Hi Crogers,

 

I'll check out the diesel v petrol vRS prices but I am more concerned about my very low mileage for a diesel engine

Hi Telboy5,

 

Thanks for your detailed views on both the Superb and vRS which is very interesting.

 

I must admit that as good as my Superb is particularly on a long run it is a little unexciting although it still gives that good burst of acceleration when needed to pass slower traffic. 

 

If I didn't drive down to Spain once a year I think the vRs would suit me fine with that fun element added but would it be comfortable for those 450 mile legs for three days for the overall 1250 total journey.

 

Interesting to note that you use 99 RON petrol as against 95 RON. Is this because a recommendation from Skoda because of the engine or is it because you have a personal preference to get better performance ?

Hi Paulobrien,

 

Good to read your thoughts after one year's motoring with vRS.

 

I am beginning to get a picture from various opinions that it will be a personal choice and not anything overwhelmingly against either car.

High billat29,

 

Your comment about a firmer ride is the first time that this has been stated as a positive for the Octy so another slant on the discussion.

 

I know what you mean about the Superb when fully laden. I have just come back from Spain so apart from our usual luggage, golf clubs etc I was more than laden with wine packed evenly throughout the rear of the car. This did seem to give a less confident ride when on bends but acceleration was still very good despite the additional weight on board.

 

You are correct in that the dual action of the hatch in my Superb makes it very versatile.

Hi V6Jules,

 

I think I said to another input that I had a 20 minute test drive in a vRS which was of no benefit whatsoever as the car was down to virtually zero in terms of fuel in the tank and the driving was done rush hour time and not on open roads at all. 

 

It seems that the car was borrowed from another garage of the same dealer and it had to be back that same night so I was not at all impressed. The salesman couldn't even offer me the opportunity of a longer test drive in the future.

 

I will have to find another dealer as there is no way I am going to spend £25k plus based upon a 20 minute test drive !!!

Hi blueR36,

 

I have heard about these remaps since looking at the forums so are there specialists who do this work, is it expensive and does it have any consequences with warranty ?

Hi old newbie2,

 

Thanks for your input which is helpful although I must say that being non technical I do not understand what you mean by "taller" in your first paragraph. Could you please explain further.

 

Thanks

 

Hi blueR36,

 

I have heard about these remaps since looking at the forums so are there specialists who do this work, is it expensive and does it have any consequences with warranty ?

 

Whoa, there's a can of worms.

 

In short, a few hundred pounds (loads and loads of posts about this) and yes it does invalidate the warranty but most suppliers of tuning boxes just tell you remove it before any warranty work is needed or it has a service as they say that SUK can't detect that it was ever there.

Hi Sussexvet. An earlier question to me. So far only used paddles to slow it on down hills. Normally just stay in D. Then to S if I need a quick start or overtake. Haven't been on our twisty North Yorkshire roads yet without the missus in. Can't hear what people say when I'm driving as windows are closed, and don't care. But comments I do get on the colour are positive.

Hi Paulobrien,

Good to read your thoughts after one year's motoring with vRS.

I am beginning to get a picture from various opinions that it will be a personal choice and not anything overwhelmingly against either car.

Incidentally, re: your long journey we drove ours to the alps and back at Christmas and have done lots of long drives, the seats are by far the most comfortable of any car I've ever owned and it (TDI DSG) happily munched away the miles.

P

 

Hi old newbie2,

 

Thanks for your input which is helpful although I must say that being non technical I do not understand what you mean by "taller" in your first paragraph. Could you please explain further.

 

Thanks

 

 

Hi.

 

"Tall" gearing, in this particular case I'm stating that the new Octy vRS petrol  has higher gear ratios than in the older models.

(2000 rpm in 6th in the Superb & the FL Octy = 51 mph, in the Mk3's that I've driven about 65 mph. 

 

My EOS has a very similar set-up, it feels like a car with 5 useful gears & an economy cruising 6th which can't be used below 50 mph, compared with our two Skodas which will shift up into 6th, (in "D") at 38-40 mph, & which will accelerate well at 60 mph in top. without needing to change down. 

 

What we both like about our Skodas is that they are quite nippy, responsive & fun to live with, with good economy & relaxed cruising on UK roads & speed limits.. 

Maybe cruising at 3000 rpm / 95 mph matters more to the Germans & ourselves on vacation, but I'm finding that the "tall" gearing on my EOS is spoiling the whole experience.

 

It's just not nippy enough in town driving for me, it needs wide throttle openings to "get up & go" & that's comparing to my Superb (bigger but about the same weight as an EOS) never mind SWMBO's vRS!

