Hi all. Just joined the forum so a big hello!

I am about to order a new company car and have decided it is going to be an Octavia. What I haven't decided is which one! I want a hatchback and the choices are either a VRs or an L&K. Enginewise I am looking at the 1.8TSi or the 2.0FSi if L&K, obviousley 2.0TSi if the VRs.

Can anyone offer any constructive pointers? At the moment I am leaning towards the Laurin and Klement as I cover starship mileages (anything up to 50000 miles a year) so I think comfort should be the keyword.

As for the engines, is there much to choose between the two? I know the 1.8T is the faster of the two but thats about it. Any idiosyncrasities or oddities with either?

Cheers everyone!

Pete

Welcome to Briskoda :wave:

The 1.8TSI replaces the 2.0FSI so the TSI is the obvious choice.

It's more powerful and more economical than the outgoing 2.0 unit.

I drive an L&K TDI estate and I too cover silly mileage (>50,000 per annum). The standard equipment makes those miles much more bearable so I would say opt for the L&K, My wife has a vRS so I have driven both back to back, the vRS is obviously pretty quick but the 1.8TSI is still going to be more than able to keep up with the pack.

As for L&K options, there aren't many but the Columbus sat nav is one to go for if the finances can stretch to it. Do a search for 'Trinax' or 'MFD3' if you haven't already seen it.

They are all the same unit BTW just different names.

The plus points for the L&K are the heated front seats, xenon headlamps, electric memory drivers seat/mirrors and the uber cool LED lit door handles to name but a few

Just out of interest, is there any reason you are not looking at the diesel and / or DSG options?

dstev2000 - Thanks for your input, I was thinking along similar lines. Unfortunately I don't think the budget will stretch to the SatNav. :(

andy2407 - The TDi models work out slightly more expensive on the lease agreement so I was trying to avoid them. Still there as a backup though as I quite like diesel cars. Whats the DSG option?

automatic with flappy paddles,

OOOH! Flappy paddles! Thanks Babs. I suspect that might break the budget too. Just seen the tiptronic option, whats that all about then?

automatic with flappy paddles,

Hmm? Since when Skoda has started delivering DSG with flappy paddles? I have heard about projects where people are changing steering wheels to get the paddles/buttons to accompany DSG box, but not as standard. So in a Skoda DSG is a automatic with dual-clutshes so it changes faster than a normal automatic.

Tux, if you cover silly mileage and your budget can manage it, do try combination of TDI and DSG. I had pretty much the same options as you, 1.8 TSI, vRS, 2.0 TDI or vRS TDI. Test drove them all and liked the 2.0 TDI DSG the most. I also tried the new VW Golf variant 1.4 TSI DSG, but with that the marrieage of the engine and DSG does not really work. 2.0 TDI with DSG is spot on. 1.9 TDI is as good, but just slightly slower.

With the mileage you are covering, I would definatly go TDi and DSG - it's a superb match.

automatic with flappy paddles,

Sorry - but no flappy paddles on Skodas. This option is only available on some high end VWs and Audis.

For Tux - here is an explanation of DSG (found on an Audi site but applicable here) with my comments added in bold....

The revolutionary direct shift gearbox (DSG) combines the advantages of a conventional six-speed manual-shift gearbox with the qualities possessed by a modern automatic transmission. The driver enjoys immense agility and driving pleasure with' date=' at the same time, smooth, dynamic acceleration with no interruption to the power flow.

The technical basis of the direct shift gearbox (DSG) is a double clutch. This consists of two wet plate-type clutches with hydraulically regulated contact pressure. One of the two clutches engages the odd-numbered, the other the even-numbered gears. This principle enables gear shifts to be made without interrupting the power flow and keeps the shift times extremely short. While the first clutch is transmitting the power, the second clutch is ready to engage the next gear, which is preselected. When the driver makes the gear shift, the first clutch is released and the second engages, so that the gear shift takes place in a fraction of a second.

The driver can operate the DSG manually or allow changes to take place automatically. In the automatic mode there is a choice between the well-balanced, comfortable standard shift settings and a program with greater sports emphasis. Manual shifts are made either at the gear lever [b'](in the case of Skoda) [/b]or at shift paddles behind the steering wheel (other high end VAG models).

I would agree with slider that the 2.0 TDi DSG 140 bhp is well worth looking at - Elegance or L&K spec if you can manage it.

You should be able to justify it by pointing out that any additional monthly lease costs will surely be offset by savings in fuel - assuming your company car rules are sensible enough to take this into account!

