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Looking for a different car.

TheWanderer
in Skoda Octavia Mk3 (2013 - 2020)

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  • themanwithnoaim
    themanwithnoaim

    Mk4 Octavia is 610litres in hatch back form, had a 72 hour test drive in a 280 sport line Superb, seriously didn't like the handling although, I have to confess, it's a fast armchair   But,

  • FatWolfie
    FatWolfie

    I really do understand your frustration @TheWanderer . Before coming to a Skoda last year, I’d had loads of different cars over the years.   Having had JLR products for the last 5 pre Skoda

  • SC03OTT
    SC03OTT

    I’m ultimately having the same issue due to different circumstance (my lease is ending). The vRS for me isn’t excellent at anything. But it’s very good at everything.

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8 hours ago, Another_Felicia said:

Just read a bit about the ZF8HP. Wow, that's a transmission! 

 

Chris Harriss's thoughts.

 

So, component of the year is: The ZF 8HP transmission. (Allows the applause to die down.)

If memory serves, this automatic transmission first appeared in the new Audi A8 - the one that looks like an A4, and an A6. Or was it the new 7 Series? Offering eight forward gears and weighing around 90kg this flagship product from ZF looked like it would perform the usual role: appear in the flagship German saloons and maybe percolate down into the fancier powertrains of the 5 Series class. This it did. And it was always absolutely excellent.

Then it appeared in the Panamera Diesel because PDK wouldn't work with the oil burner. It was miles more pleasant than PDK. This was a surprise.
And it has appeared in a BMW 1 Series. In the M135i the ZF is so quick and intuitive I had to re-record a section of film because I had assumed it was a dual-clutch system. It will upshift in 200 milliseconds and then drop into BMW's Eco-Pro mode for some fuel saving. It's the first gearbox that appears to have the same breadth of aspirations, in terms of performance and economy, as the average car enthusiast's brain.

Script re-write required after revelation

That Porsche can make it behave so smoothly in a Panamera, and BMW so aggressively in the M135i proves how remarkably flexible the unit is. Furthermore, it always seems to extract incredible efficiency wherever it is used.

A few years ago, in the midst of the double-clutch boom - when everything fast was moving in that direction - I asked someone from a German car manufacturer if he thought all cars would soon be using such transmissions. He grinned. "Just wait till you see the next generation of automatic." He was right.

 

Your Choices.

(Some inaccuracies in the list)

Alfa Romeo[edit]

Alpina[edit]

Aston Martin[edit]

Audi[edit]

Bentley[edit]

BMW[edit]

Chrysler[edit]

Dodge[edit]

Haval[edit]

  • H8 (2017-)
  • H9 (2017-)

Iveco[edit]

Jaguar[edit]

Jeep[edit]

  • Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) (2014 MY+)
    • 3.6 (845RE 2014-2016, 850RE 2017-)
    • 3.0, 5.7, 6.4 (8HP70)
    • 6.2 Supercharged (8HP95)
  • Jeep Wrangler/Wrangler Unlimited (JL) (8HP50 Second Generation)

Lamborghini[edit]

Lancia[edit]

Land Rover[edit]

Maserati[edit]

Ram Trucks[edit]

  • Ram 1500 3.6 L V6 (2013 MY+)
  • Ram 1500 3.0 L V6 (2014 MY+)
  • Ram 1500 5.7L V8[34][35][36] (2013 MY+)
  • Ram 2500/3500 6.4L V8 (2019 MY+)

Rolls-Royce[edit]

Toyota[edit]

VinFast[edit]

Volkswagen[edit]

    • Like 1
    8 hours ago, Another_Felicia said:

    Just read a bit about the ZF8HP. Wow, that's a transmission! 

     

    Pretty sure that's the gearbox in the BMW m135i, which I was looking at getting instead of the Octavia.

    Very good reviews all round.  Drove one and it was very smooth and really quick to change down, just hung onto the gears a bit long when you've booted out and come off the throttle. 

    51 minutes ago, Alex-W said:

     

    Pretty sure that's the gearbox in the BMW m135i, which I was looking at getting instead of the Octavia.

     

     

    Yes the FXX 1 Series had the ZF8HP, pre facelift  had the ZF8HP45 and post facelift got the 2nd gen ZF8HP50 which got slightly wider ratios, launch control, coast function and shift patterns linked to GPS data.

     

    My wife ran a 120i for three years with the ZF8HP50

     

     

    Edited by logiclee

    That’s it sorted then. An Iveco Daily is the only choice here...

    • Haha 1
    35 minutes ago, logiclee said:

     

    Yes the FXX 1 Series had the ZF8HP, pre facelift  had the ZF8HP45 and post facelift got the 2nd gen ZF8HP50 which got slightly wider ratios, launch control, coast function and shift patterns linked to GPS data.

