RE: Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0 TSI: Review
Discussion
tadaah said:
I think the Octy Estate is definitely a sharply styled car (literally). It's not exciting but it won't date and its not fussy (like the focus)
You're right in that there are few new options, but if you need a newish car for high miles/expected dependability then near new or new is the only option.
Golf R estate might be nice but cost will be immense
Not trying to be provocative and don't expect others to agree, but for me, if a Golf clone was the only option, I'd rather spend the bare minimum and make do with a base model; I'd spend the change on a weekend car (if I couldn't do that, I'd be quite unhappy!).You're right in that there are few new options, but if you need a newish car for high miles/expected dependability then near new or new is the only option.
Golf R estate might be nice but cost will be immense
As it is, my Discovery does all the practical stuff as well as being my off-road weekend toy, whilst the Mini is for traditional PH-style kicks as well as being the OH's daily.
Clivey said:
Not trying to be provocative and don't expect others to agree, but for me, if a Golf clone was the only option, I'd rather spend the bare minimum and make do with a base model; I'd spend the change on a weekend car (if I couldn't do that, I'd be quite unhappy!).
I can certainly see that point of view, but the number of specced-to-the-hilt Golf type cars on the road shows that it's not a hugely common attitude. 
We had relatively simple requirements when we bought our mk2 - big enough to carry four adults, a baby and all the rubbish you have to take with you when you have a baby; small enough to park easily; capable of towing; reasonably quick; petrol; manual; capable of averaging about 30mpg; with dual zone climate control; and less than about £6k. It was amazing how few cars actually met those requirements, especially if you ideally want to avoid an estate.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 18th December 11:59
griffdude said:
I had an 07 330i Touring which I loved, however my job changed & mileage went from 6kpa to 22kpa so now have an 08 Alpina D3 Touring which is great (better ride & grip than 330i) but I miss the 6 cylinder howl at revs.
I would seriously consider the VRS wagon as a very cost effective replacement when the time comes.
I think if I had the requirement to do 20+k a year, and assuming it's mostly dual carriageway / motorway mileage, traffic etc. with little opportunity for "fun", I'd want a relaxing rather than "sporty" car. - Something like a Citroen C5 with the hydractive suspension would probably do. Having said that, I did find my old 3-Series very comfortable over distances - the driving position, ergonomics and sports seats were brilliant.I would seriously consider the VRS wagon as a very cost effective replacement when the time comes.
kambites said:
I can certainly see that point of view, but the number of specced-to-the-hilt Golf type cars on the road shows that it's not a hugely common attitude.
Oh, I agree. It's just a case of "Not for me, thanks.", that's all.Let's face it; most people wouldn't know a true driver's car if it fell on their head - hence the popularity of the S-Line diesel type stuff and all the pub/office BS surrounding them. You could put a 335i SE next to a 316d M-Sport and many will still take the latter as it's "A Sport so it must be faster!" (also making the mistake of equating "faster" with "better").
kambites said:
The VRS doesn't really try to be a "proper drivers' car" though, in many ways that's what makes it so good at what it does - it's a practical family car which happens to have a decent chassis and a reasonable amount of power.
Exactly...which, along with the "everyday" drivetrain, is why it doesn't really do it for me. Either I'd go for something that I consider good to drive (e.g. a 6-pot petrol 3-Series - again I don't necessarily expect anyone else to agree here) or forget the idea of "performance" and go for comfort instead. It might not be exciting, but it looks good and does everything you need a car to do. In fact, in the south east of England where fun driving no longer exists this is arguably the perfect car if you spec the DSG gearbox. It's a bit big to park at Waitrose, but other than that it's immensely practical, reliable, good looking, good value, fast enough, cheap to run and handles well enough for 99.9% of the driving you'll do. If you're a 20-something who lives in the middle of nowhere and wants to impress the girls then it isn't the car for you, but for everyone else this makes total sense.
SonicHedgeHog said:
It's a bit big to park at Waitrose
Width tends to be the limit in car parks and in that respect it's the same size as a Golf or a Focus - significantly smaller than something like a 3-series and vastly smaller than a Mondeo or Insignia. Edited by kambites on Thursday 18th December 15:26
McAndy said:
I don't understand. I thought that a 4x4 was a minimum requirement? This is smaller than one of those so should slide in comfortably, if while looking a little out of place.
