Am currently driving a VW Passat SE 2.0 tdi dsg rental while my Octy L&K 140 pd dsg is being straightened out after being sideswiped at 85 mph on the M40 on Monday eve.

I'm able to draw some direct comparisons with the two cars having taken the VW into the west end last night and a 90 mile round trip on the M3 today.

Understanding that the the Passat is more directly comparable to the Superb,I've noticed quite a few differences;first up has to be how quiet the engine is,must be some very effective sound dampening right there.The ride is very composed taking central London's crap highways in it's stride.

Motorway wind noise is much less than my Octy;maybe the mirror design?Fuel consumption seems much the same as mine,although it did seem easier to achieve 46-7 on the m-way.

The whole package just seemed much more refined than my Octy although there are a few bits and bobs that I miss-Xenons,auto-dimming rear view etc.

I shan't be changing,even if mine's a write-off though;it's my third Octavia.

Happy New Year!

David. :wonder:

That's not good...why was it 85 ? :wonder:

I had a Passat on loan a while ago and it was the same 170 CR engine as in the current car. Must say it felt really fast and a whole lot quieter than my vRS for some reason.

I had a Passat PD170 and I couldn't quite believe how quiet it is compared to a PD vRS,

very nice car but not as much fun as my own vRS, what was interesting was going from a new Passat to an older A4. the build quality in the B7 A4 is a lot better, the newer B8 A4 on the otherhand isn't as impressive

Still Skoda's interiors are superb and far better than anything Seat have to offer IMO

The Octavia has something very important that the Passat hasn't - a proper mechanical handbrake.

Also I can confirm that there's a huge difference in refinement between CR and PD: my previous car was a Golf estate (2.0 TDI PD 140) which was excellent in every respect except for sounding like a tractor. Strangely it was a lot noisier than than the Mark IV Golf estate (1.9 TDI 115) which I had back in 2001.

Not sure whether it's a CR or PD,but judging by it's smooth power uptake I assume it's the former;certainly feels like 170,although my PD140 is no slouch-but much more raucus!

The Passat is a great looking car (especially the CC) but i have found it is very bland inside compared to the Octavia.

The Passat is a great looking car (especially the CC) but i have found it is very bland inside compared to the Octavia.

On the contrary - the Passat interior is a fantastic piece of modern design with that sweeping dashline etc. Its one of the nicest interiors going. The Octy by comparison is rather bland and traditional......IMHO of course!

All of the above demonstrates that cost cutting is well and truly alive in the house of Skoda; soundproofing is one of the major issues with the Skuds and its such a shame that the car isn't quieter as this would make it the ideal mile muncher! Still, costs >must< be made somewhere if you are to maintain the differential. I just wish they'd lose some of the toys and concentrate on the basics.

Edited 1 January, 201016 yr by wardth

On the contrary - the Passat interior is a fantastic piece of modern design with that sweeping dashline etc. Its one of the nicest interiors going. The Octy by comparison is rather bland and traditional......IMHO of course!

All of the above demonstrates that cost cutting is well and truly alive in the house of Skoda; soundproofing is one of the major issues with the Skuds and its such a shame that the car isn't quieter as this would make it the ideal mile muncher! Still, costs >must< be made somewhere if you are to maintain the differential. I just wish they'd lose some of the toys and concentrate on the basics.

I tend to agree,I can't really fault the VW's interior;everything seems to fall to hand with no suprises and,like the octy,lots of cubby holes,jumbo box etc.

On the subject of sound dampening,I'm sure I've seen thread on this forum re kits etc?

I await news from the repairers whether or not my car will be written off.

IMO the Passat's has a marmite dash.

Personally I hate it. It's quality however is excellent.

The Octavia has something very important that the Passat hasn't - a proper mechanical handbrake.

Also I can confirm that there's a huge difference in refinement between CR and PD: my previous car was a Golf estate (2.0 TDI PD 140) which was excellent in every respect except for sounding like a tractor. Strangely it was a lot noisier than than the Mark IV Golf estate (1.9 TDI 115) which I had back in 2001.

too right, no fun without a hand brake turn :p

too right, no fun without a hand brake turn

PMSL!!

some say the passat is not as reliable as Octavia.

having had a vRS that spent a grand total of a week in the dealers over 12 months and having the passat for 7 months which spent getting on for 2 months in the dealers in total id be inclined to agree