Octavia RS - 20000kms ownership experience

da MotorHead · 11th September 2006, 14:40

Hi folks,
Its been ten months for my Octavia RS and its just finished 20000kms.. No mods yet.
My findings,

When I first set foot on the pedal after my Optra 1.6, I knew the feeling was meant to last and i have'nt been dissappointed yet. I find it very comfortable not just because of the speeds it can go (I did 225 once) but because of the response in day to day trafffic..

Good part,
1.Silent car. It cruises on very high speeds with stealth. No change in the behaviour after 20000.
2.No issues or problems with gadgets, mechanics or equipment. Reverse parking sensors are swell.
3.Tyres still in very good shape. Alignment and balancing has'nt been done since i got the car.
4.Despite parking in the open, no fading as such. And mind you guys, I have a black one.
5.No cracks, or rattling anywhere in the car.
6.No problems with fuel. I've used different pumps but all well. Just shifted to 97 octane after T-BHP reviews. The response is even better.
7.Clutch, brakes and lights still great.
8.All warning signals and alarms functional.
9.Rains are almost getting over.. No rubber cracks, or rusting or other hassles.
10.Took it to Rohtang Pass offlate. Great drive. Ample torque on the hills and very stable.

No so good part,

1. FE, only 8.5 in the city. And i don't drive like a maniac or always flat out.
2. Very expensive mainatinence. Two services done in which labour was free. Still paid about 13.5 grand for both. Now even the labour won't be free :(
3. Three day old car. A safari reversed on a red light without looking back and i had a dent on the bonnet and one of the headlight washers was broken. I still paid about 10 grand despite insurance. Since metal was hundred percent covered, it was depreciation on the grill and nozzle. Total was about 30k.
4. Audio system not great. HU is good (Alpine CDA 9830), but the OE speakers don't give output and start rattling when I increase volume. Continental motors says, its because the speakers are small. I don't want to spend more than 5 or 10k so don't know what to do.
5. Hand brake button started rattling from the 20th day onwards. Didn't have that issue with any car. Showroom says they can't fix it.
6. Shoddy service and horrible workshop. Service personnel don't really care. I fear taking my car to the workshop, incase they spoil something working fine. This handbrake thing happened after the car had visited the workshop one day.
7. Right fender indicator bulb, fused. Can i get it done outside in Delhi? Dunno where.

On the whole i would rate my experience a 8.5 on 10 despite horrible service and expensive maintainence. I'm getting wary cause a lot of people have posted problem areas with Skodas where they've been ripped of thousands. But for me, these 20000kms have been plain fun. Most people on road who know a RS from other Skodas look at it with envy. Just hope i'm not in for surprize problems. But like autopsyche said to me, its more about how you drive.

What are your opinions ?
Do write and happy motoring

,

Cheers,
dMH

GTO · 11th September 2006, 14:50

Wow, thats a very comprehensive review covering most aspects of owning one of our favorite cars. Thanks!

The RS has always been a mixed bag; YES to the superb performance / driving experience, and NO to the problems / expensive maintainence / terrible service support (E.g. Ajmats dilly dallying with the decision). Your review throws even more light on this area.

Once again...fantastic review. THanks for sharing.

suman · 11th September 2006, 14:51

Hey dMH, nice & crisp review. Good to know you took her up to the Rohtang Pass. With 20k on the odo & given the kind of roads we drive on, shouldn't you be getting your alignment & balancing done?

bharanidharang · 11th September 2006, 14:57

nice review motorhead...

u got a great car and just want to spend 10K on speakers... u must be joking.... check the ICE section and go in for good audio system...

da MotorHead · 11th September 2006, 15:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by suman

Hey dMH, nice & crisp review. Good to know you took her up to the Rohtang Pass. With 20k on the odo & given the kind of roads we drive on, shouldn't you be getting your alignment & balancing done?

Nope Suman,
I'm not against spending 600 bucks, but the car just does'nt call for it. Maybe i'll do it anyway in the third service which is coming ..

dMH

jkdas · 11th September 2006, 15:19

nice review. to the point.

