Hi, I posted in Hellos and Goobyes but with no replies whatsoever I thought I'd try posting here.

I don't have a Skoda myself at the moment but I'm seriously thinking about a MkIII Octavia VRS Estate that's for sale and Has totally turned my head! I drive a 2.0 TDI Audi A3 DSG at present (and have a Porsche 968 Coupe 'Classic') but a hatch doesn't suit my needs any more. I think the Octavia will be a great fit for what I need.

I Was thinking of going for a bigger Audi, either an A4 Avant, A6 Allroad or even an A7 but you just can't argue with the performance/price balance of the Skoda. BMWs just don't do it for me and the boot space in a 320 Touring is a joke! I'm not a big saloon/sedan shape fan. I Always loved coupes and then from seeing the Audi RS2 I was ruined.

I've watched a lot of video reviews and buyers guides to try and help make my mind up. I was nearly there, when a review I saw talked about the levels of wind noise being high, another about noises from the rear suspension. The former was just put down to Skodas having thinner glass and less soundproofing to deal with the noise (really?). The latter was put down to the MQB VAG platform. I'm also a bit concerned about the 18" Alloys and stiffer suspension being unsuited to badly potholed and cheapo "top-dressed" roads. What do people who drive VRS's think?

Are you after a family car?

Yes, I could use more space and the extra doors. I've had the 3-door A3 for 5 years or so but with my 12 Y.o. Son now living with me I want the extra space for bikes in the back, lifts for his friends, holiday trips etc. I've had a string of bigger cars before: 80 Avant V6, A6 Avant, Nissan Primera estate before this A3. Like I said, I was thinking of an A4 Avant but this particular Octavia vRS has totally turned my head! I nearly bought a Meteor Grey Octavia VRS a year or so ago, but mistake in the advert made me think it was a DSG and it wasn't , so I cancelled. Just a bit nervous of the adverse parts of the reviews I've watched. Of course there were loads of positive points (Autogehfel LOVED it)!

A vRS Octy3 wagon is a bit noisy, but the newer the better as far as we can tell.

OEM tyres can be a pain on UK road surfaces too, we've found that fitting Goodyear EfficientGrips to our Superb made a real difference.

 

As for Skoda material quality, our new Golf Wagon isn't much better either & it is"supposed" to be a more premium product.

 

One important point, we fitted an aftermarket rubber load protector tray into our Golf last week & that has reduced some of the noise from the rear of the car.

 

The next step is to scrub-out the Bridgestone Potenza's & fit quieter tyres! 

 

As for your question, use the dealer network & drive as many vRS wagons as you can. Our preference is always petrol & DSG but there are other options. 

If your budget flexible, the vRS 230 is good value, the LSD & much better spec. / equipment levels + the extra 10 ps & the lovely (!) 19" wheels might be of interest. FWIW, vRS 230 residuals are better than the standard vRS, & discounts are available.

 

HTH, DC

Thanks for the above advice. It's really a used private sale 220 vRS wagon that's really got my attention but I an also arranging a test drive this week at my local SMD, Carr's in Indian Queens, Cornwall. I'm sure they'll have the 230 there too. The rear compartment mat is a good thought, practical for preventing carpet damage too. There's no real issue with wind noise then?

Your best bet is to go to a Skoda garage & test drive a vRS as road noise & suspension stiffness are very subjective.

The octavia is significantly cheaper than the equivelant VW and Audi so you have to understand you might get the same platform but they have to save some money somewhere.

 

On the whole, I am very pleased with noise & refinement of the Octavia.

I've previously owned several STdi Mondeos & Focus & the Octavia is much better than any of these.

 

However, the road quality here is very good so even the standard OEM tyres are quiet & the stiffer suspension is not so intrusive.

Your best bet is to go to a Skoda garage & test drive a vRS as road noise & suspension stiffness are very subjective.

The octavia is significantly cheaper than the equivelant VW and Audi so you have to understand you might get the same platform but they have to save some money somewhere.

 

On the whole, I am very pleased with noise & refinement of the Octavia.

I've previously owned several STdi Mondeos & Focus & the Octavia is much better than any of these.

 

However, the road quality here is very good so even the standard OEM tyres are quiet & the stiffer suspension is not so intrusive.

I've driven my old vRS in Germany & it was much quieter on their roads.

 

We were staying in Lindau 2 years ago, (travelling in my current Superb) & found that all the roads around the Bodensee were quiet.

 

I've had 5 Mondeo estates, all petrol & none of them ST's, but the 3 V6 Ghia X,s were all quieter than any Octavia that I've driven.

