Hi all

Current car is on 211k had it since 29k

Looking around for a suitable low maintenance replacement around 3-5 years old

I know it's likely been discussed many times before, what's the best for my kind of motorway miles 20-30k a year?

Like the idea of a DSG mainly because of traffic on the M1 and M6 and I know slight loss of MPG

Currently getting 55-58mpg @70 by sat nav reading so slightly higher on speedo ????

Important is Elegance toys. So cruise, front fogs and parking sensors.

Bonus items Sunroof, Bluetooth ,aux and SD card slot.

I was hoping to avoid the 2007-10 BXE engine despite for and against arguments, so a real shame as its a nice engine as per my BKC

I also want reliability so is the 1.6 ok except for the inlet/EGR issues I would need to budget about £500 for?

How about DSG. Change oil at 40k. Are these reliable?

The Elegance is still a good spec as is the SE plus although I would have to retro for an arm rest/jumbo box. A car is not right without one for me. ????

Any long term/high mile stories from anyone on here of the FL Octy in this guise ?

Thanks in advance

The 1.6 TDI 105 is paired with a 7 speed DSG. There have been some problems with this gearbox which is a shame.

 

A 2.0 CR140 DSG is probably your best bet. Oil and filter change at 40k miles for the gearbox. 6 speed DSG with wet lubricated multi plate clutches are very reliable.

 

MPG is slightly worse than the 1.9 DSG though I think.

Thanks Phil, is there a difference in the 2lt gearbox then as per your suggestion?

I wanted to avoid the 2lt due to the emissions fix causing issues too right now, just a thought

On a side note is the 2005 6 speed DSG more reliable as enough time has passed as I may consider another 2005/6 BKC as their are plenty around still with 100k or less on them?

I purchased my manual CR140 FL Octavia Elegance at 3 years old with ~48k on it.

 

In the last 2 years and 3 months I've racked up another ~56k (so ~104k total) with an average 55mpg*. I don't think it's too bad as I tend to make progress when I can. No issues to reports, other than standard servicing/tyres it's had it brake fluid, cambelt and water pump done as it turned 5 years old.

 

As for DSG/manual, the Skoda pricing for the DSG oil change is £175 so could become expensive if done every 18-24 months. The manuals are lifelong oil but still might be worth doing every 100k or so. I think both are reliable if looked after.

 

In regards to emissions fix issues, both the 1.6TDi and 2.0TDi are effected. I've so far refused the fix so depending where you buy it from it may not have been done.

 

* mpg measured on fuel consumed (as measured by forecourt pump) and milage covered (as measured by the odometer) so may not be 100% accurate.

Langers2k. That's the kind of car I would want

So is elegance still the reasonable Spec to go for?

I was put off by the DSG reliability 6+ years ago but I really want an auto now. 4+ hours on the road a day and yes that oil change reprogram of DSG is pretty pricey.

I never considered the 2lt but that's a reasonable MPG as it seems we do drive similarly, lol

I was worried I would discount lots of cars or certainly make enquiries difficult by not knowing if the work had been done with ease already, how do I tell, sticker in the boot was it?

I purchased my manual CR140 FL Octavia Elegance at 3 years old with ~48k on it.

In the last 2 years and 3 months I've racked up another ~56k (so ~104k total) with an average 55mpg*. I don't think it's too bad as I tend to make progress when I can. No issues to reports, other than standard servicing/tyres it's had it brake fluid, cambelt and water pump done as it turned 5 years old.

As for DSG/manual, the Skoda pricing for the DSG oil change is £175 so could become expensive if done every 18-24 months. The manuals are lifelong oil but still might be worth doing every 100k or so. I think both are reliable if looked after.

In regards to emissions fix issues, both the 1.6TDi and 2.0TDi are effected. I've so far refused the fix so depending where you buy it from it may not have been done.

* mpg measured on fuel consumed (as measured by forecourt pump) and milage covered (as measured by the odometer) so may not be 100% accurate.

The Elegance is decent enough spec, it has the fogs, cruise, rear parking sensors and jumbo box you mentioned.

 

I think there is a range of build dates that also got the Amundsen satnav as standard rather than a Bolero as mine did.

 

Useful extras include:

- MFSW

- maxidot

- xenons

- bluetooth (easy to add afterwards)

- heated seats (great at this time of year)

- folding mirrors (some early FL elegances got these as standard)

 

Personally, I'd avoid a sunroof as the drains can block up.

 

As for the recall, I think they get a sticker near the spare wheel well with 23R6 on it. Otherwise a VCDS autoscan will report the software version, I think anything above about 9977/9978/9979 has the fix.

