Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI L&K Review : 90,000 kms done

StarVegabond · 2nd July 2009, 15:52

Hi Amogh,

Indeed you have well maintained your car. SKODA Laura is a great car.
i have heard from couple of owners that it is better than 28L merc in terms of performance, reliability and equipment.

From your writing you does not appear to be an amature, only thing is that you have not used techie terms like "rev up" or "underpowered", or shortforms etc.

For me what matters in such a review is

1. Is the owner happy and proud to own his car
2. what is the total cost of owning the car
3. What all he has done to maintain his car
4. his experience of after sales service

etc. I think, you have provided answers to all these questions

Great review. All the best for your new Innova, again it is a great choice.

One question: your car appears to be registered in Navi Mumbai, you seems to be living in Pune, did you move to pune after your purchased the car ? How was you experience of Servcie in Mumbai/Navimumbai

Bomi · 2nd July 2009, 17:32

Amogh, can you share the service centres name? I have relocated to Pune and am looking for a reliable one. Thanks.

amoghchaphalkar · 2nd July 2009, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarVegabond

Hi Amogh,

One question: your car appears to be registered in Navi Mumbai, you seems to be living in Pune, did you move to pune after your purchased the car ? How was you experience of Servcie in Mumbai/Navimumbai

thanks for the kind words !! I really appreciate it

Yes, the car is registered in Navi Mumbai because we had a Navi Mumbai address. The car has been in Pune since it has been bought. But it has made several hundred trips to Mumbai.

Unfortunately, we never got the car serviced in Navi Mumbai.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bomi

Amogh, can you share the service centres name? I have relocated to Pune and am looking for a reliable one. Thanks.

Hello Bomi !! We serviced the car at Asset Auto and Acumen Motors. But a couple of months back Skoda publicly declared that Acumen is no longer an authorised service centre.

I suggest you check out Europa Motors at Wakad. I have heard some good reviews about them. Personally, I have never got my car serviced there, so don't really know. It is owned by Kapil Pashankar. Pashankar family has been in the auto service for many years in Pune. They also have a GM dealership in Pune, and their service is rated pretty high. So I don't see any reason why they should not give the same quality of service for Skoda Customers. I would recommend you go to Europa Motors first before trying Asset Auto.

Here are the contact details of Europa Motors

Europa Auto ( A Company owned by Pashankar Automotive Pvt. Ltd. )
Showroom & Works Address
Survey No. 131, Dehu Road Bypass, Wakad, Pune - 411 057
Board Number 020-66750000
Fax Number 020-66750075
Email ID atul@pashankarauto.com

amoghchaphalkar · 2nd July 2009, 20:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by n.devdath

I know I m playing the devil here, but I would still suggest you think of the Laura or the New Superb which has gotten so many accolades from the automotive fraternity the world over for before you sign the dotted line for your next car...

I, in all frankness, believe that Skoda has been and still is a very successful brand in India but as long as you know a good service setup (which you do already), things should be smooth.
All the best...

Unfortunately, we already have gone for the New Innova. Frankly speaking, I love the new Laura and the new Superb. But we just got bored of Sedans.

So my dad went for an Innova and I went for the Punto :-)

Bomi · 6th July 2009, 13:46

Thanks Amogh. Will try out Europa during my next service.

anandpadhye · 6th July 2009, 14:09

Amogh,

So during 90,000KM/5 years ownership, no timing belt change/no suspension work?
That's strange!

amoghchaphalkar · 12th August 2009, 15:56

It has been a long time since I updated this thread.
Since we have got the new Innova the Octy has taken a back seat and we don't use her as much as we did (The love for her still remains the same though)
The Octy recently had its routine servicing and I thought it was a good time to take her for a highway drive. So I took her for a drive today that totalled 154 kms (18 km city + 46 km village + 90 km highway)
And boy !! She continues to amaze me by her immaculate handling, superb ride quality and unbeatable fuel efficiency. For the 154 km drive today she returned a fuel efficiency of 25.64 km/lit (3.9 lit / 100 km .. Onboard display pics attached)
Even after 91,500 kms there are no minor niggles, annoying squeaks and irritating rattling sounds anywhere in the car. It just feels like new. Hats off to the build quality.
The village road I took today was by no means a "good" road. It was pretty bumpy and had quite a few small (but annoying) potholes. But the Octy gobbled up the bumps and potholes so easily. I was passing Sumo's, Indigo's, Indica's and Mahindra Pick ups without inducing any stress on the car. I could easily keep a speed of 60 km/hr on those roads and at times touched 80
Highway ride as usual was superb. I think all of us know about the Octy's stability on highways and I need not elaborate more.
It is just appalling to see the way Skoda has mishandled this wonderful product. If someone writes a business case about "How manufacturers can mess up good products" : I am sure Skoda India would be one of the top contenders for the case.
@anandpadhye : No major suspension work yet (and looking at the way the suspensions behaved today on rough roads .. I don't see any need to do any major work on the suspensions in the near future

