[Ice]

Originally Posted by shashank.nk

Ice, thanks for the thread! Itss of great help to all Octy owners looking forward to hold their cars till 1 lakh mark.

You're very welcome! 1 lakh is probably 1/3rd of this engine's life. My only concern is long-term availability of parts

We have a '07 Rider with 72k on the odo, the only serious problem encountered so far is the clutch. Its gone hard and also the low-end pick up isn't great. Was your 'first' clutch showing similar signs before giving up ? If you can PM me the approx cost for replacement it would be great.

Our first clutch was changed (prematurely, I might add) at 55,000 km or so. The only symptom was the pedal losing pressure completely and sinking to the floor. Gurudev asked for a full clutch replacement, and my father approved it. The current clutch has run close to 65000 kms and shows no signs of wear - this could possibly be because of the disproportional highway kilometrage. I would suggest you try a clutch bleed first to see if it becomes softer.

Clutch wear does affect performance, but it manifests itself with an increase an RPM without a corresponding increase in speed. For eg - 3rd gear, 3000 rpm should take you to around 80 kmph. if your clutch is in reasonable shape. But if hitting 80 in 3rd takes your rpm to a mark way higher than 3000 rpm, this is normally an indication of clutch slippage due to wear. Clutch slippage necessitates a clutch job. Clutch hardness by itself can be cured with a clutch lubrication and bleed.

I recommend that you to get in touch with Ganesh +91-9448911455, an independent skoda specialist who will come to your place and evaluate the car for you. Whether you ask him to go ahead with the work he feels necessary, or entrust it with Tafe is your call. Mention my name - Ranganathan - and the TN Skoda in Cooke Town, if you do feel the need for a reference. This guy is honest.

The rattle from the rear parcel tray troubles me too, since i've Infinity Kappa's in there. Did you try out the DIY to fix it yet ?

Fixed it, but not DIY.I was too lazy and strapped for time. There is a really good odd-jobs garage near my house in Cooke Town. I took it to the guy one evening and he sorted the rattling by pasting the foam and also adding two extra support screws to help hold the tray up.

Originally Posted by thegame

I hate to let the dealership use my car as their Ad. banner. And after the experience you had, I'd say lose the sticker! Nice log btw.

You are right - the Gurudev sticker needs to go. But every time I set out to remove it, I remember our office trucks with the Asura face hanging from the front to ward off the evil eye, and I allow the sticker to exist for much the same reason.

Originally Posted by Swanand Inamdar

Ice, thats a lovely detailed report on the good ol Octy!
That was and is one car that, was probably the best ever made by Skoda. Though I have the Laura, I much prefer the old Octy. That one is built like a tank!

The car does NOT look like a 100,000+ clicks car. Very well maintained. Kudos. The efforts can be seen.

Just a quesiton though - Do these hedlamps cause any concern with the cops in Bangy? Heard they are quite strict on any after market lights.

Thank you for your kind words. I love the Octy for pretty much the same reason you have mentioned. I don't think we can get a car of this build quality, performance, and reliability (Yes - the r-word. Despite dealership antics, the car has never left me stranded. I attribute this to the less complicated engine mechanics and electricals) in the sub-14 lakh category.

I have not faced any issues with B-Town cops for my headlights. The HIDs are only in the projectors - where they rightfully belong, I might add - and not in the main headlamp reflector, which is not designed for effective and safe HID use. Also, I am very conscious of offending other road users with my lights, and seldom use the high beam.

[shashank.nk]

Originally Posted by Ice

You're very welcome! 1 lakh is probably 1/3rd of this engine's life. My only concern is long-term availability of parts

True,that along with lack of ABS in the Rider variant seems to be the only problem. Thanks for the PM and Ganesh's contact. In fact he's already looked at our car and suggested a change of clutch. We've been in 2 minds if its really required, and if needed whether to go to Vinayak or entrust Ganesh with it. Will ask him to try a clutch bleed and see if it fixes the problem.

Will have to upgrade the headlamps and find a solution to the rear parcel tray rattle. In my car the plastic on which the tray rests has come-off on oneside. Was it the same case with your car ?

[Ice]

Originally Posted by shashank.nk

True,that along....
Will have to upgrade the headlamps and find a solution to the rear parcel tray rattle. In my car the plastic on which the tray rests has come-off on oneside. Was it the same case with your car ?

Headlights upgrade: you could try Osram Nightbreakers 90/100W with a cut-out and holders. The job shouldn't cost you more than 2k. This is the set up I have on my car. The HIDs for the fog light projectors is not necessary if you don't feel the need.

