Skoda Octavia Vs Audi A4

PROJECT K

I am due to have a new company car ('142') and while i dont have a specific budget it will be in the range of 30-35k (at a push!). I have a small family so my current focus is no longer cutting it - where does all this stuff come from!

I am looking at the Skoda Octavia Elegance (with a few extras and maybe even an automatic combi/estate) for much cheaper than even the basic Audi A4. I do like the look of the Audi (inside and out) but from a practical point of view the Skoda wins hands down. In fairness, the Skoda actually looks quite well in either saloon/combi form with privacy glass, larger wheels and lowered suspension (however the company might frown on these unnecessary extras!) Inside its a bit of a let down though, the Audi i think appears much better laid out inside...

Is the Audi really that much better to justify a higher price (and what seems like lower spec) or is it really down to brand snobbery? Some say the slightly cheaper materials/quality of the Skoda begins to show after a few thousand kms?

thanks

bazz26

Why not look at the Superb instead of the Octavia? €30k to €35k will buy you a decent spec Superb and they are huge and better value compared to the other two. Has a split tail boot opening too for extra practicality.

bazz26

Seat Leon ST FR is worth a look at too if the Superb is too big.

PROJECT K

Thanks bazz, yeah the superb is a bit big alright - is the Leon not a good bit smaller than the octavia. I know they are based on the same platform but thought that the octavia cabin was bigger?

bazz26

There is not much in the way of bigger cabin space between the two. The new Octavia is not cheap and imo the Leon is a better looking car.

vectra

Octavia vRS Combi?

PROJECT K

Have to say i prefer the more understated style of the Skoda or Audi over the Leon, maybe im just old fashioned!

yeah vectra I wish, would have that in a heartbeat...wasnt part of the boy racer culture but i would love to leave a few other more sportier family motors at the lights!

d1234

Mazda 6?? Stunning car me thinks!

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mazda/Mazda6/NEW-MODE/32113561845465460/advert?channel=CARS

vectra

PROJECT K wrote: »

yeah vectra I wish, would have that in a heartbeat...wasnt part of the boy racer culture but i would love to leave a few other more sportier family motors at the lights!

Then why not?

Budget of €35k @ a push

New vrs combi @ €34,450

Sorted

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Octavia/VRS-2.0T/36513857210782690/advert?channel=CARS

JohnBoy26

PROJECT K wrote: »

I am due to have a new company car ('142') and while i dont have a specific budget it will be in the range of 30-35k (at a push!). I have a small family so my current focus is no longer cutting it - where does all this stuff come from!

I am looking at the Skoda Octavia Elegance (with a few extras and maybe even an automatic combi/estate) for much cheaper than even the basic Audi A4. I do like the look of the Audi (inside and out) but from a practical point of view the Skoda wins hands down. In fairness, the Skoda actually looks quite well in either saloon/combi form with privacy glass, larger wheels and lowered suspension (however the company might frown on these unnecessary extras!) Inside its a bit of a let down though, the Audi i think appears much better laid out inside...

Is the Audi really that much better to justify a higher price (and what seems like lower spec) or is it really down to brand snobbery? Some say the slightly cheaper materials/quality of the Skoda begins to show after a few thousand kms?

thanks

The a4 is in a different class to the Octavia. They are not the same car underneath. The octavia should be compared to an a3.

It should also be noted that the new octavia comes with only a torsion beam semi independent rear suspension on lower spec models.

PROJECT K

vectra wrote: »

Then why not?

Budget of €35k @ a push

New vrs combi @ €34,450

Sorted

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Octavia/VRS-2.0T/36513857210782690/advert?channel=CARS

pricewise yes this is an unbelievable car for the money - unfortunately the company wont allow anything over 150bhp...feck company policy!!!:mad:

uck51js9zml2yt

I have an octavia combi with 2 kids. Great car:)

vectra

PROJECT K wrote: »

pricewise yes this is an unbelievable car for the money - unfortunately the company wont allow anything over 150bhp...feck company policy!!!:mad:

Dopes.. LOL

Tell them the 184 is more economical than the 150

Failing that I suppose an Elegance 150 with some toys.?

PROJECT K

Thanks JohnBoy, excuse my mechanical ignorance - whats the issue with the suspension, does this affect handling/comfort significantly? The website/tech info doesnt detail what comes with what spec...
I guess i need to get a good test drive in both, i appreciate what you are saying but to get the same spec in an Audi as a Octavia it costs the guts of €10k more!

MuppetCheck

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

It should also be noted that the new octavia comes with only a torsion beam semi independent rear suspension on lower spec models.