Possibly 'cos they had extra sound-proofing at that specification level? 

 

The Octy3 vRS estate is a good car & probably the biggest & best for the money, especially if it's a clean & tidy used vehicle.

 

I hope that the O.P. enjoys their drives!

 

DC 

I should have said that the Octy is my first car is Switzerland.

My previous cars were all driven when I was in the UK which may explain the difference between Mondeo, Focus, Octy vecause of the different roads.

dobrý den

Had my Octy VRS TDI DSG estate for a month now & done 3500 miles, its got the 19" wheels too. After reading everything on here & being told by a few "you'll be sorry with the 19"'s on a VRS doing 30k miles pa" I really was quite concerned.... Well I can CATEGORICALLY say that its fine! If you want a Slumberland ride then buy something French....... Had quite a few passengers, many of them not 'car' people and I've asked each & every one of them if they thought its was rough & noisy and not one said it was!! Its a VRS so it aint going to be a blancmange and some of the crap road surfaces are a bit noisy - especially concrete, but its no different to my previous Seat Altea. All this BS about needing year plugs & a new spine is absolutely that - BS!!! Btw, I'm 48 so not a 'boy' & have actually had L5S1 disc removed from my spine!

The Octavia is noisy, its where the cost savings have been made, making it seem excellent value. It will be noisier than an Audi.

But really its up to you, get out on a decent test drive, different speeds and roads and make your own mind up.

Watch what price you pay, as they are heavily discounted new, so a used one needs to be cheap. Have a look on broad speed.com etc to see what prices you can get them for new.

The Octavia is noisy, its where the cost savings have been made, making it seem excellent value. It will be noisier than an Audi.

But really its up to you, get out on a decent test drive, different speeds and roads and make your own mind up.

Watch what price you pay, as they are heavily discounted new, so a used one needs to be cheap. Have a look on broad speed.com etc to see what prices you can get them for new.

Thanks Glosrich,

I've been offered an immediate test drive and I've taken some holiday this week so I should be able to take that on Wenesday. The SMD I'm going to is on the main trunk road down here and has a good variety of twisty, rougher stuff too. The salesman has said they've got a 4x4 VRS which sounds interesting. I gave my A3 the beans on a few local roads today and have to say that for a 10 y.o. FWD automatic car it still feels well sorted to me. Feels faster than my 968 too.

Still looking around at new & used deals, thanks for the advice.

I really like mine!

 

Yes, it is noisier on rougher road than I would like and there are a few annoying rattles, buzzes and booms (that I am slowly resolving!) that do demonstrate why it is cheaper than its VW and Audi stable-mates but overall it is:

1. Fun to drive!
2. Comfortable
3. Practical
4. Good value for money
5. decently equipped
6. Safe

I am hoping it will also prove mechanically reliable as well!

 

I do intend to soundproof the boot floor and swap the tyres out for some GoodYears in due course which should improve the overall refinement

The issue is tyre noise not wind noise, which can be enough to make hearing the back seat passengers harder (good if you have little children). The ride is okay on Cornish roads, it's much better than my wife's SEAT, but is worse than the Volvo and Saab I had prior to this.

Before getting the 230 I tried the diesel VRS (not the 4x4), it was not as composed on the road.  

Thanks Glosrich,

I've been offered an immediate test drive and I've taken some holiday this week so I should be able to take that on Wenesday. The SMD I'm going to is on the main trunk road down here and has a good variety of twisty, rougher stuff too. The salesman has said they've got a 4x4 VRS which sounds interesting. I gave my A3 the beans on a few local roads today and have to say that for a 10 y.o. FWD automatic car it still feels well sorted to me. Feels faster than my 968 too.

Still looking around at new & used deals, thanks for the advice.

Be warned that the 4x4 vRS is diesel only, no idea why unless VW don't want Skoda to offer a cheap alternative to the Golf R?

 

DC

I really like mine!

 

Yes, it is noisier on rougher road than I would like and there are a few annoying rattles, buzzes and booms (that I am slowly resolving!) that do demonstrate why it is cheaper than its VW and Audi stable-mates but overall it is:

1. Fun to drive!
2. Comfortable
3. Practical
4. Good value for money
5. decently equipped
6. Safe

I am hoping it will also prove mechanically reliable as well!

 

I do intend to soundproof the boot floor and swap the tyres out for some GoodYears in due course which should improve the overall refinement

I put a rubber boot floor protector in the back of our Golf R Estate last week, (to keep the carpet clean...) & it's reduced some of the noise, much to my surprise!

