For what it's worth, I thought I'd post a few comments about my experiences with the Roomster 3 105 PD after 5000 miles and 3 months ownership. It's proven to be an honest and mostly well-built little car, and amazingly versatile. In other words it's mostly satisfying and does the job it was built to do....and is fun to drive. Nothing's dropped off in the 5000 miles although it does have some clutch judder. The computer calculates average MPG at 49-50mpg and that seems fairly typical for the use the car gets - town + country roads + dual carriageways etc. I feel it should return more than that so a remap is imminent.

I've never owned or driven any car in 35 years that induces such rage/ aggression/ disdain/ contempt from other drivers on faster roads. I've also worked in the motor industry for 30 years and driven countless vehicles from Aston Vantages to 2CVs in that time. I am convinced that raging-bull kamikaze company car drivers, normally in Audi/BMW/Jaguar, want to kill the Roomster. I don't think it's my driving style (quickish but respectful & considerate). I think it's the car itself. Is it a pariah? Maybe the badge, maybe its shape. Whatever the reason, it's not pleasant.

I've owned Alfa 156's for the past 6 years and loved them - the last one a 2.4 JTD remapped to 200hp. I've even started looking at 156's again on Autotrader but will try to resist. I can't have both.

Anybody else feeling bullied by rectums on our roads?

I've never owned or driven any car in 35 years that induces such rage/ aggression/ disdain/ contempt from other drivers on faster roads.

I am guessing you have never driven a Schitroen Berlingo. When I had mine, I swear drivers of Audi/BMW/Jaguar/4x4's thought I was "White Van Man with Windows".

Yep, I suffer from some fairly aggressive "go faster" behaviour, despite keeping up with the flow. I reckon it's just lack of thought by BMW / SUV / van man - "it looks like it's slow, so I need to get past".

My technique is to just to try to drive normally and let them do what they want. Can be annoying though, when you've got someone driving like a k*$b on your tail.

I am experiencing the opposite... When driving a red Fabia (1.4 - 65) every Audi in town was on my tail... Now driving a Roomster 1.9 I havent seen a single one that close...

First, the engine is much quicker so I only have to press the pedal a little just to show the Audi/BMWs etc that the Roomster is quick. And usually and strangely they calm down after that...

Also, the colour change from angry red to the calm and cool Ocean Blue metallic might help. I felt every car got insane when behind my red Fabia, when now they even keep the recommended distance...

Strange really. :P

Get it remapped. You can pull away from most of the rep crowd then.

Don't get much of the road rage down in Cornwall (but its increasing). But a few weeks ago returning to Cornwall from North London, happened upon a lady in a Honda Civic on the M4 who was lazing along at about 65mph in the middle lane, but when I overtook her it seemed to ignite the blue touch paper and she shot passed only to return to the middle lane and slow down. Me thinks come on me'ansome I've got to get back home to Cornwall and can't be fiddling with this so overtook again. At this she got really heated up and went down the outside lane at about 85mph. I eventually caught her up again a mile or so down the motorway and proceeded to give the Roomster a bit of boot and left her behind. Didn't see her again. Strange behaviour. I would have thought that the Skoda badge thing had long since died. Perhaps it the badge together with the Roomsters looks? Whatever I think its a brilliant vehicle and I dont miss my previous Vrs one bit.

Keep well pals,

Eddie

Interesting comments and thanks to all.

Decron - I will continue to drive this car in the way I see fit, and it seems to relish it. The harder I use it, the better it goes and my respect for it grows. The 105hp + turbo lag + asthmatic performance 3000rpm+ are a definate handicap so I sense a call to the brilliant Nigel Bennett of Angel Tuning who can and will reduce the harassment factor.

To answer Robjon - no, I haven't driven a Berlingo. I did look at them ages ago (pre-Alfa days) and deduced the only one worth a though was the 2.0 HDi. The long waiting list for those lost my interest in nanoseconds. In 2008 I actually sat in a showroom car and hurriedly got out. I sympathise with your white van man comments and I deplore the regular sub-species attitude.

Dan H - much of above applies. They just don't get it, do they? It's a bit like the Gumby sketches in old Monty Python. Shout a bit, clench the fists.

