I've now had my vRS for a week, so for the benefit of anyone who reads these forums and is looking for a similar car, here's my opinions so far.

The basics: it's a 53 plate vRS Combi (estate), standard factory spec as far as I know. It had just under 35k miles on it when I collected it last week.

Overall, I'm really enjoying the car. I'm actually quite fond of the looks, the vRS bodykit is nice, but still quite subtle. The engine note is very satisfying under load, but nice and quiet when at idle. The engine itself is a powerful and flexible unit, with excellent responsiveness in just about any gear. The gearshift is rewarding, with a short shift and good change, though it took me a while to figure out that 3rd is slightly further over to the right than you might expect.

I'm not a full-on ten-tenths driver, but do have a heavy right foot on occasion, and the car delivers all the power I need: great torque but with minimal turbo-lag. The ASR and EDL systems combine to keep everything on track, and I've yet to see it lose composure on a wet country road that I use every day to commute. It's very easy to forget that you're driving an estate car.

The interior is a great place to be, comfortable, and nicely put together. I love the part-leather vRS seats which are solid and supportive. The combi's boot is perfect for my needs (young son, lots of kit !) and the passenger seats are more than adequate.

The climate control system functions well, but the only complaint I have is the daft location of the Climatronic buttons. Tucked down low behind the gearstick, they are awkward to reach whilst driving.

I owned a modified BMW before, and although it was slightly faster in a straight line, the vRS has sufficiently good handling that it would easily keep up on the twisties. Added to that, the BMW (a 1997 model) was getting old and tired, and the Skoda feels much more modern and solid throughout.

Although I have modified my previous cars, I've almost convinced myself that I'm going to leave this one alone...even in standard form, it's lots of fun and very practical at the same time.

If you want a more professional review of this car, please click the link in my signature.

Si

You say your happy with the car as it is and your not going to modify it !?

i said the same.... it doesnt last, being a Briskoda member was your first stumbling block, it is impossible to be on here and not touch your car... saying that i have resisted a remap in the 2 years i've it.

awesome all round car though that as the adverts say combines practicality with performance.

welcome to the site and i hope like me your still enjoying the car in a few years time, i guarantee it wont be standard when that time comes.

LOL I'd be telling untruths if I said a Forge TIP and remap weren't tempting....

lol have either of you two been out in a remapped octy... i'll assume you have not thats why you havn't or have no asspiration to do it lol

you wait until you do you wont be able to get it booked in quick enough

i went out in pimpsters like you guys not really seeing the point as i was very happy with standard performance, drove it down the road and back then rang jabba the next day and booked mine in, in turn boyce took mine out after i had it remapped and he then booked his in the next day lol ....you just cannot belive how much of diffrent car it is !

Joel

Ive done the same, monday i sold my 93 E36 325 Coupe and bought the vRS well happy so far, just want to give it a good clean!!! but with the rain theres no point

I think the vRS is quicker all round personally, much better than the BMW, esp in the corners, but maybe its lacking a little of low end grunt, but when the turbo cuts in, there is no probs, a few times ive pulled onto a roundabout in a higher gear and not moved!!! normally the BMW would pull ya through.... still, cannot fault it, well, maybe the foot rest next to the clutch pedal is a bit high

lol have either of you two been out in a remapped octy... i'll assume you have not thats why you havn't or have no asspiration to do it lol

you wait until you do you wont be able to get it booked in quick enough

i went out in pimpsters like you guys not really seeing the point as i was very happy with standard performance' date=' drove it down the road and back then rang jabba the next day and booked mine in, in turn boyce took mine out after i had it remapped and he then booked his in the next day lol ....you just cannot belive how much of diffrent car it is !

Joel[/quote']

I'd agree. I thought my vRS was fast until I got it remapped. Then FECK ME :eek: :eek: And I've only 231 bhp :( :(

I had my car about 2 weeks before having it re-mapped.

Turbo lag disappears almost completely and the torque curve is the shape of Table Mountain. According to a mate who had a ride,

"There's an initial surge of boost and then it just keeps on accelerating. It feels totally linear"

It moves it up a division in the performance league. Worth every penny!

what remap did you go for?? and did you do anything else, or just that? are you worried about it breaking down cos of the remap?

I have to admit that something reversible like the Revo or AmD's One-Click sounds like a good idea.

Have used Superchip's "BlueFin" before and it was simple to map and "un-map", and the device evens acts as an immobiliser (ECU lobotomy I think!)

Si

Apparently the superchip 1.8T remap is apauling.

Go for the revo

Other than that you're a lucky ferker - That is a very nice car you've bagged yourself.

Apparently the superchip 1.8T remap is apauling.

:eek:

would not got that far, both vrs that i have bought had superchip remaps... and did not find it to be that bad!

chris

Mine was from APR, from Awesome, who have a good reputation and are local to me.

:eek:

would not got that far' date=' both vrs that i have bought had superchip remaps... and did not find it to be that bad!

chris[/quote']

Appauling is maybe a tad hard..from a superchip there is a diffrence to be felt...but when you go from superchip to a proper remap done on a rolling road etc there is a diffrence again...your smile gets that bit wider

Joel

Slightly unfair comparison though - any custom remap done with a RR session is bound to be better than a one-size-fits-all from companies like Superchips.

No praise for the AmD One-Click so far then ?

S

I dont think anyone here has a one-click on the 1.8T.

Having said that I would have bought one rather than a jabba map if it was available when I was looking (AMD were practically next door)

Thanks Goochie - they're not that far from me either. Let's see how long I can resist

One final question about remap suppliers - anyone tried a DMS Automotive product ? I know they have a good reputation with high-end turboweasels, Porsches etc...

Si