     

    My wife ran a 120i for three years with the ZF8HP50

     

     

     

    There's part of me that still wishes I'd gone for that option.  However for £15k I would have got a car that was 3 years older (with 1-2 more owners), twice as many miles, had a tiny boot (I have 2 kids in pushchairs) and would have got through fuel so much quicker.  Considering I drive mainly in commuting traffic or with kids in the car at the weekend and wouldn't have been able to use the power very often it made far less sense.

    The tsi vRS was by far the sensible choice.   Doesn't stop me longing for other things though!

     

    When the kids are older, don't need pushchairs and can strap themselves in I may go for a 3dr one.

    15 minutes ago, Alex-W said:

     

    when the kids are older, don't need pushchairs and can strap themselves in I may go for a 3dr one.

     

    The new ones are transverse engined and are FWD biased so don't get the ZF8HP and just 4 cylinders.

     

    Our Fabia had a more usable boot space and rear seat accessibility than the 120i though.

    Edited by logiclee

    I’ve had two BMWs with that autobox,a 328i and an M140i and agree it’s excellent.

     

    However I’ve now done 4K miles in the vRS with the DSG 7 and that is excellent as well ,so if the Octavia suits your needs it would be silly to rule it out because it supposedly has a bad gearbox...it hasn’t.

    • Like 1

    Today I test drove a 530e.........Wow.

     

    Seriously impressive car!!!!

    52 minutes ago, JamiePvrs said:

    Today I test drove a 530e.........Wow.

     

    Seriously impressive car!!!!

    Should be when the rear drive SE starts at £46,820 and the 4WD model starts at £48,820 and the latter is over half a second slower to 60mph than my 5,000 mile 9 month old Superb 272 which cost £23,840, now that's good value.:thinking:

    • Like 1
    1 hour ago, JamiePvrs said:

    Today I test drove a 530e.........Wow.

     

    Seriously impressive car!!!!

     

    How lucky you are to have an employer that will fund such a car.

    • Like 1
    18 minutes ago, shyVRS245 said:

    Should be when the rear drive SE starts at £46,820 and the 4WD model starts at £48,820 and the latter is over half a second slower to 60mph than my 5,000 mile 9 month old Superb 272 which cost £23,840, now that's good value.:thinking:

     

    Although as you have quoted list the Superb is at near £36k and is not a PHEV so much higher on business tax.

     

    The 530i starts at £43k. More expensive and less standard kit but the 5 Series driving dynamics are a step or two above the superb.

     

    Comparing used, even nearly new,  is always going to screw the figures. The list on my commuter was approaching £50k but I paid less than your Superb.

     

    If you are looking at lease rates and business tax then the financial situation changes dramatically,

     

     

     

     

    Edited by logiclee

    • Like 1
    1 hour ago, JamiePvrs said:

    Today I test drove a 530e.........Wow.

     

    Seriously impressive car!!!!

     

    It is indeed.

     

    The 330E is even more impressive to drive but it depends if you need the space.

     

    I was most impressed with the feel and balance and that instant push out of the corners. The outright performance figures don't tell the full story. In sport+ mode the instant electric torque and then the shove from the petrol unit is addictive coupled with the sublime chassis and feel.

     

    Then drop into pure electric mode in town.

    Edited by logiclee

    • Like 1

    In not sure my employer will stretch to the 30k asking price for the one I drove today as its a year old with 11k on the clock.  I think if I can find one for around 25k then I will be ok. Failing that it will be a 330e and they are well within budget. 

     

    For me the spec makes a car. The Octavia is a good car but I would only drive a VRS for example. So for me the BMW's need to have some extras. The one I drove today had the m performance pack, pro nav, HUD, 20" wheels, heated seats front and back, keyless etc etc the list goes on and on. The seats in the front were amazing, they can curve at the top of your back, never been so comfortable in a car. 

    1 minute ago, JamiePvrs said:

    In not sure my employer will stretch to the 30k asking price for the one I drove today as its a year old with 11k on the clock.  I think if I can find one for around 25k then I will be ok. Failing that it will be a 330e and they are well within budget. 

     

    For me the spec makes a car. The Octavia is a good car but I would only drive a VRS for example. So for me the BMW's need to have some extras. The one I drove today had the m performance pack, pro nav, HUD, 20" wheels, heated seats front and back, keyless etc etc the list goes on and on. The seats in the front were amazing, they can curve at the top of your back, never been so comfortable in a car. 

     

    £30k not too bad, shame that any car that new gets stung for the upgraded over £40k list years 2-5 road tax.

