Discussion
Recently been looking at a Subaru for winter - possibly overkill, but I like to be prepared and I will have to do huge distances at short notice over winter.
When browsing the BCA site I noticed a 4x4 Octavia 1.9 TDI estate - high mileage, but a 1.9 PD and good history etc. I immediately thought cheap Audi Quattro, but is it that simple?
Doesn't look like these were very poplar and there aren't many reviews - is it a cheap, compromised 4x4 system or is it essentially an A3 Quattro with a massive body and a Skoda badge?
If it's the latter, with a set of winter tyres it should be a go anywhere car. If you don't mind 150k they are seemingly very good value.
When browsing the BCA site I noticed a 4x4 Octavia 1.9 TDI estate - high mileage, but a 1.9 PD and good history etc. I immediately thought cheap Audi Quattro, but is it that simple?
Doesn't look like these were very poplar and there aren't many reviews - is it a cheap, compromised 4x4 system or is it essentially an A3 Quattro with a massive body and a Skoda badge?
If it's the latter, with a set of winter tyres it should be a go anywhere car. If you don't mind 150k they are seemingly very good value.
Chap I work with has run one of these for a couple of years, he lives up a hill in northumberland and got it for the 4x4 system and winter ability. he is currently looking to trade it up to a legacy/outback to complement his wifes forester. He reckons its able enough, but the 4wd is not as effective as the subaru option
JM said:
I think the 4 wheel drive system is different to quattro.
But happy to be corrected.
quattro is just an Audi marketing word. There are different systems used by Audi but all are labeled Quattro.But happy to be corrected.
The Octavia will use the part-time haldex system as used on the mk1 TT, A3 and many others.
Other Audis use a Torsen system.
Be careful with the 1.9 of that vintage- they have a habit of self destructing. I think it's the BXE engine code so check carefully. Other PD's are good- apart from the 150 with it's 'chocolate cams'.
The 4x4 MKII Octavia is a white goods motor- the earlier 1.8T car was quite entertaining. My friend had one with TT brake upgrade and a 220bhp remap.
Haldex cars are effective in low grip situations but IMO nowhere near as good as the real quattro full time system.
The 4x4 MKII Octavia is a white goods motor- the earlier 1.8T car was quite entertaining. My friend had one with TT brake upgrade and a 220bhp remap.
Haldex cars are effective in low grip situations but IMO nowhere near as good as the real quattro full time system.
I think the rule of thumb for VAG 4wd cars is longitudinal engine = torsen, transverse engine = haldex.
Haldex isn't great (at least in the mk v r32) and that's what will be in the Octavia.
I feel reasonably qualified to offer an opinion - we live in a pretty rural part of NE Scotland (nearest road that gets cleared is 3 miles away and we regularly get 3 feet of fallen snow and 6-8 ft drifts!) We've had a few subarus and they've been great. Legacy/Forester/Outback are available at pretty low prices and, imho, will perform a lot better in snow and ice. Remember the winter tyres too, a 2wd car on winters will be better than a 4wd car on summer tyres!
Haldex isn't great (at least in the mk v r32) and that's what will be in the Octavia.
I feel reasonably qualified to offer an opinion - we live in a pretty rural part of NE Scotland (nearest road that gets cleared is 3 miles away and we regularly get 3 feet of fallen snow and 6-8 ft drifts!) We've had a few subarus and they've been great. Legacy/Forester/Outback are available at pretty low prices and, imho, will perform a lot better in snow and ice. Remember the winter tyres too, a 2wd car on winters will be better than a 4wd car on summer tyres!
Motorrad said:
Be careful with the 1.9 of that vintage- they have a habit of self destructing. I think it's the BXE engine code so check carefully. Other PD's are good- apart from the 150 with it's 'chocolate cams'.
The 4x4 MKII Octavia is a white goods motor- the earlier 1.8T car was quite entertaining. My friend had one with TT brake upgrade and a 220bhp remap.
Haldex cars are effective in low grip situations but IMO nowhere near as good as the real quattro full time system.
I didn't know there was an era and sThe 4x4 MKII Octavia is a white goods motor- the earlier 1.8T car was quite entertaining. My friend had one with TT brake upgrade and a 220bhp remap.
Haldex cars are effective in low grip situations but IMO nowhere near as good as the real quattro full time system.
t 1.9PDs, any idea on production dates, etc, would be easier than checking every car I suppose.Deerfoot said:
quattro is just an Audi marketing word. There are different systems used by Audi but all are labeled Quattro.
The Octavia will use the part-time haldex system as used on the mk1 TT, A3 and many others.
Other Audis use a Torsen system.
Yep.. Definitely this. VW intermix the Haldex, Quattro and Syncro systems across a whole range of models so do your research on which system is fitted to which car before you discredit it! The Octavia is likely to be running Haldex though. The Octavia will use the part-time haldex system as used on the mk1 TT, A3 and many others.
Other Audis use a Torsen system.
Ran a 2007 scout (off road style pimped Octavia 4x4) for 3 years and 60k miles, didn't put a foot wrong. Yes 4x4 is haldex 3 and not a patch on a true 4x4 system, but as it runs fwd most of the time it is better on fuel. The system is transparent you just get more traction. I put a set of 16" steels with winters on it that I had for my previous VRs and it was unstoppable on the roads around north Lancashire/Yorkshire.
As with all of these make sure haldex oil has been changed - due every 40k and also the belts on the engine.
Worked well getting out of a muddy Silverstone too! And even more practical had spent the night in the boot of the estate at full stretch (5 11").
Only got rid as I wanted an auto, with a little more refinement as I was about to add 80 miles to my regular 200 mile business jaunts.
Simes.
As with all of these make sure haldex oil has been changed - due every 40k and also the belts on the engine.
Worked well getting out of a muddy Silverstone too! And even more practical had spent the night in the boot of the estate at full stretch (5 11").
Only got rid as I wanted an auto, with a little more refinement as I was about to add 80 miles to my regular 200 mile business jaunts.
Simes.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff