Christian

Hi all!

I am new to this forum, and although I have used the search engine, I still haven`t found exactly what I am looking.

I am ordering a new Octavia Estate 1.6 FSI next week in L&K and was wondering if any of you have the Octavia with the 1.6FSI?
It seems to be a somewhat controversial engine on this forum, which is quite a contrast to the many reviews I`ve read about it.

So to all of you who have this engine, what are your experiences with it?
Some praise it, others trash it.
Fuel consumption is not my biggest concern, I am more interested in performance etc.

Hope someone can give me some info on their experiences.

Sorry if this has been extensively discussed before, but the search engine did not leave me much wiser. Most topics were about trashing, but not from people who has actually "lived" with this engine. Seems that the most negative responses were from people who either heard something about it, or just took it for a test ride.

Thanks!!!

Tom_vRS

I had an A3 1.6FSI for 3 weeks, and I just found it a bit lifeless. With the Octy being a much bigger car I can only imagine it would feel so slow. Its very smooth though, and is pretty torquey... but the 2.0FSI is leagues and leagues ahead in terms of outright power.

And I know you aren't interested, but it was crippilingly poor on fuel. 27mpg.

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Lummox

I think they do exactly what is says on the tin.

Its not a road rocket but pulls well enough to make comfortable driving and overtaking is possible.

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Christian

Thanks for replying!
Cars are very expensive here in Norway and I don`t feel like splashing out
another 2500pounds for a 1.9 diesel (which I found to be a rattling, old thing).

From what I`ve gathered, the 1.6 FSI must be differently tuned for Skoda, than for Audi and VW. I`ve seen tests where they have been compared and the Skoda is both quicker and gets alot more rave.
I have not read one negative review so far on a Skoda with this engine, and magazines like "What Car" has even praised it as the best engine in the car.
Go figure?

Hope to hear some more input from owners of the car!
What`s the noise level like? Some has said it is loud, others that it has almost a Ferrari like sound at times.

Thanks again!

Lummox

The last dealer I worked for had a few 1.6 FSi Octavia 2's on our loan car fleet and I enjoyed driving them.

Do ahve a little harshness to them but its not to bad.

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Makefish

What about the 2.0 FSI, if you are concerned about performance then this could be perfect compromise.

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Christian

Thanks for the input, much appreciated!
I am not too concerned with the performance as I am driving a Megane 1.4 (98ps) now. The 2.0 FSI would be a hoot, but since it`s about 4500pounds more expensive here in Norway it`s really not a compromise or an option sadly. The only options are the 1.6 MPI and FSI, the others are way too expensive. And I`d rather have the 1.6FSI in L&K than the 1.9 diesel in basic trim....

From what I`ve gathered, the FSI needs some mileage on it to "loosen up", more so than the others. And it seems it is better with the 5 speed gear box, than the 6 speed provided by Audi and VW.

Interesting, a test between the Octavia and the Gold V, both 1.6 FSI, showed that the Octavia managed 0-62mph in 11 secs, the Golf used 13.2!!!! So there must be something with the tuning.

ag.morley

I have driven a 1.6 FSI hatch on a demo...Gutless...Took it basck after 5 mins

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Davem

I've got a 2.0fsi, had it 10 months and 34,000 miles economy in mid to top 30's on normal driving, and engine very responsive. Only gripe maxidot locks up and display freezes evey so often.

Johnnyc

What's wrong with a 1.9 TDi in Elegance spec.
I have also heard that the 1.6FSI is gutless.

If you ever have the chance to drive a 80 bhp 1.5Dci Megane and compare it to the 98bhp 1.4 petrol version you have you'd be shocked. The diesel is a world apart in terms of everyday driving and the 1.4 seems gutless in comparison.

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Johnny

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Christian

Thanks again for replying and for the input!
I also hope that someone who has got an Octavia with this engine can tell me something about it. Seems like a fair enough engine, and alot of car magazines rave about it in their tests. (Check out WhatCar, they say it`s their favourite pick for the Octavia)
I usually drive the alone or with one passenger, loads only during holidays or the odd trip to Ikea. Already tried it with the MPI and it was waaaay faster than my Megane, offering more instant reaction etc.

Please keep those inputs coming!

Lummox

the 1.6 won 'what car' car of the year in its class two years running.

Its not a road rocket to be sure, but come on its a 1.6 engine in a very big car, its not suposed to set the world on fire.

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Johnnyc

Don't get me wrong i'm sure the 1.6 is still up for the job but personally i'd drop to Elegance spec (you don't lose much) and spend the rest on going for a diesel.

