a Passat Diesel. Im not convinced I do the mileage, but at the same time, Im sure I could reap some savings in the region of £50 per month.

 

This is turning to a nightmare. I might just get the Valve Seals done on my car and shape a new panel out of fibre glass to fit a double din.... 10 years ago, I wanted a new car, I went with Nissan. Now it's all about MPG, performance and CO2.

 

Did Skoda do 1.9 TDI Octavia with 130 bhp like VW? All I can find is 105....?

Edited 8 December, 201312 yr by sjdean

Did Skoda do 1.9 TDI Octavia with 130 bhp like VW? All I can find is 105....?

 

Not on the Mk2 Octavia....I believe they did on the Mk1 and the Mk1 Fabia vRS has the 1.9 tdi 130bhp engine.

 

On Mk2 Octavia's (excluding vRS models) the diesel choices are a 1.9 TDI with 105 BHP, or a 2.0 TDI with 140 bhp. On much later models the 1.9 TDI was replaced with a 1.6 TDI.   

I can say from experience that the 1,6 FSI engine o Octavia MK2 is really great engine. It does not consume a lot, and is preaty strong. I have with mine about 230.000 km and is still great. I had absolute no isues wth the car at all. I made all the services on time, and changed all the filters at each service. I added metaond oil additive since 75k km, but I drive kind of soprty .... I do change the gears up to the red line .... It is true that sometimes on hill climb when  I try to pass an Mercedes E class 220 CDI or similar car ... I wish that it had more power ... but I had no trouble passing other Octavias with the 1,9 TDI ...