<snip>So people who went from a mk2 vRS to a mk3 non-vRS seem a little disappointed...</snip>

 

Not really. Only thing I miss of my previous VRS are the sporty look and the somewhat reduced body roll (but I did add an improved RARB). I already listed all of the advantages of the AWD (included rear multi link).

Human error, feel is subjective and therefore different people will have differnet opinions, its a no brainer take an extended test drive and see what you mke of it yourself.

 

It didn't get family car of the year for nothing.

 

Pipsyp, for the love of god buy or put a Rear Anti Roll Bar on your Christmas list, its a must.

Well, looks like my problem isnt subjective afterall.

Harsh and noisy (pressure pulses hasnt been mentioned, like some experience) suspension is known about. Spoke to a mechanic today who knows about it, and seemingly Skoda also do. Only problem is, Skoda have not put anything on Computer system, so some dealers may not know about it. The dampers were mentioned I think as the problem.

Presumably any new builds coming through now will have had this issue sorted - revised dampers or whatever? Plus as from Nov 3rd this year all versions of the Octavia will get the XDS system as standard. Is this the exact same as fitted to the VRS and is the general consensus a positive one?

Anyone who bought a vRS and thinks the ride is harsh needs their heads testing....

Very supple, comfortable ride for what is supposed to be the sports branded model, but equally with good handling on a big car. vRS mkiii is excellent - no complaints whatsoever after 12,000 miles, aside from the fact that some **** fitted mine with a diesel engine.

I really dont understand how people think its a harsh ride. Not as soft as an elegance I'm sure but compared to my old mans 10 plate accord executive estate which is supposed to be comfortable, the vrs is far more supple over road imperfections yet at the same time managing to be more composed and wallow less

I really dont understand how people think its a harsh ride. Not as soft as an elegance I'm sure

What Elegance? Im assuming I as yet dont know what an Elegance should be like. If a VrS is anything like my Octavia, it is a harsh noisy ride.

Going over slight joins in motorway surfaces and having a massive crash going through the cabin, and a jarr through your body. The feeling as though you have metal wheels with no tyres and no suspension at all.

.

+1 ^^ I also run an Elegance same as JJ and find the ride overly harsh over rough surfaces, so waiting with interest to see if MY13 OctyIIIs are going to get recalled to replace the dampers and/or springs. I haven't logged a complaint yet with Skoda myself but seriously thinking about doing do.

What Elegance? Im assuming I as yet dont know what an Elegance should be like. If a VrS is anything like my Octavia, it is a harsh noisy ride.

Going over slight joins in motorway surfaces and having a massive crash going through the cabin, and a jarr through your body. The feeling as though you have metal wheels with no tyres and no suspension at all.

 

This description represents with 99% accuracy the effect of runflat tyres. May I ask if the effect you perceive varies with different tyre pressure?

+1 ^^ I also run an Elegance same as JJ and find the ride overly harsh over rough surfaces, so waiting with interest to see if MY13 OctyIIIs are going to get recalled to replace the dampers and/or springs. I haven't logged a complaint yet with Skoda myself but seriously thinking about doing do.

Dont just wait for a recall. Im not sure it'll happen. Go to the dealer and tell them you have the problem. Its a known problem with a known fix which I assume works. Problem is, Skoda have yet to put it on the system to say they know abouyt it.

Dont just wait for a recall. Im not sure it'll happen. Go to the dealer and tell them you have the problem. Its a known problem with a known fix which I assume works. Problem is, Skoda have yet to put it on the system to say they know abouyt it.

I do agree, and I'll get to the dealers at some point, but I was also hanging on to see if we get a few more positive reports of warranty fixes before I wade in all guns blazing. I was also half expecting something to fall off or break by now if there is a faulty batch of shockers or springs, but starting to fear its just the MQB set up that is amplifying every bump. I know a chap who has just switched from Mk VI Golf GT to Mk VII Golf GTD and he is also complaining about the suspension being much firmer, feeling the bumps more, fuel tank not big enough, build quality generally poorer, etc, which all sounds familiar to folk on here who made the transition from Octy IIFL to Octy III.