Ahem...don't break the rules.Skoda / Seat: Shop at Tesco
VW: Shop at Sainsburys
Audi: Shop at Waitrose
I have had a Mk2 for two and a bit years now. Sadly enough I start saving for my next car as soon as i get a new one; The moolah is there and i have considered all manner of new replacements and i just cant see why i would want to.
I have other playthings so for what I want, the Octavia VRs (mine is a diesel) makes absolute sense...i cannot see the need for anything else.
The equipment is a bit sparse in places but it is really well built, economical, handles OK...can move along if required. One other thing not mentioned so far is that I have never ever been in a car that does distance so well..the seats are fantastic. I guess that could be a body shape thing though.
But....i only paid £17k for my mk2 and cant see that I would pay the £20k(ish) for a mk3 from drive the deal...need to come down a touch. the price of a new Focus ST2 from DTD makes that a little bit more likely.
I have other playthings so for what I want, the Octavia VRs (mine is a diesel) makes absolute sense...i cannot see the need for anything else.
The equipment is a bit sparse in places but it is really well built, economical, handles OK...can move along if required. One other thing not mentioned so far is that I have never ever been in a car that does distance so well..the seats are fantastic. I guess that could be a body shape thing though.
But....i only paid £17k for my mk2 and cant see that I would pay the £20k(ish) for a mk3 from drive the deal...need to come down a touch. the price of a new Focus ST2 from DTD makes that a little bit more likely.
Clivey said:
kambites said:
The VRS doesn't really try to be a "proper drivers' car" though, in many ways that's what makes it so good at what it does - it's a practical family car which happens to have a decent chassis and a reasonable amount of power.
Exactly...which, along with the "everyday" drivetrain, is why it doesn't really do it for me. Either I'd go for something that I consider good to drive (e.g. a 6-pot petrol 3-Series - again I don't necessarily expect anyone else to agree here) or forget the idea of "performance" and go for comfort instead. 
It's actually quite sad these days when a manufacture goes testing a car on the bloody Nurburgring in order to try and hone it's suspension & steering to provide a better behaving car just so that all the road testers who then drive on a British road or worse still those who have never even driven one can complain that it's too harsh, too dull and not a race car.
For a family having to chose from a range of large estate cars for sub £25k the Skoda has to be one of if not the best value for money package available in terms of offering more than enough performance for the real world, enough gadgets & creature comforts, average fuel economy and depreciation whilst still not being seen as extravagant or trying to show off.
It's worth remembering that for £23,755 the OTT price for a VRS 2.0 petrol turbo estate you could only get yourself into a BMW 316i ES with it's 136hp of 1.6 turbo 4 banger, there is no 6 cylinder 3 series alternative!!
aka_kerrly said:
It's actually quite sad these days when a manufacture goes testing a car on the bloody Nurburgring in order to try and hone it's suspension & steering to provide a better behaving car...
I'd just stop there. It's sad that manufacturers feel the need to tune a road car's suspension on a racing track. The 'ring has a lot to answer for, and little of it good, IMO. rob.e said:
gigglebug said:
Are there decent suspension upgrades for these and do they make a big difference to readdress some of the ride/handling criticisms? I'm guessing both Bilstein and Koni offer alternatives? Would it be possible even to use spring/dampers from other VAG models higher up the food chain?
Yes. On my mk2 i had TT wishbones (alloy) and bushes - bolts straight on. Lots of good aftermarket stuff too as pretty much anything developed for golf/leon/a3/tt will also fit the octavia.
With light wheels, lighter wishbones, calipers, revised geometry, upgraded arb's and dampers the car was transformed into something much more engaging to drive. More info on my profile.
Edited by gigglebug on Thursday 18th December 19:20
tadaah said:
gigglebug said:
Are there decent suspension upgrades for these and do they make a big difference to readdress some of the ride/handling criticisms? I'm guessing both Bilstein and Koni offer alternatives? Would it be possible even to use spring/dampers from other VAG models higher up the food chain?
Don't mean to be harsh but: You don't simply swap springs and dampers from other cars.....dampers and springs are set up to suit vehicle weight as well as many many other variables. Unless you can find a car that weighs the same, as well as has the same weight distribution, the same ride height, the same unsprung mass, etc etc etc, this is not going to end well.Edited by gigglebug on Thursday 18th December 19:39
Other MQV parts will certainly fit. Whether they'll actually be an improvement is a different matter.
