Hi, I'm new to this forum and I am looking at getting a new Octavia Combi in the new year. I got the brochure the other day and we have decided on the 1.9TDi Elegance. Almost 99% certain I will choose the Black Magic Pearl paint and considering upgrading the alloys to the 17" Pegasus. This might limit my budget to only being able to get the Duo Onyx interior rather than the full leather.

I'm also opting for the cruise control as its not available on the elegance model over here in Ireland. Is it std option in UK?

I'd like to hear peoples comments on the car....I really like the whole Octavia package. I'll be coming from a BMW 5 series, but we need something more practical and economical. I'll also be towing a small boat the odd time but I don't think I'll need to opt for the 4x4 version.

I haven't test driven one yet, but hope to soon.

I don't plan on breaking any land speed records with the 105bhp available on the 1.9TDi, but I've seen plug in modules on ebay for about €65 claiming to give you 15bhp gains. It seems like a cheap alternative to chipping but haven't heard any reviews on them. How much is possible to gain from chipping them and what kind of cost are we talking about?

Thanks,

Tom

Hi, This may be a duplicate as my PC went a little strange.

My opinion - the Octavia looks awful in Black unless in full sun, go for Sahara, Diamond or one of the Greys.

Cruise is good and standard in the UK on the Elegance.

17inch wheels come with HARD suspension at the expense of ride quality.

Caution on leather as seats are not air conditioned and will get very sticky in warm weather.

Consider buying in the UK or via the web for best price and drive it home - warentee should not be affected

The Ebay modules are simply a 300 or 130 ohm resistor which confuses the ECU to pump more fuel - does give more power LOWER MPG and can cause build up on turbo blades causing turbo failure - not covered by warentee

Chipping gives more power but will void warentee if detected, differing opinions whether it can be detected by dealer but caution while still in warentee

If yuo want more power try the 2ltr TDI but avoid DSG if towing - also DSG has a max torque recomendation which needs consideration if chipping as most remaps can exceed DSG power handling.

Do test drive before buying

There have been several problems with recent Octavias. My June 2006 2lt TDI DSG Elegance has had 3 known faults, 2 new batteries, new brake light switch, new door seals and is waiting on induction parts to fix hicupping at low revs.

On standard 16inch alloys ride is firm but comfy, wide tyres do give road noise but this is par for the course. Sates comfy and supporting.

On current experience I would not buy another Octavia

Hope this helps

My opinion - the Octavia looks awful in Black unless in full sun, go for Sahara, Diamond or one of the Greys.

Sahara has been discontinued, and replaced by cappucino. Having had a black car I would not buy one again. It looks great when it is clean and shiny but you spend all your time trying to keep it that way.

Caution on leather as seats are not air conditioned and will get very sticky in warm weather.

I have leather in my L&K and did not notice them ever getting sticky in the recent "heatwave". (i.e. a month when it didn't actually rain in London:rolleyes: ). Air con is great and soon cools down the interior.

On standard 16inch alloys ride is firm but comfy, wide tyres do give road noise but this is par for the course. Sates comfy and supporting.

I agree. Rather than paying to upgrade to 17" wheels, why not go for an L&K and get the full leather? You know you want it:D .

I have just bought a 2.0TDi, not only is it more powerful at 140BHP but you also get a six speed box. The 1.9 in the octy only has five gears, if chipping then avoid the DSG for the reasons already mentioned.

Having driven a car with the pegasus / sport combo before selecting the standard car instead, I would go standard if you want a good ride or the 17s for a more sporty feel.

Thanks for all the replies so quick. I'll bear in mind the black. A lot of people who have black cars always say that its hard to keep clean, but I think black estate cars look smart. 2nd choice was Graphite Grey so probably go for that then.

As for the 17" wheels...sounds like I'll give them a miss. I still have my 156 that I'm keeping if I need a sporty ride, so I'll probably just upgrade to 16" rims..any suggestions? Looking at the brochure, the Twister & Sirius are best of the bunch.

What is the L&K? I haven't looked at the Skoda UK site yet. Is it another level above the Elegance?

I'll stay away from the chipping side for a while. I'm not too bothered about leather seats. I have them in the Alfa for 6yrs without aircon and used to the odd sticky day.

Don' think I can afford the 2.0TDi. Its an extra

Are 16" wheels not standard on the elegance in Ireland, they are across here in the UK. Over here you get vega wheels in 16".

I would go for the 2.0 as well and dump the leather seats

Are 16" wheels not standard on the elegance in Ireland, they are across here in the UK. Over here you get vega wheels in 16".

Only Orion 15" wheels here...scabby gits

Forget the leather-save the money!

