Skoda Octavia I test drive - 2010 -

Only for their own

Octavia has been actively sold with us since 1998, and many cars have already come to change the owner. However, this Skoda rarely gets into newspaper advertisements for sale. Most of the cars diverges among relatives and acquaintances. Is three to five-year-old Octavia worthy of inheritance from hand?

Hand dexterity and no fraud
Without a doubt, who want to buy Octavia primarily attracts its solid appearance and German roots. The car looks like a class above, very strict and noble. Some even take Octavia for a tilted Volkswagen passage. Octavia is really based on a real Volkswagen. But not a Passat, but a golf with elongated bumers. Accordingly, behind the external solidity of Octavia, its ancestor is hidden very cramped for the rear passengers. If you think of Octavia to the role of a family machine and the people in your relatives have got a tall, I recommend trying on a car before making a purchase decision.
 
But the trunk to the maximum extent corresponds to the status of a family car. Outside, the car looks like a classic sedan that our people really like. In fact, this is a hundred percent hatchback with a huge trunk of 530 liters and rich transformation capabilities. If this is not enough for you, you can look for a station wagon. But keep in mind that in terms of volume and shape, his trunk is the same. Therefore, hunting for the station wagon makes sense only if you need a high ceiling above the rear shelf.
 
Before restyling 2001 model year, the car was produced in LX, GLX and SLX performances. Subsequently, they were assigned the name classic, ambient and eleganes, respectively. The LX version (classic) is the most simple. The maximum that can be in it is the air conditioner, and the mirrors and windows are likely to be manual.
 
And for sure the car will not be ABS or airbags. However, there are few cars in the basic version in the market. Most likely, you will turn up either GLX (ambient) or SLX (eleganes). There will definitely be an electric package and at least a driver's pillow. And for the last option, there is also a mandatory climate control, cast discs and a passenger airbag. All the rest of the pre -equipment from heating of the seats to the rear janitor may be present in any version, but not at all.
 
 
The rear sofa is very cramped. If people sit in front of a taller above 182 cm, there is nothing to do here

 
Outside, Octavia looks like a sedan, but in fact it is a hatchback with a transformable trunk
 
The body does not rust, but the glass is cracking
If the machine was not subjected to artisanal body repair, the body of the Octavia should not really rust. Like Golf, he is completely, on two sides, he is galvanized and reliably opposes even the super -lord of Moscow salt. But problems with the hardness of the body at first before the restyling of the 2001 model year were. Until the body was strengthened, cracks sometimes appeared on the windshield. Moreover, for the servicemen, there was even a special bulletin in which it was stipulated how the crack should look so that the case was recognized as a warranty. It is impossible to get rid of the possibility of a crack in prerestyling machines. If you drive with full load, and on bumpy rural roads, it is possible that the glass will have to and change
 
However, glass is the only serious puncture in terms of the body and its equipment. Yes, some cockroaches in electrics and reinforcement come out with age. But this is, for the most part, trifles. But in general, the body of Octavia proved to be good.
 
 
 
The new front panel appeared after the 2001 restyling. The old -style panel (on the right) now remains only on the classic

    
Diavian climate is not the best option
Despite the Russian operating conditions, the characteristic sores in the electrician and other equipment of the Octavia body has not yet been discovered. It happens that the ending of the door locks that control the lighting of the cabin and involved in the security alarm circuit refuse. Accordingly, in this case, the light ceases to turn on or extinguish, begins to spare the central lock or alarm. The problem is eliminated only by replacing the lock assembly.
 
After 23 years, the trapezoid of the wipers is acidified from road salt. At the initial stage, grease helps, but sooner or later the trapezoid will still have to be changed. As in many cars of the Volkswagen concern, in winter, when trying to open the frozen glass, the plastic latches of the glass windows are cracking. Again, you will have to change the trapezoid assembly. On old machines, an electrical immobilizer connector can be oxidized. At the same time, the car stops starting or starts spontaneously stall. It is treated with elementary cleaning of contacts.
 
