Hi all

 

As said in the introductions forum, I currently drive a Legacy Spec B, but have recently moved house to near Chepstow and think I might need a diesel now for commuting.

 

Considering an Octavia Scout diesel, as 4wd is sometimes useful where we now live, and I like to collect wood, drive into fields etc Plus the scout should get around double the MPG of my 3.0 petrol Legacy!

 

My first question is, do the Octavia Scouts suffer DPF problems? I've not found too many reports of problems on the internet, but have found a few. And with my budget I'd be looking at a 2008 ish model Scout probably, so not the newer Scouts which I believe are less prone to DPF problems. Could be wrong on this though?

 

Also wondering about the differences between 140bhp manual Scout and 170bhp DSG auto. Does the extra power in the DSG version make a noticeable difference to the drive? Is it worth getting the manual chipped to up the power anyway? I'm used to fast petrol cars, though seeing less point in them as I get older! I've never had an automatic car or a diesel before, so the DSG might be too much of a shock!

 

Test driving a manual 140bhp Scout at the weekend, but can't find a DSG version to test.

 

Thanks for any info. I'll go and search the forum now.

My 2008 Scout has 159k miles on it now and other than a dodgy pressure sensor the dpf has given no trouble, neither have the dmf, EGR or turbo, all of which are generally seen as weak points on the Octavia.
As far as I'm aware there was never a 170bhp diesel in the mk2 scout. The bmm engine used in the pre face lift scout seems a lot easier on the dpf and dmf than the higher power units in the vrs.
My long term average is approaching 49mpg so should be considerably better than a 3.0 petrol.

Edited 1 November, 20169 yr by Anddenton

Thanks Andd, that's encouraging.

 

Right - perhaps the 170BHP DSG version is Mk3 Scout only, in which case I probably can't afford it anyway. What year did the Scout face lift happen? And were there any non-cosmetic changes? Was the BMN the post-facelift engine, or would that be too simple?!

 

Yep - I'm getting around 27MPG in the legacy, so 49 would be a big improvement!

 

Cheers.

BMN engine was pre face lift VRS only. After the face lift all diesel engines became common rail but I can't remember the engine codes. MK3 Scout is either 150 or 184bhp.

 

Facelift happened in 2009 so most 58 plates were pre face lift, most 59 plates were post face lift and 09 plates could be either. Changes were mostly cosmetic, but diesel engines changed from PD to CR and petrols from TFSI to TSI (All CR engines have a DPF but are better equiped to cope with this).

Early facelifts still had PD engine. Was perhaps 2011 (?) before Scouts got the CR engine.

Early facelift Scouts still had the BMM PD engine. (Sarge just beat me to it.)  Mine was registered April 2010 with PD, EGR replaced just before end of warranty.  Scouts didn't get CR engine until later that year.  Think DSG only available on MkIII 184 but somebody will be along to correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks fellas, that's all useful stuff. I guess 140bhp will have to be enough!

for info the PD140 BMM in the scout can be mapped to around 185bhp relatively easily...

Thanks, I had seen that. Costs about £300 I think? Is it a reversible process? Does it significantly increase fuel consumption? Would you say it was worth doing?

I wouldn't recommend mapping an 8 year old car.

 

Assuming it is still on it's original clutch, DMF, DPF and turbo then all a performance map is going to do is accelerate their demise.

 

I ran a 2008 PD140 Scout for several years. It was pretty much bullet proof and had plenty of power.  

Cost - yep there or thereabouts unless you the dpf taken off at the same time as that's a big job on a Scout or 4x4 so will add another £400 or so.

 

Yes it is reversible - just put the old map back on and if you have a Shark STS system you can do it yourself.  Fuel consumption - depends if you use the extra power or not.  Worth it? - definitely.

Thanks guys. Will know more after a test drive on Saturday...

Hi all

 

Looking at this again!

 

Just wondering, is there a buyer's guide to the MkII Octavia Scout anywhere? (What to look for, what needs to be done at what mileage / time etc.) Had a search on here but couldn't find anything relevant...

 

Thank you.

