Monday 4th July 2016

Skoda Octavia vRS Mk1: PH Carpool

PHer buys a car off the back of a Market Watch and couldn't be happier

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Name: Alan Hurcombe
Car: 2005 Mk1 Octavia vRS
Owned since: April 2016
Previously owned: Morris Ital 1.3 Estate, Renault 14 Safrane, Ford Escort XR3i, Ford Cortina Estate 1.6 Auto, Audi 80 Sport, Vauxhall Astra Van, Maestro van, Nissan Cherry Europe, Rover 213, Audi 80 Sport (part 2), Audi 90 CD, Sierra 2.0 DOH, Audi 80 Quattro 5-cyl, Sierra 2.0 xr4x4, Discovery 200 tdi, Discovery 3.5 v8, Discovery 300 tdi 94, Discovery 300 tdi 98

Why I bought it:
"My last Land Rover annoyed me too much! A catalogue of issues arose over Easter (clutch failed) leading to the decision to replace it with something a bit more comfortable, economical - and faster! It just so happens that PH had not long run a market watch on the Octavia, and that was what grabbed my attention. So, the hunt was on for a Mk1 vRS."

What I wish I'd known:
"Not a lot really. I did the usual due diligence checks, read and re-read the PH article, browsed Google (other search engines are available) and even joined Briskoda forums before buying, just to research things a bit more. I knew the 20V engine was prone to, um, issues, so I wanted a decent one with a good history, which I found. It involved a 450-mile round trip to collect it by trailer, but it was definitely worth it."

Things I love:
"How understated it is. There are loads of Octavias used round here as taxis, including a few vRS models, so it kind of blends in a bit (although I haven't seen another Mk1 vRS around here). I do love the induction noise from the 20V, reminds me of the noise my old 80 quattro used to make (that was a five-pot). The economy is fantastic too (it was LPG converted from new by the first owner) averaging 34mpg commuting on gas, and 41mpg on super unleaded - but with the power to surprise when required. The size of the boot - it's enormous, even bigger than my Disco was, so I can get everything in that I need (bit of a family and friend's a mechanic so need room for tools, jacks, axle stands etc)"

Things I hate:
"Not a lot so far. I may invest in the cruise control upgrade with parts from a Mk4 Golf, as my right ankle can suffer a bit on a long motorway run, and personally I reckon the climatronic controls are too low so can't easily be seen without looking down from the road. The white/cream of the interior gets dirty easily, so needs almost constant attention - I am on the lookout for a decent Mk4 Golf/Audi A3 set of black leather seats and will tuck the originals in the attic."

Costs:
"Quite reasonable so far. Fuel is cheap when using the LPG (55.9p/litre) and I can get about 300 miles from that. Only other expenses so far have been a service kit, set of coil packs (common problem) and a set of wiper blades. I have purchased some new genuine shocks from my local TPS (reasonable at £37 each plus vat) as the front end is a bit soft and floaty, not surprising as it's done 150k miles.

"Insurance is reasonable at just over £350 fully comp with Swinton (helps being "just over 40" with 20 odd years of NCB)"

Where I've been:
"So far quite a few places. The first two weeks saw a trip to Aldershot to see friends and Peterborough for truck fest. We have also been up to Stafford a few time visiting, and down to Weymouth and Lyme Regis one Bank Holiday for a day trip - adding over 2,000 miles since buying it!"

What next?
"This one's a keeper (for now) as I am still in the honeymoon period. Once the Mk2s start to drop, I may think about one, although at the moment I am quite happy to hold on to this one. I am also planning to keep it standard, not really into the modifying scene these days, although a good standard sounding stainless exhaust will replace the current original one when it falls off (previous owner had already replaced the back box). The audio system will get an upgrade to a double-DIN Android unit next year, to replace my current flip screen (I have kept the original tape deck, and the boot mounted CD changer). Only other issues are the bodywork has few areas of surface rust to sort (back of sills, stone chips on bonnet and around the LPG filler), mechanically it has had a small fortune spent on its upkeep by previous owners.

"Other than that - keep enjoying the commute to work and back (plus any excuse to go out in it!)"

