3 hours ago, benterrier said:

Never owned a Mondeo but had the equivalent Fusion on hire in Chicago last year. It was a Hybrid and had all the bells and whistles. IMO a very nice comfortable quiet car.

I have seen a Mondeo Hybrid a couple of times locally. Didn't know such a car existed. According to Carwow "There are better hybrid cars and there are better Mondeos, which means this is hard to recommend". I am sure it would have been fine as a hire car though, and better liked in the USA where Ford is a national institution and diesel cars are not popular (not that they are so popular here these days).

 

16 hours ago, logiclee said:

Plenty out there with heated screen, they were standard on most higher spec Jags until quite recently.

My 2002 MK3 Mondeo had a heated screen, and it was the Zetec trim, one level up from the base model.

 

3 hours ago, HotVRs said:

The Octavia 3 benefits from the magic packaging of the MQB platform that makes it so roomy inside relative to exterior dimensions.

Not just the Octavia 3, but larger models including Superb and Kodiaq.

 

4 hours ago, benterrier said:

Surely credit must go to the Octavia for being compared to the Mondeo. After all its based on the Golf chassis and which are a level down in size from the Mondeo I would have thought.

 

Superb or Passat v Mondeo would be more appropriate.

Certainly the Octavia 2 was a close relation of the then current Golf. The situation with the Octavia 3 and the current Golf is a bit more complicated since they share the MQB platform with many other current VW Group models ranging in size from Polos to Kodiaqs.  I would say that the Octavia 2 was positioned in the market place at a level between the Golf and the Passat with the intention of winning sales in both segments. The Octavia 3 is bigger than the MK2 and now competes more directly in the Mondeo/Passat class, while the new Scala is being pitched as a rival to the Golf.

 

 

On 22/09/2019 at 09:47, Gmac983 said:

 

I've heard this pecking order comment a few times on briskoda. I don't entirely buy into it, it seems like badge snobbery to me. Viewed purely from an engine stand point it does carry a little merit though as VAG don't pass on some of the larger high performance engines on down to Skoda/Seat. How good would a V6T be in the kodiaq/tarraco for example instead of the 4 cylinder diesel vRS? 

However, viewed from any other stand point doesn't hold any water whatsoever IMO. I see absolutely no "quality" gain from buying an Audi over a "lesser" Skoda/Seat. Ive owned several skodas' and an Audi in the past and my parents have had VWs, unless you specifically want one of the engines not available to skoda you really are only paying for a badge and snob value on the Audis. Also the Audi dealer I dealt were head and shoulders above everyone else for awfulness, they were truly horrid. I will certainly continue to shop at the Skoda or Seat end of the VAGroup. 

 

I guess it all depends which angle you approach Skoda from. I’ve had Fords, VWs and Volvos in my time and do a job where I occasionally get to trundle around in the odd Audi and Merc. Honestly, it’s not just a limited engine range where the differences occur - everything in the automotive industry is built to a price, and whilst the more you pay the bigger the margin it’s pretty clear that the grade of components changes too.

 

If you look at technical descriptions of VW’s MQB platform you’ll see it is designed to accommodate different grades of suspension system. So although the hardpoints on the chassis platform are the same, what is bolted on to them isn’t. Grades of bushing and sound deadening are different too.

 

I’d challenge anyone to say that an Octy’s ride and refinement is on the same level as, for example, an A4. I run a Superb, which is independently-suspended all round, and I know it’s better than an Octy but not as good as an A4.

 

I’m not getting at Skoda at all. They’re better than most people expect. I like my Superb a lot. But I’ll never fall in love with it.

20 minutes ago, MorrisOx said:

 

I guess it all depends which angle you approach Skoda from. I’ve had Fords, VWs and Volvos in my time and do a job where I occasionally get to trundle around in the odd Audi and Merc. Honestly, it’s not just a limited engine range where the differences occur - everything in the automotive industry is built to a price, and whilst the more you pay the bigger the margin it’s pretty clear that the grade of components changes too.

 

If you look at technical descriptions of VW’s MQB platform you’ll see it is designed to accommodate different grades of suspension system. So although the hardpoints on the chassis platform are the same, what is bolted on to them isn’t. Grades of bushing and sound deadening are different too.