I did forget, I never got a poverty spec 2005 elegance either it has MFSW and Maxidot as standard. I certainly look for Maxidot when browsing the classifieds for a pre-FL.

Some great advice maybe I could give the sunroof a miss not that common anyway.

Would I be right in saying there are 2 maxidot type clusters since the FL came out, as all cars look to have one now?

The Elegance is decent enough spec, it has the fogs, cruise, rear parking sensors and jumbo box you mentioned.

I think there is a range of build dates that also got the Amundsen satnav as standard rather than a Bolero as mine did.

Useful extras include:

- MFSW

- maxidot

- xenons

- bluetooth (easy to add afterwards)

- heated seats (great at this time of year)

- folding mirrors (some early FL elegances got these as standard)

Personally, I'd avoid a sunroof as the drains can block up.

As for the recall, I think they get a sticker near the spare wheel well with 23R6 on it. Otherwise a VCDS autoscan will report the software version, I think anything above about 9977/9978/9979 has the fix.

Wise words as ever Mike and you certainly put a good spin on the SE Plus, after you bought the TSi;I started noticing its specification.

The way you put it, what you have ended up with spec wise is how I want mine, plus with the least amount of hassle to retro fit stuff.

Be careful on specs - I was amazed at what was and wasn't out there when I bought my FL last summer. I was looking at Elegance, purely because my preFL that I was replacing was an Elegance, but found that MFSW, sat nav and maxidot were NOT standard, and in fact difficult to source on a used buy.

The SE Plus that I bought is a funny spec - standard maxidot, standard MFSW, and standard Amundsen Plus sat nav, but no cruise, jumbo box, headlight wash or front fogs. Cruise and fogs I have since retrofitted, along with heated front seats. The SE Plus was a better bet for me, because it was always going to be a cheaper option for me firstly to buy, and to retrofit to get the car as I wanted it. Maxidot would have been a couple of hundred pounds, as would a MFSW, if I had gone Elegance.

Fair enough, a cruise retrofit is £200 on the later models, but the maxidot and MFSW were major items that were already standard and would have really bounced up the price of an already more expensive motor. Look at the spec of my SE Plus now in my signature - it's a lot better specced now than the vast majority of Elegance models out there for sale.

Weigh up what you really want, and don't totally ignore the lower spec models.

Mike

You just need to look at the spec for the build date you're interested in. I've attached a brochure from 06/2011 (correct for my car) to give you an idea of the differences between spec at that date.

 

As Mike says, most things can be added at a later date, I think as a rough guide:

- cruise needs a new steering controller and stalk, some models may also need a wire between the ECU and steering controller

- front fogs are easily sourced, will need a wiring loom to the BCM to do it properly and get the DRL function

- maxidot need specialist tools to code in, I've bought a few now between £25-£60, just needs patience to avoid spending big money

- MSFW is more interested as it depends whats aviable, new ones are expensive, used ones can be damaged, may also need steering controller upgrades

- jumbo boxes are quite rare I think, at least for all the parts

- bluetooth, MDI and satnav are all easy to add but range in price

 

Other obvious differences include:

- auto dimming rear view mirrors, adds a rain/light sensor if you want auto lights at some point

- dual zone climate and air conditioned glove box

- headlight washers, useful if you want to add xenons

 

It's all going to depend what cars are around you, if you really want toys get the L&K ;)

 

edit:

 

Just to add, the maxidot/non-maxidot FL clusters look identical when turned off, the easiest check is that when a door is open you get an image of the car with that door open in the centre panel.

Skoda Octavia 201106-min.pdf

Edited 20 January, 20179 yr by langers2k

More food for thought on specification and its that level of granular detail I wanted.

Such as no auto dim rear view mirror. With motorway driving particularly in the early hours is a brilliant invention.

I noticed the SE plus does not appear to be for sale as a 2lt 138bhp though or non on the Autotrader.

Pushed towards the L&K as you say, it really is a nice piece of kit. Just not a fan of leathers for many reasons and now I have them in the Fabia vRS I remember why.

When the L&K came with half leathers around 2008 it was the best compromise for me in keeping the luxury in that car spec.

Are all these 2lt cars all the 6 speed wet clutch DSG?

You just need to look at the spec for the build date you're interested in. I've attached a brochure from 06/2011 (correct for my car) to give you an idea of the differences between spec at that date.

