Hi All,

 

Been a long time since I've had a Skoda but the company car is going so I'm looking to replace it with a 2014 Octy VRS diesel DSG.

 

What should I be looking for on these motors as far as servicing/wear and tear?

 

Also, do Skoda do an audio upgrade to include a subwoofer and DSP how VW do? Would prefer some better audio in the car but without it looking like a halfords special.

 

Finally, the DSG box, are they really reliable enough now? I'll be doing circa 20k mile a year, will it cope?

 

Cheers,

Martin

I have a 2014 VRS In excellent condition, it got less then 8000 miles on the clock and it has a DSG box, if your interested in purchasing it, e-mail me at [email protected].

That's a great bit of info, I won't be buying until in the new year yet as I'm waiting to be transferred to the new employer etc.

 

Also considering it against a BMW 3 Series, new shape 2012 on, anyone driven both?

Hi All,

 

Been a long time since I've had a Skoda but the company car is going so I'm looking to replace it with a 2014 Octy VRS diesel DSG.

 

What should I be looking for on these motors as far as servicing/wear and tear?

 

Also, do Skoda do an audio upgrade to include a subwoofer and DSP how VW do? Would prefer some better audio in the car but without it looking like a halfords special.

 

Finally, the DSG box, are they really reliable enough now? I'll be doing circa 20k mile a year, will it cope?

 

Cheers,

Martin

 

Firstly, do it! The O3 is a great car. I don't have a vRS now (had a MK2 FL) but still have 4 month old L&K with DSG and it's great - I will also be doing around 20k a year. The DSG box is effortless and smooth - manuals are a thing of the past these days I think! (I'll probably be shot down by some for saying!).

 

Try looking for one with the Canton upgrade - it's factory only but it's a great system, and far better than the standard setup.

That's a great bit of info, I won't be buying until in the new year yet as I'm waiting to be transferred to the new employer etc.

 

Also considering it against a BMW 3 Series, new shape 2012 on, anyone driven both?

 

You'll get more for your money with the Octavia for definite...BMW is a great car though, and the 8 speed auto is probably the best gearbox out there right now. Just look what you can get for your money is the best advice! You can't really go wrong with either!

I certainly get a newer Octy with lower miles for my money compared to the BMW and the 8 speed box is meant to be great.

 

What does the Canton upgrade get me on the audio? Is it factory fit only or can it be retro fitted?

I certainly get a newer Octy with lower miles for my money compared to the BMW and the 8 speed box is meant to be great.

 

What does the Canton upgrade get me on the audio? Is it factory fit only or can it be retro fitted?

 

It's only factory fitted I believe...99% sure anyway.

 

Standard system is just 8 speakers (4 main drivers and 4 tweeters).

 

Canton is 10 speakers (4 upgraded main drivers, one centrally mounted driver in the dashboard, 4 tweeters and boot mounted subwoofer). All powered by 700W external amplifier.

That sounds like exactly what I'm after.

 

I'll add that to the wanted list!

That's a great bit of info, I won't be buying until in the new year yet as I'm waiting to be transferred to the new employer etc.

Also considering it against a BMW 3 Series, new shape 2012 on, anyone driven both?

 

I have a 2014 vRS TDI manual & also a 2012 320d Manual.

The BMW is a big dissapointment for me. Admittedly it is a lower spec but the list price was almost 30% higher than the Octavia.

The Octavia is much nicer to drive, the engine is smoother, quieter & the technology works much better (e.g. Columbus vs NBT Nav)

Overall its just much more comfortable to drive, especially around town or in traffic.

The BMW feels big, heavy & clumbsy anywhere but on the highway & the manual transmission is terrible.

Interior quality is a clear winner for the 3series but overall the Octavia stands out a mile for me.

 

Some things to look out for when you are buying one:

    - If you are an audiophile compare the standard vs Canton audio. (lots of people complain about the bass from the standard system)

    - "Booming" sound within the cabin - make sure you drive on different road surfaces before you buy (there is a masssssive thread on here about it).

    - Interior build quality - there are lots of threads about small rattles - b-pillar, windscreen deflectors, instrument cluster, air vents etc

 

However, overall I think the O3 is a solidly built car.

There aren't many common/regular complaints that have appeared yet (except for the boost pressure sensor for the diesels & perhaps the leaky water pump).

Edited 11 November, 201510 yr by Gabbo

I upgraded from my 11 year old Octavia vRS manual petrol to a March 2015 Octavia vRS DSG petrol last month.

