More Smiles makes Less Miles

Quote by Auric

I was out in our New Fabia Vrs last night and with 50 miles on the clock it was returning about 35 mph

Edited 28 January, 201115 yr by Auric Goldfinger

So... we went to see the dealer in Watford today... and... put down a deposit on a VRS.

Green, Black Roof, Black Chrome Wheels, Toys.

A 1.2 TSI DSG is a fine car indeed - but not a patch on the vRS as far as the seats are concerned. Will be interesting to see if a Sport will be released with VRS-style seats. The Monte Carlo looks very interesting, but no DSG gearbox means it's out of the running for me.

For reference, I managed a healthy 42mpg on a test drive to Oxford driving at the speed limit, and managed fairly impressive 30mpg on the way back driving... less forgivingly. I got 32mpg on a country back-road journey to work and back, which means the numbers work out for me (just...).

I've seen a lot of negative comments on the DSG box, but having spent a good couple of hours in a demo VRS now, I think it's a question of getting used to a completely different approach. You've got the choice of D for driving sensibly and conserving fuel, you've got flappy paddles, you've got 'tiptronic' style control with the stick, and you've got the deeply impressive 'Sport mode'.

Of course a manual gives you ultimate control, but honestly I'm astounded by how capable the DSG gearbox is in Sport mode. I don't think I'll ever use the flappy paddles or the 'tiptronic' mode. It downshifts pre-emptively at exactly the right time, it revs through to 7000rpm, and allows you to trim your line on corners. I honestly wonder if some of the test drivers who wrote about this car in the press hadn't realised there was a sport mode...

Thanks for everyone's comments.

So... we went to see the dealer in Watford today... and... put down a deposit on a VRS.

Green, Black Roof, Black Chrome Wheels, Toys.

A 1.2 TSI DSG is a fine car indeed - but not a patch on the vRS as far as the seats are concerned. Will be interesting to see if a Sport will be released with VRS-style seats. The Monte Carlo looks very interesting, but no DSG gearbox means it's out of the running for me.

For reference, I managed a healthy 42mpg on a test drive to Oxford driving at the speed limit, and managed fairly impressive 30mpg on the way back driving... less forgivingly. I got 32mpg on a country back-road journey to work and back, which means the numbers work out for me (just...).

I've seen a lot of negative comments on the DSG box, but having spent a good couple of hours in a demo VRS now, I think it's a question of getting used to a completely different approach. You've got the choice of D for driving sensibly and conserving fuel, you've got flappy paddles, you've got 'tiptronic' style control with the stick, and you've got the deeply impressive 'Sport mode'.

Of course a manual gives you ultimate control, but honestly I'm astounded by how capable the DSG gearbox is in Sport mode. I don't think I'll ever use the flappy paddles or the 'tiptronic' mode. It downshifts pre-emptively at exactly the right time, it revs through to 7000rpm, and allows you to trim your line on corners. I honestly wonder if some of the test drivers who wrote about this car in the press hadn't realised there was a sport mode...

Thanks for everyone's comments.

I love the DSG box, dropping it through the gears using the paddles approaching a junction or roundabout, always makes me smile how it perfectly blips the throttle every time

A 1.2 TSI DSG is a fine car indeed - but not a patch on the vRS as far as the seats are concerned. Will be interesting to see if a Sport will be released with VRS-style seats. The Monte Carlo looks very interesting, but no DSG gearbox means it's out of the running for me.

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I honestly wonder if some of the test drivers who wrote about this car in the press hadn't realised there was a sport mode...

I agree the seats are the weak point of the lower Fabias, they need a bit more side support. The support is actually there, it just doesn't feel like it. :S Still, they are comfy, but I'd rather have the sports seats!

I wonder if some of the press test drivers even drove the car at all

The side bolsters in the DS3 dwarf the side bolsters in the vRS, they almost look to big IMO

Absolutely love the fact that everyone's saying 300-400 miles to a tank. I was terrified that I would be costing myself silly money on fuel buying a VRS but it seems I'm going to be the same as I currently am for my Corsa. Corsa isn't all that super with the miles for a standard 1.4

Absolutely love the fact that everyone's saying 300-400 miles to a tank. I was terrified that I would be costing myself silly money on fuel buying a VRS but it seems I'm going to be the same as I currently am for my Corsa. Corsa isn't all that super with the miles for a standard 1.4

How much does it cost you to fill your Corsa on average though?

