Hi, thought I'd seek the thoughts of Briskoda on a dilema I have with my VRS.

 

Current car is Race Blue 57 plate (08) TFSI Manual VRS Estate, it's fairly basic spec with 18" Wheels and rear electric windows, Stream MP3 and doesnt have Maxidot or Cruise control.

 

It's got 86k on the clock, bodywork is I guess a 6.5/10 with a couple of car park dings in the doors and a few scratches and chips. The wheels need a refurb as the Silver is coming off in places and there is some corrosion on one of them. I've also recently noticed the first signs of a few little rust spots in the Stone chip paint on the Sills (as others have also seen on this age of VRS). It also needs new rear tyres during to the usual Scalloping (and despite a four wheel alignment, annoyingly probably over 50% tread left)) and the exhaust is going to need replacing soon as it's getting grotty!

 

On the plus side, the engine is good and strong.

 

As you can see from the above it's in need of some TLC...

 

My dilema is whether I should go ahead and get all the above sorted (or at least, tyres, rust, wheel refurb, exhaust) or take this as the time to chop it in and get something else?

 

If I replace, as far as I can see it's a choice of another VRS or a Focus ST Estate, has to be petrol and has to be quick. However, finding Petrol VRS's seems to be getting very tricky and there's very few around at dealers within 200 miles of me from an autotrader search. 

 

Locally all I can really only find is this one:

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201411078799312/sort/locasc/model/octavia/maximum-mileage/up_to_50000_miles/maximum-age/up_to_5_years_old/engine-size-cars/2l_to_2-5l/body-type/estate/postcode/so532ns/page/1/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/make/skoda/usedcars/fuel-type/petrol/price-to/17000/radius/1500/price-from/8000?logcode=p

 

Which on the downside isnt race blue and isnt manual but looks pretty well spec'd otherwise, although cant tell if it has Bluetooth or not. I think I can live with Silver, but I'm not sure about DSG compared to manual, only auto I've had is a torque converter in a Volvo which doesnt really compare I assume I'd also probably get a Revo Stage 1 on it straight away, how well does that work with DSG?

 

If I go down the Focus route this looks like a nice car.

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201410318640151/sort/locasc/model/focus/body-type/estate/make/ford/fuel-type/petrol/maximum-age/up_to_5_years_old/usedcars/price-from/8000/page/1/engine-size-cars/2l_to_2-5l/postcode/so532ns/maximum-mileage/up_to_50000_miles/radius/1500/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/price-to/17000?logcode=p

 

It's dearer, but two years newer and looks to have more toys, however at the moment I suspect my wife may not be ok with the seats and looks, although she did describe the interior of the VRS as a bit dull...

 

The other option with the Focus is to go new on a PCP as it may work out cheaper, however I dont think the facelifted ST estate is available yet, so would mean waiting...

 

Apologies for the long winded post, but look forward to peoples thoughts

Marc

I have the DSG linked to a petrol and not sure I would ever go back to a manual now. Its just such a fast smooth change all the way up yet handles town traffic well. If you are out on a brisk drive and want to blip up and down the box yourself then the paddles are fun (though a bit small). Having had ours for over a year I have probably used manual 3/4 times. 

 

Only way to really tell is to test drive it. I was a skeptic at first but after a test drive I was totally sold. One thing to be aware of though is that it "learns" your driving style and changes the way it handles the shifts based on that. You can reset it and this has made a huge change for some people. End of the day DSG isn't for everyone but its makes the car a comfortable drive that can switch it on when it needs too.

 

We actually narrowed our search down the 2 same cars (hatch in vRS case though). Few things swung it:

 

Ride was a bit over hard in the ST

Boot size

Much smaller front seat space and more built up consoles in the ST vs the jumbo box and a more open look to the vRS.

 

Car is fast without a map but would be fine to Revo with a DSG - Shark are your people for that.

 

Also a 60plate with less than 10k miles? Thats really low. I'm sure that is why the price looks a bit ambitious. Ours is a 10 plate and had 14k on it when we bought it 18months ago and didn't command such a premium. That was also a concern but after some digging it turns out that the previous owner had it garaged/SORN while ill and the dealership had had it for 6 months on top of that.

Edited 19 November, 201411 yr by Norco

Thanks, I suspect that I'll probably come to the same conclusions re VRS v Focus. As much as the focus might be a better/more focussed drivers car, i think there's a few too many compromises for it to be the better family car, which I think the VRS probably does well whilst being suitably rapid enough (and presumably even better with a REVO upgrade).

 

I'm assuming there are no votes for pumping money into my existing VRS?

 

I've made an enquiry about the silver one I posted the link to and it sounds promising (no bluetooth though, which is till pretty disappointing when you compare to things like my wifes Kia), hopefully be able to go and test drive it at the weekend.

Unless you intend keeping your current vRS for some time it would probably make sense to change it now as the dealer is unlikely to put it on their forecourt if you part ex it. I've not tried the dsg, but it is well suited to the tsi engine. It's then down to personal choice so as you say a test drive will help you decide. Good luck.

