Octavia I 4x4 - Spec

[AndrewG]

Basically I am looking into buying a Mk1 Octavia 4WD version and I am wanting to get the full spec of the car down with as much info on it as I can.
I am really wanting to build up some pictures aswell so if you have any pics of the 4WD underside, engine bay, interior, exterior could you send me them at:
andrew.a.gray at gmail.com
I am also searching for good pics to show the colour of a Black "Black Magic" Octavia.
Please correct me if anything I post is incorrect - thanks!

Here is what I have sourced so far:

Engine: 1.8 20v Turbo 150bhp version with the KO3 Turbo

Features: Haldex 4WD differential just as every other Volkwagen A Platform based car (Golf IV, Audi A3 and Seat Leon Cupra R4)
The 4x4 option was only available for 1.8T 150bhp Petrol engine, the 1.9TDI 90bhp both coupled with 5-speed manual gearbox and the 1.9TDI-PD(Pumpe-duse) 100bhp version which came with 6-speed manual gearbox.

4WD versions sit 2cm higher than the 2WD.

Recommend changing shocks and springs - standard are very boaty (i am looking into what coilover setup is best)

Cambelt change every 4 years irrespective of mileage or done every 50k.

Air filter change every year.

Comes with: Sunroof, armrest, headlight washers, air con, heated mirrors, ESP, 4x electric windows, front 6cd changer?, climate control? rain sensor wipers?, computer with average speed, average fuel consumption and instantaneous fuel consumption.

The Octavia 4x4 Elegance its basically a Elegance Specced car in the UK plus 4x4 & ESP. It was available in all standard Octavia Colours.

They are cheaper to buy than a vRS and cheaper to insure.

Independent rear suspension - vRS has a fixed beam at the rear.

Max MPG ~40, Average 35.

Common problems: Rear springs wearing out, Cold splutter problems, coilpack failures, water pump failures and Haldex ECU problems - has it been serviced?

Recommendations before buying: Check the car throughout and get a full fault code scan done on the car.
Check all windows work, tyres, break wear, heated wing mirrors work, rear wiper spray and the air con system are all working perfectly.
HPI check is recommended aswell - RAC are doing them for £5 atm.
Has it had the cambelt done and a Haldex 4x4 service?

Remap MPG:

maybe its worth getting it remapped -

I have a generic APR map.
I get 28mpg long term average.
Normally 330 miles per full tank.
28-41mpg on long runs.
33mpg is easy with a calm driving.
Seriously 'spirited' driving is rarely less than 21mpg.

[mattbeef]

seams reasonable info apart from the clutch info.

provided you drive normally and dont make a habit of full throttle launches it will be fine

[AndrewG]

Thanks Matt.

Does the 4x4 doesnt come with colour coded bump strips does it ?

[DGW]

Originally Posted by AndrewG

Does the 4x4 doesnt come with colour coded bump strips does it ?

No. They are black plastic. EddyH had a black 4X4 Estate. Search for his posts and you will find some pictures and/or have a look at the thread below:

http://briskoda.net/forums/skoda-car...e-sold/106601/

[AndrewG]

Excellent, thanks Denis.
*edit*
I found Eddy's car earlier on, one of the first threads I looked at in the for sale section - absolutely stunning car! Hopefully a nice Black unmodded 4x4 comes up for sale soon that I can snap up!

[DGW]

My 4X4 is set for variable service intervals and gets serviced every 2 years. The variable service intervals can be anywhere between 15000 and 30000 km depending on driving style, with a 24 months maximum time limit. The cambelt change interval for the 1.8T is a maximum of 120,000 miles or 4 years, whichever comes first. It is wise to change the water pump at the same time as the cambelt since the plastic impellers can and do suffer premature failure. The air filter change interval is the same as the sparks plugs - 40000 miles. The Haldex needs an oil change every 20000 miles and a filter change as well every 40000 miles. Climate control is standard; rain sensor wipers are not. The CD changer is in the boot. Cruise control is not standard but can be retrofitted. I am not aware that the rear springs wear out any sooner than the front. Insurance group is 14 - the vRS is 16. The engine is as tuneable as that in the vRS, less a couple of bhp. Mine is remapped and has averaged 31.97mpg over 25069 miles.

The car was and still is a steal at the price given the extra mechanical complexity over the 2WD versions, ie prop shaft, rear diff, Haldex, IRS etc.

[AndrewG]

Thanks Denis, a lot of great information I didnt know - appreciated!

[4x4mark]

there was a nice black 4x4 one on ebay about a week ago did not sell thought nice cars as ive just brought one and well impressed carnt wait to wake up in the mornings and give her some stick

mine never come with cruse control but has everythink else

[DGW]

Originally Posted by 4x4mark

mine never come with cruse control but has everythink else

I'm having a senior moment in my post above! Cruise wasn't standard but can be retrofitted relatively easily. I had mine done early on in ownership. I have corrected my earlier post.

[AndrewG]

So with this 4WD system, the rear wheels only get power when the front loose grip?
So say you were powering out of a corner would all 4 wheels have power going through them?
Just wondering how good this system is compared to a FWD vRS in the corners.

[Stuart_J]

Originally Posted by AndrewG

So with this 4WD system, the rear wheels only get power when the front loose grip?
So say you were powering out of a corner would all 4 wheels have power going through them?
Just wondering how good this system is compared to a FWD vRS in the corners.

About a thousand times better

when front slip is detected power is added to the rear but also with the ESP it uses the brakes to stop spinning wheels pushing the power to the ones that have grip. Simplistic explanation but works incredibly well, also very strong. mine is still std with 350 bhp going through it. Just make sure the filters are changed.

Re rear springs, they dont wear out as such, they break, Ive also heard of one car breaking the front ones. Def check the aircon, the clutch can come off the compressor, common to all similar VAG cars but a grand at the stealers to sort

[Lofty]

Didnt the 4x4 hatch come with a very discrete lip spoiler on the tailgate?

I mean, blink and you'd miss it discrete?

Matt

[Stuart_J]

Originally Posted by Lofty

Didnt the 4x4 hatch come with a very discrete lip spoiler on the tailgate?

I mean, blink and you'd miss it discrete?

Matt

Yes

[musky]

If you search on here it is a bit of a debate whether the clutches are up to much of a remap - mine wasn't, others have been ok. If you don't fit it yourself its not cheap. Other than that its been a good car. Mpg varies from scary 17 to nearly 40. As standard the car rolls too much, but is handy over lumps and bumps, and brilliant in snow

[JRR]

How does Haldex function during engine braking - or does it? My 4x4 oversteers if I step of gas pedal, compared to the Subary Legacy that I previously had. Of course the wheelbase is also shorter in Octavia.