We are thinking of trading in SWMBO Fabia 100 pdi for a new Octavia Elegance. There is a considerable price difference between the 105 bhp and 140 bhp models. Is the 140 bhp really worth all the extra cash? I've heard all sorts of conflicting comments about the 140 bhp; i.e. there is too much power and its very much off and on making it not as pleasant to drive as the 105 bhp. As we are used to the quite rapid 100 bhp Fabia, we don't want to regret the purchase for the sake of a few thousand pounds!! Hoping to have some test drives this week but we would be be very grateful for comments.

If you can make the budget stretch I'd opt for the 140bhp.

Think of it this way; you are used to the 100bhp Fabia and it being 'brisk'. If you go for the 105bhp Octavia you have only an extra 5bhp to pull around and extra 200kg-250kg of car, with the resultant dumbing down of performance and economy!

If you take the 140bhp you will have a car that will at least be as 'brisk' as your Fabia if not perhaps a bit more so. Also the 140bhp is a 2.0L engine which is more advanced than the older 1.9 (105bhp).

Considering the power delivery, ANY turbo-diesel will be sluggish OFF boost and feel stong ON boost. You will though quickly learn to moderate your right foot (if you have not done so already) to drive smoothly. The best disguise to give you smooth progress, however, is the DSG gearbox although it does cost another £1,000.

At the end of the day I guess it will all boil down to the depth of your pocket and desire/need for performance/economy. Good luck.

Go for the 2.0 140. It runs cleaner (Euro IV, if you care a little about pollution, cancer, athsma etc) and is quieter and smoother.

I have tried several 1.9 and a couple of 2.0's - The extra power is worth it for a marginal increase in consumption.

The 2.0 has 6 speeds, I'm not 100% but I think the 1.9's have, or used to have 5 speeds. This makes an difference for quiet and economical cruising.

Ignore all the nonsense about peaky or sharp power - you'd have to only be used to a Raleigh Chopper (rather than a half decent car) to think this is an issue.

Although it is true that the 140, and indeed most turbo diesels have a lot torque in a smallish rev band, no turbo diesel has a decent throttle response (it's not the same as turbo lag, which is not too bad on most cars these days). I suspect many drivers labour diesels rather than keeping in the torque band, and are prodded awake by the change as it comes on boost.

In any case, nearly all diesels are horrible, dirty and noisy, and at the end of the day my commute demands the economy, but when I change my job, I'll being going back to a nice petrol car.

Neither will disappoint IMHO.

The 1.9 is EU 4, is in a lower CO2 VED band, gets better MPG and is well tried and tested, only gets 5 gears and is a bit slower.

The 2.0 is EU4, more spirited driving is available, gets 6 gears and is quieter IMHO, on the flip side there are some interesting threads appearing about the 2.0 and possible issues.

I own a 2.0, but the only way is get in the cars and try them both yourself.

A similar question was asked recently....

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/new-octavia/octavia/73210/?highlight=1.9+2.0+tdi

Just to buck the trend, while i haven't driven the 2.0, We have just bought the 1.9 Elegance, no complaints so far, spec is same as classic with A/C and Alloys inc, couple more little extras but then this is ROI we live in !!! engine is pretty good for the type of driving and roads over here, good all round family car, or so she tells me !!! and you can fit 4 golf bags in for those saturdays she lets me have it, the car that is!!!!

having driven both, was happier to have a lower spec car with the 2.0tdi.

Personally, I wouldn't want to go under Elegance spec (if just for the arm rest and cruise controle), but I always regretted not stretching the budget for the 140. It's a much more enjoyable drive (having had one as a courtesy car).

If the 140 hadn't been available I wouldn't have bought an Octavia. I tow a motorcycle trailer quite often. The great gobs of torque available enable progress to be made in a very satisfactory manner. My previous CRV (iVtec petrol) was no slouch, but if you think ahead and choose the right gear overtaking is much more effortless in the PD140 Octavia.

I have driven both and went for the 140 elegance estate. The 6th gear is really handy for motorway cruising, but not much use below 50mph. At 40mph in 6th you are only doing 1k rpm, so hopeless. However as I do a lot of motorway driving, doing 80MPH at low RPM but within the torque band is very relaxing.

Thanks for all your replies. Now had a test drive in both 105 and 140 Octavias. Also had a drive in a 150 bhp FSI petrol. Decided in the end to go for a 150 bhp Petrol Elegance Estate. There is a considerable price difference between petrol and diesel (approx

Now had a test drive in both 105 and 140 Octavias. Also had a drive in a 150 bhp FSI petrol. Decided in the end to go for a 150 bhp Petrol Elegance Estate.

was about to suggest the 2.0fsi, then read your post.

i had the same problem, only between 1.6fsi & 1.9tdi; ended up with the petrol due to, like you, lower cost lower mileage issue.

on the subject of the 2.0fsi my local plod have just got two octys, got talking to one of the coppers at filling station a few months back and he said they, those that decide what cars are bought, ruled out the 2.0tdi due to the fact that the petrol engines suited the nature of police driving better.

was about to suggest the 2.0fsi, then read your post.

On the subject of the 2.0fsi my local plod have just got two octys, got talking to one of the coppers at filling station a few months back and he said they, those that decide what cars are bought, ruled out the 2.0tdi due to the fact that the petrol engines suited the nature of police driving better.

Ah, but surely that's the 200bhp TFSI as in the vRS not the 150bhp FSI? Understandable. I've been (as a passenger) in a Police spec Octavia (Mk 1) chipped to 225bhp on a test track and it maxed at only 135mph; the drag from the Blue Light box on the roof knocks 10-15 mph off top speed; they therefore need the top end power of the TFSI engine to help push against this.

But following that argument, why do some 'plod' use BMW 525d/535d?

Either way; for the private lower mileage (vs. Company) driver, I can see the financial benefit in taking the 2.0FSI 150bhp over the 2.0L TDI 140bhp. Also subconsiously it probably depends on whether you are a Petrol Head or a Torque Nut .

Personally, I do nearly 20,000 miles a year with fuel at my own cost in a Company car so the lower BIK Tax and better fuel consumption pushed me to a TDI. However, I must be a Torque Nut as my wife's car, and her previous one, have both been TDI and that only does 7,000 mile pa Max.

Ah, but surely that's the 200bhp TFSI as in the vRS not the 150bhp FSI?

But following that argument, why do some 'plod' use BMW 525d/535d?

no fella it's the 150 2.0, the cops round my way have spent a lot of money on coffee & doughnuts so could only afford the non-turbo motor.

i asked the copper "howcome some of you chaps are toting around in bmw oil-burners?" and he just shrugged, so i'm non the wiser as to why an fsi over a tdi:confused:

no fella it's the 150 2.0, the cops round my way have spent a lot of money on coffee & doughnuts so could only afford the non-turbo motor.

i asked the copper "howcome some of you chaps are toting around in bmw oil-burners?" and he just shrugged, so i'm non the wiser as to why an fsi over a tdi:confused:

Ah ha; guess that's why they are 'Plods';:P not full blown Traffic Cops,:eek: they're the ones with the TFSIs and BMW ds.

It's maybe also why Ants has two white vRS Octys for sale