I test piloted both the petrol & the diesel MK2's at Allam's open day and found the petrol a little dissapointing and the diesel a little surprising. The interior is nicer on the MK 2 but I love the look of my MK1, it looks a bit more menacing I think

Having driven both, the Mk1 gives more kick when the turbo come in.

I found the Mk2 lacking in comparison.

I agree completely, and I also prefer the noise from the Mk I....

I love my MK1 to bits and it's the best car I've had. In addition to the standard spec, it has factory sunroof and rear parking sensors. When you include cruise and the rest of the spec it has everything I've ever wanted. And it's quick. And it's fun. However, it's just too god damned expensive! A tank of V-Power at around £52 atm gets me about 360m and that's only 6 trips to work and back for me. Don't get me wrong I love her to bits, but it's hard sometimes coz I think about selling :(

Now if Skoda made my car but it was more economical, maybe I would buy that.......

Oh wait, isn't that a MK2 vRS derv?

It's a difficult argument. My engineering/mechanic friends tell me that a derv is never gonna be any good and with this being my first force inducted petrol car, I have to say, it never ceases to put a smile on my face. Also, on long runs at 60mph indicated (which I pretty much always do) I get 38-40mpg (measured not MFA). But when you do wanna have fun, which is kinda the point, it drops below 30. I can't help but thinking that if I drove like I do now with a mix of 60mph cruising on runs and fun in between, a 2.0 TDI MK2 vRS would easily give me loads more economy.

Then again, isn't the 2.0TFSI supposed to be loads better than the 1.8T? And why would I want to go back to diesel, if I could up my economy by a few mpg AND have more power.......?

I've not driven the MK2 yet, but every time I see one, I wonder if I should.

I love my MK1 to bits and it's the best car I've had. In addition to the standard spec, it has factory sunroof and rear parking sensors. When you include cruise and the rest of the spec it has everything I've ever wanted. And it's quick. And it's fun. However, it's just too god damned expensive! A tank of V-Power at around £52 atm gets me about 360m and that's only 6 trips to work and back for me. Don't get me wrong I love her to bits, but it's hard sometimes coz I think about selling :(

Now if Skoda made my car but it was more economical, maybe I would buy that.......

Oh wait, isn't that a MK2 vRS derv?

It's a difficult argument. My engineering/mechanic friends tell me that a derv is never gonna be any good and with this being my first force inducted petrol car, I have to say, it never ceases to put a smile on my face. Also, on long runs at 60mph indicated (which I pretty much always do) I get 38-40mpg (measured not MFA). But when you do wanna have fun, which is kinda the point, it drops below 30. I can't help but thinking that if I drove like I do now with a mix of 60mph cruising on runs and fun in between, a 2.0 TDI MK2 vRS would easily give me loads more economy.

Then again, isn't the 2.0TFSI supposed to be loads better than the 1.8T? And why would I want to go back to diesel, if I could up my economy by a few mpg AND have more power.......?

I've not driven the MK2 yet, but every time I see one, I wonder if I should.

Typically ecconomy and performance don't go together that well

It depends of what scale between the 2 preferences you use mostly. I love my MK 1 VRS for it's slightly more aggressive look and the feel of the turbo. Plus I like the firmer ride of the Mk1. However I am starting to warm to the MK2 which seems more refined and has 200BHP to start with making performance upgrading better down the tuning route which attracts me.

Mind you I like the new Seat Exeo version of the Octy and has same engine. Looks very much Audi A4:

New Exeo -> Sport

That Seat is really nice, I've always preferred the MK1. It looks really mean from the front lol and it has everything i wanted for a good price. The MK2 is still nice but i don't know what the differences are between the MK1 & MK2

I was saying only the other day to SWMBO that what ever car i have next is going to have a lot to live up to if it's to have all the stuff i get from my Octy.

Typically ecconomy and performance don't go together that well

It depends of what scale between the 2 preferences you use mostly. I love my MK 1 VRS for it's slightly more aggressive look and the feel of the turbo. Plus I like the firmer ride of the Mk1. However I am starting to warm to the MK2 which seems more refined and has 200BHP to start with making performance upgrading better down the tuning route which attracts me.

Mind you I like the new Seat Exeo version of the Octy and has same engine. Looks very much Audi A4:

New Exeo -> Sport

You're absolutely right. It's just that more often than not these days, I find that I just enjoy driving the vRS in the corners and for general comfort and experience. It feels solid and weighty, yet responsive. I don't really need it to be super quick, but I wonder if moving to a derv MK2, I would feel like it was LOADS slower. If it was just a bit, but I gained in the comfort and overall feel/experience department the MK2 would win. Surely, the newer chassis and interior provide big benefits?

On a purely aesthetic note, I prefer the more aggressive look of the MK1. I also like the fact that I don't HAVE to modify it for it to look good. Sure I could improve it further still, but it still looks great out of the box in my opinion. The MK2 is a little softer and I feel it blends in a little too much.

Will check out that Seat though, not seen one yet....

Typically ecconomy and performance don't go together that well

It depends of what scale between the 2 preferences you use mostly. I love my MK 1 VRS for it's slightly more aggressive look and the feel of the turbo. Plus I like the firmer ride of the Mk1. However I am starting to warm to the MK2 which seems more refined and has 200BHP to start with making performance upgrading better down the tuning route which attracts me.

Mind you I like the new Seat Exeo version of the Octy and has same engine. Looks very much Audi A4:

New Exeo -> Sport

It's a rebadged A4 B7.

It's a rebadged A4 B7.

doesnt that mean its not an Octy? or is the mk2 based on the A4 now?

doesnt that mean its not an Octy? or is the mk2 based on the A4 now?

No, the Octavia is the Golf platform, slightly stretched.

Typically ecconomy and performance don't go together that well

Mk1 vRS, 4x4 or 1.8T Elegance with remap and lpg anyone? (later model elegance) 200+BHP and 40MPG with lead foot :D it is possible to get up to 75MPG driving Miss Daisy in the 4x4 (should be more in the other 2) but I havent managed it yet

Mk1 vRS, 4x4 or 1.8T Elegance with remap and lpg anyone? (later model elegance) 200+BHP and 40MPG

Yeah, me!