Hi all, as the title suggests, I currently own a Mk2 Fabia vRS which has been great but looking for a change to a facelift Octavia vRS petrol hatchback, preferably with the DSG gearbox.

A few questions:

-What do I need to be looking out for? Is there any common faults I need to be wary of?

-How much does the DSG gearbox servicing cost?

-Is there any major service prices (e.g. cambelt, etc)?

-Are winter tyres readily available in the standard alloy size?

-Does remapping make a huge difference to the TSI engines? I drove a standard one and it felt slower than my Fabia.

-Is anybody selling a 2010+ vRS with reasonable mileage in the 9-10K price range?

Any other comments or help would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

Stuart.

I changed from a Fabia vRS estate to a 2.0 CR DSG Blackline estate a few months ago and havent looked back.

Not to suggest the Fabia is a bad car far from it but the Octavia IMO is just so much better to drive even in diesel form. I've found the handling a great improvement, it generally rides better and the brakes are massively better....also whilst its still not the quietest car out there it is considerably more refined than the Fabia and feels slower for this reason, in reality there is little in it; id even say that the Fabia is barely any quicker than a 2.0 CR in the real world, not off the mark of course but definitely once moving.

I get the impression that the 2.0 TSi is not very good on fuel, slightly more so than the Fabia when the performance is used. The DSG gearbox does also have a negative effect on fuel economy and emissions over the manual so expect a DSG to use more fuel and also be more expensive (considerably more expensive than a Fabia) to tax.

The DSG needs an oil change every 40k or so, no idea how much this costs. IMO the 6 speed wet box is smoother than than the 7 speed.

The TSI is known for cam chain follower failures, nothing like as prominant as the oil usage and engine failure problems on the Fabia but it has happened to quite a few people on here and they've had to have new engines. And yes no cambelt changes required as its chain driven.....but it could blow up anyway!

The TSI as i understand it remaps a little better than the TFSi as it inherrits the high pressure fuel pump from the higher power variants. Shark confirmed to me in another post I contibuted to that you can expect 245-250ish hp and a touch over 300lb/ft torque from a remapped TSi which is pretty good if you ask me.

Edited 17 April, 201313 yr by pipsyp

They have an 09 plate in at Simpsons Preston, but it's a manual. Think I'll book a test drive, see if I can get on with the manual!

Thank you for the reply pipsyp, really appreciate the information.

Welcome Stu no problem.

The TSi is undoubtedly faster but i'd recommend trying a CR to see what you think. I was originally considering a TSi DSG but ended up getting a CR mainly because I was able to secure a Blackline and the deal was considerably better than a factory ordered TSi DSG to my ideal spec.

I have to say I have no regrets; like all diesels is not really quite as strong off the mark as an equivalent power petrol being hampered by very short 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears but once up to speed it is genuinely very rapid; in fact at motorway speeds id say its performance is stronger than the Fabias, all the while its pretty refined and can get 40mpg without even trying; im currently averaging approx 46-48mpg on longer runs in mine and its only done 2.5k.

DSG also marries to the CR v well and as it has launch control its proven you can knock up to 1.5 secs off the factory 0-60 time meaning it could technically accelerate as quickly as a manual TSI to 60.

CRs dont have DPF issues as the technology was designed to work with Common Rail injection unlike the retrofit VAG attempted with the PD units, mine also hasnt used any oil at all in 2.5k

They also do remap very well; 210-215hp and 330-340lb/ft torque is quite possible with a stage 1 remap and DPF in place; making it a v rapid and frugal car with at least 95% of the talent that makes the TSi so good.

In no way trying to put you off a TSi but ive found the performance of the diesel along with the considerably better fuel economy quite refreshing after having the Fabia and i do tend to preference turbo petrols over any other typr of powerchain.

I have an 11 plate Octavia Vrs, in Yellow 2.0L Tsi DSG and it's an utter dream to drive. I'll never go back to a manual.

The End

I can comment on the mapping of a TSI engine having owned a 2011 vRS.

The difference between stock and a mapped engine is like night & day. I was a little underwhelmed with the car when I first got it and decided fairly quickly to have it tweaked.

I went to Shark and I couldn't believe the power difference, absolutely blistering. It dyno'd at 254bhp & 325lb/ft, and pulled all the way through the range. Deffo reconmended.

