2002 Skoda Octavia Ambiente 1.9 tdi 90bhp

Summary:

Good value for money

Faults:

Nothing yet, but no doubt something will sooner or later.

General Comments:

Good car, my second Octavia, much better build quality and dealer service than Renault.

Just one minor grumble - the car feels coarse road surfaces which seems to transmit a drumming noise through the car. Anyone else noticed this and more to the point anyone else cured it? I've driven several and they all do it. It ain't so bad that it stops me liking the car - especially the overall abilities that enable it to do everything well without being expensive to buy or run.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th December, 2002

14th Jan 2003, 05:46

It could be the tyres.

28th May 2003, 12:07

I just purchased a new Octavia Combi 1.9tdi, it is a beautiful car, but like you say it is very noisy with that drumming sound on rough road surfaces especially concrete roads with that rippled type finish. I find it very annoying and have in fact worn ear plugs where a long journey on rough road surface like this are encountered. it is difficult to hear the radio when on this type of road. I live in Ireland where there are lots of this type of road surface. I was about to bring it back to the garage as I thought something was wrong with it, but now that I see your posting it would appear it is not a fault. My advise to buyers is to road test it on rough roads before buying. It is a great pity this fault exists as the rest of the car is just great.

10th Oct 2003, 10:12

Just like the first comment said, it might just as well be the tires making noise. The importers usually just put on a set of tires without testing them on the different surfaces, so it's recommended to try different sets of tires. I've tried Continental Premium Contact on my old Golf and it was very quiet even in that car...

19th Dec 2003, 13:36

I have just bought one of these extraordinarily good cars (1.8 turbo 20 valve) which goes like a rocket, and I agree very much about the drumming or what seems to be tension in the body shell when traversing slightly rough roads. It may be the tyres are overinflated, but I notice a strange boom when shutting the doors as if something is over tensioned.

I have noticed a marked improvement in this when the tank is full and we have four people in the car.

31st Mar 2004, 14:55

Actually it is a nice and cute car, but the problem that it is tough and not comfortable at all for long distances.

2002 Skoda Octavia ambiente 1.9 tdi 90

Summary:

Forget the badge, you people out there don't know what you're missing

Faults:

None.

General Comments:

This car is being used as a taxi. I think this speaks volumes for the build quality of Skoda. I have hired two other Skoda Octavias for this purpose and from a taxi drivers point of view there is no better car on the market.

The fuel economy around town is excellent, averaging 48 mpg.

Reliability is spot on. Absolutely no troubles at all.

Level of trim is generous. (air-con, 6 cd auto-changer, twin airbags, power steering, electric front and rear windows, electric heated mirrors and ABS.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th August, 2002

17th Oct 2002, 04:10

So what, every car brand is used as a taxi somewhere in the world, from a Lada until a Mercedes S class.

What is your point?

The only argument could be that the diesel engine uses less fuel than other brands, but you have to keep in mind that you will need new Turbo bearings every 60.000 to 80.000 miles, so in the end it is as expensive (or even more expensive) to run as any other make.

In reply to 17th Oct 2002, 04:10

28th Aug 2012, 04:43

What tosh. I've owned an Octavia for the last eight years. One of the best cars I've owned. I am now exchanging it for a newer version with a few more whistles. My other car is a Volvo S80, and I still fight the wife for the Octavia at times.

In those eight years, I have only had to change every day running things (tyres, rear springs, air flow sender). No worries from anything else.

All in all, a great car for money from the VW stable at a lower cost. Don't shout too loud; there won't be enough to go round on the second hand market, as they are hard to get. Taxi lads get to them first.

In reply to 28th Aug 2012, 04:43

4th Sep 2012, 17:11

I've had mine for over a year now, and the only thing I've had to spend any money on is a rear wiper, which I bought from a pound shop, and I got a very expensive set of German seat covers (well, they were £45 originally) for £3 from a charity shop!

Long may it all continue.

In reply to 17th Oct 2002, 04:10

8th Oct 2012, 06:50

I've owned (and serviced) at least 5 PD engined Octavias, and the "turbo bearings" have never been an issue. Stick to the service intervals, use good quality oil and filters, and they should do 300,000 miles plus before they start to complain.