Old style Skoda Octavia Turbos - anything specific to look for?

After the demise of the Pug last weekend (cambelt failure) in France I'm looking for a shortish term stop gap for 3-6 months and have found a suitable 2001 Skoda Octavia 150 1.8t FWD estate that fits the bill nicely (air con, tow bar, I know the two previous owners).

It has had the coil packs replaced, replacement water pump, cambelt and tensioner, recent new shocks, recent front discs etc.

Anything else I should look out for?

Originally Posted by Tim in Belgium

Anything else I should look out for?

Other than the slightly supercilious looks on the faces of your neighbours? Nope - good cars. I'd be tempted to look further afield as (depending on mileage/age/service history) the turbo could be an issue. Better with a 1.9l TDi.

But if you know the history/owners then go for it. Good cars. Skud jokes are ancient history after the VAG group took over Skoda.

It's the fact I know the owners for the last two years that makes this sub 2k car attractive, buying in this price range is tricky wrt history/condition of the vehicle, many things have been tarted up but have underlying issues, at least with this some of the risk may heve been removed. About to start haggling, just waiting for my insurance quote.

[Viney]

You can tune the petrol turbo ones to about 600hp!!

Other than that, its a VAG engine and has its cambelt done. Other than the usual used car checks, it should be a goodun. As said though, the 1.9tdi is the slightly better engine.

No tuning for me, bog standard on comfy suspension, enjoy the cruise control, leather/alacantra interior, climate control, heated seats, it's the top of the range Laurent & Klement model.

Remapppppppp..

Another 30bhp and similar lb ft torque. Good for towing.

Also improves throttle response, and actually improves economy and power, so its a win win situation.

All modern cars need a remap to make best use of what they have.

But yeah, tried and tested engine. Seach for anything 1.8t vag.

[Red Herring]

I thought the 1.8 turbo was the VRS model and it made in the region of 180bhp? Isn't the 150 the non turbo?
My only observation would be about fuel consumption. We've just written off the last of our job VRS's (shame, it was a great little car) but it was the only car on the team we had to fill twice a shift and it was regularly averaging under 15 MPG.

If the Skoda uses the same suspension design as the Audi and VW`s, ( I assume it does ), check the front tyres for wear, the balljoints wear and are an **** to replace, I think theres 3 or 4 on each side.

[Red Herring]

Strange how some things bug you....so I just had to check....

The Škoda Octavia Laurin & Klement and Škoda Octavia Combi Laurin & Klement models are available with the 1.8 20V Turbo/110 kW (150 bhp), 1.9 TDI/81 kW (110 bhp) and 1.9 TDI/96 kW (130 bhp) engines. Automatic transmission can be ordered for the 1.8 20V Turbo/110 kW engine. Both Laurin & Klement models - hatchback and estate - are also available with 4x4 drive. The 4x4 version is equipped with the 1.8 20V Turbo/110 kW (150 bhp) petrol engine.

Škoda Octavia RS has a 1.8 l turbo-charged petrol engine producing 132 kW (180 bhp) and a maximum torque of 235 Nm at 1950-5000 rpm, which provides outstanding driving characteristics: acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 sec. (the estate version in 8.0 sec.) and a maximum speed of 235 km/h (the estate version 231 km/h).

So I was wrong, there is a 150bhp model. Hopefully it's a bit more economic than the VRS!

4x4 = thirsty amirite?