Have just rationalised from one to two skoda's ...now i need to replace my much regarded 04 octavia pd 130 manual with an automatic. I'd appreciate opinions on whether a vrs diesel dsg estate may suit and prove as reliable, comfortable and good to drive as my pd 130 (i've put 100k on , now at  175k)....thanks. john

For me that manual pd130 was such great reliable engine and I still miss it just a little since I moved from my 2004 mk1 to a 2008 mk2 pd140. But the newer mk2 pd engines are (nearly!) as good a drive.

Apparently in common rail guise, they are even better (the common rail diesels work better than the pds with the dpf fitted to all vrs models from around 2008).

Can't comment on dsg I'm afraid but plenty on here love them.

Adam

I'd appreciate opinions on whether a vrs diesel dsg estate may suit and prove as reliable, comfortable and good to drive as my pd 130 (i've put 100k on , now at  175k)....thanks. john

 

I suspect it will be miles better! 

 

I have a Fabia PD100 manual and an Octavia PD140 DSG......not a vRS I know, but the horse power difference is similar to your situation. I absolutely love driving the DSG......it's a fantastic experience and would highly recommend it. 

The only way you'll know whether DSG is for you is to go and drive it. It's not your conventional torque converter auto.

We went from a Seat Cordoba PD130 to the Octavia 1.9 DSG.

Even though we're down 25hp we absolutely love the car and the driving experience. The DSG is a dream and is even more perfect matched to the CR engines.

Phil

We went from a Seat Cordoba PD130 to the Octavia 1.9 DSG.

Even though we're down 25hp we absolutely love the car and the driving experience. The DSG is a dream and is even more perfect matched to the CR engines.

Phil

Interesting that you think that the DSG is perfectly matched to the CR diesel engine.  Although I am happy with the DSG in my vRS CR I think it is a far better match to the petrol engines.  In the CR under acceleration the DSG holds the gears far too long and actually slows the car down.  An example is joining the M4 motorway at junction 15 going east which is immediately up-hill.  I find I use the paddles to force an up-change and the car actually accelerates at a higher rate.  I won't have DSG without the paddles.

Interesting that you think that the DSG is perfectly matched to the CR diesel engine.  Although I am happy with the DSG in my vRS CR I think it is a far better match to the petrol engines.  In the CR under acceleration the DSG holds the gears far too long and actually slows the car down.  An example is joining the M4 motorway at junction 15 going east which is immediately up-hill.  I find I use the paddles to force an up-change and the car actually accelerates at a higher rate.  I won't have DSG without the paddles.

 

My 2006 PD140 DSG won't do this unless you put it in Sport. The up changes are spot on I'd say. Of course the PD torque curve is quite different to the CR so perhaps that makes a difference. 

 

Also, I was in a 2012 CR140 DSG recently and I notice the DSG software seems to be different now......for instance it actually changes down when going down a steep hill to stop speed building.....the older DSG would never do this.

 

Perhaps the uphill slip road is causing your vRS DSG to hold the gears longer than it would normally?  

Thanks to all....had a 1.4 petrol auto as our other car until recently but you've all reminded me not to make assumptions about the DSG until 

we've tried it out first. 

 

John

Thanks to all....had a 1.4 petrol auto as our other car until recently 

 

I too have had quite a few conventional autos over the years, and the DSG is in a different league. Definitely drive one and see what you think.