What we're missing is the DCC and the LED headlights. They're not show stoppers for me. I could argue for the DCC, but the Octavia 2 RS I tested with 18" wheels a while a go had the right blend of comfort and sportiness to the ride (more comfortable than my base spec Leon!). Not keen on the rear of the Leon ST either.

Is the Petrol engine in the MK3 Vrs the same as the MK2 Tsi Vrs ?

No, it has a different designation and things have been moved around (turbo, intake etc).

Just a small information piece to hopefully stop the "Skoda are mad! What were they thinking" attitude.

 

Its not Skoda, its you. Yes, you, living in UK.

 

The new vRS in Estonia costs the same as the old one, it has all the "sold as extra in UK" equipment on it for free - exactly as it was on the old model. So for the mainland europe it looks like the new model is a rather big step forward, it is bigger, better equipped and looks more modern, keeping the price range.

 

I am truly sad to read that SUK is treating its customers as poop and not providing what they actually could provide. That is an upgraded model for the same price.

Can't think why that news would make me more interested in the Seat over the vRS?

Same platform, almost same space, more kit, same tech PLUS Golf GTI tech, less money?

Granted, for purists who want as many "horseys" as one can squeeze from TSI the FR will lack few horse power, they'd have to wait few more months for the 265HP Cupra. It also will not do much for those who settled for vRS only because they couldn't afford PCP on GTI.

But for many of us the vRS was the pick of the bunch not because it is some fire breathing machine (it's not, even by VAG standards), but because historically it was the best balance of space, kit and performance in entire VAG range. And at the start of this week that crown was just stolen by Seat Leon ST FR.

I, for example, was considering vRS because my usual weapon of choice - 1.8TSI L&K can no longer be had in this country. And for me and those of us who eyeballed vRS because L&K did not arrive and UK spec Elegance no longer offers high output turbo petrols in range, the Leon ST FR starting at OTR RRP of £20,390 is the game changer. And that's good news, if only because Skoda UK will have rethink their spec decisions and pricing policies?

 

No offense, but the Leon Estate looks like it was designed by a Korean. It resembles a Kia/Hyundai more than any VAG or Euro alternative. The Octy looks more classy, and whilst it misses out on a few toys it gains practicality and those extra 40PS. One plus for the Leon is that the waiting will be shorter.

Leon looks Korean? If you said Ford Focus looks Korean, I'd understand but Leon? I think all European manufacturers would be in trouble if Koreans actually made cars that look like the Leon ST, but of course - eye of beholder and all that.

Few litres by the top of the tailgate of "practicality", less PS but 180hp is plenty enough, plus due to less weight lower fuel bill (actually diesel I think beats vRS for performance btw). It's enough for me. If 1.8TSI L&K or 1.8TSI 4x4 DSG doesn't materialise in UK O3 range by the time Leon ST starts shipping in January, I will definitely explore the options on Seat.

 

Its not Skoda, its you. Yes, you, living in UK.

I don't think any of us blame Skoda as in Mlada Boleslav Skoda. It's the Skoda UK that we hold responsible for hiking up prices, stripping spec and telling us what we can and cannot buy.

 

Excellent. Does that mean you're finally leaving us to join a Seat forum? ;-)

Edited 12 September, 201312 yr by v0n

I must admit that if SUK had a 1.8 TSi engined car I would have had it, as I felt that the 140 would leave me lacking in punch & overall performance compared to the 160 one I had previously, so I only had 1 option & that was the 2.0 TSi vRS as the diesel didn't make financial sense as I don't do the mileage & I was concerned about DPF issues.

 

I went to Seat in Woking and I got zero attention, zero service and they got zero sales for their trouble.

 

I have to question the wisdom of going to SEAT as they've been rated the worst dealership network in the country in the Driver Power 2012 survey. Whereas Skoda are 7th (a nasty drop from the previous highs of 1st & 3rd!). 