 

I feel that even though the new vRS is much lighter than either of my cars, it will not be as much fun to drive as the older cars, but I'm happy to hear from opinions from any owners of Octy 3 vRS's.       

 

The new, high geared, wide ratio DSG probably suits a diesel vRS or Superb quite well, but that's not what you are looking for..............

 

Hope this helps, DC.

I will add that I don't think the TSI is that fast. Maybe as its so smooth but there is no way mine would hit 60 in under 6 second its slower than my previous e46 330i (0-60 in 6.5) however feels more usable

Well, AE managed 6.4 out of the test VRS TSI estate they had up against a focus ST and I hear EVo managed 5.8 out of their Hatch.

 

Mine was a GPS verified time and I have been running 99 Ron fuel since I got the car, (personal preference in answer to the OP), find it does improve both MPG and performance on this peach of an engine,..

Well, AE managed 6.4 out of the test VRS TSI estate they had up against a focus ST and I hear EVo managed 5.8 out of their Hatch.

 

Mine was a GPS verified time and I have been running 99 Ron fuel since I got the car, (personal preference in answer to the OP), find it does improve both MPG and performance on this peach of an engine,..

I would also add that a BMW E46 330i ( in it's lightest form the Ci) had a power to weight of 150 bhp/tonne and 147 flbt/tonne, vs the VRS at 160 bhp/tonne and 188flbt/tonne,...plus I reckon the VRS is kicking out a lot more than 220bhp!! So 0-60 in 6 secs or just under isn't that impossible,...

I would say seat comfort is excellent too. I suffer from a bit of arthritis in my neck and could not sit in something with heavily sculpted sports seats like a Focus ST for more than 5 minutes. The Octy vrs seats though, have been brilliant for me, including a 1700 mile touring trip through France a couple of months back, over a week.

I live in an area totally infested with speed humps of varying types and the Octy copes really well with those too.

Now I have a manual, not DSG, but find the torque at the lower end very diesel like in terms of instant shove from really sedate rpm and super smooth. Really impressed by the petrol engine's manners.

I would also add that a BMW E46 330i ( in it's lightest form the Ci) had a power to weight of 150 bhp/tonne and 147 flbt/tonne, vs the VRS at 160 bhp/tonne and 188flbt/tonne,...plus I reckon the VRS is kicking out a lot more than 220bhp!! So 0-60 in 6 secs or just under isn't that impossible,...

I've also run mine mainly on super unleaded but really can't feel a difference. Maybe I've just been in too many bike engined kit cars to call anything else fast these days. What were you using to verify your times? Im not saying you didn't get that time but it takes a lot of horsepower to take a time from 6.8 seconds to under 6.

When I supercharged one of my 106 gti's I got power from 120bhp(flywheel estimate factory power) to 190bhp at the wheels and that would do 60 in around 5.3 seconds using a friends vbox I think it was called and that only weighed 980kg

I would say seat comfort is excellent too. I suffer from a bit of arthritis in my neck and could not sit in something with heavily sculpted sports seats like a Focus ST for more than 5 minutes. The Octy vrs seats though, have been brilliant for me, including a 1700 mile touring trip through France a couple of months back, over a week.

I live in an area totally infested with speed humps of varying types and the Octy copes really well with those too.

Now I have a manual, not DSG, but find the torque at the lower end very diesel like in terms of instant shove from really sedate rpm and super smooth. Really impressed by the petrol engine's manners.

Thanks for your feedback on comfort levels on a long journey which is much appreciated as real journeys.

 

Do you find the engine noise screams at you when at the higher revs ? 

I haven't really noticed much in the way of screaming from the engine. You don't have to push it that hard to make swift progress. I have enjoyed a few spirited drives though, and the noise is not unpleasant. Overtaking hasn't been that raucous, but, yes you are aware that the revs have climbed. on motorway cruise it is a very civilised machine imho.

If I'm ever over your way, you are welcome to try mine, though I imagine your dealer could oblige with a decent test drive that would give you a first hand view of things.

What Oldnewbie says is very illuminating.  I'm on my third vRS estate - the first a diesel manual (fine, but I do 12,000 a year now rather than 20,000, so changed to the much more refined petrol).  My second was a petrol DSG, my current one a Mark 3 petrol manual.

 

Although DSG in theory gives similar performance figures to a manual, I definitely felt that the DSG was holding the car back just a little, a feeling that definitely isn't there with the manual, which really does have as much zing as the Golf GTI that I also test drove.  I'm 65, just a few years younger than you, Sussexvet, and the VRS badges are discreet enough for it not to look like mutton dressed as lamb!

 

You'll only get consumption of 30 mpg if you just do short journeys.  I regularly get 38-40 on long runs, and driving through France to Switzerland a couple of weeks ago I got 41 mpg - excellent as I don't hang about.  The ride is a little on the firm side but not so much as to be a problem, and the vRS sports seats are supremely comfortable.

