Octy is too basic even in Elegance spec, same as Mazda6 in TS spec, but I'll be taking a look at both. Scenic Dynamique is looking favourable due to fairly high spec, and believe me guys, I absolutely hate anything French, especially their cars, so its from a totally logical view point and nothing else.... :confused:

As someone who owned a Megane Dynamique (DCI) for 2.5 years and an Octavia Elegance for 3.5 years, I can tell you first hand there's just no contest. I dunno what it is on the Scenic Dynamique spec that's appealing to you but don't do it.

All Seat interior is an absolut no-go for me, that was the reason why I chose the Octavia over the Toledo....so for me it would be no difficult decision at all....

......and? Your point?

Sorry, don't want to offend you, but Fiat's have been the two worse cars I have ever driven, despite being nearly new, and that rates them below an Allegro . Both had mechanical faults, and they alway seem flimsy to me. Engines are usually good (the infamous twin-cam for a start), but besides that, not for me. My better half agreed- was clamouring for her 15 year old Polo back after a week with the Cinquecento courtesy car.

As to VAG engineering not being what it was, I'm not covinced there either: I've owned them for over 20 years now.

My next car (ish) is in your revised list.

I'll be going back to Mazda from a vRS petrol next year.

Going for the 6 TS 2.2 162hp (or whatever it is).

You say the spec is no good, but it has more than enough toys I reckon. More than the vRS anyways.

Sorry, don't want to offend you, but Fiat's have been the two worse cars I have ever driven, despite being nearly new, and that rates them below an Allegro . Both had mechanical faults, and they alway seem flimsy to me. Engines are usually good (the infamous twin-cam for a start), but besides that, not for me. My better half agreed- was clamouring for her 15 year old Polo back after a week with the Cinquecento courtesy car.

Take more than that to offend me

When was the last time you looked at a Fiat engine - Twin Cam?!!! :-)

Fiat literally invented Common Rail diesels, the 1.9 MJ is currently used in Fiats, Alfa's, Cadillac, Saab 9.3 / 9.5, Opel, Suzuki etc. VW Group have only just adopted CR technology and in some cases are STILL labouring on with the old PD for some inane reason given the superiority of CR. (sits back and waits for the mudslinging to start :-))

That 1.3 MJ unit in the Panda has a gear driven camset - when are other manufacturers going to adopt this and save us all the grief of wrecked engines.

I agree that a Cinq loaner is probably the worst case you will ever come across - crikey I dreaded driving Tate's loan one when my Cinq Sporting was in for service so I can imagine how she felt - even a 15yr old Polo is a model of refinement when placed alongside a Cinq!!

As for reliability - see my earlier post. This is real worl experience. Yes they are made to a budget but they are getting better all the time. As for flimsy - seriously my Octy VRS has bits of trim which are of comparable or lower quality than the Punto and while it is better screwed together, it bloody well should be given the price differential! You pays yer money and you takes yer choice!!

As to VAG engineering not being what it was, I'm not covinced there either: I've owned them for over 20 years now.

Hmm, my Octy with 400 miles on it is going into the dealer next week for brake vibration and a rattling dash. I stand by my original statement.

Sorry to get back to the original story........

Going for a test drive next week in a White vRS 170 with DSG from the Kings Norton Skoda garage in Birmingham. Sat in a limited edition vRS yesterday at the Kings Heath Garden Show and those seats........beautiful! The LE is on my company car list but even though the seats and wheels look great I don't fancy an old model without the option to fit Xenons or Bluetooth.

So it's down to White or Blue but if I go White I do fancy darkened wheels and whilst it won't be to everyones taste, my roof done in carbon from these guys in Burton. If I was going to go with the LE I would use these guys to wrap the car in matt black rather than the colour it comes in.

Vehicle Wraps|Car Wraps|Vehicle Graphics Wraps|Vinyl Graphics Car Wraps|Car Wrapping. - there is a chap on another forum that has his Leon's roof done in it and it looks amazing and really transforms the look of the car

Will report back once I have driven it next week but just wish Skoda offered a few exhaust options rather than the boring twin VAG crap. ( I know there are other options but none of which won't invalidate a warranty that given my history with the DPF on my Leon I don't want to invalidate!)

I had this dilemma too. I went for VRS.

Reasons, Found cabin seemed really small in the SEAT and A pillars intruded too much for my liking - in the end wanted the practicality of the OCTY

I had a mk 2 Leon FR - I test drove the Octavia VRS and went for the Leon - preferred the looks and the slightly sharper steering.

However, interior is awful on the Leon and the ride is much more unforgiving - the Octavia is also so much more practical. If I had that sort of money again I would go for the VRS this time....

However........

They have made a few changes to the FR recently and improved it quite a bit i seem to remember reading somewhere...

Edited 7 September, 200916 yr by Justa

Update,

After getting a test drive of a FL White vRS DSG CR later this week I now have a test drive of a White Leon FR CR too next week.

