Skoda Octavia 4x4
Discussion
I'm looking at one of these as a spacious load-lugger for occasional use (I commute by train at the moment). I'm expecting to be inconvenienced quite a bit by snow (gf's family lives in an area that gets snowed in annually) so the 4x4 aspect is quite appealing (and good tyres obviously). Apart from that it's just going to be for family travelling with a wheelchair, pushbike and child seat really.
What are the catches of the 2001 model year? Is it a bundle of gremlins waiting to go wrong at 120,000 miles (about 2 years down the line I anticipate)? How's the economy compare to the 2wd? Tyres seem to be quite an acceptable size/cost.
What are the catches of the 2001 model year? Is it a bundle of gremlins waiting to go wrong at 120,000 miles (about 2 years down the line I anticipate)? How's the economy compare to the 2wd? Tyres seem to be quite an acceptable size/cost.
Sorry, I misworded the question a bit, I wasn't particularly after more capable 4x4-type vehicles, I'm fine with the capabilities of haldex (I'd be fine with 2wd and decent tyres, the 4x4 Octavia is just a) available, b) within budget and c) would make things easier.)
I just don't have any knowledge of how these are at 100,000 miles with decent service histories and MOT records and the other "criteria filling" cars in budget are Pug 307 SW's and the like (I have a sort of soft spot for Skoda, a bit like for Volvo...)
Plus justifying any more (permanent) AWD system is nigh on impossible as (correct or not) SWMBO is against the idea of needlessly turning 2 sets of axles when there are 2wd variants available for the most-of-the-time. If the Forester was selectable AWD it'd be a good option on that front.
I just don't have any knowledge of how these are at 100,000 miles with decent service histories and MOT records and the other "criteria filling" cars in budget are Pug 307 SW's and the like (I have a sort of soft spot for Skoda, a bit like for Volvo...)
Plus justifying any more (permanent) AWD system is nigh on impossible as (correct or not) SWMBO is against the idea of needlessly turning 2 sets of axles when there are 2wd variants available for the most-of-the-time. If the Forester was selectable AWD it'd be a good option on that front.
I think people are suggesting Subaru's because they are reliable, solidly made etc. If I was buying a 100k mile car I would buy a Subaru over a VW group product every time (I have owned both at the same time of a same age, so I am going from experience)
The Audi was good, but more bits needed fixing with the miles than on the Subaru
The Audi was good, but more bits needed fixing with the miles than on the Subaru
worth looking at Briskoda.
I had a mk1 1999 Octavia SLX Tdi estate. Bought at 5yr old with 47000 on it sold at 10 ish with 180 000.
Driven hard but maintained well.
Speedo failed (dry solder?)
Bracket on clutch pedal snapped breaking clutch cylinder.
Door lock on drivers side failed.
It was a very solid car still on original clutch and exhaust when sold. I would have bought another but the newer model seats were uncomfy.
A colleague had a tdi 4x4 (105hp) 56 plate kept till 130000m up and down farm roads was the lowest costing car for maintenance in the fleet.
Still think a Subaru may be a better choice.
I had a mk1 1999 Octavia SLX Tdi estate. Bought at 5yr old with 47000 on it sold at 10 ish with 180 000.
Driven hard but maintained well.
Speedo failed (dry solder?)
Bracket on clutch pedal snapped breaking clutch cylinder.
Door lock on drivers side failed.
It was a very solid car still on original clutch and exhaust when sold. I would have bought another but the newer model seats were uncomfy.
A colleague had a tdi 4x4 (105hp) 56 plate kept till 130000m up and down farm roads was the lowest costing car for maintenance in the fleet.
Still think a Subaru may be a better choice.
For information on the platform there are a lot of (older) threads around here on TTs, S3s, Golfs, Leons etc. that suffer a similar list of issues. You could also do worse than surfing around Briskoda, UK-MKIVs, TT forum etc.
Hopefully these will give you some pointers to work with:
1.8T can suffer sludging of the oil pump pickup, particularly with irregular servicing. Well worth removing sump to check.
1.8T also suffers minor sensor faults commonly, particularly with regard to boost, airflow and temperature.
The platform is known for munching suspension bits (springs, top mounts, beam bushes, ARB bushes, lower engine mount) so you're listening for clonks, bonks, bangs and squeaks.
You'll want a belt every 5 years or 60k miles, whichever is the sooner along with a water pump.
Check central locking, electric windows and alarm behave as they should.
