Currently drive company Octy vRS diesel estate Mk2 facelift due for renewal in 6 months. Budget is £23500. Therefore I can get into a vRS 3 hatch but no options or go for an Elegance 150 with Golus, sports suspension, tints and still have budget to get wheels coloured. I must admit I like pimping my cars (in a tasteful way) and I am not sure a no option vRS would satisfy the requirement to be a little more individual. Thoughts welcome please.

I have the Elegance, mainly due to replacing a lease car before vRS was available to order, took delivery 1/6/13.  I love all the extra toys that are standard on the Eleg (such as folding mirrors, cruise and Sat Nag) and I also added winter pack and park assist plus a few other minor bits and bobs.  I also have the 18" Golus which I love but on standard suspension which is plenty firm enough especialy coupled with the rear torsion beam suspension that does occasionally get unsettled over rough roads so my advice, unless you "need to be lower!", is stick with the standard suspension. 

 

The CR150 is also a great engine, in the original brochure, it was only 0.1 secs slower than the CR184 vRS unit, due to lower kerb weight in the Eleg, but I notice they have fiddled the figures in the latest brochure to make the CR150 a few tenths slower!

 

Either way, I am sure you will be happy, the vRS does look the business with its styling pack and xenon lights, even if it lacks a few other toys as standard so a tough decision. 

Edited 6 April, 201412 yr by Matt Pez

Get the Elegance and then remap it you then have the performance of the vRS and all the toys of the Elegance.

I would second Matt Pez's comments - the vRS is a great looking car, no doubt about it, but the only advantage in real terms is the more sophisticated multi link rear suspension. So the priorities come down to a better ride and handling v. more comprehensive equipment. A better discount could be negotiated on the Elegance which again needs to be factored in as this would pay for any extra toys.

I could only suggest try and drive both back to back and make your choice based on that.

@ Gizmo 68 - as the original poster has stated that the car is a company purchase remapping may well not be an option as most would employers would not permit it.

Edited 6 April, 201412 yr by Timoctav

Its an interesting dilemma you have. Both cars are meant to satisfy different segments of the market, so it depends whether you want comfort or performance. Depending on how you drive you may find the elegance may suit you better than the vRS because you don't need the extra handling capabilities provided by the rear indy suspension lower profile tryes and bigger brakes and the supposed marginal increase in performance. I've never driven either so can't comment on what the differences are but would suggest you have a decent test drive in both to find out which one suits your needs. There are other considerations if you're buying the car yourself. In that the optional extras on the elegance will be worth little or nothing come trade in and being the more popular car the tdi vRS is likely to depreciate less than the elegance leaving you with a bigger gap to fill next time round. On the flip side the vRS is likely to cost slightly more to run in tyres, diesel and insurance. The finance package available was not as good on the vRS than other models either inc lower % rates and free servicing so this may be a factor too. Lastly the delivery times on the vRS seem quite long at the moment so that may also be a factor. Personally I think you'd be happy with either, its just a question of which is best for you. Good luck

Get the Elegance and then remap it you then have the performance of the vRS and all the toys of the Elegance.

 

This was my plan, Elegance 4x4 150ps, should remap / tuning box to 200bhp, and the power will be available all the time and with 4x4 you get multi-link suspension

Have driven an Elegance 150 DSG back to back with a vRS 184 DSG and in real world legal limits driving there was little between them in the performance stakes. Also noted the Elegance on standard suspension and 17" rims was quieter in the cabin, although you could tell it had a less sophisticated rear suspension when pushing it a little on a twisting uneven country road.

 

If it was my choice then the Elegance would edge it overall but as stated this Elegance had 17" wheels which better suited the car.

 

 

TP

I looking forward to giving the vRS a test in Somerset in June, especially over the road from Bishop's Lydeard to Raleghs Cross which has a nice combination of fast stretches, sweeping curves and some testing grades too.

At the moment I'm a tad underwhelmed with the handling, but at the moment I'm putting that down to the winter tyres that are fitted.

Performance is very good and very happy so far, however I think next time I'll have an Elegance trim with either the 1.4 or 2.0 diesel instead as I'm a bit disappointed with the amount of ooptions that were available with vRS.

Have come from a Mk2 Blackline estate DSG to a Mk3 2.0 TDi Elegance manual and dont regret it.