 

I think you'll be very happy with a petrol vRS: go for the estate if you can, as it's no longer than the hatch, and visibility is better.

Edited 19 July, 201411 yr by Zdenek Fibich

I must admit that as good as my Superb is particularly on a long run it is a little unexciting although it still gives that good burst of acceleration when needed to pass slower traffic. 

 

If I didn't drive down to Spain once a year I think the vRs would suit me fine with that fun element added but would it be comfortable for those 450 mile legs for three days for the overall 1250 total journey.

 

Hi, I may not be able to add much to this, but in the interest of taking a wider view of the situation, is there any reason why in particular you're looking at the vRS?

I see you're doing around 5,000 miles a year, which includes a round trip to Spain (I think you're saying that your total trip mileage to Spain and back is 1,250, rather than 1,250 each way), so the rest of the time you're doing 3,750 miles a year which is around 75 miles a week. Dare I ask if that's all short mileage, or are there one or two longer trips in there? Is the nippiness of the vRS a necessity, or might the spec of an L&K be more enticing? (Please feel free to tell me to shut up if you've already considered that approach     )

Edited 20 July, 201411 yr by JJJ66

I've also run mine mainly on super unleaded but really can't feel a difference. Maybe I've just been in too many bike engined kit cars to call anything else fast these days. What were you using to verify your times? Im not saying you didn't get that time but it takes a lot of horsepower to take a time from 6.8 seconds to under 6.

When I supercharged one of my 106 gti's I got power from 120bhp(flywheel estimate factory power) to 190bhp at the wheels and that would do 60 in around 5.3 seconds using a friends vbox I think it was called and that only weighed 980kg

Hi V6Jules, Vbox verified although not mine as can't afford it, the box is so expensive for what it is, however it's my mates, he races a lot and tweaks his cars a lot and even he was surprised on how much pull the petrol TSI has, he'd compare it to the type of pull he gets in his old stage 2 MK6 GTI!!

 

Maybe I was lucky although that was the average over 7 runs in the end.

 

I do though think this car is packing more than 220 in stock form, feels more like 250!! That would give it a power to weight of more like 182 which would seem right considering the time and launch control function on the DSG.

 

Going back to your 106, what a car to have all that power in, I bet that made you smile a fair few times,..

I haven't really noticed much in the way of screaming from the engine. You don't have to push it that hard to make swift progress. I have enjoyed a few spirited drives though, and the noise is not unpleasant. Overtaking hasn't been that raucous, but, yes you are aware that the revs have climbed. on motorway cruise it is a very civilised machine imho.

If I'm ever over your way, you are welcome to try mine, though I imagine your dealer could oblige with a decent test drive that would give you a first hand view of things.

Thanks for advising that the sound level when at high revs is not unpleasant. It sounds like I should enjoy my long motorway journeys through France & Spain.

 

In terms of test drives I am going to widen my search as I think I have exhausted the customer service levels at my local SKODA dealer and its sister garages. I think this is mainly down to the fact that they didn't like me giving them two on-line quotes with big discounts as they couldn't or wouldn't budge on the list price claiming they only have a 2 per.cent margin when taking in all overheads. They wouldn't even look at my Superb for a trade-in even though it is very low mileage (14,500) and a high spec with extras and still under warranty. They would be certain to make a good return on my car.

 

Your offer of a spin if or when you are in West Sussex is much appreciated. We often travel to our son's house in Walton on Thames as an alternative if this works for you. I will, however,explore the dealer route first to see where that gets me.

What Oldnewbie says is very illuminating.  I'm on my third vRS estate - the first a diesel manual (fine, but I do 12,000 a year now rather than 20,000, so changed to the much more refined petrol).  My second was a petrol DSG, my current one a Mark 3 petrol manual.

 

Although DSG in theory gives similar performance figures to a manual, I definitely felt that the DSG was holding the car back just a little, a feeling that definitely isn't there with the manual, which really does have as much zing as the Golf GTI that I also test drove.  I'm 65, just a few years younger than you, Sussexvet, and the VRS badges are discreet enough for it not to look like mutton dressed as lamb!

 

You'll only get consumption of 30 mpg if you just do short journeys.  I regularly get 38-40 on long runs, and driving through France to Switzerland a couple of weeks ago I got 41 mpg - excellent as I don't hang about.  The ride is a little on the firm side but not so much as to be a problem, and the vRS sports seats are supremely comfortable.

 

I think you'll be very happy with a petrol vRS: go for the estate if you can, as it's no longer than the hatch, and visibility is better.

