I've got a TDI and it's really having issues with sticky vanes as it's stuck pottering around town at the minute unfortunately (thus the thought of getting a petrol). I am quite heavy footed with the TDi as a result, but the wife is every so slightly more gentle!

I'm so very tempted to get myself a VRs but wondering though.. how does it fare when driven gently? Are sticky vanes still an issue on the petrols or are they fixed vane turbos?

The VRS's can be driven gently and are actually quiet good on fuel when done so,

 

can see 40mpg on a run, but it can also drink fuel if pushed hard

 

They don't suffer like the diesels,

 

But be warned its a slipperly slope if you decide to start modding it

Given that my current insurer won't touch a modded car with a barge pole.. and my wife being a new driver.. I don't think I could/would mod

 

I did toy with the idea of a remap to my TDi but again I wouldn't be able to remain insured then.

Edited 18 June, 201511 yr by bspman

Brilliant cars whether pootling about with the little lad in the car or giving it some welly, when conditions permit. From a fading memory, mine seems a little trickier to drive gently now that it is modified, but on a standard map, it was silky smooth with less shunting just off idle on tiny throttle, e.g. when in very slow stop-start traffic. It can be a bit learner-esque now, but I find it a small sacrifice to make with the extra go.

I always drive mine gently

Petrols are so much more simple than diesels. No variable vanes, egrs etc.. Their fine been driven gently. I always drive mine gently.. Honestly officer

Petrol better for lots of shorter journeys IMO. My vrs is completely standard unlike the 2 Octavia's I have owned before, so just gets run on 95RON fuel and has averaged 35MPG over the last tank. I had mk2 VRS PD remapped to 200bhp and that never averaged more than 42mpg and had warranty issues with the DPF when it was 2.5 years old....

Unfortunately after sitting down with the wife it seems like we can't afford another car. I need a new job first. Still something to bear in mind for the future. Cheers for the replies all