After owning 2 Audi A7 BiTDI's both running 355/360bhp and 750Nm I've got to admit that i prefer our vRS Estate

 

My brother runs a TT TDI  at 220bhp / 443nm and he's in the same frame of mind.

 

This car is so much fun, and i think that the VAG group have created an absolute peach of an engine I can't wait to see what we can extract from it to be honest..

 

Now i know I've made a BOLD statement comparing the vRS to the A7, but I'm a car nut and i know I'm not comparing apples to apples, but for putting a smile on your face, the vRS wins hands down

 

10/10 to Skoda from me

 

 

(Lets hope Audi aren't reading this or they'll cancel my RS4)

Edited 5 November, 201312 yr by Andrew@DTUK

Thats great to hear...now stick those 20's (?) onto the vRS so we can admire!

The octavia looks like a right turd next to the A7 which imo is the best looking car Audi have ever made....

Both far too big to be proper fun to drive

Brother-in-law has the A7 Bi-turbo (not mapped) and I must say it's very impressive. Great on a long trip, lovely place to be, interior is top-notch.

 

Doesn't really feel very alive though, if that makes sense? Not particularly dynamic. Great pace and satisfying to hammer down a straight piece of road. It's not a vehicle you feel like throwing about and taking by the scuff of the neck though.

 

Obviously it's in a completely different place, both budget wise and the market it's aimed at.

 

But in terms of direct comparison on usability and enjoyment, I completely understand and agree with your statement

750nm!!!!!   I wouldn't like to be paying for the tyres.

Why didn't you go for the VRS TSI then? Everybody says it's head and shoulders above the TDI, if you can live with the running costs. And I suppose you can if your other car(s) is a chipped A7...

With respect, claiming that one car is better than another twice the price indicates that either, or both, manufacturers screwed up their pricing. 

 

Audi's are certainly overpriced but not to the point that a £56k Audi is inferior to a £24k Skoda.

 

I suspect your judgement is chequered by rose-tinted beer goggles.

Edited 5 November, 201312 yr by JuanCarr

The octavia looks like a right turd next to the A7 which imo is the best looking car Audi have ever made....

This made me chuckle cause ive always thought that the A7 is the ugliest car available to buy right now!! Horses for courses i guess, but then what do i know, my weekend fun car is a 1989 Fiat Uno!!

A cheaper car can be 'better' than a more expensive car if it has mastered being greater than the sum of its parts.

 

Not sure if even the Octavia is in that category, yet, though.

 

When I see that Audi A7, i just think "selfish". Not sure why.

Hi there, I know this is only peoples' opinions here but I don't see how you can compare an Audi A7 to an Octy mk3 vrs estate. I have recently taken delivery of a mk3 vrs tdi manual estate and absolutely love it to bits. Albeit I haven't ever driven an Audi A7, but I've seen several of them about-they're a completely different car from the vrs. Now if you compared the vrs estate to an Audi A4 estate or a mondeo estate etc, that would be a different story. Sorry, just my opinion.

I agree too. Not a fair comparison

Thats great to hear...now stick those 20's (?) onto the vRS so we can admire!

Please do this......even for just one photo.

Edited 5 November, 201312 yr by J8mbo

We can definitely draw comparisons from the new Skoda design mantra to Audi's design philosophy. I suspect (without googling) that Skoda have employed an ex Audi designer? Love the new vRS. Best looking octavia yet.

Why didn't you go for the VRS TSI then? Everybody says it's head and shoulders above the TDI, if you can live with the running costs. And I suppose you can if your other car(s) is a chipped A7...

I need the TDI engine for R and D purposes

I'm well aware if the vast cost difference between the 2 cars, and clearly stated that I'm not comparing apples to apples, but my point is that the vRS is such a fun car to drive and I personally prefer it over the more expensive A7

So as far as I'm concerned, I'd take the vRS over the A7 any day

As for comparing the octavia to the a4, I've recently had a 2.0 TDI 150ps A4 avant on loan, and you can tell the the octavia is a generation ahead in both the technology and engine stakes

£ for £ I'm a Skoda convert, but still love my Audis

... I'm well aware if the vast cost difference between the 2 cars, and clearly stated that I'm not comparing apples to apples, but my point is that the vRS is such a fun car to drive and I personally prefer it over the more expensive A7

So as far as I'm concerned, I'd take the vRS over the A7 any day.