The vRS looks better and is a sharper steer (must confess I do miss the hot hatch appeal of the vRS trim asthetically from my Blackline and think the Mk3 looks that bit better still) but performance wise there is very little to choose between the 150 and 184 versions because the vRS comparably is v heavy (140kgs more).

Id have a vRS TSi for sure but I think between the Elegance and vRS 2.0 diesels I think the Elegance just pips it for the performance/comfort compromise and as standard overall is a little better equipped (folding mirrors, cruise and nav). Its probably a little more boring to drive comparatively (its not lots of fun to throw about) but the vRS is not hot hatch sharp either and worth the additional approx. £1500 or so spend in standard form IMHO.

Edited 6 April, 201412 yr by pipsyp

Cheers chaps for your input. I do like to drive enthusiastically now and again and have been very pleased with my vRS. Head or heart I suppose!

Cheers chaps for your input. I do like to drive enthusiastically now and again and have been very pleased with my vRS. Head or heart I suppose!

So we have a decision. You're a bloke so heart will win over head when it comes to cars! Give Savilles a ring and get Patrick to arrange a test drive in the vRS..... you know you want to......

Problem with the Elegance is that it's not a vRS....I hear the Elegance comes with slippers

I hear the vRS comes with one of those backward-facing baseball caps and a personalised 9ct gold bracelet...

Judging by the lead times I hear the vRS doesn't come at all...

I hear the vRS comes with one of those backward-facing baseball caps and a personalised 9ct gold bracelet...

 

From Argos?

I guess there used to be a fairly gaping hole between Elegance and vRS spec where driver appeal was concerned. Have to say the Mk2 Elegance whilst quite nicely spec'd did nothing for me at all and wouldnt have considered one over a vRS.

The standard Mk3 is a little staid looking granted but with 17" wheels and actually rather nice (though not convinced hard wearing) alcantara/leather mix its actually fairly close to mk7 Golf GT spec really. Also that in 1.4 TSi/TDi 150 form its little slower than a Mk3 TDi vRS and as quick as a Mk2 it has broadened its appeal somewhat. Also it does have some nice standard kit that would cost a good well over 1k to get a vRS upto the same level.

I do really like the vRS trim level and if I could have justified at this point getting a TSi version thats ehat I would have plumped for myself but I was loath to go for something that shouts performance but then offers little performance advantage over the 150; did that with my Mk2 and lived to regret it.

VRS gets better seats, a nicer steering wheel, Xenons!! and the steering feels different (better) to the standard cars too, I guess because of the variable rack?

I had a 1.8 TSI Elegance loan car (18 inch wheels also) for 3 weeks before I got my VRS and for me the VRS was easily the right decision even if it isn't as fast in a 0-60 drag. First couple of corners out of town told me that.

Be careful of comparing the 1.4TSI to the diesels too as far as performance is concerned, the extra torque is quite noticeable in the diesels if you don't mind having a diesel, which the OP seems happy to anyway.

 

But the definition/feeling of performance and your best fit isn't just all in the motor and numbers though which is what I'm suggesting really. Depends what you want out of your car and how/where you drive. Take both out on the same road after each other then you will know what you really value for keeps I reckon?

Edited 9 April, 201412 yr by snala

Not sure what the options are around the world, but I have the elegance with the same seats (all fabric, but equally comfy), same steering wheel and xenon. 180Tsi is also delivered with multilink susp. +1 for ele. 

So we have a decision. You're a bloke so heart will win over head when it comes to cars! Give Savilles a ring and get Patrick to arrange a test drive in the vRS..... you know you want to......

 

Test drive a vRS, order a vRS..............................

 

Judging by the lead times I hear the vRS doesn't come at all...

 

Cancel order for vRS after months of waiting, order Elegance.

 

Just forget the bit in the middle and order an Elegance.

 

Or failing that - go for a Yeti or Superb.

Good point, but my dealer said the non-vRS orders are increasing all through Europe because of supposedly better economy. Estimated delivery has gone from 2 months to 4-5. Guess it's still better than vRS though    

Edited 9 April, 201412 yr by SP185

VRS gets better seats, a nicer steering wheel, Xenons!! and the steering feels different (better) to the standard cars too, I guess because of the variable rack?

I had a 1.8 TSI Elegance loan car (18 inch wheels also) for 3 weeks before I got my VRS and for me the VRS was easily the right decision even if it isn't as fast in a 0-60 drag. First couple of corners out of town told me that.

