3 Series v Octavia

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Thu 26 Mar 2015 17:25
3 Series v Octavia - Dingle232

We are looking at changing our car for something a little bigger and more economical and have narrowed the choice down to these two the 320d and the Octavia 2.0 TDi - both autos. Both are 2014 models with under 10k.

I am due to drive both of them tomorrow and am genuinely open minded as to which to buy with the Octavia cost to us at around £3200 and the BMW around £6500.

I am not bothered about the badge (though SWMBO is) and from what I've read I'd be quite happy to take the Skoda but are there any compelling reasons to spend twice as much on a BMW? I accept that they may be a 'premium' marque but are they worth twice as much, leaving aside the 'it's what it's worth to you' argument?

In fact, is any 'premium' badge worth it these days given that so called mainstream cars have upped their game and have specs that are the equal if not better than the premiums.

I am gonna sleep on it but any thoughts welcome.

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Thu 26 Mar 2015 17:55
3 Series v Octavia - 72 dudes

I am due to drive both of them tomorrow and am genuinely open minded as to which to buy with the Octavia cost to us at around £3200 and the BMW around £6500.


That's the key really, drive them both and decide which suits you both better. If it's the BMW, is it worth another £3300 to change? How much more than the Octavia will the BMW be worth in say 3 years?

My opinion: The BMW will drive, ride steer and handle better. It will also cost more to insure and service (unless you can purchase a good service package a la Mini).

Is the 2014 Octavia the previous or latest model?

The Octavia is without doubt one of the best medium family hatchbacks around, but weak points are a jiggly ride around town and road noise at higher speeds.

The BMW 3 series is a couple of steps up. Different categories.

Have you thought about an A4, a VW CC or a Volvo S60? Perhaps a step nearer the BMW in spirit.

Do post tomorrow and tell us your findings.

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Thu 26 Mar 2015 18:08
3 Series v Octavia - RobJP

The 'new' F30/F31 BMW 3 series is incredibly spec, type and wheel size sensitive. It can make the difference between a car being fantastic to drive, or feeling very average. In fact, if it's got the wrong suspension setup with big wheels, it can make it terrible - crashy, constant tramlining, etc.

I've got a 2013 F31 (the estate, saloon is the F30) 325d Msport. Its got what you'd think were stupidly big 19" wheels, but it also has the adaptive suspension. As such, it rides incredibly well, even with runflats.

However, I've also driven an Msport (when mine was in for a service, had it as a loan car) that didn't have the adaptive suspension. It was absolutely horrible.

If you've got any questions about the 3 series after driving it, then I'll be happy to help out, if I can.

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Thu 26 Mar 2015 19:39
3 Series v Octavia - Dingle232

Thanks to both of you they are both really helpful replies. Couple of things to add:

1 - 72 dudes - the car is the latest generation Octavia and to be honest I am taken with the appeal of its practicality and also by the fact it's cheaper. Whatever the difference in residuals I suspect there won't be more than the differential to buy them so there's not much chance of my recouping any of the extra if we choose the 3 series.

I have actually considered an A4 but must admit to being a bit of a BMW fan; largely due to the drive of them having briefly had an E90 in a previous life.

2 - Rob JP - The 3 I am looking at has 18" alloys with the notorious RF tyres on so I am interested to see how it drives. By 'adaptive suspension' I am not sure if you mean the facility where you can flick between 'Eco', 'Comfort' and 'Sport'? If that's what you mean then yes it has but apart from that am not sure about anything else. Thanks for the offer of help I really appreciate it - though you may regret that! :-)

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Thu 26 Mar 2015 19:57
3 Series v Octavia - Brian Tryzers
Pause a moment to check your reasoning. Bigger is a sound reason for a change of car; more economical - unless it's radically so - is not. You won't make back the cost of changing in fuel savings. Given the numbers you quote, I deduce your current smaller car is no more than a year or two old, in which case you've suffered the worst of its depreciation, which makes now a poor time to change in financial terms. So do be sure you need the extra size.

