Potential new VRs owner needing advice

[ChrisFabiaVRs]

Hi all

Been looking at a few mk2 VRs Fabias but few questions that I could do with advice on.

Is the oil usage a very common thing, or just a problem that forums can highlight?

Is the mpg stated actually achievable?

How easy is it to retrofit cruise control?

Have the DSG issues of older VAGs been ironed out?

The spec I want is climate control, cruise control, and elec rear windows but I'm finding it hard to get that spec without a 17 week wait for a factory order!

Cheers

Chris

[Furbytom]

Most vRS are fine from an oil point of view but there are quite a lot of bad eggs out there. If looking at a used one then contacting skoda for a history on the car and any warranty work carried out is essential. I'd walk away if any oil consumption tests or breather mod has been done. I'd never recommend a Fabia vRS that is running out of warranty either.

As with any car it's going to be tricky to match the official mpg figures. Ours currently averaging 37mpg over a tank but that's with my wife doing most of the miles on it. Most people seem to be in the 32-39mpg range. Low-mid 40s is possible on a run if you drive it like granny. I'm sure there will be one or two who will come along in a minute claiming much higher figures with photos of the trip computer etc lol! Take that with a pinch of salt imho.

Not sure on retrofitting cruise.

Don't think there are many people on here with DSG issues so I wouldn't worry about that too much.

Hope that helps!

[TeebsVRS]

I've never had to top the oil up between services and my average MPG over the past year is just over 40mpg, and that's over a wide range of driving conditions. There are good ones out there! Mine was a dealer ex-demo which may be a small factor in the engine not being an oil drinker, general consensus is nannying the engine from new does more harm than good, so an ex-demo that's been thrashed a bit may actually be a good thing!!

[jsteel91]

When I first got mine the oil consumption as quite high but as the miles and months went on it's got a lot better (hardly any at all)

As for the mpg I get between 35-47 mpg depending on the distance and how heavy my right foot is! But I normally get 400-450 miles to a full tank

I'm not sure about the cruise control it's never something I've looked in to.

As for the dsg it's never missed a beat with 28k on the clocks it's brilliant!

Hope it helps!

[Big Sheep]

I'd walk away if any oil consumption tests or breather mod has been done. I'd never recommend a Fabia vRS that is running out of warranty either.

 

Agreed, unless it ended up with a new engine. IMO the majority of those that got to that stage and were denied a replacement engine should have got one. Mine was replaced and the car has been fine since. If I sold it now it would be a good buy for someone. For a daily driver there is still nothing out there for the money that I'd rather have. Once my 4 year warranty expires I will be looking to take out warranty cover via CSMA.

[ChrisFabiaVRs]

Cheers for all the advice

 

My current daily is a 2.0 Turbo Astra coupe 280bhp and 350lbft that can only run on 99ron, so as you can imagine is a bit thirsty!

 

400-450 miles on a 45l tank sounds pretty good to me.

 

I have found a 62 plate VRs with 3k miles on the clock from a main dealer, so would get the extended warranty to cover the car.

 

If its just a case of adding the stalk and activating cruise I should be okay, my friend has VCDS which will do it.

 

Would a VW Dealer be able to do any warranty work on a Skoda? as over the road from my work is a VW dealer which would be handy.

[vxh26]

<snip> general consensus is nannying the engine from new does more harm than good <snip>

Is it?  Why might this be the case?  I have always understood that careful running in of a new engine is key to a long term reliability.

[Ootohere]

Simply because it is not like other engines.

'International Engine of the year 1.0-1.4 litres',2009/2010/2011/2012/2013,  highly strung, advanced technology, Each one a risk of failure.

VW/Audi group never admit faults.

 

Running in the new tyres, suspension, steering etc for a few hundred miles is advised,

and letting the engine and oil get warm when starting off, before using the engine like it was built to be used.

 

of the 20% or so of the 2009-mid 2012 Twinchargers that have gone wrong, many will have been run in, and still went wrong.

Just a Lottery on which were built to a poor Quality Control Standard by VAG.

 

Up to the buyer if they are buying a keeper and they want to try running in gently.