 

I’d challenge anyone to say that an Octy’s ride and refinement is on the same level as, for example, an A4. I run a Superb, which is independently-suspended all round, and I know it’s better than an Octy but not as good as an A4.

 

I’m not getting at Skoda at all. They’re better than most people expect. I like my Superb a lot. But I’ll never fall in love with it.

Some more powerful Octavia's have IRS like the Superb but dampers and springs tend to be firmer than the wallowy Superb (owned Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3 Superb's).

I have owned an Audi A3 myself a while back (and have also experienced numerous VW passats) and over the 3 years I owned it, had numerous warranty issues which lead to me having other audis as courtesy cars for extended periods of time (A4's and an A6, also once a Vauxhall zafira wtf?) . Granted the A6 I ran briefly which was an s-line V6 tdi was very nice but clearly a category of car way above an octy, however the A4's did not impress me one iota for the price point they came in at, ride quality, fit/finish and noise were on a par with the octy vrs (Mk2 face-lift) I changed my A3 for, also found the interior space of the fairly large A4 to be quite cramped and an awkward boot being a saloon rather than a hatch/fastback like the superb/octy, when comparing to an Octavia or indeed the smaller A3 even.  Also the A4's were as dull as ditch water to drive even the sportier s-line models. Also the A4 I believe (or at that time anyway 2008/09/10) shared its platform with passat/superb whereas the octavia shared with the golf/A3 so not really fare to compare to an octy anyway. 

Of course Skoda make manufacturing savings somewhere along the lines in order to make their cars cheaper, in my view that's a good thing, it saves me money. Personally I have fairly recently taken ownership of a Kodiaq sportline 2.0tsi, if I went to Audi for a 7 seat car I would have to step to the category above for a Q7 at basically double the money. So really Audi are missing a trick by not having a mid sized SUV with 7 seats judging by how many Q5's are kicking around Audi would quite likely sell quite a few 7 seat versions. 

I totally appreciate that everyone has a different take on how they view a car and what they are prepared to pay for what they are getting. IMO I don't see the price premium for a VW/Audi as worth it over a Skoda /Seat. 

Edited 23 September, 20196 yr by Gmac983

The A4 obviously doesn’t compete with the Octy; the A3 is the closest in platform terms as it’s also based on the MQB chassis matrix. Both Passat and Superb also use MQB modules, but the rear set can accommodate independent rear suspension on these models.

 

The A4 uses a completely different platform, the MLB, which is also the basis for models ranging from the A6 to the Porsche Macan.

 

 

20 hours ago, MorrisOx said:

The A4 obviously doesn’t compete with the Octy; the A3 is the closest in platform terms as it’s also based on the MQB chassis matrix. Both Passat and Superb also use MQB modules, but the rear set can accommodate independent rear suspension on these models.

 

The A4 uses a completely different platform, the MLB, which is also the basis for models ranging from the A6 to the Porsche Macan.

I'm not sure what you are saying about competing, but it's true that, unlike the MQB Octy, the A4 is MLB or MLBevo in the latest model.  It seems that MQB is for transversely mounted drive trains and MLB is for longitudinally mounted.  I understand that transverse mounting is better for cabin space which might explain why Gmac found the A4 to be cramped.

 

22 minutes ago, OldBoyScout said:

I'm not sure what you are saying about competing, but it's true that, unlike the MQB Octy, the A4 is MLB or MLBevo in the latest model.  It seems that MQB is for transversely mounted drive trains and MLB is for longitudinally mounted.  I understand that transverse mounting is better for cabin space which might explain why Gmac found the A4 to be cramped.

 

 

You summed it up better than me!

30 minutes ago, OldBoyScout said:

I'm not sure what you are saying about competing, but it's true that, unlike the MQB Octy, the A4 is MLB or MLBevo in the latest model.  It seems that MQB is for transversely mounted drive trains and MLB is for longitudinally mounted.  I understand that transverse mounting is better for cabin space which might explain why Gmac found the A4 to be cramped.

 

Think the Octy has more rear legroom than my brother's old company A6 (2015) way more room than the A4.

Transverse layout is usually better for space.

