I had my first drive of a VRS today (my first drive of a diesel as well). It was a new forecourt model that had been reserved for me to collect next week. I thought I should go through the formality of trying it out, just in case it was unsuitable. I am glad I did! I thought it would be a good replacement for my 2.0 Elegance, but the engine is just too noisy when stationary or driving slowly. It is as if I am parked next to a bus.

It was a good drive, though. When under way, the engine noise is not a problem. Neither is road noise. I like the torque, steering and suspension. I like the mpg of 38mpg on the trip computer at 80mph. I did find the gear change to be awkward and difficult to get used to, though. My Elegance slips into gear very smoothly - and always did, right from new. The ride was acceptable. I think passengers would have been OK with it, but I would have been embarassed to subject them to that engine noise.

So, I have decided against the VRS and have now placed an order for an identical Elegance 2.0. It is a very comfortable and easy-to-drive car. My passengers have commented on its quality. It is quite nippy and economy is not bad (averaged 34.6mpg over 30,000 miles of mixed motoring). I think I have been spoilt (even cosseted!) with this car.

It would have been fun to have a longer spin in the VRS (I took it out by myself for 30 miles). With only 6 miles on the clock, I couldn't have a real thrash - particular if it was a prospective purchase. I have a lot of respect for the car, but it doesn't suit my needs at the moment.

I had a good deal lined up. I would have paid

strange at tickover its very quiet compared to most diesels. shame you dont like it but never mind

strange at tickover its very quiet compared to most diesels. shame you dont like it but never mind

Yes, maybe. But I have been spoilt with my 2.0. My first test drive in a Fabia was in a 2.0 estate. The salesman had just driven it round to the front of the showroom, got out and let me get in. I had to ask him if the engine was running!

well its never going to be as quiet as a petrol its just impossible but there again a petrol isnt running at 22:1 compression

my 172 was louder than the vrs at tickover mind you it was a rather nice exhaust. but tbh i dont see whats embarassing about owning a diesel or the noise it makes infact when moving it sounds rather nice. as for the gear change i find it quite good really certainly not awkward maybe it was just stiff who knows.

but its not for everyone but glad you enjoy your new car

Hmmm...can hardly hear mine....and when you take into consideration mpg, performance, pretty exclusive etc etc a slight engine noise is doooowwwwwnnn on my list, and anyway that what the cd player is for

All about choices I suppose, and you are not planning on modifying it so I suppose the 2.0 Petrol will be fine, just dont think it has enough ummmpphhh in it for me. Amusingly today one tried it on against me around the twisties, and I have to say it was embarassingly slow in comparison, and it was a 2.0 (unsure if elegence) as I overtook it.

I would have been embarassed to subject them to that engine noise.

My passengers have commented on its quality.

Why the big issues for the passengers - Is it to be used as a Taxi or something?

I think the VRs is quiet too but i also like the sound of an oil burner.

As you say it is entirely your choice - as long as it is your choice and not what your 'passengers' want. :(

All about choices I suppose, and you are not planning on modifying it so I suppose the 2.0 Petrol will be fine, just dont think it has enough ummmpphhh in it for me. Amusingly today one tried it on against me around the twisties, and I have to say it was embarassingly slow in comparison, and it was a 2.0 (unsure if elegence) as I overtook it.

I can believe it! The VRS is a lot more torquey, and I could have a lot of fun in it. It was even fun with under 30 miles on the clock, and going round corners with shiny tyres. It is still tempting. But the time I would spend doing this would be a lot less than 'normal' usage. I could cancel my 2.0 order tomorrow and collect the VRS next Saturday ( :confused: ). However, I know that when I am in slow traffic and hear that engine drumming and tapping away, I would regret it.

After my test drive, I sat in my car for about 30 minutes weighing up the pros and cons. It was a close call and went something like this:

	VRS	2.0
Comfort	7	8
Noise	5	9
Power	9	7
Handling9	7
Steering9	8
Gears	8	9
Economy	9	6
Equip	7	8
Look	8	9
Interior8	9
Price	8	9
Total	87	89

So I am spending

So I am spending

Glad you found the car you liked out of the two Interested to see you said the interior and looks were better on the Elegance - what did you rate the Elegance as having over the vRS?

Oh, and the handling can be sorted out relatively cheaply with a set of Eibach's

Chris

Amusingly today one tried it on against me around the twisties, and I have to say it was embarassingly slow in comparison, and it was a 2.0 (unsure if elegence) as I overtook it.

195bhp vs 115bhp and you overtook him easily? Not surprising really

Chris

Mike had you factored this into your calculations?

Figures quoted from Auto Express 5th Jan -

2.0 Elegance - List Price

Aargh! Leave me alone!

Stick with your choice - the 2.0 is a nice refined drive, and as you say, very smooth.

Rob.

