Ordered myself a Monte Carlo tech today after numerous trips to the dealers with my vRS due to the ever prominent oil consumption issue. It's now had a new engine and I told myself I needed to get rid.

However, after placing the order and really thinking about things I just really aren't sure what to do for the best! I'm torn between the fun of the vRS and the perceived reliability that the monte provides! The dealer has offered to remap the new monte FOC with revo software, which helped seal the deal although revo wasn't my first choice , they would honour any warranty work needed.

Just wondered if I could have all your opinions please to help me make my decision.

Also, I put a £500 deposit down, if I was to call back in the next couple of days and cancel, would they refund this to me?!

Thanks,

Ben.

Has anybody actually had expensive warranty work done in a satisfactory manner on a re-mapped car?

The cynic in me says the remap co. and Skoda would be blaming one another for faults and it might turn into a bit of a disaster.

I can understand someone losing faith in a car when they have serious issues,and I've said before on here that if it happened to me then I'd change....but why take a step down to a Monte?

I'd look at a Ford Fiesta ST or a step up to a used Octy.

Agreed, a Monte is definitely a backwards step.

Obviously Monte owners would disagree, but remapped or not it will never compete with the performance the VRS has as standard. I think after the novelty of a brand new car wears off, you will be missing the VRS and just be left with a milder version of the car you used to own!

For me the remap isn't the main issue.

I admit that I have lost faith in the car, but I'm just not sure whether I've made a rash decision ordering the Monte. Although I wouldn't say the monte is a step down! From performance yes, but apart from that, it's a similar car.

Ben

Can completely understand why you will have lost faith in your car.

And if I'm honest it's always at them back of my mind worrying whether or not my car will develop on oil addiction.

But it doesn't dampen my love and enjoyment I get out of my VRS.

Here is a test, imagine you were in your Monte and you pull up at some lights. Then a VRS pulls up next to you. ... how would you feel?

It depends what you want from the car and how much warranty you have left.

While I am not a fan of the Monte Tech's inability to have extra options added it's a decent car for the price and also having a gearstick means it can be fun to peddal along.

Speed does not always equal fun.

A slower can can be a laugh to drive, the Fabia mk2 VRS is not a "fun" car IMO. Too heavy and power delivery is too linear, They didn't add 25kg of ballast to the back of the hatchback because it's well balanced.

I wonder how much slower a remapped Monte would be over a vRS. A bit, but it could be more fun to hussle along.

Consider the Monte is around 100kg lighter, which does give it some advantages.

Right, if it helps I have a 12 plate VRS and the wife has a 12 plate monte with revo on it. If I had to sell one and keep the other I'd keep the VRS every time. The monte is a great looking car and good mpg etc, but it definately needed mapping. The stock 105bhp was a bit of a nightmare after part ex our mk1 vrs, you certainly needed to plan ahead a lot more for overtaking. Mapped it's much better but to drive both I think the VRS is a much nicer drive. I was hesitant about getting a VRS with regards to the DSG but now that i've gotten used to it its so much better to drive than the manual. Also the Monte could in my opinion do with a 6 speed box not 5. So to sum up from someone who has what you have now and what your looking at getting i'd stick with the VRS. On the other side though their is nothing wrong with the Monte its just I prefer the VRS.

Good point Richard,

Speed definitely does not equal fun,

I have a clean driving record and want to keep it that way!

For me I get enjoyment out of the whole package

- the DSG paddles so I feel like an F1 driver

- the wine of the supercharger at low revs

- the way my VRS looks

- the VRS badges dotted around the car to let you an other people know you're in something a different to other fabias.

I have no idea what I'm trying to say, but I guess if I was after something fast I would have bought something different. But for me I love Skoda and my VRS estate ticked all the boxes for me.

I loved the MK1 and every so often I miss it! But I had worries with that car too when the turbo started making odd noises and worrying every time it rained whether or not it would leak.

If you're after trouble free motoring I think the Monte is a great shout!

Also worth noting that they are really different cars aimed at different markets really.

Which is why the Monte is around £3,000 cheaper.

They added 25kg of ballast to the rear of the vRS hatch quite possibly so that on paper the figures did not better the more expensive vRS Estate,

or the very much more expensive Polo GTi & A1 185ps.

removal of them does not adversely effect handling. IMO

Removal of them from a vRS Hatchback and also the spare wheel can effect fuel consumption and would have effected the official Figures for Emissions, economy and performance to the embarrassment of the other cars mentioned. JMO obviously

(& the car otherwise standard might have improved handling that could suit some, its an easy enough thing to try.)

george

Then there's the added weight of the 5 litre oil can in the boot of the vRS :-)

PMSL, x2

& the weight of Porta Potty and picnic basket, straw hats etc in the more basic/cheaper but tarted up with tints etc estate models.

george

They added 25kg of ballast to the rear of the vRS hatch quite possibly so that on paper the figures did not better the more expensive vRS Estate,

or the very much more expensive Polo GTi & A1 185ps.

removal of them does not adversely effect handling. IMO

The estate didn't need the weights as it's got a bigger bottom and is so better balanced.

Skoda estates have always been more expensive and heavier than the hatchback counterpart (Octy VRS?) until the mk2 Fab.

I doubt many people could tell if the 25kg was there or was not, the car's electronics will do a lot of work to save it.

