I'm considering buying an 03 Ambiente which is a Belgian LHD import but having difficulty finding out if it's 90 or 105 bhp.

According to the autocar data both the Elegance and Ambiente are 105bhp yet on some other Internet sites the Ambiente is listed as 90bhp.

Would there be any difference because it's an import I wonder ?

it depends on what engine it is. The PD engine is 105, the older common rail engine is 90. Both were used in the mk1's IIRC

A Mk1 octavia ambiente is the 90 bhp version (non-PD)

Mk2 octavia ambintes have the 105 bhp 1.9 PD

Thanks but conflicting information;

roo says 90 & 105 both used in MK1 whilst Dr Zoidberg says Mk1 90 & MK2 105, can't both be right :confused:

Best way is to find the engine code.

If you have that you can refer it to this list -

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/reference-materials/skoda-engine-code-list/78255/

Thanks but conflicting information;

roo says 90 & 105 both used in MK1 whilst Dr Zoidberg says Mk1 90 & MK2 105, can't both be right :confused:

And we aren't.

The PD105 was never used in the Mk1 octavia.

The PD130 was fitted in the Ambiente SE from about a 54 plate and the Elegance from a 53 , but an earlier Ambiente is definitely a 90bhp non-PD engine

Thanks but conflicting information;

roo says 90 & 105 both used in MK1 whilst Dr Zoidberg says Mk1 90 & MK2 105, can't both be right :confused:

You could look at the TDi badge on the back (providing it's still the standard one stuck to the car when it was produced).

My understanding is that if the TDi is all silver it denotes a 90BHP engine, if the "i" is red it means 110BHP and if the "Di" is red it denotes the 130BHP.

This could be complete rubbish but it's what I thought was the way to identify the BHP. If the one you are looking at is only 90bhp you could always have it remapped to boost it up a bit.

I think what I've put above applies to Mk1 Octavia's not so sure if the same can be applied to the MK2's if the MK2's are the new shape which I think they are.

Hope this helps but if it's incorrect I apologise, I'm no expert on the technical refinery of a Skoda engine.

Bakie; what you say is correct for the 1.9l engines. The 105 is a 2.0l though.

Bakie; what you say is correct for the 1.9l engines. The 105 is a 2.0l though.

No it isn't.

The Mk2 octavia has a 1.9 PD105 engine (all silver lettering) or a 2.0 PD140 with a red I

The Mk1's were (mostly) as mentioned , 90 - all silver , 110 - red I , 130 - red DI

Look under the carpet in the boot at the vehicle ident badge - if it says 66KW engine, thats 90bhp.

MK I TDI were all 90bhp with the following Exceptions:

L&K/Elegance up to approx 53plate - 110bhp TDI

L&K/Elegance post approx 53 place - 130bhp PD TDI

The ambiente SE I saw only had a 90bhp engine and 5 speed box.

The 105 was never in the MK I Octy in 2003, although it might have made it in for some of the MKI taxi's they currently sell to make emissions regs.

Ken, you state that the 105bhp is a 2L lump, but this is incorrect.

The PD105 is a 1.9 PD TDI and the PD140/PD170 are the 2.0L PD TDI engines.

HTH

MK I TDI were all 90bhp with the following Exceptions:

L&K/Elegance up to approx 53plate - 110bhp TDI

L&K/Elegance post approx 53 place - 130bhp PD TDI

You could get the PD130 on an 03 plate as I looked at the prices when I bought my 110bhp elegance , and from then until they started dropping models from the range you could get either engine in the Elegance and L&K

The ambiente SE I saw only had a 90bhp engine and 5 speed box.

It was definitely available with the PD130 and a six speed as well.

I looked at one , and there are plenty of references to it on the net

WiseBuyer's Guides - Skoda Octavia (1998-04) Car specs

Skoda Octavia Hatchback (98-04) - Technical Data - Parker's

The 105 was never in the MK I Octy in 2003, although it might have made it in for some of the taxi's they corrently sell to make emissions regs.

Ken, you state that the 105bhp is a 2L lump, but this is incorrect.

The PD105 is a 1.9 PD TDI and the PD140/PD170 are the 2.0L PD TDI engines.

HTH

Agreed

The first PD130 I saw was on a 53 plate, but like i said that was an approx date.

Either way, the 105 wasn't in the MK I octy any time around then.

If you can acquire the vehicles VIN (or chassis number) enter this into a VAG VIN decoder (search the internet for such a site) or join Briskoda Freedom and you will find a link to one. This will give you complete stats on the car including date of production, engine number and output, plus a complete listing of standard equipment and options fitted to the car.

Or you could look at the PDF I posted above, find out for sure and save all of the is it isn't it debate.

If you can acquire the vehicles VIN (or chassis number) enter this into a VAG VIN decoder (search the internet for such a site) or join Briskoda Freedom and you will find a link to one. This will give you complete stats on the car including date of production, engine number and output, plus a complete listing of standard equipment and options fitted to the car.