"2. Very expensive mainatinence. Two services done in which labour was free. Still paid about 13.5 grand for both. Now even the labour won't be free :(" emm, thats wher Skoda loses my vote

ajmat · 11th September 2006, 15:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

The RS has always been a mixed bag; YES to the superb performance / driving experience, and NO to the problems / expensive maintainence / terrible service support (E.g. Ajmats dilly dallying with the decision).

Great report, you've helped keep dilly dally continuing

da MotorHead · 11th September 2006, 15:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat

Great report, you've helped keep dilly dally continuing

You still have my vote. Once you buy it, you cant help like it

Steeroid · 11th September 2006, 16:08

Good honest review there, MotorHead - you've laid out the pros and cons (if they could be called cons) very well for the normal user.

Bomi · 11th September 2006, 18:00

DMH, Continental Auto seems to be a rip-off. I have had 2 services on my RS and each cost around Rs. 3500, for oil change and air filter. Servicing done at Silvertone Okhala.

da MotorHead · 11th September 2006, 18:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bomi

DMH, Continental Auto seems to be a rip-off. I have had 2 services on my RS and each cost around Rs. 3500, for oil change and air filter. Servicing done at Silvertone Okhala.

Wow really. Well this time I'll take it there. Do you know the name and number of the contact person there ..

Thanks,
dMH

sandeep108 · 11th September 2006, 18:20

Hmmm...8.5 in Delhi = 6 in Mumbai/Bangalore? Motorhead seems right for the services, since the synthetic oil alone will cost more than 3,500. Other minor issues/testing may have contributed to another 2-3k. Maybe MH can elaborate.

da MotorHead · 11th September 2006, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandeep108

Hmmm...8.5 in Delhi = 6 in Mumbai/Bangalore? Motorhead seems right for the services, since the synthetic oil alone will cost more than 3,500. Other minor issues/testing may have contributed to another 2-3k. Maybe MH can elaborate.

IMO 8.5 in Delhi is 8.5 in my Mumbai. Delhi peak hours are sad. Plus i stayed in Mumbai for over a year and bought an accent. It gave the same mileage when I shifted back to Delhi.

P.S, Bomi, I just remembered that Continental showed me a four Ltr can of Shell synthetic oil. MRP was 2600. Plus they put another half litre. Are you sure you paid 3500 per service. Is your next service due soon ?

Cheers,
dMH

Mugen_Power · 12th September 2006, 00:24

Hey da MotorHead,

Fantastic Review..And Avatar Too..

Cheers,
Mugen_Power.

fight_club · 12th September 2006, 01:51

Quote:

I find it very comfortable not just because of the speeds it can go (I did 225 once)

awesome man, that alone justify your purchase, good review of one of the best performance car in india.
as far as increasing FE is concerned keep a copy of overdrive in the car it will increase