.

In a way, this sounds a bit like the former Boxster owner (now MX-5 owner) I described here:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/294023-anybody-gothad-a-skoda-service-and-maintenance-contract/

 

More powerful and more expensive is not always better in terms of driving pleasure - or just sheer fun!

 

 

.

In a way, this sounds a bit like the former Boxster owner (now MX-5 owner) I described here:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/294023-anybody-gothad-a-skoda-service-and-maintenance-contract/

Couldn't agree more, the A7 is a fantastic car but a totally different animal. A great cruiser, and straight line performed was blistering, but the fun factor was minimal I'm comparison to the vRS

My next comparison will be against the rs4 now that should be fun

More powerful and more expensive is not always better in terms of driving pleasure - or just sheer fun!

So as far as I'm concerned, I'd take the vRS over the A7 any day

 

Can't say I'd take the vRS over the A7 for a trip across Europe or any long journey for that matter. As good as the vRS might be, there's no way it covers the miles as effortlessly and comfortably. For a trip over twisty, narrow roads, the vRS would obviously be more suited and more enjoyable, but then again a Golf GTi or Audi S3 or M135i would be much better still.

 

Horses for courses . . .

.

In a way, this sounds a bit like the former Boxster owner (now MX-5 owner) I described here:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/294023-anybody-gothad-a-skoda-service-and-maintenance-contract/

 

More powerful and more expensive is not always better in terms of driving pleasure - or just sheer fun!

 

 

Wrong link but i'm interested to read your experience, I loved my 987, agree it is probably a less good track car but on the road it was an awesome piece of kit, I certainly felt very safe in it which for me for the most part is what I want in a road car - It's good to be able to have fun, but most of the time you want something that's going to save your arse when some idiot pulls out on you with the ability to take corners well for the times you manage to drive for fun (country roads etc)

 

I take your point on track cars though, more is less, but I'd still just strip out the Boxster and make best use of the engine placement and excellent chassis - one problem is that people buy them with extra upon extra and it just makes it that much more heavier - I always felt that stripped out and mapped properly it would have seen some fun track times.

I've been looking at the BMW 1 series/Audi A3/Mercedes A/CLA sector and I've been very disappointed with what my money gets me.  PCP prices were around mid £300s and they were asking for a few grand deposit.  The vRS seems significantly cheaper than this, yet like-for-like spec is vastly superior.  Not one of the German manufacturers were offering any gadgets within that price by modern-day standards.

 

I've yet to drive the vRS, but the A class and 1 series were dull beyond belief.  Additionally, I'm comparing a top of the range sport badged Skoda with mid-ranged, 10-second-to-60mph, thirsty ****er cars.  I look forward to placing my order on Saturday....

 

I can't provide a comparison with the A7 - I'd never buy one, as I was born with the gift of sight....

Skoda are obviously scaring some manufacturers... email I received from a determined German dealer:

 

Hi Fiisch,

 

We’ve looked into this for you, and I’ve got a couple of choices for you;

 

If we look at a BMW 118 coupe, it works out around £400 per month, and a BMW 116i (new shape), works out at £345 per month. 

 

There’s a very cynical way of looking at this, which is that at BMW we haven’t yet reached the point where we need to give 0% APR, or free servicing because our cars are still selling…  The likes of Skoda, Vauxhall, Renault, etc have to do 0% finance and give away free bits & pieces because their cars are barely selling! 

 

When a dealer/manufacturer says that they’re giving away free servicing, etc then they build the cost of the servicing into the price of the car so they aren’t out of pocket! 

 

As I said, that’s very cynical of me, but it’s quite correct.  If you’d like to look closer at the BMW, then we can do so Fiisch. 

Regards,

Ze Germans

 

I've been looking at the BMW 1 series/Audi A3/Mercedes A/CLA sector and I've been very disappointed with what my money gets me.  PCP prices were around mid £300s and they were asking for a few grand deposit.  The vRS seems significantly cheaper than this, yet like-for-like spec is vastly superior.  Not one of the German manufacturers were offering any gadgets within that price by modern-day standards.