Do you know which site give me all the above in response to the VIN ?

I've tried this one

VIN Decoder for VW, Audi, SEAT, Skoda

but it still asks to chose model and engine etc. but even then says nothing about trim or options etc.

I thought a VIN uniquely identified a specific car !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EDIT:

To add to the confusion it's definately 110 although some say this was never fitted to Ambiente. I wish I could get access to the car but I'm in France, it's in UK and where the car is stored there is no one there able to get into it.

My head is beginning to hurt, pass the red wine would you dear..................

the 110 could be put in as a option.not many did it though.

Jeez - How many times

Get the engine code and stop guessing!!!!

No. The SLX and Elegance (pre pd) were both 110hp, the GLX and Ambiente being 90hp. Later (post 03) models started to have the pd, I'm not an expert on them. Simply, if it's 90 or 110 it's the VP37 bosch pump tdi, if it's a power other than that it's a pd (later) engine.

MK I TDI were all 90bhp with the following Exceptions:

L&K/Elegance up to approx 53plate - 110bhp TDI

L&K/Elegance post approx 53 place - 130bhp PD TDI

The ambiente SE I saw only had a 90bhp engine and 5 speed box.

The 105 was never in the MK I Octy in 2003, although it might have made it in for some of the MKI taxi's they currently sell to make emissions regs.

Ken, you state that the 105bhp is a 2L lump, but this is incorrect.

The PD105 is a 1.9 PD TDI and the PD140/PD170 are the 2.0L PD TDI engines.

HTH

Thanks all for the info peeps, I'm learning a lot about my new car !

Now I have actually taken possession of it I can answer my own question, the car IS 81kw/110bhp.

From some of the previous replies it would appear that this might be because it is an import and to add to one other point, it does have a red "i" in the Tdi badge.

Fortunately it also has a couple of nice options too like Climate Control and ASR so in fact, apart from Cruise Control, its almost an Elegance.

Interested quite what "suspension range 09" implies in the options listed below

I'm looking forward to getting better aquainted

Engine – ASV

Gearbox – EGS

Paint Code – 9102

Code – SK06039 (http://tinyurl.com/yuwo2g) which is relevant to me in taking it to France.

Options:

E0A = no special edition

1D0 = without towing attachment

3BS = outer left rear view mirror: non-spherical, powered, heated

3AF = outer right rear view mirror: convex, powered, heated

1KP = disc brakes, rear

6FB = body-colored outer rear view mirror housings

1AJ = anti-spin regulation (ABS/ASR/EDL) with electronic differential lock (EDL)

1N6 = power steering

1NL = covers for alloy wheels

H6U = tires 205/55 R 16 91W

4UE = airbag for driver and front seat passenger

4R4 = power windows with comfort operation and circuit breaker

B02 = type approval Belgium

3QT = 3-point seat belts with tensioner and height adjustment, front

4A0 = without seat heater

8L3 = roof antenna

J0L = battery 340 A (70 Ah)

7AM = electronic vehicle immobilization devicewith alarm system, passenger compartment control and backup horn

8GD = alternator 90A

6Y0 = without cruise control warning system

9AK = Climatronic with impact pressure control free of cfc

7Q0 = without navigation device

8AA = without radio

8Q5 = headlight-range adjustment, automatic- dynamic with cornering light (AFS 1)

8X0 = without headlight washer system

4K3 = radio remote controlled central locking operated from inside and safe securing

B02 = type approval Belgium

G33 = front shock absorption

3L3 = manual height adjustment for front seats

9P1 = seat belt warning light, electric contact in buckle

Q4H = comfort sports seats, front

7X1 = ultrasonic park distance control

9W0 = without car phone preparation/installation

8WD = integrated front fog light

7A0 = without CD changer/CD player

QG1 = service interval prolongation

0GZ = emissions concept EU 3

L09 = suspension range 09

7P4 = manually adjustable lumbar support in front seats

F0A = no special purpose vehicle, standard equipment

3S2 = black roof rails

110 and red 'i' go together, but the climate and 110 together make it sound more like a uk spec slx/elegance. UK spec elegance did not have cruise, at least not the early ones, I have dealt with dozens. Maybe it was an option. L&K had it.

My 52 plate Elegance doesn't have cruise.

Yep , it definitely didn't have cruise as standard in the Elegance.

Does it have a sunroof? That was standard on the Elegance

Nice theory however it's got Ambiente badges on the sides so definately not an Elegance.

No sunroof either (shame)

No rain sensitive wipers (not shame !)

In passing it towed my BIG 1700kg box trailer down to SW France on Monday with relative ease and an average fuel consumption of 11.4lt/100km. In real money that's about 24mpg which is on a par with what my previous Golf 1.9Tdi (90bhp) was doing.

Not really; other than as a clearview panel, the Elegance's leccy sunroof is about as much use as a choklit teapot!!