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Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at [e-mail]!

[CharlieAlphaMike]

Good choice. My MK1 vRS was a cracking car. Not sure why the previous owner of your's converted it to run on LPG though?

Edited by CharlieAlphaMike on Monday 4th July 15:54

[JackThrust]

I had one for two years and loved it. Such a great all rounder and I never had a spot of trouble with it. Huge boot, lots of toys (Well, for the era it was made in!), went well enough, understated, still miss it now.

Here's 'Trevor', sadly missed.



ETA: I bought it for £3800 and sold it two years later for £2700, not bad really!

[giveablondeabone]

I had one for 5 years and sold it with 126k on the clock. Excellent all round motor. I never had any engine issues but my car was used every day and had the chance to warm up properly. Watch the window regulators and front wheel bearings. I would seriously suggest a simple stage 1 remap from the likes of revo etc as it makes a huge difference and remains reliable. I never even needed a clutch in 90k.

[Mr Tidy]

OP, on the topic of the seats you may be able to find some Seat ones.

I had an X plate Leon Cupra that had full black leather, complete with electric adjustment and 3 memory settings on the driver's side. I think a lot of the V5 Toledos of that era had leather as well.

Anyway good luck with your search!

It sounds like you have found a well looked-after example - enjoy

[hedges88]

I remember liking the MK1 vRS very much and it spawned a good few more vRS models. Personally I find Skoda's age well, especially the MK1 Fabia actually looks pretty handsome considering the oldest are on a V plate, however the MK1 Octavia is starting to look just a little bit too bland to my eye. Who ever decided on the black/white colour scheme for the Octy and Fabia vRS needs to be taken out the back of the factory and shot at dawn

The Limited Editions are pretty exciting though! When I was young I just kept sitting in one in the dealership whenever we went there, back then though Skoda was emerging from that Eastern Bloc Image, and the underdog had a firm bite. Now I find them to be bland, expensive and uninspiring, and changing the logo of the worlds 4th oldest car marque is sacrilege

I think that SEAT has suffered as a result of their success too as by making a vRS model the market segments of each of VAG's brands in the marketplace has been blurred

[muppet42]

I looked at a few in my search before getting the 100HP...all of them had issues but I think it was my budget of £2,5k to blame in part.

Funnily enough, the two of them I did see had the rare xenon/cruise/parking sensor combos but they both had suspension/brake issues and question marks over the service history I wasn't prepared to take a gamble on after my experience with my Type R. They both went really well and felt comfortable but sporty in the twisties so I might well look at them or a mk2 in the future. I like the non-shouty image they have

[matchmaker]

muppet42 said:

I looked at a few in my search before getting the 100HP...all of them had issues but I think it was my budget of £2,5k to blame in part.

Funnily enough, the two of them I did see had the rare xenon/cruise/parking sensor combos but they both had suspension/brake issues and question marks over the service history I wasn't prepared to take a gamble on after my experience with my Type R. They both went really well and felt comfortable but sporty in the twisties so I might well look at them or a mk2 in the future. I like the non-shouty image they have

Mine is the only one I've ever seen with these options! A very worthwhile mod is an R32 front ARB combined with a rear ARB - I have a Whiteline.

[hedges88]

matchmaker said:

Mine is the only one I've ever seen with these options! A very worthwhile mod is an R32 front ARB combined with a rear ARB - I have a Whiteline.

Wider ARB's benefit almost all Skoda's especially the MK1 Fabia and also the Roomster (Which is the Octy MK1 Rear), Skoda's tend to have a very under steer prone setup from the factory with damping set for rougher Czech roads, doesen't work well here (Although our roads are getting pretty shabby)

I had a Jabba Motorspot (I Think that's what it was called) rear ARB on my MK1 and MK3 made turn in all the better, lift off over steer almost at Peugeot levels. Strut braces help too

Skoda also use diesel front springs with some Auto's which makes them awful, I had that experience with the Fabia 1.6 Tiptronic (Probably the most under stressed gearbox in history) don't know if the newer DSG's are better, DSG's are certainly lighter