I do agree, and I'll get to the dealers at some point, but I was also hanging on to see if we get a few more positive reports of warranty fixes before I wade in all guns blazing. I was also half expecting something to fall off or break by now if there is a faulty batch of shockers or springs, but starting to fear its just the MQB set up that is amplifying every bump. I know a chap who has just switched from Mk VI Golf GT to Mk VII Golf GTD and he is also complaining about the suspension being much firmer, feeling the bumps more, fuel tank not big enough, build quality generally poorer, etc, which all sounds familiar to folk on here who made the transition from Octy IIFL to Octy III.

 

Hmm, maybe waiting for the new superb isn't such a good idea after all....

Hmm, maybe waiting for the new superb isn't such a good idea after all....

Yeah, stretched MQB might not be a good recipe! It might have to be a beemer or a jaaaag!

Hmm, maybe waiting for the new superb isn't such a good idea after all....

I was starting to wonder that, as I think the lightness of the MQB platform has a few problems.

Whilst the main problem Matt and I have is obviously caused by the suspension, I do think he could be right that bad suspension is made worse by the lightness of the car amplifying the noise. The Superb would need a decent extended test drive before agreeing to it.

It might have to be a beemer or a jaaaag!

Yeah go on, choose the beemer. Then I officially stop talking to you

 

You wouldnt want me to show you up by driving round Sheffield in my Jaaaag would you? A Jaaaag that'll no doubt be more agile, smoother riding, use less fuel, and be cheaper to maintain!

Yeah, stretched MQB might not be a good recipe! It might have to be a beemer or a jaaaag!

 

A Beemer or jaguar? Think carefully, Matt and James. After all, you could probably have an Octavia with sunset glass and a spare wheel for that kind of money.

A Beemer or jaguar? Think carefully, Matt and James. After all, you could probably have an Octavia with sunset glass and a spare wheel for that kind of money.

Ooh, sunset glass, or Jaaaag. Choice is so difficult

Tell you what, I'll go for a Lada instead, then I dont have to make the decision :clap:

What Elegance? Im assuming I as yet dont know what an Elegance should be like. If a VrS is anything like my Octavia, it is a harsh noisy ride.

Going over slight joins in motorway surfaces and having a massive crash going through the cabin, and a jarr through your body. The feeling as though you have metal wheels with no tyres and no suspension at all.

I've not driven an elegance but I was implying i presume its softer than a vrs. My vrs makes no such crashing or jarring and some of the roads around me a truely dreadful! Enough so that I managed to bend a wheel on my wife's mx5

There must be something wrong with these elegances which "should" be a more comfortable car than a vrs. I would imagine the rear axle doesn't help the cause though?

I've not driven an elegance but I was implying i presume its softer than a vrs. My vrs makes no such crashing or jarring and some of the roads around me a truely dreadful! Enough so that I managed to bend a wheel on my wife's mx5

There must be something wrong with these elegances which "should" be a more comfortable car than a vrs. I would imagine the rear axle doesn't help the cause though?

Yeah when you compared to an Elegance, I was basically asking what sort of Elegance. The ones like mine, or the ones I assume are ok.

 

The car is fine half the time, albeit noisy on wrong surfaces, and finding every nook and cranny. Its just the times the roads are worse, and the harshness becomes obvious.

Yeah when you compared to an Elegance, I was basically asking what sort of Elegance. The ones like mine, or the ones I assume are ok.

The car is fine half the time, albeit noisy on wrong surfaces, and finding every nook and cranny. Its just the times the roads are worse, and the harshness becomes obvious.

My first comment was more about people thinking a vrs was harsh and not really related so much to problem cars like yours, as I feel that vrs is a very comfortable car for what it is and also far more comfortable than many cars I've driven that are supposed to be comfortable not sporty.

It does sound like there must be a problem with your car somewhere though, I would say it could probably be the dampers causing crashing but I'm unsure how they could affect the road noise unless they are very stiff

Yeah go on, choose the beemer. Then I officially stop talking to you

You wouldnt want me to show you up by driving round Sheffield in my Jaaaag would you? A Jaaaag that'll no doubt be more agile, smoother riding, use less fuel, and be cheaper to maintain!

