Skoda is the new cool :-). Beemers are too flash and far too common.

Are you trying to convince yourself that Skoda are in anyway exclusive? Have you had your medication reviewed lately?

Are you trying to convince yourself that Skoda are in anyway exclusive? Have you had your medication reviewed lately?

Technically he is correct, I have yet to see another VRS on the roads!

Of course, if you DO get a Beemer you no longer need to worry about speed limits or any other rules of the road ;-)

Of course, if you DO get a Beemer you no longer need to worry about speed limits or any other rules of the road ;-)

You're out of date. Those drivers have migrated to Audis these days....

 

 

You're out of date. Those drivers have migrated to Audis these days.... 

Some may well have but, based on a short trip last Thursday when there were incidents involving the stereotypical BMW driver, it remains the vehicle named after them - the Bloody Moron Wagon.

 

There really is nothing like creating a third lane at a roundabout on a two lane stretch of A24 and then pulling out in front of a family already on the roundabout, or cutting in too close to a car you overtake because you are upset that it didn't pull over earlier to let you past (although there was nowhere for him to pull over to), forcing him to brake sharply.

 

Sadly, much as I like the cars, I couldn't face being lumped in with that lot.

Edited 2 July, 201411 yr by normanLinux

I'd take the BMW any day.

 

 

 

Then again I am biased, I ran an octavia for 8 yrs, BMW are far ahead when it come to actually driving the car.

Technically he is correct, I have yet to see another VRS on the roads!

You need to get out more, I saw 3 last night 2 white and a rally green all in the same pub carpark,

Is this argument still going?!!

Well perfect timing then, as i sat in and started up a 3 series (1 or 2yrs old) yesterday, and also drove a 5 series.

Now Beamer diesels may be quieter than VW diesels, but when i started the 3 series up i thought this was a diesel. Turned out it was a petrol.

As for the standard 3 series interior. Well, simply put, the Octy looks the more expensive interior. I suddenly realised why they were offering such large discounts on the Beamers.

From a cheap looking dash, to cheap materials, to a cheapo handbrake that was too close to the driver. Then onto the windscreen that was too close to the driver. 

 

So if we now assume the 5 series is a slightly nicer ride than the 3 series, and the handling/ steering etc is the same. Yes, they are better than the Octy, no denying. The steering was very pleasant on the 5, and the auto box was brilliant. It was quieter than the Octy, and had a better ride. But, combine this with the interior, and is it worth more than the Octy? (8K more in my case). No, not at all.

 

If I was given 30K and had the choice between an Octy and a 3 series, and space wasnt an issue (which it isnt anyway, being a 1 man band), I'd still go for the Octy.

Edited 3 July, 201411 yr by JungleJames

I'd take the BMW any day.

Then again I am biased, I ran an octavia for 8 yrs, BMW are far ahead when it come to actually driving the car.

Exactly. Couldn't agree more. But to get the best out of BMW you need a six cylinder, petrol or diesel, the fours aren't really that good.

Edited 4 July, 201411 yr by Timoctav

Skoda is the new cool :-). Beemers are too flash and far too common.

 

Absolutely!!

 

I think the BM is probably the better car from a technical perspective but I just could not live with the BM image......although I sense this is changing as Audi seems to the stealing BM's crown in this respect.....

Ok so to put my opinion in the mix!

 

Having had a 3 series 320 ED for four years and now an TDI Octy VRS combi.

 

I am enjoying the Octy far more. 

 

On the BMW you only get the benefit of rear wheel drive when the engine is pulling hard.  With the turbo lag and high gearing on the ED that ment you had to be on the throttle as you turned in to a corner so it came on boost to come out.  Petrol would be much better I suspect.  The gearing was so tall you were for ever changing gear on A roads.  The ride way under damped for undulating A roads or way to hard on the M sport versions.  On the motorway it was great.

 

In comparison I would say the ride and handling of the VRS are a better all round compromise and it is certainly much quicker than a 320ed.  The quality of build is pretty similar I would say inside and out.  Fuel economy is much the same.  BMW sport seats were I must say the best I have ever had so the VRS ones while good are not quite so good.  Practicality with a family the VRS wins hands down of course!

 

So we are all different but for me the VRS is a better car for mixed A road and Motorway journeys.  Seats could be a little better.  Image works for me as it is anti brand and certainly round here much more exclusive than BMW. 

Edited 4 July, 201411 yr by studog

You're out of date. Those drivers have migrated to Audis these days....

 

 

And VW Golfs,

 

Although that's the pauper BMW driver who used to like that abomination the 316 Hatch.

..and Skoda's.

 

320D Auto to VRS TSI Manual :clap:. The BM certainly handled better but I find the manual gearbox more involving and the TSI engine is superb. IMO BMW trim quality and solidity was much better, but space in the Octy is in an entirely different league.

that abomination the 316 Hatch.

 

ITYM "3-series compact".  But yes, abomination is a good word.

 

Although it was the test run to see if a smaller, cheaper BMW would sell, and led to the introduction of the 1-series.  Whether or not you see that as a good thing is another discussion entirely, but after absolutely loathing the original 1-series, I've absolutely loved my 2nd generation 120d M Sport.

Id be all over a 330d M Sport regardless of its comparatively limited practicality. 255hp, 412lb/ft torque, 6 cylinders, rear or 4wd, fantasic auto box, great MPG and low CO2 for a sub six second car. I do think new they are overpriced and they arent considerably better put together than an equivalent VAG group car considering their cost but it is overall the better car.