I'd imagine fitting the lighter links from a TT would be an improvement as would any lighter wheels that you can find but I wouldn't be surprised if the springs and dampers from another MQB based car were worse than the OEM Skoda stuff on the Octavia.
I'd imagine fitting the lighter links from a TT would be an improvement as would any lighter wheels that you can find but I wouldn't be surprised if the springs and dampers from another MQB based car were worse than the OEM Skoda stuff on the Octavia.
Clivey said:
Ahem...don't break the rules.
Skoda / Seat: Shop at Tesco
VW: Shop at Sainsburys
Audi: Shop at Waitrose
Ah, the good old VAG/supermarket hierarchy. What is considered the Lidl/Aldi of the group these days? Bentley must be Ocado as I've never seen one in a supermarket car park.Skoda / Seat: Shop at Tesco
VW: Shop at Sainsburys
Audi: Shop at Waitrose
aka_kerrly said:
In all fairness Clivey you'd almost be keen to write a 10 page essay on why a 20 year old 5 series with 200k on every components is in your opinion a better drivers car than anything VAG have made
Not quite but as you can tell, I'm not a fan of VAG's more humdrum models.aka_kerrly said:
It's actually quite sad these days when a manufacture goes testing a car on the bloody Nurburgring in order to try and hone it's suspension & steering to provide a better behaving car just so that all the road testers who then drive on a British road or worse still those who have never even driven one can complain that it's too harsh, too dull and not a race car.
It goes with the whole faux-sportiness that seems to be a requirement on new cars in the UK in order for them to sell (Merc GL-class for example; GL63 AMG aside, you can only get it in "AMG Sport" trim in the UK. It looks ridiculous.). Never mind that some of our roads resemble the surface of the moon; let's set-up our road cars to perform on a pristine track. Makes about as much sense as wearing a leotard for a space walk.kambites said:
I'd just stop there. It's sad that manufacturers feel the need to tune a road car's suspension on a racing track. The 'ring has a lot to answer for, and little of it good, IMO.
Quite.aka_kerrly said:
For a family having to chose from a range of large estate cars for sub £25k the Skoda has to be one of if not the best value for money package available in terms of offering more than enough performance for the real world, enough gadgets & creature comforts, average fuel economy and depreciation whilst still not being seen as extravagant or trying to show off.
Large estate cars? I That's the Superb, surely?Maybe you could say that it's "the best" of not a particularly appealing bunch though. I wish more manufacturers would do estate versions of their hatches...fast estates should be cool.
aka_kerrly said:
It's worth remembering that for £23,755 the OTT price for a VRS 2.0 petrol turbo estate you could only get yourself into a BMW 316i ES with it's 136hp of 1.6 turbo 4 banger, there is no 6 cylinder 3 series alternative!!
See my previous reply regarding a choice of "dull or hideous". - If I had £25k for a petrol family estate, I would buy used as I don't fancy any of the new choices.McAndy said:
Ah, the good old VAG/supermarket hierarchy. What is considered the Lidl/Aldi of the group these days? Bentley must be Ocado as I've never seen one in a supermarket car park.
They shop at Fortnum & Mason, old chap...Sampaio said:
These fast Skodas never really appealed much to me, what's wrong with SEATs for a cheap alternative? The Leon looks very good whereas this Octavia looks like an old Passat with some new LEDs
Seat's styling over recent years (latest Leon excluded) is that of 'leave a people carrier in the sun too long, let it melt, then sell as a hatchback' which is a massive stonking turnoff. Everytime I see a mk2 Leon FR I think 'Oh look, it's Zafira man!'. Then there's the fact the hot Seat's tend to look a bit Halfords whereas Skoda have that Q Car thing in spades.Having had experience of both, despite using very similar VAG parts bin componentry the overall build quality of Seat seems to be somewhat far behind Skoda. Our Leon has had a staggering array of issues which according to the owner's forums are considered 'common' problems. The interior is ok to look at but feels like it's made out of drinks straws. The Octavia by contrast despite running for similar mileage and having broadly the same components has had no issues whatsoever and generally feels like it's screwed together properly. Equally the interior, despite being built 'to a budget' (it is a Skoda after all) and therefore being a little more utilitarian looks the part and feels properly built.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff