Ok so I find myself in the position of needing to change a car I had hoped would see me through a few years minimum.

Not the cars fault, a left knee issue and a change of circumstances (more short trips in the pipeline) mean I need to get an auto or DSG petrol instead of my manual diesel.

 

After sizing cars for decent legroom in the rear for 3 growing kids (and I know It will be hard to match the octy in this respect for the class) and wanting a car at least as capable in the overtaking department, we narrowed it down to an F30 320i.

The M Sport trim looked to have most of what we wanted, a couple of visits looked to be good for finances after negotiating a discount, 2 hour test drive booked for another day and off we went.

Ok the demo was a 320D auto (same bhp and similar figures on paper) with 19" wheels,

But ride only very minor improvement over the vRS, interior an improvement but not a huge one IMO and wind noise no different. Also car did not feel near as quick in overtaking scenarios.

Then we learn Xenons (or LEDs as the LCI will have instead) are not standard.

Add them to spec and throw in an unexpected house move,that hit our budget, and as great a deal as we got, it wasn't were we needed it to be.

 

Just down the road was a seat dealer, so why not have a look ? thought I.

Wow .... interior was a big step down from the Octy IMO. Rear legroom was OK but boot, even on the estate, was hampered by a very high floor.

 

Result is now hoping I can nail a deal on Tsi DSG vRS without a ridiculous build time ... I think it says something that after being a Skoda owner for near 4 years (Mk2 1.2 estate, then MK3 TDI vRS) that I am happy to look for another, despite liking to change things around often.

It has only just over 6000 miles on the clock, shows a 46 mpg long term average, despite being enjoyed when the roads allow, and overtakes sunday drivers with ease and costs £30 a year for VED.

Add to that, carries 2 adults, 3 kids from 12 to 5 and all the luggage required for a fortnights holiday with ease.

Ok so its not got the personality, soul, or call it what you will, of the 3 year old 156 I owned for 4 further years (4 faultless years I might add) , but the only niggle I have had with my vRS was the occasional glitch in the sound system deciding to go rogue from time to time.

 

Bring on Skoda #3 if the dealer plays ball with my desire to get a deal 

Edited 6 June, 201511 yr by Mr Grump

Good to read your sticking with the brand, I am still very pleased with mine.

While I will concur with others and say the DSG with the Diesel is not truly a marriage made in heaven, it suits me fine. Just wish I had known what my work situation was going to play out like, if I had, like you I would have got a Tsi DSG.

Enjoy your new ride...

Well its far from done deal, I need to go in and negotiate it were I want, but as long as the dealer will play ball with figures ....  

I was lucky, my dealer found exactly what I was looking for at a UK port, I only had to wait 4 days from order to pick up...

 

TDi vRS manual estate, in black, with sunset and black pack.. Your dealer, if they want the sale will be able to source a car for you from the ports, already in the UK. Mine did and gave me a £1500 discount off the list price too...

 

And why do you only carry passengers between 12 and 5? Surely its quieter travelling in the evenings?

Just a side note but they are doing a 0% weekend this weekend with a £500 fuel card thrown in too.

I know ...  I spotted the fuel card deal earlier while working things out.

I shall be in the showroom in haggle mode very soon

Edited 7 June, 201511 yr by Mr Grump

I know ...  I spotted the fuel card deal earlier while working things out.

I shall be in the showroom in haggle mode very soon

You should still be able to get 5-6% discount off list with the 0% PCP but I think the fuel card is in lieu of the free servicing.

Agreed, the fuel card is just another incentive (servicing) rehashed.

Well looks like I have one on its way soon, currently sat at Embden.

 

Approx. 6% discount, 0% pcp, £500 fuel (I am told is a pre-loaded visa card) £500 Skoda contribution and cashback on my current car that virtually covers the balloon payment (due to VW finance only allowing max deposit of 30% on pcp), and a 4 year warranty thrown in.

Not an amazing deal but works well for us, I am pleased  :sun:

Edited 7 June, 201511 yr by Mr Grump

Nice one - didn't know about the £500 Skoda contribution - why are they not advertising this?

It is on the website somewere ... only applies to new "in stock" cars I believe.

So if I was to order a new car tomorrow on pcp would I be eligible for the £500 pound fuel card

Yep, according to this: http://www.skoda.co.uk/finance/zero-apr/pages/default.aspx?gclid=CM_q7YSC_sUCFdTKtAodcC0AeQ

I switched my 2.8% pcp deal to 0% on Tuesday. Didn't get the £500 fuel card but did get the £500 deposit contribution. All in I think I saved myself another £1500 over the 3 years!

we narrowed it down to an F30 320i

 

I have also recently had the opportunity to drive a 320d regularly & I was extremely dissapointed concidering that the model I was driving cost 40% more than my Octy vRS.

I found the right leg (european driving side) position when using cruise control very uncomfortable.

 

The interior build quality is much better than the Octy. It feels much more solid & there are no rattles like the vRS for similar mileage.

Engine wise the BMW is good, fuel economy a touch better than the octy & rolling resistance much lower. Good for my motorway mileage.

However, I find the 320d heavy to drive. You really feel like you are driving a big car & especially round town or in traffic it feels like a real effort to drive (totally different to the Octy).

 

The technology of the BMW is also a step back from the Octy IMO.

The speedo display is not as easy to read (no backlighting), the navigation unit controls are clunky & conveluted, climate system is not as good in auto-mode.

I really find the standard cruise a big loss over the ACC in my Octy.

The seats cannot be adjusted without getting out of the car, no clever hooks in the back for hanging your shopping.

I guess from this side, you can "spec" some of these features on the BMW but it would make it even more expensive..

 

 

Overall, its really a pleasure to get back in the Octy, its much more comfortable & much more relaxing to drive.

I also know where my first port of call will be in a year or so when I'm looking for a replacemement.

Gabbo, seems we see things the same but slightly different !!

 

Yes The interior of the BMW felt a bit more upmarket, but not a big amount IMO.

 

Steering on the BMW felt much the same (but I have my octy steering in sport as I don't like it over assisted). Ride and road noise pretty similar,if anything I think the BMW was not quite as good. (it should be noted I test drove an M-sport trim so firmer suspension than standard and it was on 19" wheels).

My current car is pretty much rattle free (if I hear something its usually the wife or kids left something in the door bin) oddly the 500 mile old 3 series I test drove I had a rattle on the drivers door, and wife noticed one on hers, and for her to mention it without prompting is very unusual.

I didn't notice the offset pedals, but then I test drove the auto. It was a diesel with, on paper, very similar figures to the TDi vRS, overtaking ooomph seemed slower than the Octy though.

Although BMW have improved on standard equipment from years past, yes you still have to spec things you would expect on a car that price ... Xenons, folding rear seats etc.

 

I am not knocking the BMW, I likely would have gotten it had the figures worked.

 

The point of my post, stepping back into the Octy after driving the BMW did not feel like a big step down, and for a car retailng at ~ 20% less that's not bad going

 

I just hope that my new one is as good as my current one !

Edited 11 June, 201511 yr by Mr Grump