Octavia vRS TSI MK3
Discussion
Well this isn't how I expected my weekend to go... but who doesn't love an unplanned 500 mile round trip to collect a new car?
I've been needing a second car with a bigger boot than my C63 for a while to be honest but with the continued daft prices of cars, I've been putting it off.
However, this popped up yesterday for a very good price (still blown my budget mind
) so after a chat with the seller and a little negotiating, I've agreed to go up and get it this morning.
Biggest distance I've travelled for a car too, so I'm hoping it's a good'un
Couple of hours to go...
I've been needing a second car with a bigger boot than my C63 for a while to be honest but with the continued daft prices of cars, I've been putting it off.
However, this popped up yesterday for a very good price (still blown my budget mind
) so after a chat with the seller and a little negotiating, I've agreed to go up and get it this morning.Biggest distance I've travelled for a car too, so I'm hoping it's a good'un
Couple of hours to go...
Great cars. We have a 2017 230 wagon. On 94k km and still doing us very nicely.
The first couple of years saw about 50k km on the clock, and it’s reduced quite a bit each year since.
Just passed its MOT equivalent for another year, and is going in for a service in 10 days, timed by the OBC, first service since April 2021.
Long drives are effortless.
The first couple of years saw about 50k km on the clock, and it’s reduced quite a bit each year since.
Just passed its MOT equivalent for another year, and is going in for a service in 10 days, timed by the OBC, first service since April 2021.
Long drives are effortless.
Great cars. Love mine. Manual 2018 vRS 245 sedan. Originally wanted a wagon after owning an S4 Avant, but the huge boot on these has meant I have not missed the extra capacity. Only time I miss the Audi is when doing a fast overtake on a greasy road when the all wheel drive was a plus. Other than that, I get similar performance, better handling, and great mpg.
I love mine also (2015 vRS TDI estate), have done over 100k in it now in just over seven years ownership since almost new - now on 109k in total. Been absolutely brilliant everyday family/work transport and for me, has the most comfortable driving position of any car I've owned.
Hope yours treats you well.
Hope yours treats you well.
Morning, meant to update yesterday but after I got home I was knackered and ended up falling asleep instead 
. Was a good day though.
First, it has to be said that the seller was a genuine top bloke; the car was actually near Forres but he offered to meet me halfway at Glasgow which was a massive help to be honest and saved me a good 7 hours on the trip. Most importantly everything was spot on with the car as well, I was a bit worried I’d find something once I saw it but the guy was completely honest and everything checked out – just needs a service at the end of the month, and a new wheel bearing on the front passenger side - even came with just over half a tank of petrol which was a bonus!
The car is a standard 220hp version with a manual box, it’s done 151K miles and has full service history plus paperwork for what’s been done over the years. It appears decently spec’d too with the black plus pack, winter pack, front and rear parking sensors with reverse camera, folding mirrors, and the Amundsen(?) infotainment screen with Smart-link.
So 250 miles later and I’m really happy with it, seats are comfy, it steers really well and feels nimble for its size. I ended up on a mix of A/B roads between Manchester and Sheffield and it was a proper blast, didn't expect it to be so much fun really.
It feels much quicker than I expected as well, to the point I’m wondering if it’s been mapped… and if it isn’t then I want to know what it’s like when it is
The only negative I’ve got is the rev hang when changing gears – I presume it’s got a clutch delay valve, so I’ll be having a nosey to see if that can be removed.
Few more pictures (Needs a proper clean!)
. Was a good day though.First, it has to be said that the seller was a genuine top bloke; the car was actually near Forres but he offered to meet me halfway at Glasgow which was a massive help to be honest and saved me a good 7 hours on the trip. Most importantly everything was spot on with the car as well, I was a bit worried I’d find something once I saw it but the guy was completely honest and everything checked out – just needs a service at the end of the month, and a new wheel bearing on the front passenger side - even came with just over half a tank of petrol which was a bonus!
The car is a standard 220hp version with a manual box, it’s done 151K miles and has full service history plus paperwork for what’s been done over the years. It appears decently spec’d too with the black plus pack, winter pack, front and rear parking sensors with reverse camera, folding mirrors, and the Amundsen(?) infotainment screen with Smart-link.
