[Closed] What Car 🙂 Octavia Estate v BMW 320d estate

Eeven the Octavia's boot's unimpressive mind.

Really? Of all the cars I looked at of that size, it was the biggest by a mile!

We've just had a brand new Octavia tdi for 2 weeks holiday rental. On day 2 we loved it but a few days later it seemed more and more tinny and plastically. 44mpg rural ave was good though. The boot in ours was impressive.

It wouldnt be our first choice to buy (or rent tbh).

I can get my mountain bike with 160mm forks and 750mm bars in the boot of my mk2 octavia estate without putting the rear seats down. Try that in a 3 series.

DeeW - Member
I can get my mountain bike with 160mm forks and 750mm bars in the boot of my mk2 octavia estate without putting the rear seats down. Try that in a 3 series.

I managed a 29er hardtail with 120mm forks in the back of a Z4 Coupe, so that's hardly an achievement.

freddyg - Member

Really? Of all the cars I looked at of that size, it was the biggest by a mile!

You could just about park an Octavia in the boot of my Focus. Also marks off for the lip on the boot

^ 2L oil burner focus estate returns 50mpg on my 10-mile-ish daily commute. Also gets 50mpg @ 75mph on long runs. Them numbers come from 4 years of owning it.

Failing to be gobsmacked by BMW efficiency, TBH.

Northwind - Member

You could just about park an Octavia in the boot of my Focus. Also marks off for the lip on the boot

Interesting.

Especially as the Focus boot is 317 litres compared to the Octavia's 590. That's almost double. In fact, the focus boot is only 17 litres more than a Fiesta! 😀

Edit: These figures are for the hatchback only. The estate makes for similar reading.

2 complete bikes with both wheels still on in the back of my focus estate + generous space for luggage. The Octavia boot (seats up) is good but the total space isn't. And the Focus was the smaller car, too.

Okay, so the Focus has tardis-like properties. Cool.

For clarity:

Focus Estate: 476 to 1502 litres
Octavia Estate: 610 to 1740 litres.

Never let facts get in the way of a good argument, eh? 😉

Edit: And looking at the review on "Honest John" and "Car buyer". The big complaint about the Focus is that the boot space on the cuttent model is reduced by 50 litres on the previous model. In fact, "Car Buyer" marks that as the only bad thing about it!

320D every time. Great drive

freddyg - Member

Never let facts get in the way of a good argument, eh?

Facts like owning and driving one? Everyone knows volume doesn't give a clear picture of actual usability, 750 coke bottles have a 1500 litre capacity but you can't fit many bikes in them, and a bike has a volume of only a few litres but needs a big boot to fit in.

Even the Focus has made backward steps with every model though, you're right- it seems like the manufacturers have decided lugging capacity just isn't that important in a midsized estate.

Northwind comes up with this shite about a Focus boot being much more useable than an Octavia every time theres any car thread despite its a load smaller. Not quite sure how that works.

Anyway, I particularly like this comment:

There is some [b]realy duff info spouted above ref the Skoda[/b]

The old and new Octavias are quite different I know as [b]I had a late saloon[/b] and have just got a new SE estate 1.6 oil burner.

Is there such thing as an Octavia saloon?

I guess he's referring to the non-estate, i.e. the hatchback. Minor point though.

I understand Northwind's defence of the Focus as he owns one and has paid good money for it. For me though, statements like "[i]You could just about park an Octavia in the boot of my Focus[/i]" are silly. [s]Especially as the Focus boot is almost half the capacity.[/s] actually, mleh....

good spot freddyg it is a hatch my mistake looks like a saloon though, still all the other fact are correct

I don't own a Focus, had one for a while. No great affection for it as it was a money pit, then died inconveniently, so no not just recommending what I own 😆 But it did have an epic boot that put bigger cars to shame and shows what mid-sized estates can do.

Haven't owned an Octavia but have used a couple and seen how they match up so it's an honest comparison. I remember I took my bike (both wheels on etc, ready to ride which is how it always travelled in the Focus) out of the back of my focus and rolled it over to a mate's empty octavia estate, wouldn't go in without a wheel off. Inconvenient truth.

