Picked up the new 1.8 TSi hatch this morning. So far very impressed even though just tootling about.

It is weird driving a car that is apparently identical (even to the controls, colour and trim) yet quite different!

Noted so far - the tyres are Continental, not Bridgestone. Seem so far as quiet as the Falkens I fitted recently to last car.

Gearbox smoother and "softer" change, even though car had only done 3 miles on collection.

Engine more refined. Whole car feels "lighter", bit like my 2.0FSi did compared with Mk. 1 vRS it succeeded. Clutch seems to engage smoother, though very quick. Maybe this is just newness, but I don't think so somehow.

95 ron recommended, not 98 as previous model - saves a few pennies.

Looking forward to longish run at weekend from 'dahn sahf' here, up to Kegworth Leics, (and back I hope!)

How many miles before I can give it some wellie, do you reckon? Used to be 1500 Km?

(Though I'm not in any hurry to sprint!)

Just take it easy for first 1k miles to make sure no build issues then use the warp drive as much as needed

cane it from day one and you'll end up with a quicker engine. it will be nice and loose, free revving and quick to pick up.

cane it from day one and you'll end up with a quicker engine. it will be nice and loose, free revving and quick to pick up.

And May the "Force" be With You !!!

95 ron recommended, not 98 as previous model - saves a few pennies.

How many miles before I can give it some wellie, do you reckon? Used to be 1500 Km?

(Though I'm not in any hurry to sprint!)

You'll save more pennies if you stick with 98ron.

For run-in. Drive in the style that is "normal" for you.

Just don't go berserk with it for the first few hundred miles. I always think it is worth taking the engine to it's redline fairly early on in it's life but do it gently and do it slowly in a low gear. I often find that works well with new engines as they seem to be better on fuel and better performance then one that hasn't been used.

You'll save more pennies if you stick with 98ron.

Well, I'd have thought that too, but the label inside the fuel flap is totally different from the one in the 2.0FSi. This one doesn't mention 98, whereas the previous one had 98 in big font, and 95 in small.

The brochure doesn't mention 98 at all. All petrol engines are quoted as 95 min ron.

I understood you only got a benefit from higher octane if the engine was specifically built to use it?

I understood you only got a benefit from higher octane if the engine was specifically built to use it?

Generally all high power, high compression ratio, direct injected and turbo engines should benefit from it.

2.0 FSI engine has got 11.5:1 compression ratio. Fuel is therefore more prone to self-detonation, consequently requiring higher octane fuel. 1.8 TSI has got "only" 9.6:1, therefore more forgiving on lower octane fuel.

Congratulations on the new car. The 1.8TSI is supposed to be an excellent engine.

Where did you get it from? Ewhurst, West Sussex motors or somewhere completely different??

Well, I'd have thought that too, but the label inside the fuel flap is totally different from the one in the 2.0FSi. This one doesn't mention 98, whereas the previous one had 98 in big font, and 95 in small.

The brochure doesn't mention 98 at all. All petrol engines are quoted as 95 min ron.

I understood you only got a benefit from higher octane if the engine was specifically built to use it?

I'm not sure about the UK but here in Australia 95ron is +6c over 91ron & 98ron is +5c over 95ron. Somewhere here in Briskoda I posted a fuel usage spreadsheet - basically, 95ron results in higher fuel consumption for me than 98ron, therefore 98ron is cheaper per kilometre because of the small price difference. Off-topic side note - this difference (in cents) has not changed in the last 2 years despite the price of fuel doubling.I agree, there are many cars where putting higher octane/better fuel makes no difference to power, fuel consumption or anything, but in my (short 7500km) experience with the 1.8TSI 98ron works out cheaper.

Congratulations on the new car. The 1.8TSI is supposed to be an excellent engine.

Where did you get it from? Ewhurst, West Sussex motors or somewhere completely different??

West Sussex Motors. They got it from somewhere in Grimsby. Though I've only done a few miles, it is chalk and cheese from previous (SO FAR). Not a door squeak or rattle - built like a Roller.

I want to put just a little more oil in it. Do they usually use fully synthetic from new? I've got some 0-40W Mobil. It only needs about half a pint I reckon.

I only ever use the manufacturers spec oil - for 1.8TSI that would most likely be VW 504.00 ?

As far as comparing octane requirements for a 2.0FSI (naturally aspirated) with a 1.8 TFSI (turbo) don't forget when the turbo is boosting it is going to increase the effective compression ratio significantly. What does the owners manual say about octane ?

Owners Manual doesn't mention octane except to say to use the correct one - I think the manual is a bit "generic".

The price list brochure though has full pages about engines, and for petrol versions only mentions "95 min. ron". No mention of 98 as an alternative, even for the 2.0Fsi (still available on a few models but not the Elegance.).

