Tref

OK, I'm thinking of an Octavia. Probably a 2.0TDi unless they bring out a 2.0T in non VRS guise (I don't need speed, see my profile). I have a few questions I couldn't find the answers to. Hope you can help.

I currently have a 1997 A6 which is great, nothing wrong with it and apart from a few suspension joints its done me fine from 67,000 to its current 118,000 miles. I might keep it for another year if the right nearly new Octavia doesn't come along (or I don't win the pools/do well in my companys' stock - I like to own my cars). Here come the questions:

- Car phone kit - I have a Nokai 6310i with a fitted car kit in the Audi. Works great, mutes stereo, sound through speakers etc. Anything available for the new Octavia yet? (yes I did see the thread further down ... wishful thinking?). (P.S. Don't take the pi55 out of my phone - the battery lasts 2 weeks when I'm on business in the US and I have never paid a mobile phone bill in my life).
- Electric Windows. Do the windows have a 'one touch' operation so they lower'rise all the way with one long press? I hope so.
- Who/what/why is L&K? Looking at specs I'd want an L&K spec car (computer, leather heated seats). I assume its some Polish design team or something?
- Interior lighting - are there lights in the footwells front and/or rear? Also, is there 'puddle lighting' under the doors?
- Finally, is the Audience stereo upgrade worth it? How good is the standard stereo which comes with this spec?

Oh, and does anyone know if they might bring out a 2.0T non VRS model? I find the 2.0FSI desparately boring, I'm not particular fan of Diesel but the economy appeals and I don't want the VRS (OK, I might be persuaded but I'd need to spec it up and things like rear electric windows are naughty ommissions).

Any input would be appreciated.

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1997 Audi A6 1.8T Commutewagon
2000 W Audi TT 225 Coupe - 'er indoors car
oh and a little 2004 TVR T350 Targa for fun

Johnnyc

The Nokia kit as far as i know is fairly standard. Should be easy to switch it over to an Octy.
All windows are one touch up and down (in Elegance and L&K spec anyway).You just push the button harder past the 2nd click.
L&K is Laurin & Klement. Some famous Skoda dudes from way back. It's like the Ghia of the range.
I don't think there are footwell lights but it's an easy mod. Puddle lights are standard in Elegance & L&K. They are mouted beside the side indicators under the wing mirrors.
Standard stereo is the Stream. Some people have had problems with reception mainly AM but it's ok for a factory fit and it integrates with the car to give climate control, temp and parking distance control info. New models also have an Aux input for your mp3 player. Comes with boot mouted 6 disc changer in Elegance spec and above.
Next model up is the Audience. Changer is in the head unit and plays mp3s off cd's but it's a bit slower changing discs. You also get a separate amp and 12 speakers instead of 8. I don't think it's worth an extra £620. Stream is ok for me. Plan to add 2 midrange in the front myself.
The 2.0 diesel is a cracking engine. A bit peaky but very rewarding once you've got used to it. Take one out for a few hours or a 24hr test drive. Don't base your opinion on a trip round the block like I did initially. I went for the 6speed which is good for tuning but if I could have run to the DSG gearbox I would have. It's great and irons out some of the peakiness in the 2.0TDi engine.

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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."

agent006

I've got a 6310i kit in mine and it mutes the radio and does everything it should.
You'll recognise the electric window switches from your audi
Kaurin and Klement were the founders of Skoda, also the top model of the range
No footwell lights, but there are lights in the wingmirrors
Audience stereo is worth it, the Stream is distinctly average. Plenty of treble, bass range is very limited but nevertheless powerful, but very little mid range. Makes it very hard to listen to things without turning the volume right up. Positioning of the tweeters can give a painful resonance if you sit in a particular place (which i do, unfortunately).

Personally i'd keep your A6, the octava is a huge step down in quality and comfort compared to even my K plate S4.

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Expatman

Do they? Is there a separate input socket - like on the Mondeo where there is an input socket in the glove box which connects to any MP3 player?

Johnnyc

It's on the back of the head unit as far as I know. You go through the menu to make it active. handy!

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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."

Expatman

But do you mean that it is not available without dismantling the car to get to it!!? That's perverse.

