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

It'll be a lot more "entertaining" come the snow/ice!
Me personally is go down the bimmer route. Couldn't imagine driving an Octavia estate with a measly 1.4 petrol in it. Overtaking would always be "entertaining" I imagine as well 😯

Are they the only choices? What's the boot size like on the BMW? Skoda with a proper engine would be a good option.

Bmw all the way, what's 30quid by you these days anyhow?

earl_brutus - Member
Bmw all the way, what's 30quid by you these days anyhow?

Lunch?

BMW + winter tyres, sorted.

I test drove a 318d Touring M Sport and it was a great drive - I was in it just to test out the M Sport suspension. I went for a 320d GT M Sport and am very happy with it. More than enough power, and really fun to drive.

Couldn't imagine driving an Octavia estate with a measly 1.4 petrol in it. Overtaking would always be "entertaining" I imagine as well

Think you'll find it's the Turbo TSI engine so puts out about 140bhp..not so bad.

>Performance wise there isnt much in 0-60 times (yes I know that doesnt mean anything) <

Correct, the pick up speeds in 3rd 4th 5th are far more relevant. And the Beemer will leave the Skoda for dead in that regard. The fuel economy on that 320 engine is staggering given the performance. Costs aside you're not comparing apples with apples in my view.

320d every time.

^^^ what he said. 320d every time. I bought a 320d M Sport Touring in Feb this year. Brilliant car. Quick. Frugal. Comfortable. Refined. Looks good.

How much is the 330d? 😀

I've got the exact BMW you're looking at, well the company I work for has leased me one. I can't fault it. It's saved me loads on company car tax (will do 60mpg quite easily). Drives nicely and has a sport switch if you want to make it faster. I've found the boot ample. Got a free satnav upgrade. Don't know about the Skoda, supposed to be good cars.

I currently have a BMW320D - saloon though. I've recently plaved an order for an Octavia 2.0D vRS estate (arriving mid december - yay!).

Power wise, there's nothing in it. If anything the new vRS engine slightly outpulls my 2009 320D.

Economy. New Skoda is significantly better than my current BMW but the more modern beemers are better still.

Build quality. The 320D is better - but not by much.

Cabin space. The vRS is a more comfortable place, particularly for rear passengers.

Load capacity. No contest, the vRS wins by miles.

Have a look at the 2.0D Elegance. More toys than the vrs and only slightly down on power (150ps vs 184ps).

Are there other options, yes there are basically i will pay up to £370 pm, which is where the BM is. A 2.0 diesel Octavia would cost the same money.

I cant afford the M Sport variety unfortunately.

currently we have own car on HP, that cost £370 including insurance, we were looking at moving to co lease to save a little cash, but hay 🙂

Wrecker what standard equipment do you get?

And do the alloys look ok because they are only 16's as opposed to others which are normally 17-18's.

Having driven a 1.4 Polo, and owned an Octavia Elegance & 3 series, BM every day. Nicer car to drive, nicer place to be

I found the BMW very reasonably priced for leases (due to the high resale on them). Couldn't get a Merc, VW or suchlike for anywhere near what BMW would do. That and the low tax got my business.

Wrecker what standard equipment do you get?

And do the alloys look ok because they are only 16's as opposed to others which are normally 17-18's.

I'm not a big car enthusiast, but I'm happy with this one.

I can answer this definitively as my beloved 320d SE was taken away and replaced with an Octavia last year.

The BMW was better in EVERY way except boot space, so, if boot space is your number one concern then get the BMW and suck it up.

seriously, there's a lot of reasons they cost a lot more

Pictonroad - I guess yours is the MKII Octavia? The MKIII's are a quantum leap over them.

Although I am looking forward to taking delivery of my new vRS, I'll be gutted to see my 320D (also an SE) go. I love it.

