RE: Skoda Octavia vRS 230 Estate: PH Fleet
Thursday 28th July 2016
After weeks and weeks of racking up huge mileages, the Skoda has been taking it slightly easier for the last month. Of course, all things are relative and the Octavia has still been back to Le Mans for the third time in its four-month lifespan, this time for the Classic. On top of this it also took centre stage at our recent Sunday Service, hosted by Skoda. Well, it would have been rude not to!
Most of the stickers are off now. HonestOver these past few months I've spoken a few times about how the Skoda has managed to win me over, and this shows no sign of abating. I live a fairly strange life - I love cars and am lucky enough to drive something different on a regular basis, with new cars often on the horizon. This should mean that I get bored of cars very quickly, or at least become very picky about what I drive. However, not once have I ever felt like I got the short straw when driving the Skoda.
Always a talking point at PH eventsThat's right folks, I like the image that driving a Skoda portrays. Being in my mid-thirties, I can still remember a time when Skoda jokes were really common. And they were common because Skodas really were pretty dreadful things. Since the company's acquisition by the VW group in 1991, they've been working hard at turning the image around. I think it is fair to say that they've been pretty successful in this regard. OK, so there will always be some people unwilling to forgive and forget; my mother-in-law being a prime example. She doesn't especially like cars or know much about them, but when I told her I was getting a Skoda she pretty much laughed in my face. Saying that, when the car turned up she did say "I thought you were getting a Skoda, isn't that an Audi?". This shows her lack of knowledge, but also how far the styling has come too.
Sun is shining, James is happy!As I'm sure many of you will also find as fellow car nerds, I'm often asked for my opinion when friends are considering a new purchase. I seem to regularly find myself asking my friends if they've considered a Skoda when they start talking about Golfs, A3s and so on. Initially they're surprised, but many of them seem to end up taking the advice.
Skoda Octavia vRS 230 Estate: PH Fleet
A (relatively) quiet month for the hard working Skoda
Most of the stickers are off now. Honest
Even when the other option is a Range Rover. For logistical reasons I've ended up in Dan's SVR for the last week or so, which remains damn impressive despite plenty of prior experience. It is fast, comfortable, prestigious, it sounds great and is worth about four times more than 'my' Skoda. But you know what? I am genuinely looking forward to getting back into the vRS.
I suspect that this is at least in part down to the fact that I feel so comfortable in it - who wouldn't after so many miles? But saying that, I also like the combination of comfort, performance, practicality and - dare I say it - image.
Always a talking point at PH events
It seems that I'm not alone in feeling this way about Skodas too. Since I've been driving the car it has received a startling amount of attention. Even when parked next to the aforementioned Range Rover SVR during our Le Mans Pit Stop it seemed to attract more attention. I suspect that this is down to people seeing the appeal of a car that is a very 'real world' proposition, with an excellent blend of price, performance and practicality.
Sun is shining, James is happy!
I suppose that if you were not into cars you wouldn't understand just how similar a Skoda is to its VW, SEAT or Audi stablemates. Being car enthusiasts, does that then mean that we end up being the earlier adopters and champions of a brand like Skoda? Judging by the interest in our Octavia vRS both online and in the metal, I think we might be.
So I'm going to continue enjoying the car and the image it portrays of its driver. The next month has plenty in store for the car, so it is time for some brief TLC before a European road trip beckons.
FACT SHEET
Car: 2016 Skoda Octavia vRS 230 Estate
Run by: James
On fleet since: April 2016
Mileage: TBC, a fair bit though!
List price new: £29,910 (Basic list of £27,800 plus £550 for tow bar, £765 for Adaptive Cruise Control, Crew Protection Assist for £150, Heated seats for £200, Simply Clever package for £85 and Meteor Grey paint for £360)
Last month at a glance: James embraces the fast Skoda image
Previous reports:
Yes, really, a grey Skoda estate on the PH Fleet
Practical family estate into track car does go!
Two trips to Le Mans down, another one to go...
Discussion
McAndy said:
I recently bought a Mk2 facelift vRS hatch. Many mocked me when I told them I'd bought it, but then they saw it. It really does generate a lot of positivity! 
Agreed - I think that they're genuinely good looking cars. Jury is still out on the vRS 230 "extreme" alloys though... so far the only conclusion is that they definitely look better dirty!JD
We all have our toys and dream cars but the Skoda is a car for the real world. It's relatively affordable (especially when compared to its German cousins); it offers plenty of space, whether as a family car of workhorse; it is just about quick enough. As a daily driver do you really need any more?
Skoda to me seem to be cleaning up in the anti-image bracket. If that makes sense. Part of the appeal to me of Skoda is that they are not an Audi/BMW/Merc/VW that 90% of the population desire to own, and you get to pay less for a car that is as good or close to, although prices do seem to be creeping up. They seem to fit where Saab used to be, and maybe Volvo.
Have you considered a comparison against the Leon Cupra ST? Another very good estate car, but with more poke.
Have you considered a comparison against the Leon Cupra ST? Another very good estate car, but with more poke.
JackReacher said:
Have you considered a comparison against the Leon Cupra ST? Another very good estate car, but with more poke.
2 things:1) Yes we have considered it, and are in fact trying to arrange it... I'm especially keen to see how the calibration of the "differential", erm, differs.
2) I've recently become addicted to Jack Reacher (audio) books and I am halfway through the 5th one (Echo Burning). Therefor I'm loving the username!
JD
James Drake said:
Agreed - I think that they're genuinely good looking cars. Jury is still out on the vRS 230 "extreme" alloys though... so far the only conclusion is that they definitely look better dirty!
JD
I'm not a fan of the diamond cut look, to be honest. If I ever go Mk3 I'll be avoiding/changing them.JD
James Drake said:
2 things:
1) Yes we have considered it, and are in fact trying to arrange it... I'm especially keen to see how the calibration of the "differential", erm, differs.