As a long time [49 years!] stick shifter, and having covered over 250,000 miles in the last 15 years in 2x Mk1 vRS with manual shift, I was quite dubious about DSG until I had had an extended test drive on local roads that I was very familiar with - everything from motorway to country lanes, uphill, downhill etc.   I was 95%persuaded by the test drive, but not 100% - however after a month, I'm over the moon with my decision - as the technician that I was cross questioning at the selling dealer said: "It's not an automatic gearbox, it's a manual gearbox without a clutch pedal that can be left to work automatically whenever you want, sir".

You can set four different elements within each of the four available driving modes of vRS, Normal, Economical or Individual, switch between those four modes whilst at speed, at the same time changing gear either automatically in any of these modes, or manually by using the gear lever or the paddle shifters, switching between Sport or Drive with a backwards flick of the gear lever, or between manual and automatic with a sideways flick of the gear lever, or switch to manual by using a paddle shifter [unless of course you simply want to change down for downhill engine braking, in which case you go down a couple of gears with the paddle shifter, and the box will recognise when you get to the bottom of the hill and re-apply the power that you want it to revert to automatic!

 

Confused? I was to to start with but I was soon delighted!

I own 2014 VRS manual diesel and drive BMW 330d for work. BMW auto box is the best in the business but I always enjoy getting back in the Octavia to drive home as it's more comfortable IMO. Not sure about diesel DSG as a lot of people say it doesn't suit the diesel engine like it does in the petrol. Also my manual is more economical and cheaper to tax!!

Not much space in 3 series either, quite a small car inside and much smaller boot.  Depends how much the badge means to you but I would personally go for an Audi over the BMW and for value for money, VRS over both!! 

Had the 2012 320d luxury , now have a 2015 VRS diesel estate.

 

BMW felt small and cramped inside. The seats were terrible, thin uncomfortable and cheap. Interior materials were very good  and classy. Boot was horrendous , didn't have folding rear seats. £32k no folding seats. Rear wheel drive in Scotland , eh no.

 

The Octy , better seats by a mile feels just as fast as the 320. Mega more kit. Bemmur had 4 speakers and a **** stereo. Octy has 8 and much better sound.

 

The biggest improvement for me , XENONS. The beemur had two kids birthday cake candles for lights.

 

Did I mention the mega boot. 0-60 7.9 seconds with a wardrobe and sideboard from Ikea

You've all made some really good points and after popping to look at a car in the flesh this evening I really like the interior.

I'm going to see if I can get a test drive down the M54 to see how bad the interior booming is as I've heard that a few times now.

Glad to hear some comparisons between the brands as well, surprising how well the Octy is received.

Well I love my F31 330xD PPK auto, (as been said the ZF 8 speed auto is a masterpiece but more suited to the 6cyl IMHO) but only the wife test drove the Octy as its for her, looking forward to having a good when it arrives then I can compare

Edited 11 November, 201510 yr by skyjawa

Forgot to mention, the BMW 320d is very noisy and agricultural in its sound, the 330d much much better almost petrol like, VRS TDi somewhere in between but I find with VRS mode on with sound generator much better.

I wouldnt say the comparison between a 320 Luxury and vRS is entirely fair as the Luxury spec is not remotely sport oriented unless you go to town on the options and spec sports seats, suspension, staggered alloys and servotronic/progressive steering.

The stock 3 series seats are ghastly, flat with little or no lateral support....the sports seats are way better and the pneumatic lateral support goes some way to absolve the lack of standard lumbar supports.

The BM 2.0 diesel is quite agricultural granted but I understand its power delivery is quite a bit stronger than the 184 TDI in that it has a harder hit of torque at low to medium revs and is less linear than the 184 TDI. You do have to rev a 184 TDI quite hard to really make it fly which is good when you are in the mood but it can feel a bit lazy at normal driving speed. It is v quiet though.

Id wager the newer 190ps motor is that bit better still...though the 3 series is a heavy car so outrightly its probably still little if no faster than a vRS TDI.

If I were ever in the market for a new car myself I probably would look at PCH deals on a 320d M Sport sport auto with the M Sport plus pack as the alloys and extra kit the pack brings (inc. the wonderful 19" wheels, big brakes and HK sound system) make for a lovely car. Bloody expensive at RRP OTR prices thougg and make the vRS look positively great value.