Hi folks, 
Couid you keep me right on what cars/age should have DAB radio? I’m thinking of an Octavia estate circa 2015-2017/18 to replace my old Fabia TDI. 
 

Should most cars be ULEZ compliant? I’m not at all set on a diesel as am not a high mileage driver but I’m open minded on engines unless there’s any reason to avoid any. 
 

Many thanks for any input. In part I ask this because there seems to be quite a lot of engine variants. 

Unless you do high mileage then a diesel isn't worth it, a petrol engine is better. 

 

Here is a ULEZ checker ULEZ Checker.

 

I can't remember what year they started to install DAB infotainment systems into their cars, personally I don't think that it's all that great anyway. 

Mine's a 2013 with DAB

Thanks. DAB is a bit of a deal breaker for me as I mainly listen to two stations that are not on FM. Aftermarket HU in my Fabia 1. 
 

Certainly the price of Diesel is going to make economical petrol’s more appealing but I do like diesel torque.

But if you are going into London and ULEZ then with all of the speed cameras you're not really going to use it, ideally find an Octavia TDi for sale and get the registration number and pop it into the ULEZ checker and see what it returns. 

 

I wouldn't get a diesel for city driving and loads of short trips as it will probably go into limp mode when the catalyst gets bunged up or it will use more diesel than expected as it does a regen more frequently. 

I thought all the mkIII Octavia's have DAB - although on other cars without you can usually get the channels through your phone / internet. Eg I listen to Scala radio on my Bobby basic Superb mkII(no DAB) via my phone / Amazon Auto.

 

Your current car has the fabulous 1.9 pd without a DPF - capable of starship mileages.  Modern diesels are much more complex and have a Diesel Particulate Filter that aren't great unless you do highish annual mileages. ULEZ for diesel versions was from about 2015.

 

The petrol tsi versions are surprisingly driveable the sweet spot being the 1.4tsi in my opinion, reasonable torque at low revs(bit less than pd) but my goodness it picks it's skirts up as the revs rise. Economy is also better than you'd imagine as well. I went from a 1.9pd Superb mkI to a 1.4tsi Superb mkII and though the petrol was clearly less economical the real life difference was closer than I expected 1.9 pd diesel mkI Superb circa 50mpg vs 1.4 tsi petrol mkII Superb circa 46mpg. 1.4tsi is amazingly quiet as well!

 

 

8 hours ago, bigjohn said:

I thought all the mkIII Octavia's have DAB - although on other cars without you can usually get the channels through your phone / internet. Eg I listen to Scala radio on my Bobby basic Superb mkII(no DAB) via my phone / Amazon Auto.

 

Your current car has the fabulous 1.9 pd without a DPF - capable of starship mileages.  Modern diesels are much more complex and have a Diesel Particulate Filter that aren't great unless you do highish annual mileages. ULEZ for diesel versions was from about 2015.

 

The petrol tsi versions are surprisingly driveable the sweet spot being the 1.4tsi in my opinion, reasonable torque at low revs(bit less than pd) but my goodness it picks it's skirts up as the revs rise. Economy is also better than you'd imagine as well. I went from a 1.9pd Superb mkI to a 1.4tsi Superb mkII and though the petrol was clearly less economical the real life difference was closer than I expected 1.9 pd diesel mkI Superb circa 50mpg vs 1.4 tsi petrol mkII Superb circa 46mpg. 1.4tsi is amazingly quiet as well!

 

 

Good information, thanks. I’d agree that 1.4tsi would probably be ideal for me. Yes, I nearly mentioned DPF’s and concern foreseeing issues. The PD is a great little engine ok it’s just a pity the rest of the car is getting a bit tired. I could probably keep it a while longer but think I should be looking to replace it this year.

 

Re DAB I was wondering if perhaps all after a certain year maybe have DAB. Quite a lot of cars from about 2014 do, but obviously not all so if it’s something you’d like it can be tricky to be sure without VIN checks etc. 

5 hours ago, silver50 said:

 

 

Re DAB I was wondering if perhaps all after a certain year maybe have DAB. Quite a lot of cars from about 2014 do, but obviously not all so if it’s something you’d like it can be tricky to be sure without VIN checks etc. 

 

Looking at early reviews DAB was introduced at the introduction of the Octavia mkIII

"All models get a touch-screen infotainment system as standard, which lets you control various car settings, as well as choose what music to listen to via the standard USB-in, aux-in or DAB radio. In top-spec Elegance trim this screen is replaced with a larger, high-resolution system."

 

Edited 20 March, 20224 yr by bigjohn

2 hours ago, bigjohn said:

 

Looking at early reviews DAB was introduced at the introduction of the Octavia mkIII

"All models get a touch-screen infotainment system as standard, which lets you control various car settings, as well as choose what music to listen to via the standard USB-in, aux-in or DAB radio. In top-spec Elegance trim this screen is replaced with a larger, high-resolution system."

 

Thanks. So all MkIII by sounds of it no matter what infotainment/nav (not that I know how many variants of audio/infotainment there was)?

On 20/03/2022 at 15:53, silver50 said:

Thanks. So all MkIII by sounds of it no matter what infotainment/nav (not that I know how many variants of audio/infotainment there was)?

 

Not necessarily, I have a 2015 MkIII Elegance model with Bolero infotainment system and no DAB, missus has 2019 Facelift mk3 with Bolero and no DAB.

I can only speak for these 2 cars so not sure what the criteria is for having DAB or not.

2015 Amundsen MIB2 has DAB (MY16)

Thanks. Hmm so looking a bit like been just an option. 

Would the Columbus sat nav on a late 2013 incorporate DAB..?

Car is an elegance model too. It's one coming up at auction I've spotted, a 1.4 tsi.

Thanks

Edited 24 April, 20224 yr by silver50

On 22/03/2022 at 11:35, lway said:

 

Not necessarily, I have a 2015 MkIII Elegance model with Bolero infotainment system and no DAB, missus has 2019 Facelift mk3 with Bolero and no DAB.

I can only speak for these 2 cars so not sure what the criteria is for having DAB or not.

You may find that UK models are all DAB. I know that models in other parts of Europe have different specs. Ireland might follow suit.

 

A Columbus system should have DAB.