Strange that although ours also came really well specced the most glaring omission was the bluetooth.

 

Can be retrofitted relatively cheaply and might help get the price down.

Good luck with the test drive.

I guess part of it is that the car is from 2010 not 2014 and things have changed (I'm assuming that Mk3 vrs's come with Bluetooth?). I've also noticed it doesnt have parking sensors (but it does have a sun roof, which is something I think is probably pretty rare on a vrs).

 

So to an extent it does feel like you get a car thats lower spec than a mid range Kia, but then there's that engine...

 

They've offered 3.5k P/x on my car over the phone, which given the above description I gave of it is probably reasonable 

That silver estate is fairly well speced.

 

It does have cruise control as you can see the buttons on the left hand stalk.

 

Also you can see it has a MFSW and Maxidot and also the jumbo box (armrest with air cooling and probably and aux in).

 

As for the DSG... well I personally love it! Would not want to go back to Manual. It's my first automatic car and there's no going back for me now.

 

Phil

I'd seen the cruise control and Maxidot MSFW just a little disappointed at no bleutooth, but not great problem.

 

All VRS's have the jumbo box dont they?

 

However as you say it's a well spec'd car and the mileage is very low for the age. Just wish it was a Race Blue manual However I shall approach the DSG with an open mind and am sure it will be fine

OEM bluetooth is really easy to fit so I really wouldn't let that bother you - it will also integrate well given the Bolero stereo and the maxidot. On the face of it, it looks a nice car that and although my first thought was it is expensive, I haven't kept pace with prices of late and I know VRS's are holding their value.   However, is the mileage really only 10k, as that would worry me somewhat on a four year old car?

Any reason why you'd considor a brand new Focus ST on PCP but not a brand new MkIII Octavia vRS?

 

0% finance and three years free servicing too...

 

http://www.skoda.co.uk/finance/finance-offers/0-pcp/octavia-offer

Any reason why you'd considor a brand new Focus ST on PCP but not a brand new MkIII Octavia vRS?

 

0% finance and three years free servicing too...

 

http://www.skoda.co.uk/finance/finance-offers/0-pcp/octavia-offer

 

0% isn't available on the vRS or L&K models. It's about 7.1% APR on the vRS currently. (I have the paperwork/finance quotes in front of me as I type).

I was in a similar position earlier this year.

 

07 TFSI, 83k on the clock. Service and tax due. Sills rusting probably needing £400 spent to stop for a couple of years, two new rears needed exactly the same circumstances as you plus looking at a second 4yr service plus second cambelt next year. Mechanicals were otherwise just as good as new.

 

For me it was time to move on and try something else those bills were just too much to pay out on a car I'd probably only keep another year or so. Plus I'd had it 7yr and I'd had enough of the road noise and crashy ride

 

I don't regret changing but I do miss the car.

 

PS Mine was very clean in and out. I got (all things considered) close to £4500 as a trade in against the Honda which as £12k.

VRS went to the dealer's own second hand lot not auction which maybe gave they a bit more leeway to offer more. Base px was £4000 but I was also given £250 off an extended 3yr warranty and a new set of front disks and pads.

Edited 20 November, 201411 yr by Aspman

Any reason why you'd considor a brand new Focus ST on PCP but not a brand new MkIII Octavia vRS?

 

0% finance and three years free servicing too...

 

http://www.skoda.co.uk/finance/finance-offers/0-pcp/octavia-offer

 

VRS was working out about 50 quid a month dearer than the focus

 

On paper the residuals are also listed as better on the Focus from what I could see.

 However, is the mileage really only 10k, as that would worry me somewhat on a four year old car?

 

The mileage is genuine as it was sold originally by the same dealer (to your classic Elder Gentlman) and they've maintained it ever since.

 

The question is what are the possible problems that could arise from such low mileage.

 

I was thinking along the lines of

 

Tyres - could be past their best before date (or whatever the proper term for it is)

Degredation of fluids (ie water ingress into the brake fuid etc) - however would that be offset by any servicing?

Battery failure could also be a posibility

Aircon - might need a regas

DSG - oil change needed?

 

Not sure what else could be a problem, it's not a diesel so no DPF issues (or EGR) and not enough mileage for any sort of ECV type issue. I assume it will be the chain cam TSI engine so belt wont need doing due to age.

 

Would appreciate any other thoughts on possible age related issues

 

edit to add that am sure many things can be resolved by driving it like VRS's are meant to be driven

Edited 20 November, 201411 yr by Marc Davison

It implies lots of short journeys, and never getting up to engine temp, and these things need a blast as you say.  Has it been serviced annually regardless, or at least every 18 months?

 

Perhaps not a lot to worry about but I think the premium being added for such low miles is quite high in this case.  

 

Adam

I need to find out exactly what servicing it's had done as you would hope it was being done annually despite the low mileage. Salesman did describe it as showroom condition so you'd assume the owner didnt scrimp on it.

 

Funnily enough I've just unearthed another car closer to me which is a silver 61 plate DSG, but with 2 owners and 20,700 on the clock this time! (priced at £13k), I've asked for more details as they've only just got it in.