EddieAngell = you're right. Bizarre behaviour indeed. The point of it all eludes me....

After posting the original I was literally chased down the local dual carriageway by a shade-wearing imbecile in a 2009 BMW X5, desperate to drive over my roof. These people just can't leave it alone!! Mine's Ocean Blue so I may get another complex over that!!!

It doesn't solve the basic point thought - why does this respectable and interesting little car seem to induce such incandescent fury from the troglodites?

After the Roomster was 'featured' on Top Gear, I seemed to notice a number of car drivers who seemed to go to unnecessary lengths to overtake my Roomster, as the Top Gear 'test' made the Roomster out to be as slow as a milk float!

Don't seem to have much of this anymore, perhaps because the Roomster is more popular (well around here it seems to be anyway).

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't that Top Gear test car a 1.4 TDi ?

The essential problem is that 105hp + standard ECU map + gear ratios don't give enough reserve to get out of the way of these nutters. If the other lanes are full then there's nowhere to go except forwards, and that's always the case when I have a mirrorful of Audi A4 or 3-Series grille. I'm happy to shift the Roomster's little blue posterior out of their way but these guys just can't wait! I haven't the slightest interest in how or where they have their next accidents but definately not around me.

150hp, here I come.

I've never owned or driven any car in 35 years that induces such rage/ aggression/ disdain/ contempt from other drivers on faster roads. I've also worked in the motor industry for 30 years and driven countless vehicles from Aston Vantages to 2CVs in that time. I am convinced that raging-bull kamikaze company car drivers, normally in Audi/BMW/Jaguar, want to kill the Roomster. I don't think it's my driving style (quickish but respectful & considerate). I think it's the car itself. Is it a pariah? Maybe the badge, maybe its shape. Whatever the reason, it's not pleasant.

I've owned Alfa 156's for the past 6 years and loved them - the last one a 2.4 JTD remapped to 200hp. I've even started looking at 156's again on Autotrader but will try to resist. I can't have both.

Anybody else feeling bullied by rectums on our roads?

Funny you should say that, I have experienced exactly the same phenomenon, but mainly on the M4. Why the M4 in particular I have no idea. I have had a few incidents on the M3, but thats about it. The M4 though is almost homicidal.

Heres two I remember.

On a more or less empty road at about 2am on a Tuesday morning I overtook one chap who was dawdling along in the inside lane. He then sped up and overtook me only to pull back in across me and slow down to 60 forcing me to brake or overtake again. I was not going slowly either. He was driving an Astra 1.6. Wierd. After four times, he gave up.

Also, when I was indicating to move into the outside lane on a slow day, an Audi pulled up alongside me in the outside lane and blocked me. If I went faster, so did he. Slowed down, so did he. The inside lane was solid trucks and I was travelling more or less at the same speed as the rest of the middle lane (about 60). After 5 minutes, with a serious tailback of traffic behind him, he decided to p*ss off. No idea what he was thinking.

But I have seldom experience this elsewhere.

BTW I am also an ex Alfa fan having owned a 156 2.0 twinspark for 5 years. Loved the car, adored the engine, loathed the dealer and changed the original shocks after 3 months for some that actually did something. However I never owned a car from new for 5 years before and parting with it nearly broke my heart (was made redundant).

However, the Roomy has wormed its way into my affections in a way nothing else did, just by being so incredibly useful, reliable and unassuming. Beautiful is as beautiful does as they say. Hopefully at 49 I am growing up at last though perhaps not, as I am also planning on chipping my Roomy once the warranty expires. There is something about the unassuming nature of the car that makes it perfect for chipping.

I think the mistake being made throughout these responsive comments is that all cars are being driven by considerate drivers. The footage on various police video programmes clearly displays that that is not the case. Some cars are simply being driven by single cell amoeba.

Nothing we can do about that I'm afraid - the law allows it to happen.

As for driving in the middle lane: some car drivers simply cannot understand the need for the other two lanes!

Lots of comments now! Keep it coming - this is interesting and a view on driving psychology!