 

Assuming that a similar tailored protector is available for an Octy Estate it might help keep the noise down, especially if you have soundproofed the boot floor & spare-wheel well as well?

 

DC

I'm also a bit concerned about the 18" Alloys and stiffer suspension being unsuited to badly potholed and cheapo "top-dressed" roads. What do people who drive VRS's think?

 

If the ride of the vRS after the test drive is deemed a bit harsh take a look at the 184bhp DSG Scout.

 

The larger profile tyres and jacked up suspension make it a little more durable over bad roads.

As others have stated the road noise can be an issue on course tarmac and even varies depending on tyres fitted. Wheel size does not seem to be a factor though.

Wind noise is not a problem at normal British and Australian speeds (circa 70 mph/110kph)  but there have been complaints at 130kph and above from those driving on the continent.

I put a rubber boot floor protector in the back of our Golf R Estate last week, (to keep the carpet clean...) & it's reduced some of the noise, much to my surprise!

 

Assuming that a similar tailored protector is available for an Octy Estate it might help keep the noise down, especially if you have soundproofed the boot floor & spare-wheel well as well?

 

DC

 

Good to know! I do have the OEM Skoda reversible boot mat with rubber on one side and carpet on the other, but it is not all that thick.

 

Will see how I go after laying down some DynaMat next month and consider a thicker liner then.

 

Cheers!

I really like mine!

 

Yes, it is noisier on rougher road than I would like and there are a few annoying rattles, buzzes and booms (that I am slowly resolving!) that do demonstrate why it is cheaper than its VW and Audi stable-mates but overall it is

 

To add to my own post, the actual quality of the dash and the switch gear is very good IMO - it all feels very solid and nice to use compared to my previous Mazda 6, so it is odd that it then seems to rattle and buzz more inside!

 

I assume part of it is the vibration and harder ride caused by the suspension/tyre combo and the increase resonance of the Estate body...

Well I'm a little closer to getting the vRS I came onto Briskoda to ask about. Hopefully all will be paid for tomorrow and I'll pick I up from the private seller next week. Already looking at all the options for activating functions that may not already hav been done, plus a few deisrable mods e.g. Bonnet lifters and wheel spacers.

I've looked at the boot rubber liners on Superskoda, are they any different to the ones I would be able order through the Briskoda parts contact?

Just to update on the car. We'll happily she's now mine! I picked her up in Bristol on Tuesday from a car nut previous owner. The mileage was reading 15333 when I drove off. On inspection it turned out that the owner had already fitted the reversible cargo mat, so I hope that'll dampen the sound there a bit. I first heard of the car from David on 968uk.co.uk, he also has a 968 as his other car, an immaculate FSH Club Sport in Speed Yellow!

Anyway, I drove the car over to my dad's place in Keynsham and enjoyed threading through the light afternoon traffic with a very competent feeling car under me. I could definitely feel the benefit of the advanced power steering at work. Soon time to drive the 190 miles home to Cornwall and I topped up with BP Ultimate before getting on the M5. The journey gave time to use the Columbus infotainment unit, I really like it and enjoyed the chance for a few different radio stations en route, BBC 6 Music being my favourite. I waited for the more remote stretch of the A30 before exploring the speed of the car a bit more. I think I'll wait till I get over on the continent before I give her the full beans. I needed to collect my A3 from the station I'd left it at for the train journey to Bristol so I got my brother to meet me at St Erth. I gave him the key to the vRS as I wanted to follow him. We rarely get to see our cars out on the road so this was an ideal chance for that. Well it looks composed enough and stands out nicely from all the 4x4s and hatchbacks. I was surprised to see a bit of obvious body roll on some bends so perhaps some uprated suspension may be needed.

I've used the car for commuting and school drop offs and had a bit of a run out with my son after work but haven't had much time to go anywhere else yet. I've loaded up the Jukebox HDD with all my music so entertainment is sorted!

I booked the car in for a paint protection valet at Crystal Valet & Detail in Helston. Mike is deep cleaning, removing all dirt and product already on and applying a Koch Chemie final product that apparently seals and protects for about 6months. It's costing £80 and has been in for a day. He was pretty dismissive of the effect and longevity of dealer-applied Lifeshine in comparison. I'm picking the car up this afternoon and will take pictures somewhere suitable later.

One thing niggling me is that the cargo cover keeps rolling back after I've closed the boot. I need to master the knack of that as obviously if it's open it allows more noise into the cabin.

I'm loving the car so far and really pleased with my choice. When I confirm the time off work I'm going to be booking for the Briskoda Festival and GTI International