Ah the choices.

Scout

4x4

Vrs

I've currently got a superb but really need the flexibility of an estate. I think I've narrowed it down to the above 3.

I've a Superb 2.5 Tdi Comfort so wonder if there is any real difference in the amount of grip and handling in the above. Does the 4x4 actual give a noticeable difference on the road. Will they drive more or less surefootedly (is that a word?) than the Superb.

I don't do any proper off-road, really just on country lanes/tracks but like the look of the scout. We only really go off-road to park in grassy fields etc when away mountain biking each weekend. To get to the tracks though we do a fair amount of A and B road driving.

At the moment have the bikes on the roof of the superb, but feel long term may end up with rub marks where roof rack feet go, so think roof rails would be better, plus also considering getting a dog.

Anyone test drove or moved from one to other?

Thanks

Ah the choices.

Anyone test drove or moved from one to other?

Thanks

I've driven all 4 models, including the v6 Superb.

I'd forget about the normal 4x4 as the Scout is a much better looking car and has a number of extras for your money.

I'm sure you'll find both the Scout and vRS are more surefooted than your Superb, I find the Superb is a bit vague to drive. The vRS will obviously feel more connected and give a sportier drive, but the Scout suspension is quite firm and the 17" wheels do offer good grip. When pushed though the Scout does tend to understeer a bit more than the vRS, but it does feel very safe. B roads are good in the Scout as you're that little bit higher up and you've got the 4wd to help you out if the road gets a bit slippy or icy. But the vRS will give you big grins on a road you know well.

Hope this helps in some way?

I've driven all 4 models, including the v6 Superb.

Some people have all the luck

Now just need to save up some cash, I've seen a few Scouts starting to appear about the 6m old mark, so I'll wait a little while longer and hopefully pick one up in March or April time.

Anyone know if they fixed the dpf issue on the 2.0tdi - that was one reason for thinking 4x4 since i think it still comes in 1.9tdi option.

Cheers

I've driven all 4 models, including the v6 Superb.

I'd forget about the normal 4x4 as the Scout is a much better looking car and has a number of extras for your money.

I'm sure you'll find both the Scout and vRS are more surefooted than your Superb, I find the Superb is a bit vague to drive. The vRS will obviously feel more connected and give a sportier drive, but the Scout suspension is quite firm and the 17" wheels do offer good grip. When pushed though the Scout does tend to understeer a bit more than the vRS, but it does feel very safe. B roads are good in the Scout as you're that little bit higher up and you've got the 4wd to help you out if the road gets a bit slippy or icy. But the vRS will give you big grins on a road you know well.

Hope this helps in some way?

As a vRS TDI owner I couldn't have put it better (than Ants' opinion above).

Personally IMHO, if you are likely to need the 4x4 benefit of the Scout then go for that but otherwise the vRS TDI would be the one to get!

As a vRS TDI owner I couldn't have put it better (than Ants' opinion above)

Have you managed to clip the underside of bumper off any speed bumps? When I had my Octy that was a nuisance with certain ones round my area. You get used to where they are and avoid them, but not had that problem with the Superb.

Just trying to think how much higher the Scout is to the Vrs, since one is lowered from standard and one raised. They are totally different animals. Life is tough when you get past just needing things and wanting comes into play (I had looked at xc70 and audi allroad, but well out of any price range.)

Thanks

Have you managed to clip the underside of bumper off any speed bumps? When I had my Octy that was a nuisance with certain ones round my area. You get used to where they are and avoid them, but not had that problem with the Superb.

Just trying to think how much higher the Scout is to the Vrs, since one is lowered from standard and one raised. They are totally different animals. Life is tough when you get past just needing things and wanting comes into play (I had looked at xc70 and audi allroad, but well out of any price range.)

Thanks

No problems at all; the vRS is only lowered by 10mm from standard (Elegance/Ambient) spec and the suspension is stiffer.

Speed humps may though be an issue for those that have lowered springs where the ride height is a further 20mm lower (30mm in total).

The Scout is 10-20mm higher than 'standard' as far as I know.

The Scout is 10-20mm higher than 'standard' as far as I know.

40mm higher than standard & 17mm higher than the 4x4.

As I mentioned before the ideal mix imho would be the standard 4x4 (Haldex 2nd Gen) available with the VRS engines....sure footed, fun & still go off the beaten track.

:read:

I just love the look of a black Scout on the road, they look so right

I just love the look of a black Scout on the road, they look so right

Couldn't agree more

What's the chance of Skoda fitting the 170 bhp diesel in the Octavia Scout (as Seat have just done with their equivalent Altea)? I'll be looking to change my Fabia vRS next year and with no new Fabia vRS until 2009 (and nothing certain on the engine options), this would be the perfect combination for me. Any thoughts from those in the know in the dealer network?

i like the scout too,with the 170tdi in it i think it would be great.

the scout is chippable to 180bhp is it not?

i'm assuming its the 140bhp engine.

i like the look of the scout, it drives really well too but i opted for the tdi vrs.

