Hi!

Newbie... signed up for some wisdom so if you have anything to add please let me know.

I'm looking for an Octavia diesel estate. I like the sound of the Ambiente. It would be an older car (say 5yrs old), budget is c.

We have had a 110 tdi from new, its on a 52 plate & has now covered 115,000

Great car, only major problem (apart from the Wife shortening it !) was with the air con. On higher mileage Octavias the clutch can fall off the end of the air con compressor & as a dealer fix its normally around a grand as they insist on a new compressor. It happens believe it or not as the nut holding the clutch on comes un done & as it slowly works off the clutch damages the compressor thread so if you get one check the aircons working & at first service get the nut checked or better add some lok-tite. If it does come off a good old fashioned thinking mechanic with a bit of savi can normally recut the threads & fit a s/hand clutch

Overall the best car we have ever owned and weve had a few, it will regularly give 50+ mpg, ours was remapped at about 8000 miles to 164 bhp & weve had no mechanical problems as a result which speaks for the strength of the basic car, its even still on the original clutch.

If you can get to the L&K it comes with loads of toys

Elegance is a good spec, and should be plenty of TDI estates in this guise around. It was a popular choice with the airport run taxi drivers

Thanks for the tips guys - especially the one about looking out for the a/c. had loads of problems with my car (an S2 Elise) on this & I know it can be a royal PITA!

Doesn't sound like they have any generic problems of a material nature, at least none that have surfaced yet - most problems I've heard about appear to be one-offs. Full inspection & dealer service afer buying it should help with that.

Will keep an eye out for the L&K

do you need roof bars? do you need secret hidy hole in the boot? do you need climate control against air con? do you need alloys? do you need headlight washers? I think these are the main differences between the ambiente and the elegance.

I have a 2002 L&K estate (petrol - could be regarded as a slight regret). Best car I've owned and will be buying a new one shortly, keeping this one as a second car. Had no problems having covered 67,000 from new, other than a hazard warning switch.

I don't know if the Ambiente has the false floor, but it gives a level load bed. With the rear seats down is a real load swallower.

watch out for turbo issues on the 110 TDI, doesn't affect the TDI 90 and i think the PD130 is ok too.

The variable vanes gum up on the 110 sometimes which can require a new turbo or at least a remove and clean up.

watch out for turbo issues on the 110 TDI, doesn't affect the TDI 90 and i think the PD130 is ok too.

The variable vanes gum up on the 110 sometimes which can require a new turbo or at least a remove and clean up.

Turbos seem to suffer from lack of use, ours was a bit sticky after the car had been parked for a couple of months whilst being returned to its former length. It was recomended I thrashed it & it seems to have freed it off, if it returns I will fit a 130 turbo :)

Another tip, if you get a high miler & the gearchange starts to get stiff change the gearbox oil, believe it or not its never changed at a service, we have just changed ours & the gear change is now oh so sweet again

I recommend a 2002 Elegance 110HP Octavia...

That year because earlier models have poorer electronic versions...Elegance for the confort of options and the engine for the power, best suited for the Estate body.

Turbos seem to suffer from lack of use, ours was a bit sticky after the car had been parked for a couple of months whilst being returned to its former length. It was recomended I thrashed it & it seems to have freed it off, if it returns I will fit a 130 turbo :)

Same here and yes a quick thrash works wonders

I've got an Elegance too. No particular issues except that I feel that an ineffective sunroof (it doesn't extract air like I'd like it too) is a waste of money and weight.

Elegances have discs on the back instead of drums on the Ambiente ... Makes DIY brake changes much easier.

Do Ambiantes have 16" rims like Elegances do? Or is that a factor of engine power rather than trim level?

Do Ambiantes have 16" rims like Elegances do? Or is that a factor of engine power rather than trim level?

I think the ambients have 15" steel wheels, they maybe 16" but they are definatly steel. elegance comes as standard with 16" alloys. I have an '04 pd130 elegance estate and like it, motorway cruising is great and has pleanty of poke.

I knew the Ambiante 90 had steels (and probably 15s), having had one as a hire car. In fact that was what decided me to have a look for an Octy when I needed a new car.

2001 Elegance TDi 110 would get my vote, but you might struggle to find one for

Stuart: I asked about a gearbox oil change at my local dealer. They said it is designed to last the lifetime of the gearbox and they look after several 260k+ taxis that are still on their original oil. The Haynes manual says change it, at 50k I think, but it also says change your engine oil every 5k!

J

If your gearbox is super smooth dont worry about it, If you do decide to do it try an independent garage, cost me