Are you sure you don't want to buy V6 AWE before I sell it to the R32 boys ...?! Just in the process of going back on retention after getting the Octavia

[Edited by Flat 4x4 - 4/2/2003 6:33:38 PM]

Edited to say its even better with 220bhp and 245 lb/ft and I'm still on the standard exhaust and air filter.

The vRS is getting all the press at the moment and rightly so as with a slight ECU tweak, its great value.

I decided against the vRS only because I'm so used to AWD so chose the 4x4 Turbo model (150bhp against 180bhp).

WHY ???
- It's got the Haldex 4x4 system from the A3/S3 Quattro
- It's got switchable ESP
- It has the fly by wire VVT engine which remaps safely and as with Scoobies you can add exhausts and bigger turbos.

It lacks the vRS leather, big discs, 17" wheels and lowered suspension but its all VW/Audi stuff and easy to add yourself as and when.

Here's the deal:-
Buy a year old one for say £11500, spend £1500 on the remap and mechanicals above and you have a car that's more fun and £6k cheaper than the equivalent used Audi. Even now I keep finding Audi parts I hadn't spotted on the bloody thing !


[Edited by Flat 4x4 - 5/14/2003 4:33:55 PM]

Good choice, apart from the badge aspect (how sad is it to worry about that?), I can't see why anyone wouldn't automatically choose these over their VAG stablemates.

Do you think Skoda will try and wedge the upcoming S3 powerplant into a 'Tavia ?

I like the looks of the Octavia, and was considering one at the time of buying my Golf. It's on the list of cars that could replace the Golf in the future.

Good choice I think on your part. I'm sure that with a few tweaks 250bhp can't be far away ?

- Jon

Jon

The VVT engine in the 4x4 and vRS is identical but the 4x4 is detuned to 150bhp. Both remap safely to around the 220bhp mark.
Next step exhaust for another safe 15bhp, induction (I'm not doing) another say 5bhp. At 240bhp you can then start thinking about a different Turbo and as you say, the high 200's.

The next Octavia is going to be interesting as VW's next powerplants will probably go in it - so why spend big money on the Audi equivalent other than perceived image. Call me cynical, but I reckon that now they're slowly establishing the brand here, hte prices will be aligned higher next time.

Now's the time to buy one I think, especailly as a year old with 2 years warranty to go and minimised depreciation.

just go straight to a big turbo conversion

switchable 250 - 350 bhp ultimate stealth :-)

I can see the prices going up as the brand finds stability, which it seems to be doing. There are a lot of Octavias being used as Taxis round Cambridge, as they get the solid TDi engines from VAG, the VAG build quality and the Skoda value for money!

So as you rightly say, unless you are overly fussed about perceived image, then it's a good buy. (in 4x4 Turbo format naturally!).

I chose my V6 Golf over the 1.8T for two reasons, 4x4 and non-turbo .. mainly as the Golf GTi was a little bit too slugish off-boost and then frantic on-boost, all this through the front wheels made me tire quickly.

I'd be interested to see the difference with a 'Tavia running nearer 200bhp and delivering it through the Haldex system I have come to love on my Golf.

- Jon

Dood

My Octavia will soon have 220bhp so I will report back on the Haldex combo - should be very similar to the TT in transmission 'feel'

ahh the joys of ownnig a skoda:D it was in the papers recently that a skoda was snaped going thru a speed camera at a reported 142mph, if only we bought shares in the company 10 years ago ;)

:D

You'll be surprised how "complete" it feels with just a remap and new pads \ fluid.

(01 Octavia 4x4 estate - 222bhp, 231 lb ft, 0-60 6.4secs)

Ian.

What Octavia models come with 4x4, just the 1.8T Estate ?

-Jon

Or hatchback in Elegance trim.

Basic (not all) differences between vRS FWD and 4x4 Turbo model:-

Turbo 4x4
---------
Detuned but same engine (chips to 220ish)
Haldex 4x4 and ESP
Raised suspension (lowers to vRS level for £150)
16 inch not 17s (but vRS estate makes do with 16's also)
Side airbags (not on vRS)
Electric Roof (not on vRS)
Cloth not leather interior
Smaller brakes (Good but vRS are excellent)
No rear spoiler

Standard on both models !
------------------------
35mpg+ on the motorway and I've had over 31 so far overall, caned
Solid build
Refinement !

Can't wait for the re-map

I see. Cool. I think a test drive might have to be in order, next time I'm bored.

Cheers :)

- Jon

I've seen 37 on Mway, or 12 on track! :D

The 4x4 was only available as an estate at first, then hatch also.

I believe for 03 range the hatch may have been dropped again.

(oh, and you forgot headlamp washers and the central cubby box ;))

Ian.

Skoda's websites suggests that the hatch is not available in 4x4 format.

