I figured with all the info flying about at the moment Id put up a thread on my experiences with the ordering, delivery and first few days of ownership of a mkiii vrs estate

 

 

After taking out a petrol DSG demo I decided that DSG was the way forward for me after running manual Vrs's for the last few years.  With a good deal and book price held for my mkii VRS until the new one arrived I ordered on the 23rd July.  I would have liked to order  a petrol but with my miles and the GSV it made more sense to get a diesel.

 

This was the demo.  Doesnt look as good with the silver wheels imo

 

Race blue octavia mkiii vrs by Stu Worrall Photography, on Flickr

 

The dealers Mitchell have been great with the added bonus of a great salesman there, Richard Grifffiths, who has kept me updated throughout the whole process and shown a genuine interest in sourcing a new VRs with all the options I wanted on it.

 

It turns out I ordered at the right time as after this I think the orders have flooded in which along with UK allocation restrictions has slowed down the delivery time for others on here.

 

So on the 23rd July, build week 30 I ordered;

 

Octavia VRS 2.0 tdi DSG Estate

Sunset Glass

MDI

Auto Boot

Adaptive Cruise Control

Black Pack

Colour Maxidot

Red Stitching

 

I was quoted oct/nov delivery with it being a new build and was very surprised to hear from Richard a few weeks later that my provisional build week was 36 

 

So in the end it was built 2nd or 3rd September (week 36)

in 9 days.... (not sure about travel time to Emden or how long it was sat at the docks)

it was delivered to Grimsby Port compound 11/9/13 @ 10:52 (week 37)

Loaded onto transporter 12/9/13 @ 21:09

Delivered to Dealer 13/9/13 pm (note this seems to have been quote lucky and the dealer was very surprised it had turned up this quick.  everything had fallen in to place it seems)

 

Richard very kindly called me as soon as it arrived so I got the chance to go and check it out after work on the Friday, fresh off the transporter.

 

Suspension on the travel chocks. Love the new gemini wheels. Heres hoping the diamond cut wont have any delam problems like the scouts :-\

 

inside

 

 

Black pack looks great, not sure about the two tone paint tho 

 

 

I went over to fit some new number plate surrounds which are from fleabay and look great.  

 

Something to note:

The darkened cornering fogs which we arent getting due to the brochure typo.  I didnt check the cornering function but the fog light units do all seem to be darkened inside apart from the reflector which obviously needs to be silver.  Was really chuffed with this as it matches the darkened headlight unit.

 

 

The dealer could have done the delivery the next week but unfortunately were on a short holiday so I picked it up this week (Week 39)

 

So, 9 weeks for delivery was quite an achievement given I had a few options added to the car

 

This was it fresh on the forecourt after being checked over.  My old white mkii FL VRS is on the right.

 

Race Blue Skoda Octavia mkiii VRS by Stu Worrall Photography, on Flickr

 

 

octavia vrs mkiii and mkii FL by Stu Worrall Photography, on Flickr

 

 

So i said goodbye to my trusty white steed which had served me well for 3 years and carefully drove away the new Blue DSG diesel.

 

I was slightly nervous at this point, 1. because ive not driven many autos and was concerned about my left foot! and 2. because I hadn't driven a diesel mkiii VRS so would it have as much punch as my mkii?

 

I'd driven a golf mk7 DSG whilst looking around for a replacement for the mkii vrs and while it was fast it didnt seem as quick or torquey as my mkii and thankfully I neednt have worried.

 

Whilst the DSG does smooth out the gear changes so you dont get the thump of torque like in the manual you can get it back by going into manual or sport mode where it pulls like a train!  It also does a very nice blip of the throttle when changing down in manual mode which sounds pretty cool.

 

So this week has been spent running it in and trying out the different modes on the mode button.

 

NOTE, I didnt get the "VRS Mode" button on mine.  Just the normal car symbol plus "mode" written in.  Whilst Skoda UK have been pretty quiet on an answer to why it wasnt fitted I suspect they just didnt have enough panels with the VRS mode button installed to fit!

 

After testing it seems its just the graphic that is different and the button works the same plus the sound actuator which is fitted under the windscreen is installed (and actually sounds quite good to me)

 

 

Modes

 

Normal - as expected its the normal mode and shows some degree of sound actuator but not much. Steering is sharp but not heavy.

