Hello. I'm yet another newcomer from Sheffield! After a couple of decades of leaving them to the main dealers,

I'm back fixing our cars myself. It's nice to be back!

I've got a Mk1 Octavia, with the 2.0l AQY engine. It's over fourteen years old now, but I bought it when it was only five years old. I bought it as an experiment. Having known the dreaded Skodas of old, I found it hard to believe that the new (VW) ones were as good as people said. I bought it with the intention of buying a newer one if it turned out to be good, or ditching it otherwise. (I also bought it because, being slightly shorter than later and other similar models, it fitted in our drive). However, it's been so good I still have it over nine years later.

I bought it at a good price from Bickerton Skoda, the main Skoda dealer in Sheffield, and got them to change the timing belt and starter motor. Since then, very little has gone wrong with it. It's needed new rear bushes, rear springs, rear bump stops, exhaust, tie rod, ignition coil module, ignition leads, aluminium aircon pipe, and aircon compressor clutch / solenoid. That's about it. Not at all bad for nine years, and it still looks and drives like a new car. The aircon pipe was the biggest job, but Bickertons did it for a very reasonable price by putting some of the work down as training.

When I bought it, I thought it was the 150 bhp 2.0l engine and was disappointed to find that it was only the 115 bhp one. (I test drove it in heavy traffic, so couldn't test it's performance). However, I've found the older engine ideal for where I live. With loads of low rev torque, it climbs the hills of Sheffield and the Peak District with ease in pretty much any gear and at any speed. It's more like a diesel than a petrol in that respect. I almost never need to go above 4000 rpm, even when overtaking.

After an unfortunate encounter with some exposed ironworks during some recent roadworks, I've just changed the sump, subframe, and lower control arms. That was my first big job for some years. I did it because I couldn't find a mechanic prepared to take on the work on such an old car. They feared seized subframe bolts.

I've just ordered a (Sachs) clutch kit (£82). The original clutch has done 110K and it's starting to behave differently. I'm not certain it's on the way out, but I don't want to risk the flywheel getting damaged. The job doesn't look too difficult. Of course, if a bolt or two shears off, I'll wish I left it alone...

I'm currently trying to solve a steering problem - see http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/381783-steering-lock-puzzle/#entry4469561. Any help much appreciated.

Cheers,

JB.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Edited 17 December, 201510 yr by JB2015

I forgot to say:

I've had quieter cars, cars with smoother suspension, cars with smoother clutches, and cars with better acceleration. But this car has been the best one overall because it's been the least annoying!

It performs well in every situation. It always starts, always goes, handles well, holds whatever speed I set, and leaves me feeling refreshed after long journeys. Even though it's not the quietest car I've had, it makes the least annoying noise. (I've had quiet cars that somehow leave my ears ringing after long journeys).

I hope to keep the car for some time. Spare parts are still readily available. My only worry is that if anyone bumps into it, the insurance company will probably write it off, which would be a shame because it's worth much more than the book value. A problem with looking after your car too well!

JB.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Edited 17 December, 201510 yr by JB2015

Hi JB - Welcome to Briskoda 

 

Cheers,
Ste.

Welcome.

 

Definitely a rise in Sheffield locals now +1 to posting all that on your mobile too.

 

Power wise, the older gen wasn't that heavy, so 115 is ample for most scenarios, not that many places to really overtake. At least not without a cyclist appearing.

 

Colin.