Seriously looking at a new Skoda

[aslsw]

Hi all

Took a new Skoda Octavia for a test drive on the weekend. Only the second car to check out so far but I like it so much I almost think it's a done deal (but I'll still do the rounds of the others to make it look like I've done my homework!).

A couple of questions though:

- can you get an integrated bluetooth kit fitted? ie. something that nicely integrates with the system. I have an iPhone and it would be nice if the car recognised it for both music and phone.

- is the 17" sports suspension package the best set of wheels you can get? They are a bit dreary.

- can you get any of the accessories listed in Europe. Even something basic like chrome exhaust tips.

- also, noticed reasonably high tyre/road noise on the test drive. Is this normal?

Probably more questions as I think about them.

[Golf Loon]

Save your money on the wheels and get something aftermarket that you like. Audior VW pattern, pretty common.

Other than that, get one I reckon the octavia is awesome and we will have oine as soon as I can kill the audi off.

[aslsw]

Not bad advice (there are some really nice VW wheels) but the only issue for me is if I can package this car, then it makes sense to add as much to the upfront cost. On the other hand the 17" wheels plus sports suspension adds $1,780 to the cost.

What exactly do you get for the sports suspension?

Another question. What is the sunroof like? I've never owned a car with a sunroof before - is there any extra noise, loss of rigidity, etc?

[wombatoutofhell]

What spec and body are you looking at?

[aslsw]

I'm looking at the 1.8 with DSG. Love the DSG gearbox (my brother-in-law has a R32 in Switzerland that I've drive a lot). Like the price, which means I can option everything up and still get a good overall deal.

I'll be honest and say the standing acceleration was nothing to write home about, but acceleration from 80kmh to 120kmh was pretty good.

I'm pretty sure I'm sold, but would like to know I'm making the right decision!

[jacob_1987]

Well it's a great car to be honest...
30,000 km not a sound to be honest, you can get all parts after market but if ur commited to the originals it will take anything from 2-3 weeks if ordered through your dealer. There is a AUX input and you can addon an MDI input for full integration with your car. I do believe the normal system (audience whatever it's called) does have an addon I think retails for $160 to plug ur Ipod, touch or iphone.

Also depending on your budget consider the new 1.8 tfsi with 7 speed auto DSG. But I do drive a diesel around and I'm loving it. You'll also be suprised with how many addon's you can get for your car because it's a VW group vehicle.

[jacob_1987]

the tyre noise you have is the tyres, the stock tyres are crap as hell... I noticed this after I purposely tried to warn them out.

[aslsw]

Yep the 1.8TFSI with 7-sp DSG was the one I drove.

OK. I think I'm convinced to ditch the sports suspension and 17" wheels to find something better later on. Reading on the web, there is definitely iPod support but not sure about bluetooth for phones - but there seem to be some aftermarket kits.

I'm definitely optioning up for leather seats and towbar (not just for bike carriers but for trailer around town), steering wheel (for the paddles), parking sensors, not 100% sure about the sunroof. This is the first "me" car ie. previous cars have been for the family (wagons) so I want this to be as nice as possible.

And the more I look at it, I can't see what the problem is with the looks. Sure, conservative but still stylish.

[wombatoutofhell]

Wait for the RS with DSG-you can get it now with diesel but not with petrol. No options needed then-18 inch wheels, leather, sports suspension, chrome exhaust tips, parking sensors standard in the back, option in front, not sure if the paddles will be standard or not.
WHat tyres did you get Jacob? Mine are the Michelin Pilot Sports-great tyre but very noisy. The fronts are wearing and just starting to lose grip-I'll get a bit longer if I swap front to back but might have to start saving now-they are quite expensive. I'd like something quieter next time.

[woofy]

I''m pretty sure the michelins I have have pilot exaltos not sport? Too cold to go check in the garage tonight.

[brad]

The noisy tyres are probably the ContiSportContact2. I have them on my 1.8TSI (there's no F) and they howl & moan on most surfaces. It's not that big an issue because I reckon they'll be worn out by 35,000km. In the meantime, they grip nicely & they are the grippiest of the three brands that were fitted to the 16" rims.

A guy in my building has a white Octavia 1.8TSI with Sports suspension (it's a 15mm drop IIRC) and 18" (maybe 19") aftermarket rims & the proportions aren't quite right.

Keep in mind that when your std 16" tyres are worn you can probably pick up a set of near new 17" Golf rims with tyres for <$1000. Also, some GTI springs & shocks if you want to change the looks and ride a bit.

Skoda has a bluetooth kit. I'm not sure if it's available in Australia but it's better than the Golf unit (a few people have had them fitted to their Golfs) and fully integrates with the MFD. Costs a limb or 2 IIRC. If it isn't available from AUS you can probably source one from one of the members at BriSkoda.

You can get chrome tips from any exhaust shop. I considered it but then decided that stealth black fitted in with the rest of the car.

Regarding performance, mine took about 7,000km - 10,000km to free up and goes quite nicely now. Much better than the unit I originally test drove. I go driving with a bunch of mates off another forum - big mix of cars BMW325, BMW130, Golf GTI, Liberty 3.0R, Golf R32, Liberty 2.5. Considering it's a family hatch with a smallish engine, the Skoda constantly surprises both myself & the others.

About the only thing you might add to the shopping list is Xenon headlights. I find the standard units a bit dull and disappointing.

[jacob_1987]

I have a close friend who works in local tyre place and I just gave him the car and told him put some tyres that don't make noise are handle good....

he put me Pirelli tyres not exactly sure what type, but made a big difference in road noise. The original tyres actually wore out pretty quick, even though I rotated @ every service.

[aslsw]

Thanks for the all of the information...

I took a Mondeo (Zetec diesel) for a drive yesterday and came away seriously underwhelmed. The interior yelled out that it was just another family car - been there, done that. The Skoda says class to me.

The only negative my wife can find is that she thinks the backseat in the Skoda is a bit firm, so we'll take the youngest son (at 16, the only who will probably ever travel long distances in the rear) for another drive next weekend.

Skoda is still the top of the list!

By the way, the salesman said that all orders for the RS are now based on the new model given the long-ish delivery times.

[zach]

hi aslsw, I too am looking at purchasing an Octavia Elegance (maybe RS). I'm coming from a Mazda 6. I found a decent ex demo with sunroof and 17" wheel sports suspension combo. my wife also found rear seat firm. have you looked at the new 6?

anyone know of any difference between 1.8 in 08 and 09 model. reason why i ask is quoted fuel consumption in manual form is quite different.

[brad]

anyone know of any difference between 1.8 in 08 and 09 model. reason why i ask is quoted fuel consumption in manual form is quite different.

No differences that I'm aware of.

Old figure was 7.7L/100km? New figure is 7.2L/100km? Maybe they have made gear 6 a bit higher. IIRC there was some slight change made in the UK for an extra 1kw. Possibly they are just measuring them different too - wasn't there a change to the tests or the method of calculation on Jan1?

Possibly they have upped the factory recommended tyre pressure from 28psi to 32psi. That would make a difference in the test (Holden did that with the Commodore a few years back).

Also of note is the minimum fuel requirement in the brochure is now 98ron. I wonder if the fuel cap says that or they have just stuffed up.

The urban figure of 9.8L/100km is about right for really crappy Sydney peak hour traffic. The extra urban figure is slightly optimistic IMO - you'll eventually see 5.8L/100 on the MFD after about 30 mins of constant speed 100kmh driving but that's actually 6.1L/100.