Skoda Octavia VRS, opinions?

I've had my vRS since September 2007 and done about 10k in it. It's a bit of a mixed bag really, I love the engine and it's great on the brakes but the suspension despite being firm allows quite a bit of roll. The steering lacks a bit of feel and the seats aren't terribly comfortable - in particular the back seats are uncomfortable for adult passengers on long journeys and theres is a fair bit of tyre roar on the motorway. I would say it doesn't handle as well as, and isn't as comfortable or refined as my previous Mondeo ST TDCi. They are quite quick though, 0-60 is more like 6.8-6.9 seconds, the engine and gearing is the same as the Golf GTI, there's nothing in it weight wise and the vRS is more aerodynamic so there's no reason it won't do the same 0-60 as the Golf, I think it's been marked up a bit for marketing reasons.

Nothing has gone wrong with it though, and the interior quality is fairly good - it has no rattles as yet.

I probably wouldn't buy another one, I don't drive anywhere near as much as I used to so the niggles haven't bothered me too much, but it's not a car I'd want to do 20k a year in. If I was going to swap it I'd probably look at a Mondeo 2.5T or an A6 3.0 TDi.
 
OllyM said:
Octavia vRS petrol is 7.3 to 60, 120d is 7.6, hardly a world of difference! If the 123d is on the list I'd 100% have that - 7 seconds dead to 60 and an awesome engine.

It's not even as if the vRS is well specced, it has absolutely no luxuries at all, even digital climate control is an option.
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When was the last time you looked at the vRS?
Digital climate control (dual zone) has been standard since mid 2007.
At the same time they added the front storage box and the 18" wheels as standard.

Anyway the vRS was never designed to be the "Top Spec" model in the Octavia line - that would be the L&K level of trim.
 
Ive had my 2.0 16v tdi VRS for just coming on a year this month, I ordered it at the time of the free upgrades to 18" alloys, armrest/jumbo box, 6 disc changer etc, I also specced the xenons with popup washers, maxidot display and cruise control and I have to day its a comfy motor to be doing miles in. In my 11 1/2 months of ownership Ive done a shade over 17k and its due its first service in about 1-2 months time (computer says 19k).
To say its ill specced is a bit of a nonsense.
For 21k I could have had a bog standard bmw or a4 avant, mid level mondeo, s40 or laguna or passat. None of which were nearly as powerful, well specced or asthetically pleasing to the eye.
The DPF filter and decent engine mean its emissions are also slightly lower compared to the others listed and because of that its not as hard on company tax etc, 21% iirc.
My only grumble is that it sounds like its straight out of the farmyard in first gear traffic but once you rise to 2k when accelerating it actually sounds pretty well for a diesel.
I know this thread is originally about a petrol variant, I would have no hesitation in recommending the vrs as a well specced value for money wagon. (just dont pick race blue, I did and now there are about 4 of us in my town.) Red or white looks amazing and different.
 
mjt said:
the bmw will destroy it on in-gear acceleration and other real-life tests
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It's such a chore to change gear isn't it? Every time I have to change gear, I have to prepare myself, physically and mentally for the arduous task that awaits me. Those diesel drivers don't know how lucky they are having super long gearing and a power band as wide as a razor blade edge.
 
Dude you can post whatever you want, the power delivery and the noise of a Petrol Turbo will aways win, If I have the option of a decent petrol and a decent diesel, I'll always go for the petrol.
 
I hated the 1 series until I drove one, which was a 116i M Sport.

Nice interior and spacious enough (although not as spacious as the Octavia), it handled and drove nicely, and didn't look too bad in the right colour with the M Sport kit. It was woefully underpowered, which obviously wouldn't be such a problem here.

I'm quite attached to RWD now, which complicates matters, but I'd probably have the 120d over the vRS TDI if I didn't need/want the extra room, as I'd guess that the 120d would have lower emissions than the vRS TDI and that would counter the majority of the extra BIK due to the 120d being the more expensive car, but I'm not sure if I could go for a 120d over a vRS 2.0T...

Personnally, if I was the OP, I'd drive both, and then see if the looks still mattered as much
 
wohoo said:
Dude you can post whatever you want, the power delivery and the noise of a Petrol Turbo will aways win, If I have the option of a decent petrol and a decent diesel, I'll always go for the petrol.
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Agreed, but as an alternative to an Accord, I'd have to at least drive the 120d if I knew I was going to be stuck with whatever I chose for 3 years...

/EDIT: How big is the company, and are you inline for a promotion or anything? Is a brand more respected by the great unwashed likely to be seen favourably by management? While you aren't paying the fuel bill, is your choosing a 50+mpg diesel over a ~30mpg petrol likely to be appreciated? Or would both points go unnoticed?
 
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There is a facelift Octavia comming out soon with the Vrs expected mid 2009. At the moment the DSG is only on the diesel but is supposedly going to be an option on the petrol and with the steering wheel padels as another option.
 
Kingy said:
Agreed, but as an alternative to an Accord, I'd have to at least drive the 120d if I knew I was going to be stuck with whatever I chose for 3 years...

/EDIT: How big is the company, and are you inline for a promotion or anything? Is a brand more respected by the great unwashed likely to be seen favourably by management? While you aren't paying the fuel bill, is your choosing a 50+mpg diesel over a ~30mpg petrol likely to be appreciated? Or would both points go unnoticed?
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Its a big company, but they arent badge whores,I save them a fortune in booze bills, which is why I get leeway with the fuel card:p

Ive driven both the Accord and the 120D SE, and the Accord feels a better car (as It should its a class above), in fact the Accord feels every bit as good as the A4 now, the 120, just feels harsh by comparison, lovely steering wheel, and nice chassis, but the engine is not refined, and its a cheap car inside, I honestly dont think the seats and plastics are much better than my current ST.And I dont like the way it looks.
 
Cube said:
There is a facelift Octavia comming out soon with the Vrs expected mid 2009. At the moment the DSG is only on the diesel but is supposedly going to be an option on the petrol and with the steering wheel padels as another option.
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DSG is available on the Petrol VRS now, not a big fan personally.Ive got a test drive set up, so will report back with my findings, looking at the numbers, its significantly slower than the Golf GTi:confused:
 
I have a 2.0t vrs and I think its a pretty good engine...is fairly fast, its fairly economical and it has good power delivery


its a great all round package if you need a family car or need to transport a lot of gear for your job (and the estate is really excellent)

and theres nowt wrong with the interior, mines still rattle free after 3 years, soft touch dash, and VW switchgear straight from the VW parts box


the 1 series is a totally different car, smaller, different driving style and power delivery..theres no real comparison other than the price/group bracket on a company car list

with mine being 3 now my next car will be looming ont he horizon and if the facelifted model with the newer engine thats going into the new golf gti were available now I would have it in a shot...as it is I may well have to be looking elsewhere..but I will certianly miss it..its been a faithful, reliable and fun workhorse..and looks pretty good in black on the 18's

I suspect my missus wants a scirroco..I fancy a new mazda 6 ( I prefer a larger car)
 
I had a go in a newer one last year and was very impressed with the quality. I'd say it was better than my CTR, if a little plain on the dash. The price was pretty decent too, and very young second hand ones were even more desirable.

I couldn't comment any more than that, just that I liked it :)
 
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