 

Eco - sound actuator very low or turned off and most noticeable is that it free wheels when the throttle isnt pressed, thsu saving you money

 

Sport - Mental!  Hangs on to the gears like mad, not always of benefit as it can run out of puff around 4500rpm so could do with changing down earlier.  It does however take notice if you back off the throttle then change up to something more manageable like 3rd to 4th when youre just cruising.  The sound actuator is also at its loudest here and is quite vocal.  Steering is a little stiffer.

 

Ive found an odd thing whether its by design or not I dont know.  In normal mode knocing back the stick to sport doesnt put it into sport mode in the menu so it will not kick in the sounds actuator.  However, if you want the sound but in normal D mode then choose the Mode button, press Sport mode which changes the box to S then knock the stick back to D.  You have normal drive mode for the box but with the sound actuator and I assume steering in sport mode.

 

So after 150+ miles this week its looking like this

 

Note that our drive is sinking where the front right wheel is so it gives a false indication of how far from the arches it is!

 

Skoda Octavia Mkiii VRS Estate front by Stu Worrall Photography, on Flickr

 

Skoda Octavia Mkiii VRS Estate front right by Stu Worrall Photography, on Flickr

 

Skoda Octavia Mkiii VRS Estate rear side by Stu Worrall Photography, on Flickr

 

I was really impressed with the finish from the factory/dealers as it looked really wet when I collected it even though Id asked them to do the minimum of prep.

 

When I can get some time booked in it will be detailed with the following

 

2 bucket method wash

dry

Clay

Iron-x and tardis to remove any remaining deposits

2BM wash

DAS6 Pro with a black pad and some sonax perfect finish

IPA

Dodo Juice Lime prime

Coated with Dodo Juice Supernatural

 

The Wheels are getting some DLUX applied along with some of the plastics.

 

Ive also started fitting my blackview camera tonight.

 

Ive decided it will be mounted underneath the huge mirror/camera cluster and ive gone into the fuse for the rear wiper to power it.

 

 

 

 

DPF -  This kicked in for the first time around 60 miles!  I made sure I did a long run over 2000 rpm after this to ensure the regen worked.  After reading up  on the mk7 golfs it seems some of theirs have done the same so it must just be finding its feet.

 

Fuel economy - As ive been testing and doing some short runs its not been consistent this week.  On one run where I used to get around 45 on my mkii i got 49 but others around town ive had low 40's.  Im ok with this though as I knew the DSG box is less efficient for fuel economy and it should get better.

 

 

Things I like

 

bi-xenon - Bright as a bright thing and the flash shutter works really well.  Nice to have a white full beam rather than a yellow halogen full beam.

 

Start-Stop - Just works really well with the DSG

 

Progressive Steering - I can turn into a 90 degree junction without having to feed the steering wheel through my hands and just keep them at ten to two.  Very handy if using manual mode and the paddles.

 

DSG - ace, nuff said

 

Seats - Really comfy compared to the mkii FL which seemed a lot harder.  The base fabric material also seems a lot better than I thought it was in the demo.  It does feel like it will last a long time.

 

Ride - Firm but not crashy.  Seems sharp in the corners but also softer than my mkii over bumps.

 

ACC - Im still getting used to the new lower position of the stalk but I love its operation.  Set it to 40 for a 40mph speed limit (essential in wales with all the talivans!) andif you miss it slightly and get 38 just push up on the sitck which knocks it to 40mph.  if your speed limit changes to 50mph then press the up stick twice and it accelerates to 50mph

 

The first time when following traffic which came to a standstill for lights then moved off again.  The car did all this form me while I hovered over the brake as I didnt trust it!! very weird at first but will be handy to use.

