Team-BHP - Review: Skoda Octavia (3rd-gen)

Quote:

Originally Posted by floydian (Post 4113354)

Thanks for the response and advice sud. But, I was wondering if there have been any cases amongst the community where one really has had to use the Engine Protect add-on. I haven't really come across any cases of water ingress or consequential damage to the engine in this forum amongst the posts I've gone through.

I agree it's obviously good to be safe but comes at a cost :) And, I'm trying to ascertain the probability of something like that happening (or having happened with someone in the past).

The Skoda Octavia doesn't have a very high water wading capability. When i was reading the manual, if i recall correctly, it was only till the fog lamp height and the manual stated to avoid anything more than that. Since you are in Gurugram and it floods considerably, why take a chance? Don't get the insurance from the showroom- do it on your own and use the savings to get the Engine Protect add on. Even i have done it on my Octavia bought in October. With Skoda in general- more that good, its best to be safe!

Rohan

Quote:

Originally Posted by d_himan (Post 4111289)

What was a revelation to me was how much more enjoyable the DSG 7 speed was in the Polo comparison to DSG 6 in the TDI. Much more snappier, more alive, high strung, edgy. The TDI just felt normal and boring in comparison! I don't know if its diesel vs petrol, wet vs dry... but hell, what a difference..

agree: It is definitely not diesel vs petrol, or the various engines they are used in combination with. We have the DQ250 (Superb 3.6) in combination with a NA petrol and the shift times are noticeably slower than the DQ200 (Vento TSI) we have, especially during downshifts or while skipping through two or more gears. It should not be just down to the difference of a wet vs dry clutch unit, but rather cause DQ250 is inherently an older DSG design. When compared to conventional ATs, DQ250 feels superior. But back to back with the DQ200, it definitely feels lacking. I have driven cars with DQ500 boxes and they were faster than the DQ250, albeit both being wet clutch units.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPARKled (Post 4114362)

Any idea if the Octavia will get a limited edition (black interiors) or the facelift soon? I am planning to get the TDI MT but can wait a few months of that is the case.

Facelift is expected sometime next year. Also, Skoda will be launching Black Edition which will surely have All Black Interiors. So, in case you want the New Face & Black Interiors, it's best to wait for the Facelift.

If you don't like the Automatic, you can look at Manual Transmission, but if you're concerned about reliability of the gearbox, then you should put away that fear. The Diesel Automatic is very reliable & there have been no niggles reported. BHPian RohanDheman replaced his Laura DSG with an Octavia DSG. That speaks about the reliability of this Gearbox. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarguyNish (Post 4114369)

I think the limited Black Edition is exclusively the current model while the facelift with the controversial split headlights will continue in the dual beige black combination. I don't think you will get both!

Plus given the phase out of the 1.8TSI in Europe, they might overnight change the 1.8 to the 1.4 like Audi has already done with the new A4.

Quote:

Originally Posted by avi_hi_im (Post 4115528)

So Ive booked a September 2016 manufactured Ambition Plus 1.8 TSI. Dealer claims its a MY17 and the discount is based on this. Can the good people/ mods here on TBHP please vet this claim. Thanks much in advance.

Congratulations! May I ask, what is the level of discount were you able to negotiate?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselhead (Post 4111670)

Hello everyone. I'm in the market for a new car in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Need help with the following:
How is the Octy TDi Ambience manual ?
What is the range of On road price negotiation ? Quoted 22.6L
Whom in Skoda Ag India to send SOS to ?
What are essential in terms of extended a try n insurance ?
What is the average cost of routine periodic maintenance ?
What are the links to parts and acc both domestic n overseas reliable ?

My usage will be office runs with daily average of 50kms, well paved but cut throat traffic,occasional Accelerated Highway runs and interstate travel.

I was told by local dealer that theres no MY16 Ambition 2.0 TDI Manual available in the stock. MY17 cars have no price discounts. Please advice.

Got my Octavia TSi serviced from Vinayak Cars - Okalipuram, Bangalore at 1 year and 13000 km.

Notes:
1. Skoda is quietly replacing all imported Octavia batteries (Sepang/Varta) with Exide. Please insist and get it done even off-cycle. As per the SA, there is little reliability of the OEM batteries after 18 months or so.
2. Workshops are also throwing in a 'free' 3M interior cleaning which will be ultimately reimbursed by Skoda. Do try to get it from the SA.
3. Time taken was only 6 hours.
4. The usual consumables were changed.
5. Total bill came to 9.9k with an optional Rs. 800 AC disinfecting (stale smell from AC on starting only).
6. I just missed the Skoda service campaign which ended on 15/12. They had some %age discount on consumables - I could have saved at least 1k but could not manage due to work commitments.
7. Overall an excellent experience.

Even the Exide battery is not the Indian Exide, it is an imported one, atleast it was so in my case.
Also, I believe we shouldn't try getting Octavia A7 battery replaced with an aftermarket battery. Got my Exide battery (which was replaced under warranty) with an Amaron one, but this was probably a mistake, it led to all sorts of errors and 25 days in the service centre with coolant pump replacement. A-la-Big three kind of issue I think, where a battery change entails re-setting the electronics.

Quote:

Originally Posted by saurabh sharma (Post 4121689)

Also, I believe we shouldn't try getting Octavia A7 battery replaced with an aftermarket battery. Got my Exide battery (which was replaced under warranty) with an Amaron one, but this was probably a mistake, it led to all sorts of errors and 25 days in the service centre with coolant pump replacement. A-la-Big three kind of issue I think, where a battery change entails re-setting the electronics.

When a battery is disconnected and connected again, you see some errors on the instrument cluster like ESP, steering wheel error etc., but they go away once the car is started and moved. I have seen this on my Jetta. In the Polo GT TSi, the windows have to be manually opened and closed a couple of times for the one touch up/down to work. Otherwise, a battery change does not need any special error clearing operation. Did your SA specifically state that a battery replacement requires clearing errors at the workshop?

Also, I don't think a battery replacement would result in a coolant pump failure. Maybe this was a coincidence.

PS: I am stating these from my experience with the Jetta and Polo GT. It is quite possible that Octavia does require some special procedure for changing the battery.