Hi Folks :wave:

I know that this is probably the most annoying type of post for established members but here goes...

I need to choose my next co. car soon and have decided on an Octavia, but need advice on which one: 2.0 PDI Elegance DSG or VRS PDI (both estate).

I arranged to drive both at my local dealer last w/e, but unfortunately the rubbish sales staff double booked the VRS and so after a very long list of lame excuses I found out that I wasn't going to get a drive of the VRS.

Anyway, I thought the 2.0 PDI DSG was pretty good and was especially impressed with the gearbox. It's the only auto that didn't seriously annoy me.

Unfortunately the trained chimps in suits weren't a great source of info (apparently the DSG's sport mode actually changes the gear ratios :insane:) so I have a few questions that I'd really appreciate some non-bull**** answers to:

1) The 2.0 PDI that I drove had the Pegasus wheel and sport suspension options which I was told makes the suspension and therefore ride/ handling exactly the same as the VRS. Is this true? Or was monkey boy having me on again?

2) Are there any downsides of the 170 engine over the 140? How do they compare for refinement, economy etc?

3) Is maxi-dot just a different display between the dials? Or is the radio display also changed? What extra functions do you get?

4) What is the 'sunset glass' option for estates? Are they dirty pimp tints?

I'm leaning towards the VRS for the power, looks and handling but I know deep down that I'd be grateful for the DSG in traffic, m-way tailbacks etc.

I'd welcome coments from those who own similar models Looking forward to future forum participation!

Sunset tints are spot on, they work well, make the car look good and are not drug dealer tints.

Maxi dot is a dot matrix screen between the speed and rev counter, it can interact with sat nav where fitted and the standard stereo amongst other things

If you take some time out to search the forums you'll dig up an awful lot of information.

Personally, I would opt for the new L&K due to the massive amount of standard kit but thats only if the wallet permits.

Welcome to Briskoda by the way

Thanks for the info.

Unfortunately L&K is beyond my budget!

The elegance is the sensible choice. I should have gone that route, but didn't feel like I could step "down" from the MK1 vRS I had. Do love me RS tho, even if I'm wondering if I can now afford to hold on to it.

Sports suspension is apparently the same.

Go with Maxidot then you can retrofit satnav and have it fully featured. Not having maxidot is my biggest regret.

Sunset glass is a mild tint. Money no object I would have probably had it.

I drive a petrol and can't speak from experience, but I hear that the 140 is more refined and has smoother power delivery. Scary DPF lights on the 170 in recent threads.

Day to day I drive the 1.9 TDi but did a couple of hundred miles the other day in my bosses new 2.0 TDi Audi A4, I was 80% set on the vRS for my next car but as dstev2000 says the new L&K is seriously well specced and matched to the 2.0 TDi would make a pretty special car.

Can't comment on the DSG box unfortunately but found the 2.0 140 more than adequate for motorway cruising and quite fun on B roads. Kept finding the needle the wrong side of 90 as I was driving it like my 1.9.

A piccie of my car when it was shiny and new with sunset privacy glass.

And driven straight into a bollard - doh!

And driven straight into a bollard - doh!

:rofl:

You'll be disappointed to know I actually missed the bollard.......

tis the perspective of the picture

The pilots that use the flight sims there are not so good at missing them though :eek:

That pic was taken last summer, 4 of those bollards have been knocked over since, none of them by me!

Thanks for the input.

I think one of the problems is that I see the Elegance as being the 'old man' option (no offence to any owners here!) and the VRS as being a bit more youthful (I'm 27, which is probably young-ish for an Octavia driver). Previously I've had a few performance jap cars (Evo, Impreza, Integra) in addition to my co. car. However, due to space constraints I'm surviving on just the co. car now (woe is me!) so the VRS appeals in order to fill that void in my automotive life.

Hmm, those tints do look nice. I think they'd go well with the Corrida Red I'm considering. Might be pushing the company budget a bit too far though.

I was 26 when I got my octavia.....

Never had a bad comment of any kind from anyone.

I know what you mean about the image but there is really nothing to worry about.

Saying that, I've always driven diesel vans and company cars so my idea of sporty consists solely of 17" alloys.

