BlueRSedFly

Thanks, glad to hear others have noticed this. Also had 33PSI on the fronts so have reduced it. Think I will be getting some Continental winters when these Pirellis are done, after looking at that test Ultrasonic posted, cheers.

Cheers, will check them at the weekend

Will have to check pressure but should think the tyre place will have set them to recommended settings, if they have do you reckon I should reduce them?

Already done 4-5k on last Winter so not that, did have some similar issues with wheelspin last year but now I'm starting to think that there is something not right with the tyres

Got my winter tyres put on last weekend, o7plate Octy vRS Mk2 TSI, Pirelli Sottozerro on 18in Zenith wheels as I can't be bothered fitting smaller wheels. Starting to think that would be a better idea. However, today (admittedly temp was almost 10degrees) road surface slightly damp got wheelspin, traction control lamp flashing in 1st/2nd and 3rd pulling off a set of lights and I wasn't really trying. I experienced this last year in lower temperatures , is this normal behaviour for winter tyres? Would have never got any wheelspin from the summer Continental contacts, can't help feeling that with the limited amount of snow we get that all season tyres would be a better option? What's everyone else's experiences when the air temp is above 4-5 degrees?

All 2.0sports have heated leather seats (although they are either on or off and are v.hot when on) lovely on a winter top down cruise. They all have Bilstein dampers but they are not many with the Eibach springs ,even though they are quite a popular mod. All 2.0 variants have a LSD (I think) but the option pack and some of the special edition ones have a 5sp gearbox and not a 6 (the 5sp has a sweeter shift and is less reluctant to engage 1st/2nd when cold)although the 6sp still has a nice shift when warm. Have a look on MX5OC forum for more info

Yes, definitely worth getting the geometry setup checked, not had any clearance issues with mine yet but then it was only lowered about 1000miles ago so prob. not fully settled just yet

Thanks everyone for their input, will have to do some driving, having got an Octavia vRs Mk2 TFSi myself at present I am looking to replace the wife's car. Don't know if the Golf would offer much difference in the driving experience than the Octy, I know it's a newer evolution of the 2.0T engine but it sounds like it's less reliable than the original! Am leaning towards the Fabia at present as it's a useful bit cheaper and the combination of small size, turbo engine and DSG sounds like a lot of fun to drive, as other's mentioned I would prob. go for extending the warranty. Granted in terms of looks I prefer the Golf ,if only it was available in some decent colours, and the interior looks so much nicer than the Fabia, also the boot space in the Golf is more useful. Sounds like I could get caught with unreliability issues with either , although it seems like Fabias go wrong early whereas I could get caught with a Golf going wrong just outside the warranty period, hmmmmmmmmmm!

Am torn between these 2 options, I love the look and small dimensions of the Fabia as well as the fact that it will cost about 2k less to buy than a Mk6 GTi second hand but I can't help thinking that actually the Golf would be a better buy as it is likely to maintain it's value and probably be a more complete car to drive, has anyone on here had experience of both? Am also worried about the reliability of the Fabia twincharger engine and DSG box but I bet it is so much fun to drive!

I have an MX5( for fun) and an Octy vRS (for family duties and fun) . I used to think MX5s were rubbish so once bought a TTR but now that I have an MX5 realised I should have bought one years ago! Mine is a Mk3 2/0sport and is lowered on -30mm Eibach springs. Mk3 sports have Bilstein shocks as standard, 6sp manual gearbox and LSD.2.0 has about 165bhp and weighs 1100kg so is fast enough. Now had mine for 3 years so have a bit more confidence to explore the handling ,I spent about a year pussyfooting around thinking it was going to spin but the handling is quite progressive and the car is so much fun to drive. Suspension is still quite supple so you can blast around Broads without having to back off due to things getting uncomfortable. I discounted MR2s due to the complete lack of boot and engine problems, Boxsters were discounted due to running costs and them being a bit on the big side (especially in terms of width), S2000s were discounted due to snappy handling and harder ride. If you look at MX5s on the Mk3 the gearbox can be quite stiff when cold and check the rear arches/sills for any rust, the Mk2s are more likely to have rusty sills (and they go from the inside out so whatever you see on the surface will be much worse than it appears) and also the front chassis rails can rust so buy with care, a few MX5 enthusiasts are of the opinion that the Mk2 1.8sport was the best of all the MX5s to drive as it is not as soft as the Mk3 but I find the Mk3 quite a precise car, in particular the steering is lovely and you feel a part of the car. It's hard to put into words, you need to go and drive one!

Here's mine at the viewpoint above Lake Windermere last week, No mods and filthy but a great location and sunny weather!

Hi folks, currently have an Octy vRS MK2 and considering changing the wife's Seat Altea for a Fabia vRS while they're on VAT free. Just wish it came with a manual 'box as I'm unsure about the whole DSG thing. Nothing wrong with the way they drive just slightly doubtful about what happens in snow? Does the DSG have a winter mode or not? I often start off in 2nd and feed the clutch in real slow in the Octy which works fine but obviuosly this is not an option with the DSG, so how did current owners find the last winter and what sort of price are people paying fo rnew ones at the moment? Thanks in advance for your responses

OK, thanks for the replies, sounds like I need to drive an FL version and find out how much it will cost to change to make up my mind

Hi folks, I currently have an 07 vRS hatch 2.0T petrol (Race Blue) and am debating whether to get a FL vRS combi before the VAT free deal ends. Are there many benefits to the FL version as I prefer the looks of the one I have, which has been excellent in all respects. I have kept it for the longest time I have ever owned a car and still enjoy driving it now. We now have two children and I think that the combis extra height at the back would probably be benficial as with a dog gaurd it can be loaded quite high. Also is the engine of the FL version the same as the old one or is it the same as the one in the Mk6 Golf GTI but rated as less power? Sorry if these questions have been covered previously on the forum but all responses gratefully recieved!