I currently own a mk 1 octavia vrs and have thoroughly enjoyed the ownership experience. I am now about to trade it in for a new mk 2 version. I was originaly looking for another petrol one (a definate petrolhead) but due to my local dealer having such a good deal on a TDi one I have purchased that instead (took me 2 days to get my head around buying a diesel!!!!).

What are other peoples experiences with this version of the Vrs (I was very impressed during the test drive - not so quick off the line but certainly rapid when in-gear and trying to overtake).

Does anyone know how often (if at all) the Diesel Particulate Filter will need changing?

I have seen a performance chip on line that claims an increase in bhp to 197. Has anyone fitted one of these? Does it work? How does the car drive? are there any negatives?

Having read some of the posts so far I would have to say that my local dealer (in Swansea, S. Wales) has been superb over the last 3-4 years. They definately make you feel like a valued customer and sorted all the problems I had with my current car quickly and efficiently.

I wouldn't go near remapping a vRS 170 just yet, the DPF is going to cause some headaches, I reckon.

You'll love the TDi, I've got one and I nearly trip over in the morning when I'm getting dressed for work so I can drive the car

Dave.

Good move buying the vRS TDI - Skoda's next cool car after the Fabia vRS!

I'm investing a few extra bob on Koni FSD shock absorbers - The Konis are 'trick' in shock absorber terms in that they are firm/stiff to low frequency movement i.e. braking/cornering for improved handling, but soft and comfortable to high frequency movement i.e. ripples in the road/broken tarmac etc. for good ride comfort, with the benefit in that they operate hydraulically so have no fancy electronics to connect them. This cures what IMHO is a jittery ride, whilst improving the handling.

Ditto - I'd stay away from a 'chip' for now. There must be something in the fact that Superchips were offering a chip for the VAG 2.0L TDI PD 170bhp engine, taking it to 200bhp plus around Dec/Jan '07 but it has since gone off their website.

The DPF in my understanding is integral to the 'Cat' and thus should be a lifetime item, or at least 10 years. You've just got to give the car some wellie now and then to give it a workout and blow out any cobwebs!!

Hi PSM -

Just a quick reply - 'BUY IT', you'll not regret it!

3,700 miles up til now and she is a dream to be in.

You have a good understanding of the drivability and yes she is quick from 30 & upwards - effortless overtaking (and for making Audi/Bm drivers green with envy - lol)

Regular DPF light probs but have cleared mine each and every time.

Getting around 500 - 550 miles to a tank of Diesel (driver dependant of course)

Basically i love it and would deffo buy again..........

Cheers John.

What are peoples opionions of the vRS TDI now, a few months down the line? Any problems? :confused:

I have a Vrs tdi , owned it for 1 month now from new and dont regret one bit in buying it .

i had a Mondeo ST220-TDCI 2.2 & a Vectra SRI 1.9 Cdti 150 before this and i thought both of them were good cars but compared to the Vrs theres no comparison

Well 2 and a bit months and 4000 miles later i'm very happy with mine.

Only issue is keeping it clean! Why are the roads in this country always filthy?

I have a Black/muddy/dusty Fabia vRS atm, so im used to regular cleaning. im thinking maybe a blue one will stay clean for longer than 20 minutes. I take it the DPF isnt causing problems then? How do you clear the fault light if it comes on, just boot it to clear the cobwebs?

The race blue is a nightmare to keep clean, though it looks so good when it is clean then its worth it!

As for the DPF, I haven't seen the light come on, but then attaching a 1200Kg caravan to it every couple of weeks probably blows away the cobwebs. Will be interesting to see what happens over the winter when we are out less with the caravan. No motorways hereabouts, and loads of speed cameras so not easy to have a good blast.

I don't find it a problem keeping the Race Blue clean. On my second one now.

Its the tailgate of the estate that seems to get filthy most quickly.

Not helped by the fact we have a lot of building going on hereabouts which is never good for keeping a car clean.

Its the tailgate of the estate that seems to get filthy most quickly.

There is a good reason for that and it's in your signature!!! :rofl:

I'm currently 90% certain on changing my Mk1 VRs for a Mk2 TDi, but I'm having a nightmare actually finding a dealer that can give me a test drive of one to confirm my decision. I've even used the Skoda UK web site and had no reply to date.

I live in Warrington and work near Stoke and no dealers near those two locations have one, does anyone know of a dealer in Lancashire, Cheshire, NW etc that has one for a test drive?

i think Honers in manchester have a demo their.

