Hello all

 

I am new here and this is an excellent forum.   I bought myself a 2015 2.0TDI Octavia hatchback in racing blue last week, immaculate with 10,500 miles on the clock; I have put around 400 miles on it already despite being in work a lot and unable to take it out on a road trip.  

 

I keep my cars until they die; my old 2003 Focus 1.8 Petrol LX was on its last legs with the body work falling to pieces, progressing electrical problems and making so many expensive noises I got shot of it before it did die.  So I took the plunge and bought a Skoda which I have liked for some time, usually as they were overtaking me in my former wreck of a car.

 

The difference in the cars; the Octavia is so much better in almost every way; the thing I will miss the most is the heated windscreen.  It has taken a while to get used to the cruise control but it is excellent on the motorway; fuel consumption I have been getting 56mpg on my run to work and after a 100 mile motorway run today 62mpg on the motorway according to the trip computer - I am waiting to get through a tank in order to work out the true mpg.  I have not been driving enthusiastically; I like to get used to a car over a couple of months and know how the car will handle before I start getting heavy with my right foot lest I end up in a ditch or around a lamppost.  Compared to my 2003 Focus which got 41 mpg (calculated brim to brim) when it was being nursed along at 55-60mph through fear of more repair bills; in its younger days driven with enthusiasm I would get around 33-35mpg.

 

So I have got a more economical, lower tax (£20 vs £240), slightly more (£70) on insurance, powerful and better car - I love it already.  

 

One thing I have noticed is I seem to be getting tyre roar or a hum on some roads when cruising at 60-70mph; I have only noticed this on motorways, I have put this down to road surface, has anyone else had this issue?  Car is running 2 x Good year F1's on the front, 2x Pirelli (forgotten what model) on the back.  Any tyre recommendations?  First time I have used Good Year F1's and I find them pretty impressive for grip and handling, but that may just be down to driving a new car.

 

What is this car like in the snow?  I assume pretty terrible.

 

 

Thanks

Edited 8 October, 20169 yr by BNT1985

One of the the Octavia 3's downside is the refinement I think - particularly with excess engine noise and road noise. Don't think any particular tyre will cure it, although some are better than others.

Mine is running Bridgestone Potenza S001 all round (from the factory) and I'll be using them again as the wear has been very good. Always sworn by Hankook Ventus V12 Evo on other cars - fantastic performance for the price.

Otherwise so far my O3 has been a great car, well equipped and comfortable. Long term average is around 48 mpg (2.0 150 diesel DSG). About 50/50 stop start and motorway driving.