Looking for a large estate car, toss up between Octavia or Superb, but favouring the Octavia . My main query is, do the Octavia have Xenon or halogen bulbs ?  Seen adverts and pictures show headlamp washers, but I don't know if that guarantees the have Xenons. Are there Octavia models that had them as standard, ie, SE L or Elegance, as they are the ones that seem to be the better buy. Engine and gearbox combo is another query, the 2.0 diesel seems the better engine, I don't mind manual or auto but the wife wont drive an auto, so a manual may be better. trying to get a model year that has low tax, any help with these questions would be appreciated.

Depends on the age - (for 2013 to 2016/7) if you go for a SE-L and above spec, they generally come with Bi-Xenon headlights with AFS (although they don't always).  Most VRS models come with Xenon headlights.

 

If you have a 2017-2020 model, then LED's were standard on high-end models (SE-L and above). 

 

Depends on mileage - if you do a few miles/kms, then go for a 2.0 TSI engine - 190bhp version.  If you do lots of miles, go for a 2.0 TDI (184bhp model).  The 150bhp is a bit gutless (unless you have a mild driving style).  They all come with manual 6 speed gearboxes up to 2016/7.  For cars between 2013 and 2017/8, they come with a 6 speed DQ250 box - 2018-2020 comes with a 7 speed DQ381 box (better option).

You will find that cars up to 2016 TDI 150 Engines came with 20ukp roadtax.

13 hours ago, RAB60 said:

Looking for a large estate car, toss up between Octavia or Superb, but favouring the Octavia . My main query is, do the Octavia have Xenon or halogen bulbs ?  Seen adverts and pictures show headlamp washers, but I don't know if that guarantees the have Xenons. Are there Octavia models that had them as standard, ie, SE L or Elegance, as they are the ones that seem to be the better buy. Engine and gearbox combo is another query, the 2.0 diesel seems the better engine, I don't mind manual or auto but the wife wont drive an auto, so a manual may be better. trying to get a model year that has low tax, any help with these questions would be appreciated.

This is probably useful information.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:42011X1206(03)

 

Headlamp washers basically mean the car was fitted with bright dipped-beam headlamps which need cleaning to ensure other road users aren't dazzled.

I test-drove the 150BHP diesel and found it a bit dull. The 184 TDI engine is much nicer, IMO.

Additionally, while I don't think it will be an issue for you given you seem to be looking at the 2.0L engines, but smaller engined cars get the torsion beam rear suspension set-up, whereas the larger engined more powerful vehicles get the fancier independent rear suspension set-up. (Not sure which set-up the 1.5 150 PS vehicles get.) The 190 TSI petrol is also a delight (which is why I bought one) and surprisingly good for economy. 

 

The DSG automatic is excellent and intuitive, once you get your head around it. The only slight grumble I have is that it can be a bit slow to downshift when going uphills, as it doesn't detect the hill early enough, so the car slows a little and then downshifts. Not an issue when using cruise, and may also be driver error not using the throttle correctly to tell the car to downshift in a timely manner. When I first test drove a DSG-equipped car, I didn't like it for exactly this reason, and decided I wanted a manual instead. However 190 TSI engine wasn't available with a manual gearbox so I ended up with the DSG and quickly grew to love it.

 

Gearbox choice is a personal preference, but I understand how it is easy to dismiss the DSG as it doesn't behave in a way you are used to. I'm now happy with either manual or DSG, but I recall the time when I rejected DSG out of hand, which I now realise was due to lack of familiarity. (I also think the Skoda dealer sat with me during the test drive could have been more helpful. Suggesting trying approaching the same hill again and using the paddles to shift down when I felt it appropriate when approaching the hill, would have been helpful. Instead I got what seems to be the standard very neutral non-committal comments about trying a manual vehicle, instead of taking the opportunity to offer a little instruction. Maybe offering advice like that has been banned as it might raise accusations of "mansplaining".)

