1.8 Tsi 160 ps great performance and economy

Hi , my first post here, im going to gush a bit about Skodas and ask for some general advice. I recently purchased an Octavia Mk2 facelift equipped with this engine and I think the car and engine are a great combo. I also own a Golf Mk5 1.6 FSI  and I really like the car. Ive driven various other rental cars like a new Astra an Auris ect and always looked forward to getting the Golf back. So I planned to buy a Mk 5 GTI or a nicer spec Mk6. I had been for a few test drives and almost pulled the trigger on a red 5 door GTI before I noticed bubbling rust on the bodywork. Then I started seeing rust on every MK5 I inspected closely. So the GTI dream got put on ice and I started looking at newer Mk 6 Golfs, I found a nice 2009 Match Mk 6 1.4 TSI dsg and really liked the transmission and my wife liked the trim level  and fancy buttonage.

But then I saw that for the same money I could get a newer less fashionable Jetta with half the miles on it. But Jettas's share some of the  Mk5 body panels and the dreaded rusty front wings. I also started to worry about the dsg going wrong and jerky pull aways at junctions.  So that train of thought , via a moment of madness and lookling at a Focus 2.0 tdci Titanium, led me to Skoda ... and nearly a 2010 green Fabia VRS Unfortunately the Fabia wasnt practical enough, we have a wee boy and another on the way. The Mk6 golf was back on the cards but I decided to wait until the weekend to pick it up as Golfs are ten a penny and I was almost willing something else to show up and thats when I found it. 

A 2009 Octavia Laurin Klement 1.8 Tsi. It only had 22,000 miles on it, 2/5ths of what the equivalent priced Golf Id almost settled on had, and it was in great condition, it looked like no one had ever been in the back of the car. I managed to knock the dealer down a little on the book price and that clinched it.

I cant believe how much value the car offers. It has really opened my eyes to Skoda and I doubt whether I would buy another VW over a Skoda with my own money. Side by side its better than my Mk5 in almost every regard, the panels feel more solid - like a thicker guage of metal? its boot is cavernous, the interior trim is better put together, the engine is in a different class  - feels to me like a more refined 2.0 TFSI with only slightly less pull. At motorway speeds its quieter and more solid, I like the 17" Cepeus alloys and the fog and xenon lights make it look sharper than other Octavias and less in your face than the VRS. The Golf only has 2 things I like better - its pneumatic ? bonnet opening arm and its hand rests have the dampened spring return.

Brief highlights are averaging well over 40 mpg measured at pump, most recently I managed 47.8 mpg on the maxidot driving like a cadaver on my daily commute home. I find it does better mpg with a brief Italian tune up near the start of the journey.

Sticking to a white GTD's tail like a rash and not being shaken off until id made my point after the GTD had driven up my bum for 5 miles of A and B roads trying to push me off the road because I refused to go over legal limit.

Fitting half of Ikea in the boot.

Surprising daylight runner Audis and BMWs that think Im in a grandads car. 

Some less good things are slightly high oil consumption - but FSI had that too. 

At 30- 50 ish mph road noise seems loud before quieting down again at motorway speeds think tyres need alligned.

Found water in the boot well, seems like a not too uncommon occurence, not sure if its rear washer or boot seal. Boot isnt damp or musty and the carpet and fittings are bone dry.

Does anyone have any tips or recommendations for the maxidot? Ive not delved in to changing any settings but know that there is a lot to play with.

Sorry for the lengthy post but I am really enjoying being part of the club

Edited 7 September, 201411 yr by boemher