I only do 9k a year and a lot of it's around town but the only car I ever consider is still a diesel.

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Johnny

"Americans have different ways of saying things. They say "elevator", we say "lift" ... they say "President", we say "stupid psychopathic git."

ednmra

From what I`ve gathered, the FSI needs some mileage on it to "loosen up", more so than the others. And it seems it is better with the 5 speed gear box, than the 6 speed provided by Audi and VW.



If it is anything like the 2.0FSI, when it is new you will get no idea what it will feel like later - the changes as it goes through 5000 miles and above seem very noticeable to me. Try to drive a well run-in demo.

Minuss

I am driving the hatchback and not the estate, but I am perfectly happy with the 1.6FSI. I actually drove it one week after I picked it up on a 2200 miles (3600 km) trip to Norway (Lofoten) so I managed the running in quite early I think. On average I got 41-44 mpg (6,4-6,9 l/100 km) on that trip with a full car (4 persons and the luggage space all 560 litres filled up). I had to gear up and down quite a lot climbing the Norwegian mountains though.

I have never gotten less than 38 mpg (7,5 l/100 km) this first year, normally 40 mpg. Of course there are only 115PS, but as you note the Skoda version of the 1.6FSI is both quicker and with higher top speed as well as better fuel economy than the VW Golf version! It is enough for me anyhow.

I opted for more extras rather than going for the 2.0FSI, but next time I think I will go for a diesel with a DSG. Taking of diesels, the sound of the FSI can be a bit diesel like. I ordered sound damping material for the bonnet, because the 1.6FSI came without, whereas the 2.0FSI has it at delivery.

Also the smaller FSI has a very low CO-emission, which here in Sweden is good since the taxation this year will change to be proportional to the emission.

Johnnyc

I wasn't comparing the Megane with the Octy.I'm just saying i would expect the 1.9 TDI to be a better car to drive than the 1.6 FSI like the 1.5Dci Megane is over the 1.4i Petrol. Also, having been in a 1.6 FSI recently I can confirm that as already mentioned, it's noisy as petrol cars go.

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Johnny

"Americans have different ways of saying things. They say "elevator", we say "lift" ... they say "President", we say "stupid psychopathic git."

Christian

Thanks again for all the input, please keep`em coming!!

I have been searching all over the internet to find some info, and has managed to find some.
Interestingly the 1.6FSI and the 1.9TDI were tested against each other, both fitted in the new Passat Sallon. The FSI was the winner.

"Passat TDI gegen FSI – der Benziner gewinnt an Boden. Mehr Leistung für weniger Geld, günstige Verbrauchskosten, die sich dem sparsamen Selbstzünder immer stärker nähern und die Ausblendung der unsachlichen Partikeldiskussion, könnten auch eingefleischte Dieselfans zum Umsteigen veranlassen. Sparsamkeit und drehmomentorientierte Leistungsentfaltung des TDI bleiben unerreicht, doch der FSI kontert mit unbekümmerter Leistungsentfaltung. Eines gilt dabei immer: Mit beiden Aggregaten ist der neue Passat völlig ausreichend motorisiert."

Source:gute-fahrt.de

I tried the TDi in a Golf some time ago, and although it has torque, it was very noisy and didn`t impress to much. But I will check it out in an Octy tomorrow.
As for Diesels, I tried the Megane with the 105ps, 1.5DCI (face lifted) and it was amazing, I really thought it was a petrol and even drove it like one. If the
VW 1.9 was like this one, and not 2500pounds more expensive than the FSI it would be very ease!

But from what I gather the TDI offers great economy and torque.
The FSI is flexible and not too thirsty, but can be noisy when pushed. Interesting though, is that reviews range from utter love to total hate for the engine.
But it seems that those who owns it are alot more positive than those who don`t, and who might even have a more powerful engine in their car.

Thanks again for the input!!!

Johnnyc

Sorry for the bias towards diesel but i've driven various petrol cars ranging from 90bhp to 150bhp recently and all were a complete dissapointment in comparison to my TDi. However as petrol engines go, i'm sure the 1.6/2.0 FSI engines are up there amongst the best.

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Johnny

"Americans have different ways of saying things. They say "elevator", we say "lift" ... they say "President", we say "stupid psychopathic git."