Good move buying the vRS TDI - Skoda's next cool car after the Fabia vRS!

I'm investing a few extra bob on Koni FSD shock absorbers - The Konis are 'trick' in shock absorber terms in that they are firm/stiff to low frequency movement i.e. braking/cornering for improved handling, but soft and comfortable to high frequency movement i.e. ripples in the road/broken tarmac etc. for good ride comfort, with the benefit in that they operate hydraulically so have no fancy electronics to connect them. This cures what IMHO is a jittery ride, whilst improving the handling.

Ditto - I'd stay away from a 'chip' for now. There must be something in the fact that Superchips were offering a chip for the VAG 2.0L TDI PD 170bhp engine, taking it to 200bhp plus around Dec/Jan '07 but it has since gone off their website.

The DPF in my understanding is integral to the 'Cat' and thus should be a lifetime item, or at least 10 years. You've just got to give the car some wellie now and then to give it a workout and blow out any cobwebs!!

OK - so what about 7 months and 11,000 miles on?

Koni FSDs worth their weight in gold; good compliant ride with sharp handling. I've tightened this up some more with a Neuspeed rear anti roll bar - cancels out most of the normal understeer really well (still exploring the full benefit).

Performance from the PD170 is more thank adequate for brisk progress especially in 3rd and 4th gears - so no chipping needed.

DPF? - not a peep, completely trouble free.

Only snag so far; Xenon headlights were set too high and uneven to start with and took two trips to my dealer to get them aligned correctly - totally worth the price as an extra - light output and beam pattern are fantastic.

Am I enjoying my vRS TDI? You bet.

ok, so what are the options to look out for, and what are the ones that arnt worth bothering with?

ok, so what are the options to look out for, and what are the ones that arn't worth bothering with?

In order of (personal) preference;

Xenons

Climate/jumbo/rear elec windows

Heated seats

18in wheels

Rear parking sensor

Maxidot

Light Assist (after some persuasion)

Metallic Paint

Don't bother - the rest!

Don't bother - the rest!

Light Assist??

Light Assist??

Why? Surely you can see it when it is dark enough to put your lights on!

Mind you, an interesting feature of it that I read about in the handbook, is that if you exceed 130kph/85mph for more than 10 seconds the 'light assist' put your headlights ON! :eek:

PS> G'morning Stu.

Why? Surely you can see it when it is dark enough to put your lights on!

Of course, conversely I'm sure you could reach a window winder to operate your windows :P;).

I like it, had it on the first Octy and didn't hesitate to order it again.

oh - Morning

Of course, conversely I'm sure you could reach a window winder to operate your windows :P;).

Naturally; but I only got the rear elec windows 'cos you I needed climate and jumbo.

On balance I might be persuaded to include Light Assist to my list.

Don't bother with light assist if you get xenon's - nobody seems to ever turn them off!!

No matter what the conditions, these drivers are keen to ensure every other road user knows that they ticked the xenon box and could afford the extra

Don't bother with light assist if you get xenon's - nobody seems to ever turn them off!!

No matter what the conditions, these drivers are keen to ensure every other road user knows that they ticked the xenon box and could afford the extra

Just to rub salt in the wound, I have xenons fitted to mine and wouldn't go back to normal headlights after using these - they're so bright!

No question that they're better than standard lights, it's just that they don't add any value come resale time and so are an expensive option. They might make the car easier to sell, but you don't get any more money - finance companies simply add some interest to their list price and divide that by the number of months the deal is over and don't change the final payment.

Of course most options don't add value so it's a personal choice, but as I don't do much night driving they are not such a high priority for me.

As for light assist, well as long as my eyes have sufficient ability to judge light and dark I'll skip that option - I'd prefer to toast my backside with heated seats

No question that they're better than standard lights, it's just that they don't add any value come resale time and so are an expensive option. They might make the car easier to sell, but you don't get any more money - finance companies simply add some interest to their list price and divide that by the number of months the deal is over and don't change the final payment.

Of course most options don't add value so it's a personal choice, but as I don't do much night driving they are not such a high priority for me.

As for light assist, well as long as my eyes have sufficient ability to judge light and dark I'll skip that option - I'd prefer to toast my backside with heated seats

LOL. I agree with you on the extras front, they only make the car more saleable but you won't get any extra cash, even more true if you're trading it in at a stealer.

TBH I didn't actually specify the light assist option (and probably wouldn't if I were to order again) but it just happened to have it on at the time of ordering. The only extras I specified were maxidot, cruise, xenons and reverse sensors.