Octavia 2.0Tdi

[MeonIan]

Hi all
I am a very satisfied 1.9 Tdi Octavia (my 4th) driver towing a Ranger mtplm 1210kgs but car is due a change this year and we are contemplating a caravan change next year to the Orion 5 berth mtplm 1287kgs hence thinking about the 2.0 diesel rather than 1.6 (the 1.9 replacement), bit extra kerbweight and more power. Can anybody already towing with the 2.0 Tdi 140bhp give me some opinions on the car both solo and towing (and what weights you are towing)?
Many thanks in advance.
Ian

 

[Tukums]

Have just bought an Octavia 2.0TDi 4x4 140bhp, cannot comment on towing yet as I am still running it in, another couple of hundred miles then it's ready for towing. I did a 500 mile round trip to Cardiff from Yorkshire solo and at a steady 60 mph it gave me 61mpg. I was very pleased with the engine and good gear ratio, looking forward to towing the Sprite and with extra traction should have no problem getting on/off muddy rally fields!!
With the Octavia 4x4 comes extra weight; kerbweight 1,500kg, towing limit 1,600kg. I have a Sprite Alpine 4 MTPLM 1,230kg so will be towing at 82%. I have had comments from other owners that the 140 engine is good for towing with plenty of power. You should have no problem with an Orion 5.
Only problem, I ordered it last June, built December, took delivery January - a seven month wait, they are in short supply.

Chris

 

[Tukums]

You may find this an interesting read:
http://www.octinfo.com/index.php?p=main_en
Chris

 

[Tukums]

Have a read of this test report about the Musketeer EB by Andrew Jenkinson, see his comments on the tow car, an Octavia Estate SE Plus 1.8 TSi petrol. The car would be too light for the Orion, but it did get some good towing comments. On mine I do not have a swan neck bar, it is the flange type with ball, so no problem with the 13 pin socket!
http://www.swiftgroup.co.uk/reviews/properties/category-scottish-caravanner

 

[Firkle]

Ian,

I have just changed from a B6 Passat Sport 140 TDI, which I used for towing a Pageant Moselle (just short of 1300kg mtplm) and was 85% of the kerb weight. I now have the B7 version which I notice has higher gear ratios in 5th and 6th, but I have yet to tow with it.
The B6 gave no problems at all and towed like a dream taking the outfit into the Pyrenees and over the Brenner pass without having to think about it. Towing at the legal limit in 6th gear on the motorway returned 30 MPG whilst solo it gave about 50 on the motorway and 40 round town.
Regards

Firkle

 

[xtrailman]

consider a Mazda cx-5 ?
http://www.mazda.co.uk/showroom/cx-5/specs/
http://carleasingmadesimple.com/business-car-leasing/mazda/cx-5-estate/
Mid 1500kg to 1600kg kerb weight, 2.2 tows 2000kg, according to the second link.
Future class leader? 148bhp/280 pd/ft, or 173 bhp/310 pd/ft.