In cars with air conditioners, in 3-4 years, one of the trunk tubes can be blown up. It must be replaced and refined the system by freon. But this is a trifle. Worse, if the machine is equipped with an automatic climate control of Diavian (installed in early issues). He often succeeds in controlling electronics, and the dough program for climate from Diavian does not have Skodov’s servicemen. They can find a malfunction only in their native Skodovsky climate control (however, unlike Diavian, it is quite reliable). True, in Moscow there is a specialized Diavian service that successfully solves all problems.
    
How much is
replacement of the castle $ 135
replacing the glass cleaner $ 65
replacing the glass windows $ 110
replacing air conditioning tube $ 205
 
Motors for every taste
From the socialist past of Octavia, thank God, there was no motor. All of them are from the gamut of Volkswagen. Of those that were supplied and delivered to Russia, the old 75-horsepower one and six remains basic. Frankly, a weak motor. He is still enough in the city, and he is not a player on the highway. And in terms of small sores, the engine was not the best. However, there are few cars with a 75-horsepower engine in the market. It is usually combined with the base execution of LX (classic).
 
The most common 101-horsepower engine of the same volume looks much better in all respects. He is lucky with below confidently, and spins cheerfully. True, at speeds above the average it becomes noisy. But this is characteristic of many 2-valve engines. In operation, he is also not particularly burdensome. So we recommend it.
 
Well, for those who love the hotter, it is worth looking for a car with a 150-horsepower turbo engine with a volume of 1.8 liters. Under the hood of Octavia, he settled in the spring of 1998 and is still installed. I assure you that you are unlikely to be able to find another golf-class car with such bright dynamic qualities for the same money. Volkswagenovsky 1.8-turbo is able to deliver a lot of pleasure to an active driver. It is noteworthy that, in contrast to the Passat and various Audi models, the 1.8-liter motor does not cause much trouble, including with the turbine. Perhaps the relatively smaller runs of the octavia are affected, and possibly the transverse location of the engine under the hood instead of longitudinal. In this case, the design of many motor details varies.
 
In addition, until the 2001 model year, a 1.8-liter engine with a capacity of 125 liters was installed on Octavia. p., and then to replace the hopeless version of 1.8t came the old 2-liter 116-horsepower engine. According to the characteristics on paper, they are almost the same. But if a modern 20-valve one and eight at least have a vigorous disposition, then why did the Czechs get a 2-liter veteran from the long regiment, it is not clear. Naturally, thanks to a solid volume, it pulls well on the bottom and does not really react to loading. But because of an old 8-valve structure, his character is more boring than that of a tax inspector. It feels like a 2-liter motor is perceived by a little more interesting than 101-horsepower one and six.
 
And the new car with it stands almost like with a 1.8-turbo. Therefore, if a 125-horsepower engine is rare on the market, then 2-liter exotic is completely.
 
At one time, Skoda dealers actively promoted diesel engines and, oddly enough, they managed to sell in Russia a certain amount of much more expensive than gasoline versions, kerosene. This can be either a hopeless 1.9-liter diesel with a capacity of 68 forces, or a 90-horsepower turbo engine of the same volume. The first one for Octavia is clearly not enough, and the second, although good, but the purchase of any diesel car, and even more used, is unequivocal in our conditions. Expensive fuel equipment with the quality of our diesel fuel is constantly at risk. And the turbine, worth a lot of money, is probably already on the way. However, if you really want, diesel octavia can at least be found. And in operation, Volkswagenovsky 90-horsepower turbodiesel is one of the best engines in golf classes.
    