 

The DSG does give a good amount of driver control and isn't simply the two-pedal switch off brain and press either "go" or "slow" option you might think it is. Selecting sport mode is quick and simple, and dramatically changes the way the car responds to the throttle and how it chooses gears.

When descending a steep hill, flicking over to manual control allows you to use the engine & gearbox to stop the car accelerating downhill.

The good news it, whatever you buy, I don't think there is a "bad" Octavia or Superb, (though there may be bad examples). So if you buy a good example, whatever you end up choosing with is more than likely to please you.

Edited 19 July, 20214 yr by EnterName
More personal DSG experience added + reformatting

1 hour ago, EnterName said:

Headlamp washers basically mean the car was fitted with bright dipped-beam headlamps which need cleaning to ensure other road users aren't dazzled.

But headlamp washers could also be specified as an option even with normal halogen headlamps - our 2015 1.4TSI Elegance has headlamp washers which the original owner specified as an option.

28 minutes ago, PetrolDave said:

But headlamp washers could also be specified as an option even with normal halogen headlamps - our 2015 1.4TSI Elegance has headlamp washers which the original owner specified as an option.

You sure it was an option?

At one time, the headlamp washers came with the Elegance trim level. (From 2013 brochure, effective Aug 2013)

EDIT: It looks like this was a standard fitting despite Xenons not being standard.

Edited 19 July, 20214 yr by EnterName

Can't see many with 180 BHP engines, most of the  2.0l seem to be 150, and a few 1.6 110 BHP. Not much of a fast driver, prefer comfort and quietness so smaller wheels would be preferred.  The car will be mainly be used for fishing, just me in it, so journeys will be 15 miles +, though may have me and SWMBO on board for longer trips 100 miles + . Seen a 150BHP 4X4 on a 67 plate, not sure about them, is it the same set up as an Audi?, and a Black Edition, can't find much about them. The other thing that may rear its ugly head soon is the ULEZ charge, I am in Greater London (Sutton borough) so it could extend here soon.

Cars that are ULEZ compliant - the cheapest one seems to be this nice looking Octavia SE 4x4 150.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107165109030

 

There is also a nice high mileage ULEZ Scout (rare cars) also in white in basic 184 spec-

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106254232346

 

 

3 hours ago, EnterName said:

You sure it was an option?

At one time, the headlamp washers came with the Elegance trim level. (From 2013 brochure, effective Aug 2013)

EDIT: It looks like this was a standard fitting despite Xenons not being standard.

Since I bought the car second hand I asked the dealer (big mistake!) who said it was an option, but I'm quite prepared to believe they were standard fit on an Elegance even with halogen headlamps.

 

But the point I was making is that this comment you made isn't correct:

Quote

Headlamp washers basically mean the car was fitted with bright dipped-beam headlamps which need cleaning to ensure other road users aren't dazzled.

 

1 hour ago, varaderoguy said:

Cars that are ULEZ compliant - the cheapest one seems to be this nice looking Octavia SE 4x4 150.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107165109030

 

There is also a nice high mileage ULEZ Scout (rare cars) also in white in basic 184 spec-

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106254232346

 

 

Thanks, nice motors, but too far as I am South of London. May have to have the 150 or even 110 BHP 1.6 as performance is not high on my list of priorities, just size , comfort and at a fair price.

10 minutes ago, PetrolDave said:

Since I bought the car second hand I asked the dealer (big mistake!) who said it was an option, but I'm quite prepared to believe they were standard fit on an Elegance even with halogen headlamps.

 

But the point I was making is that this comment you made isn't correct:

 

As I'm in a playful mood, I'll draw your attention to the admittedly less than watertight caveat "basically" in my post. "Headlamp washers basically mean the car was fitted with bright dipped-beam headlamps which need cleaning to ensure other road users aren't dazzled."

1 hour ago, EnterName said:

As I'm in a playful mood, I'll draw your attention to the admittedly less than watertight caveat