I've driven the 150bhp and 184bhp Leon FR (same car underneath as the Octavia) and and there is a slight difference in day to day driving but nothing major between the suspension set ups. The higher powered car with the independent suspension rides marginally better and there is less suspension thud on poor roads. When you push it hard into a corners it definitely feels more planted too.

But to be honest, if you're limited to 150bhp I wouldn't see this as a major downside to one - most people probably will never even notice the difference unless you drive them back to back.

JohnBoy26

Not saying the torsion beam setup is a bad thing. The point I was trying to make is that this further distances it from the class above A4.

PROJECT K

Thanks, good info guys - with two kids and a weekly itinery that would put the president to shame i wont get much time for testing the cars handling to any great extent!

All in all, i think the Octavia Combi with a few 'toys' is the way to go - i can get a really top spec (DSG, 18" wheels, lowered, privacy glass etc) for around €32k. Now for colour, really liking the new Moon Metallic White...!!!:cool:

R.O.R

PROJECT K wrote: »

Thanks, good info guys - with two kids and a weekly itinery that would put the president to shame i wont get much time for testing the cars handling to any great extent!

All in all, i think the Octavia Combi with a few 'toys' is the way to go - i can get a really top spec (DSG, 18" wheels, lowered, privacy glass etc) for around €32k. Now for colour, really liking the new Moon Metallic White...!!!:cool:

Octavia Combi 2.0Tdi Elegance 150ps is a nice place to be. Supplied one this year, and delivered it to the driver. Leather, Adaptive Cruise, Heated windscreen/washer nozzles/seats, elec driver seat with memory (and mirrors with memory) and a 3 spoke steering wheel. Standard 17" wheels looked well on it, and looked larger than 17's.

Adaptive cruise worked pretty well, and if you are doing big mileage, I'd suggest looking at that as an option. This was a manual and could catch you in the wrong gear, but should work very well with the DSG box.

PROJECT K

Thanks ROR, I do around 55k kms per year so adaptive cruise would be very useful - but at almost €800 its an expensive option! . Problem is the company prefers everyone to drive the same type of car which is generally dictated by the commercial director - currently its the opel insignia which is a nice car but they are everywhere and they are a bit small inside. Also the CD has a pet hate for estates, dont ask me why!

So if going for a Skoda estate i dont want to be at the max end of the budget and have a list of expensive extras - maybe i might start there and work my way back...!!!

MuppetCheck

You wouldn't need a lot for the makings of a nice car with them. Have a look at the Leon ST FR too. It would have more standard spec than the elegance octavia.

noelf

PROJECT K wrote: »

Thanks ROR, I do around 55k kms per year so adaptive cruise would be very useful - but at almost €800 its an expensive option! . Problem is the company prefers everyone to drive the same type of car which is generally dictated by the commercial director - currently its the opel insignia which is a nice car but they are everywhere and they are a bit small inside. Also the CD has a pet hate for estates, dont ask me why!

So if going for a Skoda estate i dont want to be at the max end of the budget and have a list of expensive extras - maybe i might start there and work my way back...!!!

Adaptive cruise is less than E200 on a golf or it was when I got mine ..

R.O.R

noelf wrote: »

Adaptive cruise is less than E200 on a golf or it was when I got mine ..

€778 on the Octavia I ordered. Not quite sure why there's such a massive difference between 2 cars that are essentially the same. It's a no brainer to order it on the Golf

MuppetCheck wrote: »

You wouldn't need a lot for the makings of a nice car with them. Have a look at the Leon ST FR too. It would have more standard spec than the elegance octavia.

Standard Octavia Elegance isn't actually that great. Got one in yestarday afternoon and was distinctly underwhelmed. Wheels are nice, but cabin just looks like the Ambition we had in earlier in the year. Can't remember what the differences are between the 2 specs - probably a few bits and pieces, but nothing major stood out.

I'd say the Total Cost of Ownership on a Leon would be substantially higher than an Octavia or Golf. Was last time I priced one.

MuppetCheck

R.O.R wrote: »

I'd say the Total Cost of Ownership on a Leon would be substantially higher than an Octavia or Golf. Was last time I priced one.

Yeah residuals aren't all that great compared to the others I'd say based on the last one.

noelf

Nobody has mentioned dsg recalls yet according to honest john.co.uk only one dsg gearbox problem in uk vw changing back to a mineral based oil instead of synthetic

PROJECT K

Ok, had a decent test drive in the Octavia 2L Elegance this morning and have to agree with a previous poster - not very inspiring at all, in fact quite bland for supposedly the upper trim level. The website is very misleading as the car appears sleeker, lower height and lower ride height than reality. Even with the lowered suspension the car still rides very high - a few forums suggest that the lowered suspension is to be avoided at all costs as Skoda uses cheap springs/dampers (compared to the likes of an equivalent Audi). All in all quite dissappointed with the experience and while i do like the understated design, theres nothing at all to excite here - back to the drawing board!