) . Timing belt was changed at 75k running service.

n.devdath · 12th August 2009, 16:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by amoghchaphalkar

Even after 91,500 kms there are no minor niggles, annoying squeaks and irritating rattling sounds anywhere in the car. It just feels like new. Hats off to the build quality.

Highway ride as usual was superb.

That is what I call build quality

, Kudos to Skoda Auto..this car was always a gem.

n.devdath · 12th August 2009, 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by amoghchaphalkar

Even after 91,500 kms there are no minor niggles, annoying squeaks and irritating rattling sounds anywhere in the car. It just feels like new. Hats off to the build quality.

Highway ride as usual was superb.

That is what I call build quality

, Kudos to Skoda Auto..this car was always a gem.

ACM · 19th August 2009, 10:33

Yep the Octavia TDI was a gem of a car, even today if they could revamp the car a bit in terms of power (without PD engine - possibly with a REmap) and continue to position below the laura for todays times it could do even better as it is very reliable.

amoghchaphalkar · 12th December 2009, 10:35

Update:

Recently the car developed a "khat khat" noise in the front left wheel. Car was taken to Europa auto and the diagnosis was that two tie rods need to be replaced. After 100k of running, I thought that is fair enough.

Now for the "not so good" part. Each tie rod costs 10k. So 20k for two tie rods + labour costs.

Any suggestions / alternatives ?

ampere · 12th December 2009, 18:26

Just saw this thread now. I have been a Skoda fan, but the recent unleash of "Laura Terror" has held me back. Still I am waiting for the Yeti to see how it performs. If they price it right, it should hold well against the SUV biggies.

I noticed that you don't drive over 100 and maintain your RPM from 2500-3000. Ditto for me. I dont do over 100 also. Even if the highway shows me a visibility of more than km ! Really adds to the FE.

Great going.

nischalreddy · 15th January 2010, 17:07

want to see if i can purchase skoda octavia 1.9 tdi 150000 km , well maitained( known to me). recently changed parts worth 90,000 last. servicing. price quoted 3.5 lacs. otherwise car in good shape and condition. what are expected problems. mechanical wise. car seen and told to be good by skoda service mech. pls help me.

MileCruncher · 16th January 2010, 19:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by nischalreddy

want to see if i can purchase skoda octavia 1.9 tdi 150000 km , well maitained( known to me). recently changed parts worth 90,000 last. servicing. price quoted 3.5 lacs. otherwise car in good shape and condition. what are expected problems. mechanical wise. car seen and told to be good by skoda service mech. pls help me.

Doesn't matter which manufacturer it is I wouldn't buy a 150k Km done car however well its been maintained and if even if someone gave me free. The point over here is you would need to spend a bomb very soon at that age of an car which would negate all the logic of buying a cheap sedan. I would say stay away from it.

@amogh: That is definitely one hell of a car but as you have said already, the Skoda India has really screwed up the After Sales. UK/Europe Octy's do duty on taxi circuit because of their very low maintainence.

anandpadhye · 17th January 2010, 10:31

Amogh,

What happened with the Tie rod issue?
Did you pay 20K and got it changed?
Any details?

2nd July 2009, 15:52	#16
StarVegabond Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,891 Thanked: 42 Times	Hi Amogh, Indeed you have well maintained your car. SKODA Laura is a great car. i have heard from couple of owners that it is better than 28L merc in terms of performance, reliability and equipment. From your writing you does not appear to be an amature, only thing is that you have not used techie terms like "rev up" or "underpowered", or shortforms etc. For me what matters in such a review is 1. Is the owner happy and proud to own his car 2. what is the total cost of owning the car 3. What all he has done to maintain his car 4. his experience of after sales service etc. I think, you have provided answers to all these questions Great review. All the best for your new Innova, again it is a great choice. One question: your car appears to be registered in Navi Mumbai, you seems to be living in Pune, did you move to pune after your purchased the car ? How was you experience of Servcie in Mumbai/Navimumbai Last edited by StarVegabond : 2nd July 2009 at 15:53.
	() Thanks