The engine with the chip is bad
Fashion for electronic chip tuning engines as a means of increasing power reached Russia. Moreover, it spread to a rather modest brand of Skoda. Mechanics constantly face engines infected in this way. And they do not know what to do with them. After all, the factory parameters for diagnostics become unsuitable if the engine control program is changed. Therefore, having bought a car with a chipped engine, you are left with him alone. Do you need such sacrifices? Moreover, chip tuning gives the real increase in power only on a 1.8-liter turbo engine. And on all atmospheric motors, a change in the control program without related iron improvements that vodka is without beer: money is in the wind. You can find out about the availability of a changed chip under the hood during the preceding purchase of diagnosis in the corporate technical center.
    
Gasoline engines in operation
In addition to the oils, carried out after 15,000 km, on all engines, the spark plug is most often required. On our gasoline they serve a maximum of 30 thousand. Even platinum, installed on 1.8-turbo, rarely nurses more. The timing belt with rollers changes after 60,000 km on 1.6 and 2.0 liters of engines and after 90,000 km on one and eight atmospheric and boiled.
 
Among the characteristic malfunctions inherent in all motors, it should be noted the failure of the coolant temperature sensor (poor launch of a heated engine or rotation of revolutions with 34 thousand) and air flow meter (throttle block). In the latter case, idle speeds begin to swim and failures appear when a revolution. At first, the defect for a while is eliminated by cleaning the unit, but subsequently it will have to be replaced. In addition, in the early machines, the cause of non-optimal operation of the engine can be an oxidized lambda-zond connector. It is located under the bottom of the car and at first was poorly protected. The problem is eliminated by cleaning the connector.
 
Now, in particular. On 8-valve engines to the second replacement of the timing belt, a water pump can resign. In any case, when replacing the belt, its condition must be checked, because when combining the replacement of the pump with this operation, only 0.5 hours of extra time are added. Otherwise, for the sake of the pump, you will have to pay again the removal/installation of the belt. All together 2.9 hours. On 1.8-liter engines, the pump is more durable. In any case, before the replacement of the belt (180,000 km), most of these cars have not yet arrived.
 
On a 75-horsepower engine does not differ in the durability of lambda zond. Usually it is enough for 60 thousand. The exhaust manifold burns out on the same engine over time. Naturally, it has to be changed.
 
At 1.8-liter turbo engines, the ignition coils (4 pcs on the engine) were first out of order. Subsequently, the supplier was replaced, and the coils became trouble -free. But, perhaps, in the purchased car, one or more coils will begin to be splendered. The turbines, as we have already said, have not yet been replaced. But time goes to old age, and I think it will be useful for you to know the cost of replacing the turbine.
    
How much is
Replacing candles $ 45-50
replacement of the timing belt with rollers
1.6 (75 hp) $ 130
1.6 (101 hp) and $ 2.0 $ 150
1.8 and 1.8t $ 270
water pump 1.6 and 2.0 $ 110
temperature replacement $ 45
replacing the air flow meter 1.6 (75 hp) $ 155
1.6 (101 hp) and 2.0 $ 245-260
1.8 and 1.8t $ 275-310
replacement of lambda-zond 1.6 (75 hp) $ 160
replacement of the exhaust manifold 1.6 (75 hp) $ 305
replacing the ignition coil (1 pc.) 1.8t $ 48
replacing turbine 1.8t $ 1570
 
Well, very expensive clutch
Only customers of a gasoline 75-horsepower engine and a 68-horsepower diesel do not have to choose a gearbox. They are combined only with mechanics. An automatic box is also possible for all other engines.
 
Mechanics with a lifelong supply of oil is reliable and durable. The only small claim to her on cars with a 101-horsepower engine is the difficulty of inclusion of I transmission. If this causes you inconvenience, the clarity of the drive can be restored by the replacement of penny plastic seeds. The clutch serves an average of 100,000 km. Replacing it is not the most time -consuming 3.8 hours, but the clutch kit itself, as for all brands of the Volkswagen group, roads. Usually it costs $ 490590. But for some modifications, the clutch is delivered with the engine flywheel. Such a kit will cost about $ 1000, and in the latter case, you are unlikely to be able to find a cheaper non -original substitute.
 
