Skoda Octavia Scout debuted in 2007. Two years later (in 2009) the car was restyled. In 2010, the 2.0 TDI PD turbodiesel was replaced by the 2.0 TDI CR. In 2014, there was a generational change.

Design features

Skoda Octavia Scout is technically close to, but differs in design and interior. Among the most notable differences are black unpainted plastic on the bottom of the front and rear bumpers, wheel arches and sills, as well as black moldings on the sides. This version is 10mm longer and 15mm wider than the standard model. It is worth adding that the "off-road" Skoda was offered exclusively in the station wagon.

The car attracts with good equipment. Already in the database were registered dual-zone climate control and comfortable chairs. And a handrail is installed above the glove box lid to stabilize the body of the front passenger while traveling over rough terrain. As in the standard Octavia, there is plenty of room in the back seat, and the trunk holds up to 600 liters of luggage.

Technical differences can be found in the chassis. The suspension is set up differently, and the ground clearance of the Skoda Octavia Scout is higher. Ground clearance is 18 cm (+4 cm). Most modern SUVs have such indicators. Part of the bottom was covered with standard plastic protection.

All copies were equipped with all-wheel drive. Under normal conditions, the car remained front-wheel drive, and if necessary (automatically or forcibly) the rear axle was connected - using the fourth generation Haldex clutch. Scout is ideal for trips on dirt roads. The all-wheel drive system is effective not only in winter, but also on sand and wet grass.

Engines

Scout was considered as a special, not some kind of designer model. Therefore, the most powerful engines were selected for it from the asset of the usual Octavia. Before restyling, it was offered a choice of either a 2.0 FSI petrol with a capacity of 150 hp. (200 Nm), or diesel 2.0 TDI / 140 hp (320 Nm). After the update, the FSI replaced the 1.8 TSI with a return of 152 and 160 hp. (250 Nm), and the turbodiesel received a Common Rail injection system instead of pump injectors, but retained the same characteristics.

In the secondary market, the absolute leadership for the Octavia Scout with a 1.8-liter turbo engine. The engine provides the best dynamics, but do not even count on the promised fuel consumption. Unpleasant episodes with the timing chain are rather exceptions, but high oil consumption is an everyday reality. 2.0 FSI - consumes the same amount of fuel, but is prone to carbon deposits. In addition, there are problems with starting and stable operation (especially in winter).

Diesel modifications are a real exotic. Although it is the turbodiesel that suits Scout's character the best. The engine pulls well and at the same time is quite economical, consuming only 6-7 liters per 100 km. True, one has to reckon with higher costs for potential repairs, which negate all fuel savings.

Choosing a diesel pre-styling copy, you are doomed to a motor with pump injectors. Fortunately, this unit, with the code designation BMM, is not among the dangerous ones. There are no problems with the cylinder head and oil pump. But you should be prepared to replace fuel injectors (from 50,000 rubles) or a particulate filter. The new DPF is too expensive (more than 100,000 rubles). There is only one way out: remove it and reflash the engine control unit. In practice, the 2.0 TDI PD (BMM) is only slightly less reliable than the 1.9 TDI (BXE).

The 2.0 TDI CR replaced the PD only in 2010. The diesel engine is quite successful: there are no design miscalculations, and defects are very rare. Obviously, after a long run, the following are at risk: nozzles (from 25,000 rubles), a DPF filter, a turbocharger (from 48,000 rubles) and an exhaust gas recirculation valve (from 14,000 rubles). And after 200-250 thousand km, a two-mass flywheel may fail (from 32,000 rubles).

Transmission

All powertrains were mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. Only after restyling did the DSG6 automated transmission appear, available only for diesel versions.

The universal Skoda used a DSG series DQ250 with a wet clutch (the clutch is bathed in an oil bath). The box is hardy and able to digest up to 350 Nm of torque. However, the absence of problems is guaranteed with regular oil changes (every 60,000 km). Before you buy a Skoda Octavia Scout, you should ask the owner how often he changed the fluid in the box. If the owner does not have the slightest idea about this, then it is better to forget about this instance or ... prepare a lot of money for a starter investment package.

The average cost of repairing a DSG box is about 50-70 thousand rubles. If we are talking about the restoration / replacement of mechatronics, clutch and dual-mass flywheel, then it will be difficult to meet 120,000 rubles. It makes sense to change a faulty “robot” to an already used one only when selling a car.

How to check DSG? First of all, you should go to a specialized service for diagnostics. But a computer test is not enough. Just as important is a test drive. The main thing is to avoid instances after chip tuning the engine, since the box is designed for only 350 Nm of torque.

Regular oil changes are also necessary for the Haldex coupling. It is quite reliable, but with long runs, bearing wear is possible (a hum occurs). In addition, during inspection, the coupling should be inspected for leaks.

