vRS TDi Estate f/l - initial impressions

Having just done my first month in a new Octy vRS TDi estate I though I might share my experiences.

The notoriously rough engine isn’t nearly as bad as I was expecting – I suspect it’s the new injection (or whatever) that has removed the clatter under acceleration (compared to my brother’s Golf GT of 2 years vintage). The engine certainly revs out for a diesel and it’s loosening up to have a pretty good turn of speed; it does make for a very effective motorway car. Indeed, as it’s running in (2.5k miles), it’s getting quieter. I’ve just set up the speed warning as well!

Admittedly I’d prefer a petrol being a child at heart, but being a company vehicle the diesel really makes sense and I don’t feel hard done by at the moment.

The ride is firm, but not crashy like my old Citroen C4 VTS – in my opinion spot on. I had read that the Czech roads were as rough as ours hence the suspension works well over here. The chassis / handling seems pretty good and in comparison to my wife’s Focus Zetec, my personal yardstick for a top-notch front-driver, it’s close run. I’d have to say only the rather numb steering lets the Octy down, but it’s hardly a deal-breaker.

The interior is high quality and makes me wonder why spend more on a mechanically identical Golf / Audi apart from a nice shiny badge? The load area is simply huge – mountain bikes, windsurf stuff all seems to get swallowed without problems. The Bolero stereo is well featured, but sound quality isn’t quite what I was hoping for, but not bad either. I might see how much cost and effort a cheeky speaker swap in the front is.

I wasn’t sure about the LED running lights, but they’re less bling than Audi’s and living east of my work (always have the sun behind me) they do seem a good idea when my commute involves tree lined, dark country roads going into bright open countryside. Hopefully that makes me easier to see. I also use the M27, but judging by the driving I see there a set of blue flashing lights don’t help! :eek:

A large proportion of the 15Kg weight saving seems to have been achieved by removing the spare wheel and when I placed my order (pre-facelift) this was included. I asked the dealer about getting a spare and was told that I’d have to pay through the nose for the individual bits – wheel, jack, brace etc. The repair kit is allegedly a good one, so fingers crossed.

In summary, I’m very pleased with this car to the extent that once my justification for a company car expires in a couple of years I really would put a petrol version top of my list to buy myself.

Richard.