Hi,

Newbie here. I've been a member of Mini2 for a few years hence the username and I also joined the MG/Rover forum.

I've been skulking around here for a few days now and I've enjoyed reading some of the interesting and very informative comments but it's no fun if you are not taking part.

I'm thinking of buying an Octavia diesel soon. The Rover is now 7.5 years old and I suppose sooner or later it will require bigger bills, so logically it has to go. So far it has never let me down.

So as usual lots of questions. Hopefully some will provoke some head scratching from you experienced Skoda owners.

I love the look of the VRS but I'm torn between this and the 140 bhp hatch.

1) I've read that the VRS has quite a firm ride. Does the 18" wheel increase the firmness of the ride in any way? This seemed to happen with bigger rims on the MINI.

2) What other benefits do the bigger rims/tyres have?

3) Probably a daft question this but I haven't been able to get a test drive myself to compare the 140bhp and the 170bhp. Apparently a VRS won't be available for a few weeks yet when I went in today there was one. Yes the dealer was going to phone me but there wasn't a 140bhp car to compare it with available. :( Anyway, Is the VRS worth the extra cash over say the 140bhp Elegance?

4) Is there a decrease in reliability of newer Octavias compared with 2004 models and earlier? I've just read an article in a Which? magazine which reports that newer Octavias have more than their fair share of problems, mainly electrical. Would members experiences here bear this out?

5) I've been told that the diesels supplied as taxis don't have the same 2.0L engine as supplied to the rest of us. is this true and if so what is the difference?

6) Has anybody bought their Skoda from one UK dealer and transferred the warranty to another? Any problems getting warranty work done?

Apologies for all the questions.

morrisminiminor

Hello. I'll just have a quick look in my Encyclopedia Britannica. No it's no good.

Briskoda members will help with your questions if they can The site is relatively quiet at weekends and some members are away, but if you hang on to your hat, someone will be along

Regards

Mo

Welcome to Briskoda

Hiya.

I can't comment on any of the other queries, but increasing wheel diameter whilst keeping a constant rolling radius always makes a car ride harder, because you reduce the tyre sidewall height, and hence make the sidewall do less of the total car suspension movement.

You might get an improvement in turn-in and reduced tyre roll, but most people actually turn into corners too late anyway.

Hello & welcome

I have a Morris Mini Minor in my shed, it's a 1960 'Delux' version, just finished doing it up.

It's going to some shows next year!!

Enjoy the site and your questions should be answered in no time!!!

Ben