Typical problems and malfunctions

In addition to the above shortcomings, during operation one has to deal with ailments characteristic of the Skoda Octavia II. Most often they pester the little things that can spoil the nerves. For example, door seals that let water through or make noise when driving at high speed. The best solution to the problem is to replace the seals with new ones. It's not cheap, but effective. Sometimes, due to a clogged hatch drainage, water begins to flow into the cabin. The build quality of the interior is quite high, but the materials themselves wear out relatively quickly.

Operating costs

Universal Skoda in content is not much more expensive than the regular version. Difficulties can arise only when recovering from an accident due to characteristic bumpers that are difficult to find in the secondary market or dismantling.

Fortunately, a strong suspension does not cause serious trouble. It should be noted that the off-road model uses other shock absorbers with a tube diameter of 55 mm, not 50 mm. In addition to the original, you can also purchase analogues, and the shock absorbers themselves are not expensive.

Market situation

Skoda Octavia is very popular, but not Scout. The restyled versions are the most attractive, besides, they lose value more slowly. For a serviceable car assembled before the facelift, you will pay about 500-600 thousand rubles, and for a younger one - from 650 to 900 thousand rubles.

Prices may seem exorbitant, but good equipment and enhanced potential must be kept in mind. Many copies have a powerful audio system, navigation, xenon headlights and leather upholstery. In terms of equipment, the Scout can only be compared with the Octavia RS.

Conclusion

Skoda Octavia Scout is an interesting and versatile model, and in some conditions it can be even more useful than a classic crossover (for example, thanks to a roomy trunk). Scout is not an SUV, but with certain skills it will allow you to get very far. If someone needs a relatively small, but roomy and comfortable car that can periodically move off the pavement without consequences, then Scout is the best choice.

Skoda is a fairly well-known brand in Russia. One of the popular models of this manufacturer is the Octavia. It is a compact family car, produced in the back of a liftback and station wagon. However, this is not the only modification of the Octavia. Its all-wheel drive version, the Skoda Octavia Scout, deserves special attention. Test drive, review, photos and specifications - later in our article.

Appearance

The design of this car was copied from the Skoda Octavia liftback. This can be seen in many body elements. In general, the Scout version was designed by analogy with the Audi Olroad, which, in turn, was developed on the basis of the A6.

The Czechs did the same: taking the liftback platform, they increased the ground clearance and attached more embossed bumpers and lining on the sidewalls. Regularly, the car comes with xenon optics and 17-inch alloy wheels. In general, the design of the Skoda Octavia Scout looks nice. The car has the habits of an SUV, and at the same time it is a classic European station wagon.

Are there any body problems?

According to reviews, the Skoda Octavia Scout is well protected from rust. The bottom is additionally sewn up with plastic slips. This simultaneously protects against the ingress of dirt and at the same time has a positive effect on aerodynamics. However, there are a couple of points on the body. According to the reviews, the paint on the doorways is wiped off in the Skoda Octavia Scout. The reason for this is the sealing gum. As a result, these areas are covered with a rusty coating. Also, the chrome on the grille is tarnishing. The logo is fading out. But this is only observed on versions before 2009. On new cars, there are no problems with seals or with a radiator grille.

Dimensions, ground clearance

The Skoda Octavia Scout car has almost the same dimensions as a regular liftback. So, the total body length is 4.58 meters, width - 1.77, height - 1.53 meters. Among the features worth noting is the clearance of the Skoda Octavia Scout. The clearance on standard discs is 18 centimeters. Thanks to this clearance, the car is able to overcome sandy roads without any problems and move confidently on a wet primer.

Interior

According to reviews, the Skoda Octavia Scout has a comfortable and ergonomic interior. Everything is in its place. The controls are intuitive to use. However, many cause criticism about the design. The interior is frankly old-fashioned. There are no distinctive elements here - everything is strict and familiar, as in the Volkswagen.

The salon itself is not much different from the liftback. In fact, this is the same interior. The plastic in the cabin is soft to the touch, but the lining is not wear-resistant - reviews say. Among the positive aspects, the owners note an excellent review. "Skoda Octavia Scout" has informative mirrors, and dead zones are minimized.

There is quite a lot of space in the cabin. Even tall people can fit comfortably here. This also applies to the rear row of seats. Up to three people are accommodated here. The only thing that causes criticism is the high tunnel of the body.

For the "Skoda Octavia Scout" there is only one configuration - the maximum. What is included in the package "Skoda Octavia Scout"? it includes climate control, front and side airbags, rain and light sensors, ABS and stability control systems, power steering, electric mirrors and power windows, and an adjustable steering column.

Now for the weak spots. According to reviews, the Skoda Octavia Scout may have problems with the air conditioning system. The reason for this is the failure of the compressor. To prevent this, it is important to monitor the level of refrigerant in the system and prevent the climate control from operating with a low freon content. There is also a glitch in the power windows - when they try to close, they start to open again. The reason for this is banal - contamination of the guides. After cleaning them, the windows work as they should.

