I know I've gone about this the wrong way in that I ordered a new car a couple of weeks ago and just had a test drive today.

Went back to Progress Bedford as they have just put a red manual on the road as a demo.

So the good points

I've made the right colour choice in Corrida Red

The build quality is excellent, an improvement on my Focus ST

Very pleased with the common rail diesel engine. It is very smooth and linear in its power delivery and unusually for a diesel it wants to rev. Extremely impressed with how quiet it is too, probably the best diesel I've driven

The extra interior space especially in the boot is what I'm looking for.

The roadholding and grip is slightly better than my ST which surprised me and my ST has Eibach lowering springs on.

The major bad point

The ride comfort is poor. Bumps, tramlines, potholes, catseyes, etc seem be transmitted to the seat all too readily. Surprisingly it is not as supple and smooth as the ST.

Connected to this the tyres are very noisy with rumble and transmit the bangs and crashes when going over even minor road imperfections. Tyres were Dunlop Sport Maxx.

While on the test drive I had serious thoughts about changing the order to a Superb SE CR170 and DSG.

I know the ST and VRS/GTi are similar cars but I was expecting it to be a bit more comfortable than my car, it is'nt. The seats are not as good as absorbing the road shocks as the Recaros are.

All in all a major area of disappointment. However saying that I think I am going to carry on and get the car. I was given a get out clause when i ordered the VRS

Has anybody who has taken delivery of a FL VRS had tyres on that are not Dunlop Sport Maxx?

As I had arranged with the dealer, I then went out in a Superb Elegance 170CR with the DSG box to give me a feel of the gearbox.

Long story short -- I've made the right decision with the box, very smooth and imperceptible changes.

But the ride although much better than the VRS was still on the firm and noisy side, it had 18" wheels and Continental Sport Contact tyres.

As an aside I asked about build date on my car and was told its week 2 2010 :eek:

but they did expect these to be bought forward

They also said that Skoda would pay the extra VAT if it was a January delivery

So just got to wait even longer :thumbdwn: hope my P/X value is not argued about nearer the time. :(

my tsi vRS has Continental SportContact2 tyres, the ride is bumpy but it is better than the old Octavia I had which has sports suspension.

the tyres are noisy, but I will stick with them until replacement. I have the leather seats and find them quite comfortable and tbh never really driven a vRS with standard seats so not sure compared to them?

I personally found the ride fairly soft. But then I'm used to the fabia being fairly crashy around town. I would agree 100% about the revy-ness of the engine far happy than the 1.9 lump in the fabia. Actually I found it very petrol like compaired to the fabia.

DSG is sweet and its what swung it in the end, so nice and smooth and in it felt faster than the man.

The seats I found supportive and not as nice as the fabia but then maybe its just because I've been in the fabia for so long now the seats have moulded to me, I chose the leather as the fabia grey gets dirty so easy I didn't want the same issue so the all black leather was ideal.

For a big car I found it very chuckable.

It could be something as simple as over pressurised tyres - mine came filled with 46psi which is why I stopped after 10 miles and took it down to 34!!

Could be the culprit.

Has anybody who has taken delivery of a FL VRS had tyres on that are not Dunlop Sport Maxx?

All the FL vRS's (4 or 5 in the dealership) I have seen have had the Dunlops on them. Therefore expecting mine to come with them as it should be being built this week.

My vRS (CR engine and new dash but otherwise pre-facelift) is on Continentals (225/40 R18 92Y). Ride is on the firm side but not uncomfortable, and handling is excellent, and sharper than an Audi A4 with the same engine costing £6k more.

I suspect tyre wear may be quite quick. I had 23,000 miles out of the front tyres of my last car, a Golf TDI estate, but I don't think I'll do nearly as well with these. I suppose that 17" wheels (as on lesser Octavias) would ruin the vRS's handling: anyone know for sure?

I have the Dunlops on mine and I have to agree, noisy and harsh, although the ride in the Octy is WAY superior to that in the Fabia VRS. If you notice bumps and rough roads easily I suggest you avoid driving one of those.

Looking to change to Goodyear Eagle F1's next as they seem to be a good compromise between longevity and grip with less noise.

Only good thing I can see about the Dunlops is the masses of wheel protection - there's loads.

The Focus is known for its excellent ride quality and handling combination though so yes, on this front you will be disappointed unfortunately.

A set of KONI FSD dampers will sort out the ride quality for you...

I

Looking to change to Goodyear Eagle F1's next as they seem to be a good compromise between longevity and grip with less noise.

Only good thing I can see about the Dunlops is the masses of wheel protection - there's loads.

The Focus is known for its excellent ride quality and handling combination though so yes, on this front you will be disappointed unfortunately.

My ST had Conti SC2's from new and while OK were not brilliant in the wet

So next set I changed to Goodyear F1 Asymetrics. These were a huge improvement and I rate them as Fantastic More feel, more grip and vastly superior in the wet. Got about 20000 miles out of them same as the Contis. Noise about the same.