I specced my car to be as "un-taxi-ish" as possible

The alloys and pimp tints work wonders for the car.

my idea of sporty consists solely of 17" alloys

Do you work for the VW marketing dept? I drove a Passat 'sport' and 17" alloys were the only remotely sporty thing about it! :P

I'm trying to make the same decision at the moment, as my current company car (Superb Elegance) is due for return shortly.

Skoda UK were kind enough to lend me a nice Corrida Red vRS TDi over the weekend. I ended up having to go direct, as none of the dealers I spoke to would lend me the car overnight. As I have a back problem, I need to test drive a car over my daily commute (160 mile round trip) to make sure I won't be in pain.

I have to say that it has really changed my mind about red as a colour. The car looked really good, especially with the sunset glass in the rear.

One thing that did disappoint was the Xenon headlights. My current Superb has got the bi-xenons, and they are just soooo much better.

Having said all that, I'm still tempted by the L+K, as you do get so much more kit for about the same money as the vRS.

I fully understand your comment about not wanting the car to look too 'pipe and slippers'. If you don't for for the vRS, I think you need to choose your colour carefully to avoid this. Personally, I really like the anthracite grey. In fact, I was about to place my order today, when I got quite a surprising e-mail from Ford UK.

Given that none of my local dealers have got a Focus ST demonstrator (they sold them, and won't be registering a new one until March), I went direct to Ford to see if they could arrange a test drive. Needless to say, I was very surprised when they told me that their delivery driver will be coming on Thursday with a shiny new ST-3 for me to borrow. I figured that I could probably have it overnight, but they don't want it back until 22nd February!

I'd almost be prepared to by one, just on the basis of that customer service alone!

Bagpuss.

Might be a non-starter because of the company car position but if you're attracted to a DSG equipped Elegance, but hanker after the "go" of the vRS, how about the Elegance remapped from 140 bhp to around 185bhp? I went for the TFSi estate (company car) rather than the TDi as it was only another £220 a year on company car tax , I wasn't paying the fuel bill - 32mpg on my regular commute is OK. I was also a bit discouraged by the early DPF problems which will no doubt be sorted soon enough. Whatever you end up with I think you'll be well pleased!

I'm trying to make the same decision at the moment, as my current company car (Superb Elegance) is due for return shortly.

Skoda UK were kind enough to lend me a nice Corrida Red vRS TDi over the weekend. I ended up having to go direct, as none of the dealers I spoke to would lend me the car overnight. As I have a back problem, I need to test drive a car over my daily commute (160 mile round trip) to make sure I won't be in pain.

I have to say that it has really changed my mind about red as a colour. The car looked really good, especially with the sunset glass in the rear.

One thing that did disappoint was the Xenon headlights. My current Superb has got the bi-xenons, and they are just soooo much better.

Having said all that, I'm still tempted by the L+K, as you do get so much more kit for about the same money as the vRS.

I fully understand your comment about not wanting the car to look too 'pipe and slippers'. If you don't for for the vRS, I think you need to choose your colour carefully to avoid this. Personally, I really like the anthracite grey. In fact, I was about to place my order today, when I got quite a surprising e-mail from Ford UK.

Given that none of my local dealers have got a Focus ST demonstrator (they sold them, and won't be registering a new one until March), I went direct to Ford to see if they could arrange a test drive. Needless to say, I was very surprised when they told me that their delivery driver will be coming on Thursday with a shiny new ST-3 for me to borrow. I figured that I could probably have it overnight, but they don't want it back until 22nd February!

I'd almost be prepared to by one, just on the basis of that customer service alone!

Bagpuss.

Well done bagging one for a w/e (and even better with the focus!).

What were your impressions of the VRS PDI? Performance, handling/ ride etc?

Might be a non-starter because of the company car position but if you're attracted to a DSG equipped Elegance, but hanker after the "go" of the vRS, how about the Elegance remapped from 140 bhp to around 185bhp? I went for the TFSi estate (company car) rather than the TDi as it was only another

In an ideal world the VRS would be available as a 170 DSG, but even if such a car existed I suspect it would be out of budget! :(

No plans for that I'm affraid :thumbdwn:

I have a 2.0 tdi 140bhp with sports suspension, Have been out in a VRS 170 the only differance is at the top end of the rev range, or that's how it feels.