I would say on a rolling start it could have given my new car (S4) a hard time.

i'm surprised noone has bought my old 2010 car::

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201303215886258/sort/default/usedcars/maximum-age/up_to_4_years_old/colour/white/fuel-type/petrol/engine-size-cars/2l_to_2-5l/body-type/estate/transmission/manual/seller-type/trade_adverts/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/1500/postcode/ox51px/page/1/image-id/140691533?logcode=p

Not me selling btw. It had a new engine @ 70k miles so its potentially a better deal than the ad suggests, plus it has a bunch of options not mentioned incl zenons, heated seats etc and still has weitec coilovers fitted.

i'm surprised noone has bought my old 2010 car::

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201303215886258/sort/default/usedcars/maximum-age/up_to_4_years_old/colour/white/fuel-type/petrol/engine-size-cars/2l_to_2-5l/body-type/estate/transmission/manual/seller-type/trade_adverts/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/1500/postcode/ox51px/page/1/image-id/140691533?logcode=p

Not me selling btw. It had a new engine @ 70k miles so its potentially a better deal than the ad suggests, plus it has a bunch of options not mentioned incl zenons, heated seats etc and still has weitec coilovers fitted.

Its a lovely car Rob and no offense intended but i'd expect people may be put off by the fact that its ex lease and to the trained eye its evident its been modified to some extent. Im not adverse to modding at all but I know if I were looking to buy a used one with reasonably high mileage Id probably want it to be entirely standard. A car fitted with lowered/coilover suspension in my mind would have also more than certainly been mapped too which would possibly worry me more; not that mapping is a bad thing at all but if it hadnt been done right or the wear and tear on the rest of the car it may have contributed to that could be a worry. Also that its had a new engine may also put people off though thinking about it logically its a good thing all in all.

It'll sell to the right person but IMO itll be someone wanting a slightly modded car and those sorts of people will probably be more in the minority than majority. I know you were maticulous with your car but any old tom **** or harry wouldnt know that.

Edited 18 April, 201313 yr by pipsyp

The one at Simpsons looks like it'll be the older TFSI engine.

I've had my TSI around 15 months now and love it. I've got a stage 1 Bluefin on it and it goes well, maybe not as well as a remap from someone like Shark but it should still be around 240bhp. I do around 80% motorway and rest urban and average around 37-38mpg (on a calibrated computer).

I had my second variable early this year and think it was £199.99 at Simpsons. This was Oil, filter and pollen filter. Plus the visual check.

The TSI has a chain cam, so no need to worry about the service cost of a cambelt etc. Some of the TSIs suffered with a rattle sound from the engine at around 1500rpm but VW issued a fix for this (it wasn't that noitceable really).

Its a lovely car Rob and no offense intended but i'd expect people may be put off by the fact that its ex lease and to the trained eye its evident its been modified to some extent. Im not adverse to modding at all but I know if I were looking to buy a used one with reasonably high mileage Id probably want it to be entirely standard. A car fitted with lowered/coilover suspension in my mind would have also more than certainly been mapped too which would possibly worry me more; not that mapping is a bad thing at all but if it hadnt been done right or the wear and tear on the rest of the car it may have contributed to that could be a worry. Also that its had a new engine may also put people off though thinking about it logically its a good thing all in all.

It'll sell to the right person but IMO itll be someone wanting a slightly modded car and those sorts of people will probably be more in the minority than majority. I know you were maticulous with your car but any old tom **** or harry wouldnt know that.

Its not been mapped btw.

And can you really not say "****" without being censored?!

Fair shout Rob like I said you'd made some really cool improvements to the car but know you catch my drift.

And apparently you cant say **** in a completely proper manner haha :-D

I get the impression that the 2.0 TSi is not very good on fuel.

Really? Your impression is wrong then for a 200Bhp car.

The TSI is known for cam chain follower failures.

"known" ? Or about 3 posters out of how many Vrs Tsi's sold? In comparison to diesel failures ?

Most of the rest of your post sounds as if you are 'really' trying to justify buying a slower less satisfying car ! But at least you are happy at getting a couple more mpg

"known" ? Or about 3 posters out of how many Vrs Tsi's sold? In comparison to diesel failures ?

