I have a 2.0 TDI Elegance on a 54 plate as a company car due for change in about 8/9 weeks.

Car hasn't been without problems but was in at the dealers today for its 90k service.

I managed to loan a vRS demo estate for the day as its one of the vehicles I am considering as the replacement car.

Covered approx 200miles in it on both A/B roads and long motorway stints.

Unfortunately I feel slightly let down after driving this car. It has made me think seriously about whether I could put up with it covering 30k miles per annum.

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Car too 'samey' inside to my car, apart from the obvious sports seats. Doesn't feel special enough if you know what I mean?

Ride much harder than mine and feels very skittish especially on the motorway - every undulation/bump etc. transmitted through the car.

Power not that different to 140BHP model which IMHO is also a smoother delivery.

Interior very dark and depressing with charcoal pillar trims and roof lining.

Fuel economy noticeably different - nearly 20mpg less on this same journey.

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Went to dealers to collect my car and the comfort difference when first sitting in it was remarkable and I do believe that mine actually is a nicer car to drive.

Sorry fellow vRS drivers!!

That's why you should go for the TFSi and not the tractor version!

The TFSI is very good, and it's almost as fast as my old hybrid turbo PD130.

20mpg less seems odd though, maybe something wrong with it?

If the demo didn't have many miles on about 30-35 mpg is the best you will get out of it driving it normally. My (Leon) 170 TDi does about 40mpg now it has some miles on it.

I agree about the difference between the 140 and 170, i'd quite happily have the 140BHP diesel in my next car as it's plenty fast enough and a lot easier to drive smoothly.

Know what you mean about samey interiors, one of the main reasons I went for the Leon FR over the Octavia vRS, the thought of six years sat behind the same dash depressed me a bit!

the vrs is quite subtle in its diferences to the standard octy. it is darker and the seats are sporty, but that and the steering wheel and thats your lot

the 170tdi is a bit brutal. i do really enjoy driving the vrs as i like the urgency of it. but thats not everyones preferance. sounds like you sould be heading for another 140 elegance or l and k

the ride is harder too. its the suspension and anti roll bars and even the lower profile tyres that will do that.

the vrs isnt for everyone i suppose and you are right, if your covering lots of miles then maybe another elegance or l and k is the better car for you?

I would opt for the L&K next time (biased :P) and tickle the engine with a remap or a bluefin if stealth is your thing You get almost the same figures as the vRS but retain the more flexible characteristics of the 140.

Or.................an L&K with the 1.8 TSI engine if petrol is a choice.

Oh and swap the Sputniks for 17" Pegasus wheels, the best looking wheels on the Octavia 'cept the B14's of course :drool: