Differences between Octavia Elegance models

[monkeychops]

Hello

I want to get a used Octavia Elegance TDi. I've read that there are differences between the 2001, 2002, 2003 versions of the car. Does anyone know where I could find out more info about these differences? Parkers guide says that the 2002 52 is better than the 2002 02 model, which is better than the 2001 Y model.

Also, I'm regularly checking the Autotrader website for Octavias. Does anyone have any opinions as to the best way to search for a used Octavia? I have quite a specific requirement I think, because I want an Elegance TDi estate, probably 2002 52 or newer.

Thanks in advance :-)

[ScoobyChris]

Can't vouch for its accuracy but have a look here http://www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/ca..._id=822&page=7

I think 52 reg was when they offered the PD130 engine as an option which was slightly less economical than the 110bhp TDI engine, but more punchy to drive.

When I bought my new car recently, I was like you and knew exactly what I wanted so I checked Autotrader daily and also the local free-ad type car papers. I ended up travelling 70 miles to get mine, but it was worth it

Chris

[Goochie]

I think the engine differences were all that changed between them. The interior spec etc. is the same.

[monkeychops]

Thanks for your info.
I'm thinking of having a look at this one (excuse the lengthly URL):

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW...00527199311628

which is a 2002 02 model that has done 99k miles. Offered at £5k. Parkers guide says subtract about £2.8k for this mileage/age car which makes it reasonable value as Parkers also says that £7.8k is the estimated cost of a 'private/good' condition car of this make/model. The dealer offers a 3 month warranty.

Does anyone care to pass comment?
Thanks in advance :-)

[ScoobyChris]

Looks like it has the 110bhp TDI engine which is more diesel like than the newer PD units. Mileage is high for a 2002 car, but as long as it has a full service history to back it up, it should be fine. Also check the small print of the 3 month warranty they offer as they're often not worth the paper they're printed on ... I know the warranty I got given was the "Premium Plus" policy and only has a maximum claim amount of £500!

Btw, if you want to find out a realistic p/x price for the car go to www.vauxhall.co.uk and use their used car valuer ... it uses Glasses Guide which is what most of the trade use, and you can see what kind of markup the dealer has put on it

Chris

[monkeychops]

Thanks for the tips ScoobyChris.

Glasses guide says the following for the Elegance in question:

Excellent condition:
£5390

Average condition:
£4820

Below average condition:
£4230

So £5k is probably a fair price. I've only ever bought one car before (not counting 2 cars bought from people I knew and trusted), so I don't really know how to spot a duff one. I'm trusting that because it's a Skoda and a diesel, then I won't be able to go far wrong, like you say, as long as there is a FSH.

[JBS Auto Design]

Hi
I do not think that the glass sunroof was as standard on that car.
It should have climatic control.
So that would be another thing to keep an eye on.
But the Green Met. is lovely it was once called Green Magic.Like the pearlescent black.
Lovely car.
Sarah

[monkeychops]

Thanks for the reply Sarah.

According to the Parkers guide report, an electric sunroof is standard on all Elegance models. Do you mean it's literally just a roof i.e. you can't see out of it unless it's open? Excuse my ignorance - on my Golf (Mk3) TDi GL there is a glass electric sunroof with a sliding door so you can see out of it by opening the sliding door, and leaving the sunroof closed. So I thought all sunroofs were like that...

I think climate control is standard on the Elegance too (air con on the Ambient). when I spoke to the dealer he said he wasn't sure but that there wasn't any difference between aircon and climate control (which isn't my understanding at all as I thought with CC you could set the temperature precisely but with AC you just get cold air). I forgot to ask a whole load of really basic questions too, like tax, MOT, part exchange option... so I might just ring back.

[ScoobyChris]

Originally Posted by monkeychops

I think climate control is standard on the Elegance too (air con on the Ambient). when I spoke to the dealer he said he wasn't sure but that there wasn't any difference between aircon and climate control (which isn't my understanding at all as I thought with CC you could set the temperature precisely but with AC you just get cold air).

Climatronic has loads of sensors in the cabin which mean the car can maintain a relatively fixed cabin temperature (as specified by you on the display). In auto mode, it will also control fans and vents to achieve this.