The trunk is one of the main advantages of this car. He is in the station wagon "Skoda Octavia Scout" has a volume of 580 liters. But this is far from the limit. The seatbacks can also be folded down. The result is a flat floor and a cargo area of ​​as much as 1620 liters. This is an order of magnitude more than in such competitors as Ford Focus, Renault Megan and Opel Astra.

"Skoda Octavia Scout" and specifications

Now let's pay attention to the power part of the car. Officially, the Skoda Octavia Scout was delivered to Russia only with gasoline engines. Diesel engines for the Skoda Octavia Scout were not available in Russia. If there are any, these are imported versions from abroad.

The base engine was a naturally aspirated engine with a displacement of two liters. He developed a power of 150 horsepower. In more expensive trim levels, a four-cylinder turbocharged 1.8-liter unit with 180 horsepower was provided.

What do owners say about Skoda gasoline engines?

The power units of the FSI and TSI series are generally reliable and technologically advanced. Both engines are equipped with individual ignition coils, variable valve timing and direct fuel injection. The gas distribution mechanism is a belt and a chain for the older and younger motors, respectively.

But still, it was the two-liter power unit that turned out to be more reliable. As for malfunctions, over the years of operation, the owners have experienced:

• Failure of ignition coils (usually due to untimely replacement of candles).
• Breakage of the corrugations of the exhaust system (there are only two of them).

It is also worth noting that the timing belt, according to the regulations, should be changed every 120 thousand kilometers. But experienced motorists advise reducing this mileage to 70 thousand. After all, if the belt breaks, the owner will end up with an expensive and serious repair.

Among the pitfalls of the 1.8-liter turbo engine, owners note increased oil consumption. It can be up to 800 grams per thousand kilometers. In this case, you must always control the level. Driving with a low oil level leads to malfunctions with the timing (chain tensioners fail). As a result, the chain skips several teeth along the crankshaft gear. This increases the risk of the valves hitting the pistons. There are B problems with the water pump. The pump loses its tightness over time. There are malfunctions with the turbocharger control solenoid valves. The high pressure pump fails.

Diesel

And what do the owners say about diesel Skodas imported from abroad? Here, too, there were some surprises. So, in these engines, there may be problems with the injector o-rings. As a result, the fuel freely enters the lubrication system. Otherwise, diesel engines are reliable and surprisingly well "digest" our fuel. The resource of the turbine is about 200 thousand kilometers.

Transmission

As for the transmission, the car is equipped with a mechanical six-speed gearbox. There are no problems with her. But on diesel modifications, a malfunction of the dual-mass flywheel is possible. The latter emits characteristic knocks and clicks when idling. As a rule, such a malfunction is diagnosed on a run of 150 or more thousand kilometers.

In terms of maintenance, the mechanical box is unpretentious. An oil change is required every 100 thousand kilometers. And the clutch resource can reach up to 200 thousand kilometers. On the same run, the release bearing also wears out. There are no problems with the clutch drive, which is hydraulic.

Four-wheel drive

Without exception, all Scout cars come with all-wheel drive. It operates in the following way. On hard paved surfaces, the moment is transmitted to the front wheels. However, when slipping, up to half of the moment is redistributed to the rear axle. This is done thanks to the Haldex coupling. As cross-wheel locks - electronic imitation. The system automatically "bites" spinning wheels through the pads. Owners recommend turning off the ESP system when overcoming various obstacles, since the car simply refuses to drive - the engine constantly slows down. Locks (or rather, their imitation) are rarely saved.

As for the cross-country characteristics, you should not regard this car as an SUV. According to reviews, the Skoda Octavia Scout is just an all-terrain wagon, but it should not be attributed to SUVs. Its maximum is a snowy road or a muddy mud puddle.

Chassis

Its design is similar to the liftback. So, an independent suspension with MacPherson struts is installed in front, and a multi-link in the back. Additionally, the car is equipped with two transverse stabilizers. We also note that other springs and shock absorbers are used on the Scout.

As for the suspension characteristics, it is quite knocked down. The car holds the road well and enters corners at high speed without any problems. But off-road, this car is powerless - reviews say. "Skoda Octavia Scout" has a good ride. Suspension swallows road joints and other irregularities well.

Now about reliability. According to car owners, the suspension on the Skoda is quite hardy. After 80 thousand kilometers, the rear silent blocks of the front levers begin to rage. The stabilizer struts nursed about 100 thousand kilometers. Ball bearings have a resource of 200 thousand kilometers.