The reason I'm leaving BMW is purely down to cost. The company I work for changed the rules on our leased cars - they must now have a P11D value of less than £25K (which includes all optional add-ons) and maximum emissions of 139g CO2/km (I think - may be slightly less).

This ruled out getting another 3-series. I could have gone for a 1-series, but it's not much good for a growing family - my current 3-series can just about cope with us.

Unless the finishing kit in the Skoda is top of the range the Beemer will be much nicer all round.

There is some realy duff info spouted above ref the Skoda

The old and new Octavias are quite different I know as I had a late saloon and have just got a new SE estate 1.6 oil burner.
The interious is much better than the old one as is the whole car tbh.

So if you are to compare you need to compare like with like (which it seem you are) can you get the diesel as according to the reviews it is better than the petrol.

As for which one to get and which is better only you can judge that as everybodies requirements are different, the only thing I would to be to look at comcar and see how much tax you would pay, just had a quick look and its £500 more for the beemer add that to the extra lease and its about £1300 a year more if a 20% tax payer and double that if 40%

Ps the beemer does look nice

I've got a new model 320d, with 'efficient dynamics' (This was only available to the fleet market when I made the choice). It's basically an SE model.

Lovely car, not huge bootspace though (Compared with say a 5 series) but very nice in all other respects. Drives well, 65mpg, you can turn the efficient dynamics off, and it becomes a lively 180bhp BMW.

I'm no fan of BMW's but Skoda v BMW.....you cannot be serious! 😯

I want a 320d, but KJ02 is spending all the cash in Nursery.

Only 3 years to go.

I want a 320d, but KJ02 is spending all the cash in Nursery.

I hear you Brother.

What we'll do with the extra 700 quid we pay now in three years I don't know, but a new car will be top of the list.

I'm waiting to see the company car rules for my new job but these two are at the top of my wishlist.

The main thing the BMW has over the skoda for me is that BMW bother swapping the handbrake over for RHD cars which VAG don't and it really pisses me off 👿

Also, the company car tax on the skoda is about £30 a month less, but that handbrake, AAAARRRGGGGHHHHHH!

I have a 320d m sport estate and it is fine in all regards,

It is not the most entertaining car to drive but is quick(ish) and very good on petrol (25k in last year or so and about 50mpg average.

However Mercedes seem to be giving their cars away to leasing companies at the moment. I am sure a quick google will show C220 or C250d at less than £400, some of them even cover maintenance and tyres too!

I don't think I would pay approx. £100 premium for a BM over the Merc!

What we'll do with the extra 700 quid we pay now in three years I don't know, but a new car will be top of the list.

Don't kid yourself!

We thought the same - our two are 17 months apart so Nursery seemed to go on forever. We're now skinter-er than ever before. 😐

just let me dream Freddy 🙂

I'm waiting to see the company car rules for my new job but these two are at the top of my wishlist.

The main thing the BMW has over the skoda for me is that BMW bother swapping the handbrake over for RHD cars which VAG don't and it really pisses me off

Also, the company car tax on the skoda is about £30 a month less, but that handbrake, AAAARRRGGGGHHHHHH!

The handbrake initially pissed me off no end when I had a demo car for a weekend. A couple of hours driving later and it was okay. I still can't say I like it, but it isn't a deal-breaker.

If you've got boys you'll be spending £700 per month on trousers. As soon as they get to school trouser knees disappear at an alarming rate.

You dream on Warton. The bairns are worth every penny. 😀

Prawny, you don't mention school shoes? My lad managed to scuff a pair while we were in the shop trying them on!!

@freddy, I had a C-max a while ago that was the same, like you say you get used to it fairly quickly, but I think it's bad that a 'premium' brand does something so slapdash. They don't even bother to swap it on A4s with a proper handbrake, and I'm fairly sure the e-brake is the wrong side. Slack.

