Looking at either a ex demo Kodiaq VRS or new or nearly new Kodiaq 190bhp Sportline - is there much difference in real world driving ?

 

Is adjustable suspension an option / included with the Sportline ?

 

Cheers

I had a 190hp standard Kodiaq and moved to the RS. Really depends if you just want the looks or not, but the extra turbo and progressive steering make a big difference in my experience.

When you say real world driving, do you mean taking shortcuts down suburban streets littered with speed bumps, or are you one of the fortunate that has decent open roads where you live ?

 

If it is former, then it depends on if you are after looks for posing (but if you want to pose like you are in Monte Carlo, a Kodiaq is probably not the car to choose)

 

If it is latter, then unless you change the tyres to something more suited to all year use in UK, you aren't going to be able to drive it anywhere near the limit in winter (unless you are happy to slide into a ditch/hedge), so won't notice the difference.

 

 

I'd hope that someone that only pottles around town wouldn't bother ask a question like that and just get the 1.5 TSI...lets you get more options without getting taxed more.

DCC does a great job on speed bumps.

Speed bumps are actually placed to slow vehicles or to have the driver slow down.

Maybe those with DCC that needs new dampers are the kind that drive hard at speed bumps because the suspension seems to soak them up.

So, DCC comfort mode works only when dampers are already finished?

They must have sold me the car with faulty dampers then.

 

And I am not talking about the speeds. Just at the same speed the bump crossing is way softer.

Edited 17 December, 20205 yr by linni

That's the whole point of having DCC. Can use comfort for dirt roads and rough urban ones, or long motorways, and the others for quicker normal stuff.
The extra grunt over the other diesel for passing cars and going up hills, and as Zac said, progressive steering are worth it for me.

I guess comparatively, economy as well, the diesel gets 430 miles out of a tank which the max HP petrol probably doesn't.

Much as we may have wanted the biggest boot badge, the reality for some of us is simply that the VRS just priced itself out of contention for day to day use in the ever more restrictive UK roads.

 

VFM was a non starter.

2 hours ago, BoxerBoy said:

Much as we may have wanted the biggest boot badge, the reality for some of us is simply that the VRS just priced itself out of contention for day to day use in the ever more restrictive UK roads.

 

VFM was a non starter.

Yep, fair enough. Its not like that over here for Skoda. Only 3000 pounds difference between Sportline and VRS, and a fully loaded VRS is about 36000 pounds so....

Same deal for us with VW pricing though. My 7.5 Golf R was 39000 pounds equivalent and now the new series 8 is looking to cost that over there and everyone is going nuts about the price. So when it gets here if consistent pricing with the old,  a Golf R could be RS3 money!

12 hours ago, SurreyJohn said:

When you say real world driving, do you mean taking shortcuts down suburban streets littered with speed bumps, or are you one of the fortunate that has decent open roads where you live ?

 

If it is former, then it depends on if you are after looks for posing (but if you want to pose like you are in Monte Carlo, a Kodiaq is probably not the car to choose)

 

If it is latter, then unless you change the tyres to something more suited to all year use in UK, you aren't going to be able to drive it anywhere near the limit in winter (unless you are happy to slide into a ditch/hedge), so won't notice the difference.

 

 

 

12 hours ago, ZacDaMan72 said:

I'd hope that someone that only pottles around town wouldn't bother ask a question like that and just get the 1.5 TSI...lets you get more options without getting taxed more.

We on the outskirts of Aberdeen so a mix of relatively free flowing town driving but on poor potholed roads during the week (we have a Octavia VRS on bone shaking 19” wheels at the moment) and then fairly good condition, wide and reasonably quiet county roads at the weekend. We need it to be decent BHP as it will often be fully loaded with tents, bikes and kids etc ! 150 bhp would be underpowered.

 

with regard external looks I think it needs a Skoda fan to point out the difference between them - I don’t see them as being significantly better or worse than each other ?

1 hour ago, mtb650 said:

 

We on the outskirts of Aberdeen so a mix of relatively free flowing town driving but on poor potholed roads during the week (we have a Octavia VRS on bone shaking 19” wheels at the moment) and then fairly good condition, wide and reasonably quiet county roads at the weekend. We need it to be decent BHP as it will often be fully loaded with tents, bikes and kids etc ! 150 bhp would be underpowered.

 

with regard external looks I think it needs a Skoda fan to point out the difference between them - I don’t see them as being significantly better or worse than each other ?