 

Hesitation on negative G - Doesnt exist on the new engine!  Theres a road I used to regularly travel which would always show the negative G acceleration problem/feature on my mkii CR VRS.  Thanksfully the new engine accelerates through this dip with no problems

 

Colour MDI - a bit like a retina screen compared to the old mkii maxidot

 

Media options / Chunky Steering Wheel with buttons / general build / rear leg room / bluetooth usage / DAB / 

 

Auto Boot - Very handy for me as I lug kit around.  The only downside is I thought I could carry loads of stuff from the boot then close the boot with the key as I walked away.  This is not the case as it will only close when you press the button in the boot lid.  Bit of a downer for the usage from 

 

Submarine lighting and rear LED lights look great

 

Things I dont like

 

New accelerator and lack of right foot rest - Much preferred the old hinged at the bottom accelerator plus you had a foot rest in the mkii.  now that its hinged at the top im finding myself resting my foot half on the right carpet and half on the accelerator which is a bit crap as the carpet on the RHS is going to get worn.  I cant rest my feet under the accelerator as I wear steel toe caps and they dont fit under it! 

 

Ipod/MDI - seems to be playing up and not remembering its position after locking the car then going back to it.  needs some investigation.

 

Under the bonnet - Theres a flat part of the wing under the bonnet on the passenger side that seems to just collect water! bad design and will get dirty so I may coat it with some plastidip.

 

Front Assist/ACC - Ive had one blip where I was coming down a hill on 30mph limit on the ACC.  I approched a traffic island to the right of me on a bend and the car suddenly started slowing down to 20 mph and I had to take over.  I think the ACC or front assist thought it was a car??

 

False right exhaust - Really Skoda ??

 

Fuse box behind the glove compartment - complete pain in the arse to remove the whole glove compartment just to get to the fuse box. :(

 

Number plate lights are still halogen

 

Things Im not sure about

 

Lane Assist - Feels very weird and im not sure if Im going to leave it enabled.  Ill try it for two weeks then decide as its just odd having your steering constantly altered on a dual carriageway.

 

 

 

Heres the number plate surrounds for someone who asked

 

Skoda Octavia Mkiii VRS Estate back by Stu Worrall Photography, on Flickr

 

can be bought here - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=161063634694&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:GB:3160

 

no affiliation to them and hopefully thats ok to post, MODS pls delete if not

 

 

Ill add more info and photos as I go along.  PLease feel free to post any questions you might have and ill answer if I can

Awesome review, thanks! Regarding closing the boot from the key, it should work if you press the key longer (3s).

Cracking we review there and the kind I hoped to write (there's always the "It's here 2.0" thread to come!) and I have to say the suspension on mine seems to have softened slightly which is great as it was verging on harsh for the first 100 miles or so.

If got a couple of questions though which I hope aren't daft seeing as I've got on of these cars sitting in the drive!

DPF - how do you know it's doing it thing (regen)

And the submarine lighting you mentioned; what exactly do you mean by this? Footwell lighting? I'm sure it's meant to have it but I can't say I've got them although I've only been out at night once so far and I was probably playing with the xenon lights to notice! (I was like a kid giggling at the start up test where the lights go chock eyed!)

Great review, many thanks for taking the time to post it. Magnificent looking car as well, congratulations, those wheels look terrific.

Agreed, excellent review and the car looks awesome. I like the number plate surrounds.

Excellent review. Lovely car best of luck with it

One thing I would have liked to see is the drls in the bumper like the mkll.

By the way ur mkll still looks great beside it I like the grill

Thanks for the review, this is pretty much what I intended to do if mine had arrived yet. Not just a write up on the car, but the options

 

What's the Hesitation on negative G problem? First time I've heard of that.

Edited 28 September, 201312 yr by Dodgy

Thanks for the kind comments all

 

 

Awesome review, thanks! Regarding closing the boot from the key, it should work if you press the key longer (3s).

ive tried that and pretty sure it doesnt :(

 

this is from the manual 

 

 

[EDITED a slight mistakeabout buttons]

 

from that table above closing the boot is blank for all options from the key and button C which is the interior button by the gearstick  :(

 

 

Cracking we review there and the kind I hoped to write (there's always the "It's here 2.0" thread to come!) and I have to say the suspension on mine seems to have softened slightly which is great as it was verging on harsh for the first 100 miles or so.

If got a couple of questions though which I hope aren't daft seeing as I've got on of these cars sitting in the drive!

DPF - how do you know it's doing it thing (regen)
And the submarine lighting you mentioned; what exactly do you mean by this? Footwell lighting? I'm sure it's meant to have it but I can't say I've got them although I've only been out at night once so far and I was probably playing with the xenon lights to notice! (I was like a kid giggling at the start up test where the lights go chock eyed!)

