After 5 years and 100,000 miles it is time to change the faithful 1.6TDI Octy for something new. I thought that it would be useful to give a few facts and figures of my experience.

 

Running In

 

I tend to trust Honest John for advise and as such used his advice for running-in as there seems to be little advice on the Internet about running-in diesels.

 

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/running-in-a-diesel/

 

 

Leave factory fill of oil for the first year or 10,000 miles. For the first 1,000 miles do not exceed 3,000rpm, but make sure you reach 3,000rpm regularly.

If running in on a motorway, regularly vary the revs. So (in mph) cruise at 70 for 15 minutes, cruise at 80 for 15 minutes, cruise at 75 for 15 minutes, cruise at 60 for 15 minutes, cruise at 90 for 15 minutes, etc.

For the next 1,000 miles (to 2,000 miles) do not exceed 3,500rpm, but make sure you reach 3,500rpm regularly. For the next 1,000 miles (to 3,000 miles) do not exceed 4,000rpm, but make sure you reach 4,000rpm regularly. For the next 1,000 miles (to 4,000 miles) do not exceed 4,500rpm, but make sure you reach 4,500rpm at least a couple of times a week.

After that, no limit, but make sure you continue to hit 4,500rpm through the gears several times a week. The benefit of this is it helps to self clean the injectors, it blows any accumulated soot out of the exhaust system and it helps to free off the piston rings, making the engine more efficient and less likely to use engine oil. 

 

Other Tips when Driving

 

I do not hold the steering on hard lock as I understand that this is bad for the hydraulics. If I want a tight turning circle I find hard lock and then turn the steering wheel back slightly so that the hydraulics are not pushing against the end stop.

 

If cruising at speed (50mph plus) and I need to stop I will let the engine idle for approx 2 minutes before turning off the engine to allow the turbo to cool.

 

Tyres

 

The car was supplied with Bridgestone Turanza FR300 205/55 R16 91V. The fronts lasted 27,00 miles before replacing and at this point all four tyres were replaced with Bridgestone A001 All Seasons. The front A001 tyres were replaced after them doing 48,000 miles. The rear A001 tyres have never been replaced i.e. they have now done 75,000 miles. All four tyres still have 4mm of tread left.

 

Fuel Consumption

 

For approximately 95% of the last 100,000 miles I have run on Shell V-Power where it has been available. If not available I have used branded diesel and only very occasionally used Supermarket diesel.

 

I make a note of my mileage on a full tank to full tank basis and have kept records of the consumption on this basis. I have also kept a note of the consumption recorded by the maxidot (which is based on the last 999 miles).

 

A comparison of mpg, fill-to-fill and indicated by the maxidot is indicated on the attached graph. It seems that the winter/ summer temperatures / humidity? seem to be biggest factor on mpg.

 

 

Repairs and Maintenance

 

Although my mileage is suitable for variable servicing, I believe in at least chaining the oil every 10,000 miles particularly as the plan was always to keep the car for 4-5 years. The Octy has been serviced by the main Skoda dealer in Ipswich who I have found to be very good.

 

Apart from brake pads nothing else has needed replacing.

 

The day light running light bulbs failed and were replaced under warranty.

 

Next Steps

 

In October I test drove the current 1.6 Octy with the aim of buying it that afternoon. Unfortunately I found it to be underpowered. In addition to this I felt that Skoda had cheapened it’s construction and made it relatively more expensive. My wife found that the central arm rest was obstructive and couldn’t get comfy. I thought I would like the plain dash but it was too austere even for my taste.

 

After returning the Octy we had a look round the showroom and for another £3-4k found that we could get a Superb SEL. After my experience with 1.6 in the Octy I test drove a 2.0 TDI 150 Superb Sportline and found the performance matching what I was looking for. I have one of these on order and will PX the Octy.

What a great write up. Shame such a well looked after and reliable motor not for sale on Briskoda.

A comparison of mpg, fill-to-fill and indicated by the maxidot is indicated on the attached graph. It seems that the winter/ summer temperatures / humidity? seem to be biggest factor on mpg.

 

Winter diesel.

 

During the colder months they add additional anti-waxing agents to the fuel to prevent it from waxing up during the cold weather.

 

I notice it too.

Thanks for the comprehensive writeup.

 

Do you reckon that the Mk3 engine was still tight or that there's a real decrease in performance with the MK3 despite the quoted figures - possibly Euro 6 mapping related? Some people have found that the Euro 5 engines have a higher output on a rolling road than is officially quoted.

 

I'm looking at getting a late Mk2 or early Mk3 in the next few weeks.

Thanks for the comprehensive writeup.

 

Do you reckon that the Mk3 engine was still tight or that there's a real decrease in performance with the MK3 despite the quoted figures - possibly Euro 6 mapping related? Some people have found that the Euro 5 engines have a higher output on a rolling road than is officially quoted.

 

I'm looking at getting a late Mk2 or early Mk3 in the next few weeks.

The Mk3 I test drove had done 1600 miles so should have loosened up a bit. If you like the Mk3 and and want the 1.6 I'd recommend that if the first 1.6 test drive doesn't give you the performance you expect then go for a second test drive in a different car. On paper the Mk3 should be very similar as the Mk2 but it certainly didn't feel that way.