Hi all, new to this site.

So I'm about to bite the bullet and buy Skoda! Specifically a MkII petrol Octavia vRS. I've read quite a lot on various sites and these forums too, which are really helpful. The reviews/opinions are overwhelmingly positive, but if anyone has any thoughts on the following I'd be very grateful.

I'm looking at buying 2006/2007 model - are there any specific problems with the standard car, things I should be aware of or look out for?

I know the subject of remapping always opens a can of worms, but I'm likely to go that route at some point (I see Shark and Revotek mentioned a lot). Are the power gains from a simple remap good without need for upgrading other parts (fuel pump, intercooler, air intake)? Also are there reported problems with cars with upgraded power/torque (e.g. clutch, etc.)?

I currrently own a MkII Focus ST (ECU remap, upgraded intercooler, suspension) and will be gutted to see the back of it, it's such a fun car - I'd be interested to know if anyone's driven both how they compare.

Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for any opinions - sorry for the long first post

Rich

Just bought an 06 vrs in race blue, was looking for a focus st tbh but no regrets with the skoda so far

It's a cracking car. I went for condition rather than just extras and have a black 06 estate with 18s. No reliability problems in 2 years so far; just the problematic seat side airbag wire. Watch the oil level as some really like a drink!

Here's one I spotted just now

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/270724-2007-57-octavia-vrs/

Welcome, btw.

Thanks guys!

Actually also looking for estate ideally - the dog will prefer it am i right the 06/07 only came with 17" as standard....?

Think so. Also the jumbo box and dual zone climate was an option (that I don't have - don't really miss it but would have been nice!). Rear Parking sensors were standard though I think.

The hatch is the same length/width as the estate just not as high. Train the dog to duck...

I paid for parking sensors on my 2006 vRS as they weren't standard, but could have been on other trim levels.

Dual zone climate and jumbo was thrown in on the late MY07 cars along with rear lecky windows and 18" alloys so keep that in mind if your budget can stretch. Good luck

Fitz

Ha ha, dog ducking is probably the easier option - many more hatches!

cheers Fitz - that's good to know, I'll see what my Focus gets me £ wise.....

Mine came with 17s but put 18s on straight away,i got jumbo box,rear electric windows,sunroof,dual climate with mine:)

I assume your Focus is in the region of 280-290 with your mods?

We had a demo Focus ST running around 280HP with supporting hardware.

Now I run a Shark STG 3 Golf with the TFSI engine, stage 1 remapping of this engine will see approx 240hp, so this is not really comparible with what your currently driving.

What I do know is the Skoda will be more reliable than the Ford, you will miss the sound of the 5 cylinders but you will not miss the poor MPG.

We were getting around 19mpg with our tuned focus, the TFSI MPG is much, much better even when tuned.

But you will find that the Skoda is more refined than the Ford also which improves the comfort in driving

Edited 3 April, 201313 yr by AP Automotive

Yeah, my focus is probably over 270bhp. But I could live with 240bhp

You're right though, the ST has a brilliantly charcterful engine - but you point out one of the major flaws, the mpg! I can get 30mpg in it absolute max with steady motorway driving - realistically it's more like mid-20's everyday driving. 19bhp is low though even with enthusiastic driving!!

I've read quite a few posts here on the mpg too - it seems that the claimed mpg is unrealisticin the VRS (unsurprisingly!) but that 32mpg is probably achievable from the engine - not amazing but better than the ST.....!

I think the best we got from the focus was 21mpg, but it wasn't used alot on long journeys

The golf is around 270hp if I remember rightly, returning approx 36mpg on a run & around 30mpg around town.

that's good to know - much lighter on the pocket

32-33 in winter, 35-37 summer easy but I live in a rural area with an easy commute. A colleague had a really nice blue ST but £140 per weekend petrol bills killed the enjoyment and he bought a A3 1.9. My 07 petrol has had no issues in 53k miles. Good car which can surprise unsuspecting or ill-informed badge snobs.

We were running an '07 vRS hatchback until February, with an AMD stage 1 remap, giving 280 ft/lbs & 257 bhp.

It averaged approx 35mpg, driven (mostly....) sensibly, with 40 mpg just possible on a cross-country drive keeping to spped limits.

Quicker than a std. Focus ST, (I've had a sensible test drive in a ST, liked the noise but was not impressed by the 25 mpg, driven gently!)

A Mk 2 Octy is a bigger car than the Focus, & drives well for a VAG product but I'd always prefer Ford handling, which is why I still keep

a Mondy V6 around as my play-time car.

The Octy has gone now & I'm happy with it's big brother (Superb) replacement, but.... 'er indoors has now aquired an '11 plate FL vRS, just so as we can taste the red mist as & when we feel the need!

FWIW she tested a new Focus ST-3, quite impressed with it's performance but felt that it was too "raw" for her (& I agree with her), but couldn't live with it's "in yer face" interior.

But, we know that we wouldn't fit the new ST's owner profile, wrong age group!

If you do find a nice Octy, ideally on (like ours,) fitted with the Jumbo Pack, 18" wheels, etc, you'll find it to be a veey practical & useful car, (nee taxi....) that can & will surprise most other drivers when you feel like getting down to some serious driving, even in std. form.

After a decent remap, it just gets better., IMVHO.

HTH, DC.

thanks Redboy - sounds decent enough to me, I can live with that, will certainly be an improvement

old newbie - really useful post, thanks. i've not driven the MkIII ST, but apparently the 4-cylinders are more efficient and still as quick as the 5-pot.

i will be surprised if the handling is as good in the VRS as my ST (with stiffer springs), but i've been assured it's good, so I'll see on the weekend test drive Even driving as frugally as possible, anything over 30mpg just isn't possibe in the ST

AMD looks like a good option too.....

I bought my VRS way back in April 2009 and it is now up for sale if you are interested, although only a few posts I have been a member since 2008 when I owned my MK1 VRS.

It is an estate version with 18'' alloys finished in red, engine spec is standard VRS with 53K on the clock, 2007 (57) plate and in excellent condition, if you are interested let me know, I'm out all weekend unfortunately.

In standard format, being economical the MPG gauge reads almost 50mpg, as for handling I find that the MK2 does not handle as well as the MK1, I guess that the Ford will be much better

Id consider stretching to a facelift car if possible, more up to date electrics and ice; bit fresher looking IMO too.

The earlier ones are starting to become a bit more affordable now. If you prefer the look of the pre FL but want the more modern electrics, ice etc then the LE's and very last run of pre FL cars had the FL gear in them a good compromise id say.

codriver - thanks, I would be interested, but red's not my colour I'm afraid

pips - thanks for the advise. yeah, i really want the FL tbh. i much prefer the styling, plus i heard the better electrics and 18" as standard? unfortunately, i don't think my money will quite stretch that far :(

Any more details codriver67 on your Octy estate? Price, also whereabouts in hants are you?

Cheers

Pete

(Poole, Dorset)