The rear suspension is no less reliable. After 100 thousand bushings and stabilizer struts change. After 150 thousand, the silent blocks of the rear breakup levers require replacement. Wheel bearings, unfortunately, change as an assembly with the hub. But their resource is large - about 200 thousand kilometers. At the same mileage, the silent blocks of the remaining levers require replacement. But there are also disadvantages. During this time, the bolts are very sour. And replacing anything in the suspension is quite difficult.

Steering - rack with electric booster. The tips have a high resource, the rail itself does not break up to 150 thousand. The brake system includes four disc mechanisms with ABS sensors. There are no major problems with the brakes. The calipers do not sour and move normally. The pads wear out like on all cars - the front ones after 35 thousand, the rear ones last twice as long.

Summing up

So, we found out what the Skoda Octavia Scout station wagon is. This car has good ground clearance, so the owner can feel confident on the roads outside the paved surface. However, one should not count on anything more. The off-road capabilities of the Scout are small. At the same time, this car is quite versatile - it has a large trunk and is distinguished by a comfortable suspension. If you buy a similar copy, then only after 2009. Versions released earlier had many "jambs" in the body and in the cabin. As for the engine, the atmospheric two-liter power unit on a manual box turned out to be the most reliable. It is this combination that will be ideal for this car.

Production of the Czech station wagon Skoda Octavia Scout began in 2007, and two years later a small facelift (FL) was carried out, which changed the design of the radiator grille. More serious transformations were made only a few years later, and since 2013 Scout has been produced in a station wagon body based on the third generation of Octavia. Let's take a closer look at the specifications of the Skoda Octavia Scout.

Chassis

Scout is one of the forerunners of current crossovers. By its size, this wagon belongs to the class "C". Creating a model based on the usual Skoda Octavia, Czech designers put reinforced springs on the suspension, due to which the ground clearance increased, now it is 178 mm. To protect the body, the Scout is equipped with a plastic body kit on the sides, on the bumpers and in the wheel arches. The Scout has 17-inch wheels with 225/50 tires.

The drive of the Skoda Octavia Scout is complete, without the use of a low gear and additional locks. The rear axle is connected automatically electronically when the front wheels start to spin. To transmit torque to the rear wheels, a Haldex multi-plate clutch is used.

Compared to its predecessors, Scout boasts a better suspension, which, due to its balanced stiffness, allows you not to slow down when passing road bumps and speed bumps. The increased ground clearance makes it possible to easily climb curbs and drive through deep ruts. Suspensions - rear multi-link and front "MacPherson" - are independent, which improves handling and guarantees a smooth ride on any surface. The stability of the model also deserves all praise. Front and rear disc brakes provide excellent deceleration at all speeds. It is pleasant to drive a car, it is sensitive to the actions of the driver. Despite the high ground clearance, even on sharp turns, the car almost does not heel.

When passing a dirt surface with small potholes, even at low speed, the car shakes slightly, which creates discomfort for passengers.

Engine and transmission

Skoda Scout is not equipped with an automatic transmission. The diesel and petrol engines come with a six-speed manual transmission. The shift lever moves are small, the switching clarity is optimal, there are no complaints about the operation of the box.

The 2 liter diesel engine delivers 320 Nm of torque at 1750 rpm, while the 1.8 liter 16-valve twin-cam petrol engine delivers 250 Nm at 1500 to 4500 rpm. to 100 km / h in 10.2 and 8.4 seconds, respectively, which is pretty good for a car weighing more than 1500 kg. The maximum speed is 210 km/h. The manufacturer's declared fuel consumption of the petrol version of the Scout is slightly more than 10 liters in the urban cycle and 6.4 liters on the highway, while the diesel model has 8.2 and 5.6 liters, respectively.

The noise isolation of the Skoda Scout is generally quite good, however, during acceleration, the engine and the noise emitted by the tires are heard in the cabin.

On the aggregate side, the Skoda Octavia Scout is designed and implemented almost perfectly. Increased ground clearance, powerful lighting, perfectly balanced suspension and control elements make this car reliable in terms of performance and road behavior.

Exterior and interior

Now let's turn our attention to the ergonomics of the car. As for the appearance, this is a classic station wagon with silhouette lines characteristic of Skoda. The black plastic bodywork adds to the imposing look, while the shape of the headlights and tailpipe adds a sporty touch to the car's appearance.

Inside the Skoda Octavia Scout FL, everything is thought out and looks quite harmonious, although the design itself will seem somewhat old-fashioned to some. At the same time, it is immediately clear that all the details are of very high quality and fit perfectly. Nothing rattles, creaks, dangles. There are many different niches, shelves, drawers in the cabin where you can place small items that usually hang around the cabin and annoy.

The Octavia interior itself is designed almost perfectly, although there are still some complaints. For example, the joystick for adjusting mirrors located on the vertical panel of the door is not very convenient to use, and the seat cushions may seem narrow to plump passengers. Also, wide thresholds are not very comfortable. You need to adapt to the exit and entrance to the salon so as not to stain your clothes, especially considering the 18 centimeters of clearance.