Oh god, shoes!I've had more use out of condoms

@Prawny. While downselecting cars before ordering the vRS, I had a Golf. That had the e-brake and despite putting 400+ miles on it over a weekend, I just couldn't get used to it. Bloody awful thing.

freddyg - Member
What we'll do with the extra 700 quid we pay now in three years I don't know, but a new car will be top of the list.
Don't kid yourself!

We thought the same - our two are 17 months apart so Nursery seemed to go on forever. We're now skinter-er than ever before.

Sigh.

Kryton57 - Member

freddyg - Member
What we'll do with the extra 700 quid we pay now in three years I don't know, but a new car will be top of the list.
Don't kid yourself!

We thought the same - our three are all [b]over 20 so University seemed to go on forever.[/b] We're now skinter-er than ever before.

Sigh.

Says Mr New Bike ^^^ 😉

I have a 2011 320d auto estate (privately owned). Pretty basic in terms of kit (SE Model, heated seats, leather, DAB, windows...).

Drives nicely, plenty of power and comfortable. However, I was lucky as our car came with a full set of BMW alloys with winter tyres. Makes a massive difference, auto rear wheel drive would not be the first choice of car in crap weather.

I have had problems with the N47 engine (would not care if it was a company car though). Chain guides replaced twice under warranty - at around 6k and 22k miles. Engine is good apart from that issue though, very economical, accelerates with gusto (leave bike racks on and it is still 45+ mpg). Think the engine is still in the line up.

However, I sat in a new VRS estate and they are smart inside, loads of kit and probably a lot of fun to drive. Would consider one myself, if buying again, but the wife likes German stuff. 🙄 Boot can't be beat either.

Drove a new 3 series (320d 'luxury') and the interior was nice (fancy sat nav, nicely built, good wireless etc). Even the saloon had a decent boot, slid a mtb right in.

The new Octavia estate is subject to delays of up to 3months. This might affect your decision
There's a problem (I think it's Front Assist) that Skoda are fixing at the factory rather than doing a recall.

Probably a bit of a no brainer this one. Of the two cars, if someone was giving me one, it would be the BMW every time. However, the boot is probably not as generous as the Skoda and there will almost certainly be a sizeable difference in the company car tax (if it is being seen as a company car). If I was spending my own money I would probably be tempted by the Skoda though as it is a lot cheaper and therefore I wouldn't need to spend so much money and I can live with the compromise. Of cars that size (if you have a wider choice) then don't discount the Astra Estate or the Focus estate as both are also very good cars and will weigh in cheaper (in company car tax at least) than the BMW.

I've just got hold of an old ('04) 320d touring and it is fantastic. Rear wheel drive is so much nicer.

I'm probably going to sell my much newer Golf and when the Beemer dies in a few years replace it with another 3 touring (prob 330d).

Can you stretch to the skoda superb, they are lovely with loads of toys as standard.. and massive

The interior space is significantly smaller in the 3er than the Octavia, but that is the price you pay for the better (imo) styling.

(I have a 3 tourer (but with a proper engine, not the left over sewing maching motors they seem to be sticking in them these days... 😉

Pretty sure the 320 is one of the many cars that I walked up to, opened the boot, took one look inside, closed the boot and walked away. Even the Octavia's boot's unimpressive mind.

Beemer everytime unless bootspace & rear legroom are VERY important to you. Not a lot of room in the back of them.

I really think BMW are ahead of the game in terms of efficiency. I have a 325i efficient dynamics (N53 engine) and regularly get 45 mpg on a run if driven sensibly (70-75 mph & accelerate down hills etc.) which is very impressive out of a 6 cyl petrol lump... So as mentioned above I would say 60 mpg easily achievable on a run out of a 320d.

As for not being able to tell if its RWD. I used to drive an older 320d saloon (05 163bhp model) and always liked the sensation of being 'pushed' rather than 'pulled' but not entirely sure if this was real or perceived! Find a wet roundabout and you'll sharp know about it though. 🙂

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.

[img] [/img]

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...