Thanks

 

re the DPF its the same as my old CR.  It went into an active regen which means the idle revs change from 800rpm to 1000rpm when stopped at junctions.  As I was doing a bit of town driving and stopped partway the fans came on when the engine was turned off (because of the extra heat generated in the exhaust) and I could smell it cooking slightly from the outside.  Nothing to worry about though as this has been normal on my last two CR VRS engines

 

Excellent review. Lovely car best of luck with it
One thing I would have liked to see is the drls in the bumper like the mkll.
By the way ur mkll still looks great beside it I like the grill

Thanks and yes this is one I forgot to add.

 

I think they missed the boat with moving the DRL's to the headlights as they look rather plain now.  Id have preferred them in the cluster where the fogs are too.

 

One thing to add.

 

The bend lighting is a lot better with the new xenons.  It really is a lot faster in sports mode than in normal mode whereas the FL xenons were quite a bit slower to react to turns (that wasnt a problem though)

 

And the other was build quality which has improved loads over the mkii.  I know everyone has mentioned the door cards but on closer inspection there is one hard plastic part with the other parts being softer rubber or leatherette.  When I checked my mkii before it went back it also had one part hard plastic.

 

Ive noticed the door rubbing strip where it touches the body now has two leading felt edges, I assume for noise reduction, whereas the mkii FL had one.

Edited 28 September, 201312 yr by sworrall

Thanks for the review, this is pretty much what I intended to do if mine had arrived yet. Not just a write up on the car, but the options

 

What's the Hesitation on negative G problem? First time I've heard of that.

Thanks Dave.

 

I hoped Ive put in some of the info that was missing from Skoda when I ordered.  As we chatted about before I nearly never ordered the ACC due to the lack of info from them but after trawling the golf forums for info im glad I did order it now as its great.  More usefull on DSG though id imagine as it can change the gears whereas on the manual its limited to the driver doing that.

 

re the neg G theres a couple of threads below.  You may not have noticed it on yours as it only happens under certain circumstances (and maybe not on DSG?).  The denbigh to brenig road has a lot of corners that it will happen on.

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/281401-cr-vrs-hesitation/?hl=%2Bnegative#entry3334500

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/256416-sensation-of-braking-when-going-downhill/?hl=%2Bnegative#entry3019637

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/150025-negative-g/?hl=negative

Excellent review and great looking car! Thank you.

Cracking we review there and the kind I hoped to write (there's always the "It's here 2.0" thread to come!) and I have to say the suspension on mine seems to have softened slightly which is great as it was verging on harsh for the first 100 miles or so.

If got a couple of questions though which I hope aren't daft seeing as I've got on of these cars sitting in the drive!

DPF - how do you know it's doing it thing (regen)

And the submarine lighting you mentioned; what exactly do you mean by this? Footwell lighting? I'm sure it's meant to have it but I can't say I've got them although I've only been out at night once so far and I was probably playing with the xenon lights to notice! (I was like a kid giggling at the start up test where the lights go chock eyed!)

Excellent review, the sort that we have all been waiting for. I know it's very easy to sit back and read the forum while we are waiting for our new steeds and also a place to come when we have problems.......thank you so much for your valuable time when perhaps most would have fallen by the wayside and just be out there having fun.

I too am interested in the submarine part ?

sorry, forgot about the sub question.

 

Its not actually true submarine as its not a red light like the golfs used to have but there are two LED's in the front interior light compartment that shine down on the handbrake and gearstick area.  at night if you wave your hand over these its illuminated with this white light.  Its not too bright to be distracting either

Thanks same as my Superb then, I too was hoping for footwell lighting, but no big deal.

 

 

Soon be time to update your profile picture or is a case of....... that one served me well hope the new one serves me better

What a fantastic and informative review. Car looks stunning. Still 6 weeks to go until my VRS is ready. Can't wait.

Good review although hold off the HDR effect on the photos as its not giving a true image of the car

sworrall an excellent review many thanks. Perhaps professional reviewers should take note as details like you have included would definitely influence prospective purchasers. 

Great review...thanks for sharing

 

December can't come quick enough!!

Thank You for the great review. You have helped me and the misses decide that the blue with the standard alloys is the perfect combination for us. Just been and ordered the same car with a very similar spec.