On coming home i passed the local Seat dealership so on a previous posters advice took a spin in a new Seat Leon ST FR - have to say the interior is not breathtaking but defintely a slight step up from the Octavia, but exterior is stunning particularly with the LED light set up and lowered suspension. This is a completely different car and handles much better without losing comfort - it looks much more upmarket too despite being a grand cheaper...i would have dismissed Seat from the start but thanks for the advice on here, i need to do a serious rethink!!!

MuppetCheck

PROJECT K wrote: »

On coming home i passed the local Seat dealership so on a previous posters advice took a spin in a new Seat Leon ST FR - have to say the interior is not breathtaking but defintely a slight step up from the Octavia, but exterior is stunning particularly with the LED light set up and lowered suspension. This is a completely different car and handles much better without losing comfort - it looks much more upmarket too despite being a grand cheaper...i would have dismissed Seat from the start but thanks for the advice on here, i need to do a serious rethink!!!

Good stuff! I got the 184 hatch a while back and am well impressed. Cracking car to drive in sport mode and a miser on juice if you leave it in normal or eco. I'm consistently getting over 52 mpg on a tank too which is a major factor if you're doing high miles.

LED headlights are deadly at night too and at least as good as Xenons that you would have to pay extra for on a non-VRS Octavia.

R.O.R

New Mazda 6?

Executive SE comes in just under €32,000 for the Saloon (bit over with Metallic), or an extra €1,400 will get you the estate.

From a company persepective, it's an attractive proposition. Supposed low fuel consumption and predicted high resale values should give low total running costs, as long as the new diesel engine doesn't give any issues.

It's also a fantastic looking car, with masses of interior space, and the boot is bleedin huge as well, just the saloon opening restricts the size of stuff that can go in.

Been a very popular choice this year so far, despite the increased price over the older model.

PROJECT K

yes i do like the mazda but estate price is a bit too close to max and the saloon boot opening would be a nightmare with a childs buggy and all that goes with it.

The more i look into the Leon this is probably the way i will go, boot size is over 580L while the octavia is 610 (from some reviews but the brochure i have states 580 also). The octavia is bigger with seats down but i need the space in the boot with two child seats in the back. So the Leon effectively has the same boot size, plus has a variable floor as standard with handy rear seat folding.

Muppetcheck how do you find the ride on the lower suspension/18" wheels? Seat are doing a great deal now on the titanium pack which includes this for the 150bhp version...

MuppetCheck

PROJECT K wrote: »

yes i do like the mazda but estate price is a bit too close to max and the saloon boot opening would be a nightmare with a childs buggy and all that goes with it.

The more i look into the Leon this is probably the way i will go, boot size is over 580L while the octavia is 610 (from some reviews but the brochure i have states 580 also). The octavia is bigger with seats down but i need the space in the boot with two child seats in the back. So the Leon effectively has the same boot size, plus has a variable floor as standard with handy rear seat folding.

Muppetcheck how do you find the ride on the lower suspension/18" wheels? Seat are doing a great deal now on the titanium pack which includes this for the 150bhp version...

I have the independent rear suspension and it's really comfortable, never gets crashy and very little suspension noise. I remember the 150 I tried not being quite as comfortable but there's very little in it.

The FR is spec is fine without the Titanium pack. I have the Titanium pack and if I'm honest it's a bit of a rip off. €900 for grey mirror caps and the polished wheels whereas the upgrade 18's are every bit as nice if not nicer and come in at €430. It was free up until Feb or March I think so it's probably a stock car that they have it on. The upgrade 18's and the winter pack would be a better way to spend that cash.

Just be aware that this car is a class lower than the Mazda 6 mentioned above. The 6 will be more comfortable and spacious inside. You could try the boot of one with a buggy in a dealer to see if you could get away with it.

R.O.R

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Just be aware that this car is a class lower than the Mazda 6 mentioned above. The 6 will be more comfortable and spacious inside. You could try the boot of one with a buggy in a dealer to see if you could get away with it.

Or, if the OP is around Dublin, we've a 6 Saloon here on long term demo - more than welcome to pop in with the buggy to test it.

OP - does your company buy, or lease? While the SEAT is no doubt a great car, I'd put money on it being more expenisive to lease than the Mazda6 Estate. Don't actually have the figures on the new Leon, but based on what I've got for the rest of the SEAT range, they don't seem to have much margin, so cost more than other manufacturer's with higher retail prices. Couple that with lower Resale values, and that means high monthly charges.