As for 'premium' makes, it's a question we could debate for ever. There's nothing qualitatively different about the 3 - unless RWD matters to you, which for most modern driving I'd argue it doesn't. But I do like BMW interiors - they have a calming simplicity that's hard to find these days. I like and respect Skodas - and have owned a Fabia - but the only one I've sat in whose interior didn't put me off was a Superb Elegance estate, and that was expensive enough that I bought a Mercedes E estate because it was cheaper!

But I do think interiors matter; it's the bit of the car I interact with the most, so if it's my money and I'm choosing to spend more than I absolutely have to, a nice interior iis the thing most likely to persuade me,
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Thu 26 Mar 2015 20:06
3 Series v Octavia - Dingle232
Pause a moment to check your reasoning. Bigger is a sound reason for a change of car; more economical - unless it's radically so - is not. You won't make back the cost of changing in fuel savings. Given the numbers you quote, I deduce your current smaller car is no more than a year or two old, in which case you've suffered the worst of its depreciation, which makes now a poor time to change in financial terms. So do be sure you need the extra size. As for 'premium' makes, it's a question we could debate for ever. There's nothing qualitatively different about the 3 - unless RWD matters to you, which for most modern driving I'd argue it doesn't. But I do like BMW interiors - they have a calming simplicity that's hard to find these days. I like and respect Skodas - and have owned a Fabia - but the only one I've sat in whose interior didn't put me off was a Superb Elegance estate, and that was expensive enough that I bought a Mercedes E estate because it was cheaper! But I do think interiors matter; it's the bit of the car I interact with the most, so if it's my money and I'm choosing to spend more than I absolutely have to, a nice interior iis the thing most likely to persuade me,

Very sound argument and I'd agree, the interior will be as big a deal breaker as the drive.

On reading about the 2 cars it appears that a criticism of the Octavia is the road noise at speed - do any Octavia owners have a view on this?

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Thu 26 Mar 2015 19:57
3 Series v Octavia - Alby Back
If your wife wants you to have the BMW then in the end, that's what you'd better do. It'll be worth the extra money not to spend 3 years hearing about what's wrong with the Skoda.

;-)
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Thu 26 Mar 2015 20:07
3 Series v Octavia - Dingle232
If your wife wants you to have the BMW then in the end, that's what you'd better do. It'll be worth the extra money not to spend 3 years hearing about what's wrong with the Skoda. ;-)

Sold! :-)

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Thu 26 Mar 2015 20:50
3 Series v Octavia - RobJP

Regarding 'adaptive' suspension, and that button ...

Most BMWs have the 'drive control' with eco pro/comfort/sport settings (by the gear lever). Eco pro weakens the throttle response (it's alternatively called 'eco poo' mode). Comfort is 'normal', and Sport sharpens up the throttle response.

Adaptive suspension (actually called Adaptive M sport suspension, to give it the full BMW name) is different. Basically, the entire suspension setup adjusts continuously, tightening up, absorbing bumps, potholes, etc. You can also et the suspension between 'comfort' and 'sport' modes with the 'drive control' button.

It is, however, NOT to be confused with the 'standard' M sport suspension. Which is different to the 'standard' suspension as fitted to non-Msport cars.

Confused yet ? I'll try to sum it up.

Normal suspension : fitted to ES, SE, Sport, Modern, Luxury models. Can be upgraded to Msport suspension, or even upgraded to adaptive

Msport suspension : fitted to MSport models. Can be upgraded to adaptive. Or can be downgraded to 'normal' suspension.

Adaptive MSport suspension : the upgrade.

Basically, the 'normal' suspension is (in my opinion) a bit wallowy. The Msport is horrible and crashy, the full-on adaptive is great.

Good luck !

EDIT : just saw you say you've had an E90 previously. The new F30 series is streets ahead of the E90, makes it look primitive. The only bad bit of design in the F30 is the front cupholders. And yes. Seriously.

Edited by RobJP on 26/03/2015 at 20:52

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Thu 26 Mar 2015 20:52
3 Series v Octavia - Smileyman

suggest your wife joins you on the test drive, she may spot something you don't and that might be the deciding factor .. also will give you a good argument against the 3 years of reasons why the Skoda was the wrong choice!

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Thu 26 Mar 2015 20:57
3 Series v Octavia - Dingle232

Thanks Rob that's clearer. The model is the 'Luxury' so i'm pretty sure it doesn't have the AS.

