Hi everyone, I'm about to pull the trigger on pxing my (loved but uncomfortable) Rapid 'Sport' in for a 19 plate Octavia diesel. Does anyone have any experience of a similar car and any pitfalls etc I should keep an eye out for?

 

I feel like I've gotten a right deal, along with the 0% finance currently on offer, I just want to make sure I'm not walking into a storm!

 

Appreciate any advice etc

 

My immediate plans are fitting wind deflectors and getting  the rear windows tinted, as I liked the look of that on my Rapid, but I've not done that before so again, any advice of which to buy and who from etc, will be gratefully received.

This model has torsion beam rear suspension so you wont be driving much comfortable.

The issue with the Rapid is head and leg room. I'm 6'6" so the seat is in its lowest position and my left knee is always poking out, it's been causing me hip pain so that's why I've gone for a dsg.

 

What's the deal with the rear suspension then? I didn't expect huge levels of poise and balance in a none VRS car, but are you saying it's too stiff? 

hi Hightower

 

ive just bought a 2019 se tech estate two weeks ago and couldn't be happier. Ive tinted the widows limousine black from the b pillar back which looks really cool, some sound advice from members on this forum helped me upgrade the sat nav maps. as for the ride ive moved from a Tiguan so it does feel a  little stiff but more than comfortable especially on 16 inch rims. im considering moving to 17 inch rims just because they look better but very very happy so far.

 

The legroom front and rear is exceptional and the boot space is unbelievable . Its been a good move for me 

Hi Splodgie,

 

I was looking for an estate but couldn't stretch the budget, maybe next time! 

 

I wish I could've swapped the wheels from my Rapid as they're a lot nicer than the ones I will be getting (SE trim) but it's a small price to pay. Most of my energy will be spent ignoring the headlights, which I've never liked, but the black magic paint does a good job of hiding them

 

So far I've had 3 decent test drives and I think it's gonna sort me right out. The lumbar support should help on long journeys too. 

 

I don't know how different the suspension is in the Rapid, but it never felt uncomfortable so I'd be very surprised if a higher spec and newer car was worse.....

 

The missus had her eye on a Tiguan or similar, but I really don't see where the benefit is versus an Octavia...that being said I would have loved a Karoq but again..budget!

 

 

UPDATE

 

I got the car on Tuesday and I am entirely pleased with it, the gearbox and engine combination is crazy;!I've done about 200 miles, with liberal use of the Sport button (50 to 100 taken car of in what felt like 3 seconds when joining a motorway), and the mpg is still at 65+. 

 

I'll be honest, before I got it I was searching for diesel tuners, and had my eye on those guys in Barnsley, but it now feels like a total waste of time. Fortunately that cash can go into more positive cosmetic changes....

 

My job for today will is fitting front and back wind deflectors

Hi HightowerDL

 

Pleased you're pleased!  I've tried the sport button a couple of times and was thinking "so what"  until I  tried it on ride up the dales and frightened myself!

 

if you don't care about getting a remap consider getting a tuning box as it can be removed and transferred /recoded to another car . There is  a company local to me who have supplied two to my son and he's used them on four cars now he swears by the improvements on MPG and lift off and the support he gets from them. If you are interested PM me and i'll send on the details.

 

have fun

 

ray

 

 

On 26/06/2020 at 21:05, HightowerDL said:

The issue with the Rapid is head and leg room. I'm 6'6" so the seat is in its lowest position and my left knee is always poking out, it's been causing me hip pain so that's why I've gone for a dsg.

 

What's the deal with the rear suspension then? I didn't expect huge levels of poise and balance in a none VRS car, but are you saying it's too stiff? 

Not stiff but it crashes and bangs over bumps more than independant suspension. On smooth roads you cannot feel the difference.

4 hours ago, HightowerDL said:

UPDATE

 

I got the car on Tuesday and I am entirely pleased with it, the gearbox and engine combination is crazy;!I've done about 200 miles, with liberal use of the Sport button (50 to 100 taken car of in what felt like 3 seconds when joining a motorway), and the mpg is still at 65+. 

 

I'll be honest, before I got it I was searching for diesel tuners, and had my eye on those guys in Barnsley, but it now feels like a total waste of time. Fortunately that cash can go into more positive cosmetic changes....

 

My job for today will is fitting front and back wind deflectors

Glad you're enjoying your new purchase. I was really chuffed when i got mine, its great. The 2.0 is quite a punchy engine when you want it to be (pull back on the lever to drop to S if you didnt know that?) or just sit back and lounge around it. Stick it in eco mode and it coasts when off the gas to conserve even more fuel. 

Ey up Paulski,

 

I have my profile in the car set up on eco mode so I have noticed the coasting, which I think is a nice touch.

 

When I want to have a bit of fun I've found myself using the tiptronic for the shove, and then flicking it back into auto when I'm slowing.

 

Ray, thanks for the offer, I'll keep it in mind 👍

 

I fit the wind deflectors in no time. I noticed increased wind noise straight away once I reached 40, but I'm putting that down to it being the first day, I hope the seals mould around them properly and ease the wind noise. I'll find out in the next few days when I take a trip to Northumberland.