Be careful of comparing the 1.4TSI to the diesels too as far as performance is concerned, the extra torque is quite noticeable in the diesels if you don't mind having a diesel, which the OP seems happy to anyway.

But the definition/feeling of performance and your best fit isn't just all in the motor and numbers though which is what I'm suggesting really. Depends what you want out of your car and how/where you drive. Take both out on the same road after each other then you will know what you really value for keeps I reckon?

Some v fair comments there. Granted a Mk3 vRS will undoubtedly be a sharper steer and have better brakes (in truth refinement aside my Mk2 vRS was more fun to throw around than the Mk3 Elegance); also it does have over 1k's worth of Xenons and lane assistant (bit of a marmite piece of tech that one). Id say the lack of standard xenons on the Elegance is well countered by the high beam assist which does actually work well and is only occasionally dim witted. Then you have the standard cruise, nav, variable boot floor, folding mirrors....not that the vRS is sparse but to get to Elegance spec levels results in quite a tally of optional extras.

Problem for me was that as nice as the Mk2 vRS Blackline looked and drove generally it was only just teetering on warm hatch quick; definitely reckon it'd have a job keeping up with a Mk3 150 TDi in a straight line because the new car is so light and the more modern engine just has so much more usable power (peak power between 3.5 & 4k, torque 1750rpm to 3000rpm). Ive not driven a 184 but can only imagine it is not overly different given it has 13hp more and mk2 levels of kerb weight to shift around. The 2.0 Elegance does have a bit of sleeper appeal....it does not shout performance in any way shape or form but is Mk2 vRS TDi quick

Not belittling the vRS TDi as they are a lovely car and if the 150 TDi motor is anything to go by sure the 184 variant is an absolute corker...just for me though and from previous experience a diesel vRS Octavia is just a little compromised for my liking. I just know if id bought another Id have spent my time with it wishing id just got the TSi and been done with it as thats exactly how I felt about my Blackline. Its of course all a personal view.

Edited 9 April, 201412 yr by pipsyp

Hmmm... Ultimately the OP will choose another vRS TDI but, he'll wonder if he should have gone the Elegance route heck, he'll have enough time to wonder lots & lots. The guy from Stall Bans (called so because the Bedford Intercity always had to stop there for some reason or another) can sit on his comfy slippers, should stop his arse from going numb with his extra 2 months of sitting on it.

Pipsyp's very happy with his oil burner and I glad for him too, sounds like everyone has got something they want. Me, what I get ? I just get to hear the 6k redline prior to the DSG changing up in Sport Mode only wish I could find a road long enough to get it into 7th.

I will let you know in a few months time

 

I was in the same predicament: Company policies on CO2 emissions and purchace price gave me the choice between a plain vanilla manual vRS TDI Estate or a fully specced Elegance Estate DSG (either TDI og TSI).

 

I went for the fully specced 1.4 TSI Elegance DSG Estate (Amundsen, vRS seats, electric boot, sunset, xenon/led, acc, driving mode selection, kessy, sport suspension, 18", tow bar, and some other stuff I have forgot). Ordered in december, to be built very very soon

I also had the same dilemma recently when deciding on a replacement for my company car, a 2010 Octavia II FL 1.6 TDI Elegance Estate. My budget allowed for a VRS TDI estate with the addition of cruise and black pack or a 2.0L TDI Elegance estate with winter pack, spare wheel, canton, sunset glass, boot net and simply clever. I was able to get both vehicles for weekend test drives on back to back weekends and covered a good few hundred miles in both. Even though I preferred the way the VRS steered, preferred the sportier styling and really like the seats I opted for the Elegance as I found it more comfortable on longer runs and decided that the extra luxuries of the Elegance would suit my 25k+ miles per year for the next 4 years. Coming from a 1.6 TDI, I didn't find a massive difference in performance between the 2.0L Elegance or VRS. The VRS felt a little punchier but I was more than happy with the 50% performance gain the Elegance 2.0L TDI offered. Elegance was also cheaper for company car tax so I personally felt I got more car (in terms of luxuries and options) and that was what swung it for me.

You make a good case for the elegance loaded up with extras for a company driver as you'll be doing high miles so probably need the smoother ride and better mpg. The fact all those extras are being paid for by the company so you don't have to worry about them being worth naff all come trade in is a big plus too. It's horses for courses and there's no wrong answer.