Hi

I am looking to buy my first Octavia VRS. I've got around £5k to spend.

I have been told that there was a facelift around the 2002 sort of time. Can anyone tell me what the differences were and anything else I need to be checking out when buying one?

Many thanks

The Octavia RS or VRS was introduced in 2001, the same year as the Octavia Mk1 received a facelift.

All RS/ VRS models are post facelift.

Yep, the Mk1 vRS didn't change at all throughout its life really, only difference I'm aware of is the colour red changed from rally red to corrida red.

OK. Thanks for that.

Is there anything I should be looking out for when looking at one such as common faults or bits that are particularly expensive to replace?

Sorry for all the questions but I have got no knowledge of Skoda/VW. I've always had Ford RSs and Imprezas.

So many people have recommended the Octavia to me though that I have decided to go for one!

IIRC ESP was offered towards the end of its production life wasnt it?

Later ones also had the better dark headlining too. Plus most of the late ones seem to have most of the options fitted like reverse sensors and cruise control. I might be wrong but maybe it was because they were using up the parts to make the car more desirable. Having £5000 to spend will get you a VERY good late low miler now too.

Darren

I am going to look at one in a dealers tomorrow. Its a 51 plate, 52k, one owner one for £4995. Does that sound about right?

There doesn't seem to be that many around at the moment in my price range. Especially around Devon!

id look on ebay mate some nice ones on their!

I am going to look at one in a dealers tomorrow. Its a 51 plate, 52k, one owner one for £4995. Does that sound about right?

There doesn't seem to be that many around at the moment in my price range. Especially around Devon!

Price is very high for the year. Dont asume that an old car with low miles will be a good one. Doing an average of 7k miles per year would make me think that the car has been stop started alot without being warmed up and run properly.

Darren

Id look for a fully stamped dealer service history and try to get some kind of warrenty thrown in for that kind of money

Steve

whats the difference between a vrs and an rs? as when recently getting insurance quotes some called mine an vrs and some rs.

whats the difference between a vrs and an rs? as when recently getting insurance quotes some called mine an vrs and some rs.

I might be wrong but am sure i read somewhere RS was badged in Ireland and vRS was Europe

Steve

Don't forget the older vrs's had 16" wheels newer ones have 17".

whats the difference between a vrs and an rs? as when recently getting insurance quotes some called mine an vrs and some rs.

There is no difference.

I too noticed this when trying to get quotes when i first got mine

Hi

I have been told that there was a facelift around the 2002 sort of time. Can anyone tell me what the differences were and anything else I need to be checking out when buying one?

Many thanks

IIRC there was a facelift around 2001 which increased rear leg room and added 17in alloys as standard(amongst other things) but I think most VRS's are post facelift.

5K should get you a decent example but be prepared to travel for a good one. if its close to/more than 60k or 4 yrs old make sure the cambelt/water pump has been done.

Hell for 5K, I might be tempted to part with my 03 plate

MisterGT, if it's a yellow one and you are in Oky I could come over today! We are looking for a yellow one preferably.

I'm going over to Wincanton this morning to look at a silver one. Its the closest one I can find at the moment. I don't mind travelling for the right car but unfortunately some people either aren't as honest about their cars as they could be or have a different perception of 'mint' or 'immaculate' to me. I've wasted so much time and fuel money lately I am starting to get a bit despondant with it!

I might be wrong but am sure i read somewhere RS was badged in Ireland and vRS was Europe

Steve

Across most of Europe the car is marketed as RS, while in the UK it's known as the VRS (something to do with Ford owning the rights to the RS name in the UK).

Across most of Europe the car is marketed as RS, while in the UK it's known as the VRS (something to do with Ford owning the rights to the RS name in the UK).

I'm sure the V in the RS stands for victory over Ford. Ford did try to fight Skoda from using the RS badge but Skoda won in the end.

Darren

Price is very high for the year. Dont asume that an old car with low miles will be a good one. Doing an average of 7k miles per year would make me think that the car has been stop started alot without being warmed up and run properly.

Darren

Or not. I only do about 8k a year, but it's mostly made up of a mixture of 20 minute commutes and occasional 200 mile plus runs. I just don't do much other than those runs.

I'm sure the V in the RS stands for victory over Ford. Ford did try to fight Skoda from using the RS badge but Skoda won in the end.

Darren

errr, no otherwise it would still be called RS.

The 'v' symbol used in the rs badge is just the accent over the 's' in Skoda that they use as the Skdoa motorsport logo. Just to keep Ford quiet it magically changed to a letter 'v' and was added to the model name in the UK only.

Hence why the first UK models are 'RS' and the later ones are 'vRS'. All Skoda CZ material states 'RS'

errr, no otherwise it would still be called RS.

The 'v' symbol used in the rs badge is just the accent over the 's' in Skoda that they use as the Skdoa motorsport logo. Just to keep Ford quiet it magically changed to a letter 'v' and was added to the model name in the UK only.

Hence why the first UK models are 'RS' and the later ones are 'vRS'. All Skoda CZ material states 'RS'

Why the "errrr"?

Do a google search and you will find that i am once again, absolutely correct:D

I remember reading this years back but couldnt remember where. Luckily i found an old briskoda thread. Isnt the internet a wonderfull thing.

Darren

Don't forget the older vrs's had 16" wheels newer ones have 17".

All vRS estates have 16" wheels, along with imports from Ireland. ALL UK hatchback vRS's had 17" wheels from launch, mine was one of the first in the UK (Y reg) and had 17" wheels. I have the launch brochure from April 2001 and it states 17" wheels for the UK.

Thanks everyone for the info. I have found one now and will be picking it up next week. As soon as i have cleaned it up to my satisfaction I will put some pics up and introduce it to you.

Thanks once again

Owen

Thanks everyone for the info. I have found one now and will be picking it up next week. As soon as i have cleaned it up to my satisfaction I will put some pics up and introduce it to you.

Thanks once again

Owen

How much did you pay if you don't mind me asking?

I have just bought a 2004 vRS in Silver with 50k on the clock and paid just under 7k for it. There were only 3 up for sale within a 70 miles of where I lived and they were going very quickly!!

Hoping to pick it up this week.