Our local dealer has offered a 24-hour test drive in an auto Octy 2, but they only have the 150 BHP petrol version. We must have an auto, but we're going for the 2.0 TDi + DSG and the L&K with leather electric seats. So, to make sure the test drive is representative can anyone confirm that:

a) The pedal setup is the same on both petrol and diesel autos (can't see why it shouldn't be, but you never know), and - rather more important):

Will the non-electric seats have the same relationship to the pedals as the electric ones on the L&K? The dealer says they're the same, but I need to be sure; it's critical if my wife is going to be able to drive the car for any distance - the relationship between the seats and the throttle pedal on our Mk. 1 just doesn't agree with her.

I have read that with other cars (e.g. the Mondeo) the electric motors under the seat are so bulky that they actually reduce the range of adjustment downwards. On the other hand, I believe that the electric seats allow you to raise and lower the front and back of the seat cushion individually, which would be a boon.

Any advice gratefully received.

The Tiptronic isn't comparable to the DSG. The DSG has smoother, quicker changes with very little power loss as far as i'm aware. DSG is best suited to a diesel or a petrol with plenty of torque. I imagine the experience would differ substantially.

No, I'm fully aware the two autos are quite different in their characteristics - what I wanted to know was whether the physical pedal layout was the same. In other words, if my wife has no problems with the pedals on the tiptronic, will she be OK with the DSG?

From having a standard elegance on loan with the 2.0TDi manual and now having my L&K DSG I am certain that the electric seat actually offers more adjustment than the manual seat.

Hope that helps. I live in Salisbury but work out of Little Chalfont, Bucks. If your ever in the area and want to meet up more than happy to let you and your wife have an go in my L&K....

Hey there John,

The physical pedal layout are exactly the same in both the petrol and diesel versions of the automatic. not to worry on that.

congrats on ur new purchase!

From having a standard elegance on loan with the 2.0TDi manual and now having my L&K DSG I am certain that the electric seat actually offers more adjustment than the manual seat.

Hope that helps. I live in Salisbury but work out of Little Chalfont' date=' Bucks. If your ever in the area and want to meet up more than happy to let you and your wife have an go in my L&K....[/quote']

Thanks, golfturbo - I'll brood on it, but if the test drive goes OK I think we'll take the plunge.

Hey there John' date='

The physical pedal layout are exactly the same in both the petrol and diesel versions of the automatic. not to worry on that.

congrats on ur new purchase![/quote']

You can congratulate me when I buy it! There's some legacy money coming through, and I can't commit until I'm sure we have the dosh. Also, 12 weeks build-time means it'll be March at the earliest before we can take possession unless there's just the right-specced car already in the system.

I'm starting another thread on that...

No, I'm fully aware the two autos are quite different in their characteristics - what I wanted to know was whether the physical pedal layout[/b'] was the same. In other words, if my wife has no problems with the pedals on the tiptronic, will she be OK with the DSG?

Apologies John although test driving a petrol tiptronic will be a waste of time if you are thinking of the diesel DSG.

The range of adjustment on the electric seat should be as good as the manual seat although I doubt if it's any better. You can certainly make more adjustments with the electric seat but I think the up/down and forward/backward range will be the same as the manual seat.

Thanks, Johnnyc - to be precise (as the Thomson/Thompson twins used to say in Tintin) we're looking at two separate things - how is the auto to drive as an auto (and I'm already happy with that - our other car is a Smart about which my wife is delirious, so the DSG can only be an improvement (she's not reading this)) - and can she cope with the physical relationship between seat and pedals, which is not trivial if you have back problems?

A few years ago I had a BMW 7 series with the most wonderfully comfortable leather upholstery. And after 3 hours driving I developed, for the first time in my life, excruciating lower back pain. My theory is that the seats were just too comfortable - you relaxed into them, didn't move until the end of the journey, and then found that 3 hours of total inactivity was a bad idea....

An argument for uncomfortable seats? I don't think so, but on the whole firm seats are quite a good idea though you really must try them out over an extended drive to be sure. As it happens, the Smart seats are far and away the best either of us have ever encountered - and they're made out of cast iron!

So, roll on the 24-hour test drive. I wonder how far we can go?

I've found the Octy seats pretty good so far although I know what you mean about seats being too comfortable and subsequently not offering good support. Coincidentally I used to be a keen Yachtsman (for my sins) and our skipper had a 7 series. It was great to sit in but it took a good 1/2 hour of running about the boat to ease my back up after a long journey in his motor. I had forgotten about that.

The DSG pedal layout would be the same as the normal hydraulic auto version.

I have a 2.0 diesel Estate hooked up to a DSG box and would certainly recommend the DSG over the hydraulic.

The DSG shift pattern is good a little bit harsh for the first few miles, but gets smoother as the first few hundred miles are put on and now the shift is hardly felt at all.

The Skoda dealers can lay their hands on petrol versions plus manual and autos, but the diesels and DSGs are in in short supply hence their desire to put you in to the readily available versions. I am glad I waited for the ten week build and got the car I wanted and not what the dealer wanted to shift. Mind you it depends on the deal on offer, a good saving pays for a great deal of petrol.