But like I say, the mid-sized estate market just seems to be going in a direction that isn't as good for bikes as it used to be. Not slagging the Octavia in particular, it's better than many (*), but that doesn't make it great. I ended up going up to a Mondeo to get the room I wanted which was disappointing.

(* though I hate estates with lips on the boot, just wrong)

freddyg - Member

For me though, statements like "You could just about park an Octavia in the boot of my Focus" are silly.

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I have just changed from an Octavia Mk 2 estate to a new Focus estate.

Focus estate boot is smaller but the Octavia wheel arches intrude internally which restricts the width, making it harder to put a bike in with both wheels on.

Focus has no wheel intrusion and a nice square boot without a lip.

I can get my mountain bike with 160mm forks and 750mm bars in the boot of my mk2 octavia estate without putting the rear seats down. Try that in a 3 series.

I've had 3 bikes, 3 people and kit for a weekend in my Octavia. Loads of room. Build quality is up with other VW produced cars. Certainly uses the same parts found in Audi's and VW's. Id' say the paintwork is a slightly lower quality than Audi/VW though. I get a fairly consistent 55mpg out of my 1.9TDi.

I'd definitely have another Skoda.

Absolutely no comparison. As others have said, there is a reason a BMW costs much more than a Skoda.

angeldust - Member
Absolutely no comparison. As others have said, there is a reason a BMW costs much more than a Skoda.

If space is a consideration, could you stretch to a 320d Gran Turismo (fancy name for a hatchback)? It's built on a long wheelbase 3 series, so is similar in size to a 5 saloon inside, with a boot bigger than the touring as well.

The litmus test for me is if I can comfortably sit behind myself, and there is a hell of a lot of legroom in the back.

Badge, marketing, preconception, perception, people willing to pay money for status?

Personally I've never understood the obsession with BMW's - they all look a bit samey and boring.

prezet - Member
Personally I've never understood the obsession with BMW's - they all look a bit samey.

That’s your opinion & that’s of course fair enough, but if there was ever a manufacturer to be guilty of that it would be VAG in my opinion.

mikewsmith - Member
Badge, marketing, preconception, perception, people willing to pay money for status?

thats all true, but so are the comments about bmw being better with regards to refinement, driving experience etc.

Each to their own and all that, but I tried a 318d and a 1.4tsi octavia estates and saved myself some money by getting the octavia. Better kit and much more space in the octavia and I didn't like the drive of the BMW - the engine was really agricultural in comparison.

Probably because it was a diesel / petrol comparison.

DeeW - Member
I can get my mountain bike with 160mm forks and 750mm bars in the boot of my mk2 octavia estate without putting the rear seats down. Try that in a 3 series.

I can do laps of any roundabout on the lockstops in my 3 series. Try that in an Octavia.....

Horses for courses i think it's called 😉

I've just taken delivery of a 320d efficient dynamics today. I've only driven from the office to home in it but will report back later with my findings.
Apparently good for real world 60mpg economy, but combined with low co2, and 0-60 in 8 seconds, it makes a compelling case for itself on paper.

I can get my mountain bike with 160mm forks and 750mm bars in the boot of my mk2 octavia estate without putting the rear seats down. Try that in a 3 series.

This is practical.

I can do laps of any roundabout on the lockstops in my 3 series

This is what the kids who hangout at McD's do trying to show off to their mates.

My last company car was a 318d tourer and it was great. Nice to drive, good cabin space, boot a bit small when loaded up with kids and holiday stuff. It was replaced in march with a 520d tourer which is better in every way. The gutsier engine is much better.

I can do laps of any roundabout on the lockstops in my 3 series. Try that in an Octavia.....

Horses for courses i think it's called

Thanks for all the input so far.

I called in quickly at the showroom to have a quick gander last night, and to be honest the 3 series looks and feels in a different league to the Skoda.

Very impressed too with the standard kit that comes with the car.

Hopefully going back on Monday for a test drive. Of course I will be expecting it to drive with a bit more 'sporty' character than the Skoda and feel more refined. If it doesnt then the Skoda becomes more relevant again, but on first impressions there is no comparison.

3 series looks and feels in a different league to the Skoda

It should as it costs nearly 1/3 more

The only thing you havent made clear is are you leasing the car or is it a company car ?