Haldex differential needs an old change every 40k miles but is generally very reliable.
I've probably forgotten a whole load since then but if anything else important comes back to me I'll add it. It's a platform we used to work with every day but not quite so frequently now. I'm sure there have been a few owners around here who can fill in blanks too. Remember it's an older car now so wear items are as important as 'common problems' are. A good idea with a vehicle like that to have a bit of budget in mind to get it up to scratch and deal with anything that could later turn into a reliability concern. The car plus a bit of 'making good' money should land you a nice reliable, capable winter car.
Hopefully these will give you some pointers to work with:
1.8T can suffer sludging of the oil pump pickup, particularly with irregular servicing. Well worth removing sump to check.
1.8T also suffers minor sensor faults commonly, particularly with regard to boost, airflow and temperature.
The platform is known for munching suspension bits (springs, top mounts, beam bushes, ARB bushes, lower engine mount) so you're listening for clonks, bonks, bangs and squeaks.
You'll want a belt every 5 years or 60k miles, whichever is the sooner along with a water pump.
Check central locking, electric windows and alarm behave as they should.
Haldex differential needs an old change every 40k miles but is generally very reliable.
I've probably forgotten a whole load since then but if anything else important comes back to me I'll add it. It's a platform we used to work with every day but not quite so frequently now. I'm sure there have been a few owners around here who can fill in blanks too. Remember it's an older car now so wear items are as important as 'common problems' are. A good idea with a vehicle like that to have a bit of budget in mind to get it up to scratch and deal with anything that could later turn into a reliability concern. The car plus a bit of 'making good' money should land you a nice reliable, capable winter car.
Dr G said:
For information on the platform there are a lot of (older) threads around here on TTs, S3s, Golfs, Leons etc. that suffer a similar list of issues. You could also do worse than surfing around Briskoda, UK-MKIVs, TT forum etc.
Hopefully these will give you some pointers to work with:
1.8T can suffer sludging of the oil pump pickup, particularly with irregular servicing. Well worth removing sump to check.
1.8T also suffers minor sensor faults commonly, particularly with regard to boost, airflow and temperature.
The platform is known for munching suspension bits (springs, top mounts, beam bushes, ARB bushes, lower engine mount) so you're listening for clonks, bonks, bangs and squeaks.
You'll want a belt every 5 years or 60k miles, whichever is the sooner along with a water pump.
Check central locking, electric windows and alarm behave as they should.
Haldex differential needs an old change every 40k miles but is generally very reliable.
I've probably forgotten a whole load since then but if anything else important comes back to me I'll add it. It's a platform we used to work with every day but not quite so frequently now. I'm sure there have been a few owners around here who can fill in blanks too. Remember it's an older car now so wear items are as important as 'common problems' are. A good idea with a vehicle like that to have a bit of budget in mind to get it up to scratch and deal with anything that could later turn into a reliability concern. The car plus a bit of 'making good' money should land you a nice reliable, capable winter car.
ur 1.8t Leon Cupra munched springs and regularly needed coil packs. Is it the same engine?Hopefully these will give you some pointers to work with:
1.8T can suffer sludging of the oil pump pickup, particularly with irregular servicing. Well worth removing sump to check.
1.8T also suffers minor sensor faults commonly, particularly with regard to boost, airflow and temperature.
The platform is known for munching suspension bits (springs, top mounts, beam bushes, ARB bushes, lower engine mount) so you're listening for clonks, bonks, bangs and squeaks.
You'll want a belt every 5 years or 60k miles, whichever is the sooner along with a water pump.
Check central locking, electric windows and alarm behave as they should.
Haldex differential needs an old change every 40k miles but is generally very reliable.
I've probably forgotten a whole load since then but if anything else important comes back to me I'll add it. It's a platform we used to work with every day but not quite so frequently now. I'm sure there have been a few owners around here who can fill in blanks too. Remember it's an older car now so wear items are as important as 'common problems' are. A good idea with a vehicle like that to have a bit of budget in mind to get it up to scratch and deal with anything that could later turn into a reliability concern. The car plus a bit of 'making good' money should land you a nice reliable, capable winter car.
My wife has a 2.0tdi Passat 4motion, a rare car but with winter tyres it's unstoppable in the snow. I would imagine the Skoda has exactly the same haldex 4wd system so basically 2wd until you lose traction and then 4wd kicks in. Oh and the Passat is a saloon but soon to be for sale in the PH Classifieds! 
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