Hi Guys

 

My trusty FL vrs cr is going to be changed in the new year and the company I work for have decided that I cant have another vrs and want me to get an Elegance!!!

 

I cant decide if I should get the 18" wheels and sports suspension. I know this has been posted before, all I want to know is how would the ride compare to my current vrs?

 

I like a firm ride but not S-Line firm if you know what I mean, the FL VRS is just perfect. I know it will look much better too.

 

Would it be firmer than the FL VRS and would it handle twisty Welsh roads better than the standard Elegance?

 

Thanks

Gwyn

Im going from a Blackline estate to a 150 TDi Elegance as I dont much care for the ride quality on the Mk2 vRS, its pretty pap and that and its general noise refinement are the two key things that let it down IMO.....also the fact it looks quick but in reality isnt that fast, never been sold on its performance and sort of regret not getting the petrol one....but thats a complete side point.

Anyway I drove a standard 2.0 TDi 150 SE, was easily as quick as the MK2 vRS (the engines power delivery is superior to the 170's, also the massive weight saving by having torsion beam rear suspension helps its power to weight ratio massively) and despite the lack of sports suspension and skinny 16" wheels it drove remarkably well, better than the Mk2 vRS in my opinion, the better refinement and ride quality easily making up for any reduction in handling prowess.

Id say sports suspension and 18" wheels whilst they'll look nice and give you a car with vRS levels of capability I personally think it would rather spoil the softer nature of the Elegance.

I ordered a bog standard 2.0 TDi Elegance manual off the back of that test drive and am sure ill have no regrets but each to their own, I am of course not you so its your decision.

Edited 19 December, 201312 yr by pipsyp

I've got the Elegance on 18" wheels and standard suspension. I've never driven a vRS so difficult to compare but did have a Superb Elegance with 18's on standard suspension and the Octy is a firmer ride, only just on the right side of bearable imo. I definitely would not choose sports suspension if you value your fillings, and I suspect the torsion beam may be exaggerating the harshness, as it amplifies road noise over bumps and pot holes. It would be interesting to try a 1.8 Eleg with independent rear susp riding on 18's, if only SUK would start importing them!

I have a 2.0TDi Elegance on 18s on standard suspension. I have just changed to my 16" winters, and can feel the extra give in the sidewalls.

I had a PD140 MkII estate on 18s and Bilstein B12 suspension before, which is a fair bit stiffer than the standard MkII vRS.

I would say the standard MkIII set up is stiffer than a standard MkII vRS. Others have Saud that the sports suspension is too harsh on the torsion beam models. I am glad I didn't buy one with sports suspension, it feels just fine as it is, plenty firm enough for normal fast road use. I would expect some people would think that standard suspension combined with 18s is too harsh, especially if they have come from a standard MkII on 16s or 17s.

Sent from my phone so please excuse brevity and spelling

Thanks for your comments. I agree that the 150 is a nice engine but I do love my VRS. The problem is, I would much rather go for the new VRS but am unable too hence why i'm considering making the Elegance sportier I just want to make sure that it wont be a harder drive than my FL VRS.

while the combo looked visually very nice my local dealer discouraged me ordering 18" wheels+sports suspension as the ride would be too firm.

 

test drove the 17" + sports suspension and found it acceptable - preferred it to the default 16" setup which was comfy but with more bodyroll and visually the car did not look that good...

Thanks for your comments. I agree that the 150 is a nice engine but I do love my VRS. The problem is, I would much rather go for the new VRS but am unable too hence why i'm considering making the Elegance sportier I just want to make sure that it wont be a harder drive than my FL VRS.

Spec it with 18s, Xenons and LED rear lights and it looks pretty sporty. You can always fit a vRS spoiler if that floats your boat.

Sports+18s on an Elegance is too firm in my opinion, and I had B12s before which are pretty damn stiff.

Sent from my phone so please excuse brevity and spelling

It looks like 18's on standard suspension sounds like the best option.

Spec it with 18s, Xenons and LED rear lights and it looks pretty sporty. You can always fit a vRS spoiler if that floats your boat.

Sports+18s on an Elegance is too firm in my opinion, and I had B12s before which are pretty damn stiff.