Christian

An update from me regarding the engines. I took the advice from several here and had a test drive in an Estate 1.9TDi.
I first tried one with the DSG, only one they had available at the moment, and it sure was a sweet ride. Not used to drive an auto, but it was really nice and I even tried it in the "tiptronic" mode. Impressive!
I also got a chance to drive a manual one later, although only for a quick trip.
It felt more powerful than the DSG, but also somewhat rougher and noisier. But it sure was a fast ride, and I am positive that it`s way quicker than the 11.9secs quoted by Skoda. Actually, a Norwegian car magazine tested it and it made it in 10secs (0-100km/h).
So good engine, although rough and noisy as a manual.

I think I might get the chance for a 1.6FSi tomorrow, but it has an autobox. I will se where this leaves me, at least in terms of noise and refinement. If it feels powerful enough as an auto, it will probably do.
The TDi is 2500pounds extra, and I`m already above what I planned to spend on a car.

Hope some might add some more input on the 1.6FSi!
Will keep you updated on how the test drive was!

Christian

Thought I`d just post a quick review of the 1.6FSi which I tried earlier today.
It was a tip-tronic version, so it is probaby abitt slower than the manual one.

Must say that it was not as slow and gutless as I expected. Tried a Diesel DSG just before so I could sample abitt better.
It didn`t feel gutless or noisy as some have mentioned, had a rather sporty sound to it when pushed. It was much more refined than the diesel, and there were little or no vibrations and rattles in it when pushed.
So all in all it was a good drive too, but it was a rather short test drive and I didn`t try it out on any motorway speeds.

The car felt very different with the two engines.
The Diesel made it feel like a powerful train, but somewhat unrefined and noisy. But it might be me who is not used to driving a Diesel.
But it sure had alot of torque and that turbokick was nice!
With the FSi it felt more refined and classy, as well as much quieter. There were no rattling from the interior when pushed which the diesel had.

Still, I can not make up my mind!! And I have to decide by tomorrow morning.
Will the diesel hold it`s value much better? And what`s it like when it`s cold outside, a problem we have here in Norway.

For those of you who have the diesel, does the interior etc. rattle and creak when you push it?
And what`s the power and noise/ vibrations like at high to very high speeds(62mph and upwards)?

Appreciate all the input, especially since I have to make up my mind soon.
Thanks for helping and listening!

cheezemonkhai

I have an older 110TDi in an Mk1 elegance and can't say i notice the rattles.

Would definately say the derv is quieter at m'may speeds as it's only doing 2.5krpm as opposed to much higher in the petrol car. Before you buy i would defaintely take the 1.6FSI out on a m/way run see how it copes with that and wether you like it on the mway.

Organist

I have to say that currently owning two diesel Skodas (fabia vrs and octavia 2 1.9 tdi) a petrol engine seems so totally lifeless unless you rev the pants off it!
BTW, I don't think that a diesel engine is much noisier than a petrol one - you have to rev the petrol one harder to get moving, and then it makes just as much noise.

Johnnyc

I notice that at a certain point in the rev band on my car there is a vibration for a short period when you accelerate hard but apart from that and a little roughness when starting cold, its fine. Once at speed i find it as quiet as any petrol car and I hear more noise from the tyres.

Diesels are great in the cold to a point. At extremely low temperature diesel becomes sludgy which can lead to problems but we are talking very very low temperatures. I also find that diesels perform just as well when they are started cold whereas petrol cars really need to warm up a little before they are at their best.

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Johnny

"Americans have different ways of saying things. They say "elevator", we say "lift" ... they say "President", we say "stupid psychopathic git."

Christian

Thanks so much for your great input, much appreciated!
Although cunsumption has not been a maor concern, I checked my 1.4 Megane today. 0.8l pr.10km!!! Whopping!!! And the Octavia won`t use any less as an FSI.
Petrol prices are insane here in Norway as well these days, and there`s about 15pence to save on diesel.
Thanks also for the input on the TDi in winter, it gets as low as -18 here, but average -5 to 8. That shouldn`t be a problem with a TDi I guess.

I will try to take a longer test drive with the TDi tomorrow and see if a diesel is my thing, being a petrol driver all my life.
Will keep you updated, as I am also making a desicion tomorrow.
I can`t wait to be an Octavia driver, regardless of which engine. What a great car!!! I feel I get so much more than I do compared to the Megane Grandtour DCI and Golf V 1.6 that I also looked at.
I am definately going for the L&K (different in Norway than in UK, here it is Xenon, cruise, park sensors all over, Nexus Navi and Leather/fabric seats etc. over the Elegance) I feel like I am making a great buy, alot of car and value for the money!
And it is a beautiful car too, more so than the Golf!

andy2407

For cold weather, there is some info on heaters in this thread - don't know if they may be of interest to you?

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