Octavia V's Fluence

laurpat

Ok folks, I'm looking at a 2011 reg and I'm looking between

1. Skoda octavia elegance 1.6 diesel ( will see will budget allow 2.0 but as for now take as 1.6)

or

2. Renault fluence Irish spec 1.5 diesel

Resale or running costs not a concern... pros and cons please....
Head says Octavia bit it's so ugly...

darragh o meara

The renaults of the last few years have given a lot if trouble. Anyone I know who had one had trouble and lots of it, electrical problems seem to be prevalent but in saying that the fluence is new so wheter it has similar problems I don't know. The octavia whereas it does suffer the odd niggly problem is generally trouble free. I know a few people who have octavias and they swear by them. After all they are really a Volkswagen under the skin. I know given the choice myself the Renault wouldn't even get a thought, it'd be the skoda all the way.

slimjimmc

As I understand it the Megane & Laguna have been pretty reliable over the past few years, it was earlier models (2003-2006) which had particularly high problems with electrics, the vast bulk of which were dead window regulators. An expensive item to fix but not something that would leave you stranded somewhere.

Have you test driven both cars? that should help sway you one way or the other.

ION08

Wouldnt touch a Renault with a bargepole, let alone one that is not even being marketed in the UK.

Bodhan

The Fluence was designed as electric car to begin with and will be coming onto the Irish market as a ZE in 2012. The diesel unit that's in it now is from Nissan and has been around for a few years now. It's a big practical car and a proper saloon.
I like the Octavia too but I'd sooner have the Renault, it's a lovely car. Go for the Tom Tom edition there's some great toys in it.

pajo1981

Fluence obviously :rolleyes:

EPM

ION08 wrote: »

Wouldnt touch a Renault with a bargepole, let alone one that is not even being marketed in the UK.

What difference does that make? The UK don't like small saloons, we salivate over them. Hardly a way to judge a car

VolvoMan

darragh o meara wrote: »

The renaults of the last few years have given a lot if trouble. Anyone I know who had one had trouble and lots of it, electrical problems seem to be prevalent but in saying that the fluence is new so wheter it has similar problems I don't know. The octavia whereas it does suffer the odd niggly problem is generally trouble free. I know a few people who have octavias and they swear by them. After all they are really a Volkswagen under the skin. I know given the choice myself the Renault wouldn't even get a thought, it'd be the skoda all the way.

I'm no Renault fan, but I have to say that this is the typical bullcrap that you come to expect from boards.

After all they are really a Volkswagen under the skin.

...and that's supposed to be a good thing?

It's a wonder how Skodas don't inherit any of the problems that most of the VW range have, as I can tell you, they are far from a reliable brand these days.

Nonoperational

All new cars are going to be reliable these days. It wouldn't bother me anyway with the warranty. I think for a little extra you can get a 5 year warranty with the new Renaults. VW is 2 years so that might be something to consider.

-Chris-

VolvoMan wrote: »

I'm no Renault fan, but I have to say that this is the typical bullcrap that you come to expect from boards.

OK, OK, let's take it down a notch please

eamon234

Look if you're not worried about resale and running cost and you prefer the Fluence go for it. If there's an extra warranty available take it at least you'll have peace of mind if you're keeping the car for that long. Newer VAG group cars seem to be having plenty of issues themselves these days according to most fleet managers I've spoken to.

Wicklowrider

Just my experience with Skoda.
Between my father,my sister and my self we've gone through 7 Octavias.
Currently my father drives a 2006 Octavia with 110000KM and I drive a 2007 one with 65000KM. Sisters is a 2004 with 87000 miles on it.
We have serviced them as per Skoda advised schedule.Between us we have never had a failure of any description with the exception of bulbs. The octavia in my experience was fit for purpose. My 76 year old father drove 280 miles in UK in a single journey and said he boarded the ferry feeling fine. For my part I drive the car fairly hard for its little 1.4 engine.My sister drives hers to the point of abuse - but the Skoda hasn't failed yet. Incidentally we all found the cars good in last years snow and ice and all were driven daily.There is a model in their range to suit most drivers - if you feel the engine and performance don't match your driving you simply choose a different model. I did once own a pre VAG Skoda Coupe - now that was a different ( but fun) experience altogether..

Stevie Dakota

Bodhan wrote: »

The diesel unit that's in it now is from Nissan and has been around for a few years now.

The 1.5dci is a Renault engine used in Nissans, not the other way around. It's a well proven unit, both frugal and reliable.

GERMAN ROCKS

id get the renault if thats the one you want. both will be worthless in time. i think i read somewhere your not intenting to trade it for a few years so do you really want a car you hate for that long.

BrianD3

It makes little sense to go for the Octavia when it has a 2 year warranty compared to the Fluence's 5 year unlimited mileage warranty. Both cars should be reliable but there is potential for big bills on all modern common rail diesels. There's a reasonable chance that you will get one of these bills in 5 years, with the Renault you may well be covered (check terms and conds of warranty) with the Skoda you won't be.

Eric Cartman

if you can afford the 2.0 octavia go for that , worth it over the 1.6 , you think the octavia is ugly compared to the renault ? really ?

Stevie Dakota

The Octavia has well documented problems with air con compressors failing just outside of warranty, with potentially big bills as a consequence.

From Honest John....

Failure of Zexel or Valeo a/c compressors is common, usually a year or two out of warranty and dealers can quote £1,304 for new compressor, condensor and expansion valve. Sometimes goodwill of about £300 offered. But cheaper to buy a new Sanden compressor for £287 and have it fitted by an independent a/c specialist for about £150. Internet forums, particularly in USA are full of postings concerning failures of Zexel and Valeo compressors, seems a case of "when not if".

Nonoperational

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

The Octavia has well documented problems with air con compressors failing just outside of warranty, with potentially big bills as a consequence.

From Honest John....

Failure of Zexel or Valeo a/c compressors is common, usually a year or two out of warranty and dealers can quote £1,304 for new compressor, condensor and expansion valve. Sometimes goodwill of about £300 offered. But cheaper to buy a new Sanden compressor for £287 and have it fitted by an independent a/c specialist for about £150. Internet forums, particularly in USA are full of postings concerning failures of Zexel and Valeo compressors, seems a case of "when not if".

That was a while ago, as far as I know this isn't an issue anymore.

always12

Octavia, is this fitted with the 1.6 from vw?

laurpat

always12 wrote: »

Octavia, is this fitted with the 1.6 from vw?

Ya, it's the same 1.6 that's in the golf / Jetta

anewme

Renault are pushing out so many cars that people are going to get a big shock in a couple of years when they trade in.

Go for the Octavia, if you can stretch the Budget, go for the 2.0 dsl.

Bodhan

Bodhan wrote: »

. The diesel unit that's in it now is from Nissan and has been around for a few years now.

Have to laugh when a motoring journalist drops a clanger like that

Cassidy28

Drive away with the Octavia,you will have a smile on your face,they are great car.;)

Leonard Hofstadter

Cassidy28 wrote: »

Drive away with the Octavia,you will have a smile on your face,they are great car.;)

They're not really, they are a just large box on wheels.

Mind you, I'd still have one over a Renault.

vectra

captainspeed wrote: »

They're not really, they are a just large box on wheels.

OI....!!!!
Watch your lip

I have an octy and Love it. Best car I ever owned in over 30 years of driving.