Has anyone actually given the 4x4 a proper off road test? I am intrigued to know just how good it is as skoda clearly market the 4x4 as an off-road go anywhere type utility car (caravan puller) rather than an on road performance 4x4. so whats it like?

It'd be OK given proper tyres.

One word of warning, it ain't a Land Rover, it is more of a soft roader (think RAV4, Subaru Forester) and if you really must go off road with it, fit the optional Skoda engine and gearox guard (known to you and me as a sump guard).

Yes sump guard and mud plugger tyres would prob make it quite competant.

A freelander it will never be... but im sure it could be quite fun.. the bit to watch is the front overhang.

There is a video of Tavia4x4 on here somewhere proving it can be done...

Ah, the river crossing

And the cracked sump

unrelated but yes.

Cant seem to find the video or thread anymore. Was fun

A freelander it will never be... but im sure it could be quite fun.. the bit to watch is the front overhang.

Tell me about it! A mate has a nightmare drive that literally drops like a cliff face onto the road when you leave it. its eaten many a front spoiler of many cars, but as my friend knows my 4x4 is on bean stalk suspension assumed I didnt need to be told about it....

I survived with just a few scratches, but that would serverely hamper progress off road.

Its tempting to give it the off road trial, but as my only form of transport maybe not worth it just yet!

...if you really must go off road with it, fit the optional Skoda engine and gearox guard (known to you and me as a sump guard).

Any idea where to get the sump guard from? I keep catching the underneath of mine (11o0TDi estate, not 4x4) on rough bits of land when I park in a quarry to see my horses.

I took mine lightly off road before it was lowered, gravel tracks & large areas of flatish grass etc, considering the tyres it performed well & I was very impressed with ythe Haldex system BUT I would re iterate the coments about fitting a sump guard, the std sump is pitifully thin & many have been trashed in normal road use.

I have done a lot of Balloon retrieves in Subarus & various 4x4's & I think it will be a match for most of the "car" based 4x4's but it isnt a Landrover

Any idea where to get the sump guard from? I keep catching the underneath of mine (11o0TDi estate, not 4x4) on rough bits of land when I park in a quarry to see my horses.

Initially try your local Skoda dealer, it is a Skoda accesory

Check its the sump hitting & not the front bumper hanging down, this often catches, Ive completely trashed mine as it caught whilst I was reversing, it pulled it out both sides & split in 3 places, the trailing edge can be pinned up using self tapping screws to the underside of the car

Our new 4x4 has a steel sump gaurd fitted as standard. We took it to Clumber park last Thursday when it was -3 all day and there was snow all over. I went round some of the more secluded parts and it handled the snow and ice brilliantly. I did manage to graze one of the alloys when I was doing a bit of Colin Mcrae around some of the tracks with the esp turned off (funny thing is I've blamed wife and she's accepted she must have doe it in a car park).

if she ever reads this your screwed !

Any idea where to get the sump guard from? I keep catching the underneath of mine (11o0TDi estate, not 4x4) on rough bits of land when I park in a quarry to see my horses.

I have a used one I bought in error - it is very heavy but I can get a shipping cost for you if you wish?

You'll need someone with more than half a brain to fit it as I've no instructions, it is very heavy and requires rivnuts to be inserted into holes in the chassis rails.

I have a used one I bought in error - it is very heavy but I can get a shipping cost for you if you wish?

You'll need someone with more than half a brain to fit it as I've no instructions' date=' it is very heavy and requires rivnuts to be inserted into holes in the chassis rails.[/quote']

How on *Earth* do you buy a sump guard by accident? :confused:

Anyway, it's a surprisingly capable car. As others have mentioned, the overhangs, front especially, need attention but with care there isn't much you can't do. Starting on deep mud can be interesting, as you have no diff lock and because the rears only engage once the fronts have started slipping it makes easing away difficult. I think the Haldex in the new 4x4 is better in this respect.

Where are you? I am in Dorset, near to Weymouth, but have parents in Somerset and a brother who lives near to Blackpool. I quite often travel for work so might be able to collect at some point! Otherwise shipping cost would be good. rivnuts - what are they?

Initially try your local Skoda dealer' date=' it is a Skoda accesory

Check its the sump hitting & not the front bumper hanging down, this often catches, Ive completely trashed mine as it caught whilst I was reversing, it pulled it out both sides & split in 3 places, the trailing edge can be pinned up using self tapping screws to the underside of the car[/quote']

There are a few scuffs in the under engine plastic tray. the gf caught the bumper on a low curb when she reserved off it, and that caused extra damage. I did get the dealer to stick a self tapper in the middle of the bumper to lift it up a bit. I am thinking that protection is better than fitting a new sump!

NB: The engine/gearbox assembly skid plates (sump guards) are different for the petrol and diesel Octavias, plus diesels also need a sound absorber plus clips.

How on *Earth* do you buy a sump guard by accident? :confused:

Anyway' date=' it's a surprisingly capable car. As others have mentioned, the overhangs, front especially, need attention but with care there isn't much you can't do. Starting on deep mud can be interesting, as you have no diff lock and because the rears only engage once the fronts have started slipping it makes easing away difficult. I think the Haldex in the new 4x4 is better in this respect.[/quote']

Has the haldex been upgraded then in the new 4x4?:confused:

I see the need for a drive off with an old 4x4 against a new 4x4 in the mud!

I think the new 4x4 has the haldex 2 system but I'm not sure ? As for the drive off I'll volunteer a new 4x4 for the test

If only I had a sump guard then I might partake too!

(Suppose thats 1-0 to the new octy already!)

does anyone know what this sumpguard costs? I live on a farm and whilst I havent been off the road yet, I will be quite soon as my second car is a land rover racer and often need to get to it when I break it during a race!

Once I have done a bit off tarmac I will post up here my thoughts. Hopefully better than my old focus, caused £800 of damage to that having too much fun in a field on day

Cheers

.... rivnuts - what are they?

They clamp down like rivets when you tighten a bolt into them.