Could anyone confirm or not if the 1.4 engine has enough power for the Octy Estate. I'm not looking to win any races of course. I currently have a 1.6 focus estae - not ball of fire but its okay.

Well it should be much better that 1.6 Focus. Better low down pull and more linear power delivery.

just ordered a 1.8 l&k in silver with onyx alcantara!

didn't wait long for the opinions before you ordered, did you?!? Makes me wonder why you bothered asking...

Hope you enjoy it.

fair comment. But to be honest i have been "thinking" about it for over a year, lurking around here for the same time and then realised that the ££ delta is essentially neither here nor there. the 1.8 is £1k more than the 1.4. and the l&k is £1k more than the elegance, but you get met paint, leather and xenons....

plus l&k have 0% finance

so in the end it was, as they say, a no brainer

fair comment. But to be honest i have been "thinking" about it for over a year, lurking around here for the same time and then realised that the ££ delta is essentially neither here nor there. the 1.8 is £1k more than the 1.4. and the l&k is £1k more than the elegance, but you get met paint, leather and xenons....

plus l&k have 0% finance

so in the end it was, as they say, a no brainer

So I collect my new car on Thursday - cant wait, really looking forward to getting it home

I've just changed to a 1.4 DSG from a 2.0 PD DSG because the former was £3000 cheaper. That's quite a lot really. I also didn't want alcantara or 17" wheels. I wanted black leather and 16s for comfort.

There's no doubt that there's a helluva lot fewer torques so you have to change gear much more often (the paddles are quite fun) but its surprising that no one seems to have mentioned that:

1. the front feels a lot lighter (it probably is);

2. the engine is as quiet as a mouse (unlike a diesel); and

3. there's no vibration through the steering/bodywork/throttle.

In effect, its SO much more civilised than a (PD, can't say about a CR) diesel. OK, you'll get fewer mpgs. But it cost less in the first place and petrol is about 3p a litre cheaper round here. I get above 35 all the time but its done fewer than 2K miles yet.

Oddly, the 1.4 DSG changes down too much IMO when its going downhill. Since brakes are cheaper than gearboxes, I prefer to flick the DSG to manual at the top of the hill, go down it in 7th. I also like to use the paddles for going up steep hills - slightly quicker to change down probably because I can see the extent of the slope and, with the best will in the world, my DSG can't!

pip pip.

the dill