It is worth noting the Scout's excellent visibility, because even when leaving uncomfortable parking spaces from the cabin, everything can be seen remarkably.

This family "almost crossover", immediately after its appearance on the Russian market, found its niche, its fans. The model is designed for an ordinary family with 2-3 children. Taking everyone out into the countryside, taking with you a tent, bicycles, sleeping bags and a bunch of other absolutely necessary things, and most importantly a barbecue grill and a bowl for fish soup - this will not be difficult on such a machine.

The Skoda Octavia Scout is a sort of all-terrain wagon - it seems like it’s not an SUV, but there is an all-wheel drive, a significant ground clearance (179 mm) is available, and a huge trunk of 1620 liters - a combination of all this beckons out of town.

Externally, there is nothing special about the Skoda Octavia Scout. Scratch-resistant plastic on the bottom of the body - looks rustic, but Skoda is not trying to splurge. The car captivates precisely with its simplicity. But the wheel arches, front and rear bumper and doors are protected from damage. The bottom is additionally protected. Round bumper-mounted front foglights, twin tailpipes and 17-inch Proteus wheels give the Scout a sporty off-road look.

The interior of this car is comfortable, albeit somewhat old-fashioned. But everything is at hand and made for people, so it causes not irritation, but some nostalgia - a monochrome on-board computer screen, a green speedometer, a small sunroof, into which you can’t stick your head out. And yet all of this is of excellent quality. Do not be afraid that something will start to fall off or creak - everything is done to last.

There are very voluminous niches on the doors, a lot of devices for small things - coasters, pockets, nets in the trunk. The main thing is not to forget what was put where. Onyx interior color looks very harmonious with the dashboard. If you wish, you can buy a car with a more expensive interior design option - Alcantara leather trim looks great, it perfectly combines genuine and artificial leather.

There are, of course, not quite successful nuances. For example, the volume of music is regulated by the system depending on what the speed is, but this is done somewhat incorrectly, so you have to constantly intervene in the process. Although ... before the volume was always adjusted manually and no one complained.

But when, during emergency braking, the “emergency gang” automatically turns on - this is annoying. Probably, the idea itself is not bad and serves security, but our mentality does not allow us to fully appreciate it. But, you see, all these are details that you can not focus on. Each has its own shortcomings.

Specifications. Skoda offers gasoline and diesel versions of the Octavia Scout, but only a modification equipped with a 1.8-liter turbocharged gasoline engine (152 hp) is supplied to the Russian market (as is already customary). Both options are currently equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox. Although probably many owners would prefer an automatic (which, by the way, has already become the de facto standard for crossovers).

It is possible that this “first Scout based on the second Octavia” will not always pass on real off-road, but for Russian roads - whether it is a city street with speed bumps or a gravel dirt road - this is what you need. The car holds the road perfectly, clearly enters the turns, without the slightest roll. The running gear is just amazingly good for a car with no pretensions. Only electronics can turn on all-wheel drive, but she knows her business. And on wet pavement, and on a snowy track, you will feel calm. Anti Slip Regulation - a system that increases the stability of the car on a slippery surface, the EDS hill start system, HBA + DSR brake systems, which in case of sudden braking will distribute the force to the optimal wheels - this is all about your comfort on the road.

Maybe the Octavia Scout is simple in design, but not so simple in terms of technical characteristics. We have already mentioned that her engine is turbocharged. So it accelerates no worse than its counterparts, close in mass and class (in 8.7 seconds to 100 km / h) and the maximum speed is not bad - 208 km / h, and the gas mileage will please you - with a weight of one and a half tons, this station wagon burns just a little less than 8 liters per 100 kilometers (in mixed mode).

So, this is an almost ideal car for a family leading an active lifestyle - moderately passable, very roomy and, most importantly, everything in it is of German quality. It looks big enough, but there is a little secret - the wheelbase went to her from the "Golf" and has exactly the same size. But, looking at the "Scout", it is hard to believe in it.

Price for Skoda Octavia Scout in 2009 alone ~ 969 thousand rubles, because it is offered (on the Russian market) in a single configuration.

As the owner of the most famous Scout in Russia, I want to share my operating experience over the past 3 years. The cross-country station wagon turned out to be an indispensable car for all occasions and repeatedly rescued from the most unusual situations. As of 2011, the Scout was an uncontested version of a car for 1 million rubles with a station wagon body, a clearance of more than 180 mm, all-wheel drive and acceleration to hundreds in less than 9 seconds.

Below I present the full history of the car’s operation over 90 thousand kilometers (Scout has never been to any official dealer for maintenance), I will share the cost of maintenance, improvements and other useful information that will also be relevant for almost all car owners on the A5 platform ( PQ35). So let's get started.