Owners Manual doesn't mention octane except to say to use the correct one - I think the manual is a bit "generic".

The price list brochure though has full pages about engines, and for petrol versions only mentions "95 min. ron". No mention of 98 as an alternative, even for the 2.0Fsi (still available on a few models but not the Elegance.).

95 MINIMUM ron would infer 95 or better. I'm not quite sure what the confusion is.:confused:

All I can suggest is that you run through about 150L of 95 ron & keep records of your consumption (none of this "I get 500km to a tank" malarky). Then run 150L of 98 through it under similar driving conditions & see what the results are.

I want to put just a little more oil in it. Do they usually use fully synthetic from new? I've got some 0-40W Mobil. It only needs about half a pint I reckon.

What was the PD guy doing not filling it to the top mark?

0w40 Mobil1 will be fine.

95 MINIMUM ron would infer 95 or better. I'm not quite sure what the confusion is.:confused:

All I can suggest is that you run through about 150L of 95 ron & keep records of your consumption (none of this "I get 500km to a tank" malarky). Then run 150L of 98 through it under similar driving conditions & see what the results are.

This might sound daft but, on my typical mileage, I am not too bothered about a few mpg more or less; I am happy to use 98 (or actually 99 down here) if the car feels even nippier.

(Which is also not a big deal because even though it is still tight it feels like a rocket after the 2.0FSi, which in turn I was very happy with !!!)

By the way, Cappuccino is NOT the same as Sahara beige. It is one of those oddball colours that changes with the weather/lighting etc. (I mean more than most do).

Yesterday it looked silvery grey at one point, pale gold at another.

Now I'll REALLY have to remember where I parked!

By the way, Cappuccino is NOT the same as Sahara beige. It is one of those oddball colours that changes with the weather/lighting etc. (I mean more than most do).

Yesterday it looked silvery grey at one point, pale gold at another.

Now I'll REALLY have to remember where I parked!

Sounds like a great colour.

They don't sell brown cars in Australia - for some reason nobody likes shades of brown down here.

We once had a toyota corona that was in a colour called Bright Brown. It was fantastic & changed colour throughout the day going from a bauxite red colour through to dark brown.

Just done my first 500 miles. Not one single squeak, door seal noise, rattle or anything. I can't believe it. Same car - different build! Or just a lucky one?

Just done my first 500 miles. Not one single squeak, door seal noise, rattle or anything. I can't believe it. Same car - different build! Or just a lucky one?

Mines like that.

The only annoying noise I get is the buckle of the passengers seat belt hitting the pillar when the road is bumpy. Not much you can do about that

That happens on mine all the time, can't remember which car I had but it had a little widget you could push the buckle into to stop it moving about. Other than that mine has been reasonably rattle free for 60,000+ miles

I've just completed 1000 miles in my 1.8 TSi and must agree it is a cracking engine. I owned a Roomster 1.9 TDi previously and really hated the engine for noise and vibration. It went pretty well after a remap, but I just couldn't live with the racket. Interestingly I test drove an Octavia with the same engine and found it much quieter / smoother (? more sound proofing).

I'm getting low 30's around town (34.7 according to OBC) and an easy 40 mpg (43 mpg according to OBC) cruising at 75 ish . 70 mph is just over 2500 rpm in 6th, making it a good cruiser (apart from the tyre noise). I've used Tesco super unleaded (99 RON) since I bought the car as I understood FSi engines benefited from higher octane fuel and it's only 4p/l more than standard 95 RON petrol.

This is also my third consecutive Octavia (2 Mk 1 vRS's) and fourth consecutive Skoda (3 Octy's and 1 Roomster).

I just did a refill after my weekend trip and have put 95 in again. (Only got to upper 30's for mpg but it was a bit of a stop-start trip).

But I reckon you are right, and when I get through this tank I'll be approaching 1000 miles so will go back on 99. The engine is already obviously much more zippy than the 2.0 anyway, especially when starting off from standstill - I'll have to re-train my right foot!

Mate just brought round his new (ish) S40 Volvo diesel and we compared notes (but not performances!). Similar electronic gizmos etc. in some ways, bit of a lorry sounding engine idle but not as bad as some. You need a 3 week course to learn how to use its keys and door locks.

No way would I exchange!!!!

(apart from the tyre noise).

I have ContiSportContact2 on mine. They were annoyingly noisy when new but lately I haven't noticed them as much - I assumedthat after nearly 8,000km I'd gotten used to it or had the radio louder.

2 days back I got a puncture & put the brand new spare on the RR and the howling was back again - so the sound appears to decrease once the tyres have some wear on them.