Yes - the plastic on which the tray rests, at either end of the tray itself, is a problem. The tray itself is quite sturdy. The local mechanic fixed additional screws and re-fastened the plastic on both sides. He also pasted some foam on the top surface of the plastic, so the tray now rests on a Kurl-On, if you will. It's fixed the problem.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by Ice

The bulbs are H3 55W and 4000K. They are units imported from China, by an accessory shop in Bangalore. They are of far better quality than the non-brand Chinese ones, and the imported gives 1 year unconditional warranty. I already have a set of these fitted on my mother's Palio, and have no complaints.

I will be putting up the shots you have asked for in the next day or two.

Trust it is a good deal considering you are on 55w ballasts. Do you mind sharing the name of the vendor you sourced this.

[Ice]

Originally Posted by Rasputin

Trust it is a good deal considering you are on 55w ballasts. Do you mind sharing the name of the vendor you sourced this.

I paid 5K for it. The vendor is Car Trendz in Frazer Town, next door to Thom's Bakery. Ask for Avinash

[shashank.nk]

Originally Posted by Ice

Headlights upgrade: you could try Osram Nightbreakers 90/100W with a cut-out and holders. The job shouldn't cost you more than 2k. This is the set up I have on my car. The HIDs for the fog light projectors is not necessary if you don't feel the need.

Yes - the plastic on which the tray rests, at either end of the tray itself, is a problem. The tray itself is quite sturdy. The local mechanic fixed additional screws and re-fastened the plastic on both sides. He also pasted some foam on the top surface of the plastic, so the tray now rests on a Kurl-On, if you will. It's fixed the problem.

I recently changed to Osram Nightbreakers 55/60W but don't find them sufficient, so will certainly change to 90/100W soon. I'm not too sure about the change of fog light bulbs. Are these chinese bulbs reliable or Philips is worth the extra money ?

Thanks for the info on what was done for the plastic tray rattle! Will get it done sometime.

[Ice]

Originally Posted by shashank.nk

I recently changed to Osram Nightbreakers 55/60W but don't find them sufficient, so will certainly change to 90/100W soon.

90/100w, in my opinion, is the best balance between illumination and reflector longevity. Anything higher darkens the reflectors pretty quickly.

Originally Posted by shashank.nk

I'm not too sure about the change of fog light bulbs. Are these chinese bulbs reliable or Philips is worth the extra money ?

I haven't had a problem with them so far. For the 5k spend, I get a 1-year unconditional warranty. Philips was marked at nearly 10K for the same setup, with 1-year warranty.

Originally Posted by shashank.nk

Thanks for the info on what was done for the plastic tray rattle! Will get it done sometime.

All the best, and here's wishing you a happy, rattle-free ride.

[Ice]

My wife says I'm not sensitive enough, but the Octy says I am. Over the past couple of weeks, I've noticed a slightly harsher engine note and minor vibrations creeping up the steering wheel. NOTE: these are really non-intrusive, and I picked them up only because I spend so much time in the car. And I am the only one driving her.

My take on this niggle is probably weakening engine mounts. She's scheduled for her service this weekend, at KwikkFitt Motors, Chennai, and I plan to get this issue investigated and fixed.

Also, there is some odd feedback from the suspension when I go over harsh, cracked roads. The shocks are hardly 10k kms old, so I'm guessing it's either the lower arm bushes or a weak tie rod.

Will keep this thread posted.

PS: I've taken thegame's comment about losing the Gurudev sticker to heart. Issue fixed. Photo soon.

[shashank.nk]

Call me a staunch Skoda supporter if you will, but i'm very impressed by the 1.9TDI's drivability both in city and highway. Sure there is lag, but the way the engine responds to even slight throttle inputs in the first three gears is fantastic!

I find it easier to drive (size of the car aside) in the city than my Polo diesel. I don't have to slip the clutch or downshift often.I know its built for more, but the engine and the gearbox feel indestructible even after 72k on the odo. Power delivery is very impressive and the gears slot in perfectly after so much abuse.

How do you compare it to other cars you've driven extensively ?

[Ice]

Originally Posted by shashank.nk

Call me a staunch Skoda supporter if you will, but i'm very impressed by the 1.9TDI's drivability both in city and highway. Sure there is lag, but the way the engine responds to even slight throttle inputs in the first three gears is fantastic!

