I took my VRs for an airport run to Stansted yesterday morning. Its the first time I have given the car a decent long-ish distance run from Braintree to Stansted at high speed with cruise control on at 5AM and no traffic, glorious sun, dry, a perfect morning.

 

I was trying to compare the drive to the drive to the south of France last year that I did in my MK1 1.9TDi L&K with cruise on. It was a massive difference. I know people will tell me the gearing is similar but I was cruising at 2500 revs down the A120 it felt like 30MPH, but it was comfortable and smooth like silk. The run last year in comparison was at lower speeds 3500-4000 RPM and stressful and quite harsh.

 

In comparison, I am now eager to go driving all over Europe in the VRs but I didn't want to go again in the L&K. The new technology and 6th gear make all the difference - to me anyway.

My dad used to have a VW Sharan with the old TDI (same as your old L&K no doubt). The gearing at speed was terrible and led to a very uncomfortable cruise at higher speeds. Made it feel very un-refined.

 

Phil

My dad used to have a VW Sharan with the old TDI (same as your old L&K no doubt). The gearing at speed was terrible and led to a very uncomfortable cruise at higher speeds. Made it feel very un-refined.

 

Phil

 

Yes, un-refined good phrase. The L&K was a plush car and nice to use every day, but the newer Octavia is definitely a better car to tour in from what the short journey told me.

The older Mk1 130bhp 6 speed engine was much better than the 110bhp 5 speed though.  I had both and remember thinking similarly to you when I upgraded to the 130 from the 110.  In fact I only kept the 110 for a year, followed by six years in the 130...  It was mainly the sixth gear that made it I guess... 

 

Adam

I drive the VRS down to the South of France every year and it just wafts along on the french roads. Petrol is a fair bit dearer than the black pump though!

I drive the VRS down to the South of France every year and it just wafts along on the french roads. Petrol is a fair bit dearer than the black pump though!

 

I'm feeling another holiday booking session looming...

The gearing on my car is the same as yours I think.

 

We regularly drive to Germany to see family and it's a very relaxed drive.

 

I have done it a few times in my old Felicia 1.3 SPi and a Peugeot 306 1.9D (non turbo, ugh!) and they were much harder work listening to the engine buzz away.

 

Phil

Yep, don't think the 1.9TDI with the 5-spd box is really meant for high-speed cruising. Not the right weapon for the job

To be fair a more modern car with 65 more horses and an additional gear is going to make for a much more sedate cruise; better ride, less effort to get up to speed and maintain it and possibly lower revs at speed in 6th.

....that said my Mk3 150 TDi does the job even better than the Mk2 vRS TDi I used to own and is a bit quicker too despite being down on power and torque.....far superior power delivery and 140kgs less weight the key reasons......doesnt handle as well when things get interesting mind (standard suspension).

Edited 3 June, 201412 yr by pipsyp