 

What Oldnewbie says is very illuminating.  I'm on my third vRS estate - the first a diesel manual (fine, but I do 12,000 a year now rather than 20,000, so changed to the much more refined petrol).  My second was a petrol DSG, my current one a Mark 3 petrol manual.

 

Although DSG in theory gives similar performance figures to a manual, I definitely felt that the DSG was holding the car back just a little, a feeling that definitely isn't there with the manual, which really does have as much zing as the Golf GTI that I also test drove.  I'm 65, just a few years younger than you, Sussexvet, and the VRS badges are discreet enough for it not to look like mutton dressed as lamb!

 

You'll only get consumption of 30 mpg if you just do short journeys.  I regularly get 38-40 on long runs, and driving through France to Switzerland a couple of weeks ago I got 41 mpg - excellent as I don't hang about.  The ride is a little on the firm side but not so much as to be a problem, and the vRS sports seats are supremely comfortable.

 

I think you'll be very happy with a petrol vRS: go for the estate if you can, as it's no longer than the hatch, and visibility is better.

Hi,

Thanks for your own personal thoughts on cars you have driven in the past and now. I think local driving will never get good consumption levels but it's on the long runs in Europe where I want to get to my destination in good time and at the same time I don't want to be filling up in French motorway service areas as they are like the UK very expensive. My first choice spec is still the vRS petrol with the 220hp DSG engine with steering wheel paddles.

Hi, I may not be able to add much to this, but in the interest of taking a wider view of the situation, is there any reason why in particular you're looking at the vRS?

I see you're doing around 5,000 miles a year, which includes a round trip to Spain (I think you're saying that your total trip mileage to Spain and back is 1,250, rather than 1,250 each way), so the rest of the time you're doing 3,750 miles a year which is around 75 miles a week. Dare I ask if that's all short mileage, or are there one or two longer trips in there? Is the nippiness of the vRS a necessity, or might the spec of an L&K be more enticing? (Please feel free to tell me to shut up if you've already considered that approach     )

Hi jjj66,

 

I think you are telling me what  I don't want to hear even though your logic makes good sense. You know, once something is set in your head it takes a view like yours to jolt me out of a dream back to reality.

 

I certainly like the L&K with its fantastic spec but I haven't yet come to terms with the performance level vs the vRS.  I note that the L&K has A 1.8TSi engine vs the 2.0 TSi in the vRS but 0-62 mph is hardly shabby at 7.5 vs 7.1.  I also note the L&K has  a 7 speed box vs 6 speed in the vRS and slightly better consumption.

 

I wish you hadn't fuzzied my mind but thanks all the same.

Thanks for advising that the sound level when at high revs is not unpleasant. It sounds like I should enjoy my long motorway journeys through France & Spain.

 

In terms of test drives I am going to widen my search as I think I have exhausted the customer service levels at my local SKODA dealer and its sister garages. I think this is mainly down to the fact that they didn't like me giving them two on-line quotes with big discounts as they couldn't or wouldn't budge on the list price claiming they only have a 2 per.cent margin when taking in all overheads. They wouldn't even look at my Superb for a trade-in even though it is very low mileage (14,500) and a high spec with extras and still under warranty. They would be certain to make a good return on my car.

 

Your offer of a spin if or when you are in West Sussex is much appreciated. We often travel to our son's house in Walton on Thames as an alternative if this works for you. I will, however,explore the dealer route first to see where that gets me.

If y you are prepared to travel further from home, then might I recommend the Willis in Ruislip, (2 decent test drives, diesel & petrol back to back, unaccompanied, but they didn't quite have what we wanted) & Preston Motors in Forest Gate, East London, where we bought our Superb.

 

Again, Lee Harrison, gave us keys to 3 different Superbs, (not all the same day!) & let us decide where to go. It's an old motor trade technique in that if the potential customer likes the car will talk themselves into buying it, without having to work too hard!.

 

If you do decide to venture into the wilds of East London, then Transcity Skoda in Walthamstow might well be helpful, again,  they are a family owned business with many years experience with the Skoda brand.

 

It's a lot of faffing around just to buy a car, but a lot of the donkey work can be done on the 'phone, rather than just driving from dealer to dealer.

 

HTH, DC

 

PS, a petrol vRS engine is a quiet & refined unit, & high revs are rarely needed to maintain decent progress. It's all about the torque, probably less than your current diesel, but spread over a very wider rev range than the 170 ps diesel.

Hi old newbie2,

Thanks for your thoughts about alternative dealers to contact in the London area which would have to be a last resort if I don't find a more local dealer willing to let me have a good test drive in the vRS.

I am encouraged to know that you do rate the petrol engine and performance should be quite compatible.