A touring one of these in white with the M Sport Plus pack, nav and HK audio would probably be my perfect daily runner, only bettered by the 335d xdrive. Arguably a 335i would be that bit nicer still as they are more immediate, rev alot harder and sound absolutely gorgeous but they are thirsty and would be expensive to run

Edited 4 July, 201411 yr by pipsyp

Some may well have but, based on a short trip last Thursday when there were incidents involving the stereotypical BMW driver, it remains the vehicle named after them - the Bloody Moron Wagon.

 

There really is nothing like creating a third lane at a roundabout on a two lane stretch of A24 and then pulling out in front of a family already on the roundabout, or cutting in too close to a car you overtake because you are upset that it didn't pull over earlier to let you past (although there was nowhere for him to pull over to), forcing him to brake sharply.

 

Sadly, much as I like the cars, I couldn't face being lumped in with that lot.

I buy the car which is right for me. What other people think does not matter a toss. If I was worried about image I wouldn't have a Skoda in my garage simply because it doesn't have one. You can't stereotype a particular marque because of prejudice.

Id be all over a 330d M Sport regardless of its comparatively limited practicality. 255hp, 412lb/ft torque, 6 cylinders, rear or 4wd, fantasic auto box, great MPG and low CO2 for a sub six second car. I do think new they are overpriced and they arent considerably better put together than an equivalent VAG group car considering their cost but it is overall the better car.

A touring one of these in white with the M Sport Plus pack, nav and HK audio would probably be my perfect daily runner, only bettered by the 335d xdrive. Arguably a 335i would be that bit nicer still as they are more immediate, rev alot harder and sound absolutely gorgeous but they are thirsty and would be expensive to run

Your post sums up my thoughts as well , especially with the discounts that have been mentioned on here that bmw are willing to do. Wouldn't buy a four pot diesel bmw as they don't sound anywhere near as good as the six. Wouldn't buy a diesel vrs either as I still think they sound too noisy (my neighbour has a new diesel vrs). The space thing is the real downside with the 3 series. Im on holiday just now with my wife and 9month old son and managed to fill the boot on my mk2 fl hatch as well as the backseat. I think I've got used to having all this space. I'm not changing car just yet so plenty of time to investigate further and get a drive of the bmw...preferably the x drive awd version.

Just had a 320d X-Drive M Sport for a couple of days. I would make the following comparisons. Ride quality BMW far better ( this car had apadptive suspension). Handling BMW in a different league it's so much better. A bit unfair as my Elegance is not on sport suspension. Steering feel BMW better. Seat comfort far better in the BMW. Interior quality BMW slightly better generally. Engine about on a par I would say. Control layout on a par. Driving position on a par. Economy - on a par but bears in mind the BMW was automatic and more powerful. Boot space BMW disappointing bearing in mine the BMW was a Touring and my Octavia is a hatch, but of course the rear wheel drive diff wouldn't help the BMW.

I did have a brief drive a couple of weeks ago in an Octavia VRS TDI when mine was in for service, and as a drivers car I'm afraid the Skoda comes a very poor second. Certainly doesn't feel either as quick or as nimble as the BMW.

 Interior quality BMW slightly better generally. .

We will have to agree to disagree on that one im afraid. You know my opinion of the interior on the beamer.

We will indeed have to agree to disagree. The Skoda is let down by the cheap glove box lid and door cards - BMW is better in these areas. The instrument clarity is better in the Skoda, and the maxidot facility of having the speed displayed digitally is excellent. Quality of the M Sport steering wheel much higher than the Skodas. The loan BMW had the expensive optional Individual Merino leather sports seats which are magnificent, the standard Dakota leather is a disappointment and nothing like as comfortable. But the optional Skoda leather is no better, but as it is a much cheaper car then it is more forgiveable.

The loan car also had BMW's brilliant but expensive head up display.

We will indeed have to agree to disagree. The Skoda is let down by the cheap glove box lid and door cards - BMW is better in these areas. The instrument clarity is better in the Skoda, and the maxidot facility of having the speed displayed digitally is excellent. Quality of the M Sport steering wheel much higher than the Skodas. The loan BMW had the expensive optional Individual Merino leather sports seats which are magnificent, the standard Dakota leather is a disappointment and nothing like as comfortable. But the optional Skoda leather is no better, but as it is a much cheaper car then it is more forgiveable.

The loan car also had BMW's brilliant but expensive head up display.

Oh the doors are probably better on thebeamer, but cant say i thought the glove box was any better.

Most of it just looked cheap to me. That section in front of the gearstick, underneath the front dash. It was pure cheap plastic, and im not sure if one part is meant to be lifted up, but i managed it, and it all felt cheap and nasty.

Just from looking at the bmw I would say the interior looks better and more modern than the octavia. I think the dash in the new octavia is rather bland and not really a huge improvement on the mk2. As I say I've not spent any length of time in either car to really assess the build quality so just going on first impressions. Point is the skoda is no longer a much cheaper car , especially if comparing a vrs to something like a 320d. Having driven previous bmw's the drivetrain/handling has always felt vastly superior to any vag product.

Weird thing is much as I keep defending the bmw I'm really attracted to a race green vrs estate!

Weird thing is much as I keep defending the bmw I'm really attracted to a race green vrs estate!

 Point is the skoda is no longer a much cheaper car ,

Thats true. For the price some people are paying for their vRSs, I could get a Jag for not much more!!