 

Longitudinal layout is usually better for handling, weight distribution and suspension geometry. Also allows for bigger engines and gearboxes.  For some strange reason VAG decided to do a longitudinal layout with FWD. Which means you get all the negatives of packaging and miss out on some of the benefits of handling .

Well looks like the mondeo is going. We buy any car offered £11k and Arnold Clarke £11,750 which is terrible to say we paid £17,250 for it in January. With finance costs etc it owes us as near as damn it £20k and we still owe £16,300 on it!!! So we are having to pay Arnold Clarke to take it from us!!!!!! Got an appointment next week to sell it. Someone will get a very well specced car for a bargain compared to 9 months ago! 

On 23/09/2019 at 13:43, Gmac983 said:

 

 

6 hours ago, JamiePvrs said:

 

 

6 hours ago, JamiePvrs said:

Well looks like the mondeo is going. We buy any car offered £11k and Arnold Clarke £11,750 which is terrible to say we paid £17,250 for it in January. With finance costs etc it owes us as near as damn it £20k and we still owe £16,300 on it!!! So we are having to pay Arnold Clarke to take it from us!!!!!! Got an appointment next week to sell it. Someone will get a very well specced car for a bargain compared to 9 months ago! 

Hell, what a rip off this whole car trade is. 

7 minutes ago, benterrier said:

 

 

Hell, what a rip off this whole car trade is. 

We have the coalition Government of May 2010 to thank for current levels of V.A.T which increased from the old rate of 17.5% to the new rate of 20% on 04/01/2011 following an "emergency budget" delivered by George Osborne. Therefore a new car which was £20,000 before tax was added became a £24,000 depreciating asset as soon it was driven off the forecourt. Someone forgot to reduce the level as the average V.A.T level in the EU is 17%.

3 hours ago, shyVRS245 said:

We have the coalition Government of May 2010 to thank for current levels of V.A.T which increased from the old rate of 17.5% to the new rate of 20% on 04/01/2011 following an "emergency budget" delivered by George Osborne. Therefore a new car which was £20,000 before tax was added became a £24,000 depreciating asset as soon it was driven off the forecourt. Someone forgot to reduce the level as the average V.A.T level in the EU is 17%.

 

What do you expect from politicians honesty, truthfulness and respect for the people and electorate?

 

TBQH a traditional corkscrew and alpine pass is straighter than any of them.

 

On 25/09/2019 at 21:20, MorrisOx said:

The A4 obviously doesn’t compete with the Octy; the A3 is the closest in platform terms as it’s also based on the MQB chassis matrix. Both Passat and Superb also use MQB modules, but the rear set can accommodate independent rear suspension on these models.

 

The A4 uses a completely different platform, the MLB, which is also the basis for models ranging from the A6 to the Porsche Macan.

 

 

 

14 hours ago, OldBoyScout said:

I'm not sure what you are saying about competing, but it's true that, unlike the MQB Octy, the A4 is MLB or MLBevo in the latest model.  It seems that MQB is for transversely mounted drive trains and MLB is for longitudinally mounted.  I understand that transverse mounting is better for cabin space which might explain why Gmac found the A4 to be cramped.

 

MorrisOx:

It was yourself that started of the octy/A4 comparison, I just added my 10p worth to it.

I knew the A4 was a longitudinal engine layout but so was the passat, or it used to be anyway, perhaps not anymore? 

I think someone else commented that it was done for handling. IMHO not really as I found the car very dull to drive (Quattro and 2wd versions). 

Edited 27 September, 20196 yr by Gmac983

21 hours ago, shyVRS245 said:

Think the Octy has more rear legroom than my brother's old company A6 (2015) way more room than the A4.

One of the reasons I chose the Octavia was the much greater rear legroom than my previous B7 RS4 Audi.

I remember the MK1 Octavias getting poor reviews for rear leg room, but this was not the case with the later models.

 

9 hours ago, Gmac983 said:

 

I knew the A4 was a longitudinal engine layout but so was the passat,

 

Passat has been transverse for nearly 15 years.  

1 hour ago, OldBoyScout said:

I remember the MK1 Octavias getting poor reviews for rear leg room, but this was not the case with the later models.