Fabia 12v

Footwell lights are an easy mod: this is a fabia but the principle is the same:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/showt...ootwell+lights

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First Car: Skoda Fabia MK1 1.2 12v Comfort
Replaced with: Volkswagen Golf MK4 GT 1.9TDI
Replaced with: Seat Ibiza MK4 Sport 1.9TDI
Replaced with: Volkswagen Polo MK6 Ltd. Edition Sport 1.4 16v

ednmra

I'm surprised you find the 2.0 FSI boring. Have you driven one that's run in? They change considerably, especially if you use the revs, and use the 6 gears right. Mine is starting to feel a bit like my previous vRS.
L&K were the two guys that started Skoda way back when.
Front windows are one press - back ones seem to be on some cars, not others! Mine has it for all 4

Johnnyc

Better than not having it all and completely out of sight just like I like it.

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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."

goonybird

If you want an A6 replacement, just get a Superb.

Tref

Thanks for the feedback guys.

No point in getting a Superb - I might as well get a 2004ish A6 (last of the nice shape). Ideally I'm after newer chassis design/safety/refinement that a new Octavia might bring over the A6 (which is nice, but a bit crashy - typical Audi really - but probably not helped by the 17s its running).

2.0FSI is a nice engine, just my personal taste - I've driven a few A3s with run-in engines. It bores me and isn't quick for 150hp/200lbft. Looking at the specs the 2.0TDi wipes the floor with it as long as I can stand filling it with diseasel. After a Rover V8 (Chimaera) and now the Speed Six I love a bit of character from my engine. The 1.8T in my A6 is not vocal, not especially powerful but IMHO has personality. Moreso (a bit too much moreso) in our TT (which still sounds crap and doesn't really go that quick/handle that well for what it is - and don't get me started on the steering feedback). Anyway, I'm after a commutewagon with a bit of poke for overtaking safely.

Thanks again for the feedback. Looks like I can add the footwell lighting quite easily - nice mod 12v.

__________________
1997 Audi A6 1.8T Commutewagon
2000 W Audi TT 225 Coupe - 'er indoors car
oh and a little 2004 TVR T350 Targa for fun

agent006

I hate to be repetitive, but the Octavia provides none of this over an A6. Best thing is to get one on a weekend loan and try it back to back with your audi.

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Fabia 12v

Thanks again for the feedback. Looks like I can add the footwell lighting quite easily - nice mod 12v.

tnx

__________________
First Car: Skoda Fabia MK1 1.2 12v Comfort
Replaced with: Volkswagen Golf MK4 GT 1.9TDI
Replaced with: Seat Ibiza MK4 Sport 1.9TDI
Replaced with: Volkswagen Polo MK6 Ltd. Edition Sport 1.4 16v

dstev2000

Is the quality of the new Octavia not anywhere near the quality of the old A6?

Must be close surely?

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MY08 L&K: Black-Estate-Diesel-Sunset Glass-MFD2-W8 Interior light-Colour coded door strips-LED sidelights and Puddle lights-VAG-COM fettled-Lovely!
SWMBO's: MY08 vRS TDI - Standard

Davem

Agree with you .

When i first had mine i found it sluggish and thirsty,

Now 3 months and 17k on clock what a joy responsive, economical and a real joy to drive.

Got a 41.5mpg on a London to Burnley run (cruise set at 75)

A spirited sprint over Shap on the A6 set the pulses off

Would'nt be without it!!!

2.0FSI Elegance Corrida Red ESP Maxidot and Light Thingy

ednmra

(Sniff) mine's only done 2700 miles! Judging by what you say, I can't wait till it's a year or two old [what a weird thing to say!] But it is getting a verrry nice exhaust note - pushing it in second it sounds a bit like an F1 car a couple of miles away - a sort of quietly angry bee!. I'd like to hear what it sounds like from outside!

gamichea

Well, I've run a 2000W A6 since new and I had an Octavia Elegance for 24 hours about a year ago. I thought the quality was pretty close to my A6 but not quite there. In particular the ICE and the carpet looked cheap compared to the rest of the Octavia interior. In fact the carpet mats were better quality than the carpet IMO. Couldn't fault exterior quality but would like to see a self propping bonnet and better shrouding behind the grille to cut down on water and crud ingress.

The Octavia is still on my replacement shortlist.