But I don't believe Skoda decided to add a noticable amount of weight, coincidentally at the opposite corner to the driver/steering column just to keep VW and Audi happy.

PMSL, x2

& the weight of Porta Potty and picnic basket, straw hats etc in the more basic/cheaper but tarted up with tints etc estate models.

george

No need to get personal, George

Are Bungle and Zippy too busy to chat to you today?

Its easy enough to drive with weights added and not.

Others here have.

They 'VAG', then corrected the published Kerb Weight of the Polo GTi., giving the true/heavier weight.

The Seat Ibiza FR 150 PS was given almost the same performance figures as the 180ps vRS,

but the Emission and MPG of the VW & Audi.

(eg, Seat Ibiza FR 5 door 150PS given Kerb Weight 1280kg,

Fabia vRS 180PS given Kerb Weight 1243kg)

*New figures (2013) given for the Polo GTi is as 'Unladen' 1269kg.*

Not so sure that VAG do not engineer to suit sales and Media with the weights and measures and performance figures.

Kerb Weights and Gross Weights certainly do seem to change in unusual ways.

Spare Fitted as Standard and as Option being a case of altering how the car stands as a Kerb Weight.

I know we are not talking Race Cars here,

but what was the actual weight of the extra added for Weight Penalties in BTCC yesterday to Sand Bag cars between races?

george

Its easy enough to drive with weights added and not.

Others here have.

Yes, that's what I said.

"I doubt many people could tell if the 25kg was there or was not"

I'll not carry this on and on and on as it's derailing another thread with one small point you have picked up on.

But while you can drive without them and it's fine, I still don't believe Skoda added them just to slow the car down. Considering the location.

They do effect fuel consumption tho, when its just the difference with a driver, and the 50kg removed with weights of Ballast & Spare Removed.

Thats from Experience, i had them removed for long enough.

Anyone doing Sprints or Hillclimbs wil easily notice the difference i think.

http://btcc.net/html/regulations.php

'success ballast.

With Normal Modifying of road cars,

its always been that the best value for money, is, 'First add lightness'.

george

Then there's the added weight of the 5 litre oil can in the boot of the vRS :-)

Yeah, but it gets transferred pretty quickly to the front...

It depends what you want from the car and how much warranty you have left.

While I am not a fan of the Monte Tech's inability to have extra options added it's a decent car for the price and also having a gearstick means it can be fun to peddal along.

Speed does not always equal fun.

A slower can can be a laugh to drive, the Fabia mk2 VRS is not a "fun" car IMO. Too heavy and power delivery is too linear, They didn't add 25kg of ballast to the back of the hatchback because it's well balanced.

I wonder how much slower a remapped Monte would be over a vRS. A bit, but it could be more fun to hussle along.

Consider the Monte is around 100kg lighter, which does give it some advantages.

My warranty runs out in December, been told by the dealer I am able to extend it another two years if I want to.

For me, the whole reason of going for a monte is the perceived reliability that the 1.6 tdi has, and I like the looks of the car. Granted, I know that there still could be problems with it, like any other car.

I really do enjoy my vRS and the past week or so since the new engine it has ran better than ever.

It's like giving someone a second chance after they have done the dirty on you, risky business...

Im happy to be the outcast once again...

Around Christmas I was lucky enough to have the use of a VRS estate and then a 1.2TSI Elegance estate for the following week.

I prefered the 1.2TSi and by some margin. The fact you had to work a little bit more at extracting the performance was a big part of that reason. I didnt rate the VRS particularly highly in any one area but thought it was a fair all rounder. I thought the front end grip and feel of the front end on turn in was actually better on the lighter 1.2 when really pushing it. I struggled to get over 38mpg when trying in the VRS, easily achieved a lot more in the 1.2 without trying. As youd expect I guess. However, I found the VRS a little boring - the linear power combined with that gearbox was fun initially but after a few days I was after a manual box. Each to their own though. If I was buying Id go for the 1.2TSi, even without considering the possibly dubious reliability of the 1.4 twin charger.

Im happy to be the outcast once again...

Welcome to my world, Lee

I went for the 'cheap' Elegance option, and decided to play with it afterwards, even though its standard equipment level is far better than the vRS............the only thing I hanker after are the sports seats

However, I found the VRS a little boring - the linear power combined with that gearbox was fun initially but after a few days I was after a manual box. Each to their own though.

That's why I sold my mk2 VRS after 4 days.

I am not really very DSG friendly (didn't like the dinky little plastic paddles either if I am honest) and get bored easily.

Two days was enough. Capable car, but not what I'd call exciting or fun to drive compared to other hot hatches.

Good job we are all different and I can see why people like the effortless speed of it.

The estate in particular made a lot of sense to me, which is why I went for it.

its not currently possible to map a brand new car without removing and dismantling the ECU. There is also the remote possibility that any new VAG car could come with the latest revision ECU that can currently not be remapped at all, so you could end up with a standard Monte and no remap.

Iam getting rid of my vrs. As cost a lot of petrol.Oil is fine. Ordered monte tech i will have for about 2 years. Buy that time the new VRS lll should be out. with different engine.

I've just chopped in my mk2 Vrs for a Monte Carlo TDI and I though would I like it? Miss the umph of it?

Had it a week and I prefer it to the Vrs, much comfier ride, miles better in fuel and looks better in my opinion