    1 minute ago, Kental said:

     

    £30k not too bad, shame that any car that new gets stung for the upgraded over £40k list years 2-5 road tax.

    Yeah that's a killer too, something I havent mentioned to my director yet although I'm sure hes aware as he purchased a Tesla model S yesterday! 

    Just now, JamiePvrs said:

    Yeah that's a killer too, something I havent mentioned to my director yet although I'm sure hes aware as he purchased a Tesla model S yesterday! 

     

    Ah, but is he expecting your £25k budget to be a new car (with all the warranty etc) or will he accept used?

     

    Not sure if new EVs and environmentally friendly cars (PHEVs counted when I looked 3 or so years ago.  still have 100% tax write-down so a good saving on Corporation Tax. 

     

    If used purchases aren't as tax friendly (for the company, I know the BIK is the same) then you may end up with a Leaf or a Zoe!!! 

    39 minutes ago, logiclee said:

     

    Although as you have quoted list the Superb is at near £36k and is not a PHEV so much higher on business tax.

     

    The 530i starts at £43k. More expensive and less standard kit but the 5 Series driving dynamics are a step or two above the superb.

     

    Comparing used, even nearly new,  is always going to screw the figures. The list on my commuter was approaching £50k but I paid less than your Superb.

     

    If you are looking at lease rates and business tax then the financial situation changes dramatically,

     

     

     

     

    Does the 530i have the 249bhp 2.0turbo 4 cylinder engine (252PS) and will match the 0-60mph time of the 530e of 6.1 seconds. I keep meeting 5 Series drivers who think their company car is quicker than the 4WD Superb. They will find it pulls away even quicker when it gets the stage 1 map next month.:biggrin:

    1 minute ago, shyVRS245 said:

    Does the 530i have the 249bhp 2.0turbo 4 cylinder engine (252PS) and will match the 0-60mph time of the 530e of 6.1 seconds. I keep meeting 5 Series drivers who think their company car is quicker than the 4WD Superb. They will find it pulls away even quicker when it gets the stage 1 map next month.:biggrin:

     

    It does but driving enjoyment is much more than doing a traffic light 0-60 now and again.

    11 minutes ago, logiclee said:

     

    It does but driving enjoyment is much more than doing a traffic light 0-60 now and again.

    Thought the Superb 272 was heavy at 1.627kg but just checked an the 530e weighs

    1770kg so that will take its toll on tyres and brakes slowing down all that mass plus my £145 road tax means I start with £300 of free fuel compared to the poor 530e driver for the first 5 years.The price you pay for carrying all those batteries and an electric motor just to con the taxman with co2 levels the car will never achieve in the real World we all live.:thumbdown:

    Edited by shyVRS245
    wrong info

    3 minutes ago, shyVRS245 said:

    Thought the Superb 272 was heavy at 1.627kg but just checked and the 530e weighs an incredible 2,420kg so that will take its toll on tyres and brakes slowing down all that mass plus my £145 road tax means I start with £300 of free fuel compared to the poor 530e driver for the first 5 years.The price you pay for carrying all those batteries and an electric motor just to con the taxman with co2 levels the car will never achieve in the real World we all live.:thumbdown:

     

    2420kg is gross weight. Kerbweight starts at 1770kg for the 530e

    Just now, logiclee said:

     

    2420kg is gross weight. Kerbweight starts at 1770kg for the 530e

    I know I edited it as soon as I realised suppose Jamie is happy with the 410 litre boot (smaller due to the space the batteries take up) compared to the 590 litre Octavia boot capacity.:D

    5 minutes ago, shyVRS245 said:

    I know I edited it as soon as I realised suppose Jamie is happy with the 410 litre boot (smaller due to the space the batteries take up) compared to the 590 litre Octavia boot capacity.:D

     

    They are just in a different class though (As they should be at the price) . Octavia vs 5 Series couldn't be more different.  I so very nearly swapped our Mk3 for a 5 Series, I've owned 1 and 3 but never a 5 but couldn't find the spec I wanted.  

     

    I would never drive a zoe or a leaf, both wrong for me in so many ways. Shy has hit the nail on the head, the only reason I'm doing this is because it will save me money, not the company. The boot space is just about enough, I have 3 kids so it should be enough for them.

     

    I need to start thinking about other options too now. If I'm honest with myself the 530e I want is gonna be 30k and that's too much. A 330e may not have a big enough boot and they dont make a wagon version. There arent many other hybrids I'd go for. If I cant save any money and get a hybrid I'd rather stay with my octavia

    40 minutes ago, logiclee said:

     

    It does but driving enjoyment is much more than doing a traffic light 0-60 now and again.

    It did drive amazing. Smooth and quiet but went like a stabbed rat when provoked. And much nicer place to be sat than the Octavia. 

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