Im looking to change my car soon and the current 17.5% discount is very tempting.

I currently have a PD VRS but I cant decide whether to change to a petrol one. I dont do alot of miles these days (12K per year) and so there is no massive saving to be had by going diesel. So it comes down to other factors and thus I have a few questions as my local dealer does not have a petrol VRS for me to test ("no one buys them" he says).

The one thing that bugs me about the PD is the road noise - much noiser than wife's Freelander.

Is the CR diesel VRS quieter than the PD. ? - Dealer says there is no significant difference in noise levels or performance.

Is the petrol VRS quieter than the CR diesel ? I know its quicker - but is motorway cruising quieter?

In general, is the FL VRS quieter than the previous version ?

Sorry for these boring questions.

Also has anyone driven a latest model Audi A4 estate 3L diesel ? and did it understeer lots ? - Ive been looking at these too.

Hi there

Not sure if it helps, I ran a PD hatch for three years and now run a CR hatch FL.The CR is so much more refined and quieter than the PD and none of the particulate problems either. Its a totally different car refinement wise. The PD got quite tiresome, noise wise, at 100 ish mph on unrestricted autobahns of course the CR is so quiet at those speeds.

My wife has a petrol facelift vrs hatch, I must admitt when I had the PD I'd prefer her car anytime, now I'd rather take the CR. Mainly because I don't have to worry about being heavy footed and keeping an eye on consumption, less than 30mpg petrol, 40 something diesel (much more if I take it easy 50+) The diesel is also dsg equiped which is so good, initialy had reservations now wouldn't have anything else.

In terms of cost/outlay only you can really make that call I would prefe to pay a premium up front and recoup a little at the pumps and then some more hopefully on resale. I also enjoy the grunt of the latest diesels which equates to good in gear acceleration (40 to 100 in fourth is quite impressive (both PD and CR).

l Hope this gives you some food for thought, whatever you choose I'm sure you wil enjoy immensely.

All the best.

Hi Jules59,

Can't comment on whether the PD is noisier than the CR engine, as never driven a PD. The CR VRS I drove was more refined than any diesel I have preiously experienced.

As far as motorway / cruising noise is concerned, I couldn't hear much difference between the CR and TSI. I would say that overall I find there is a fair bit of tyre noise from the car, but then they're pretty big tyres so I guess that is to be expected.

The dealers told me no-one buys the petrol too,but IMHO it's worth looking around for one to try before you make a definite decision. It's a cracking engine! The car puts a smile on my face every time I drive it

I have just got my Octavia Estate vRS in Diesel and I love it.

I think the diesel is very quiet and smooth ad has a lot of torque. I plan to get mine re-mapped and then it is supposed to be quicker than the petrol.

Thanks guys - just the sort of info im after.

Ive now arranged for a drive in a CR diesel and a friend has got a Golf GTI (same engine as VRS) - so hopefully I can get on and make a decision. However it seems the FL Octavia is quieter and more refined.

Do not forget the 1.8 TSI (where you can get 7 speed DSG).

The Diesel VRS takes a huge circa 17 seconds to do the standing quarter and 8 and half to get to 62, basically it is not a sports car at all just a warm taxi.

The petrol VRS, we have a TSI VRS, is huge fun and we average 40 mpg with it but you can get 45 mpg on the A roads but it does do low thirties round town.

The 1.8 TSI use the same EA888 engine as the VRS jus has a shorter stroke but has a wider torque spread than the petrol or diesel VRS. Plus it is much cheaper to buy and you will not have to wait so long to get it.

Not even VW really want to make diesels at the moment, far more of their reaseach has not in to direct injection superchargerd/turbocharged petrols as this is seen as the future, with hybrid bits of course.

1.8 TSI DSG you get alll the fun of the petrol, ie considerably quicker than the VRS diesel ie 0-62 in 7.8 and 16 second standing quarters, not quite TSI VRS at 7.2 and 15s 1/4s but not far off but mpg in the 40s most the time it even pays less car tax ie 2 bands lower if that is important!

