Octavia VRS advice!

[bondylad007]

Hi new member here! I am after a 2013 - 2015 Octavia VRS. Defiantly goin for petrol as modern diesels are suffering from problems which I have experienced! I do prefer manuals but does automatic suit the car better? Went to Skoda other day and think they look brilliant in the metal! Unfortunately they only had high millage available. Still considering a focus ST but seem to prefer the looks of the VRS and with a young baby feel the VRS would be more suitable. Im just wondering if there are any differences in the years between 13 and 15. I know the 15 have introduced the flat bottomed steering wheel. Are there any other differences? Also any specifications which are a must? Like black pack? Im torn between dark grey and black. Any advice would be appreciated 

[ahenners]

I have an 18 month old now and the large boot in the Octavia has been invaluable with all the baby paraphernalia that needs carting around. Getting better now he's able to walk and getting bigger, but still not sure I'd have managed with a smaller boot!

 

Mine is DSG and I actually prefer it to the manual. I don't miss the involvement, and being able to let the gears sort themselves during commute traffic is much better than having a leg workout!

 

There are plenty of decent options worth looking out for, but only you can decide whether having them or not would be a dealbreaker: Leather seats, Navigation (Amundsen or Columbus), Canton Sound System, Winter pack (heated seats, windscreen and washer nozzles), Cruise control (wasn't standard on early models), Adaptive Cruise, Front Assist, Park Assist (also includes front sensors), KESSY (keyless entry and start), Front Assist, Crew protection pack, Spare Wheel and many more. Black pack can be retrofitted, but saves the faff if you want it and find one with it already.

 

I also considered a Focus ST, but couldn't get on with the interior and infotainment system. Felt like there was more subjectively cheap plastic around the dash and wasn't keen on the tiny screen and plethora of buttons. Certainly not a patch on the Octavia dash and the Columbus Nav system. The cabin also felt more cramped too, both in the front and the rear. The recaro front seats are massive and do reduce leg room in the cabin. That said, it goes well, and does sound better than the Octavia which is pretty quiet.

[themanwithnoaim]

IIRD sat nav is standard on the 15 plate onwards

[bondylad007]

cheers for the reply! yeah the size of the vrs is a big plus! There is not many manuals out there. With the spec i want may have to go dsg. The sound system and winter pack would be nice. Yeah the focus st would have a little more power but im guessing the ride would be alot better on the vrs! I do believe the 15 st has updated it's cabin but may be pushing the limit on price! The hunt goes on for a VRS  Oh and i would consider a race blue (probs best colour) but having a blue fiesta st would maybe like a change! 

Edited 17 June, 2017 by bondylad007

[finnster01]

21 minutes ago, bondylad007 said:

  Oh and i would consider a race blue (probs best colour) but having a blue fiesta st would maybe like a change! 

Go for Meteor Grey - if Carlsberg did Paint Colours..................... 

Edited 17 June, 2017 by finnster01

[bondylad007]

nope sorry I think carling made that colour  no but honestly sometimes I like it sometimes I don't 

[pist0nbr0ke]

5 minutes ago, bondylad007 said:

nope sorry I think carling made that colour  no but honestly sometimes I like it sometimes I don't 

 

Wronngggggg. 

 

It was Marmite made it.

 

And I have it.

 

And I wasn't sure about it when I ordered it either - love it now, but black pack is a must with it. Actually, the black pack is a must with any colour tbh.

 

 

[bondylad007]

yeah may be an option! Would like to see one in the metal, may change my mind. Seems to look like a different colour in real life then on pictures! not sure about black pack on black?

[ahenners]

3 hours ago, bondylad007 said:

cheers for the reply! yeah the size of the vrs is a big plus! There is not many manuals out there. With the spec i want may have to go dsg. The sound system and winter pack would be nice. Yeah the focus st would have a little more power but im guessing the ride would be alot better on the vrs! I do believe the 15 st has updated it's cabin but may be pushing the limit on price! The hunt goes on for a VRS  Oh and i would consider a race blue (probs best colour) but having a blue fiesta st would maybe like a change! 

 

I'm helping my brother find a 15 plate onwards facelift Focus ST at the minute. He's put a deposit on one just over 15k (ST2) but nowhere near as well specced as a VRS. The updated cabin isn't that much better than the Pre-facelift imo, just removes some of the buttons. The SYNC touchscreen system also looks basic and dated.

[Redboy]

This is the best colour...IMH-non-biased Opinion :-) The winter pack and folding/dimming mirrors are good options

[dunc69]

@bondylad007

I have just bought a '14 vRS petrol DSG. 

 

I was lucky to find Columbus & Pano roof too. You may have to compromise on something to get the right car (colour, options etc) but if you are patient, you will find the right car. 

 

Also, be prepared to travel. A long round trip (mine was an 8-hour day) is well worth it for the right car!

 

Happy hunting!

 

Cheers,

Dunc 

 

 

[dunc69]

Forgot to say, mine is a July '14 and has the flat-bottomed wheel. 

 

Also, can highly recommend the DSG with the petrol (mine's a 220).

 

Second time for me with this combo. Love it. The engine & 'box seem made for each other & the MkIII works really well with Stop / Start too. 

Edited 17 June, 2017 by dunc69

[bondylad007]

Focus st are very nice but seem to be alot about like the fiestas. VRS seems the way to go for me! The black pack, winter pack are a must, alot seem to have them anyway! Sat nav and sound system would be nice but not a must. I like the green! Again don't normally like white but looks good on the Octavia and stands out well! I think all the colours suit the car in a different way which is quite rare! 

[courty]

4 hours ago, themanwithnoaim said:

IIRD sat nav is standard on the 15 plate onwards

 

Must be '16 plate onwards, as we bought our 65 plate new and the dealer said it was an optional extra at the time, we got it for free along with other bits thankfully... a few months later they were added as standard spec.  

[bondylad007]

cheers thats interesting, is the wheel just an extra on13 to 14 models then? that dash looks pretty dam good  whats the difference between the sat navs?

Edited 17 June, 2017 by bondylad007

[courty]

1 minute ago, courty said:

 

Must be '16 plate onwards, as we bought our 65 plate new and the dealer said it was an optional extra at the time, we got it for free along with other bits thankfully... a few months later they were added as standard spec.  

Actually, having just read this http://www.parkers.co.uk/company-cars/2015/skoda-octavia-vrs-gains-4x4-option-and-sat-nav-as-standard/

 

it it seems that at the time we ordered July 15 and collected October 15 it wasn't standard. Orders after Nov 15 got it as standard equipment though, so late late 65s or the first batch of 16's

[dunc69]

6 minutes ago, bondylad007 said:

Focus st are very nice but seem to be alot about like the fiestas. VRS seems the way to go for me! The black pack, winter pack are a must, alot seem to have them anyway! Sat nav and sound system would be nice but not a must. I like the green! Again don't normally like white but looks good on the Octavia and stands out well! I think all the colours suit the car in a different way which is quite rare! 

Agreed regarding the white. That was my compromise, but I actually love it now.

 

Think the Candy White works really well with the Black Pack (gloss black grill, mirrors & roof bars on the estate), dark roof & the darker standard alloys. 

 

Here's the wheel:

[bondylad007]

Defiantly taking my time patience is needed. You have done well to find a wheel on a 14 plate (if you was looking). The wheel isn't a big issue and not going to change my decision on a car. Yes defiantly goin for the standard 18 inch alloys, look better I think. The interior does look very premium  not to fussy on colour but finding a manual petrol with the correct spec and price may take time ... dsg it may have to be!

Edited 17 June, 2017 by bondylad007