1.9 is fine for Irish roads. You won't need to chip it. It is also well-proven, and doesn't seem to have any faults of which I am aware, unlike the 2.0.

Graphite grey is very smart especially with the dark glass and the onyx interior, and doesn't look like a bag of spanners when dirty.

16" vega wheels are fine for general motoring, they give a good ride and corner fine for me.The sport with 17" wheels is way too hard for the majority of roads in Ireland (or England, come to that!)

Get the cruise control.

Forget the leather-save the money!

1.9 is fine for Irish roads. You won't need to chip it. It is also well-proven' date=' and doesn't seem to have any faults of which I am aware, unlike the 2.0.

Graphite grey is very smart especially with the dark glass and the onyx interior, and doesn't look like a bag of spanners when dirty.

16" vega wheels are fine for general motoring, they give a good ride and corner fine for me.The sport with 17" wheels is way too hard for the majority of roads in Ireland (or England, come to that!)

Get the cruise control.[/quote']

That seems to be the way I'm thinking alright. 2 people I know have A4 Avants with the 1.9TDi engine and constantly rave about it, so I'll probably opt for that.

VRT comes in at

Send me a PM. I know the odd dealer over here

Get the cruise control.

Agreed.

Best

I have to say the 1,9TDI is more than ok, i had an Audi A3 with 1,9 then my A4 was on repair 3 weeks, and the enegine impressed me very much with its high torcue, you cant go wrong with this

VRT comes in at

Whatever it is, thats a lot of money.

Whatever it is, thats a lot of money.

Yeah, if it is the VAT, then we would pay 2349.77 for the elegance and the Irish would pay £3986.93 and for the L&K we would pay 2570.94 and the Irish £4730.25 based on todays exchange rate and obviously, that is if you pay full list price.

I have heard a lot of people say that Eire has become an expensive place since the euro come in.

What is VRT?? VAT equivalent?

VRT is Vehicle Registration Tax. It is a stealth tax imposed by our wonderful government to stop people importing from abroad and saving money.

Depending on the engine size, a % is added to the pre-VAT price of the import and then VAT is added.

So the RRp of a 1.9 Elegance combi in UK is £16300

Pre-vat is £13872

Add the VRT to that and do the currency conversion makes it almost comparible to import than to buy here

OUCH!!!

I have never imported a car, but knowing how the UK goverment loves to take every penny off the motorist, I wouldn't be surprised if we would be penalized too.

OUCH!!!

I have never imported a car' date=' but knowing how the UK goverment loves to take every penny off the motorist, I wouldn't be surprised if we would be penalized too.[/quote']

you guys are ok...ye just get charged 17.5% VAT....we get VRT of either 22.5% or 30% depending on engine size and then VAT on top of 21%. Bend over mechanics over here... :pants: :orb_nurs

VRT is being phased out shortly but it will take 7yrs to remove it completely, so I've heard, but no doubt will be replaced by something else.:RIP:

Importing is only in your favour if you can get a real bargain in the UK.

Are the Skoda dealers in the UK good for cash discounts?

Are the Skoda dealers in the UK good for cash discounts?

Well, I have really only dealt with three. My local one would hardly budge, the second one gave me a great discount and trade in and then went bust so another dealer took the deal on.

But, not enough for you to save money i'm afraid.

can anyone tell me when the MKII Octavia went on sale?

54 plate IIRC

I have a black 1.9 TDi Octavia Elegance Estate (combi) and think it looks great even when dirty! Spent a week in Ireland (Limerick, Kerry and Connemara so lots of mileage) during the summer and it was great on the Irish roads, I have the 16" Vega wheels you definately won't need the 17" over there also here cruise control is standard on the elegance but I never used it once in Ireland and never missed it. The 1.9 has plenty of power too.

I think your original choice was great but don't bother with cruise control if you have to pay extra for it, put the money into the leather seats, the one thing I haven't got that I regret.

I have a black 1.9 TDi Octavia Elegance Estate (combi) and think it looks great even when dirty! Spent a week in Ireland (Limerick' date=' Kerry and Connemara so lots of mileage) during the summer and it was great on the Irish roads, I have the 16" Vega wheels you definately won't need the 17" over there also here cruise control is standard on the elegance but I never used it once in Ireland and never missed it. The 1.9 has plenty of power too.

I think your original choice was great but don't bother with cruise control if you have to pay extra for it, put the money into the leather seats, the one thing I haven't got that I regret.[/quote']

Katie, I travel up & down to Cavan most weekends fishing and 80 of the 90 miles are motorway so I'll get good use out of the cruise here. For the prices I hear quoted of about

54 plate IIRC

For those of us in Ireland, that'll be the second half of 2004....