11th September 2006, 14:40	#1
da MotorHead BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 122 Thanked: 0 Times	Hi folks, Its been ten months for my Octavia RS and its just finished 20000kms.. No mods yet. My findings, When I first set foot on the pedal after my Optra 1.6, I knew the feeling was meant to last and i have'nt been dissappointed yet. I find it very comfortable not just because of the speeds it can go (I did 225 once) but because of the response in day to day trafffic.. Good part, 1.Silent car. It cruises on very high speeds with stealth. No change in the behaviour after 20000. 2.No issues or problems with gadgets, mechanics or equipment. Reverse parking sensors are swell. 3.Tyres still in very good shape. Alignment and balancing has'nt been done since i got the car. 4.Despite parking in the open, no fading as such. And mind you guys, I have a black one. 5.No cracks, or rattling anywhere in the car. 6.No problems with fuel. I've used different pumps but all well. Just shifted to 97 octane after T-BHP reviews. The response is even better. 7.Clutch, brakes and lights still great. 8.All warning signals and alarms functional. 9.Rains are almost getting over.. No rubber cracks, or rusting or other hassles. 10.Took it to Rohtang Pass offlate. Great drive. Ample torque on the hills and very stable. No so good part, 1. FE, only 8.5 in the city. And i don't drive like a maniac or always flat out. 2. Very expensive mainatinence. Two services done in which labour was free. Still paid about 13.5 grand for both. Now even the labour won't be free :( 3. Three day old car. A safari reversed on a red light without looking back and i had a dent on the bonnet and one of the headlight washers was broken. I still paid about 10 grand despite insurance. Since metal was hundred percent covered, it was depreciation on the grill and nozzle. Total was about 30k. 4. Audio system not great. HU is good (Alpine CDA 9830), but the OE speakers don't give output and start rattling when I increase volume. Continental motors says, its because the speakers are small. I don't want to spend more than 5 or 10k so don't know what to do. 5. Hand brake button started rattling from the 20th day onwards. Didn't have that issue with any car. Showroom says they can't fix it. 6. Shoddy service and horrible workshop. Service personnel don't really care. I fear taking my car to the workshop, incase they spoil something working fine. This handbrake thing happened after the car had visited the workshop one day. 7. Right fender indicator bulb, fused. Can i get it done outside in Delhi? Dunno where. On the whole i would rate my experience a 8.5 on 10 despite horrible service and expensive maintainence. I'm getting wary cause a lot of people have posted problem areas with Skodas where they've been ripped of thousands. But for me, these 20000kms have been plain fun. Most people on road who know a RS from other Skodas look at it with envy. Just hope i'm not in for surprize problems. But like autopsyche said to me, its more about how you drive. What are your opinions ? Do write and happy motoring , Cheers, dMH
	() Thanks

11th September 2006, 14:50	#2
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,534 Thanked: 300,734 Times View My Garage	Wow, thats a very comprehensive review covering most aspects of owning one of our favorite cars. Thanks! The RS has always been a mixed bag; YES to the superb performance / driving experience, and NO to the problems / expensive maintainence / terrible service support (E.g. Ajmats dilly dallying with the decision). Your review throws even more light on this area. Once again...fantastic review. THanks for sharing.
	() Thanks

11th September 2006, 14:51	#3
suman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kolkata Posts: 4,589 Thanked: 279 Times View My Garage	Hey dMH, nice & crisp review. Good to know you took her up to the Rohtang Pass. With 20k on the odo & given the kind of roads we drive on, shouldn't you be getting your alignment & balancing done?
	() Thanks

11th September 2006, 14:57	#4
bharanidharang BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 402 Thanked: 254 Times Infractions: 0/1 (5)	nice review motorhead... u got a great car and just want to spend 10K on speakers... u must be joking.... check the ICE section and go in for good audio system...
	() Thanks

11th September 2006, 15:19	#6
jkdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Thiruvananthapu Posts: 9,687 Thanked: 1,492 Times View My Garage	nice review. to the point. "2. Very expensive mainatinence. Two services done in which labour was free. Still paid about 13.5 grand for both. Now even the labour won't be free :(" emm, thats wher Skoda loses my vote
	() Thanks

11th September 2006, 16:08	#9
Steeroid Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N.A Posts: 7,046 Thanked: 2,751 Times	Good honest review there, MotorHead - you've laid out the pros and cons (if they could be called cons) very well for the normal user.
	() Thanks

11th September 2006, 18:00	#10
Bomi BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 284 Thanked: 77 Times	DMH, Continental Auto seems to be a rip-off. I have had 2 services on my RS and each cost around Rs. 3500, for oil change and air filter. Servicing done at Silvertone Okhala.
	() Thanks

11th September 2006, 18:20	#12
sandeep108 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,050 Thanked: 302 Times	Hmmm...8.5 in Delhi = 6 in Mumbai/Bangalore? Motorhead seems right for the services, since the synthetic oil alone will cost more than 3,500. Other minor issues/testing may have contributed to another 2-3k. Maybe MH can elaborate.
	() Thanks

12th September 2006, 00:24	#14
Mugen_Power Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Gujarat 03 Posts: 1,302 Thanked: 18 Times	Hey da MotorHead, Fantastic Review..And Avatar Too.. Cheers, Mugen_Power.
	() Thanks