Hi All

Looking to replace my Astra 150 CDTi SRi Estate with an Octavia vRS 170 TDi Esate.

Any feedback on this model?

Anyone use one to tow a caravan? (1184Kg all up)

What kind of fuel economy do you get?

Thanks in advance for your help, it will be much appreciated!

Glad to see you found your way over from the other side

As I said on Caravantalk you have to watch out for the DPF on the 170tdi,

also check out this months whichcaravan mag as they are doing a reveiw.

Out&About Live - Which Caravan

Cheers,

Just seen that you were thinking of a 140 L&K DSG, From a different post, That would be my choice compared to the VRS, you can have the same suspension setting as the Vrs on an L&K, also there are more toys with the L&K.

Another vote for the L&K here, fantastic car

Welcome

I think you need to look at the torque figures and then make your mind up

The 170 TDi engine is not the most economical diesel I've ever driven. I'm only averaging 42.5mpg on the first 3500 miles on mine. It is such a joy to drive though you don't really mind:)

The 170 TDi engine is not the most economical diesel I've ever driven. I'm only averaging 42.5mpg on the first 3500 miles on mine. It is such a joy to drive though you don't really mind:)

That is always the problem with a sporty car, one tends to drive it as such and the economy suffers. My vRS TDi estate is up to 41.6 mpg average after 1800 miles, with occasional trips seeing the right side of 50 mpg, but only if I drive as though I have 11.9999 points on my license

Thanks for all the replies.

Mike I have seen the test in Which Caravan, I also see the Camping and Caravanning Club Mag are running one as an editorial car, should be interesting.

The L&K has been hit on the head because someone else bought it first! I prefer the vRS anyway.

The economy figures look fine in comparison to my Astra, which according to the computer settles at around 42.5mpg solo.

Decisions, decisions! Want to buy the right car. Love the look of the vRS and i'm sure the reliability will be better than the Astra, mind you that wouldn't be hard.

Any other feedback will be gladly received.

What about a Scout?

Lots of kit

Lower Tow bar available

4x4 (when needed)

Bags of Torque

Cheers mate but herself has said no to a Scout! Doesn't like the look of it. She is a hard wifie to please.

I have a 2.0TDI L&K Estate with the DSG gearbox, and it has done a few caravan-towing trips this year (the longest being from Abdnshire - Cornwall & back). The 140bhp towed the caravan no problem (must have been about the same weight as your one). I really liked the DSG gearbox for towing, eg if you did need to change down a gear while going up a hill you just do it at any time without any loss of momentum.

Fuel-wise, it all depends how fast you go!

While towing, on non-dual carriageway roads the computer gives averages like 33 or 34 mpg (probably more like 30mpg). On motorways I found the average went down to figures like 27 or 28mpg (probably more like 25 mpg).

Solo, it was hard to get it to show a 50 mpg average initially, but as the miles have gone on (now 12k), I expect to get more than this (eg 56 mpg) for country driving. This computer figure is a bit optimistic , but it would still be over 50mpg. Town driving brings it down a bit though!

Interesting stuff.

My Astra is a good towcar but has been let down by reliability and economy.

These figures are very encouraging.

Most our towing is pretty local eg Silverbank CC site at Banchory, Invercauld CC site at Braemar, Rosemarkie C&CC site. But as my Mrs and I are both teachers we do 3 or 4 longer trips a year including the continent so economy towing is all important.

Thanks all.