Octy VRs buying decision process v Audi/Golf etc

[FatOldGit]

Hi all,

As a newbie I wanted to say thanks for the voluminous information and

experiences recorded here. I found this site and the web in general very

useful in researching cars and real customer expeiences. I wonder if Skoda

view your customer experiences and learn from them or respond to them? I

wonder if they or you might be interested in my decision process as a

"classic" prime customer? I am 45, have a family with 2 growing kids, but

I like to enjoy my driving experience as much as possible while remaining

practical. Let's face it, 2 kids will trash a car in 3 years anyhow.

After owning several Golfs and Audis I have just paid the deposit on a VRs

diesel in race blue, with dual climate control, Xenons and rear parking

sensors. I got a good deal in my mind 17600 (2k+ below RRP) from Bamfords

in Gloucester, after offering my business to my local dealer they didn't

want to match the (eBay) price... bizarre.

Why?

I still own a Golf, which has been a disappointing experience, having had

2 replacement coil packs and still runs like a dog. VW parts and servicing

is outrageous, just like Audi, so I was drawn also to the 3 years / 60k

free servicing to enable me to control monthly costs.

I first saw the VRs when taking the Golf back for yet more problems to be

fixed (emissions failure on MOT). I tried a petrol model and was very

pleasantly surprised.

I then tested both petrol and diesel back to back and then also tested a

new A4, having also owned 2 previously. The build quality and internals

(e.g. seat adjustment) are obviously superior in the Audi, but nowhere

near enough to offset the additional cost (7-8k in this instance).

I am constantly amused by car salemen in general - lack of sales skills,

failure to follow up on even simple promises (like phone calls), problems

even in the demo cars (engine warning light in vrs diesel, failed rear

window seal in vrs petrol demo), but I tried to ignore these issues and

get an overall feel. I shan't embarrass the dealer by naming them, but its

bloody funny. I work in a sales environment too. They really are just

order takers. Audi were better, but smarmy, still haven't bothered to

phone me and were't even keen on letting me have test drive on a 25k

vehicle because it was within 45 mins of his clocking off time! It it me?

I won't buy another Audi in a hurry precisely because of dealer attitude

and their customer service mentality.

To me, the Petrol is obviously marginally faster from a standstill

(according to the figures, but perception is a funny thing), but the

diesel is really pokey (if a little peakey - small power "band") ifdriven

well, and probably as quick if not better in that all important 30-70

range. Plus, the fuel, tax, insurance and psychology of filing up less

frequently (and residuals) just clinched it for the diesel for me. So I

enjoyed all the petrol v diesel banter, but its personal - try both. It's

hard to decide!

I've had it confirmed by celtic tuning that an ECU remap can take it to

210+ BHP easily if I need to later too. I'd prefer no external visible

signs of anything else, for obvious reasons. Anyhow, most of the time

we've got the whole family on board.

So, having placed my deposit I'm just wondering about a few issues I can

ask the dealer about after the thing is PDI'd but before I pay:

- has anyone else (I've seen this elsewhere I'm sure) experienced the

diesel engine warning light on veyr early [300 miles or less] - I think I

read this was a known problem

- I've noted the occasional lack of Xenon proper baseline set up at PDI

- Does anyone know if a local dealer will honour the free servicing given

you bought the vehicle elsewhere? 90+ miles to where I bought it...

- Are there any other things I should check or ask about just to wind the

saleman up? e.g. the Xenon washers only working every 5th use of

windscreen washers...! Thanks, that was a beaute!

Thanks once again for all your contributions - especially the main tips

and hints page. My wife now thinks I've become a Skoda bore when I

mentioned the really sad listing of all the internal climate control

codes...

Oh dear, she may be right.

I'll contribute any experiences - e.g. MPG from diesel as I experience it.

Cheers.

[lozgti]

Welcome.They are basically all the same cars in different guises.

Enjoy the vRS.Will be interested to know the fuel consumption figures as you run it.Doesn't seem to be a huge difference between the petrol and diesel mpgwith the Octavia vRS II

[Kenny Freckles]

Greetings,

I pick my Vrs Tdi up on Monday the 6th and can't wait, it's a big step up from my current car, a 1.6 focus zetec.

I've read about the engine warning light coming on and admit to being a tad concerned about it as i do 110 miles round trip to work a day and thought i had read that it was traced to a glow plug sensor or similar :confused: .

The one i test drove was about 2000 miles old iirc so may have been sorted out already.

I asked a question about the free servicing and the salesman said the deal was with Skoda uk so i shouldn't think you would have any issues getting it serviced where you wanted within the dealer network, i stand to be corrected on that though.

Enjoy your car

[mluton]

Welcome to Briskoda:orb_wave:

[Wardy]

Welcome :wave: - that is quite possibly the longest first post I've ever seen! :eek:

But good luck, whatever you decide

Steve

[FatOldGit]

3 years down the line... an update...

Race blue VRS PD170:-

couple of hiccupps, DPF warning light issues, broken ABS sensor requiring complete change of ABS unit, under warranty thankfully as it costs just under 1k.

I am now looking to replace the VRS with.... a new FL VRS. all-in-all in find the 2nd hand prices so much higher than new which is bizarre. I'll take the new vehicle, try to avoid the deprecation and use the warranty to secure my car stays on the road for the full 3 years. might go for Yellow for a change... waddya think?

[sms]

i looked at it this way its an audi with a skoda badge and a few features less, but a good few grand less.

hi and welcome!!