It all started around here. In those distant times, Skoda cars in some unknown way passed me by, and I could not even imagine that someday I would have a Skoda. I looked closely at the Audi A4 allroad for a long time (I drove about 20 thousand kilometers from Murmansk to Vladivostok on the A6 allroad in 2009-2010), but its price did not match my income, and even at the Audi dealership I was stubbornly persuaded to Octavia Scout. I refused for a long time, until, quite by accident, I got a diesel Scout for a test (by that time, the quotas for the supply of diesel versions in Russia had ended). Having successfully driven 7 thousand kilometers on it, having traveled to the Urals and back, and also setting his own record for driving a car (2300 kilometers in 24 hours,). After that, I no longer doubted the right choice of car.

So, Skoda Octavia Scout with second generation EA888 1.8TSI petrol engine, 4th generation all-wheel drive with Haldex clutch and six-speed manual transmission. I fully service the car with my own hands and recommend the same to all my friends. You need to stay away from official dealers in Russia - for your money, not only will they not do the work required by the regulations, they will break something along the way. Per . Say - what about the guarantee? Well, for example, look at me, 3 years of car operation in conditions far from ideal - not a single breakdown during the warranty period.

2. Let's go directly to the car. What is good about Skoda is cheap spare parts, which, moreover, can be bought literally on every corner. There is a choice of original parts, non-original with different levels of quality (from Chinese, to OEM with a worn VW AG logo at a price half that of the original), as well as sales from those who are modifying their car. For example, a person makes an engine chip, he needs to update the hardware. He puts in the new, but the old remains with him and lies idle. And often these are parts with a mileage of 10-15 thousand km and they can be bought for a quarter of the price of a new one.

The A5 platform has several weaknesses and they are all VW's desire to save money. After massive cases of breakdowns, they still finalized the problem nodes and replaced components.

3. In addition, the Scout has its own problem areas. The first is the front brakes with discs with a diameter of 288 mm. Chickens are laughable for a one and a half ton car: they are enough for a mono-drive Octavia, but the Scout is 200 kg heavier (VAG was generous with 312 mm wheels only for the diesel Yeti)! The solution is simple, you only need to change the brake calipers and the discs themselves. To save money, you can take used discs with a bracket from the owners of the Octavia RS, often they go to the track and upgrade the brakes to 345 mm discs, and they don’t need a regular set. Replacement is done on your own in half an hour, regular disks can also be sold. For example, I bought a used set from RS for 5 thousand rubles and sold my 288 mm wheels for 2 thousand. The budget for upgrading the brakes is 3 thousand rubles. This is the most important improvement for the Scout, it's not safe to ride on standard brakes!

4. Also, be sure to pay attention to the too soft and uninformative clutch pedal. The problem is that the driver does not feel the moment of grasping, does not completely remove the foot from the clutch pedal and squeezes the gas to the floor. The clutch is not completely closed, the engine has reached the zone of maximum torque - the clutch is on. The off-road situation is aggravated, when the wheels easily slip into slip, and the driver does not feel it. About a third of Scout owners successfully burn the clutch at less than 30,000 miles. Under the guarantee, they reasonably refuse to change it, and people get about 15-20 thousand for spare parts, plus work. The solution is elementary - to accustom yourself to instantly take your left foot off the clutch pedal as soon as the car starts moving. As you can see, my clutch is alive with a run of 90 thousand kilometers, although the car drove a lot outside the asphalt.

5. A visual demonstration of the possibilities for transporting goods and arranging a bed. Without shifting the front seats, you get a full-fledged flat bed 185 cm long. With the lid closed, you can also transport three-meter objects without any problems.

6. Everything you need is stored in the underground covered with a lid. This is an old photo from a post two years ago (), the range of useful travel items has expanded by now.

7. One of the first trips to the test site near Bronnitsy. At that time, I was not so well versed in the features of the operation of all-wheel drive with preventive blocking, but I had already got a little familiar with the principles of operation of simulating cross-axle blocking using standard brake mechanisms.

Here is a short video from that time:

8. Suspension travel is small, but do not forget that this is originally a passenger car. The Scout has a package for bad roads (PPD), which is completely identical to what was put on the regular Octavia of the Kaluga assembly. Its meaning is to raise the car due to longer springs (the Scout's clearance is even higher due to the tire profile increased by 5%).

9. The problem arises due to the fact that the shock absorbers remained standard and they have limited rebound travel. When the trunk is empty, they knock on speed bumps. You have to come to terms with this. While the car was new with body rigidity everything was perfect. With diagonal hanging, it was possible to close and close all the doors, and the gaps between them and the bodies did not change. For 3 years, the rigidity of the body has fallen and now, when driving through bumps with diagonal hanging, you can hear the seals creaking on the doorways.