Driving to the speed limits on a journey the other night, my computer said 42.1 mpg, which isn't bad as the car has only done 120 miles.

thats not bad, 5,000 miles or so later and that sort of drive could almost be 50mpg! keep us updated, I'm bodering on ordering one... but I currently never get less than 55mpg if I'm trying (and 314lbs/ft of tq's, and 165 bhp )

I test drove one recently, but was "testing" the DSG and handling, burning it a bit, and getting mid 30's but I'd expect that from the way I was driving, but then keeping up with octy vRS's on meets (Hi Ian ) i never get less than 47......... I'm already with the dark side... can I be tempted to petrol?! ... that noise when revving to the red line, the seemless changes, 20% off! wow, thats alot.......... hhhmmm :S

Driving to the speed limits on a journey the other night, my computer said 42.1 mpg, which isn't bad as the car has only done 120 miles.

Haha I kid!

How much does it cost you to fill your Corsa on average though?

Round about £45?

Round about £45?

My VRS is about 300 miles on about £50 of V-Power.

Not much different to your Corsa then.

Not to bang on about it and returning to topic, but got 50.8mpg on the 30 mile drive in this morning. Was coasting quite hard, touched the brake rarely, average speed was 30-40mph and think I had a following wind! . Range only knocked off 10 miles at the end of the journey. Purely going by Maxidot but proves 'extra-urban' is sort of doable.

Most VAG petrols give crap MPG until they have a few miles under their belt; even the modern diesels need a few miles on them before they really improve.

My Dad has an A3 1.4 TFSi 125ps stop/start DSG and the fuel economy on it was terrible when he first got it; returning about 30-31mpg driven lightly. He was so concerned he took it back to the dealers but theres of course nothing wrong with it. He's now done several thousand miles in it and the MPG has risen to the 37/38 mark and is still continuing to improve; which is better but still pretty poor. My Golf 2.0 TDi 140 has done nearly 24k and now rarely gets anywhere near the 57mpg it is supposed to do, usually averaging at least 10mpg less.

I cannot imagine the twincharger engine being any different, it will be rubbish from new but will steadily improve with miles. I doubt it will religiously crack 40mpg when worn in. If you want something that is similar to the Fabia, with decent seats that gives excellent MPG but is still half rapid I'd probably go for an Ibiza FR diesel 5 door. I drove one a few months ago and was pretty impressed and at the time Seat were offering VAT reduction on new ones like Skoda are on the vRS. It was only the tiny boot that put us off as we have a pretty big dog and a baby on the way.

My VRS is about 300 miles on about £50 of V-Power.

Not much different to your Corsa then.

Corsa's also a 1.4 and I looked up tank sizes. same size of tank. I'll be forking out a few quid extra per fill up on V-Power probably...you reckon the V-Power is worth the extra?

Corsa's also a 1.4 and I looked up tank sizes. same size of tank. I'll be forking out a few quid extra per fill up on V-Power probably...you reckon the V-Power is worth the extra?

Yes.

Massive thread on it a few pages back.

Car needs 98RON (V-Power) to run properly.

I'm averaging 34mpg over the first 1500 miles so far....

Its getting better week by week and I have seen 40 over a mixed journey.

Its very nice to drive, seats are supportive and comfortable although not driven much more than an hour in it yet.

Love the DSG box esp in awful commuting traffic and it surprises most people just how quick it is including me!

Only thing is that more people cut me up as compared to my Octavia VRS estate

As long as I can get around 40 mpg then im a happy bunny

Yes.

Massive thread on it a few pages back.

Car needs 98RON (V-Power) to run properly.

I agree that you are probably best off running a vRS on Super Unleaded, purely just to get the most out of it but I don't think the car need to run solely on Shell V-Power just to run properly, any decent branded Super Unleaded would be fine even if its 97 RON. It will run fine on 95 RON it just won't quite run full power but even running a few HP less it will still be faster than most things its size. I just wouldnt run any car on cheap supermarket fuel, one bad tank and you could be looking at huge bills. Saying the car has to run on 98 RON is just scaremongering.

Besides I gather VAG now recommend even the 1.2 TSi's are run on 98 RON yet I would bet no one really does. People experiencing engine problems with the 1.2/1.4 TSi's have either been very unlucky or have used some crap fuel and have suffered the consequences. Our 1.4 FSi Polo completely broke with less than 1000 miles on the clock; went back to the dealer and had to have a new coil, injector and spark plug on the 3rd cylinder and was told it was a "manufacturing defect". VAG quality is better than most but problems do frequently occur - even my 59 Reg MK6 Golf has been back to the steelers several times for what I consider quite ridiculous warranty work (new wiper arm, bonnet sound deadening, drivers sun visor, broken clip on rain sensor trim, interior rattles). Not great for a £23K semi-premium hatchback!

So sure, if you can run your vRS on premium fuel but it's really not a big deal if you use 95 RON; just dont use cheap stuff.