 

I've been in 2 BMWs and 2 Skodas.

BMW 1: Pretty new 1 series, in the back, with the front seat all the way back. Cramped, we didn't go far, but it was tight, interior was really well made and the suspension was firm but supple in the right ways

Skoda 1: New Octavia. Interior was ugly and plasticy although solid, otherwise nothing to note

BMW 2: M-reg 318 petrol. Old, but the interior was still well made, solid, tight and no rattles, engine was quiet.

Skoda 2: T-reg Octavia VRS. Interior mostly knackered, very much and car, stuff broken all over it inside and out. No major mechanicals though, my made has had it from new. Some problems with the AC I think.

Its through an NHS lease scheme/salary sacrifice.

We have looked at private PCP v private lease v salary sacrifice. The BM comes out much more expensive via the first 2 options. Co lease includes servicin, tyres etc, insurance.

I have a 32D M Sport, 2 year old with 90K on clock and i took a Vrs Esate out few weeks ago. I really liked it, but the build quality was nowhere near, the interior road noise was high but still really liked it. I convinced myself it was the right car.

Got back in my 320 and within two minutes I convinced myself the beemer was a brilliant car, it felt more taught, it felt nice and secure and less plasticky.

A 1.4tsi Vs a very low Co2 output BMW would probably mean you're out of pocket in the BIK stakes too...

Hi Funky if there is no company car tax to pay and the lease covers insurance serviceing etc its a no brainer go for the BMW its great on fuel and you are getting a car one third more in value for only £30 a month. The only down side is that you will be spoilt 🙂

Just check to see what happens if you leave the employer mid lease

God I hate car dealerships and car salesman !

Was supposed to be test driving a 320d ED today, but turned up and the car had been sold between me ringing on Friday and today 😈 yeah right. Anyhow went out in a 318d. Initial thoughts.

You sit in the car, rather than on top of it like most modern cars, to some that doesn't matter, but to me its important. Nicer weighted steering, comfortable ride. In many ways you would realise you are in a rwd car. However put it in to a corner fairly quick and it handles way better than the Skoda. Push through a corner and you do get that rwd kick, not as much as a decent sports car, but it is there.

I was very impressed with the level of equipment, some of it gimmicky (ie novelty will wear off) some of it really good. However the quality was better than the Skoda, and everything just oozed more quality.

The thing that struck me the most was that the Skoda feels 'nice' in every way, and is a very competent car. However the BMW just had that little some thing special about it. I reckon the Skoda would get me from A-B just fine, but in the BMW I would enjoy the drive, and look forward to driving A-B.

If your the type of person who only sees driving A-B as only getting from A-B then the Skoda is probably 90% of the BM, but if you enjoy driving, then quite frankly the Skoda comes across as dull.

The BM in cash price is nearly 1/3 more in price, and I don't think its 1/3 better, but on the scenario Im looking at its a no brainer.

Sorry another question..

Has anyone specd (or driven) the M Sport Active Suspension?

When I drove the test car the ride was very nice, but there was quite a bit of body role in cornering (well compared to a decent sports car) I'm wondering if speccing the active suspension will solve this?

Also the reviews are mixed. Some magazines say it transforms the car, others say dont bother...

My ED has a sport switch, which (I think) stiffens up the suspension. If you drove the 318, it may not have had this facility?
I'm perfectly happy with the cornering in mine.

The sport button just sharpens the throttle and weights up the steering. Apparently the adaptive is sport +

I really don't notice body roll in mine, in fact the handling is one of its positives. It's not a sports car, and will never behave like one. I think you may be expecting too much of a frugal estate?

I really can't believe this thread has hit three pages.

T-reg Octavia VRS. Interior mostly knackered, very much and car, stuff broken all over it inside and out. No major mechanicals though, my made has had it from new. Some problems with the AC I think.

That's impressive, especially as Skoda didn't make the Octavia vRS until 2001... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%A0koda_Octavia#Engines

Maybe it's not VRs then, but it's a 1.8T.

I could also have mis-remembered the reg.

Yes, I have the M sport adaptive suspension on my 330d. Gives 4 different modes: economy; comfort; sport; sport+. Different response and suspension in each one