Tested a Mk. 3 Octavia 1.4TSi SE hatch (manual) yesterday and am going for it. My Mk. 2 1.8 is nearly 6 years old and the 1.4 TSi feels not hugely different, nice grunt in mid range etc and I never use the full 1.8 power or revs anyway. Going for a Corrida red one so will have to order now and get it about December.

I must say lousy trade in price for mine (£3800), when apparently it is worth nearly £7K but that's dealers for you.

Probably taking the 3 year lease/purchase deal - 0% interest at present.

 

Quite a few goodies thrown in apparently. 3 years servicing, AA membership as usual, no road tax (Band D) first year and £110 per year after that. (1.8 is £180)

 

One odd thing. I was going for an Elegance but having road tested the cheaper SE and checked what you get, I actually am happy with the SE as I don't want (part) leather seats nor do I want 17" wheels. I know the racers will think this odd but the 16 wheels will have better rim protection (tyres stick out more!!) and no doubt cheaper tyres when replacement comes up. I also prefer the 16" wheel style as fitted currently. I never even look at most of the electronic toys that come with higher models, and never use sat-nav (and NO, I don't live in a cave!) 

 

So we'll see how the next chapter goes.

Hi Ednmra,   Just seen your post which I find very interesting  and can I please ask your advice. ?  My present Octy is exactly like your current one -  1.8 TSI Elegance  61 plate, so only 3yrs old. So far no probs. I see your's is now 6yrs old and I will probably keep mine for same time and then, like you go for the 1.4 TSI next time in SE spec which is also fine for my needs. My question is have you had many (any ?) problems with your 1.8 over the six years  you've had it and if not too much trouble could you give me a list to watch out for ?  Have you had any trouble with the dreaded chain tensioner ? How many miles have you clocked ? I would be very grateful for any info on the 1.8 Thanks Ken

Hi Ednmra,   Just seen your post which I find very interesting  and can I please ask your advice. ?  My present Octy is exactly like your current one -  1.8 TSI Elegance  61 plate, so only 3yrs old. So far no probs. I see your's is now 6yrs old and I will probably keep mine for same time and then, like you go for the 1.4 TSI next time in SE spec which is also fine for my needs. My question is have you had many (any ?) problems with your 1.8 over the six years  you've had it and if not too much trouble could you give me a list to watch out for ?  Have you had any trouble with the dreaded chain tensioner ? How many miles have you clocked ? I would be very grateful for any info on the 1.8 Thanks Ken

Been one of the best cars I've ever had, and least trouble. Did have the famous rear wiper motor replacement but as yours is newer it might have a revised one from new. Replaced one brake light bulb. 

On only second set of tyres, but car has only now done 40700 miles. Had fixed annual services, semi synthetic oil, hardly uses any between servicing. Sad to see it go really!

Usually change at 3 years but at that time there wasn't anything much I fancied. As mentioned, the Mk. 3 1.4 TSi feels little different in power, never use mine flat out anyway. 

Only minor glitch with new car ordered, had to go for white, as there is one on its way. Red one would not have arrived till about April. 

Hi Ednmra, many thanks for taking the trouble to reply.  Glad to hear that you have had virtualy no trouble in 6 years. That's great and very heartening. I hope mine does so well. Interesting that our car history is so similar and I feel the same about motoring - never go flat out. Really enjoying the 1.8 but glad to hear the 1.4 is very similar as that's what I will be going for next time. I have done 19,000 in the 3 yrs.   I'm sure your new one will look good in white and not long until December. A nice Xmas present !

Thanks again  and happy motoring in 2015.   Ken

 1.4 is very similar as that's what I will be going for next time. 

Ah, but who knows what'll be out there in three years time!

You're being hopeful if you think an 61 Octavia will not suffer from the infamous rear wiper failure.  My 62 vRS  has needed the rear wiper motor replaced twice - the first replacement lasted less than a month!

You're being hopeful if you think an 61 Octavia will not suffer from the infamous rear wiper failure.  My 62 vRS  has needed the rear wiper motor replaced twice - the first replacement lasted less than a month!

I thought they introduced a revised motor that was okay? Seems a bit basic to not be able to get that right after all this time and all the reported failures (and probably loads of unreported failures!!)

Strange... 1st I've seen mentioned about rear wiper motor! I suppose you only look for these things when you have a problem?

 

Good look with your new choice, I am looking at replacing mine soon, but I am thinking of going for a smaller car so at the mo not looking at the MK3.

Strange... 1st I've seen mentioned about rear wiper motor! I suppose you only look for these things when you have a problem?

 

Good look with your new choice, I am looking at replacing mine soon, but I am thinking of going for a smaller car so at the mo not looking at the MK3.

I had a Rapid courtesy car at last service. But didn't like (1.6 diesel) engine, and when I checked brochure the best petrol engine was the 1.4 Tsi with 122 bhp, AND that only came with DSG.

Shame really as a nice compact car, classic looks, hatch or estate etc., but I'd have wanted at least the 140 bhp petrol engine and then only with manual. Maybe they will add to the range later?

I would look at the spaceback if it came as a sportier version. My daughter has the 1.6 in her fabia, tbh I don't think its bad... just feels a bit sluggish at lower speeds.have been looking at an Audi A1/S1 sportback but not driven one yet though... the price is the biggest issue. May look at the new fabia just a shame no vRS version or even the new Polo.. and just as I am typing this I see the new 5dr mini advert... hmm?  still not sure whether I want petrol or diesel...  

I had a Rapid courtesy car at last service. But didn't like (1.6 diesel) engine, and when I checked brochure the best petrol engine was the 1.4 Tsi with 122 bhp, AND that only came with DSG.

Shame really as a nice compact car, classic looks, hatch or estate etc., but I'd have wanted at least the 140 bhp petrol engine and then only with manual. Maybe they will add to the range later?

 

Yeh I think Skoda are being quite short sighted only offering the Rapid with the 122 TSI engine, and then only with DSG. The 140 TSI manual would have been very nice in that car. Its also a real shame that they seem to have dropped the performance models in the new Fabia. a 1.4 140hp TSI in that would be a cracking car I am sure. That engine is running low 8 secs on the 0-60 in the Octavia, and is quite good on fuel in the Octy too.

 

endmra, what are your general impressions of the 140 TSI Octy that you are getting? Did it feel a lot slower than your 1.8 TSI? What was your impression of the mk3 build quality in comparison to the mk2?

 

I am quite interested in the 1.4 TSI 140hp engine in the Octy 3 as it is better on fuel (on paper at least!) than the old PD 2.0 TDI 140 that I have, it is also quicker. So seems like a good choice. I am wondering how it would feel though in comparison to the 2.0 TDI engine.

 

Lewwy