Went to the Seat Garage yesterday and was plensently surprised with the new interior especially with the optional Media Kit which including Sat Nav, on screen climate control, bluetooth, etc. all for £600. Also like the flat bottomed wheel which gives it a sporty edge. Transform a ****e interior into a good accessible one. Feels a far nicer car to be in than my current mk2 Leon but still not in the vRS league.

Fact the car is based on the new Golf platform and also features an Electronic Limited Slip Diff (XDS) appeals to me too.

Shouldn't have gone......................

Update,

After getting a test drive of a FL White vRS DSG CR later this week I now have a test drive of a White Leon FR CR too next week.

Went to the Seat Garage yesterday and was plensently surprised with the new interior especially with the optional Media Kit which including Sat Nav, on screen climate control, bluetooth, etc. all for £600. Also like the flat bottomed wheel which gives it a sporty edge. Transform a ****e interior into a good accessible one. Feels a far nicer car to be in than my current mk2 Leon but still not in the vRS league.

Fact the car is based on the new Golf platform and also features an Electronic Limited Slip Diff (XDS) appeals to me too.

Shouldn't have gone......................

Why on earth do Skoda charge an arm & a leg for this yet Seat charge £600?

:mad:

Does not make Skoda look good at all.

Why on earth do Skoda charge an arm & a leg for this yet Seat charge £600?

:mad:

Does not make Skoda look good at all.

Why also does the Seat range get the Bi-Xenon as opposed to Skoda's basic Xenon :confused:

there are wierd things all over the VAG range...the bolero is an option across the entire golf range...even the gti

People sometimes seem to forget that Skoda are supposed to be the 'budget' brand and as such pricing is different for different things.

Try seeing what Audi/VW will charge for the same feature

People sometimes seem to forget that Skoda are supposed to be the 'budget' brand and as such pricing is different for different things.

Try seeing what Audi/VW will charge for the same feature

Nathan what are the Skoda prices for Sat Nav + Blutooth? Seat are managing it for £600. I think Columbus is £1275 if I wanted it in my LE, no idea what the Blutooth cost is but it is in the hundreds of pounds mark too.

Edit:

Having popped into Seat Droitwich today they me a new price list and the Seat Media System is now £775 up from £600. You do however get full Bluetooth, 3D sat nav, 5'' screen, climate control on screen & upgraded dash. Still a bargain.

Better still though, and what I would get if I choose the Leon is the Technology & Convenience Pack which includes all above plus rain sensors, light sensor, two additional speakers, auto dimming mirrors, Bi-Xenon lights AND front parking sensors via 5'' Media screen for - £1500.

No matter how much kit you put inside the Leon it is still a HIDEOUS interior!!

IMHO...

Can't disagree with that although the FL looks slightly nicer. Just annoying when trying to decide between the two that both are VAG but why are they so differently put together under the skin. Evo mag raved about Seat new XDS slip diff system so where is it on the vRS? Why is the FL vRS based on an old Golf but the FL Leon on the new setup? Why does the vRS have chromes pedals and red calipers when the 'sportier' FR has neither!

Germans......

Update. Test drive planned for next Monday in a White vRS CR DSG. Looking forward to it although wasn't massively blown away with the colour when next to it.

This car is the dealers own and the it does show that once run in a bit the car looks far lower. I would still opt for the 20mm OEM Eibach drop to get a consistant opening around the wheel arch.

I DO like the new wheels a lot!

I DO like the new wheels a lot!

Seen them for the 1st time yesterday on a Blue vRS at Hobins Manchester and they are VERY nice

Lower than those earlier pics, yes. But you'll notice the gap between tyre and wheel arch is still larger at the top than the sides...

Not a fan of it in white I have to say, Race blue or Black look much nicer imo

I had to make the exact same decision, vRS won for the following reasons:

Price

Boot space

Leons are flipping EVERYWHERE!!!

(there still nice tho....)

Lower than those earlier pics, yes. But you'll notice the gap between tyre and wheel arch is still larger at the top than the sides...

Completely agree. I will go for the 20mm drop which I think should give an even drop around the arch

I had to make the exact same decision, vRS won for the following reasons:

Price

Boot space

Leons are flipping EVERYWHERE!!!

(there still nice tho....)

After having a Leon FR for over 3 years, I can say I have now going to be a bit glad to see the back of it. It may be me getting old but the harsh ride on poorly maintained roads is a nightmare. Interior as mentioned above is not the best but it does the job.

I will admit that I will miss it when it goes as its the best looking car I have ever owned and it certainly gets a lot of stares and comments. But I do agree that they are now too damn common now.

Oh and if anyone sees a 56 plate Silver Leon FR TFSI with about 45,000 miles on the clock in an auction sold by GE Capita, AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE..... I may have driven it and the engine makes funny hissing sounds when cold and has a exhast rattle that the dealers cannot find when the engine revs down.