After having both petrol and diesel Octavia's I wouldn't even contemplate a petrol version. I now have a L&K DSG TDI 140bhp; IMO it is vastly superior to petrol manuals and I would never go back to a petrol/manual gear change. If you don't mind me saying you really should drive both versions before deciding. As other people have said the difference in fuel consumption alone plus better residual values are very much plus points for the L&K DSG TDI.

Also, don't get confused over the difference between DSG and standard autos. The DSG has an automated, dual clutch gearbox that can be driven as a manual (without the clutch of course) if you want. The DSG is far more efficient and economical than traditional auto boxes.

Incidentally, instead of the silly price Skoda satnav, buy a Tomtom!

What about the tax implications of the 1.8TSI? Are you opting out?

The 2.0TDI will cost £1512 per annum.

The 1.8TSI will cost £1620 per annum.

(The figures are for basic P11D's and 40% taxation and are only for comparison!)

The TSI has a claimed average mpg of 38 overall, the TDI has a claimed average of 51mpg...............I think not.

In the real world you will be looking at mid 30's for the TSI and low to mid 40's for the TDI (I average about 42mpg with a loaded boot and a mix of **** London traffic and fast motorway driving)

Your predicted annual mileage means you have a big difference in potential fuel costs depending on the engine choice. I hope your boss is paying for your fuel if you opt for petrol.

It's a difficult choice as both engines are very good in their own way.

The DSG will add to the P11D and therefore you'll pay more tax and the TDI carries a premium of about £1400 over the petrol :eek:

L&K TSI = £18,430

L&K TDI DSG = £20,980

One final thing:

The Columbus blows any Tomtom/Navman/Garmin unit clean out of the water despite the hefty premium

Why not get the diesel VRs?

Woah! Certainly food for thought there, thanks for all your input guys.

My situation is this, I work for a Global company where everything is buried in red tape, so common sense doesn't necessarily prevail. I have a set budget per month and if I go over this it comes out of my pocket. While I don't mind contributing for the right car, I have to pay the extra money up front, all 3 years worth, so I don't want to spend too much!

Fuel cost and type isn't a concern as the comopany pays for it and doesn't have restriictions other than the car must return an average of 25 mpg on the combined cycle, so that shouldn't be too difficult!

Company car tax is the next thing to worry about, but TBH none of the cars in the Octavia range are going to hurt my pocket excessively, indeed the difference between petrol and diesel variants of the L&K is only about £8 a month, so I'm not too worried there either. I'd rather make sure that the car is comfortable and fun, after all, I will be living with it for the next 3 years at least.

I do like the diesels, I currently drive a Passat TDi 130, which I believe is essentially the older version of the engine Skoda are now using (VW PD engine), and I love it. Pretty quick, economical and very easy to drive. The problem comes back to the money thing. The diesels are more expensive to lease and that extra cash will have to be paid by me up front, hence me looking at the 1.8TSi. (Does anyone see a pattern developing here!)

Guess I'll go and look at the alternatives and crunch the numbers again and see what I come up with!

Your firm seems to have a pretty flexible policy on company cars which is good. Most places where i've worked are as tight as anything when it comes to cars. I had to fight tooth and nail for the 2.0TDI in my first Octy II, this time round it was "what car do you want"............"OK it's ordered" I was gutted when the new Sat nav unit became available shortly afterwards :thumbdwn:

Based on what you have said I would go for the L&K hatch with the 1.8TSI engine.

I would also try and squeeze in the Columbus unit too. 3D sat nav, 30 gig hard drive, touch screen, DVD player and SD card slot - brilliant! Seeing as you are going to live with it for the next 3 years I would seriously consider it

TBH I think I have pretty much decided the 1.8TSi L&K is the way to go. The extra pace over the diesel will be nice for the odd weekend blast (its nearly as quick as the vRS anyway!) and the "creature comforts" and "luxuries" that the trim provides over the vRS should keep me comfortable enough for long journeys.

When I think of it I have spent 16 of the last 20 years doing similar mileages in second hand vans, so this will be positive luxury!

Everytime I go through the possibilities I end up with this same conclusion. Just need to have a word with the lease company now and see if I can wangle the SatNav.

Thanks again for all your input folks, its great to have different views, most of which I hadn't thought of!

Nice choice, by all accounts the TSI is a cracking engine

You'll appreciate the spec of the L&K and you'll be doing lots of box ticking on the options page to get a vRS with similar equipment and as you are dealing with a lease firm there is less scope for screw ups as everything bar the sat nav is standard (including metallic paint!).

The factory fitted sat nav will improve the residual value when it comes to selling the car on in three years...............or at least that's what you'll tell the leasing co

If you think up any L&K specific questions in the meantime don't hesitate to fire away as there are a few L&K drivers on here.

Oh, and happy new year everyone!!! :hooray::friday::cheers::woohoo: