Hi All would like some views from current owners of mk3 diesel i.e consumption, refinement as I have been considering purchasing one.

Absolutely brilliant. There's a bit of vibration at certain revs nothing too much, more than adequate performance with bags of torque, I'm regularly getting 60 + mpg. Great gershift (mine's a manual). It's all the car you'd ever need in the real world.

Very nice car.  Engine is quiet and refined (no vibration at any revs - not sure why Timoctav is getting vibrations!).

 

Not great when coupled with a DSG gearbox.  Economy nowhere near stated figures (40-42mpg on daily commute, 46mpg on motorway).  To put those figures in perspective I've had 30+ cars and I could hit about 85% of published combined mpg figure in all those cars, in the Octavia it's about 65% of published figure.  Different gear ratios between DSG and manual don't help either.

 

If you put the ecnomy to one side then the gearbox makes for a very relaxing drive, very good at pulling away from a standstill, plenty of poke and suits the car well.  Sport mode a waste of time, eco mode dangerous, just leave it in normal.

 

Thoroughly recomend a manual Octy 2.0 diesel

 not sure why Timoctav is getting vibrations!).

 

 

You can hear the vibrations in certain areas of trim rather than  feel them, more of an observation than a criticism as it is so minor it really isn't a problem.

 

Other than that agree with your replies -and yes eco mode is a gimmick although it might be more useful with the DSG as it will alter the shift program to benefit economy. Sport doesn't do much either, steering sIightly more weighted but it's artificial as it doesn't givbe more feel and the throttle slightly more responsive as the fly by wire shortens the travel to make it seem the response is quicker. I leave mine in normal all the time as well.

Edited 4 April, 201412 yr by Timoctav

Any reviews of the 184 TDI people want to share? You dont really get the feel of an engine (IMO) in a test drive. Only really get to know the engine and how it really performs after a few days of constant driving, getting to know when best to change gears etc. My test drive was such a long long time ago i can hardly remember! Cant even have another go as my local dealer has sold their VRS demo :(

 

If anyone can compare it to the recent 140 and 170 VW CR engines that would be really helpful too!

 

Mark

I quite like sport mode on the DSG, yes I agree it holds the gear to long if the gearbox is on sports as well but I just shift the gearbox mode into normal.

Any reviews of the 184 TDI people want to share? You dont really get the feel of an engine (IMO) in a test drive. Only really get to know the engine and how it really performs after a few days of constant driving, getting to know when best to change gears etc. My test drive was such a long long time ago i can hardly remember! Cant even have another go as my local dealer has sold their VRS demo :(

If anyone can compare it to the recent 140 and 170 VW CR engines that would be really helpful too!

Mark

My Elegance 150 TDi is every bit as quick if not quicker than my 2013 Mk2 vRS Blackline 170 TDi DSG i traded in.

20hp less but considerably better power delivery and 140-odd KGs less weight means on paper there really is very little in it.

184ps a bit quicker still but is considerably heavier than the regular car (similar weight to the Mk2 vRS) means real world theres not huge amounts in it.

Unless you really want vRS spec or the 2.0 TSi would suggest that a 1.4 TSi or 2.0 150 Elegance is all the car you'll ever really need.

You can hear the vibrations in certain areas of trim rather than feel them, more of an observation than a criticism as it is so minor it really isn't a problem.

Other than that agree with your replies -and yes eco mode is a gimmick although it might be more useful with the DSG as it will alter the shift program to benefit economy. Sport doesn't do much either, steering sIightly more weighted but it's artificial as it doesn't givbe more feel and the throttle slightly more responsive as the fly by wire shortens the travel to make it seem the response is quicker. I leave mine in normal all the time as well.

Hi Tim, agreed with regards to vibrations. NVH levels compared to the Mk2 are considerably reduced but would argue that the O3 is still not quite as refined as a Golf 7.....I dont think my O3 is quite as well insulated as my Golf 6 was for sure.

It seems v solid overall but am noticing some v minor dash and trim rattles now without the stereo on and they do seem somewhat temperature related. Ive never had an entirely rattle free VAG group car so doesnt bother me unduly either.

I think trim vibrations would annoy me after a while... nothing that a bit of Skinz or Dynamat wouldn't solve though

The VRS is heavier because of the more advanced multi-link rear suspension. I think there have been a number of comments about the ride not being as good on the models which just have the torsion beam suspension.

 

I've certainly been impressed with the engine, my commute is a 50 mile round trip, a few miles on the motorway, the rest urban which is somewhat hilly, and I'm getting ~50mpg.

The VRS is heavier because of the more advanced multi-link rear suspension. I think there have been a number of comments about the ride not being as good on the models which just have the torsion beam suspension.

 

I've certainly been impressed with the engine, my commute is a 50 mile round trip, a few miles on the motorway, the rest urban which is somewhat hilly, and I'm getting ~50mpg.

 

I think most of the vRS added weight is the suspension as the 4x4 also has the same setup and is also quite a bit heavier, about 100kg. But the vRS is also heavier than the 4x4, so perhaps some of the extra trim / options that are standard?

 

I think the weights are the base car anyway, so by the time you are done with options, or getting an Elegance over an S spec then they probably equal out quite a bit anyway.

I think most of the vRS added weight is the suspension as the 4x4 also has the same setup and is also quite a bit heavier, about 100kg. But the vRS is also heavier than the 4x4, so perhaps some of the extra trim / options that are standard?