The third way!

Simple do you want miles per gallon or smiles per gallon

Exactly, if you want both get the diesel!

Do not forget the 1.8 TSI (where you can get 7 speed DSG).

The Diesel VRS takes a huge circa 17 seconds to do the standing quarter and 8 and half to get to 62, basically it is not a sports car at all just a warm taxi.

The petrol VRS, we have a TSI VRS, is huge fun and we average 40 mpg with it but you can get 45 mpg on the A roads but it does do low thirties round town.

The 1.8 TSI use the same EA888 engine as the VRS jus has a shorter stroke but has a wider torque spread than the petrol or diesel VRS. Plus it is much cheaper to buy and you will not have to wait so long to get it.

Not even VW really want to make diesels at the moment, far more of their reaseach has not in to direct injection superchargerd/turbocharged petrols as this is seen as the future, with hybrid bits of course.

1.8 TSI DSG you get alll the fun of the petrol, ie considerably quicker than the VRS diesel ie 0-62 in 7.8 and 16 second standing quarters, not quite TSI VRS at 7.2 and 15s 1/4s but not far off but mpg in the 40s most the time it even pays less car tax ie 2 bands lower if that is important!

The third way!

I've ordered a 1.8TSI Elegance but I'm worried I've made a mistake because of the depreciation compared to a diesel VRS. On Autotrader a 3yr old 1.8 Elegance is going for around 9K, whereas a diesel VRS is 10.5-11K admittedly a diesel VRS is approx 2K more to buy though. I'll probably be doing less than 4k a yr though and I envisaged having to purposely take the car on motorway runs to keep the DPF clear which seemed a bit daft.

I was also concered about the ride and road noise of the VRS with the 18" wheels. I only have 1 yr NCB but through Elephant insurance the diesel VRS is only £30 more expensive but the diesel does need a cambelt change every 4-5yrs.

Edited 31 October, 201015 yr by Ultima

I've ordered a 1.8TSI Elegance but I'm worried I've made a mistake because of the depreciation compared to a diesel VRS. On Autotrader a 3yr old 1.8 Elegance is going for around 9K, whereas a diesel VRS is 10.5-11K admittedly a diesel VRS is approx 2K more to buy though. I'll probably be doing less than 4k a yr though and I envisaged having to purposely take the car on motorway runs to keep the DPF clear which seemed a bit daft.

I was also concered about the ride and road noise of the VRS with the 18" wheels. I only have 1 yr NCB but through Elephant insurance the diesel VRS is only £30 more expensive but the diesel does need a cambelt change every 4-5yrs.

The depreciation difference is only a couple of percent and I do not think worth worrying about. Things may turn around in that area. With the DPF issues, a bigger difference between diesel and petrol prices per litre and more turbo issues that could equalise or revert. The Direct Injection turbocharged TSI engine (and supercharged in some cases) has most of the advantages of diesel engine but is cheaper to biuld/buy, less inertia on engine parts hence better acceleration with less power ie 160 hp TSI quicker than 170 hp diesel, and a lighter vehicle ie less tyre wear etc.

18 inch on VRS is fine, not noisy or harsh ride as suspension is that good unlike focus/S40, Cupra and other cars I have had. Diesels are great at sitting on motorways at the legal limit but then you may as well buy the 1.6 CR, at acceleration they tend to suck due to the inertia of their heavier crankshaft etc. There are exceptions like the Audi R10, R15 Le Mans cars but they are rear wheel drive and purpose race cars. There is no diesel Veyron and in fact no diesels in most publications of the best 50 or 100 road cars.

Edited 1 November, 201015 yr by lol

Buy the diesel...... :p

The CR is whisper quiet compaired to the 130PD in the fabia.

Petrol or diesel the age old debate which is better? I have one very simple answer to this, take both out and see which one you prefer to drive. Both have their merts and short falls.

