So I've had the car for a week now – 2013 Octavia 2.0 TDI (150bhp) Elegance (hatchback) in white. So far I'm impressed, but there are a few niggles: the rear washer popping its pipe off, the very firm ride (I'm still getting used to that, from a spongy Golf before), but mainly I'm a bit confused about the spec. It has 18" Golus wheels, looks lowered, has a funny coloured badge (TDI), non branded kick plates, but otherwise the usual elegance toys: cruise control, front fog lights, xenon headlights + washers, lumbar support, parking sensors (rear), partial leather seat trim, Sat Nav etc.

 

I drive 90 miles a day commute and find the car very reassuringly solid, but can't seem to get the power delivery right for a quick 0-60. I had it down in the Golf (2.0 TDI 140bhp) and could easily upset the BMW and Audi drivers on the motorway slips etc. With the Octy I just can't find the right power band. Maybe I'm changing up too quickly. Don't get me wrong the power is there, but its more of a smooth delivery than the golf, and nothing like the great big lump or torque I get in the mk1 Fabia vrs.

 

I guess I'll get used to it in the end, its only been a week. Also I'm a little nervous of walloping the car too much as I've only just got it and think before me it wasn't driven very often (only 28k on clock - 5 years old, not had a timing belt change yet!). Look forward to hearing your views folks.

 

Pics to follow ...

Edited 17 May, 20188 yr by vRSWitter

some pics ...

 

 

 

 

 

16 minutes ago, vRSWitter said:

some pics ...

 

 

 

 

 

Always liked the Golus wheels and ride height looks fine to me had a 63 plate 2.0Tdi SE on bog standard 16" alloys but had it re-mapped to 186BHP and 317lb/ft torque. Made it a proper sleeper and Audi/BMW drivers could not understand how it could hit indicated 150MPH. Ha Ha

43 minutes ago, shyVRS245 said:

Always liked the Golus wheels and ride height looks fine to me had a 63 plate 2.0Tdi SE on bog standard 16" alloys but had it re-mapped to 186BHP and 317lb/ft torque. Made it a proper sleeper and Audi/BMW drivers could not understand how it could hit indicated 150MPH. Ha Ha

Swap the wheels? I'd like 16inches because these 18inch Golus are too harsh for me. (also much cheaper tyres)

 

 

@OP nice car. The TDI badge is not standard, my car doesn't have it, it's the same Elegance 2.0 TDI trim. The kickplate looks good here, I always felt my door still is missing something.  Can't comment on gear changing because mine is an auto.

 

Out of interest, how much did you pay for the car?

Edited 17 May, 20188 yr by wyx087

Lose the multi-coloured TDI badge, as mentioned it's non-standard and spoils the car.

12 minutes ago, silver1011 said:

Lose the multi-coloured TDI badge, as mentioned it's non-standard and spoils the car.

 

OK I hear ya about the TDI badge, I'll get the dental floss out 

19 minutes ago, silver1011 said:

Lose the multi-coloured TDI badge, as mentioned it's non-standard and spoils the car.

Yeah forgot to say no TDi badge on my Corrida red sleeper either, hence no-one knew what was under the bonnet!

43 minutes ago, wyx087 said:

Out of interest, how much did you pay for the car?

 

Around £10k, rather not say exactly how much ... 

1 hour ago, vRSWitter said:

 

Around £10k, rather not say exactly how much ... 

Hum.... I bought my '63 reg Elegance trim 2.0 TDI DSG with adaptive cruise and Canton speakers for £8800 a year ago, although it has done 70k miles. With DSG oil change and timing belt budgeted in would be £9500. I've done latter, DSG oil needs doing soon, when it hits 80k.

 

The high mileage is the reason my one was priced low, meaning I've got about 70k miles (4-5 years?) left before DPF is a problem. Yours would have over 120k miles left on the DPF. (I estimate 150k miles for this engine's DPF, it should be able to do close to 200k, safer to sell it at 150k me thinks)

3 minutes ago, wyx087 said:

Hum.... I bought my '63 reg Elegance trim 2.0 TDI DSG with adaptive cruise and Canton speakers for £8800 a year ago ...

 

Private or dealer? Yeah, I was a bit iffy on the price at first but once I'd looked at the car it seemed about right for the low mileage and the as new condition, according to one well known car buying site: 

Dealer guide price £9,200–£10,170

20 minutes ago, vRSWitter said:

 

Private or dealer? Yeah, I was a bit iffy on the price at first but once I'd looked at the car it seemed about right for the low mileage and the as new condition, according to one well known car buying site: 

Dealer guide price £9,200–£10,170

Driveway dealer, not a main dealer. So slightly more expensive than private but cheaper than main dealer.

