Hi all, considering a vRS manual estate as my next family wagon, preferably on 18" wheels, but have a few questions.

 

1. Am I right in thinking it has the gen 3 EA888 and therefore doesn't have the timing chain issues of earlier generations of this engine?

2. Are there any known faults for this version of the vRS?

3. Were front parking sensors ever standard or just an option?

4. What other options are worth seeking out in your opinion?

5. Do all variants have Android Auto or Bluetooth audio so I can stream from my phone and use the steering wheel controls to change tracks etc? 

 

I think that's it for now. Thanks in advance for your help. 

 

Phil  

27 minutes ago, phil7 said:

Hi all, considering a vRS manual estate as my next family wagon, preferably on 18" wheels, but have a few questions.

 

1. Am I right in thinking it has the gen 3 EA888 and therefore doesn't have the timing chain issues of earlier generations of this engine?

YES

2. Are there any known faults for this version of the vRS? 

NOTHING TOO SERIOUS. WATERPUMP OCCASIONALLY FAIL.

3. Were front parking sensors ever standard or just an option?

OPTION. NOT WORTH THE EXTRA CASH, I NEVER USED MINE

4. What other options are worth seeking out in your opinion?

FOLDING, AUTODIMMING DOOR MIRRORS, CANTON IF YOU'RE BUYING SECONDHAND, HEATED FRONT SCREEN, YOU CAN GET AUTO MAINBEAM/DIP DONE ON VCDS, COLUMBUS NEWER VERSION, ACC, DCC 

5. Do all variants have Android Auto or Bluetooth audio so I can stream from my phone and use the steering wheel controls to change tracks etc? 

NEWER ONES WILL HAVE CARPLAY AND LATEST SHOULD HAVE ANDROID, THEY ALL HAVE BLUETOOTH

 

Manual with stage 1 map is very  good  fun & value for money 

 

27 minutes ago, phil7 said:

I think that's it for now. Thanks in advance for your help. 

 

Phil  

 

1. Yes

2. Water pump / thermostat housing leaks can be relatively common. There are plenty of 'old car niggles' as they get on in age but generally they wear miles well. "Error Workshop leave car only with selector in P" on DSG, these days can be fixed by a microswitch addition to the selector. 

3. They were standard on 2017 spec 245s, 245 Challenge and I think the prefacelift 230. Otherwise, option only. 

4. Depends what you want from the car. I was more than happy with the standard spec of my 2017 245.

5. Bluetooth yes I believe, Android Auto only came as standard from 2017 but some 2016 cars can be enabled for a fee. 

Thanks both, a stage 1 map had definitely crossed my mind. 

 

How much is a water pump change? Once had a 3 series and the part alone was £350 minimum, £800 from the dealer. 

Had mine done under warranty, but believe it's pretty similar to what you've just quoted on the BMW (£700 to 800 all in I've seen quoted).

 

It wasn't the pump though, it was the thermostat housing that had developed a leak (super common on these Tsi on all VAG models - why they haven't managed a revised part yet is beyond me)

£700-£800 all in! Ouch. 

 

Oh well, seems every car has its weakness. 

 

Another thought, my wife really likes front parking sensors. I do too if I'm honest as we live on a narrow lane that makes turning in and out of the driveway a pain.

 

Is it possible to retrospectively fit front parking sensors and have them coded into the display? 

Park assist is great for getting in and out of tight spaces.

 

It really should be standard nowadays. 

Just wanted to underline that my front sensors proven to be quite useful. Not only for taking care of my own car in the tight spaces, but also learned where the limits are for our other Octavia which has only the ones in the back.