Edited 12 September, 201312 yr by TheWanderer

Why oh why do people keep coming on here saying Seat this, Seat that, blah blah! Ok I get it Seat are offering something similar and in a similar or cheaper price point, well if thats the case go and buy a Seat then! I am on this forum as I am interested in Skoda's as that is what I have! If I wanted to know all about the merits of a bloody Seat I would seek out a Seat Forum......

An Octavia 1.8TSI would definitely have been my choice, especially if it was in L&K trim. With regard to the Leon, I still can't get past the fact that there is less passenger space in it than the Octavia and for that reason, I prefer to stay with the Octavia.

 

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth if they announce a 1.8TSI L&K next year though!

On the Leon vs Octavia subject The new Leon is everywhere I'm yet to spot a Octavia

Edited 12 September, 201312 yr by daydotz

Just more to go wrong.

Pretty sure someones lane assist has already given up the ghost.

That didn't take long...

 

All modern cars, regardless of make have so many systems now that

there's always something that can turn up its toes and die.

But on the whole, cars are much more reliable overall.

Out of curiosity, can you turn lane assist off? 

With regard to the Leon, I still can't get past the fact that there is less passenger space in it than the Octavia and for that reason, I prefer to stay with the Octavia.

Does it actually have less passenger space? Don't these platforms have the same door, seat etc mounting points and just SWB and LWB versions? I'm sure this was always the case in previous gens, you could swap back seats and interior trims between "families" etc?

Why oh why do people keep coming on here saying Seat this, Seat that, blah blah! I am on this forum as I am interested in Skoda's as that is what I have!

I can but apologise for the stress this have clearly caused you. Guys, can you help me load the toys back into this gentleman's pram?

Why oh why do people keep coming on here saying Seat this, Seat that, blah blah! Ok I get it Seat are offering something similar and in a similar or cheaper price point, well if thats the case go and buy a Seat then! I am on this forum as I am interested in Skoda's as that is what I have! If I wanted to know all about the merits of a bloody Seat I would seek out a Seat Forum......

James, don't take this as me having a pop because it isnt.

But I see from your avatar that you like Arsenal,

I'm not keen on football myself, but if you like it that's fine with me.

So I'll try and make my point using football as an example (as best as I can)

is it possible to have a worthwhile discussion about how Arsenal are doing this

season without also mentioning any of the other teams (ie the competition)

and how they are doing this season in relation to Arsenal. 

Yes you probably could but it would be a bloody boring one.

Imagine an Arsenal forum (I'm sure there must be one...?)  

where everybody only posted things like

 

I think Arsenal are bloody fantastic...

 

 

 

+1

 

 

 

+2

 

 

 

 

+3

 

 

 

 

Well I agree with the sentiment, but I think they are brilliant, not fantastic.

 

 

It would bore your bollax right off and down your trouser leg.

 

It wouldn't be until someone posts

 

 

Well, I think Spurs are going to murder them in the cup!

 

 

that an actual discussion or some healthy debate begins.

I always thought that was the point of forums and discussion boards.

 

My suggestion is that if you only want to announce 'Skoda are the best!!'

and won't hear anything else said on the subject.

Then get a tee shirt printed saying that, maybe in green team colours.

Then walk around town pointing at it with pride.

But if you want to discuss the plusses and minuses of the brand because

being realistic there are most definitely both as with all brands then surely

here's the place to do it???  

And the OP was about how the Skoda compared to other brands as he was in the  

market for a new car.  So in all honesty, any posts about other marques are

completely on topic. And again, don't take this as a pop, it really isn't.

I don't have a Skoda anymore, but for a long while I had two of them on the

drive. If there had been a Skoda that offered what my S3 has, then I'd have

bought one. But in the end, I had to buy a different make.

That doesn't mean I don't have an opinion on Skoda anymore, and it definitely  

doesn't mean I shouldn't be on this board. I've been noticing this attitude creeping in

lately in some of the model forums and it's not what this place is all about IMO.

Lets just keep the banter civil and we can have a good debate about it.

Out of curiosity, can you turn lane assist off? 

I have to say, I'd want it switched off.

I'm sure you can disable it at home with vagcom but then there's

the warranty issue. These cars are still pretty new...

