I'm considering buying a 5yr old 1.8T 4x4 with just over 40K on the clock.

What is the lowdown on this engine / gearbox combination. I know it's used in all sorts of applications and can take 225BHP+ in a TT. But...

- Who has experience of running one?

- What should I look out for? Cambelt change at 50K?

- Oil / Fuel consumption?

- Known weak points and things to look out for?

Your help would be greatly appreciated. I'm very excited about going back to a MK1 after my disappointing MKII vRS experience so far.

Thanks in advance,

Chris

I run the same car, though with over 60k on the clock. As far as the cam belt goes, Skoda recommend it be changed every 4 years, irrespective of mileage. As the one you're looking at is 5 yrs old (like mine), it's worth finding out whether or not it's been done already. If not, it's probably due a change (had mine done a couple of months ago).

As for mpg, i tend to get between 29-33 on the 10-mile run to work (winding lanes mostly), but on longer runs 35-38 depending on type of road etc (topped 40 mpg once). Of couse, if i cane it this can drop somewhat(!).

Problem-wise just the usual cold splutter probs (see other threads on the subject) plus one coil failure (no big deal really!). Generally a good car, plenty of scope for mods (haven't done any yet).

Thanks Seedy - any issues with 4wd system? This is our biggest cause for concern - buying more mechanical bits than we really need.

I also read a complaint about springs wearing out - although this was on a hatch - not an estate (which have uprated springs I believe)

cambelt KIT, water pump. Other than that I'm not familiar with the rest of the running gear, expect it to be a bit slower/thirstier than a 2wd due to friction/weight losses.

HIGHLY recommend checking everything works and getting a full Fault Code scan, so easy to find out later on Octavias various faults you didn't know about like engine sensors/abs unit not talking/flap motors etc etc. Check out all works eg windows and air con. And don't forget the HPI, the RAC are doing it for £5 at the moment!

Good luck, Greg.

Thanks Seedy - any issues with 4wd system? This is our biggest cause for concern - buying more mechanical bits than we really need.

I also read a complaint about springs wearing out - although this was on a hatch - not an estate (which have uprated springs I believe)

Not had any problems with my 4wd system, don't know of anybody who has, so your pretty safe there.

I changed all my springs & dampers about 4 weeks after getting my car, got fed-up falling out of the window every time I turned a corner.

4x4 estates do tend to sit a little higher than 2wd.

Had mine from new (52plate) now on 46k. No problems with drive apart from the gear change which is not great on any of them as far as I can tell. Rolls too much, but ground clearance can be useful. Remap cured hesitation problem thats common, and now much better/faster but on the same sort of 10 mile trip to work I'd expect 29 down to 21 depending how late I am:eek:, up to about 38 on a run if gentle. Best car I've ever driven in snow, but rolls and understeers too much. Oh and the clutch didn't like the remap - expensive. Tyres last about 16k, uses no oil at all - I've never topped it up. A lot of these small irritations are probably curable but I'm potless at the moment, so will have to wait.

Go ahead and buy one, but you'll want to remap it, and it depreciates a fair bit - but what doesn't:rolleyes:

some have had issues with the 4x4 ecu's going wrong but its not that common and the only issues i have had with my 4x4 have been due to me running too much power and driving it like a twunt.

the only actual fault i've had with the 4x4 system as such is a faulty sensor on the ESP system but mine is now 6 years old and done 120k

4x4 estates do tend to sit a little higher than 2wd.

4wd is about 2cm higher than the 2wd, iirc.

I had a faulty Haldex ECU (4x4 ECU) I was lucky as it was replaced under warranty as its not cheap. Also you can only find out if theres a problem if you use a diagnostic tool.

Nope, no problems with 4x4 system on mine. It's certainly proved its worth once or twice!

If your planning on major mods this is the one to go for due to the 4x4.

The engine is pretty much a vrs underneath just not as highly mapped.

its the same engine/turbo etc as a vrs but be warned that with 280bhp+ and/or driving like a loony will result in broken gearboxes as a few of us have found out.

check everything

but don't forget;

check the tyres

check the heated wing mirrors

check the rear wiper spray

check if its had its cambelt done/haldex 4x4 service

tremendous car

good luck

Test drove the car today. It had a bit of driveline shunt - is this common with the 4wd system or should it be undetectable?

Test drove the car today. It had a bit of driveline shunt - is this common with the 4wd system or should it be undetectable?

What's that?

Test drove the car today. It had a bit of driveline shunt - is this common with the 4wd system or should it be undetectable?

I spose you mean slack in the drive - in which case I'd walk away unless v. cheap, or you know what you are doing. Unless you were flooring it you shouldn't feel much if anything at all.

Test drove the car today. It had a bit of driveline shunt - is this common with the 4wd system or should it be undetectable?

Is that from starting off, changing gear etc?

The only time I've noticed anything like a "shunt" with mine powering out of a very tight LH herapin on a slippy forest (tar covered) road in 1st when the Haldex clutch engaged and the ESP had a panic attack at the same time Actually scarier than having the car drift!

Im sticking 350 ish bhp through mine, had no problems with the 4x4 system but also dont experience the "shunt" you describe

Re suspension the std rear springs sometimes break

I have a complete std set up of my 52 plate car (front & rear) in the garage that came off after 8000 miles, they are just gathering dust so any offer considered

I've got an 02 4x4 estate- had it for 4 years and the only problems have been 1 lot of coils, then the enormous sting for the cambelt/water pump (£690!!!)

Otherwise it handles well for a biggish motor, and the only strange thing I've noticed with the drive is traction control gets confused turning down steep hills in 3rd... Now I automatically turn it off on those type of hills!

Fuel wise, I get anywhere between 25 and 40mpg, though pootling along on a 30 mile country run t'other day (stuck in a long queue behind a Rover 214) I got 44!

It works quite well in up to 4"thick snow as well (though not as well as my Defender...)

And my dogs still haven't managed to scratch up the boot - decently hard wearing.

I have had my 02 4x4 turbo for about 6 months and its a good car i have had a few problems most have been sorted for free by the dealer.Just check the tyre wear and brakes and also check all the electrics work.I needed a new window switch and they replaced a turbo pipe all under warranty.I only get about 18 to 19 mpg, on a run i managed 33mpg over 300 miles.They also replaced the dump valve.The standard handling in my opinion is a bit wallowy and dosent corner without alot of body roll.

shouldn't have any shunt at all in the drive line, that could simply be the flywheel or something.

I have had my 02 4x4 turbo for about 6 months and its a good car i have had a few problems most have been sorted for free by the dealer.Just check the tyre wear and brakes and also check all the electrics work.I needed a new window switch and they replaced a turbo pipe all under warranty.I only get about 18 to 19 mpg, on a run i managed 33mpg over 300 miles.They also replaced the dump valve.The standard handling in my opinion is a bit wallowy and dosent corner without alot of body roll.

18 to 19:eek: thats terrible. Is it standard or mapped? Mines mapped and I boot it and still usually manage mid to high 20s

Its standard, i drive it like you should all turbo cars.High 20's do you knock it out of gear.I have just changed the air filter to a pipercross and i did get better than usual from a tankfull(25 mpg) maybe the airfilter was knackered.It looked quite dirty.

i have managed really quite low mpg out of my octavia

but that was on track, and i fully agree with the man above drive em like you stole em

maybe thats why i only get 200 miles from £45 worth of super in my mazda :confused:

I have no driveline shunt. i usually get about 300 ish miles per full tank .