Had a courtesy car while mine (SEL TSi) is in at the dealer today and thought I'd go compare so to speak. Just spec and engine as the car is the same other than that.

 

Spec

 

I would say that as with most cars, SE is the best model in the range. One up from basic spec and whilst it does not have some of the toys of the higher spec models, it has everything you really need and is the best all-rounder. There a few extra's on the SEL that are obviously missing and off the top of my head they were:

• Larger alloys
• Power folding mirrors
• Auto dimming rear view mirror
• Auto headlights
• Auto main beam
• Auto wipers
• LED headlights
• Sat nav
• Part leather/alcantara seats
• 2 level boot floor

There could be some more I have missed but I only purchased the SEL because it was in stock (used car) and everything just fell nicely price wise for me. I would say the seats are definitely more comfortable in my SEL. I find the SE seats a bit tight on the side bolsters which gives a sporty feel and I'd expect bolstering on the VRS but not on a car designed for comfort.

I also prefer the dark wood effect in the SEL over the brushed silver finish to the trim in the SE. Wind the clock back 10 years and I would have thought differently. 😂

Sat nav I can live without as it barely gets used and isn't as good as Google maps via the android auto or Apple car play anyway. I would miss the auto dimming mirror I think but most of all the LED headlights which quite frankly are a revelation on the SEL and upwards.

 

Engine/performance

 

I have owned several diesel cars over the years and must say this is a good one. Plenty punchy enough for the real world and quiet at cruise. Inevitable diesel rumble under acceleration which makes me appreciate the smooth and quiet TSi engine even more but if I was covering enough miles to justify a diesel, I would certainly be pleased with this.

 

Diesels always win for economy and mid range punch no doubt about it but all things considered in terms of performance, this engine is more sluggish than my TSi and the TSi would be better compared with the 2.0 TDi 150 in those terms. Off the line I found that it bogged down in 1st gear in a manner similar to my car if I put the gearbox in S. Definitely a much better launch off the line in D in my car. Of course, I don't spend all day launching like Lewis Hamilton off the line but I just wanted to see how it was in that situation. Overall I do much prefer the 1.4 TSi and it seems to suit the DSG better than the diesel.

 

I didn't notice a difference in terms of comfort or road noise with having smaller alloys on the SE but that might come down to the Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen 2 that I have got on my car which are very quiet.

 

All in all a very nice car 🙂

Edited 19 August, 20205 yr by Doctor_Strange

Thanks for posting up your thoughts.  

 

I've just bought a 209 1.6 TDi SE Technology DSG hatch, coming from a 2018 Audi A3 1.5 TSi DSG (wanted to avoid the crippling balloon payment in 2 years time). Had it just over two weeks now, and agree with your observations.  I will definitely miss the LED headlights, but the SE Technology has everything else that my A3 had that is important to me - dual zone climate, Android Auto, DSG.  I have gone through the mourning process of selling the A3 and am now finding things on the Octavia that I didn't have in the Audi, little practical touches so Ch as the sunglasses compartment in the roof, the hooks in the boot for shopping bags and the active cruise control which is magic.

 

All in all, I think it's a car which I will grow to value more over time - which is a good job as I'm in it for the next 4 years at least!

Well I've got my car back now and have since remembered that the SEL also has headlight washer jets and privacy glass as standard. Glad to have mine back but I did notice how much better the brakes were on the nearly new courtesy car! My car is due its first major service next year so no doubt it will feel better once the pads are changed.

 

My car was in for the creaking suspension issue I have mentioned several times before on here and the 4th time it has been with the dealer. This time they have got advice from Skoda tech support and there is a known issue on the suspension strut where something protrudes too much and causes friction and the cure is to file it down. They have done that and lubricated all areas of the suspension and I must admit I did not hear the creak coming home or even pulling onto the top of the driveway where it always creaks.

 

Only time will tell if it actually works or if it has simply masked it temporarily...

On 19/08/2020 at 14:46, m4ttl said:

Thanks for posting up your thoughts.  

 

I've just bought a 209 1.6 TDi SE Technology DSG hatch, coming from a 2018 Audi A3 1.5 TSi DSG (wanted to avoid the crippling balloon payment in 2 years time). Had it just over two weeks now, and agree with your observations.  I will definitely miss the LED headlights, but the SE Technology has everything else that my A3 had that is important to me - dual zone climate, Android Auto, DSG.  I have gone through the mourning process of selling the A3 and am now finding things on the Octavia that I didn't have in the Audi, little practical touches so Ch as the sunglasses compartment in the roof, the hooks in the boot for shopping bags and the active cruise control which is magic.

 

All in all, I think it's a car which I will grow to value more over time - which is a good job as I'm in it for the next 4 years at least!

 Been considering going from Octavia to A3 as fancy a change, but having read the comments above, maybe i'll stick with my Octavia for the time being......

1 hour ago, threadbear said:

 Been considering going from Octavia to A3 as fancy a change, but having read the comments above, maybe i'll stick with my Octavia for the time being......

Having gone the other way, and having literally just done a 150 mile schlep over to Scarborough, I'm feeling much better about the switch.  The A3 was a lovely car, but at effectively double the money it wasn't worth it.  Having got the Octavia on the 0% finance offer that was running last month means it's so much cheaper than the A3 (and I got an amazing deal on the A3 because of all the WLTP stuff going on 2 years ago).