Great review. About closing the boot from the key it is not possible for safety reasons.

Car looks great and a very interesting review. But I must stop reading these new vRS threads as I start slipping into car changing mode again 

Thanks - I'm looking to order the same spec (ACC, power boot etc) but the petrol.  Still can't decided blue or white though......

looks good - nice review - enjoy

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

 

Week 2 and all is well.  

 

Driving Modes

We had a trip out to warrington at the weekend (100 mile round trip) so I thought Id check the different modes on the way there and back.  

 

Interestingly I tried the ECO on the way and did a mixture of town and motorway driving with the motorway bits being about 65-70 mph which gave me 50.4mpg indicated on the maxidot.

 

On the way home and laden with a bed and mattress and taking less care about staying under 70 I put it in NORMAL mode and got 55mpg!!  go figure???

 

This is a great improvement over my manual 60 plate CR VRS (bearing in mind I now have DSG) in that if I did 70mph I'd get about 49mpg and only get above 50mpg if I did 65mph.  I expect the manual derv VRS's will be getting even better results with no slush box.

 

Start/Stop

An update on the start stop is that im loving it on the DSG.  If im at a junction where i will want to get out quick I can lightly press the brake which holds the car but doesnt stop the engine.  If I can see im going to be sitting there for 20 seconds plus then I psuh harder on the brake and the start/stop kicks in

 

Fuel Flap

Something I forgot to mention on the original post and which will be common to all mkiii's is the diesel cap holder is now a lot better.  On the mkii you had to rest the cap in the groove on your fuel flap paintwork whch I wasnt always happy with, especially if it was dirty.  Now there is a round plug on the cap whcih slots into the inside of the black part of the fuel flap.  No risk of scratching paint and it doesnt fall off when you knock it either

 

Thanks same as my Superb then, I too was hoping for footwell lighting, but no big deal.

 

 

Soon be time to update your profile picture or is a case of....... that one served me well hope the new one serves me better

Ah yes I must get around to that.  Need to detail it first then take it somewhere nice to photograph

 

And footwell lighting would have been nice but it seems us brits dont need that and folding mirrors for some reason ??

 

Good review although hold off the HDR effect on the photos as its not giving a true image of the car

 

Thanks although I think youre taking it too seriously.  Its just a crappy grab shot off my driveway in fading light that ive boosted with some exposure comp and shadow recovery.  Do you really think the brochure shots that people buy from arent fettled to within an inch of their life?

 

Anyway, in an effort of transparency here's one of the before and after shots so that the original none fettled and true image of the car can be seen

 

 

Great review. About closing the boot from the key it is not possible for safety reasons.

I thought it would be this and probably another H&S gone mad thing.  I dont really see the difference between closing with the key and opening with the key (which is allowed) as you can still smash someone in the face if you open it when not looking.

 

Thank You for the great review. You have helped me and the misses decide that the blue with the standard alloys is the perfect combination for us. Just been and ordered the same car with a very similar spec.

Good stuff and roll on delivery!  glad I could have been of help.

Thanks - I'm looking to order the same spec (ACC, power boot etc) but the petrol.  Still can't decided blue or white though......

tough choice and I like both but didnt want to get the same colour car again as my previous mkii was white.  If it hadnt of been blue then I would have gone for white or meteor grey (ive yet to see a meteor in the flesh though)

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

 

Week 2 and all is well.  

 

Driving Modes

We had a trip out to warrington at the weekend (100 mile round trip) so I thought Id check the different modes on the way there and back.  

 

Interestingly I tried the ECO on the way and did a mixture of town and motorway driving with the motorway bits being about 65-70 mph which gave me 50.4mpg indicated on the maxidot.

 

On the way home and laden with a bed and mattress and taking less care about staying under 70 I put it in NORMAL mode and got 55mpg!!  go figure???

 

 

 

This weekend, there has been a reasonably strong Easterly wind, it makes quite a difference Your journey West from Warrington would have been strongly wind assisted, and the opposite (obviously) on the way out which makes the difference even more stark)

 

(I'm a cyclist, so I'm painfully aware of the wind direction and strength on any given day )

Edited 30 September, 201312 yr by Dodgy