10. During the first year of operation, nothing was done to the car, except for scheduled maintenance. The scout is operated on 92 or 95 gasoline (according to the manufacturer's specifications - http://victorborisov.ru/professor/ea888/ssp436.pdf). VAG sticks sticker 98 (95) on all cars for Russia, even if it is an eight-valve naturally aspirated engine with a volume of 1.6 liters, do not believe what is pasted on the gas tank flap, see the official documents of the manufacturer.

11. There is no difference in dynamics and consumption between 92 and 95 gasoline. Consumption in the city is less than 10 liters, on the highway 7.5-8. This is summer data. The air conditioner practically does not affect the consumption, and in the winter season the consumption increases by 1.5-2 liters. The engine is regularly twisted to a cutoff, but in general it is operated in a calm rhythm. Most of the mileage is on the highway.

12. For 3 years of operation and 90 thousand kilometers, I spent 230 thousand rubles on gasoline.

13. Once again, I note the adequate cost of spare parts. Departure into the forest through an overgrown clearing ended with a torn off ABS sensor. The issue price is 700 rubles for a new original sensor.

14. Officially declared ground clearance is 180 mm, in fact it is at least 200. The lowest point is the rear suspension arms, but they only affect patency when reversing and only because the engineers made the mudguards of the wrong design. They are torn off the screws, they are bent and interfere with the ride. The entire bottom is covered with plastic anthers, the gas tank is a conditionally weak spot, but once in winter I drove it along the rebar sticking out of the ground and it remained undamaged. There is a thick plastic engine protection in the front (it comes as standard, but cunning dealers managed to sell it separately for an additional fee, a similar story with salon rugs - they are also in Scout's database). You should not be afraid for the engine. below is the strongest aluminum subframe that takes all the blows.

15. Pull out a three-ton Vogue tightly glued to the bottom in a stream, while the road goes up? Elementary. This is the merit of a dynamic sling, with which, as practice has shown, even 3-4 people are enough to manually pull out a stuck car. The inconvenience in such situations for the Scout is the manual transmission and the possibility of burning the clutch mentioned above. That is, starting under load uphill is not an option.

16. After a year and a half of operation on the front suspension, the rear silent blocks of the front levers were replaced due to another kroilov VAG. They are perforated, tear easily, and generally provide poor steering feedback. The issue price of the pressed 1,500 rubles a piece, you can take rubber bands separately for 400-500 rubles. The part goes to the Audi S3. In general, any improvements begin and end with the installation of bolt-on factory parts from the Audi platform (in particular, the A3). On a run of 60 thousand kilometers, I changed the oil in the Haldex clutch. In fact, the oil was almost clean, it was more important to change the filter. With him, the story is as follows - VAG believes that it is not necessary to change it and it is enough to change the oil, but you and I know that it is pointless to change the oil if the filter is tightly clogged with wear products of the clutch disks. If you do not change the filter, then by the mileage of 80-100 thousand km, the electric pump will simply burn out, creating pressure in the clutch.

17. To date, only the rear springs have been replaced on the suspension of the car. they sank due to the transportation of goods for the construction of a country house. I paid 1,500 rubles for two springs (I found it from a person who mistakenly bought them for a mono-drive Octavia and, of course, they did not suit him because they were excessively rigid). Of the largest "breakdowns" can be noted the replacement of both rear wheel bearings, which buzzed exactly 2 years after purchase. The reason is simple - the rims on the Scout very effectively draw dirt into themselves, it dries up and we have a strong imbalance of the wheels. The regular repetition of this story led to the fact that both wheel bearings crumbled (by the way, due to unification on all-wheel drive vehicles, they are completely identical to the front ones). The cost of one wheel bearing is 2600 rubles.

18. I do an oil change every 10 thousand kilometers, while using an "outdated" engine oil with a 502 tolerance. The most curious thing is that the engine has no oil consumption! The calculation is simple, the average resource of engine oil with a 502 tolerance is 250 hours. My average speed is 45-50 km / h, so I confidently fit into the oil resource when changing every 10 thousand kilometers. In general, it is more correct to always consider the oil change interval not by mileage, but by engine hours. Especially if you regularly stand in traffic jams, and your average speed rarely exceeds 20 km / h (this is the standard average speed in Moscow). There was an interesting story with oil last fall, when it froze after the first and only refueling in my life at a Gazpromneft gas station. You can read more about it here -

19. In fact, nothing critical happened. I didn’t bother with replacing the high-pressure fuel pump, in autumn and winter I warm up the engine for 2-3 minutes and no problems. In summer and spring this problem is not in principle.