As Mike says, most things can be added at a later date, I think as a rough guide:

- cruise needs a new steering controller and stalk, some models may also need a wire between the ECU and steering controller

- front fogs are easily sourced, will need a wiring loom to the BCM to do it properly and get the DRL function

- maxidot need specialist tools to code in, I've bought a few now between £25-£60, just needs patience to avoid spending big money

- MSFW is more interested as it depends whats aviable, new ones are expensive, used ones can be damaged, may also need steering controller upgrades

- jumbo boxes are quite rare I think, at least for all the parts

- bluetooth, MDI and satnav are all easy to add but range in price

Other obvious differences include:

- auto dimming rear view mirrors, adds a rain/light sensor if you want auto lights at some point

- dual zone climate and air conditioned glove box

- headlight washers, useful if you want to add xenons

It's all going to depend what cars are around you, if you really want toys get the L&K ;)

edit:

Just to add, the maxidot/non-maxidot FL clusters look identical when turned off, the easiest check is that when a door is open you get an image of the car with that door open in the centre panel.

Such as no auto dim rear view mirror. With motorway driving particularly in the early hours is a brilliant invention.

It's a challenging retrofit as it would need a new windscreen fitting for the OEM mirror.

 

I noticed the SE plus does not appear to be for sale as a 2lt 138bhp though or non on the Autotrader.

There are certainly manual versions, the DSG might be more rare:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201609137711737

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201611290192691 

Yeah the one link that's live below is a little high miles for me for its age based on me running into 200k and keeping cars for a long time.

Just need to get more info on DSG. Is it a 6 speed wet clutch from 2004-2013 on the 1.9pd and 2lt 138bhp CR only ? Are these the best as long as they have the 40k oil change etc ?

Seen a 2013 low miler below 40k which means the first oil change will be done by me after 10k plus.

It's a challenging retrofit as it would need a new windscreen fitting for the OEM mirror.

There are certainly manual versions, the DSG might be more rare:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201609137711737

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201611290192691

The dipping mirror is an easy retrofit.

Get windscreen insurance.get an unlucky stone chip and pay the 75 excess for a new rain sensor equipped screen.

30,000 miles, 4 hours a day in the car, like your standard spec with lots of toys?

 

What's your budget?

 

Whilst the MkII Octavia is a good car the Superb is far superior for mile munching.

 

The MkII Superb isn't hugely more expensive than the Octavia, a hidden gem.

 

I've taken my CR140 Superb SE from 14K 10 114K in 3 years at motorway speeds and averaged 51mpg.

 

Wish I'd gone for the Elegance, unlike the Octavia it gets everything as standard, heated leather, sat nav, SD card, bluetooth, bi-xenons, Maxidot, MFSW, dimming rear view mirror, folding mirrors, auto lights, wipers etc. etc.

 

Here's a fully loaded DSG for less than £10K...

 

http://www.castlehillmotors.co.uk/skoda-superb-elegance-tdi-cr-dsg-in-nottinghamshire-6110019

On 22 January 2017 at 20:53, silver1011 said:

30,000 miles, 4 hours a day in the car, like your standard spec with lots of toys?

 

What's your budget?

 

Whilst the MkII Octavia is a good car the Superb is far superior for mile munching.

 

The MkII Superb isn't hugely more expensive than the Octavia, a hidden gem.

 

I've taken my CR140 Superb SE from 14K 10 114K in 3 years at motorway speeds and averaged 51mpg.

 

Wish I'd gone for the Elegance, unlike the Octavia it gets everything as standard, heated leather, sat nav, SD card, bluetooth, bi-xenons, Maxidot, MFSW, dimming rear view mirror, folding mirrors, auto lights, wipers etc. etc.

 

Here's a fully loaded DSG for less than £10K...

 

http://www.castlehillmotors.co.uk/skoda-superb-elegance-tdi-cr-dsg-in-nottinghamshire-6110019

 

Was hoping to spend about 8k on a low mile 3-4 year old Octy 2lt DSG, where the Superb means more miles at the same price perhaps. 

 

I have seen the superb is very much loaded compared to the Octy, unfortunately I am not a fan of the Superb twindoor saloon look, however 10/10 for a saloon/hatch combo to Skoda. That leaves the estate which is very nice if you need that space. 

The toys as you say are all there. Stuff I don't like or want, well just the leather seats, they do not stand up to wear well apparently and I just love the simplicity/hard wearing of my cloth seats in the 05 Octy. With 2 booster seats in the back I don't need to worry about damaging the leather or indentations like the Fabia I have. 

 

I must admit that list of Elegance toys really does show how good the Superb really is as standard. 

 

I will take another look, but for now I still love the Octy and maybe more if I find the right one.