Just put another set on (GY F1 Asy)

I really rate them. They are probably the most favoured tyre on Focus ST Owners Club with Vredstein Ultrac Sessanta a close second. Same size as FL VRS -- 225/40 18R 92Y XL

Edited 7 October, 200916 yr by PowerMalc
Added size

I suppose that 17" wheels (as on lesser Octavias) would ruin the vRS's handling: anyone know for sure?

Not in the slightest. When I test drove before buying my pre-facelift VRS I drove a car with 18" wheels first and found it just as the OP described. I wanted to try one with 17's as I had a hunch it would be better. Dealer said "why would you not want the free upgrade, 18's are better". I persisted and they found me a car with 17's. I drove it and it was much better, with no discernable difference in handling, so that was what I ordered after persuading the dealer to give me an additional £450 discount (the nominal value of the "free" upgrade). Funnily enough when I collected the car he said that everyone in the garage had then taken cars with 17's and 18's out back to back, and they all agreed with me!

A set of KONI FSD dampers will sort out the ride quality for you...

That I'd have to agree with. I went from standard dampers to FSD's and Ive just taken the FSD's off (im taking some parts off for sale due to a new car) so Im back to standard dampers. The difference is very marked and after 6,000 miles of driving with FSD's and not feeling any bumps and thumps entering the cabin - its now a whole new experience. The fsd's are one of the few aftermarket products that offer the best of both worlds - additional performance with no downsides; a soothing ride and better handling.

I would have guessed the OP's comments though regarding the comparison to the ST... *goes to get the flame retardent suit on*.... imo modern Fords are one of the very best products in regard to combined handling/comfort and general chassis setup.

Lee

That I'd have to agree with. I went from standard dampers to FSD's and Ive just taken the FSD's off (im taking some parts off for sale due to a new car) so Im back to standard dampers. The difference is very marked and after 6,000 miles of driving with FSD's and not feeling any bumps and thumps entering the cabin - its now a whole new experience. The fsd's are one of the few aftermarket products that offer the best of both worlds - additional performance with no downsides; a soothing ride and better handling.

I would have guessed the OP's comments though regarding the comparison to the ST... *goes to get the flame retardent suit on*.... imo modern Fords are one of the very best products in regard to combined handling/comfort and general chassis setup.

Lee

After my test of the VRS, I now realise how good my current ST with Eibachs is

So how much am I looking at for a secondhand set of Koni FSD's say with 6000 miles use?

I went to Bedford and Letchworth Skoda to try and get one at a decent price, but neither could. They are part of the same group and share a manager.

So, nipped off to Watford and they were able to sort out a much better package. i went for the White CR VRS and cannot wait.

That said I will miss my A3 Sportback 170 (PD)

my facelift came with contis on, not dunlops

have to say I think it rides a bit better than my last one...could just be cos its new though!

Having driven an ST 3 with leather Recaros for a few days, I have to say that the ride/comfort is amazingly good. This is something dear to our hearts as the other half has a serious back problem. The Octy however is good and probably par for the course for this type of car in my experience.

Have you ever tried a Seat Leon ? :thumbdwn: I had one for 12 months and the ride is so bad it had to go !!

I have Dunlop Sport Maxx on my current estate and they are sodding rubbish :thumbdwn: in the recent inclement weather they have not been good at all! Very easy to get the wheels spun up on partial throttle or going over a bump in the road. The SporTrac3s on the wifes vRS and my old Toledo were excellent in the wet.

I will not be buying the same again and will be moving to Vredestiens for replacement tyres

I just have to hope my new VRS comes with Contis or at least not Dunlop Sport Maxx

Just seen my car at the stealers and it has contis - imo it is down to pot luck and whatever deal the tyre manufacturer is offering Skoda at the time.

Just seen my car at the stealers and it has contis - imo it is down to pot luck and whatever deal the tyre manufacturer is offering Skoda at the time.

Shame they don't have a deal with Vredestein - they could put Ultrac Sessantas on as standard AND save money in the process

Like your thinking.

It MAY be possible to specify what brand of tyres are fitted to a new factory order Octy.

On the detailed build data for mine I noticed PR number V0A "Tires w/o specification of tire brand", which tends to imply that there is another PR number which DOES specify a particular tire brand.

Of course whether the ordering system and your dealer can actually do this is another story altogether.

FWIW my Octy came with Dunlops, but I had arranged with my dealer that they would swap them with another vRS they had with Michelin Exaltos (largely based on opinions from this forum). I'm happy with the grip of the Michelins, but I don't think I would rate them as being a perticularly quiet tyre. They roar a bit on the bitumen/coarse aggregate gravel that our roads people prefer to use these days (but are very quiet on smooth hotmix).

It MAY be possible to specify what brand of tyres are fitted to a new factory order Octy.

I was concerned that I would end up with Dunlops and asked the dealer if he could make a request for an alternative tyre when I placed my order. He said not :thumbdwn:

The more recent deliveries seem to be coming with Contis, so here's hoping I don't end up with Dunlops.