I wonder if they have to be careful not to cross borders with other VAG cars, hence no vRS in 4x4 spec ?

- Jon

IanC

'LOL' re the central cubby box !

They've dropped the 4x4 hatch again? Oh well.

Both are good cars although the RS seems to have better residuals.

Good cars, reasonably brisk, economical, very cheap to run and excellent value for money.

I'm happy with mine. Had it 18 months, done 81,000 miles in it including a total of just over 7,000 track miles (352 laps of the Ring included in there :D ). Problems to date? Other than the coil packs (known issue with VAG 1.8T and V5 engines) NONE!

Brilliant cars! :D

81000 miles in 18 months!!! Feken ell mate! Nice one!

STI 3 + Xantia diesel (work car) Sold, Wifes Vectra Sold

Now New Octavia L&K Diesel Estate for my Wife & a 4x4 for me, the 4x4 had 1400 miles on it, total cost £25995

All I will say is try a 4x4 its the best kept secret out there,

My mate cant sell an Octavia Turbo (15), lovely car but nobody seems interested, black leather, climate the lot, 80k up on a W and he wants 5 grand. I put this down to brand snobbery, if it was a Blinged up 94 3 series for the same money the phone would be red hot, ffs we got 25 calls for an Austin Amabassador !

To my wife's disgust, I'd consider a remapped Oct.4X4 as a good replacement if I ever have to give up my '99 Tek2 decat wagon.

Why buy an Audi when you could save money with a VW, why buy a VW when you can save with a Skoda ?

Ahh, badge snobbery, that must be it.

Stanmo

I have gone Exactly the same route as you

Tek 2 Wagon > Octavia 4x4 > 220bhp remap shortly ...

Impressed with everything about the car (needs more power though -ha-ha) and I like the inverted badge snobbery already !

Ask the other Skoda / vRS'ers - where't the fun in blowing the doors of a Focus/BMW/Passat in a Scooby Turbo ? But in a Skoda ?!

especially a 1.4 16V :D

Tavia

What has been the best / worst reaction you've had to Skudding people ? I'm tempted to get a 'It's a Skoda honest' sticker but am not sure how the side windows would stand up to road rage at the lights !

Flat 4x4, Its good fun isnt it !!!!!

Have you found www.briskoda.co.uk yet, cant remember seeing you on it

One other great thing is the price of bits, how the f**k can Subaru charge so much, same with tuning bits althose this is prabably due to the fact that VW, Audi & Seat bits all fit therefore a much larger market

I have been called various things, usually the C word, by TT drivers. :D Fing B'staard is also quite popular :D

A lot of people express disbelief that it is a 1.4 :D

Not many people want to race it either:

You win, go down the pub, "I beat one of them 1.4 Skodas off the lights" Wow, maximum respec'!
You lose, go down the pub, "I got beaten off the lights by one of them 1.4 Skodas" Damn, those Ripspeed neon headlamp washers don't add any power to my Nova :D

Can't wait for the first 'junior exec' 3 series, A4 or C class to tailgate on the M1. The 4x4 is shorter geared than the vRS so a quick blast should do it - unless its a chipped 330d of couse

Once had an A4 TDI quattro (chipped) and had a huge AUDIESEL sticker made for the back window at a track day. On the straights, people pulled away, but not into and out of the bends...

Looking forward to something similar with the 4x4 but with some more top end.

The junior execs, hell even the mid execs (5series etc) are great fun...

You're in the outside lane, in traffic, moving along as fast as you can, and there's a BMW sat *right* on your tail, pushing, not grasping the concept that you can go no faster as there is traffic ahead.

The traffic clears, and he (or she) edges to the right, in anticipation of you moving over, or to show their superior horsepower.

Of course at this point you boot it, and they strangely appear to get smaller in the mirror, then you catch up traffic and slow, and they finally catch up, then sit on your tail again, pushing!

I've seen the same car do this four or five times, as if they think the first time was a miscalculation, the wrong gear perhaps, or the floormat stuck under their accelerator. They don't believe the Skoda (estate at that, not one of those quick RS things) could be quicker than their mighty BM \ Merc.

Great fun tho :D

Ian.

He he he

Ian - do you know the true gearing / 1000rpm in top ?

I know the vRS is 24.3 but suspect the 4x4 is about 22, with a 5mph speedo error at 70mph, so 4000rpm is 88mph or 95 on the clock?

You're right, it's lower than the RS, but not sure by how much.

Seen 145 (indicated) on track, and still pulling a little, but not much left.

Personally I'd rather see it even lower, say 120max, but not sure how long the haldex diff would take full bore acceleration at that, 1st is too low to use anyway, any acceleration other than getting the car rolling results in meeting the rev limiter far too quickly!

So, 1st should be higher, and 5th lower, with the others spaced evenly inbetween.

Oh, and I'd like the moon on a stick please :D

Ian.