My Skoda dealer called me this week, he does this from time to time to try and tempt me into changing my now old Fabia VRS. There wasn't a lot I liked about the current Skoda range, as (to me) they're looking a bit dated now, as is my Fabia. But it seems quite a lot has changed since his last call... brochures arrived this week

The facelifted Octavia looks great IMO, like the front, much more aggressive. From the back, very much like my old Vectra, a clean and simple look.

Some staggering offers on the limited edition (old) Octavia VRS, equivalent to no VAT, considering I had recently been to a VW dealer to look at a Scirocco with a price tag of well over £20k, but still not keen on the old look.

Looking at the facelifted VRS I have to say it looks a really nice car.

However I mentioned to the dealer that one thing which gets on my tits with the Fabia VRS is the crashy ride. It's like being buffeted about in a tin can and maybe I am just getting old, but I'd like some power AND comfort these days I have never driven an Octavia VRS to compare it, but the dealer seemed to think it wouldn't be much different. He suggested I look at the 1.8TSI, and on paper this looks pretty rapid - and should be a better ride.

Any 1.8TSI owners here, and what do you think of it? (Wonder also what the remap potential is). My brochure is tempting me with a 1.8TSI Laurin & Klement, great specs, good performance, £19k.

Yes - thinking now of going back to petrol, diesel has been great fun (all that lovely torque) and cheap as chips, but I miss the free revving feel of a petrol.

Finally, off topic for this section, sorry, also had a Superb brochure, I must say it looks rather "executive".

The dealer doesn't know what he's talking about. There is nothing crashy about the ride. Test drive one and see for yourself.

The dealer doesn't know what he's talking about. There is nothing crashy about the ride. Test drive one and see for yourself.

I did think it odd he said this, as so many people have good words to say about the Octy VRS, and quite agree a test drive is essential, TBH (no offence) I would never take a dealer's word for anything :P

The Octavia vRS's I've driven are miles better in ride quality compared with the Fabia!

I didn't have an issue with the vRS ride when I tried it out, but I plumped for the 1.8tsi L&K cos you seemed to get more for your money, and i'm not disappointed, it's fantastic. Just widh The only thing i'd change is that i'd have liked it in either Race Blue or Night Fire Blue.

my old L&K with sports suspension was crashy, the VRS that replaced it is not. Both are/were firm and I cant explain the difference really, maybe i noticed rattles more int he old one and it sounded crashy??

Remember that the vRS will have 18" alloys now and some report a firmer ride with those compared to the 17's

Steve

I've got the 1.8TSi Elegance hatch and it is great. I'd only bother with a vRS if I wanted to take up flying - the TSi is easily quick enough for me. Nice smooth ride, plenty of goodies, even the paint seems above average - you can clean it with a wet handkerchief.

On a decent run it gets up around 40mpg.

Good brakes, excellent handling.

Best of the lot is the "through the gears" torque and the punch in accelerating on the M ways.

I'm sure the vRS is the same but more so, but it just depends what you need to get a kick !

If the look of the facelifted Octavia is all you're after you could save yourself a lot of cash, buy an older model and fit a facelifted grille (Which seems to be the main change between models). They're available here: Skoda Octavia II - grille from the FACELIFT (09-) model - OEM : Skoda Tuning = superskoda.com

If the look of the facelifted Octavia is all you're after you could save yourself a lot of cash, buy an older model and fit a facelifted grille (Which seems to be the main change between models). They're available here: Skoda Octavia II - grille from the FACELIFT (09-) model - OEM : Skoda Tuning = superskoda.com

i think there are a few more differences to the facelift than a new grille

i think there are a few more differences to the facelift than a new grille

Headlights totally different on the few pics I've seen

And the interior's different as well! Different stereo, climate controls, dashpod...

Whereabouts are you Pete? Perhaps a runout in someone's vRS or 1.8TSi might be of benefit? Maybe a bit more of a real-world test available, compared with a dealer test drive? Depends which dealer it is of course, and whether they let you away on your own.

Steve

Golf GTI is supposed to be "jigglier" than an RS but I don't mind the GTI - personal preferences and local road conditions make all the difference i think.

I have a 1.8TSI Elegance. It's a very nice family car with slightly more grunt than average but if you are used to 150kw/300nm then it might be a marginal choice. The only way to find out is to drive both.

Remaps have gone from 1 to several in the past few months. Blufin has a cheap DIY option. Revo, giac, DMS, APR have all got dealer installed offereings. The difficulty is the MED17 ECU which has proven difficult to crack.