I had this quandry and opted for the TDI VRs Estate in the end.

I don't do any real off roading, but fancied the rugged looks of the Scout coupled with the increased ride height, and the ability, if required, to take my bikes and dogs (not got a dog yet) off road, and up hills in the snow....

But then I took a VRs out, and realised 140bhp just wasn't enough for me and when does it snow anyway.

You pay your money and takes your choice....

I had this quandary and opted for the TDI vRS Estate in the end.

Good choice IMHO

I don't do any real off roading, but fancied the rugged looks of the Scout coupled with the increased ride height, and the ability, if required, to take my bikes and dogs (not got a dog yet) off road, and up hills in the snow....

.. and with the Peak district on your doorstep what better opportunity

But then I took a VRs out, and realised 140bhp just wasn't enough for me and when does it snow anyway.

... end of this week according to the forecasts! You might be wishing you got the Scout!

You pay your money and takes your choice....

Quite right; isn't the vRS a couple of £'000 cheaper than the Scout?

Good choice IMHO.. and with the Peak district on your doorstep what better opportunity ... end of this week according to the forecasts! You might be wishing you got the Scout! Quite right; isn't the vRS a couple of £'000 cheaper than the Scout?

:orb_duh: me and my big mouth!

The Scout is slightly higher priced, but does come with more kit... so in the end very similar to a well spec'd VRS...

:orb_duh: me and my big mouth!

The Scout is slightly higher priced, but does come with more kit... so in the end very similar to a well spec'd VRS...

Most dealers will give a good deal if pushed - I managed to knock down the OTR price of a Scout (TDI) by £1700 & it included Xenons/Maxidot/Variable floor/Active head rests which resulted in being £1200 more expensive than a simlar specced VRS. Not a lot more when considering you have the added benefit of 4wd (if you ever need it) - by the way if you do go for a factory order, its good advice to add curtain airbags as this is not a standard option.

However that VRS engine.....:P......hhmmmmm:thumbup:.......you could always chip the Scout (if possible with DPF/Haldex?) if 140bhp isn't enough!

Ah the choices.

Scout

4x4

Vrs

I've currently got a superb but really need the flexibility of an estate. I think I've narrowed it down to the above 3.

I've a Superb 2.5 Tdi Comfort so wonder if there is any real difference in the amount of grip and handling in the above. Does the 4x4 actual give a noticeable difference on the road. Will they drive more or less surefootedly (is that a word?) than the Superb.

I don't do any proper off-road, really just on country lanes/tracks but like the look of the scout. We only really go off-road to park in grassy fields etc when away mountain biking each weekend. To get to the tracks though we do a fair amount of A and B road driving.

At the moment have the bikes on the roof of the superb, but feel long term may end up with rub marks where roof rack feet go, so think roof rails would be better, plus also considering getting a dog.

Anyone test drove or moved from one to other?

Thanks

Not an exact comparison but we currently have a 2006 Superb, an octy Mk1 L&K Diesel (2wd) & an Octy Mk1 4x4. The 4x4 is now heavily modified but I can remember back to when it was new & std. We bought it at the same time as the L&K & the 4x4 was more surefooted on dry roads & once the roads became damp or wet the difference was incredible. Personally I would favour 4wd every time out of choice

Not an exact comparison but we currently have a 2006 Superb, an octy Mk1 L&K Diesel (2wd) & an Octy Mk1 4x4. The 4x4 is now heavily modified but I can remember back to when it was new & std. We bought it at the same time as the L&K & the 4x4 was more surefooted on dry roads & once the roads became damp or wet the difference was incredible. Personally I would favour 4wd every time out of choice

That's some useful info.

It rains pretty well constant up here so a more surefooted load lugger is the main priority.

Looking at budget and how little I'm going to get for mine I'd maybe consider a tdi 4x4 of a late mkI or early mkII, are they as reliable as the normal 2wd cars? Do they even come in 1.9 tdi format? I do about 15k-20k miles a year so diesel is preferable so the tax man don't smile so much

That's some useful info.

It rains pretty well constant up here so a more surefooted load lugger is the main priority.