Also, I don't know if the dealer would disable

a 'safety feature' or not? I've not seen an owners manual yet, maybe you can

turn it off via maxidot?? I'd hope so.  

Why oh why do people keep coming on here saying Seat this, Seat that, blah blah! Ok I get it Seat are offering something similar and in a similar or cheaper price point, well if thats the case go and buy a Seat then! I am on this forum as I am interested in Skoda's as that is what I have! If I wanted to know all about the merits of a bloody Seat I would seek out a Seat Forum......

 

Calm down.

Yes, this is a Skoda forum, but most people here aren't so blinkered that they won't look at other cars as well.

It's perfectly valid to discuss whether a Seat is a worthwhile alternative to a Skoda.

I have to say, I'd want it switched off.

I'm sure you can disable it at home with vagcom but then there's

the warranty issue. These cars are still pretty new...

Also, I don't know if the dealer would disable

a 'safety feature' or not? I've not seen an owners manual yet, maybe you can

turn it off via maxidot?? I'd hope so.  

Line and front assist can be turned off via maxidot..

Edited 12 September, 201312 yr by Kabe111

That's good news,I can see VAG fiiting it widely across the ranges and I'd hate

something like that to stop me buying another VAG car. I quite like them.

Out of curiosity, can you turn lane assist off? 

 

On the Elegance I had on test you could. 

 

I really didn't like it, but then I don't like beetroot, R&B or brown shoes with a blue suit either.  All completely irrelevant, but all my personal preference.

 

@OP

It might seen a strange thing to say from a TSI estate owner, but I love the new Mk7 GTD.

Partly because the GTI seems a little bling to me (IMO), but perhaps also because the GTD has that Q-car appeal.

(Also possibly because the 10k miles a year I did when I bought the TSI are now nearer 20k miles!)

The GTD is smart, classy, understated, fast & frugal!

Great choice & I hope you enjoy it.

Dunc.

Does it actually have less passenger space? Don't these platforms have the same door, seat etc mounting points and just SWB and LWB versions? I'm sure this was always the case in previous gens, you could swap back seats and interior trims between "families" etc?

 

Well the Octavia wheelbase is 50mm longer than the Leon, which is within a mm of the Golf. I can't find any actual rear legroom figures, but I compared the Golf and Octavia when I was looking and the Octavia had noticeably more space.

Edited 12 September, 201312 yr by spacenase

@OP

It might seen a strange thing to say from a TSI estate owner, but I love the new Mk7 GTD.

Partly because the GTI seems a little bling to me (IMO), but perhaps also because the GTD has that Q-car appeal.

(Also possibly because the 10k miles a year I did when I bought the TSI are now nearer 20k miles!)

The GTD is smart, classy, understated, fast & frugal!

Great choice & I hope you enjoy it.

Dunc.

 

Thanks Dunc, I appreciate your kind wishes.

 

Mike

Does it actually have less passenger space? Don't these platforms have the same door, seat etc mounting points and just SWB and LWB versions? I'm sure this was always the case in previous gens, you could swap back seats and interior trims between "families" etc?

 

 

If a car has a longer wheelbase then the extra length will almost certainly be in the passenger compartment.

Watch this and you can see the difference between the space in the Octavia and Golf (Golf being very similar to the Leon).

Seat will date,I like them but it will date too many angles

Just my opinion,and I have ordered a gti with pp I can't wait

Bloody hope my octi estate turns up soon !!! Lol dream dream if you ask me

Well the Octavia wheelbase is 50mm longer than the Leon, which is within a mm of the Golf. I can't find any actual rear legroom figures, but I compared the Golf and Octavia when I was looking and the Octavia had noticeably more space.

Precisely, but I'm just not sure if presumption that Leon ST will use SWB platform version of a Golf/Leon hatch (2637mm)and not LWB of Octavia (2686mm) is correct though? All aforementioned MQB based cars have longer wheelbase than O2 (which was 2578mm) and thus cabin length differs by well placed 6cm and it's not like traveling in O2 was particularly unbearable.

Edited 12 September, 201312 yr by v0n