It's actually more than that now. It wouldn't stop me buying a TSi but I'd want to know if it had had the modified tensioner, or as above a new engine.

Really? Your impression is wrong then for a 200Bhp car.

"known" ? Or about 3 posters out of how many Vrs Tsi's sold? In comparison to diesel failures ?

Most of the rest of your post sounds as if you are 'really' trying to justify buying a slower less satisfying car ! But at least you are happy at getting a couple more mpg

A bit of a pointless post but ill respond anyway.

Ive had a couple of reasonably powerful TFSi/TSi cars (MK5 Golf GTi and Fabia vRS) and quite frankly neither often got anywhere near the official MPG figures; even the Fabias economy could drop to late-mid 20s if really used; the Golf was even worse. I know for a fact both a BMW 135i and Porsche Boxster S PDK, both over 300hp and much quicker than the Octavia if driven sensibly can return similar MPG to the Octavia.....which says to me it aint that great for a mearly 200hp car.

The cam chain follower issue is known and has happened to a number of 2.0 TSi engines across the VAG group; its not rife but its happened enough for it to be right to inform the OP about it.

Justification for buying a diesel vRS.....the Blackline i purchased was exactly the colour combo I wanted, was already built and I effectively ended up with what would have amounted to a 25.5k list price car factory ordered for 20k, quite a bit cheaper than the TSi I was going to order with less spec. More expensive car.....quite a bit less money to buy and run with only a small compromise on overall performance but considerably better fuel consumption...go figure!

Edited 18 April, 201313 yr by pipsyp

I'd agree that in standard OE guise the petrol vrs is underwhelming, not unique to skoda by any means. I suspect the diesel version is more showroom impressive because the expectation is lower, and in truth both cars offer similar performance across country, albeit in different presentations.

Remapping the petrol engine yields bigger subjective gains, but doesn't necessarily make it a better car, just quicker in a straight line. For me, it's a question of financial prudence vs aural excitement. Since I'm a car enthusiast, so far the latter already takes priority

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

The 09 plate they had wasn't the fl model :(

Thanks for the replies. Got my eye on this one:

http://www.williamsmotor.co.uk/skoda-octavia-fsi-vrs-in-cardiff-glamorgan-2657011

Would just have to get used to the colour!

Do it, the colour as Awesome

You'll Love it

It's Ambrosia's Sister

Do it, the colour as Awesome

You'll Love it

It's Ambrosia's Sister

Haha that would have to be it's official name! One problem is I don't like custard...

I have to admit, the colour is growing on me everyday, definitely would stand out.

Just gone from a mk2 fabia vrs to an octavia vrs le tsi and i haven't looked back.

The Fabia just feels cheap and nasty compared to the Octavia. The suspension setup and brakes are a huge improvement over the Fabia and fuel consumption isn't that bad. Getting 36mpg on my daily grind and 43+mpg at 65mph on the motorway.

Having driven both the TSI and CR engines I prefer the power delivery of the petrol but that is just my opinion and others will prefer the CR i'm sure.

Got it booked in at shark next Saturday for a spot of tinkering.

Just gone from a mk2 fabia vrs to an octavia vrs le tsi and i haven't looked back.

The Fabia just feels cheap and nasty compared to the Octavia. The suspension setup and brakes are a huge improvement over the Fabia and fuel consumption isn't that bad. Getting 36mpg on my daily grind and 43+mpg at 65mph on the motorway.

Having driven both the TSI and CR engines I prefer the power delivery of the petrol but that is just my opinion and others will prefer the CR i'm sure.

Got it booked in at shark next Saturday for a spot of tinkering.

Cheers for the reply.

That was definitely my first impression of the octavia, the quality was much better.

Please keep me updated how the shark remap goes.

Only got offered £7300 in part ex for mine, that won't be enough :(

Just reading some of their reviews, I've been a little bit put off!

Just reading some of their reviews, I've been a little bit put off!

Is that Simpsons in Preston? They've always been great with me, can't fault them at all.

I'm currently in the process of upgrading from my 05 Fabia vRS to this Octavia vRS mkII

http://www.skoda.net.r66.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=602839179&centreid=1388585#

Looking forward to picking this up at the weekend and will let you know my verdict