2nd July 2009, 17:32	#17
Bomi BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 284 Thanked: 77 Times	Amogh, can you share the service centres name? I have relocated to Pune and am looking for a reliable one. Thanks.
	() Thanks

6th July 2009, 13:46	#20
Bomi BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 284 Thanked: 77 Times	Thanks Amogh. Will try out Europa during my next service.
	() Thanks

6th July 2009, 14:09	#21
anandpadhye Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 3,054 Thanked: 3,313 Times	Amogh, So during 90,000KM/5 years ownership, no timing belt change/no suspension work? That's strange!
	() Thanks

12th August 2009, 15:56	#22
amoghchaphalkar BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 636 Thanked: 703 Times	Update : 25.64 km/lit FE for 150 km running It has been a long time since I updated this thread. Since we have got the new Innova the Octy has taken a back seat and we don't use her as much as we did (The love for her still remains the same though) The Octy recently had its routine servicing and I thought it was a good time to take her for a highway drive. So I took her for a drive today that totalled 154 kms (18 km city + 46 km village + 90 km highway) And boy !! She continues to amaze me by her immaculate handling, superb ride quality and unbeatable fuel efficiency. For the 154 km drive today she returned a fuel efficiency of 25.64 km/lit (3.9 lit / 100 km .. Onboard display pics attached) Even after 91,500 kms there are no minor niggles, annoying squeaks and irritating rattling sounds anywhere in the car. It just feels like new. Hats off to the build quality. The village road I took today was by no means a "good" road. It was pretty bumpy and had quite a few small (but annoying) potholes. But the Octy gobbled up the bumps and potholes so easily. I was passing Sumo's, Indigo's, Indica's and Mahindra Pick ups without inducing any stress on the car. I could easily keep a speed of 60 km/hr on those roads and at times touched 80 Highway ride as usual was superb. I think all of us know about the Octy's stability on highways and I need not elaborate more. It is just appalling to see the way Skoda has mishandled this wonderful product. If someone writes a business case about "How manufacturers can mess up good products" : I am sure Skoda India would be one of the top contenders for the case. @anandpadhye : No major suspension work yet (and looking at the way the suspensions behaved today on rough roads .. I don't see any need to do any major work on the suspensions in the near future ) . Timing belt was changed at 75k running service. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

19th August 2009, 10:33	#25
ACM Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,745 Thanked: 4,361 Times View My Garage	Yep the Octavia TDI was a gem of a car, even today if they could revamp the car a bit in terms of power (without PD engine - possibly with a REmap) and continue to position below the laura for todays times it could do even better as it is very reliable.
	() Thanks

12th December 2009, 10:35	#26
amoghchaphalkar BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 636 Thanked: 703 Times	Update: Recently the car developed a "khat khat" noise in the front left wheel. Car was taken to Europa auto and the diagnosis was that two tie rods need to be replaced. After 100k of running, I thought that is fair enough. Now for the "not so good" part. Each tie rod costs 10k. So 20k for two tie rods + labour costs. Any suggestions / alternatives ?
	() Thanks

12th December 2009, 18:26	#27
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,948 Thanked: 12,935 Times View My Garage	Just saw this thread now. I have been a Skoda fan, but the recent unleash of "Laura Terror" has held me back. Still I am waiting for the Yeti to see how it performs. If they price it right, it should hold well against the SUV biggies. I noticed that you don't drive over 100 and maintain your RPM from 2500-3000. Ditto for me. I dont do over 100 also. Even if the highway shows me a visibility of more than km ! Really adds to the FE. Great going.
	() Thanks

15th January 2010, 17:07	#28
nischalreddy Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: vijayawada Posts: 8 Thanked: Once	second hand buy skoda octavia 150000 kms want to see if i can purchase skoda octavia 1.9 tdi 150000 km , well maitained( known to me). recently changed parts worth 90,000 last. servicing. price quoted 3.5 lacs. otherwise car in good shape and condition. what are expected problems. mechanical wise. car seen and told to be good by skoda service mech. pls help me.
	() Thanks

17th January 2010, 10:31	#30
anandpadhye Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 3,054 Thanked: 3,313 Times	Amogh, What happened with the Tie rod issue? Did you pay 20K and got it changed? Any details?
	() Thanks