I think even the Jaaaag suspension would be tested on Sheffield's pot holed roads!

My first comment was more about people thinking a vrs was harsh and not really related so much to problem cars like yours, as I feel that vrs is a very comfortable car for what it is and also far more comfortable than many cars I've driven that are supposed to be comfortable not sporty.

It does sound like there must be a problem with your car somewhere though, I would say it could probably be the dampers causing crashing but I'm unsure how they could affect the road noise unless they are very stiff

I suspect the vRS with its independent rear suspension, rides better than my Elegance with its Torsion Beam and as I'm also on 18" Golus with standard suspension I thought it would be no worse than my old Superb II, which was also standard suspension on 18" wheels but the Berb, like the vRS also had IRS so my conclusion is Torsion Beam coupled with the lighter MQB is the issue. As my car was very early in production run, I think I'm going to test drive a couple of demonstrators to see if the latest cars ride any better and also ask to compare Eleg vs vRS, then I'll have a better view on whether recent manufacturing tweaks have improved things and then discuss with dealer if any components have been revised since MY13 cars were produced.

When I get my VRS Octavia in Janurary I'll be moving from a very unreliable Volvo V60 D4. I think Auto express sum it up quite well.

"The Volvo V60's gearbox needs a firm hand to change ratios, and the heavy clutch takes some getting used to. Its heavy kerbweight is also its undoing in corners and the Volvo can’t disguise its greater kerbweight as it rolls in bends. The suspension bumps over rough surfaces, too, and never feels particularly settled at any speed.

The steering needs a fair amount of effort and the Volvo has a large turning circle. What's more, its long brake pedal doesn’t feel overly responsive."

And at 38mpg it's not what I'd call economical.

I've had an extended test drive of the VRS hatch and all I'll say is, it's a far more enjoyable driving experience than the Volvo.

Roll on week 3 of 2015.

It does sound like there must be a problem with your car somewhere though, I would say it could probably be the dampers causing crashing but I'm unsure how they could affect the road noise unless they are very stiff

The dampers are known to cause problems. Admitted by a Skoda mechanic.

Fingers crossed they are changed on Wednesday, and the worst of my problems fly off into the sunset!

When I get my VRS Octavia in Janurary I'll be moving from a very unreliable Volvo V60 D4. I think Auto express sum it up quite well.

"The Volvo V60's gearbox needs a firm hand to change ratios, and the heavy clutch takes some getting used to. Its heavy kerbweight is also its undoing in corners and the Volvo can’t disguise its greater kerbweight as it rolls in bends. The suspension bumps over rough surfaces, too, and never feels particularly settled at any speed.

The steering needs a fair amount of effort and the Volvo has a large turning circle. What's more, its long brake pedal doesn’t feel overly responsive."

And at 38mpg it's not what I'd call economical.

I've had an extended test drive of the VRS hatch and all I'll say is, it's a far more enjoyable driving experience than the Volvo.

Roll on week 3 of 2015.

I'm in the last week of a 3.5 year ownership of a D3 S60, it's never missed a beat and is such a lovely car. Get my vRS TDi estate on Thursday and I'm very excited but I will miss my Volvo too. Btw I've never got less than 47 mpg out of mine.

I'm in the last week of a 3.5 year ownership of a D3 S60, it's never missed a beat and is such a lovely car. Get my vRS TDi estate on Thursday and I'm very excited but I will miss my Volvo too. Btw I've never got less than 47 mpg out of mine.

I've never bettered 42mpg in mine. I've had a split diesel line, split air inlet manifold. Wearing tyres on the inside every 8000 miles, 2 non starts after a weekend lying up. A burst O ring groove on the diesel filter. 2 front hubs at 20,000 miles. 1 front bumper under warranty due to paint peeling and another in it's way due to the same issue. The list is endless.

My colleague has a S60 and his has never missed a beat either.

I really can't wait to get rid of the V60. Hopefully I'll fair out better with the Octavia.