 

Also found this, nice price but mileage a little higher than I'd really like http://www.sparshattsgroup.co.uk/used-cars/view/19149/skoda-octavia-est-2.0-t--fsi-vrs-dsg

That not excessive mileage really and more fairly priced I would say.

I need to find out exactly what servicing it's had done as you would hope it was being done annually despite the low mileage. Salesman did describe it as showroom condition so you'd assume the owner didnt scrimp on it.

 

Funnily enough I've just unearthed another car closer to me which is a silver 61 plate DSG, but with 2 owners and 20,700 on the clock this time! (priced at £13k), I've asked for more details as they've only just got it in.

 

Also found this, nice price but mileage a little higher than I'd really like http://www.sparshattsgroup.co.uk/used-cars/view/19149/skoda-octavia-est-2.0-t--fsi-vrs-dsg

 

That is pretty much the exact car we looked for for about 4/5 months without luck. We ended up with a hatch in red as they just didn't come up when we were looking. Love that colour and looks like a great spec. Argee on the mileage but even that isnt much higher than average. I guess that depends if you are going to add or take away from the running average.

That is pretty much the exact car we looked for for about 4/5 months without luck. We ended up with a hatch in red as they just didn't come up when we were looking. Love that colour and looks like a great spec. Argee on the mileage but even that isnt much higher than average. I guess that depends if you are going to add or take away from the running average.

 

My usual car plan is to keep for 3 years, I do just under 10k a year, all weekend miles so a 53k car would take me to about 83k when I come to change it, although to be fair I never seem to manage to keep for 3 years

 

I'm going to try and take a look at the grey one over the weekend, but have also ended up talking PCP's again with Reading Skoda, apparently there is a Race Blue manual in the country (although with no extra's).

 

Marc

You change your car every 3 years?

 

You do less than 10,000 miles per year?

 

You have a 3K to 4K deposit already sat on the drive?

 

You are ready for a nice new car?

 

Sounds to me like you are a PCP salesmans wet dream!

Edited 21 November, 201411 yr by silver1011

You change your car every 3 years?

 

You do less than 10,000 miles per year?

 

You have a 3K to 4K deposit already sat on the drive?

 

You are ready for a nice new car?

 

Sounds to me like you are a PCP salesmans wet dream!

 

Lol, when you put it like that...

 

I think I just need some convincing on the PCP

 

So assuming I pay deposit to cover a payment of £300 a month, the nagging thought in my mind is getting to the end of the 3 years and the car's value not being enough to cover a deposit on the next car, or should I not be concerned about this on a VRS? 

 

(I do have a PCP on my wife's Kia but the figures are low enough for me not to be as worried about that)

 

I've noted on the Focus ST forums that in the past people with ST's have been contacted by Ford offering them good deals to swap cars midway through a PCP anyone ever come accross Skoda doing simillar?

 

Cheers,

Marc

I've got a race blue manual estate that I bought new in 2010. It's now approaching 55k. The dealer seemed most confused that I wanted the petrol at the time, but I thought the estate looked better than the saloon and I wanted that engine.

Seems now that combo is quite rare and the dealer offered me £8k at the last service. Looking at the ads in this thread it seems prices are really holding up. Good news for me as I've been thinking about changing - trouble is I can't find much that could replace it...

I agree with the OP and Clarky. The MkII VRS owners are not going to find much to replace their cars because they were a bargain at the time for performance, etc. I have looked for over a year and almost with a heavy heart, decided to go with a petrol MKI III VRS. Mine is still very good but quite simply I have never kept a car this long and I want a change and a low mileage FL isn't going to feel like a change. It will cost me £6500 more for a new MKIII , compared to the original purchase cost of my current car. As it was bought 7 years ago at 8 months old that isn't too bad, considering the MKIII has the extra toys I want, better performance, economy for my daily commute and annual mileage and finally... Heated front screen. About time Skoda. The choice for me was simply a matter of either refurbing the MK II gradually, I.e suspension,exhaust turbo as it breaks or wears and keeping it for another 2-3 years or biting the bullet and buying a new MKIII. For the money, performance, load carrying capacity commute and mileage which I do, it is a good choice. The shame is that more people have caught on to the brand, so the surprise factor is now disappearing. I.e surprise that 'rubbish' Skoda has just left you for dead.

I went to see the Grey 10 plate with 53k today and ended up buying it. 

 

Ticked plenty of boxes and I especially liked the full leather over the part leather. It also had Auto lights/wipers and dimming mirror +cruise control. Body work and wheels were immaculate, couldnt find a mark on either.

 

Only gripe is that it's got some terrible budget tyres on it that will need to be replaced, I tried to get them to include that as part of the sale but they were having none of it.

 

Think the DSG is going to take some getting used to but the cheapo tyres and rain didnt help on the test drive today (plus trying to be good as it was a test drive), kind of preferred the way my car felt when I got back into it but, as I couldnt find a manual, race blue with the same spec or price then this will do.

 

Got 3400 for mine in the end, after an initial offer of 3k :(

Sounds nice. Look forward to seeing some pics!