Unless you have a really massive buggy, it should go in to the 6, boot opening is pretty big (pic attached), and the boot is very deep. I'd say out massive buggy might even fit (1.2 metres long when folded - can't pull the cover over on the XC60 as it's too high when folded), whereas it doesn't come close to getting the back of my 5 Series saloon.

noelf

MuppetCheck wrote: »

I have the independent rear suspension and it's really comfortable, never gets crashy and very little suspension noise. I remember the 150 I tried not being quite as comfortable but there's very little in it.

The FR is spec is fine without the Titanium pack. I have the Titanium pack and if I'm honest it's a bit of a rip off. €900 for grey mirror caps and the polished wheels whereas the upgrade 18's are every bit as nice if not nicer and come in at €430. It was free up until Feb or March I think so it's probably a stock car that they have it on. The upgrade 18's and the winter pack would be a better way to spend that cash.

Just be aware that this car is a class lower than the Mazda 6 mentioned above. The 6 will be more comfortable and spacious inside. You could try the boot of one with a buggy in a dealer to see if you could get away with it.

...." very little suspension noise " ... seems to be a feature with irs vag cars my last golf was squeeky over speed humps my mark 7 with torsion beam is silent . There is a thread on this on golf mk 7 . Com

PROJECT K

Hi ROR, they usually buy but compare the lease option in case it works out cheaper - preference is to lease as less hassle but some of the rates are horrendous! The sales reps cars tend to be leased due to the excessive mileage. I do like the Mazda but i hate saloon boots - i tend to carry a lot of bulky items and its hard to beat a hatch. The estate would be perfect for me but is a little too close to the upper budget...

Sean Quagmire

Was gonna start a thread with the exact same question as op so mods hope you don't mind.

I think the Octavia is likely the best fit more me but I am baffled as to why there is no decent interior spec elegance models out there. I only found one car online with half leather seats but not much else. The cabin and the seats are really important to me.

So i am now looking at the superb and the A4 but that's stretching my budget (23k).

What did you do in the end op?

PROJECT K

Hi Sean, I followed the advice of one of the posters and checked out the Seat Leon Estate FSR - i was sold straight away! Sure the Skoda octavia is a more comfortable car, marginally bigger cabin and boot but very little in it. I got a deal with the Leon which included the 18" alloys, lowered suspension, titanium wing mirrors, LED light pack (all part of a promotional pack back in early '14) - looks fantastic and drives even better - i constantly get people asking about it. I have it just over a year now and its a great family car, swallows all sorts in the boot and handles like a sports hatch (when the wife and kids are elsewhere!). Road handling is excellent and the comfort isnt that adversely affected - i took a spin in a Skoda RS and it was a very diferent experience, you can feel every bump in the road. All that said i would still prefer an Audi A4 estate but they are ridiculously overpriced especially when compared to a similar sized Leon or Skoda (i know the Skoda and Leon share the A3 chassis but physical size the A4 is closest). At the end of the day i spend a lot of time in the car and i would always prefer a higher spec cheaper car than a base spec 'brand' model...!

Sean Quagmire

I agree, can't stand bare spec models. That's why I like the skodas, you can afford to go for the extras. And still, why anyone would take those flats as a bench seats on a new car I will never understand.

I actually owned the previous Leon and always said my next one would be the FR ST. They are rare enough to to find though!

If I found an A4 with decent mileage, leather seats and decent alloys for under 23k I would go for it.

PROJECT K

PROJECT K wrote: »

.........

All in all, i think the Octavia Combi with a few 'toys' is the way to go - i can get a really top spec (DSG, 18" wheels, lowered, privacy glass etc) for around €32k. Now for colour, really liking the new Moon Metallic White...!!!:cool:

No brainer to go for that over a low spec A4 imo.

vectra

Sean Quagmire wrote: »

Was gonna start a thread with the exact same question as op so mods hope you don't mind.

I think the Octavia is likely the best fit more me but I am baffled as to why there is no decent interior spec elegance models out there. I only found one car online with half leather seats but not much else. The cabin and the seats are really important to me.

So i am now looking at the superb and the A4 but that's stretching my budget (23k).

What did you do in the end op?

With 23k you could find a nice vRS Octavia ?
I just sold mine for around that amount.
only 16,200 kms on it.
Like new.

Here is one.
https://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-octavia-2-0-tdi-cr-vrs-170-bhp-fu/8279013

Sean Quagmire

I don't think I'd go for a vrs might be more than I need but thanks for the link.

Ideally a car in and around 130 - 140 bhp would be nice. Is it me or are modern saloons underpowered, big ass Superb with like 100bhp wtf.

I think I'm set for a well kitted out 2014+ Octavia, i can't see any A4's within my budget.

MuppetCheck

Went from an FR Leon to a VRS last week. Check out the Leons, more bang for your buck in terms of spec and engines. If you like estates FR ST's can be had for pretty good prices.