FWIW even though I'm doing low miles I went for the diesel as in the past my mileage has changed alot, about 6 years ago it trippled and now its dropped again. So my reason for diesel was if it changed I would not have to change cars like last time.

Honestly there is times when I wish I got the petrol!

they are both good cars and there isn't that much between them. I've a TFSI not a TSI so bear that in mind with my comments.

I love my VRS, the engine has bags of torque for a petrol and is smooth as butter on good fuel, it doesn't like budget supermarket boggo 95RON.

I can get 37mpg from mine, 40 driving like the vicar's wife. If I'm in a hurry that'll drop to 27mpg.

If the wife drives it it'll be 25. I've never figured out how she can drive slow yet use so much fuel.

If you're mileage suddenly increases (as has ours) you'll start looking longingly at any diesel at you put in the second £60 tank of super that week.

Remember the petrol is cheaper to buy than the diesel but that will pretty much cancel itself out when you sell.

Touch wood my TFSI has been faultlessly reliable, likes a bit of oil but nothing over the top. Mine will probably use 0.5l between annual services.

I don't regret buying the TFSI but put me back in the same position as I was 4yr ago and I'd buy a diesel scout.

Edited 1 November, 201015 yr by Aspman

I don't think there is a clear one is better than the other. It depends what you want out of the car.

If you aren't bothered about costs, and appreciate driving, then petrol is much nicer.

If you do lots of miles (which I now do), then diesel will save you money.

I've just got rid of a BMW 530i for a PD140 Octavia estate. I have to say, it's not as satisfying to drive. On the other hand, I have a young family, so being able to fit everything in the back and spend £120/month less on fuel is very good!

One thing that has impressed me a lot is the DSG gearbox. It's much nicer than the auto box in my BMW was.

Thanks for all your input.

I went for test-drives in Octavias and A3s and BMWs.

I went a bit bonkers in the end and bought a 2nd-hand 330d M Sport auto touring with all the toys.

Thanks for all your input.

I went for test-drives in Octavias and A3s and BMWs.

I went a bit bonkers in the end and bought a 2nd-hand 330d M Sport auto touring with all the toys.

Fine machine, far better than any Skoda diesel and quicker than any of the standard petrol Octavias too. Think about a warranty cover as if things go wrong with that motor and with BMW spares prices it can cost thousands. I am too nervous to go for such a motor as I like my manufacturer's warranty too much although Skoda need to follow Hyundai, Renault and Vauxhall with 100K warranties as too many cars just out of warranty end up costing big money although VAG sometimes still honour if still under 3 years and only just over 60K. Gave an Alpina a good seeing to over first 50 yards in the TSI VRS but then got left as BMW got in its stride. Going to miss the manual VRS traffic light starts, so much harder to do it in the autos even with my 7 gear auto. Hope it works out for you.

Edited 28 November, 201015 yr by lol

Fine machine, far better than any Skoda diesel and quicker than any of the standard petrol Octavias too. Think about a warranty cover as if things go wrong with that motor and with BMW spares prices it can cost thousands. I am too nervous to go for such a motor as I like my manufacturer's warranty too much although Skoda need to follow Hyundai, Renault and Vauxhall with 100K warranties as too many cars just out of warranty end up costing big money although VAG sometimes still honour if still under 3 years and only just over 60K. Gave an Alpina a good seeing to over first 50 yards in the TSI VRS but then got left as BMW got in its stride. Going to miss the manual VRS traffic light starts, so much harder to do it in the autos even with my 7 gear auto. Hope it works out for you.

Cheers for that.

I feel Ive gone over to the dark side but the engine really is a beaut though.

My vote is for the diesil and as commented above the cr engine is very refinened and smooth we have the vrs and love it although it will be getting swaped to 170 elegence snow monster inthe not to distant future purely for the comfort and ease of access (must be getting old) but a serious fun car to drive