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Fri 27 Mar 2015 09:42
3 Series v Octavia - cocorico

My partner always said, driving Skoda is like driving Aldi or Lidl….

For this reason, she rarely driven my Skoda….

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Fri 27 Mar 2015 09:58
3 Series v Octavia - Alby Back
Women, or some women anyway, do seem to be more sensitive to these things. When I had a Mondeo estate, a fine car by anybody's standards, my wife never really took to it. Now I have an E class estate, she thinks that's marvellous. The Merc is a better car in some measureable ways but it's not twice as good despite being twice the price more or less.

There's a bit of the Hyacinth Bucket about my wife although she'd be the first to deny that.

;-)
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Fri 27 Mar 2015 09:59
3 Series v Octavia - daveyjp

My first observation is you are looking at saloon v hatchback. Both have benefits and downsides and lifestyle generally dictates which is more practical for the individual.

BMW has a proper auto, Skoda will have DSG, which aren't without their faults (been there, got the T shirt!)

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Fri 27 Mar 2015 12:29
3 Series v Octavia - Avant

A few thoughts: I'm on my third Octavia but have an open mind.

Even if the 3-series is a Touring, the Octavia still has more room for people and things, so it depends on whether this is a priority for you.

How long are you intending to keep this car? Particularly in respect of the transmission, the BMW will probably last longer and hold its value better (as you'll have already noticed given the price difference between the 2014 models).

Best to persuade SWMBO that the image of Skodas has changed - nowadays there's a lack of image one way or the other (neither premium nor repmobile) which I quite like: maybe Skoda is the new Saab. Volvos, having shed the 'Swedish tank' image by being much better to drive, now give a similar 'centrist' impression, and if I were you I'd look at a V60 unless either of your test drives is conclusive. You could also think about a VW Passat, but I'm not sure it has much of an advantage over an Octavia.

Personally, having tried several 3-series, I find the driving position of the Octavia much preferable, but that will depend on your (and SWMBO's) size and shape.

Generally I'd say that a 3-series (new or used) is worth a little more than an Octavia, but not as much as the £3300 difference that you're looking at.

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Fri 27 Mar 2015 16:01
3 Series v Octavia - jgrahampo

I would go Octavia but do have a good long drive and check the seats are comfy.

FWD better for everyday use, dealers a bit easier to work with. I had a 320d Msport for a loan car at Christmas when my Volvo v50 was getting a new alternator. It was fine but i wasnt upset to get back into my 2009 112000m V50 2.0d.

Prior to the Volvo i had a Mk1 Octavia, loved it and wanted to buy a Scout but couldnt get on with the seats.

Volvo S60 have some good deals.

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Fri 27 Mar 2015 16:53
3 Series v Octavia - Dingle232

Well, I drove both of them today and very differing impressions. My Mrs got caught up in work so they are just my impressions.

Both dealers were, I have to say, excellent in equal measure with both happy to let me have a drive without any pressure or obligation - something I have always found very offputting whilst respecting they are in business to sell cars.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Octavia. Excellent driving position and the car is so practical it's untrue. It drove well if not as compliant as maybe a Golf but in every respect I was pretty happy with it.

The BMW was also different to what I expected and took me longer to get used to it. At first I found the ride to be a bit fidgety on the 18" wheels but it settled down as I got used to it. I was in the car maybe 30 minutes so by the time I'd finished I felt I'd adjusted to it more. It felt a lot heavier to drive than the Skoda but I can see why they call it a drivers car as it is excellent. If anything, even in 320d mode it felt a little underpowered but would be adequate.

What a gearbox in the BMW though - amazingly smooth. The Skoda DSG was pretty good too.

Verdict? I am undecided and am gonna sleep on it and go back tomorrow.

I also plan to look at a new V40 D4 with the new 4 cylinder lump in it as that would pretty much tick every box I need. The car is at Motorpoint in the nW - anyone had any dealings with them good or bad? They were a bit pushy on the phone and were mentioning admin fees etc.

Thanks for all the responses so far.

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Sat 28 Mar 2015 00:16
3 Series v Octavia - Avant

The V40 is a nice car but quite a bit smaller than the 3-series, never mind the Octavia. If you need more room you'd need to look at the V60 which is of course more expensive.

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