If it helps my Golf R on 19s in all its DCC modes was still firmer comparatively to the VRS Kodiaq with the 20inch wheels and their taller sidewalls. The Kodiaqs sport mode does let you feel big bumps more but pretty much kills body roll unless you go stupid speeds round 90 degree corners. I don't think the 19s on the Sportline would be any better/worse as a consideration either.  So if you lasted and persevered with the Octavia on 19s, these two aren't going to be any worse. A big nasty pot hole is going to kill most 18,19,20s if has a decent back edge so really luck of the draw. I live in a semi rural area in NZ too a bit like you perhaps, and use mine daily on standard chip, dirt roads and in winter going up and down ski fields on dirt and snow with the Pirelli Scorpions and they have worked just fine so far. 

I think the difference is in the power delivery and open road driving between Sportline and VRs so take a test drive maybe. If cost is no difference, I reckon I know which one you will go for ;-)

Edited 18 December, 20205 yr by snala

2 hours ago, mtb650 said:

We on the outskirts of Aberdeen so a mix of relatively free flowing town driving but on poor potholed roads during the week (we have a Octavia VRS on bone shaking 19” wheels at the moment) and then fairly good condition, wide and reasonably quiet county roads at the weekend. We need it to be decent BHP as it will often be fully loaded with tents, bikes and kids etc ! 150 bhp would be underpowered.

The RS would be my pick then. I upgraded to the RS from my 190hp as I needed more power for road trips. Around town not a massive difference, but it’s noticeably more effortless getting up to speed. People here will go on about how they tow a campervan etc with a 1.5 150hp and I just could never...too slow!

So for the real world around Aberdeenshire or anyplace in Scotland or the UK decent all weather (All season) tyres on 18" rims makes sense, and in the real world a fully loaded family SUV with 150ps does hack it on 60 mph NSL's and 70 mph dual carriageways. 

More can be nice though.

 

Aberdeenshire : from the mountains to the sea!

and where delivery vans get everywhere as quick as anyone else even fully loaded with front or rear wheel drive and a diesel engine.

Edited 18 December, 20205 yr by e-Roottoot

2 hours ago, e-Roottoot said:

in the real world a fully loaded family SUV with 150ps does hack it on 60 mph NSL's and 70 mph dual carriageways. 

More can be nice though.

And the OP has an Octavia RS when they could've just bought a 1.0? So it's easy to assume that they prefer a car with more than 'ample' power.

1 hour ago, ZacDaMan72 said:

And the OP has an Octavia RS when they could've just bought a 1.0? So it's easy to assume that they prefer a car with more than 'ample' power.

Correct - haven driven our Octavia vRS a couple of times down to the channel tunnel and through into the Netherlands and Belgium with boot fully loaded and four bikes on the roof I know that I wouldn’t want to dip below the Octys current 190bhp especially for a heavier Kodiak. I’m sure that a 150bhp would do the job but will it be pleasant thrashing the f””k out of it ?!

1 minute ago, mtb650 said:

Correct - haven driven our Octavia vRS a couple of times down to the channel tunnel and through into the Netherlands and Belgium with boot fully loaded and four bikes on the roof I know that I wouldn’t want to dip below the Octys current 190bhp especially for a heavier Kodiak. I’m sure that a 150bhp would do the job but will it be pleasant thrashing the f””k out of it ?!

A joy only maybe three people in the Kodiaq forum understand.

3 hours ago, e-Roottoot said:

So for the real world around Aberdeenshire or anyplace in Scotland or the UK decent all weather (All season) tyres on 18" rims makes sense, and in the real world a fully loaded family SUV with 150ps does hack it on 60 mph NSL's and 70 mph dual carriageways. 

More can be nice though.

 

Aberdeenshire : from the mountains to the sea!

and where delivery vans get everywhere as quick as anyone else even fully loaded with front or rear wheel drive and a diesel engine.

The vans usually have a decent engine though so they can actually move when loaded. I’ve managed to get to Glenshee for the past 20+ years in a variety of FWD cars.

2 minutes ago, ZacDaMan72 said:

A joy only maybe three people in the Kodiaq forum understand.

😂👍

Best idea really is get Skoda /John Clark Aberdeen to give you an extended 2 day test of a 190 ps and a 239 and see how they roll.

There are 2 3 year old 190's sitting in Aberdeen that they should be pleased to lend if there is a chance of a customer buying an Ex demo car and especially a vRS.

Edited 18 December, 20205 yr by e-Roottoot

24 minutes ago, e-Roottoot said:

Best idea really is get Skoda /John Clark Aberdeen to give you an extended 2 day test of a 190 ps and a 239 and see how they roll.

There are 2 3 year old 190's sitting in Aberdeen that they should be pleased to lend if there is a chance of a customer buying an Ex demo car and especially a vRS.

👍

Morrison Motors Turriff have a very nice 4 year old Audi Q7 SQ7 4.0 BiTDi sitting.  But are asking £5 short of £45,000.  435bhp.

They might have it quite a while at that asking Price.

Or it might end up in Glasgow at a dealership that gives finance out very easily. 

Edited 18 December, 20205 yr by e-Roottoot