Looking at budget and how little I'm going to get for mine I'd maybe consider a tdi 4x4 of a late mkI or early mkII, are they as reliable as the normal 2wd cars? Do they even come in 1.9 tdi format? I do about 15k-20k miles a year so diesel is preferable so the tax man don't smile so much

MK1 only comes as a 1.8T petrol, as far as reliability goes mines now on 85000, dosent sound to impresive but it was remapped at 8000 miles & has then been steadily modified to the point where its 356 bhp & has been clocked at just over 170, sat nav & Ferrari verified :D, Its completed 3 cannonball runs & 2 Furballs. The Engine now has strengthened internals & when the std gearbox expired at about 70000 a TT unit was fitted BUT the 4x4 system is still std & working perfectly so that says a lot for that. the cars also done quite a few trackdays & is used hard, I dont think reliability will be too much of a problem if std or just remapped, the remap really transforms the car & actually gives you a couple more mpg on average driving. Only snag I have heard of with the std ones is the rear spring breaking but I have a mint set in the garage if you need them , also complete front brakes (8000 miles), spare std Turbo, starter , driveshafts etc etc etc etc

Im looking at moving to a 350Z in my quest for bhp but the 4x4 will be stored, its just such a good fun reliable car, the 350 Im looking at is a whisker off 500 bhp

Burnsey

I bought a new 1.9tdi 4x4 20 months ago, and it is as sure-footed in the wet as anything I've ever driven. Like you, I don't do any serious off-roading, and also use it for "lugging" stuff. It has more than enough "juice" if you want to put your foot down, and the 4x4 configuration has probably already saved us at least once when we had to rapidly avoid a speeding tw*t on the M5 in a deluge. It can safely traverse really steep hills, and you really notice when the rear wheels kick in. Frankly, I wouldn't prefer a Scout anyway, as it looks too much like all the other high off-roaders, and I prefer to have a more discrete "Q car" that can still produce the goods when required. And I can drive from Plymouth to Glasgow on one tank of diesel!

Brian

PS Give my regards to Pollok, where I lived for my first 25 years.

Burnsey

I bought a new 1.9tdi 4x4 20 months ago, and it is as sure-footed in the wet as anything I've ever driven. Like you, I don't do any serious off-roading, and also use it for "lugging" stuff. It has more than enough "juice" if you want to put your foot down, and the 4x4 configuration has probably already saved us at least once when we had to rapidly avoid a speeding tw*t on the M5 in a deluge. It can safely traverse really steep hills, and you really notice when the rear wheels kick in. Frankly, I wouldn't prefer a Scout anyway, as it looks too much like all the other high off-roaders, and I prefer to have a more discrete "Q car" that can still produce the goods when required. And I can drive from Plymouth to Glasgow on one tank of diesel!

Brian

PS Give my regards to Pollok, where I lived for my first 25 years.

Couldn't agree with the above more - well said!

We have a 2.0TDI 4x4 and, whilst we've only had it since June it has already proved excellent and, as noted, very sure footed in some atrocious weather both here in Yorkshire and over in Northern Ireland. The 2.0 TDi has plenty of go as well but admittedly not as much as the VRs. We don;t do a lot of off roading but my wife commutes from Sheffield to Macclesfield across the Cat and Fiddle on a daily basis which was the reason for wanting the 4x4. We didn't, however, want the "Look at me I've got a 4x4 with lots of black plastic bits" look so opted for the standard 4x4. Don't get me wrong the Scout is a good looking car but we prefer the cleaner look of the 4x4 and, given ours was an ex-dealer car with a lot of extras on it, there isn't much we're missing out on in terms of spec but we did save a significant figure overall against a same spec new car.

Not an exact comparison but we currently have a 2006 Superb, an octy Mk1 L&K Diesel (2wd) & an Octy Mk1 4x4. The 4x4 is now heavily modified but I can remember back to when it was new & std. We bought it at the same time as the L&K & the 4x4 was more surefooted on dry roads & once the roads became damp or wet the difference was incredible. Personally I would favour 4wd every time out of choice

Me too, when I drive SWMBO's Twintop when it's damp I am forever forgetting the lack of grip when going for that gap in the traffic and having to prey to make it. The 4x4 just launches and your away! It's not bad in mud either too as I found out at the Stafford V festival and O2 Leeds last year, I went where others couldn't n made my escape much quicker than most, certainly put the badge snobs in place whilst they pushed their cars and I simply drove by.

Just got back from a week's skiing in the French Alps and have to say the Scout is top dog. My mate's Q7 was having troubles on surfaces the Scout didn't even notice. Not once did I have to resort to the autosocks I went to lots of trouble to get, but maybe I'll need them next year.

Flew back across France in a mixture of snow, driving rain and more normal conditions on Saturday, hitting 120 in places but normally keeping to the ton and still managed to average 38+ mpg. The cost for a family of 4 to get from Calais to Valloire worked out at some thing like £100 including fuel and tolls.

Was also impressed with the French roads and the fact that A4s and A6s were easy meat when you have some leaway to put your foot down without worrying constantly about speed cameras.

SO impressed with our Scout, which at 2500 miles is loosening up nicely and proving itself to be a great buy time and time again.

Regards

Mark