Its hardly likely that a Ex Demonstrator was run in, and many of those have been fine

.** Maybe not 'most' of the June 2010-summer 2011 though check them out very well for engine rebuilds, and new engines,

many have been fine.

and they might be a cracking bargain, 'much cheapness', 3 years later if they are good, then fine.

all the options fitted when ordered as a Demonstrator,

 just stick a 2 year Skoda Extended Warranty on them..**

 

Lots that bought new Twinchargers never run them in and got great use out of them, and no oil topping up.

 

Buying used from Skoda Dealerships, you will have the remainder of a Warranty, or 12 months Approved & then at 3 years old

you can get 2 Year Skoda Extended Warranty at less than £1 a day.

 

Over 2,400 1.4 TSI CAVE/CTHE S-A vRS registered now in the UK, 2010-2013

over 6,000 Cupra/Polo/A1 2009-2013

Not many reports of any CTHE engined cars with problems.

 

Fuel consumption.

Mid 40's is still possibly when driving well over the UK speeds limits, when the rpm is at around 2,400 rpm and you are not on the Super and Turbo.

ie,that is  2,400-3,500, and Turbo 3,500-6,200 +

That can be 80 mph + cruising and still achieving 45 mpg +

Grannies and Grandads sometimes can nip along at a decent pace.

 

22-27 mpg, just boot it every place.

37-42 mpg, just drive normally,  

45 +mpg, just drive normally for someone that knows how to stay off the brakes and keep momentum up.

 

george

[Big Sheep]

Is it?  Why might this be the case?  I have always understood that careful running in of a new engine is key to a long term reliability.

 

My experience: -

 

Engine no. 1  -  gentle running in  -  bad oil consumption

Engine no. 2  -  'aggressive' running in   -  very little oil consumption

 

See 

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

 

My advice is not to run in this engine using the traditional careful approach.

 

You can't believe all you read on the Internet but I have spoken to someone who used to build high end performance engines for BMW including the 627 bhp V12 that was used in the McLaren F1 and he is in total agreement with this. Do your own research. Don't follow this advice unless you are happy .

[killy]

It is possible to fit cruise to the latest Fabia VRs - I believe the part number for this is  D5J2054690A. and should include a new control box

[sharkrider]

Yes you can retrofit cruise... I have red lined both of my vRS engines before 20 miles were on them... And both have been fine... The latest one was on the track at 1,000 miles don't worry about the engine, most are fine, the DSG is generally very good and very reliable, I often get out of my car thinking ' wow, never ceases to amaze me how good this car is! ' I may keep this one

[ChrisFabiaVRs]

Yeah the principle of bedding an engine in gently is from when cars had lower tolerances so needed the help.

I know all AMG cars are dyno'd to their limits on a brand new engine before it's released from factory to check it's making the correct power

Just waiting to hear back from dealer as to the finance options and costs.

In 2010 there was revisions done to the DSG box to cure the problems they had, as I've driven a few old ones with failing DSG boxes and the fix is never cheap, so 2013 is a good time for the revisions to have worked or failed

Glad to hear they are working just fine

[Ootohere]

The 2010 cars did not have a DSG general or common problem that I am aware of.

I own a June-July 2010 ex Skoda Media used vRS.

(maybe someone with knowledge can say what revision was done, the same DSG was on the Seat Cupra  from 2009)

There was a ECU Update required on the earliest cars, and that better running engine can be having an effect on a smoother changing gear change.

 

I have not driven any early Twinchargers with gear box problems, and i have driven a fair number now vRS's & other Twinchargers.

There are no changes i am aware of to the DQ200 as fitted.

There are cars that have required Clutch Packs and Mechartronic Units replaced but i have never been in one of those,

and they are not limited to cars from 2010-11.

 

The gearbox adjusts to drivers styles and some Demo & Used cars can feel ropey at the beginning of a drive and soon smooth right down.

Funny that Road Testers and Media Journalists never consider that and few mention it.

Media Road tester did seem to start lots of comments on Flappy Paddle and jerky changes etc, but then thats them driving Media cars often,

possibly ones driven by another Journalist before them.

 

My gearboxes can feel like cr4p for a while if someone else had it out driving the day before me.

[ChrisFabiaVRs]

I meant revisions to all VAG DSG boxes, so all Fabias would be on the new box

The older DSGs in VW and Audi after a few years could be jerky on take up, Yet other mint with no difference in user driving style.

There was a big law suit in USA which VAG lost and had to do a recall after they wouldn't admit issues were happening

[Ootohere]

So not relevant to the DQ200 for 113-136 kW as fitted to the Twinchargers.  It is a really good box suited to the engine.