I think the weights are the base car anyway, so by the time you are done with options, or getting an Elegance over an S spec then they probably equal out quite a bit anyway.

Agreed though if the book figures are to be believed a base 2.0 TDi 150 manual estate (SE spec) is 1272kg whereas the vRS 184 manual is something like 1405kg....that is a vast weight difference.

Ride quality in my torsion beam standard suspended car is v good, way better than the multilink in my old Mk2; definitely is not as sharper a steer though, not keen on being really thrown around but thats not a crucial thing for me, quick effortless mile muncher and it meets that criteria very well indeed.

Thanks for the comments guys

Agreed though if the book figures are to be believed a base 2.0 TDi 150 manual estate (SE spec) is 1272kg whereas the vRS 184 manual is something like 1405kg....that is a vast weight difference.

 

Makes you wonder if the standard alloys (one of the largest differences I reckon) on the vRS are rather heavy....

Makes you wonder if the standard alloys (one of the largest differences I reckon) on the vRS are rather heavy....

 

No the largest difference is the independent rear suspension on the vRS.

No the largest difference is the independent rear suspension on the vRS.

Well, yes apart from that. We were talking about the fact that the vRS is heavier than the 2.0 TDI 4x4 which also has the independent rear suspension.

Might be a bit of several things.

If the claimed figures are accurate, then obviously the rear suspension is some of it, 18" wheels are likely to be heavier than 17".

vRS may have larger radiator or intercoolers (guessing), it does have bigger brakes.

Very nice car.  Engine is quiet and refined (no vibration at any revs - not sure why Timoctav is getting vibrations!).

 

Not great when coupled with a DSG gearbox.  Economy nowhere near stated figures (40-42mpg on daily commute, 46mpg on motorway).  To put those figures in perspective I've had 30+ cars and I could hit about 85% of published combined mpg figure in all those cars, in the Octavia it's about 65% of published figure.  Different gear ratios between DSG and manual don't help either.

 

If you put the ecnomy to one side then the gearbox makes for a very relaxing drive, very good at pulling away from a standstill, plenty of poke and suits the car well.  Sport mode a waste of time, eco mode dangerous, just leave it in normal.

 

Thoroughly recomend a manual Octy 2.0 diesel

I love it with the DSG, and have to disagree with some of the above.

 

I am averaging 50mpg over 10,000 miles in a CR150 DSG Elegance Hatch, I can get 60+ on a motorway run at a steady 70. Take a look at my fuelly profile, best tankful so far is 61.8 mpg, 506 miles off of 37.25 litres.

I also have no issues with Eco mode either, mine coasts and resumes as per design.

Sports mode revs too high before changing gear, I agree, but I just change up using the paddles. Not an issue for me.

Sports mode revs too high before changing gear, I agree, but I just change up using the paddles. Not an issue for me.

 

I have heard this many times so far. Does this mean it negativelly affects dsg gearbox?  (aka it can break sooner if used that way to much)

It only revs about 700rpm higher than the optimum gear change point, it is still below the red line when it changes automatically. Can't see it is going to do much harm to the box, seeing as it is only at 4500rpm.

Sent from my phone so please excuse brevity and spelling

I love it with the DSG, and have to disagree with some of the above.

 

I am averaging 50mpg over 10,000 miles in a CR150 DSG Elegance Hatch, I can get 60+ on a motorway run at a steady 70. Take a look at my fuelly profile, best tankful so far is 61.8 mpg, 506 miles off of 37.25 litres.

I also have no issues with Eco mode either, mine coasts and resumes as per design.

Sports mode revs too high before changing gear, I agree, but I just change up using the paddles. Not an issue for me.

LOL

 

YOUR FUELLY PROFILE SAYS 42.3MPG AVERAGE

 

Your last fill up was even worse.  Not the 60+ you're claiming is it?

 

My car has only not engaged drive once when in eco nearly causing an accident... once is too many times... look at VRS TDI DSG eco issues, they have engines which turn off while coasting..  Serious software flaws on that gearbox, glad yours is ok but I'm not taking the risk again.

 

Sports mode needs to be more adaptive, I've seen 4000+rpm on a light throttle in 2nd gear waiting for the box to change into 3rd - I'm hardly accelerating, the road is flat, box should have changed.

 

Yes, you do have the paddles BUT if you change into a higher gear using the paddles and that takes the revs to below 1800rpm it will change back down after 4-5 seconds so you are in the optimum rev range for sporty acceleration even if you are on a neutral throttle, needs to do what it's told in manual and it doesn't... again, a software issue... box could and should be much better... petrol dsg cars are very good.

LOL

 

YOUR FUELLY PROFILE SAYS 42.3MPG AVERAGE

 

Your last fill up was even worse.  Not the 60+ you're claiming is it?

LOL, there must be something wrong with your eyes cos I see and average of 50.8mpg and a best of 61.8mpg on Andy's fuelly profile......

Think you might have it set to US gallons. 

Click on the FUELLY picture and you'll see

LOL, there must be something wrong with your eyes cos I see and average of 50.8mpg and a best of 61.8mpg on Andy's fuelly profile......

Your fuelly profile (when you click on the FUELLY pictures) is totally different to the single figure displayed on said pictures.

 

Go look for yourself then check your own eyes

Edited 4 April, 201412 yr by Sheldon.Cooper