 

 

Mk1 and Mk2 Octavia's had a massive boot but the same leg room as the Golf.

 

Mk3 has a stretched platform and more legroom than a Golf.

38 minutes ago, logiclee said:

 

Mk1 and Mk2 Octavia's had a massive boot but the same leg room as the Golf.

 

Mk3 has a stretched platform and more legroom than a Golf.

Think the wheelbase on the Mk3 Octavia is 50mm longer than the Mk7/7.5 Golf giving the extra rear legroom.

1 hour ago, logiclee said:

 

Passat has been transverse for nearly 15 years.  

 

Aye well that was the era of vw passat I had driven, back when you could get one with a v6 tdi in it etc. I notice you did not quote my whole sentence or can't have read my earlier posts on the time period of vehicles I was talking about... In which i said passats used to be longitudinal but perhaps not anymore. I wasn't aware or particularly cared that much the passat had diverged from the A4's platform, due to the very poor experiences I had with my local-ish Audi/VW dealer (they were a partnership) I had lost interest in what Audi/VW was doing, so I jumped ship to skoda as I really like the VAG product but was let down by certain dealers. Have driven A4's and an A6 as I said before but they would have been 8 to 12 years ago. Been in several skodas and 1 citroen since then. 

Edited 27 September, 20196 yr by Gmac983

22 minutes ago, Gmac983 said:

 

Aye well that was the era of vw passat I had driven, back when you could get one with a v6 tdi in it etc. I notice you did not quote my whole sentence or can't have read my earlier posts on the time period of vehicles I was talking about... In which i said passats used to be longitudinal but perhaps not anymore. I wasn't aware or particularly cared that much the passat had diverged from the A4's platform, due to the very poor experiences I had with my local-ish Audi/VW dealer (they were a partnership) I had lost interest in what Audi/VW was doing, so I jumped ship to skoda as I really like the VAG product but was let down by certain dealers. Have driven A4's and an A6 as I said before but they would have been 8 to 12 years ago. Been in several skodas and 1 citroen since then. 

 

I wasn't having a go just a bit of info and how time flies.

 

I didn't like the longitudinal B5, had them as a company car, they were solid as a rock but totally numb and uninspiring to drive as were most VAG products of the late 90's and early 00's.

I had a couple of transverse B6's both I bought new and they were unbelievably reliable and solidly built, great motorway mile munchers. My father in-law still has my old 2010 Passat, 110k miles and drives like new.

At the same time we've had family Fabia's, Octavia's and Yeti's.

But unfortunately my experience of reliability and build quality on the latest VAG MQB model products is appalling. 

 

 

logiclee:

I agree  with you on the uninspiring numbness. 

My own skoda history has been an Octy Mk2 face-lift vrs TSI which was fantastic. 

Then a yeti se tdi 140 which was ok. 

Now i have 2020MY kodiaq sportline 2.0tsi which I'm loving. 

Edited 27 September, 20196 yr by Gmac983

On 13/09/2019 at 14:46, Mence said:

I have owned four Mondys, all older models than the one being discussed. My guess is the latest one won't be too different to its predecessors in as much as it does everything just fine but does nothing brilliantly, good workhorses that leave the driver unfulfilled.

Exactly the same as an Octavia then! Mondeo is a better car than an SKODA Octavia, always had been. Just check any experts view, far better driver than an Octavia

.  If they did a ST again it would be a no brainer.  That's the only problem, no sporty versions. 

2 minutes ago, teescom09 said:

Exactly the same as an Octavia then! Mondeo is a better car than an SKODA Octavia, always had been. Just check any experts view, far better driver than an Octavia

.  If they did a ST again it would be a no brainer.  That's the only problem, no sporty versions. 

 

Each to thier own opinion but having expierienced both just lately I know which I would rather drive and own. They do an ST line which I suppose is like the vrs diesel but I would still pick the skoda over the ford

3 minutes ago, teescom09 said:

Exactly the same as an Octavia then! Mondeo is a better car than an SKODA Octavia, always had been. Just check any experts view, far better driver than an Octavia

.  If they did a ST again it would be a no brainer.  That's the only problem, no sporty versions. 

You could always buy a Focus ST Estate for about £33,000.