Lots of threads on this forum and elsewhere on the DSG  Recalls in the Asian Countries, and the wider worldwide recalls happening now.

 

There are Dealers in the UK with New Built New in the UK or ordered built and in Transit, specced up with options and un-registered.

Skoda Specialist Cars Aberdeen might be worth a try.

http://john-clark.co.uk/skoda

 

http://broadspeed.com

http://drivethedeal.com

 

george

[ChrisFabiaVRs]

I will keep hunting to what spec they have, colour isn't that important as I like all the combos, but climate cruise and elec rear windows are important.

Googled the dq200 DSG and it comes back as having a recall against it currently for gb oil issues

My local dealer doesn't have any VRs in stock but think they have a Monte Carlo I can look at, should give me an idea of what the VRs is like before I drive to the other one

[Ootohere]

Not a recall in Europe on DQ200's as fitted on the 132-136kw Twinchargers though. 'Yet'!  & hardly likely to be.

 

From back in June, and the vehicles being recalled has extended, but not to the ones we are bothered about.

http://autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/vw-uk-why-we-dont-need-dsg-recall

 

Have fun looking, and try to get a good long Test Drive in a vRS from someplace.

 

george

[ChrisFabiaVRs]

Went to local skoda and chatted to one of the sales team

Unlocked a Monte Carlo tsi for me to have a look in, and he should have a 1.6 Tdi Monte Carlo for me to test drive on Monday to see if I like how they handle

He also showed me his own 1.6 TDi was averaging 69mpg, if the 1.6 Tdi is nice to drive I may be tempted with one of those in Monte Carlo spec

[ChrisFabiaVRs]

Went out on test drive today in the Tdi Fabia and really liked it, it will be perfect for a daily car.

They have done me some quotes on ex demos and couldn't be happier with the options.

The salesman is checking if the free servicing can be done at VW rather than Skoda due to workin next door to VW.

May be a Monte Carlo owner within a week or so if all goes well

[Sparkly]

Chris, have you taken a vRS out for a test drive?

 

Just wondering what your thoughts were.

 

 

1.6 diseasel Monte will be a great choice if you go for that.  Will try to steer SWMBO towards one when we look to change her car in the New Year.

[ChrisFabiaVRs]

Not a Fabia VRs no, but I have driven a seat Ibiza boca through work and I did enjoy it, but wasn't my fuel so didn't look at the bits you need to know in order to buy!

The Monte Carlo drove remarkably well, firm and sporty without being crashy and uncomfortable.

The fact it's only 105bhp never bothered me which was a suprise, but the torque of it is the same as a VRs so pulls itself along fine considering the mpg it can do

[Sparkly]

The Monte Carlo drove remarkably well, firm and sporty without being crashy and uncomfortable.

The fact it's only 105bhp never bothered me which was a suprise, but the torque of it is the same as a VRs so pulls itself along fine considering the mpg it can do

 If the car drove and handled to your liking then you will always enjoy it.

 

On the torque front I'd say the vRS edges it a little   and the delivery is different, however as said previous the 1.6 cdti is a little belter and wipes the floor with the vRS on economy, give it a map later in life/or even straight off and you will have a very special little motor.

[ChrisFabiaVRs]

I have been looking into the map options, mainly shark performance sts which is an option

On paper the torque of the 1.6 Tdi and 1.4 twincharged are both the same, both will put it down differently mind and the extra revs of the petrol will be more fun!

I was surprised at how easy it was to do decent mpg in the Monte Carlo, got a choice between white and black, or red and black, just waiting for confirmation on the spec

[Sparkly]

Yup, it's the on paper part I refer to the Diesel rev range for max torque delivery is narrower than the vRS but in someways a silly point for me to make because they are different cars. What I would say is that for a diesel the 1.6 Monte is a lot happier revving than many soot chuckers, which I think adds to the entertainment.

I have had no personal dealings with Shark but they seem to have gained a near cult following on here for service and know how, I think a Stage 1 from them and some minor handling mods (RARB) would really make the car!

[ChrisFabiaVRs]

Yeah I noticed they were mentioned a lot and always good things said.

Only thing I'd be concerned of is the techs been able to see the date the car was last flashed (being day before the service) and messing any warranty up