Think if I were doing big miles i would be tempted with the Elegance DSG, You could order it in Corrado red which is the VRS colour with sunset glass and see if your dealer would change the pegasus alloys that come with the suspension upgrade, for either b-14 alloys of std Vrs ones. That way it would only be the bumper's that were differant to the Vrs, which could be added at a later service

Tried drive the deal, you could probably get a new L&K for under the list price on an elegance octy II

'New' spec L&K, with metallic paint is oround £18600 on drive the deal at the moment. And a Damn good spec it is too!

Phil

Well done bagging one for a w/e (and even better with the focus!).

What were your impressions of the VRS PDI? Performance, handling/ ride etc?

The vRS TDi is very good. Performance is well up on my Superb (130PD), but it still lacks the top end punch of the petrol vRS. 0-60 time is hit badly by the need to change into 3rd. Sometimes, I wonder if the 6 speed gearbox is really needed. Five well spaced ratios would probably serve the TDi better, as you'd be able to hit 60 in 2nd (like I can with my Superb).

My test car had Maxi dot, 18" alloys, xenons, jumbo box/climate control, cruise control and sunset glass.

The sunset glass was very nice. Just the right amount of tint to reduce glare from the sun, but not enough to make it look like a 'pimp' tint. It's an option I would definitely go for.

The maxi-dot display is great. Don't even think about ordering a car without it. It also makes it possible to add the MFD2 satnav at a later date (should you want to). You can do this by buying a unit from ebay for around

Hi there,

Let me chip in with my thoughts for you:-

Hi Folks :wave:

I know that this is probably the most annoying type of post for established members but here goes...

I need to choose my next co. car soon and have decided on an Octavia, but need advice on which one: 2.0 PDI Elegance DSG or VRS PDI (both estate).

I arranged to drive both at my local dealer

in Cambridge?

last w/e, but unfortunately the rubbish sales staff double booked the VRS and so after a very long list of lame excuses I found out that I wasn't going to get a drive of the VRS.

If you did use the Cambride dealer; then perhaps try Progress Skoda in Bedford (NE corner so easy to get to from Cambridge) 01234 348242, they have a vRS TDI Hatch as a demo at present.

Anyway, I thought the 2.0 PDI DSG was pretty good and was especially impressed with the gearbox. It's the only auto that didn't seriously annoy me.

Unfortunately the trained chimps in suits weren't a great source of info (apparently the DSG's sport mode actually changes the gear ratios :insane:)

The sport mode does NOT change the ratios (remember the DSG is an auto selected manual g'box). It simply alters the pattern, changing up at higher revs and down more sharply.

so I have a few questions that I'd really appreciate some non-bull**** answers to:

1) The 2.0 PDI that I drove had the Pegasus wheel and sport suspension options which I was told makes the suspension and therefore ride/ handling exactly the same as the VRS. Is this true? Or was monkey boy having me on again?

Wrong: Whilst both Sport and vRS are lowered 15mm from standard, the vRS has both stiffer springs and sharper shocks than the Sport.

2) Are there any downsides of the 170 engine over the 140? How do they compare for refinement, economy etc?

I haven't driven a PD 140 so can't directly compare but just taking the official mpg and g/km CO2 figures the 170 manual is a better deal than the 140 with DSG

I'm leaning towards the VRS for the power, looks and handling but I know deep down that I'd be grateful for the DSG in traffic, m-way tailbacks etc.

I used to think that way, commute into NW London daily and drove autos for 10 years. I've been back in a manual car now for 3 years and would NOT change. I prefer to be in control of the car; not the other way around.

Also, think ahead 3 years as to which will be the more sought after car and thus give you a better resale; I vote for the vRS - I belive that the vRS TDI is fast becoming more 'cool' than the Fabia vRS has been. :cool:

Personally; I have been through your dilema in recent weeks and have just ordered a vRS TDI in Coridda Red with B14 (dealer fit) wheels and a few other toys; enough said.

I am entering the same dilemma as of today, I am changing jobs and have told my prospective boss that I want an Octavia, he gave me a choice of a vRS TDI or an L&K TDI 140 estate (the new one).

