My Vrs Tsi dsg estate is into its 3rd year (just) on a 3yr deal. Started thinking what's to do. Do I keep it, do I replace with another Vrs, do I down size to 1.4. The cost of Vrs has risen somewhat. I'm at the age where I should slow down. Any views on what I would miss by going to an SE L 1.4 dsg estate (apart from performance). I don't fly round the country roads or do track days, usually only 2 in cars and no towing.

Have you driven the 1.4 ?

It won't feel like a vRS but it might surprise you.

What type of finance deal are you on, PCP (Personal Contract Plan) or PCH (lease)?

 

Either way you aren't stuck with Skoda, do you definitely want another one?

Apart from the performance, you'll notice the difference in ride quality. vRS is much better, even on the lower profile rubber.

 

Take it from one who knows. I recently went from 1.4TSi SE DSG to a petrol vRS DSG. Some reduction in mpg, around 7mpg for me, but I don't regret it for a minute. The lighter front end on the SE made the car susceptible to drift on motorways and also suffered in high winds. The vRS is much better.

 

 

And at what age should you start to slow down?

Yeah, look at the PCH it's far cheaper and if you want it at the end of the term, your wife can buy it.

SE-L will v likely be a disappointment after the vRS....not that it is any way a bad car....it is quite different though.

The vRS specific chassis tuning, brakes (even if they are now only 312mm fronts on the TDI version...the Golf GTI gets the same without the performance pack) and progressive steering rack make a vast difference to how these things drive.

I can't make a direct comparison but I have (until tomorrow...I'm giving it away) a Golf GTD and an Octavia Elegance 150 TDI....the Octavia isn't much slower but in every other conceivable sense it's nothing like as enjoyable to drive.

I now know I should have bought a vRS instead of my elegance but have been fortunate enough through company car privilege to have a GTD as well for the past 9 months....the only reason that thing is going really is its too small :-(

I'm on PCP. Found my mk2 L&K had "elastic" suspension on bends, it leaned too much. Notice that sports suspension can be spec's. I'd loose black pack & the Xenon lights.

The 1.4 TSI with DSG is a winner - if you ask me.

The real "problem" is the rear suspension. Multilink is much better.

Rubbish suspension, steering and seats.  In my opinion the VRS is the only Octavia to have, the others aren't worth the money.

Rear torsion beam on the SEL or whatever its called thesedays is pretty unrefined but it's in keeping with other aspects of the car.

As for the multi link, it's better but I found that skoda have ruined this by fitting poor dampers. Skoda need to take a look at how other budget car makers such as ford and Renault set up their suspension.

I found the (elegance) SEL? a much nicer car to sit in than the vrs at the time. That was when the vrs was pretty low on equipment levels inside. I hated the dark dingy vrs interior coachwork too. Those are just my opinions.

Most importantly for you is to ignore all the advice and drive one or indeed try another manufacturer if possible.

i have an Elegance/SEL CR150

 

Nice car, surprising nippy, dreadful unsupportive seats, crashy ride

 

Had a test ride in a VRS- much better seats, nicer to drive, far better suspension and handling, plus Xenons etc.

 

Not much difference in spec as the VRS now comes with satnav.

 

So have ordered a VRS.

 

Only thing I will miss is the folding mirrors

Funny about the views on the SE-L seats - are they any different to the seats on the L&K? The seats in my L&K are excellent I find.

Mine's an SE and the seats seem fine.

Bigger nuisance by far is the handbrake lever being on the passenger side

(depending on who the passenger is it can be quite embarrassing !!)

Starting to think I'll end up keeping mine. Dropping spec from Vrs TSI to 1.4SE L may be too much. But a new Vrs is out based on cost. Think Sat nav should be sn option not a fit as I have no use for it. I already have a paid for one on my phone which I use when abroad and in the uk to move cars around the country with for a living.

Maybe there are different specs in UK vs Norway, but the seats AND suspension is far better in my 1.8 TSI 4x4 L&K compared to TSI RS and 1.4 TSI. (IMO)

I'm actually very impressed :clap:.

Maybe Skoda har learned after a couple of years. I dont have any of the known earlier problems in my 2016 Octavia.

But I'm not impressed of the tyre noise!

Funny about the views on the SE-L seats - are they any different to the seats on the L&K? The seats in my L&K are excellent I find.

They are the same, except for the leather.

 

SE-L is more comfortable car if you are just poodling around. If you want sporty ride, you should buy vrs obviously.

Getting lots of views,thanks. I had 2 L&K mk2's and found the seats comfortable but I kept having to shuffle due to the "submaring" effect people talk about with some seats.

Maybe there are different specs in UK vs Norway, but the seats AND suspension is far better in my 1.8 TSI 4x4 L&K compared to TSI RS and 1.4 TSI. (IMO)

I'm actually very impressed :clap:.

Maybe Skoda har learned after a couple of years. I dont have any of the known earlier problems in my 2016 Octavia.

But I'm not impressed of the tyre noise!

If I could have got a repeat, new, of my last Mk. 2  1.8 TSi, and at a similar price, I would have grabbed it. Much better ride, better equipment, mats included, more power than I personally could ever need, no excessive noise, no heaps of needless electronics. I think Skoda went backwards with the Mk. 3, both on spec and prices.