Perhaps one of main things to check is whether Haldex oil has been changed. IIRC should be done every 40k but often isn't. Also scout is a popular tow car so perhaps could be extra wear on clutch and other towing related components depending on use. As the scout is essentially just a normal Octy with 4x4 system and some extra plastic cladding what applies to a 2wd will also apply to a scout. Great cars and some have very good spec too. 

Thanks sarge, I'll add Haldex oil to the list. Is there a buying guide for the normal 2wd Octavia anywhere?!

 

Yep, they sound like good cars that should do exactly what I need. Shame everyone is down on diesel at the moment. And Scouts are quite hard to find anwyay...

 

Cheers.

Friend is selling his Dad's Scout 2.0 tdi don't know much details but maybe too far away as in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Bit of a mission, but I'd consider it depending on car details, price etc? Has it had waxoil or similar applied to protect its underside from the Scottish road salt?!

 

Cheers.

Face lifted Scouts up to approximately June/July, possiby even August 2010 had the PD engine.  I got one of the last which was built in June and delivered in July. 

For a short period there was a Scout Pre-FL/FL 'hybrid' model which had the pre-FL exterior, but the FL interior.

 

The changes for the cambelt are every 4 years for vehicles built UP to September 2010 (even if they have the CR engine) and 5 years for those built FROM September 2010.  It is advisable to get the waterpump changed at the same time, it adds approximately £100 to the cost at a Skoda dealership.

Haldex oil change is 4 years or 37.5k, whatever comes first and should be around £75.

The polished Proteus alloys delaminate in front of your very eyes, so factor in the cost of a refurb.

Servicing is a subjective manner; some people are happy on variable (approximately 18k or 2 years), and others prefer annual.  I have gone from variable to annual, as even though I was doing 100 miles a day on mostly motorway, the Service Indicator came on at approximatley 12.5k, and due to working a week on, week off, was very inconvenient for me.  With annual servicing you can more precisely predict when you will need to book the car in.  Bare in mind the service indicator is based on 10,000 kilometres which equates to approximately 9400 miles.

As for DPF issues, I have gone from 100 mile daily motorway commute to a daily 7 mile urban commute, with no issues.  My MPG covering 80k recorded via FUelly is around 44mpg; with a low of 37/38 and a high of 51.6mpg recorded once, six years ago!

 

I get a four wheel alignment done every time I swap over from cold weather tyres to my summer tyres and vice versa, (May and October) and there is very little rust under the vehicle and our roads get gritter several times a day when there is a predicted frost.  I do use an underbody lance when cleaning the car, so maybe that helps.

My Scout is the best, most versatile vehicle I have ever owned.  It has never broken down, or left me stranded at the side of the road.  I have taken it on road trips across France and Spain, up to the Highlands and Islands (well Skye at least, but you have to cross a bridge to get there!), I use it on a daily basis to take Hadley on her walk to the local country park, it takes a hoofin amount to the council dump.  It has, however, required a new DMF-it arrived from the factory faulty, replacement Proteus alloys, the rear diff(s) have leaked twice, and the EGR Cooler was replaced last year.  Fortunately they were all covered under either the Skoda, or an aftermarket warranty.  However, reading on here, my Scout is the exception to the rule when it comes to things going wrong. 

 

I would recommend the Scout without a shadow of a doubt.  If you can pick one up with Maxidot (the dealerships I visited did not point out just what you can do with this), and Xenons, even better.  They are the only two things I wish I had added to my order.

 

Good hunting.

 

I did the same change as you Sandspider, from a Subaru Legacy Mk4 to the Mk II FL Scout DSG I have now. I personally love the Scout with DSG. Mine's a newer MkII with a  CR engine and coming from a petrol, I would highly recommend getting the later CR engine, its much more refined, more of a petrol power delivery and won't be a shock to your ears coming from the subline Subaru engine. I do miss the Subaru but I don't miss the 26mpg. The CR 140 manages 49 mpg generally or sometimes 53 on a run though wales recently and it feels just as nippy as the Subaru. My Haldex pump has just failed at 55k, but Skoda are making a contribution so its a £237 all in for a new pump fitted which could be worse. Its the first repair the car has had apart from some rear brake disks.

17 hours ago, Fin69 said:

Face lifted Scouts up to approximately June/July, possiby even August 2010 had the PD engine.  I got one of the last which was built in June and delivered in July. 