Personally I have gone straight for the L&K mainly due to the level of kit that comes with it, I'll be chucking the sunset glass in as well.

The vRS is a great car but the spec is unacceptable for me and with the miles I do I don't think I could tolerate the hard ride (is it really stiffer than the elegance with sports sus. and 17"? :eek: ).

The other issue from a personal POV is the image of the car, the vRS in race blue is like a sore thumb which is fine under normal circumstances, don't get me wrong I love the look of it but when I carry a boot full of expensive equipment + laptop etc I don't want to attract attention to the would be car thief. Like I say it's a personal thing so don't shoot it down in flames

I am also a gadget freak so the more kit in the car the better, the L&K is perfect in that respect

Good luck to whoever is in the same boat as me and whatever model you choose it will still be a very good car

Hi there,

Let me chip in with my thoughts for you:-

The sport mode does NOT change the ratios (remember the DSG is an auto selected manual g'box). It simply alters the pattern, changing up at higher revs and down more sharply.

QUOTE]

Ah.....but sport mode changes the box from a 6sp to a 5sp !!! I agree with the changes in the rev pattern but not technically minded enough to comment on the ratios

Ah.....but sport mode changes the box from a 6sp to a 5sp !!! I agree with the changes in the rev pattern but not technically minded enough to comment on the ratios

I can believe this, simply by locking out and not using the (overdrive) 6th gear. I guess you must know as you have the DSG.

This though proves my point about me-car-control ..... I want to be in control :eek: and use whichever gear I want - would the DGS go 2nd to 4th, or 4th to 6th? I doubt it.

Don't get me wrong the DSG is a fine g'box, the best of its type - if that is what you want. Sorry, but its not for me.

As to other comments on the firmness of the vRS suspension; yes it is quite firm although generally good and compliant. I have found that it is jittery and rides stiffly on some road surfaces. Solution? Fit Koni FSD shock absorbers! These are specifically designed to give a comfortable ride but be firm when required for good handling. :thumbup:

The sports suspension does "jiggle" alot over less compliant road surfaces.

It gets tiresome when you spend a minimum of 5 hours a day in the pilot's seat.

However, it's good fun when you can throw it at a corner and leave alot of other cars standing.

I think I will do without it on the next Octavia.:(

Thought I'd add my views on the vRS option list.

My vRS (to be delivered) will only have the 18s, Black paint and the Maxi Dot. I really wanted to keep costs down to a minimum and coming from a Golf that has no aircon, just a sunroof (that leaks a bit) I didn't find it to hard to miss out items that may be essential to some. I put the alloys on because, I suppose, psychologically they help fill up the wheel arches. However I agree in practice (and also in the view of my wife) they have little measurable affect. I have never had parking sensors so I wasn't bothered and cruise, well I do some motorway mles, but I have always questioned (probably in error) the contol taken away from the driver with cruise. Brighter and more efficient headlights would be nice but seem a bit pricey. If light assist is what I think it is I can manage to do that for myself!

However, there are two things I wish I had gone for and regret not doing so. The curtain air bags, because a have a new son and well, you want to do your best in terms of safety and the heated seats.....only cos I love them on my golf. £250...I could have pushed the budget I suppose (or rather borrwed more from my Dad.........buy at what point would I have started taking the p*ss)

Perhaps the biggest niggle and it is really bugging me now is not opting for the Jumbo/Dual Climate/Rear Electric Windows pack. Bloody winders on rear windows in this day and age....doesn't seem right somehow. BUT the Jumbo box (although it contains an aux socket for an MP3 player and gives a more 'finished' look IMO) was actually a bit of a pain for me. I tend to drive sitting as low as I can and have my seat really quite far back (I am only 6 foot, not massive I know). This I am sure would cause problems for me when I change gear. When I drove a mate's BMW before ordering the vRS this was a really annoying thing as it just kept getting in the way!

I guess I could be one of those people who is never quite satisfied and like to worry about what they should have got instead of celebrating what they have got! On the other hand with or without those teasing optional extras the vRS seems a fantastic car and even better value if you just order one in standard form.....well perhaps if you just put on the rain sensor and the........LOL

M