Hi All,

Well, I've driven both the TDi and the TFSi now, and I'm stuck with a dilemma.

I really like th extra power of the petrol, but couldn't afford to add any options.

On the flip side, the TDi is much cheaper for me, as the lease price is lower (not sure why, better residuals maybe?) and the company car tax is less. I could therefore afford to load it up with all the options (barring Sunroof and SatNav) and it would still cost the same as the basic petrol.

As I've also been driving the Focus ST for the last few days, the drop in power on the TDi has really become noticeable for me. I also can't chip the TDi, as it's going to be a company motor.

It's easy to live with a lack of kit during the test drive, but I'm not sure whether I could put up with it longer term.

Anyone got any views on this?

Thanks,

Bagpuss.

Are you going to be paying the fuel bill?

And do you have things on your current car that you wouldnt have on a new one? If not, you cant miss what you've never had.

You could get a SPS/One-Click for the PD170 (if one's avail) so chipping is an option.... just revert it back for services etc.

Not paying for the fuel, so fuel economy isn't a huge issue.

Got a Superb 130 TDi Elegance at the moment, so losing kit is a consideration. I've got used to having all the twiddly bits, hence the reason I'm a little reluctant to go for TFSi.

Bagpuss.

What about an Octy L&K, the new L&K spec has every single option fitted bar the sunroof, sat nav and one other fairly minor thing.

That would work out cheaper than taking an elegance and adding all the options.

The PD140 is very rapid for a derv and I have to agree that the VRS kit levels are pretty poor as standard.

I love the PD170, but the 140 is not noticeably slower day to day, returns better MPG (which means you have to stop less often as you are not paying) and also doesn't have a DPF to go wrong.

I had your dilemma a few weeks back; buying as a Company Car (Tax implication) but I pay for my own fuel on a longish commute and do little business mileage - MY wallet said vRS TDI ( I also have a preference for Turbo Diesel) although as we buy our cars outright the loaded TDI is more expensive than a TFSI up front. I bet the residuals will be better though. It must be the calulations on 'whole life costs' that switch it round for the Leasing Company.

All over, get the loaded TDI vRS surely you MUST want 18s, climate/jumbo etc etc.

Actually; having just thought about it surely (without being rude) this is a no brainer - GET THE LOADED TDI

Finally; I believe the vRS is the new 'cool' Skoda taking over from the Fabia vRS :cool:

To me it is also a no brainer; do you want a box of toys with a slightlly souped up taxi engine or a car with a fine petrol 200PS engine which also has loads of low down torque.

Different strokes for different folks.

Dan

Go with the oil burner, you'll really miss the excellent level of standard kit you have on the Superb.

I like the L&K suggestion as well, it's an unbeatable spec for the money:thumbup: .

These blasted options keep surfacing again!!!

Think of it like a good HiFi and miss the 'bells and whistles'. To my mind you got to go with the best basic car and that to me is the petrol. If you go for the petrol and miss the 'essential' options you will be in a similar position to me. I have checked my cash situation, stood back from the whole thing and thought.....Let's get this into perspective by getting a fairly standard petrol vRS I am getting a brand new, absolute KLILLER of a car. 197bhp and better equiped than my mark 4Golf Gti. It doesn't matter about the options....I'm a winner!

I say go for the petrol vRS without the bits and bobs over the (still lovely) but not as intrinsically desirable (IMO) diesel.

There you have it, Marwood makes a decision without too much pontification!

M

If you're not paying for the fuel then it has to be the Focus ST. The drive and overall sporty feel of the car will make up for any toys you'll be missing. The stereo is great and the seats are excellent.

The drive is very much more sporty than the Octavia - though that could be a bad thing coming from a superb!

Focus ST 5 door in silver.

Thanks to everyone for their comments.

I've been driving around in the petrol vRS since last night, and I'm just not convinced it's worth sacrificing the options just for the petrol engine.

As Goochie says, the Focus ST is so much more sporty than the Octavia. Every time I put my foot down in the vRS, I keep wondering if something is wrong. It really does feel that much slower than the Focus.

The Focus has me grinning constantly whilst I'm driving it. The Octavia just feels bland in comparison. Don't get me started on the seats either..... the Recaros in the Focus are much more comfortable for me and my ever widening backside

Sadly, though, the Focus is not really an option. I could afford the lease payments, but the extra tax burden (another

TBH I wouldnt have the Focus if its going to be £120 :eek: a month extra.

I assume a Golf is out of your budget? IIRC you can get DSG on the GTTDi Golf (i think)

The tax will prob be made up of the higher co2 output of the focus.

Considered the Astra VXR as an option?

Chris

It's your decision Bagpuss. I notice you refer to the comfort of the Octavia seats. There is another thread on this subject where I have related my experience in this area when I changed my company car a few months back.

Financially I would always go with the diesel. I am a high mileage driver and really appreciate the tank range from a modern diesel.

Because I couldn't find a comfortable driving position in the Octavia I choose an Avensis T180 Tourer. This car has very impressive torque and is extremely well equipped. The monthly cost was the same as a diesel vRS even after I'd added all the options to the Skoda. I guess this is a combination of servicing costs & residuals coming into play.

If you have to keep the car for a few years then it may be worth considering that emission-related tax will probably increase over the coming years.

At the end of the day you're the person who has to live with the car and pay tax on it. Take your time and choose the car you want to drive.

Enjoy the selection process.

I went to my Skoda dealer and faced with a similar decision (140TDi with DSG vs vRs TFSi) i decided that as a result of my advancing years (and hence mid-life crisis) I would for once go with the fast option and went for the TFSi.

The decision was further helped by being able to source an imported TFSi with the climate control and jumbo box at $k less than UK list.

To my mind the TFSi would still have been the better car, even at the same price.

If you enjoy driving the vehicle then the lack of options is more than compensated for by the driving enjoyment. In any case I'm not sure what options you want as the base TFSi is really well specced anyway

One thing I did have added was cruise control- cost 150 quid from the local dealer as a retrofit. Well worth the money for long journeys and keeping the points off your licence!

Thanks to everyone for their comments.

I've been driving around in the petrol vRS since last night, and I'm just not convinced it's worth sacrificing the options just for the petrol engine.

As Goochie says, the Focus ST is so much more sporty than the Octavia. Every time I put my foot down in the vRS, I keep wondering if something is wrong. It really does feel that much slower than the Focus.

The Focus has me grinning constantly whilst I'm driving it. The Octavia just feels bland in comparison. Don't get me started on the seats either..... the Recaros in the Focus are much more comfortable for me and my ever widening backside

Sadly, though, the Focus is not really an option. I could afford the lease payments, but the extra tax burden (another