For a short period there was a Scout Pre-FL/FL 'hybrid' model which had the pre-FL exterior, but the FL interior.

 

The changes for the cambelt are every 4 years for vehicles built UP to September 2010 (even if they have the CR engine) and 5 years for those built FROM September 2010.  It is advisable to get the waterpump changed at the same time, it adds approximately £100 to the cost at a Skoda dealership.

Haldex oil change is 4 years or 37.5k, whatever comes first and should be around £75.

The polished Proteus alloys delaminate in front of your very eyes, so factor in the cost of a refurb.

Servicing is a subjective manner; some people are happy on variable (approximately 18k or 2 years), and others prefer annual.  I have gone from variable to annual, as even though I was doing 100 miles a day on mostly motorway, the Service Indicator came on at approximatley 12.5k, and due to working a week on, week off, was very inconvenient for me.  With annual servicing you can more precisely predict when you will need to book the car in.  Bare in mind the service indicator is based on 10,000 kilometres which equates to approximately 9400 miles.

As for DPF issues, I have gone from 100 mile daily motorway commute to a daily 7 mile urban commute, with no issues.  My MPG covering 80k recorded via FUelly is around 44mpg; with a low of 37/38 and a high of 51.6mpg recorded once, six years ago!

 

I get a four wheel alignment done every time I swap over from cold weather tyres to my summer tyres and vice versa, (May and October) and there is very little rust under the vehicle and our roads get gritter several times a day when there is a predicted frost.  I do use an underbody lance when cleaning the car, so maybe that helps.

My Scout is the best, most versatile vehicle I have ever owned.  It has never broken down, or left me stranded at the side of the road.  I have taken it on road trips across France and Spain, up to the Highlands and Islands (well Skye at least, but you have to cross a bridge to get there!), I use it on a daily basis to take Hadley on her walk to the local country park, it takes a hoofin amount to the council dump.  It has, however, required a new DMF-it arrived from the factory faulty, replacement Proteus alloys, the rear diff(s) have leaked twice, and the EGR Cooler was replaced last year.  Fortunately they were all covered under either the Skoda, or an aftermarket warranty.  However, reading on here, my Scout is the exception to the rule when it comes to things going wrong. 

 

I would recommend the Scout without a shadow of a doubt.  If you can pick one up with Maxidot (the dealerships I visited did not point out just what you can do with this), and Xenons, even better.  They are the only two things I wish I had added to my order.

 

Good hunting.

 

Thanks  Fin, lots of useful info there. And again, encouraging review in general.

 

Still can't quite get my head around BMM / BMN & PD / CR, but I probably need to read through it all again, and it doesn't sound like the differences are major in any case.

10 hours ago, paddypaws said:

I did the same change as you Sandspider, from a Subaru Legacy Mk4 to the Mk II FL Scout DSG I have now. I personally love the Scout with DSG. Mine's a newer MkII with a  CR engine and coming from a petrol, I would highly recommend getting the later CR engine, its much more refined, more of a petrol power delivery and won't be a shock to your ears coming from the subline Subaru engine. I do miss the Subaru but I don't miss the 26mpg. The CR 140 manages 49 mpg generally or sometimes 53 on a run though wales recently and it feels just as nippy as the Subaru. My Haldex pump has just failed at 55k, but Skoda are making a contribution so its a £237 all in for a new pump fitted which could be worse. Its the first repair the car has had apart from some rear brake disks.

 

Thanks Paddy! Yes, the Legay is a bit thirsty, and also I seem to have had a bit of bad luck with mine - front shocks, rear diff, a few other little niggles. Everyone said how good they were, but mine has been a bit troublesome. Great when you get the revs over 4000 though! And fuel consumption of 27 ish isn't too bad when you think it's a big, 4wd estate car.

 

I'm not sure that a newer DSG / CR Scout is in budget, and I've always had a liking for manual cars - I like the extra control. I've not been able to find a DSG Scout to test drive in any case! Do they have the flappy paddle shift options, or just on the gear lever / normal auto?

 

Cheers.

Scout wasn't available with flappy paddles. 

Manual gear change is on the gear stick, but DSG is so good especially sport mode.