I find it easier to drive (size of the car aside) in the city than my Polo diesel. I don't have to slip the clutch or downshift often.I know its built for more, but the engine and the gearbox feel indestructible even after 72k on the odo. Power delivery is very impressive and the gears slot in perfectly after so much abuse.

How do you compare it to other cars you've driven extensively ?

Bang on. The Octy has better visibility than most cars I've driven, except for the Qualis. This allows me to cut through traffic efficiently, and parallel park without embarrassing myself.

On the highway, the torque and road grip give it a drive that cannot be bought for under 20L today. The gearing and boost spread make overtaking very easy. I've found it very easy to keep up with "faster" cars on the highway when we're traveling together because the Octy hits the right spot for handling, acceleration, top speed, and ride. I absolutely love her

[shashank.nk]

Very true. The dashboard in the octy is low, unlike hatchbacks like i20 and Polo which strangely have the dashboard set high. Octy is very easy to judge as i can see properly. I find myself craning my neck in these two hatches, atleast when within the city.

About the highways,i don't find it easy to keep up with the Laura's and the Jetta's. I should also get a tuning box from saint pete is guess

[Ice]

I win. I rule. I'm the best. The vibrations weren't an aberration.

On Thursday, while chugging along in evening traffic on the IRR, I spotted an errant Sumo trying to muscle in to my lane. I fired up the Roots Vibrasonics and floored the pedal to close the gap, lest he remove my front bumper.

Upon flooring the aforementioned p., the car vibrated from end to end in a manner that I have never witnessed before. The vibration seemed to start from under the driver's seat, culminating in a sick growl from the engine. And the coil sign and the engine check lamp lit up instantly. Two words - Limp Mode.

I caressed her to South Motors, which came highly recommended by a dear friend of mine. South Motors is run by a senior Mercedes engineer, and he specializes in maintaining expensive cars made by Ze Germans. And he is bloody good.

The problem was diagnosed in a trice. The Octy was put on the lift and the engine guard was removed. Shivdas - the proprietor - then shook the engine block from below and found the problem as being a part of the gearbox bedding. The bed itself was fine. So were the bolts that fastened the gearbox housing to the bed. The problem was with the gearbox.

The gearbox housing's threading for the bolt had completely worn out. So though the bolt fastening the GBH to the bed was in place, there was considerable play for the GBH itself because the bolt wasn't fastening itself.

I apologize for the vague literature in the preceding two paragraphs. In a nutshell, the gearbox thingummy needed to be re-threaded. 1 day job, with half the day spent at the lathe shop. I asked Shivdas to also do a regular service because the car was getting to the 120,000 km. mark. Oil change, Oil filter change, diesel filter change, air filter change, AC filter change, EGR clean-up, and suspension greasing. Shivdas also warned me that the Check Engine Lamp and the coil indicator could point towards an air-mass sensor problem.

Got the car back the next day with everything fixed. The warning lamps had apparently been kicked into action by the severe engine vibration. There is no sign of vibration at all now, and the service has led to an even better drive. Silky smooth!

The cost of service and repairs was Rs.12,600/-. The service charges came to 7,500, and the balance was for the lathe charges and removing and refitting the gearbox. I know where to take the car for her regular services now.

I leave you now with a picture of the rear-end without the reprehensible Gurudev Motors sticker.

[Ice]

Another picture - from this morning. She looks smashing, no?

[Ice]

Left work Friday afternoon for a quick blast to Chennai. I was forced to take the horrible NH-7, with it's assortment of bad surfacing, worse leveling, and impromptu diversions. A 4.30 PM departure from Koramangala saw us at the Ranipet by-pass at 7 PM. And then the deluge began. Couldn't see more than 50 feet ahead. The HIDs in the fog lamps helped by lighting up deep pools of water before I ventured into them. The wipers did a fair job, but there was only so much that could be done against a shower of biblical proportions.

The car felt great. Absolutely mint. A-Class. With the gearbox now re-introduced to it's bed, and the suspension greased up as part of the service, the Octy felt like butter. A slightly warmed pat of butter, with just the right amount of silken softness. I hit 160 kmph quite easily on a few stretches, but stuck to the 110-120 kmph band for the most part. The car returned a healthy 15.6 kmpl for the journey.

Oh, and the sun film is off. Thanks, Mr.Goenka.

[ghostrider]

Took a bit of a hiatus from the forums (3 months or so, work's been manic) and the first thread I came back to was yours. You didn't disappoint.

Glad to know the Octy's running well.