Hi Guys,

I bought my good lady an old petrol fabia in the summer, she simply loves it and can't get me out of it!

Its had a few niggles but that's cars!

I am so impressed with it I am contemplating going for a SKODA Octavia estate, probably a Diesel, on doing my research I have discovered its probably best to look at a Manual over auto box, possibly the 6 speed manual and don't go for something DPF!

So my question is this....What would you say is the best PD engined SKODA to buy?

I have seen a couple of late Octiys one was a L&K so decent kit & 140hp but not sure on the most reliable engine to go for?

I currently drive a petrol 6cylinder BMW 325i se E46 Auto saloon, I have had the car for 5 years and it has been mega reliable and a I have lavished much love money and attention on it!

Its not the most economical car though, although on a long high speed journey is where it comes into its own and of course the reliability factor.  The MOT is due on Tuesday so once through that I am going to weigh up the options and count the pennies and maybe put it up for sale!

My budget is going to be up to £2500 - £3000

Any SKODA advice before I proceed with my quest.

 

Hi mak-71

 

There have been a couple of excellent threads recently on buying a used Octavia II so - if you haven't already done so - a root around the forum will be helpful.

 

My own mk II experience is with a 5=speed pd105 (2007) estate which performs well but is not a sport car. It does, however, return amazing mpg - up to 68mpg for the previous owner. We also have a more recently-acquired pd140 4x4 (2007) estate which is definitely quicker off the mark but a lot thirstier (40-45mpg depending on road conditions, dropping as low as 35mpg if your right foot gets a bit heavy). It's a 6-speed but realistically 6th is only an overdrive for motorway cruising and offers little overtake power unless tickled carefully. The motor is responsive but much more power-bandy than the pd105.

 

We live in the "sticks" so a diesel is not a problem but with the increasing use of pollution zones in cities - Manchester is expected to have one soon - it's getting expensive to drive a diesel rated at less than Euro 5 into a metropolitan area.  This is good if you're buying, however, as used diesel prices are well down at the moment.

 

As an official "old fart" (retired) my driving style tends to be steady rather than spirited but I generally "make good progress"

The pd105 engine is known as beeing a reliable engine (exept for the BXE and BLS engines, which have increased change of conrod bearing failures).  If you want to have some more power out of it, consider a remap (which gives you approx 140pk for a stage 1 remap)

 

As for diesel, it all depends on your location, and the trips you're planning. The number of places with restrictions for diesel will continue to increase. Also, the price of the fuel is something to consider. In some country's, diesel is already more expensive compared to gasoline. Altough your mpg is generally better with a diesel engine, if the fuel is also more expensive, they equal out. 

Together with the increasing pollution zones and restrictions, you have to decide for yourself if a diesel is still a good buy these days.

 

In the Netherlands, I pay approx 110 GBP each month for road tax, which is likely to increase with 15% by next year (My car doesn't have a DPF fitted)

 

Also, with my car (pre-DPF) cities like Antwerp, Paris, Cologne and Berlin (and many more) are already forbidden...

 

Edited 12 January, 20197 yr by DJSmiley

21 minutes ago, DJSmiley said:

consider a remap (which gives you approx 140pk for a stage 1 remap

 

Do you have a feel for how that would affect fuel consumption?

 

16 minutes ago, StickyMicky said:

 

Do you have a feel for how that would affect fuel consumption?

 

 

It does improve your mpg generally. But this depends on your driving. If you drive normally, you'll get a lower fuel consumption. Reports are generally 5-10%. However, if you're using the (new) power, because you can... since its available.. I don't think it makes much difference

 

If its only for the fuel economy, I'm not sure if a remap makes that much sense (compared to the costs). 

 

I haven't done a remap, since my car is at 260k miles (415k km), and I'm not going to spend another 350 eur (which is the average price for a remap at a VAG specialist) on a car which can be scrap anytime... (I don't know how long i will continue to drive my MK2...)

 

 

I recently bought a 105hp BKC PD engined Octavia, wish I could say that I had done my research well but it was just my usual good luck, from what I have read since all the stars must have been aligned for me and engine/transmission wise I am delighted and thats saying a lot after 14 years with the pre PD 110hp 1.9TDi which was a sublime engine.

 

I recently had mine remapped because it did not quite have the same urge when needed for the rare overtake that I do on these roads compared to the lighter and slightly more powerfull MK1.

 

It only cost me £110 IIRC for a pre-mapped ECU from Ebay, I did not know what to expect but have been delighted with the transformation, apart from the first test drive where I could feel the grunt but had nothing to measure it against I continued to drive it gently as before, the economy was improved and the felixibility noticably so, much happier at 30mph in 5th gear, hills could now be taken in a higher gear without shuddering.

 

But it was when I went to overtake against an oncoming vehicle (judged to be safe but needed full gas) that I realised just how much more grunt there was, since then it has become a bit of an addiction and of course now the fuel economy has dropped.

 

For me its a great choice of engine.

 

Here in France the road tax equivalent is payable once only on registration or transfer of ownership, its 50% cheaper once the car is 10 years old and it cost €105, given that its much lower mileage than it predecessor I fully expect to get 10 years out of it so its like paying €10 a year road tax!

 

Diesel here is currently €1.38 per litre

 

Good Morning,

Many thanks for all the advice, reading between the lines, perhaps I should be looking at the petrol TSI engined cars as well. Living  so close to a large town and a major city the pollution aspect is certainly coming!

 

 

1 hour ago, mak-71 said:

Living  so close to a large town and a major city the pollution aspect is certainly coming!

"Drivers in Manchester may face charges under mayor's clean air plan"

This article in The Grauniad last week outlines maor Andy Burnham's plans for clean air zones in Greater Manchester. It's a bit light on detail but is essence talks about targeting "heavy diesels" (trucks, vans, buses etc.) and diesel cars not registered in the area. Similar schemes have been talked about for Bury, Bolton and Leeds.

It looks like this version is "voter friendly" in not targeting private local diesel drivers but I suspect the net will be widened once the zone is established.