Edited 10 February, 201115 yr by pipsyp

I agree that you are probably best off running a vRS on Super Unleaded, purely just to get the most out of it but I don't think the car need to run solely on Shell V-Power just to run properly, any decent branded Super Unleaded would be fine even if its 97 RON. It will run fine on 95 RON it just won't quite run full power but even running a few HP less it will still be faster than most things its size. I just wouldnt run any car on cheap supermarket fuel, one bad tank and you could be looking at huge bills. Saying the car has to run on 98 RON is just scaremongering.

Besides I gather VAG now recommend even the 1.2 TSi's are run on 98 RON yet I would bet no one really does. People experiencing engine problems with the 1.2/1.4 TSi's have either been very unlucky or have used some crap fuel and have suffered the consequences. Our 1.4 FSi Polo completely broke with less than 1000 miles on the clock; went back to the dealer and had to have a new coil, injector and spark plug on the 3rd cylinder and was told it was a "manufacturing defect". VAG quality is better than most but problems do frequently occur - even my 59 Reg MK6 Golf has been back to the steelers several times for what I consider quite ridiculous warranty work (new wiper arm, bonnet sound deadening, drivers sun visor, broken clip on rain sensor trim, interior rattles). Not great for a £23K semi-premium hatchback!

So sure, if you can run your vRS on premium fuel but it's really not a big deal if you use 95 RON; just dont use cheap stuff.

Was just using V-Power as an example, I probably should have worded it a bit better.

Edited 10 February, 201115 yr by Stu vRS

Was just using V-Power as an example, I probably should have worded it a bit better.

Sorry Stu wasnt having a pop m8. I just think there's too much "98 RON only" talk when it comes to the vRS on the forums. People are being misled I think if they are being told they cant use 95 RON in their cars without problems. I totally agree that to get the most out of the car you should put the best grade fuel in it but 95 RON isnt going to cause any damage or poor drivability. I'd stick by my guns in saying that anyone experiencing engine problems either would have done anyway or have been extremely unlucky and filled up with poor quality fuel.

Sorry Stu wasnt having a pop m8. I just think there's too much "98 RON only" talk when it comes to the vRS on the forums. People are being misled I think if they are being told they cant use 95 RON in their cars without problems. I totally agree that to get the most out of the car you should put the best grade fuel in it but 95 RON isnt going to cause any damage or poor drivability. I'd stick by my guns in saying that anyone experiencing engine problems either would have done anyway or have been extremely unlucky and filled up with poor quality fuel.

Nah, don't worry mate, didn't think you were having a pop at all.

I am in agreement in the chances of 95 causing damage is very slim, however, in my opinion for what it is worth, I will spend the extra few quid for 98 stuff, plus you get full power too which is what the VRS is all about

(Didn't mean to seem like I was arguing, sorry!)

look at page 5 BLG engine code

Super Plus at RON 98

(Super unleaded at RON 95 with slightly

higher consumption and torque

reduction in the low rev range

and thats based on the golf 1.4 TSI 170ps engine. So if that runs at a lower output on 95 ron with higher fuel consumption id imagine its even more noticeable on the TSI 180ps engine

Edited 10 February, 201115 yr by janner_Sy

Nah, don't worry mate, didn't think you were having a pop at all.

I am in agreement in the chances of 95 causing damage is very slim, however, in my opinion for what it is worth, I will spend the extra few quid for 98 stuff, plus you get full power too which is what the VRS is all about

(Didn't mean to seem like I was arguing, sorry!)

M8 not at all I'm sure you'd agree with me that on some other topics people are tending to blame the low RON fuel and not the quality of the suppliers for engine damage being experienced. I think these engines being direct injection are alot more sensitive to the crap fuel some of the back street garages/some but of course not all supermarkets sell. I don't like supermarket filling stations particularly so I love to rant about them haha

M8 not at all I'm sure you'd agree with me that on some other topics people are tending to blame the low RON fuel and not the quality of the suppliers for engine damage being experienced. I think these engines being direct injection are alot more sensitive to the crap fuel some of the back street garages/some but of course not all supermarkets sell. I don't like supermarket filling stations particularly so I love to rant about them haha

Shell all the way!

I used to be a BP man until I had to start buying 98, so I use V-Power exclusively (that will ensue another 98RON fuel not required argument, haha only joking! )

My vRS has just clocked 1000 miles and with an equal mixture of steady-ish motorway miles/stop-start urban commuting and some fairly spirited country road driving it is showing 30.8mpg.

Can anyone with a few more miles on the clock confirm that this will be improved ? Not that I'm too concerned bearing in mind the performance available :p

Think it's been commented on before, in this thread and others but it will improve. I noticed a turning point around 3000-3500 for me. 55mph-60mph is sweet spot. Coasting helps massively. With 7600 miles, V-Power and a mix of driving, I get 320-370 miles a tank (this doesn't include the range saying I have 20-30 miles left).