RE: Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0 TSI: Review
Discussion
ManicMunky said:
Not to be "that guy", but AFAIK, the vRS models have IRS...
You're right, thanks for pointing this out. Story has been edited now, the Octavia vRS does indeed have a multi-link rear axle... I've been told to say Dan is a d
head (by Dan!) and that he promises to learn his VW Group tech more thoroughly in future. We're buying him every MQB variant in scale model format for Christmas.Cheers,
Matt
I've said it before but I'll say it again the Octavia VRS is the only modern car you really need. Anything else is just brand snobbery or trinkets.
I test drove this, Mondeo, A4, 3 Series, Mazda 6 and C-Class for my brand new daily motorway hack. I should've bought the VRS - it did all I need which was throw me up and down the motorway.
I bought the C-Class because I'm a badge snob and I got a deal that made it cheaper than the VRS but in all honestly there is no real world difference between any of them that you wouldn't have learned to live with after a month of ownership.
In a socialist utopia where every citizen was given a free car it would be this.
I test drove this, Mondeo, A4, 3 Series, Mazda 6 and C-Class for my brand new daily motorway hack. I should've bought the VRS - it did all I need which was throw me up and down the motorway.
I bought the C-Class because I'm a badge snob and I got a deal that made it cheaper than the VRS but in all honestly there is no real world difference between any of them that you wouldn't have learned to live with after a month of ownership.
In a socialist utopia where every citizen was given a free car it would be this.
Axionknight said:
Do they still do 'em in yellow? Depreciation be damned!
Luftwaffe Grey, or whatever it's called, with the Maltese Cross wheels is the way to go! Edited by Agent Orange on Wednesday 17th December 12:06
Axionknight said:
A good, competent car, I really like these - but it would HAVE to be an estate if I were to make the purchase.
Do they still do 'em in yellow? Depreciation be damned!
They do. I ran one as a long-term test car (albeit a diesel) for 6-9 months. Just replaced with a Fiesta ST...Do they still do 'em in yellow? Depreciation be damned!
"keen MQB spotters quick to notice that, as ever, the torque figure remains steadfast at 258lb ft. From SEAT Leon Cupra to Golf GTI, R and Audi S3 t'was ever thus,"
The torque figure thing is wrong as well. According to PH's own review of the Golf R, its figures are 280 @ 1,800-5,500rpm. Hope so anyway, otherwise I might as well have saved my cash and just plumped for the GTi.
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...
The torque figure thing is wrong as well. According to PH's own review of the Golf R, its figures are 280 @ 1,800-5,500rpm. Hope so anyway, otherwise I might as well have saved my cash and just plumped for the GTi.
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...
My thanks to Matt for running round after me with the dustpan and brush tidying up my mess and humble apologies for the cock-up; doubly annoying because (caution, litany of excuses to follow...) I *specifically* looked it up in the supplied press pack to check. 
Attached is the relevant page from the tech specs section of said press pack where it says FWD get compound link crank axle (basically twist beam with Watt's linkage) and 4WD get multi-link. In same tech section it listed specific wheelbase and track differences for vRS models over standard ones so if there had been a specific vRS rear suspension set-up I worked on basis it would have mentioned it there. Wrong!
I always work on basis that manufacturer info is gospel, sadly I should have read MORE of the manufacturer intel in this instance. Or, perhaps, got my hands dirty and actually looked under the damned car. And spared myself looking like an arse.
Ho hum, cock-ups happen and I'm sorry for this one. At least I can back up my mistake with hard evidence, not that it makes it any less irritating.
Carry on...
Cheers,
Dan
Attached is the relevant page from the tech specs section of said press pack where it says FWD get compound link crank axle (basically twist beam with Watt's linkage) and 4WD get multi-link. In same tech section it listed specific wheelbase and track differences for vRS models over standard ones so if there had been a specific vRS rear suspension set-up I worked on basis it would have mentioned it there. Wrong!
I always work on basis that manufacturer info is gospel, sadly I should have read MORE of the manufacturer intel in this instance. Or, perhaps, got my hands dirty and actually looked under the damned car. And spared myself looking like an arse.
Ho hum, cock-ups happen and I'm sorry for this one. At least I can back up my mistake with hard evidence, not that it makes it any less irritating.
Carry on...