 

So I didn't get the sort of benefit (contributions) you'd get from main dealer when the waterpump failed 8 months into my ownership. I had to cut my losses and bring forward the budgeted timing belt change.

 

Sorry for going off topic, I only asked because I am trying to see how much my car would worth now. I'm guessing ~£8000, considering the new timing belt and waterpump.

 

Speaking of waterpump, if yours haven't been done, worth doing it sooner rather than later. See "overheating" thread.

Yeah first thing on my list is timing belt and water pump, can't afford just now but in the next couple months. Car is 5 years 1 month old so I'll be keeping one eye on temps. Car came with 128 point AA inspection which included checking condition of timing belt - OK - but I'll be mindful that is is overdue.

debadge it completely. I think the boots, be it hatchback or estate, looks crowded with the SKODA and OCTAVIA badges on.

 

Only other things to get I'd say would be a dtuk box and the pedalbox. Get a bit more fun from the car with your right foot!!!!

4 hours ago, wyx087 said:

The high mileage is the reason my one was priced low, meaning I've got about 70k miles (4-5 years?) left before DPF is a problem. Yours would have over 120k miles left on the DPF. (I estimate 150k miles for this engine's DPF, it should be able to do close to 200k, safer to sell it at 150k me thinks)

 

Just done the VAG DPF free test with my new ODBII dongle and got Soot Mass Calc 5.68g. Is that good or bad?

13 minutes ago, vRSWitter said:

 

Just done the VAG DPF free test with my new ODBII dongle and got Soot Mass Calc 5.68g. Is that good or bad?

 

that's fine that. When that level starts getting higher, a regen will take place. Passive is your doing high enough speeds for a long enough time, or an active one is not.

 

it's the oil ash level which is the killer for dpfs. That can't be cleared from it.

13 hours ago, tunedude said:

it's the oil ash level which is the killer for dpfs. That can't be cleared from it.

 

Bought the full version of VAG DPF and got this reading ... 11.1g Oil Ash Residue, not too bad?

 

Iirc 80g is the limit, though I may be mistaken.

 

But if you've got 28k on it and only 11g, you've got loads of miles left.

 

Main thing is with you doing a commute of 90 odd miles, should give the car ample time to do a regeneration properly.

14 minutes ago, tunedude said:

Iirc 80g is the limit, though I may be mistaken.

 

But if you've got 28k on it and only 11g, you've got loads of miles left.

 

Main thing is with you doing a commute of 90 odd miles, should give the car ample time to do a regeneration properly.

 

Is there a way to reduce the amount of Oil Ash Residue (like not driving like you stole it) or it that just inevitable results of using the car?

That's inevitable. As opposed to the soot, the ash is incombustible. It's the remnants of the regens and what not.

5 minutes ago, tunedude said:

That's inevitable. As opposed to the soot, the ash is incombustible. It's the remnants of the regens and what not.

Sounds like the inside of a crematorium in there!

I believe that is like the life of DPF, when that reaches 80g, it's completely blocked.  It can't be cleaned automatically, it has to be manually cleaned or whole DPF replaced. 

 

I'd be sell my car when this reading approaches 60g.

 

 

My old golf had 113,000 miles on the clock, bet that was pretty near fully blocked, oh well not my problem now 

12 minutes ago, vRSWitter said:

My old golf had 113,000 miles on the clock, bet that was pretty near fully blocked, oh well not my problem now 

My Fabia VRS TDi used to smoke like a coal fired power station when it was NEW!!!!!!!!!!That's 54 plate diesel tech for you.

So a few hundred more miles on the clock and the harsh ride is beginning to annoy me, just a bit. Funny how quickly that can happen.

These are the vehicle data sticker codes, so I do have sport suspension, right?

 

H7D = Tires 225/40 R18 92Y xl (Golus 18" wheels)

G01 = Front shock absorption

L17 = Suspension range 17 installation control only, no requirement forecast

2UC = Sports version

 

Does that mean shorter and harder springs/dampening than normal? Had a quick look under the front wheel arch and the springs look tiny, only about 6" long.

What are my options for a smoother ride. Should I go for replacement springs/dampers like some others on here?

Edited 1 June, 20188 yr by vRSWitter

Jack the front of the car up and check that the transport blocks have been removed. Several people, including me, have reported blocks being left in by the dealers leading to much reduced suspension travel and a very firm ride. Also, consider changing the rear shocks for Mk7 Golf ones, direct, easy swap, softer damping. I have the same Golus wheel/tire combination as you and the ride is now much more acceptable.