Broomster you have brought the lump back to throat. Parting with my last 156 was agony and you'll understand all the reasons of love/ hate. But apart from the insane amount of suspension maintenance (front upper wishbones annually, rear transverse arms same, countless shock absorbers, ARB....) I adored both cars. Sadly the car didn't work for me as a holdall since the dogs arrived and I grew tired of adapting the rear every day to prevent them eating it. One day I will have another and likely the 2.4 20v Multijet SW. IMO the 159 doesn't quite cut it for me so it won't be one of those.

On the Roomster I agree your words. It's very likeable - mostly fun - definately a bit oddball which adds to the fascination - and supremely practical for the money. There's nothing like it and I expect to keep it for at least 3 yrs.

Cheers everyone.

Lots of comments now! Keep it coming - this is interesting and a view on driving psychology!

Broomster you have brought the lump back to throat. Parting with my last 156 was agony and you'll understand all the reasons of love/ hate. But apart from the insane amount of suspension maintenance (front upper wishbones annually, rear transverse arms same, countless shock absorbers, ARB....) I adored both cars. Sadly the car didn't work for me as a holdall since the dogs arrived and I grew tired of adapting the rear every day to prevent them eating it. One day I will have another and likely the 2.4 20v Multijet SW. IMO the 159 doesn't quite cut it for me so it won't be one of those.

On the Roomster I agree your words. It's very likeable - mostly fun - definately a bit oddball which adds to the fascination - and supremely practical for the money. There's nothing like it and I expect to keep it for at least 3 yrs.

Cheers everyone.

Oh yes, I forgot about the rear suspension bushes (every 15k) and the three broken exhaust clamps and the boot opening too small to get anything in and the new disks every 20k......

Broomster. Yes those rear hub bushes! Tyre inside edges worn? Its those **** bushes again. There are countless clonking 156s out there but you wouldn't want to own one, would you? The longevity of all the suspension parts still astonishes me and it seems to matter not whether the car is driven hard or not. We love them though.

The Roomster power issue. Angel Tuning remapped the car to 150bhp yesterday. Prompt and courteous as usual and around one hour's work. The difference upward of 2500rpm is enormous and continues to well over 4000. Overtaking power is there for the first time since buying the car. There is little difference in the 1000-2000 range but then the original performance in that zone was reasonable. There is still some turbo lag but opinion is that this just a characteristic of the turbo itself. The boost pressure is definately not extreme (compared to their map for Alfa 156 2.4 JTD....which is really something and 3rd gear wheelspin not unusual - the torque surge is quite incredible from that lovely 5-cyl engine!). On economy the Roomster is noticeably better but I'm unable to determine exactly how much yet. I can't recommend Angel Tuning highly enough. Their business attitude and customer service are brilliant - so thanks to Nigel and Co.

150 bhp is impressive. What kind of a 0-62mph would that give? Is the clutch or anything else affected? and last question. is the remap expensive? Thanks

No clear idea on the 0-62 figure. I'd guess around 10 secs. The Roomster is suprisingly heavy (heavier than the Fabia Estate which I drove recently which was noticably quicker with exactly the same BSW engine) so we have that to consider. I wasn't looking for acceleration from standstill. Rather lots more drivability and torque for safer overtaking with a wider power band to keep out of trouble. To me the 40-70 performance is the most important and that's definately quicker. I've owned the car for 4 months now and not been at all impressed with the fuel economyl, so I am positive the new map will improve that. It already seems better but I'll have a better impression after a few days use.

In actual fact, the nice thing about this remap is that it isn't extreme - it's just right for the car.

I was also concerned about the clutch but satisfied with the advice given to me. Angel have done some tuning development work in recent months with Skoda and had to address many technicalities - transmission and clutch included. They assure me the driveline is safe at 150bhp, and lets face it, unless you like tyre smoke the issue is unlikely to arise. I'm not sure if these cars have dual mass flywheels but for sure you don't want to over-stress those. They're not cheap and obviously everything has to come out. As I learned with my Alfa, with remaps there's a brief phase where you just have to squirt the car from A-B faster than usual but very quickly your driving style adapts to use the newly liberated power more usefully. Angel mentioned they had remapped a 1.9 TDi 105 to 170bhp but that was decided to be too much for either the Fabia II or Roomster.

