Hey guys.

 

First real post.

 

Ok so yesterday I bought a 2015 Skoda Octavia VRS petrol. It's done 69k miles and I paid a whopping 12.5k for it.

 

I bought it from a used car dealer in Lincolnshire.

 

Part of the terms of sale are I have up to 200 miles over 14 days where I can change my mind and get a refund, I have done about 120 in the last 24hrs.

 

Driving the car has been nice, but I am noticing a few things I wanted to run by you guys to check to see if you think I should keep the vehicle or not.

 

1) Firstly, the cars steering becomes heavy when I take a corner, I am not sure if this is some computer controlled VRS thing or not? But the steering feels weighty, feels nice but I wanted to check this was normal or not.

 

2) The other thing I am noticing is the gearbox, it's smooth 1st to 2nd, but into 3rd and into 4th there is a slight notch as it engages gear, but it goes back to being smooth again 5th and 6th. So it's just 3rd and 4th gear selection that just feels more notchy than the other gears. Can anyone confirm if this is normal ? If not, would you recommend I return the vehicle now before I am left stuck with it?

 

I did notice coming down to 3rd was smooth, it's just up into 3rd and 4th where it doesn't change as cleanly as the other gears so it's left me worried.

 

I have piled all my money into this car, and I mean all, even this weeks food money haha. I'm taxed, insured, MOT'd but got to try and build bank again now. If anything goes wrong with this I'll be in a real mess.

 

I have spent my time in it trying to get the best MPG I could, and I achieved 42.3mpg doing 65 on the motorway. Once I peaked at that and knew where I stood I decided to have a little play, I hit the VRS button and sport mode and could notice a distinct engine / exhaust note change.

 

Power felt good. I didn't buy the car to go fast in, I just wanted a reliable motor, something that will give me years of trouble free miles if I look after it.

 

Anyway I hope someone can shed some light on the 2 points above and any other information you can offer as to if I should stick with the vehicle or not or anything else I should be checking would be awesome as I am against the clock right now.

 

Thanks in advance.

Matt

Welcome to the forum.

I will flag your post and a Mod might move it to the Octavia section. 

 

The gearbox should not be notchy in any gear or between them. 

Hi Toottoot.

 

Sorry if I have this in the wrong section? It said : New to SKODA? Not sure of an option, want to get real feedback? We have your back, ask question of fellow owners for your new car. With this being new car figured it would be best in here.

 

Thanks for confirming about the gearbox, damn.. Now I have a decision to make. It's not real bad it's just 3rd n 4th has a slight notch as it engages, rest shift clean. If this isn't a characteristic of this car then I guess I need to see about returning it. Real shame if that happens. But better than facing the bills of a new gearbox in 10k miles.

 

Thanks a lot for your input.

Sorry, i was just hoping your post would be seen by more with the same cars.

 

I do not drive manuals.

 

Maybe some servicing and maintenance is all that is needed.  Grown ups with knowledge will be along hopefully.  

No no that's fine mate, appreciate it!

 

Thanks.

Will move it, but the box shouldn’t be notchy so if it is on just one change that’s not ideal.

 

3rd to 4th is the gear that will take the biggest hit when being pushed hard too imho.

Ah damn.. OK thanks for confirming that.

As for the steering, it’s electronic so change the drive mode to eco and compare. That should feel much more assisted.

Lovely thanks for confirming that.

Don’t take my word as gospel I don’t drive petrols but do drive manual diesels. If it’s not notchy in the diesel I’d be amazed if it was in the petrol and I think it’s the same gearbox.

Mines a petrol vrs and the gearbox is smooth through all gears no notchiness at all ,as for the steering i set mine to individual and have all set to sport apart from the silly engine growl in the cabin ,it slighly weights up the steering ,but most electronic steering is rather lifeless .

3rd and 4th are usually the smoothest changes so seems suspicious.

I seem to remember there is a relatively simple 're-centering' procedure for the gear change linkages that could help.

I would go back to the dealer and get them to execute it for you and and depending on results then you can make an on the spot decision to keep or return.

Edited 3 October, 20223 yr by Gerrycan

Morning chaps.

Thanks so much for your advice, really appreciate it.

 

I have emailed the dealer this morning, will keep you all posted.

 

Cheers.

Matt.

Evening fellas.

 

Just wanted to update you on the car situation.

 

So this morning I drove it to the gym only 3 miles away. With the engine cold the gearbox was definitely more clunky. On the drive back it seemed to improve somewhat. 

 

I sat and deliberated it and decided I would return the vehicle, the seller agreed and I drove the car back 60 miles to the dealership.

 

On the drive back it was actually quite nice and I was starting to question if I was doing the right thing, then sure enough, shifted into 3rd and it snatched the gear stick out my hand and engaged the gear. Only subtly but it was there nevertheless. 

 

If it wasn't for this I would have been chuffed to keep the car, everything else on it was perfect, but the gearbox does need aligning or something to get rid of that notchy feeling it has.

 

Again I just wanted to thank everyone on here for their advice and support. I have to wait until I can get the V5 back to the dealer before I can get my money back for some reason, but when I do I'll be back in the market looking to test drive another VRS as I really liked the car.

 

Thanks again.

Matt.

While I can understand your attraction to the vrs with its versatility and performance I'd personally be uncomfortable getting a 2nd hand vehicle at my financial bleeding edge. I always like to have some reserves for unexpected issues.

Might I suggest you try a 1.4tsi manual, it should be cheaper to buy, insure and tax. Based on my experience at a steady 65mph you should get 55 (+) mpg on the motorway.

It is not as mature a drive as a VRS for sure but because it is relatively light it is surprisingly frisky.

Whatever version you buy be aware that internal noise on less smooth roads is highly dependent on the tyres (manufacture and wear) fitted. 

Yep that's good advice! Thanks I'll check the 1.4's out now 👍

Sounds like the right choice, my brother's just spent about £1800 on an Audi gearbox repair.

 

You certainly wouldn't want that straight away and even if it had a warranty, I'd be nervous of them covering it. They always try to wiggle out of it.

And I'd gamble on the gearbox worn rather than alignment, smashing 3rd to 4th is fun and it's probably been done a lot in that type of car!