2) I've recently become addicted to Jack Reacher (audio) books and I am halfway through the 5th one (Echo Burning). Therefor I'm loving the username!
JD
Excellent, maybe chuck a Focus ST estate into the mix as well.1) Yes we have considered it, and are in fact trying to arrange it... I'm especially keen to see how the calibration of the "differential", erm, differs.
2) I've recently become addicted to Jack Reacher (audio) books and I am halfway through the 5th one (Echo Burning). Therefor I'm loving the username!
JD
Glad you are enjoying the books, I tend to use the paper variety but should maybe consider the audio ones for the car!
I have a diesel vRS as a company car.
It was a toss up between the vRS and an ST diesel. I'm glad I got the vRS in the end; I think it's a great car albeit one that I don't think I'll ever love. It's huge, massively practical, swallows mountain bikes with ease, is brisk enough, comfy, well spec'd and easy to live with.
I've got the hatch because my monthly budget wouldn't stretch to an estate with the options I wanted.
Most of my friends / colleagues give me a hard time about it (old Skoda jokes, it's a taxi, snooze mobile etc), but I genuinely don't care.
It was a toss up between the vRS and an ST diesel. I'm glad I got the vRS in the end; I think it's a great car albeit one that I don't think I'll ever love. It's huge, massively practical, swallows mountain bikes with ease, is brisk enough, comfy, well spec'd and easy to live with.
I've got the hatch because my monthly budget wouldn't stretch to an estate with the options I wanted.
Most of my friends / colleagues give me a hard time about it (old Skoda jokes, it's a taxi, snooze mobile etc), but I genuinely don't care.
drgoatboy said:
I'm quite a skoda fan and was hankering after one of these for my next commute wagon.
Boring question but what is real world MPG like on the 230? On paper it looks great, but thats rarely the same as reality!
From a previous report "I also noted that the fuel economy was pretty dire, averaging just 25mpg, even on a long run."Boring question but what is real world MPG like on the 230? On paper it looks great, but thats rarely the same as reality!
- although it also said it improved after a track day.
drgoatboy said:
I'm quite a skoda fan and was hankering after one of these for my next commute wagon.
Boring question but what is real world MPG like on the 230? On paper it looks great, but thats rarely the same as reality!
On the rare occasion that the car isn't carrying bikes on the back / a roof box / being driven on track it seems to be good for about 33-35mpg in "real world" use. (which I define as just driving it normally without trying to be economical)Boring question but what is real world MPG like on the 230? On paper it looks great, but thats rarely the same as reality!
JD
James Drake said:
On the rare occasion that the car isn't carrying bikes on the back / a roof box / being driven on track it seems to be good for about 33-35mpg in "real world" use. (which I define as just driving it normally without trying to be economical)
JD
Thanks,JD
Slightly disappointing when book is 45mpg but not entirely unexpected. Cheers
I really do like this car, and I definitely get the anti-image/inverse snobbery thing too. I was looking for a good lease deal on one of these as my company car for months, and when I finally found one, the Golf R estate deal came in. And with an extra 70bhp, DSG and AWD and even better priced, I couldn't say no, but I love the understated styling of the Octavia. Also like that even in VRS form, the Skoda is fairly inconspicuous. I have to say the Golf estate does a pretty good job of doing the "undercover hot hatch" thing, but I reckon if Skoda ever put the 270/280/300 bhp version of the EA888 engine in the octavia estate that would certainly make for a very subtle performance car (as does the Leon Cupra estate - dependant on colour/wheel options I suppose).
Anyway, nice car. Like it
Anyway, nice car. Like it
drgoatboy said:
James Drake said:
On the rare occasion that the car isn't carrying bikes on the back / a roof box / being driven on track it seems to be good for about 33-35mpg in "real world" use. (which I define as just driving it normally without trying to be economical)
JD
Thanks,JD
Slightly disappointing when book is 45mpg but not entirely unexpected. Cheers
TeaNoSugar said:
drgoatboy said:
James Drake said:
On the rare occasion that the car isn't carrying bikes on the back / a roof box / being driven on track it seems to be good for about 33-35mpg in "real world" use. (which I define as just driving it normally without trying to be economical)
JD
Thanks,JD
Slightly disappointing when book is 45mpg but not entirely unexpected. Cheers
JD
I'm on my second Octavia in 9 years - the first was a mk1 diesel estate (1.9TDI in elegance spec), and I've now got a mk 2 petrol hatchback (1.8TSi, in elegance spec).
I cannot fault them for comfort and performance. The only time the Diesel let me down was when the clutch went on it, which considering it used to tow a caravan, isn't exactly its own fault. I can even forgive the hatch for needing a new engine at 79k miles as it is such a comfortable car and well equipped and can scare a few people with its performance. Certain brand drivers certainly don't like being overtaken by mine, and often cannot catch me when they try.
I'd certainly buy another, and recommend them as much as I can.
I cannot fault them for comfort and performance. The only time the Diesel let me down was when the clutch went on it, which considering it used to tow a caravan, isn't exactly its own fault. I can even forgive the hatch for needing a new engine at 79k miles as it is such a comfortable car and well equipped and can scare a few people with its performance. Certain brand drivers certainly don't like being overtaken by mine, and often cannot catch me when they try.
I'd certainly buy another, and recommend them as much as I can.
I've leased a diesel VRS estate since last October having switched from Audi A4 Avants....leased over the last 9 years. Love the car as a daily. It is hugely competent with enough power to make progress & great value for money. Would recommend the car without hesitation. Average MPG on the diesel is just shy of 43, & like James I just drive it with frequent use of sport mode on the DSG.
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