Cost? I believe the regular charge is £295 + VAT. Personally I think for the benefits it brings that isn't expensive. Take a look around and you'll find it's a reasonable charge. I paid less than that as returning customer. Give them a call and talk to Nigel Bennett - you will get good advice.

Does that help ?

Thanks for the comprehensive reply.

0-62 isnt that important but seems to be how performance is compared. I agree mid range is where its needed and with such a reasonable cost it looks tempting.

I recommend it. The car is much improved.

Did the remap make much difference to your insurance?

A bit more, but it depends on the company. Some will simply not accept any modifications whatsoever. Best to consult them first.

You WILL NOT get 170bhp out of a just remap on the Pd105. 150 is pushing it on standard injectors and turbo.

Having had several remapped PD's...You WILL wear your clutch quicker. You WILL stress the turbo on the standard intercooler and you WILL put greater wear on the brakes/tyres etc because you WILL drive it faster. You will only really notice a lot of this when you about 50k though.

BTW if you can run a Fabia I at 170bhp + well with no other mods, I doubt the FII or the Roomster would have many problems at all apart from the fact you would need serious work to get a PD105 to 170bhp (Injectors, Turbo, Remap, Clutch, Flywheel, etc... etc...)

You WILL NOT get 170bhp out of a just remap on the Pd105. 150 is pushing it on standard injectors and turbo.

Having had several remapped PD's...You WILL wear your clutch quicker. You WILL stress the turbo on the standard intercooler and you WILL put greater wear on the brakes/tyres etc because you WILL drive it faster. You will only really notice a lot of this when you about 50k though.

BTW if you can run a Fabia I at 170bhp + well with no other mods, I doubt the FII or the Roomster would have many problems at all apart from the fact you would need serious work to get a PD105 to 170bhp (Injectors, Turbo, Remap, Clutch, Flywheel, etc... etc...)

Interesting points, do you recommend a good compromise tuning level that does not affect longevity too much but gives a useful midrange boost and smooths out the top end of the rev band a bit?

Interesting points, do you recommend a good compromise tuning level that does not affect longevity too much but gives a useful midrange boost and smooths out the top end of the rev band a bit?

There are so many pros and cons to all tuning. You need to work out what you want. I use a Dragon box on my current PD which isn't as smooth, flexible or capable but doesn't really effect the turbo only fueling so it's kind of a comprimise.

To get what you want you will need a custom map where you can get just about what you want out of it within the limits of the engine. I had one on my VRS and although it was only making 165bhp ish it was spread out better and quicker than cars with more power because it was more useable. In terms of longevity you need to bear in mind your still pushing components further and harder than intended. You really need to look at more frequent oil changes and a change in driving style to get the most out of it

There are so many pros and cons to all tuning. You need to work out what you want. I use a Dragon box on my current PD which isn't as smooth, flexible or capable but doesn't really effect the turbo only fueling so it's kind of a comprimise.

To get what you want you will need a custom map where you can get just about what you want out of it within the limits of the engine. I had one on my VRS and although it was only making 165bhp ish it was spread out better and quicker than cars with more power because it was more useable. In terms of longevity you need to bear in mind your still pushing components further and harder than intended. You really need to look at more frequent oil changes and a change in driving style to get the most out of it

What I really want is something that continues to provide a nice flat torque curve but improves breathing at higher revs. I dont really want a massive power increase, just a better and wider power band. 130bhp would do me if it would rev cleanly. These engined do seem exist in production cars in a higher state of tune - are they strengthened at all? I really dont want anything extreme.

What I really want is something that continues to provide a nice flat torque curve but improves breathing at higher revs. I dont really want a massive power increase, just a better and wider power band. 130bhp would do me if it would rev cleanly. These engined do seem exist in production cars in a higher state of tune - are they strengthened at all? I really dont want anything extreme.

Yeah there are a few differences between the PD105 and PD130 internally.

You need a custom remap. You could get what you want out of that. Speak to anyone of the site sponsors for details.