An automatic 4-speed box also does not suffer from characteristic sores. It happens that electronic control refuses or the guts of the box itself are burned. But this happens no more often than on other machines and, as a rule, from inept handling of a machine gun. For reference, the electronic control unit costs about $ 400, and the overhead of the box is $ 6001400, depending on the severity of the case. According to the instructions, the oil in the machine is also flooded for the entire service life. But if you will change it in 60 thousand, it will not become worse.
 
Octavia-4x4
Cars with such a nameplate on the trunk lid appeared in the fall of 1999, but at first they were sold poorly with us.
 
Largely due to the fact that before restyling, all-wheel drive octavia was supplied exclusively with the station wagon and a 90-horsepower turbodiesel. The combination is far from the most popular. And only since 2001, the long-awaited all-wheel drivers appeared in Russia, equipped with a powerful 1.8-turbo, including the hatchback body. Due to the high price of such cars, few were sold, but with a certain luck, a 4x4 used copy can be found.
 
The scheme of the all -wheel drive Octavia is similar to the golf and looks as follows. The front wheels are constantly leading, and the rear enters the work when slipping automatically and exactly as necessary. The electronically controlled huldex is in charge by the transfer of torque backward. Typically, there are no complaints about the work of all -wheel drive transmission, however, mechanics note a couple of cases of replacement of chaldx ($ 3400). At his death, the car becomes front -wheel drive. The oil in the crankcase changes every 30,000 km (a special variety is used) and after 60,000 km along with the filter.
 
Channel: Everything is in order
According to the design of the suspension and steering of Octavia, the golf almost completely copies and, like a German car, its chassis was quite strong. With the exception of the penny bushings of the front stabilizer, perhaps only the front wheel bearings are not particularly durable to nurse an average of 60,000 km. However, given the quality of our roads, you can put up with such numbers. Moreover, all other details of the suspension and steering are kept with dignity. The durability of shock absorbers is especially pleased with 120,000150,000 km. True, this applies only to reinforced parts from a package for bad roads, which were equipped with cars supplied to Russia.
 
The brakes are also trouble -free. Disks do not suffer from a beating and withstand 2-3 sets of pads, under the condition of regular lubrication of the guides almost never wedge, and the front sensors of ABS (if the system is installed) is rarely refused.
 
Among the possible large one -time expenses, only the replacement of the steering rack can be noted, which can pose on a run for 120,000 km. However, by Western standards, the cost of a new rail in the collection is simply children's.


Buy?
As it turned out, for the European car, Octavia turned out to be quite reliable and trouble -free. Especially considering that all statistics were recruited exclusively for those cars that were sold in Russia with new ones and wound all their kilometers along our roads. True, most of those machines that are operated by private owners have not yet crossed through a hundred thousandth mark. But firms buy Octavia willingly. Therefore, the service centers for regular service come and have a lot of copies that have seen in their lifetime.
 
There is, however, in the purchase of Octavia, one but. Until recently, the trump card of the Czech car was a low cost of operation. But if the prices of the service centers (including branded ones) really remain acceptable, then the Czechs recently took equal to Volkswagen in the formation of prices for spare parts. And, judging by the dynamics of growth, they are already trying in full swing in this direction. It's a pity.
 
In general, if Octavia suits you according to its consumer qualities, you can take it. After increasing duties from Europe, they are practically not transported, and the prices of local 35-year-old cars in decent condition vary from $ 8500 to $ 16,000, depending on the engine and year of production. Moreover, to newspaper ads, as we have already said, most often copies with clearly high prices reach. Apparently, the fraudulent talent of Octavia is more expensive than its real money. So this car is really better to look for among friends.
 
Alexander Konov, photo of Alexander Sadovnikov
 
 

A source: Magazine "Limousine" [11/03]