Mk3 Skoda Octavia VRS Estate
Mk3 Skoda Octavia VRS Estate
Author
Discussion

torchythomas

Original Poster:

3 posts

134 months

Thursday 16th July 2015
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Hi everyone,

My first post on PistonHeads. My name's Nigel, and I thought I'd share my pride and joy with everyone.

It's a Mk3 Skoda Octavia VRS 2.0TDI, with 184bhp and 280lb-ft torque, equipped with the DSG gearbox. I bought this after I sold my previous 2001 VW Passat 1.9TDI, which had reached 253,000 miles and never failed an MOT. If this lives up to be half as good as that I'll be impressed.

I bought it from new as a retirement present for myself, and I'm astonished with the car. It looks fantastic, very reliable, goes like a bat out of hell and for a sports estate it's very economical. The room inside is cavernous. The main reason for getting an estate is because of the two German Shepherds that we have, and this car will fit 5 people, plus two dogs at the same time - easily.

Some photos that my son took:









It's hard to think that's a Skoda.

Aside from the torque delivery, my favourite thing has to be the DSG gearbox. The dual clutch shifting is instantaneous, making town driving peaceful and relaxed, and aggressive driving precise. Some extraordinary engineering. I swore by manuals before this but I don't think I'd ever get a manual again.

It's got the optional alloys, along with the black pack (darker grille, wing mirrors, etc). The car is very kitted out too, including lane assist (self steering), sensors to monitor your reaction times/head movement to see if you're getting sleepy, and a plethora of gadgets.

That's his Toyota Celica in the last photo by the way. He's also on here (link to his thread). He persuaded me to sign up to this forum, so a warm welcome wouldn't go a miss!

I'll look forward to browsing the forums, and to hear from you.

All the best,

Nigel.

Rensko

237 posts

135 months

Thursday 16th July 2015
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I'm not ashamed to admit I own a MK3 Octavia wagon - albeit a 1.4T...

Awesome cars, despite the "Skoda" image which some people still seem to get stuck on! Honestly, I wished the budget stretched to the vRS wagon as they are such a great package in terms of size/practicality and dynamic ability! We rationalised it through having a Megane 250 as the fun car.

GrumpyTwig

3,354 posts

186 months

Thursday 16th July 2015
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Nice colour smile

andy118run

959 posts

235 months

Thursday 16th July 2015
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Very nice car, think the Octavia VRS is on my list of cars to own one day. Not sure whether I would go petrol or diesel, probably the former, given a choice.

JackReacher

2,274 posts

244 months

Thursday 16th July 2015
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Nice, and in the best colour!

How do you find the ride? seems to be a common complaint in some of the reviews I've read

epom

14,830 posts

190 months

Thursday 16th July 2015
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Thats lovely.

Patch888

701 posts

157 months

Thursday 16th July 2015
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Looks very nice, good choice of present.

ALBA MELV

399 posts

185 months

Thursday 16th July 2015
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Welcome to Pistonheads Nigel. Your Skoda looks good and it sounds like you are enjoying it.


RB Will

10,817 posts

269 months

Thursday 16th July 2015
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Got similar and love it too. I went for the Rally green seems to be the somewhat rarer choice all the others I have seen are black or white, with black pack. Diesel but manual, I didtn get on with the DSG it kept falling asleep at junctions.
I see you went for the grey stitching and highlights, I went red, ties in with the brakes and strip on the rear bumper.

Few pics of mine on a recent roadtrip around Wales. Performance perfectly adequate, chassis very compliant yet still pretty direct and pointy.

Just one thing, yours is not wearing the optional alloys! its on the standard 18s, if you paid for the optional 19s (different design) then get down the dealer and get them!





daqinggegg

5,335 posts

158 months

Thursday 16th July 2015
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Come on now Nigel, you posted the pictures, or was a little help involved, don’t be shy. I’ve read both threads, cars look great, love the colours. I’m no photographer, but your lad seems a tad handy with a camera. This has the basis of a great thread, with father and son’s cars, maybe that could be a future topic. Nothing wrong with Skoda's, some folk still live in the past, enjoy it!

willmagrath

1,373 posts

175 months

Thursday 16th July 2015
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Welcome! and thats very very nice!! I have an old mk1 fabia vrs. Up to 130,000 miles now and I love it!! Enjoy smile

Moley RUFC

3,671 posts

218 months

Thursday 16th July 2015
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Welcome Nigel. Lovely car especially in the race blue. I'm on my second vRS and agree with all your comments. Certainly no speed queen but a good ride (even on the 19's) although the Eibach's helped immensely. Enjoy and if you haven't already get yourself onto Briskoda.


oobster

7,672 posts

240 months

Thursday 16th July 2015
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Agree with Moley, nice car, and Briskoda is also a good forum full of helpful people.

Welcome to PH though!

Mercury00

4,248 posts

185 months

Thursday 16th July 2015
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Lovely. For me this is perhaps the best all-round car you can buy.

bakerstreet

5,038 posts

194 months

Friday 17th July 2015
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Good looking car and the best colour IMO. Body looks to be sitting a bit high. Some lowering springs would finish it off nicely IMO smile

liner33

10,861 posts

231 months

Friday 17th July 2015
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All coming out of the woodwork now ! LOL

I'm on my 4th Skoda and 3rd VRS (Two Octavias and a Fabia )

Mine is the petrol version with DSG , also went for the same wheel and interior, I dont like the 19's and didnt want red trim with the blue. Also added Columbus and Canton which is excellent now its finally run in.

I think the ride issue is more for the non vrs models which have different rear suspension , the ride on mine is excellent

This is the best Skoda I have owned for sure and possibly best car, I really like it


Countdown

49,215 posts

225 months

Friday 17th July 2015
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Nice car OP thumbup


5potTurbo

13,653 posts

197 months

Friday 17th July 2015
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Welcome aboard, Nigel!

We also have an Octy vRS wagon - ours is Candy White and now 3 1/2 years old, a TDI too, and we've been very happy with it. I drove it 750 km from Luxembourg to Hampshire yesterday, and even in traffic or running at 140km/h on autoroutes, we averaged 53mpg!
I really do like the mark 3, and I feel our vRS will be replaced with another, probably next year. (I'd like to get a Yeti, but my wife won't hear of it!)

Moley RUFC

3,671 posts

218 months

Friday 17th July 2015
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bakerstreet said:
Good looking car and the best colour IMO. Body looks to be sitting a bit high. Some lowering springs would finish it off nicely IMO smile
Couldn't agree more regards the ride height on the vRS. You can see below the difference between standard and the Eibachs fitted.

Before


After


DaveK-S1

304 posts

230 months

Friday 17th July 2015
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Did you find the ride improved on the Eibachs , currently running a Mk2 VRs tdi and it seems abit floaty