Sent from my phone so please excuse brevity and spelling

Maybe i should pinch the spoiler off my FL VRS lol!!!

I have the 18" wheels and the sports suspension. As far as my opinion goes the sports suspension is NOT overly stiff and provides a comfortable ride over many surfaces. I initially chose the suspension for looks regardless of ride and was sceptical I had made the wrong desicion after reading various reports of ride comfort. I had nothing for comparison so ordered mine blind. I have no regrets and no one has complained of the ride comfort from all ages and walks of life. I WOULD order it again as for me the ride feels just right in my opinion and suits my needs.

I suppose the only thing to do is drive both and make your own mind up, as it is a personal thing.

Sent from my phone so please excuse brevity and spelling

I will have to see if my dealer has one with this option.

There seem to be a few ex demos about with 18s and sports suspension. Have a look at the used cars on skodas website and find a dealer that way?

Sent from my phone so please excuse brevity and spelling

Nice one thanks

Id say sports suspension and 18" wheels whilst they'll look nice and give you a car with vRS levels of capability I personally think it would rather spoil the softer nature of the Elegance.

 

No it doesn't

 

No wheel and suspension combination can make up for the utter **** rear torsion beam setup.

 

The 2 cars have a totally different feel in corners.

 

I have sports suspension and 18" Golus.  The car looks great, ride is nowhere near as firm as my previous A4 S Line but it's not sporty.... just looks better.... maybe, and I mean maybe, 10-20% 'better' cornering feel compared to standard.

I have an Elegance on standard suspension and Golus 18's, it's about right. Any firmer on UK urban roads and I wouldn't want it. I would have kept the 17's but the arches are too big for them (IMO anyway).

I have an Elegance with sports suspension and 18 inch wheels. The ride is firm, but a friend has a BMW  with M suspension and he says that the Octy is softer.

 

I came from driving  a grand cherokee, so anything seems hard but it does look good lowered and with 18 inch wheels.

 

Drives well on nice A roads, but loud and bumpy on the less well maintained roads,

 

I have never driven a standard Octy so cant comment on that.

Put it this way..... going from a week long demo in a standard car with 17's to a sports suspension with 18's I had to check the build sticker to make sure the sports suspension was actually fitted.

 

There really isn't much difference to ride, even looks wise the 15mm drop is hardly noticeable but it does allow the wheels to fill the arches better.

I think all in all I will be going for the standard set up with 18" for the look.

As I'm going from a VRS what are the seats like? Am I right that it comes with leather as standard in the UK? I know they are not sporty but have they got enough side support?

I had a Mondeo with standard seats before the VRS and the seats were horrible!!!

Leather isn't standard, they are Alcantara with half leather.

Sent from my phone so please excuse brevity and spelling

I had a Mondeo ST before and the Octavia seats are perfectly ok. 

 

Just the right amount of side support and they look ok too.

 

Make sure they're heated!

Lets face it the Elegance isnt remotely sporty, a vRS is warm sporty at best.

17" wheels and normal ride height are perfectly OK for this sort of car, isnt exactly a low-rider even with sports suspension.

My advice, particularly if its a company car get a 150 TDi Elegance completely stock and just choose the colour, it has 5k more standard spec than the equivalent MK2 so doubt muchly you'll feel that short changed.

More you pump the price up the greater your tax liability in any case, why not keep the money in your own pocket, just my two pence worth.

The half alcantara and leather(ette) is bound to wear better than full leather, the leather upholstery on any Skoda really isnt anything to write home about and not worth spending hundreds of pounds on, also the alcantara doesnt need seat heating but again thats personal taste.

I had a Mondeo ST before and the Octavia seats are perfectly ok.

Just the right amount of side support and they look ok too.

Make sure they're heated!

I had the new shape mondeo Ghia, so not sport seats

Thanks for all the help, do you guys find the Elegance seats comfortable then?

Yes, elegance seats are comfortable, quite support and the alcantara helps to grip your clothing material and stops any bum slide in the corners. I got a bit damp today on back of my trousers due to the wet weather, whacked on the heated seats (optional extra), soon dried out on an hours drive home. I've had no complaints of seat comfort on longer journeys either from passengers or myself. As already said leather quality isn't the best but more adequate.