Glad you found the car you liked out of the two Interested to see you said the interior and looks were better on the Elegance - what did you rate the Elegance as having over the vRS?

Firstly, paint colour (I probably watch too many house makeovers on TV). I like my metallic blue. Secondly, bumpers are not protected against scuffing. Thirdly, seats are an impractical colour on the side bolsters. I would have swapped all the seats for those in a Fabia Sport (if anybody ever buys one :P ). Fourthly, odd little bits and pieces such as dashboard tray, second cup holder on console, net on parcel shelf. Finally, nickability. To reduce that, I would have removed the VRS badges.

Oh, and the handling can be sorted out relatively cheaply with a set of Eibach's

Actually, if I do have any complaint about the 2.0, it is the sogginess. The VRS was a bit rougher on the ride but was, on balance, better. I always though the Fabia sat a bit high anyway.

195bhp vs 115bhp and you overtook him easily? Not surprising really

Chris

191bhp vs 115bhp :P

I cant say I agree with the noise, but it's your choice, glad in some ways there isn't another vrs owner their becoming too common!! :P

If you dont really do the mileage diesel aren't really worth it. Enjoy your new car

Fabia Sport (if anybody ever buys one :P ).

We have one in our showroom, have had quite a few people interested but we cant sell it. It doesnt as yet have type approval in the UK.

Mike

Was an Octy owner, & switched to the vRS, ONLY because it suited my requirements

Hi everyone, 1st post.

I test drove a vRS about a month ago and like Mike, thought it was quite noisy at tickover. I think it was more annoying due to the fact that it was ticking over at around 1100-1200 rpm! Is this normal? If so can it be reduced?

I used to own a Peugeot 205 diesel (60bhp 90lbft - wow, how did I manage to handle all that power ) back in 1985 and I must have got used to the clatter by the time I clocked up nearly 400,000 miles in it!

Anyway I was very impressed with the vRS - I don't think there is anything nearly as good at that price - so I'll likely be placing an order very soon.

I'd agree - the vRS engine at tickover when cold is VERY noisy - though it does improve a little once warmed up - but it's still obtrusive and one of the down points of the car.

In respect of the gearchange I find the actual lever movement a bit long but the clutch is much worse being very long travel - my MX-5 has a much slicker change albeit a heavier clutch.

I'd agree - the vRS engine at tickover when cold is VERY noisy - though it does improve a little once warmed up - but it's still obtrusive and one of the down points of the car.

In respect of the gearchange I find the actual lever movement a bit long but the clutch is much worse being very long travel - my MX-5 has a much slicker change albeit a heavier clutch.

To be fair to the Vrs, the comparison with the MX5 gearchange is unfair. The Mazda has one of the snickiest gearchanges around, mainly down to the fact that you sit lower in the car in relation to the base of the gear lever. Thus the length of the lever can be made shorter and purely through angular movement, a much shorter throw. I had the VRS engine in a Passat and never noticed a LOUD noise at idle. Would this be down to more soundproofing in the VW or has the engine changed in some way in the VRS?

Mazda gearboxes are ace, always have been. It really is slick, fast and effortless. 323F was the first car I drove (learning how to drive in it). Very good. Mazda 3 & 6 I drove too as hirecars both of them, and they were excellent too.

I did consider them as potential purchases - but the price was just a tad too much for us to go there.

Interior wise - I wish they'd used a darker trim for the seats, as it nearly meant Mrs-saying-no so I fully appreciate the comments regarding interior of the car

Skoda should imho make some options available there, as MANY people here appear to dislike the colours as well. The seats are better for more sporty driving, and they are good, but why that restriction?

Anyways - that's the way Skoda decided to do it, we can but ask (or change it ourselves hehehe)

Got to admit, I can't here much of the engine noise, in the elegance TDi but you can still here it. As others say it's a bit more noisey when cold. One thing that counted against the 1.4 16v we tested was the engine was too quiet when sitting at idke. I found it spooky, perhaps I'm used to noise.

I think it was more annoying due to the fact that it was ticking over at around 1100-1200 rpm! Is this normal? If so can it be reduced?

That does sound very high - typically should be 900-1000rpm, but I guess it would depend how cold it is! Sure it can be adjusted via VAG-COM or by a dealer, but not sure how.........

Chris

One thing that counted against the 1.4 16v we tested was the engine was too quiet when sitting at idke. I found it spooky, perhaps I'm used to noise.

You could always play back a recording of a noisier engine .

I used to have recording of engine problems (big ends gone, tappets loose etc) from a TV program on the telly called "Know Your Car". At the time, a cassette recording played back in the car was unconvincing, but with the quality of today's systems, think of the potential of editing CDs and dropping them into a mate's multi-player. What a wind-up

I agree about the seats in the fabia sport are much more practical, I asked for them but there was no way, who is going the buy the fabia sport? It will be impossible to get the Dicks out of there Citroen saxo