Cheers,
Dan
Well as a potential future purchase replacing my A4 2.0T petrol i'm struggling to appreciate the progress here in the decade on paper.
It all sounds fine, nice to see manual and DSG option, however, with same power & torque as my 8 year old A4, 6 speed manual, but with more weight to lug around its hardly prising me away from a very competent predecessor. Lets hope the ride is more compliant.
It all sounds fine, nice to see manual and DSG option, however, with same power & torque as my 8 year old A4, 6 speed manual, but with more weight to lug around its hardly prising me away from a very competent predecessor. Lets hope the ride is more compliant.
Dan Trent said:
My thanks to Matt for running round after me with the dustpan and brush tidying up my mess and humble apologies for the cock-up; doubly annoying because (caution, litany of excuses to follow...) I *specifically* looked it up in the supplied press pack to check.
Attached is the relevant page from the tech specs section of said press pack where it says FWD get compound link crank axle (basically twist beam with Watt's linkage) and 4WD get multi-link. In same tech section it listed specific wheelbase and track differences for vRS models over standard ones so if there had been a specific vRS rear suspension set-up I worked on basis it would have mentioned it there. Wrong!
I always work on basis that manufacturer info is gospel, sadly I should have read MORE of the manufacturer intel in this instance. Or, perhaps, got my hands dirty and actually looked under the damned car. And spared myself looking like an arse.
Ho hum, cock-ups happen and I'm sorry for this one. At least I can back up my mistake with hard evidence, not that it makes it any less irritating.
Carry on...
Cheers,
Dan
Maybe you could've had a glance underneath the rear of the car.Attached is the relevant page from the tech specs section of said press pack where it says FWD get compound link crank axle (basically twist beam with Watt's linkage) and 4WD get multi-link. In same tech section it listed specific wheelbase and track differences for vRS models over standard ones so if there had been a specific vRS rear suspension set-up I worked on basis it would have mentioned it there. Wrong!
I always work on basis that manufacturer info is gospel, sadly I should have read MORE of the manufacturer intel in this instance. Or, perhaps, got my hands dirty and actually looked under the damned car. And spared myself looking like an arse.
Ho hum, cock-ups happen and I'm sorry for this one. At least I can back up my mistake with hard evidence, not that it makes it any less irritating.
Carry on...
Cheers,
Dan
As an aside, I have a question about correcting errors in articles. You've been quick to correct this problem, but when it comes to the motorsport articles with glaring mistakes you never even acknowledge the mistake and certainly never correct it or provide apologies from two staff members. Why is that?
I have a 2.0litre petrol estate with a manual gearbox and found it very frustrating initially as all the press seemed to be reviewing the diesel version! The petrol engine is the one to have and gives decent economy when you want it to. Putting your foot down will rapidly change things of course! A great all round power unit with a linear response almost like a 3.0 litre V6 (even if it doesn't sound quite as good).Interesting reading about how to disconnect the really annoying false engine note. I never use mine in sport mode because of this ridiculous feature. It sounds more like a NASCAR recorded on an old cassette player.
The car handles very well and has loads of space so is great family car. Could do with less road noise on motorway journeys as it is not as refined as a Golf but overall a great vehicle.
No I have never used the ice scraper but maybe now you've reminded me it's there I might give it a go.
The car handles very well and has loads of space so is great family car. Could do with less road noise on motorway journeys as it is not as refined as a Golf but overall a great vehicle.
No I have never used the ice scraper but maybe now you've reminded me it's there I might give it a go.
A big thing when comparing it to the Focus ST is that you cant tow with an ST.
Not the end of the world for many but when you need a car as a tool to drag track bikes about your list of a practical, moderately perky and ok looking car that can tow whittles down to very little.
I have a mark 2, remapped to 254 bhp and just shy of 300 lb of torque. Its right what people say, it has little character especially without a remap, but you cant really fault it. Decent mpg, enough power on tap for overtakes, spacious as a taxi, a fking huge boot, nice interior. Its really all the car you need without falling in love with it. My only gripe is the handling, its fine around town, on motorways
and over pot holes, in fact its fking brilliant. But when you fling it through corners its almost hilariously floppy. Its very forgiving however, it gives you a whiff of under steer to let you know, "oi im a taxi" before you fling it into the next field.
It would be easy to replace this car with something better, more fun. But impossible to replace it with something that is as practical, quick and has the same value for money.
