Hi all,

Long time no post (years!). Lots of names on here I don't recognise now, but "Hello" to anyone who was around in 2002/03. Posting is likely to become even more infrequent as it's time to say bye-bye to the trusty Octy RS and get something bigger.

Passat estate is at the top of my list. Have had a couple of test drives of the 140PS 2.0 TDI in SE spec and was impressed, but the handling in corners was a bit of a shock after the 4.5 years in the RS. To soften the blow, I'm considering the "Sport" spec with the 170PS engine. Anybody driven one? Any comments on how it compares to the 140?

Also on the shortlist:

- Octy Mk 2 estate (sadly not enough rear leg-room)

- Mondeo estate

- S-MAX for that complete family-man image - only two kids so far, but you never know

(Passat 2.0 TFSI is also under consideration but the more frugal diesel is more likely)

Ta for any input.

Zooty

Wow! Blast from the past or what.... :eek:

170 is more peaky than the 140, but does fly - tried it in the Leon FR. I actually liked it

Havent test driven a car with the 170 TDI engine yet but read a review on the Jetta with this engine a few months back. Consensus was that although it was marginally quicker 'off the mark', the improvement in the 'in gear acceleration' was virually unnoticable over the 140bhp version. I think its because the 140 is a bit peaky so you have to concentrate a bit to make the most of the power but the 170 is peakier still. Fuel economy on the 170 is up to 15% worst than the 140 too. The 170 uses piezoelectric injectors so its quieter. A test drive should clear up any doubts though.

I`ve had a test drive in a Seat Altea FR with the 170 bhp diesel.

It just flies....it dies a bit when you reach around 100 mph....but it still goes.

It feels very quick indeed, and if i compare it to a Volvo 850 T5 with 211 bhp...maybe not faster 0-60, but after that...i think so.

It feels to me that is has a quite wide powerband.

I havent tried the 140 bhp diesel....but the 170bhp is amazing....and with a remap.

But my absolute dreamcar (that i can actually afford), is still Octy2 vRS.

But i may just buy a Altea FR....i just can`t decide.