Testing Mita snow chains. More about them here -

20. By the end of 2012, a solution was found to completely disable the stabilization system. By default, it was possible to disable only the ASR traction control system and it was problematic to train normally in sliding on frozen lakes (in conjunction with the fact that the electronics stubbornly cut off the gas supply until the steering wheel was set straight). The solution was found by the American owners of the platform-based VW Golf R. they were supplied with cars with a non-switchable system, unlike European cars where this was possible from the factory. They compared the encodings of electronic components and found the bits responsible for this option. The solution was successfully applied to all cars of the A5 platform. The 1.8TSI engine has a chronic disease - "fogging" of the inlet pipe in front of the turbine. The problem lies, as usual, in savings multiplied by design features. The bottom line is that when releasing gas, when the turbine has already built up excess pressure in the intake manifold, the release of this excess into the atmosphere (Euro5 and all that) is not used to relieve pressure, but there is no separate valve to return it back to the intake. The valve just opens on the turbine and it closes on itself. What is the result? Excess air flows back into the intake. And there is a plastic pipe with a welded seam from the crankcase ventilation. And this weld is defective (every second car). As a result, if you actively use engine braking, you will get oil smudges at the junction of the pipes. The funny thing is that the official answer of the VAG is that everything is fine, it should be so. In fact, you need to take glue and fix the factory marriage of the weld.

21. A homemade snowplow is convenient both for clearing the road to the country house and for building a track for rally sprints on ice. Clings to the towing eye.

I pile on at full speed on the ice on spikes.

22. Experiments with reduced pressure on low profile tires. The Scout, in my opinion, has the ideal tire size - 225/50R17. They do not have much crushing of the sidewall on the pavement and they confidently swallow holes and bumps. For 3 years of operation, I have never ruled regular wheels. On the right - an example of a traditional departure, hell knows where looking at night.

23. As practice has shown, many people underestimate the capabilities of all-terrain wagons and crossovers outside of asphalt. Almost everything depends on the skills and experience of the driver.

24. Here is a good demonstration on gas mileage. Tank volume - 60 liters. On the right, any plastic small things torn off at the bottom during the next rides. The price of each part is 30-40 rubles.

25. For maintenance, the picture is as follows. A liter of engine oil is 300 rubles, a total of 5 liters will come out at 1,500 rubles. In fact, the filling volume is 4.6 liters. Oil filter 350 rubles and drain washer 3 rubles. Cabin filter 300 rubles. This is for replacement every 10 thousand kilometers. Total 10 replacements in 3 years, approximately 2000 rubles each. Also, every 30 thousand kilometers, the replacement of the air filter (300 rubles). Oil and filter for the Haldex coupling for 1300 rubles, total 2600 rubles. Oh yes, on a run of 75 thousand kilometers I changed the candles (250 rubles apiece), slight twitches began during intensive acceleration. And on the same run I changed the fuel filter for the first time (!), The issue price is 500 rubles. That is, consumables cost a penny, you can not even count.

26. This summer I got into an accident for the first time. The tags "didn't even slow down", "it flew in from behind." The woman had just left the body repair, gaped, and there was a traffic jam ahead. I smoothly stopped and after 5 seconds she drove in. Scout's half a kilo of clay fell off the muffler and the decorative trim was scratched. It's time for Swift to go back to body repair: bumper, hood, headlight, fender. By the way, the "unpainted" plastic on the bumper is actually painted matte gray and is simply scratched. But it was created for this, I don’t understand people who make a tragedy because of a small scratch on the bumper. Did you buy a car to drive or blow off dust particles? These are probably the same people who wrap the TV remote control in a bag.

27. Do not believe it, but on a run of 90 thousand kilometers I have only 50% wear on the front pads! And the front discs generally passed more than 135 thousand (recall, these are used discs from Octavia RS).

28. A visual illustration of how the rims get clogged with mud and ice, which subsequently led to the replacement of the rear wheel bearings.

29. For a long time I tried to remember what else broke down in 3 years. Remembered! The light bulbs burned out. Both front, almost all rear and license plate lights. No wonder the lighting unit is configured so that the dimensions are always on, and if you can try to turn off the rear ones, then the front ones cannot be turned off in any way. Light bulbs cost 10 rubles and do not present any problems with replacement.

30. What's bad about Scout? Just huge rolls. Passengers regularly complain that they get motion sick when I try to get through a bunch of corners. In principle, I resigned myself to this, although this problem can be solved by replacing the shock absorbers (we return to the package for bad roads).

31. Otherwise, this is a non-alternative version of a four-wheel drive "shed" for adequate money. If the "barn" is not needed, then the same VAG has alternatives. For example Seat Altea Freetrack which goes even better, but costs the same.

Excellent trip last fall with a club of like-minded people. Excellent light off-road school practice.

32. I am often asked what I think about the new one, whether I will take it for myself. This is a difficult question, no doubt the new Scout is better in everything, and I will recommend it to all my friends and acquaintances, because. anyway, the previous generation is discontinued. But if we talk about me, I'm not sure that 3 years is the time to change the car. In addition, there are plans to switch to a more versatile and practical body type (you can try to guess what exactly).

I'm sure I forgot something, so feel free to ask questions.