Not the end of the world for many but when you need a car as a tool to drag track bikes about your list of a practical, moderately perky and ok looking car that can tow whittles down to very little.
I have a mark 2, remapped to 254 bhp and just shy of 300 lb of torque. Its right what people say, it has little character especially without a remap, but you cant really fault it. Decent mpg, enough power on tap for overtakes, spacious as a taxi, a f
king huge boot, nice interior. Its really all the car you need without falling in love with it. My only gripe is the handling, its fine around town, on motorwaysand over pot holes, in fact its f
king brilliant. But when you fling it through corners its almost hilariously floppy. Its very forgiving however, it gives you a whiff of under steer to let you know, "oi im a taxi" before you fling it into the next field. It would be easy to replace this car with something better, more fun. But impossible to replace it with something that is as practical, quick and has the same value for money.
I had a Mk1 hatch for close to 100K miles and it was a great car.
It wasn't a sportscar, but as a sporty, all-rounder (with lots of space in the boot, less in the rear seats on that model) I felt it was hard to beat.
I didn't much like the slightly fat and softened Mk2's styling, so bought something else instead, but the sharp-edged mk3 looks good to me.
Does it have any character? Well, what car does? If you're comparing it with a Lotus Elise or an AMG Mercedes, perhaps not, but in its niche my Mk1 was an enjoyable car to travel in and drive.
I chose mine over a Jaguar X-Type, BMW 320 and Alfa 156 and it certainly had enough 'character' to get the nod over those competitors.
M.
It wasn't a sportscar, but as a sporty, all-rounder (with lots of space in the boot, less in the rear seats on that model) I felt it was hard to beat.
I didn't much like the slightly fat and softened Mk2's styling, so bought something else instead, but the sharp-edged mk3 looks good to me.
Does it have any character? Well, what car does? If you're comparing it with a Lotus Elise or an AMG Mercedes, perhaps not, but in its niche my Mk1 was an enjoyable car to travel in and drive.
I chose mine over a Jaguar X-Type, BMW 320 and Alfa 156 and it certainly had enough 'character' to get the nod over those competitors.
M.
Gussiegtv said:
I have a 2.0litre petrol estate with a manual gearbox and found it very frustrating initially as all the press seemed to be reviewing the diesel version! The petrol engine is the one to have and gives decent economy when you want it to. Putting your foot down will rapidly change things of course! A great all round power unit with a linear response almost like a 3.0 litre V6 (even if it doesn't sound quite as good).Interesting reading about how to disconnect the really annoying false engine note. I never use mine in sport mode because of this ridiculous feature. It sounds more like a NASCAR recorded on an old cassette player.
The car handles very well and has loads of space so is great family car. Could do with less road noise on motorway journeys as it is not as refined as a Golf but overall a great vehicle.
No I have never used the ice scraper but maybe now you've reminded me it's there I might give it a go.
I posted this on Briskoda. Hope it helps.The car handles very well and has loads of space so is great family car. Could do with less road noise on motorway journeys as it is not as refined as a Golf but overall a great vehicle.
No I have never used the ice scraper but maybe now you've reminded me it's there I might give it a go.
Well after the dealer failed to disable it I've bit the bullet and got busy.
So here is a how to....
There are 4 x clips at the front of the plastic panel at the top of the engine which surrounds the wipers. Pull these off.
Now gently unclip the panel from the base of the windscreen working from the right.
You will then see this.
The arrow points to the sound generator and the circled plug need to be unplugged from the socket in the same circle.
Tidy up with a cable tie and job done.
Having previously owned a Fabia vRS from new, i'm fully on board with 'new' Skoda. Having said that, the new Octavia vRS looks a bit weedy in the metal, too much wheel arch gap and too narrow wheels, plus the fake exhaust pipes look daft. You can get away with these things on a cheaper car but Skoda's prices have crept up a bit too much for my liking recently.
Ah, bri-skoda, I used to go on there a lot. After months of topics and posts such as
“I revved my car to 4,000 rpm when cold will it be ok”
“ive changed my badges lets seen another 500 vrs like that”
“winter tyres are a must for urban london”
“is it ok to use independent garage instead of skoda”
“I only use skoda trained mechanics”
“I drive a s
t box tdi 1.6 taxi and think its quick”“why would you turn the TC off”
I gave up. Handy for problems though.
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