In contrast the Fabia has Climatic which is manual climate control and means you can set the temperature to what you want and it just adjusts the temperature of the air going into the cabin (based on a single sensor's feedback on current cabin temperature).

I did also wonder if the Octy had a steel sunroof on that model, but I can't remember... worth checking with the dealer as it may have been a factory fit option when it was new!

Chris

[Fabia 12v]

Octy Elegance has a glass tilt and slide electric sunroof with a manual blind which you can slide open and closed yourself to let light in or look out without opening roof.

[monkeychops]

Thanks for the info :-)

Climatronic sounds lovely. Is it standard on the Elegance? In the Parkers guide for the Elegance it just says 'Climate Control'.

[ScoobyChris]

Originally Posted by monkeychops

Climatronic sounds lovely. Is it standard on the Elegance? In the Parkers guide for the Elegance it just says 'Climate Control'.

Yep - think it's located in front of the gearstick on the centre dash and should have a digital display showing temp, etc.

There's a pic of it here

Chris

[monkeychops]

Excellent - thank you!

[Goochie]

My '51 reg Elegance has the following as standard:

Head lamp washers

Climate control

Central arm rest between front seats (very useful incl. storage bin)

Electric sunroof

Electric windows all round

Electric heated/motorised mirrors

12v outlet in the boot

6 CD changer

Boot storage unit that brings the boot floor up, level with the sill giving a totally flat floor area and a big, useful storage area for umbrellas, steering lock, picnic rugs etc.

Storage under the above storage box for various things such as a bottle of halfords ready mixed screen wash, spare bulbs etc - all those things you may take on a couple of weeks holiday.

Options include leather, reverse parking sensors, cruise control and a multi-function steering wheel.

The car in the advert will have a CD changer but the garage may not have found it - they are very well hidden Also, that dark metallic green is very nice.

[monkeychops]

Thanks Goochie :-)

[Octygone]

If you can stretch to the 130 pd go for it ........absolute magic and with a tuning box I still think it was faster than my vrs

[monkeychops]

I've got a feeling that the 130BHP model is pretty rare in the 2nd hand market. I haven't seen any come up on Autotrader in my area anyway.

[Octygone]

Originally Posted by monkeychops

I've got a feeling that the 130BHP model is pretty rare in the 2nd hand market. I haven't seen any come up on Autotrader in my area anyway.

You could be right only one on the Skoda used car list very nice but £13,999 ouch

[logiclee]

Originally Posted by monkeychops

I've got a feeling that the 130BHP model is pretty rare in the 2nd hand market. I haven't seen any come up on Autotrader in my area anyway.

They are very rare and expensive, my local dealer has an 04 Elegance PD130 and wants £11995 for it.

The 110bhp Elegance was available right up until the Mk2 came. I have a 2003 Octavia Elegance TDi. The 110's power delivery is more linear than the 130PD's you don't get the massive kick. A good tuning box will give you close to 140bhp and 200lbft from the 110 so you can make up the difference and you'll get more mpg than the 130. The old VAG 1.9TDI 90/110 engine still holds the record of being the most thermally efficient engine fitted to a standard road car.
The only downside is the old style diesel noise that the 110TDi makes, if you are OK with that they are great.

Only other thing is not to expect great sound from the CD changer, If you like your sounds you will be changing the head unit and speakers.

And if the Climate Control is fully charged and working it's one of the best fitted to any car I've been in. Even in the last few days of 32 degrees plus my Octy has been too cold to keep the system on "LO", I have had to knock it up to 18 or 19 degrees on the display.

Cheers
Lee

[monkeychops]

I'm going to look at that 100k miles / £5k one tomorrow. I've suggested it to the wife and she didn't go mad. It's 40 minutes drive away, so unless there's something very obviously wrong with it I'll probably end up buying it.

But I'm a bit hopeless with cars really. Has anyone got any tips? Are there any particular things to watch out for with Octavia's? I'm told the cambelt was changed at 59k miles. Is buying a car that has done 100k miles in 3 years really silly?

I'm just worried that I'll miss something really obvious. According to Glasses guide (at Vauxhall.co.uk - thanks again to ScoobyChris for that one) it's a reasonable price - at least compared to the other Elegance TDi estates that I've seen on AutoTrader this week.