 

I've yet to drive the vRS, but the A class and 1 series were dull beyond belief.  Additionally, I'm comparing a top of the range sport badged Skoda with mid-ranged, 10-second-to-60mph, thirsty ****er cars.  I look forward to placing my order on Saturday....

 

I can't provide a comparison with the A7 - I'd never buy one, as I was born with the gift of sight....

Totally agree with your assessment of the market here - I've been through a similar process myself looking at similar cars and came to the same conclusion.

 

The 1 series I drove was "ok" - I'm not a gadgets man at all but it certainly came across as basic - the main problem I had though was when hitting the clutch my foot also hit the brake (and nearly the accelerator) all at the same time :/ - too small to be useful I reckon.

 

The 0% APR kills it as well, the interest alone on some of those other cars (unless you have a huge deposit for one of the cheap apr options) puts them out of the same budget range.

 

Just be prepared for the legendary Skoda customer communication system.....

 

Skoda are obviously scaring some manufacturers... email I received from a determined German dealer:

 

Hi Fiisch,

 

We’ve looked into this for you, and I’ve got a couple of choices for you;

 

If we look at a BMW 118 coupe, it works out around £400 per month, and a BMW 116i (new shape), works out at £345 per month. 

 

There’s a very cynical way of looking at this, which is that at BMW we haven’t yet reached the point where we need to give 0% APR, or free servicing because our cars are still selling…  The likes of Skoda, Vauxhall, Renault, etc have to do 0% finance and give away free bits & pieces because their cars are barely selling! 

 

When a dealer/manufacturer says that they’re giving away free servicing, etc then they build the cost of the servicing into the price of the car so they aren’t out of pocket! 

 

As I said, that’s very cynical of me, but it’s quite correct.  If you’d like to look closer at the BMW, then we can do so Fiisch. 

Regards,

Ze Germans

 

 

 

Ha!  Whatever happened to selling your product on its own merits and never denigrate the opposition?

 

The are worried indeed - you should reply requesting a like for like spec comparison and justification of the extra cost.

 

Skoda are obviously scaring some manufacturers... email I received from a determined German dealer:

 

Hi Fiisch,

 

We’ve looked into this for you, and I’ve got a couple of choices for you;

 

If we look at a BMW 118 coupe, it works out around £400 per month, and a BMW 116i (new shape), works out at £345 per month. 

 

There’s a very cynical way of looking at this, which is that at BMW we haven’t yet reached the point where we need to give 0% APR, or free servicing because our cars are still selling…  The likes of Skoda, Vauxhall, Renault, etc have to do 0% finance and give away free bits & pieces because their cars are barely selling! 

 

When a dealer/manufacturer says that they’re giving away free servicing, etc then they build the cost of the servicing into the price of the car so they aren’t out of pocket! 

 

As I said, that’s very cynical of me, but it’s quite correct.  If you’d like to look closer at the BMW, then we can do so Fiisch. 

Regards,

Ze Germans

 

 

But the Octavia is still cheaper, bigger and probably just as well built as the 1 series? Plus better MPG, much lower servicing costs etc etc - the list goes on!

 

I think you've got your assessment bang on there!

I imagine he'll come back with the "brand image" and all that guff.

 

The 0% APR is a big win for Skoda.  The only worrying thing is if Skoda start to realise they're on a par with the likes of Ford, BMW etc. and start upping their rates - the MKIII vRS may be the last affordable hot saloon.

 

Customer service values are all relative - I've bought Alfas, Vauxhalls and Renaults previously, and I've never been impressed with the after sales care.  I know what I'm letting myself in for re.: build times, so I vow not to moan and stamp my feet on here when I'm still waiting on a Rallye Green vRS TDi hatch in June next year!!

 

I'm hoping for a monthly payment of under £300 with a deposit circa £1k including my trade-in, but the more I look at the options list, the harder that is going to be.  Metallic paint, colour maxidot, winter pack, black pack and cruise control have suddenly all become "essentials".

 

The most laughable quote I had so far from ze Germans was from a very young car salesman for Mercedes, who offered me a Mercedes A Class 180CDi """AMG""" (blasphemy) for £3,500 deposit and £395 / month for 3 yrs 10k miles/yr.