Just a quick one...

I've owned my 2007 vRS since October last year. We are now a two Skoda family with the wife's PD140 Octy Scout.

I'm struggling to drive the vRS as smoothly as the Scout, the clutch pedal on the Scout is much firmer and returns to rest much quicker, the vRS in comparison feels softer, almost spongey and isn't as keen to rise as the Scout.

I swap from one Octy to the other quite regularly and much prefer the feel of the Scouts clutch pedal.

I know I should drive another vRS to compare but is something like a worn master cylinder / slave cylinder likely to cause the symptoms I've described?

Mine feels slightly spongy too but no differant than my last 07 1.9tdi, my clutch actually feels nice but I notice u do need to get used to takes offs In the Vrs as u can't cut it out quite easy.

Off topic but how would u compare ur 140 to ur 170 is there a big diff in power?

Yeah, there is a noticeable difference between the two, however the 170 only really excels when you are close to or passing through the speed limit.

For more restrained day-to-day driving the 140 is more than I'll ever need, until I want to overtake, for a fast pass minimising the time spent on the wrong side of the road the 170 is the king.

Two very different cars with very different clutch feel, I can drive the 140 sedately with very smooth gear changes, the 170 is more of a challenge at lower speeds.

I'd read of some issues with clutches on the vRS and was wondering if mine could be improved with a relatively easy fix.

Right, after driving the Scout today then jumping straight into the vRS I'm not happy.

The clutch feel on the vRS is way too soft.

Anyone have a rough idea how much a new master cylinder will cost fitted?

I'm hoping its not the slave cylinder as I've read this is a 'gearbox out' job!

If your clutch feels "spongy" & the pedal isnt as keen to rise then that does sound like a hydraulic issue to me,could you bleed the clutch & see if it improves it. Its not the same vehicle but when we have the same problem as you describe on our landrovers ive found a new slave cylinder cures the problem.

Having said that the clutch is a bit heavier on the 54 plate, this also the more progressive of the 2 clutches. The lighter 08 plate clutch is noticably a bit more "snatchy" than the other one, and has caught me out a couple of times when I've jumped into the 08 after driving the 54! (Yes, I have managed to stall it, even though it is a diesel!)

I get what your saying Mike, I certainly shouldn't expect the vRS clutch to feel identical to the one on the Scout, I think its more the fact that the Scouts clutch feel is showing up the poor feel on the vRS.

I may be imagining it but I'm sure the biting point alters slightly too. Sometimes when changing up through the gears I get on the gas too early and ending up slipping the clutch.

The vRS is much harder to drive smoothly than the Scout.

If your clutch feels "spongy" & the pedal isnt as keen to rise then that does sound like a hydraulic issue to me,could you bleed the clutch & see if it improves it. Its not the same vehicle but when we have the same problem as you describe on our landrovers ive found a new slave cylinder cures the problem.

Thanks for the advice, it makes sense to try bleeding the clutch before replacing parts.

I'm taking the vRS back in for another go at diagnosing the cold start issues so will get them to quote.

I really hope it doesn't end up being the slave cylinder as this is a 'big' job on the Octavia? If it is I guess I'll never know!

Both cars are not going to feel the same, and yes it can be difficult drive the Vrs in traffic slow, my pd105 was a bit easier,

Having said that my clutch feels fine

Scout TDi clutch is very very Heavey, I have problems driving mine after using swmbo's Merc A150

I really like the clutch feel on the Scout, I wouldn't describe it as heavy, more that it returns much quicker, or is that the same as heavy?

When I jump into the vRS after the Scout and depress the clutch I slam it into the carpet as it is much easier to press. As it is also slower to return I sometimes miss the 'sweet spot' in terms of the correct balance between the clutch and the accelerator. This means that I either slip the clutch or jerk the car which bugs me as I like driving as smoothly as I can.

I just want a firmer clutch pedal (more like the Scout) so will have the clutch bled as a first stab then as long as it isn't too expensive will try the master cylinder. If neither make it better I'll accept that this is how its meant to be.

Just remember one thing tho and that's the lighter a clutch is the better it is, a slightly heavy clutch can sometimes mean wear, most Octavia's I drive have a very light clutch ,