So 250 miles later and I’m really happy with it, seats are comfy, it steers really well and feels nimble for its size. I ended up on a mix of A/B roads between Manchester and Sheffield and it was a proper blast, didn't expect it to be so much fun really.
It feels much quicker than I expected as well, to the point I’m wondering if it’s been mapped… and if it isn’t then I want to know what it’s like when it is
The only negative I’ve got is the rev hang when changing gears – I presume it’s got a clutch delay valve, so I’ll be having a nosey to see if that can be removed.
Few more pictures (Needs a proper clean!)
Nice! 151k is some healthy usage.
I don't know about the diesels, but the TSIs all seem to put out more power than quoted. About 240bhp for the 220s and 255ish for 230s. Mine seems gruntiest on Tesco Momentum.
They are commonly mapped so it depends how unruly your car is when you give it some welly. Most mapped cars will be putting out a good 300 or more bhp.
Skoda really hit the mark with this third generation vRS. I love mine to bits.
I don't know about the diesels, but the TSIs all seem to put out more power than quoted. About 240bhp for the 220s and 255ish for 230s. Mine seems gruntiest on Tesco Momentum.
They are commonly mapped so it depends how unruly your car is when you give it some welly. Most mapped cars will be putting out a good 300 or more bhp.
Skoda really hit the mark with this third generation vRS. I love mine to bits.
Fuzzarr said:
Nice! 151k is some healthy usage.
I don't know about the diesels, but the TSIs all seem to put out more power than quoted. About 240bhp for the 220s and 255ish for 230s. Mine seems gruntiest on Tesco Momentum.
They are commonly mapped so it depends how unruly your car is when you give it some welly. Most mapped cars will be putting out a good 300 or more bhp.
Skoda really hit the mark with this third generation vRS. I love mine to bits.
Thanks, I don't mind high miles to be honest as long as the car's been well maintained. I'm rather fond of reading other peoples high mileage cars and seeing how far they can go I don't know about the diesels, but the TSIs all seem to put out more power than quoted. About 240bhp for the 220s and 255ish for 230s. Mine seems gruntiest on Tesco Momentum.
They are commonly mapped so it depends how unruly your car is when you give it some welly. Most mapped cars will be putting out a good 300 or more bhp.
Skoda really hit the mark with this third generation vRS. I love mine to bits.
Apparently this was owned by a Skoda area manager from new, and did 35k+ a year for three years
fair play to them, but I don't think I could do that kind of mileage each year, 20-25k was pushing my limit when I had to travel regularly for work.I didn't realize they tended to make more power than stated, 240-250 might be about right as I've set off the ESP a few times around 40-50mph but otherwise it gets the power down pretty well.
Early days for me but I agree; I owned a MK2 diesel vRS a couple of years ago which wasn't bad, but I never really got on with it. However, this is a massive step up - definitely impressed.
Fuzzarr said:
I could be wrong, but that looks like a post-facelift infotainment screen with the capacitative buttons. Never seen that on a pre facelift, wonder if it's been swapped by a previous owner?
It seems you are correct I just thought it was the top spec unit that came with the car, but the unit is a MIB2.5 8" Columbus from the facelift according to google.Demented said:
It seems you are correct I just thought it was the top spec unit that came with the car, but the unit is a MIB2.5 8" Columbus from the facelift according to google.
The Columbus is the 9.2" screen (the same as "Discover Pro" on VWs from approx 2017 onwards) I just thought it was the top spec unit that came with the car, but the unit is a MIB2.5 8" Columbus from the facelift according to google.The early Octavias (and mk7 golfs) came with the following:
Standard - 5.7" Media screen with buttons with no Nav (MIB1)
Amundsen - 5.7" Media screen with buttons with Nav
Columbus - 8" Screen with buttons with uprated Nav
Then for MY16 (so mid-late Q2 2015 onwards) they got MIB2 units:
Standard - 6.5" Media screen with buttons with no Nav - (Carplay/A-Auto compatible)
Amundsen - 6.5" Media screen with buttons with Nav (Carplay/A-Auto compatible) - VRS got Nav as standard
Columbus - 8" Media Screen with buttons with uprated Nav (Carplay/A-Auto included)
Then when the car was facelifted in 2017 it got the MIB2.5 units with the glass screen and touch buttons and Carplay enabled.
Standard - 8" Media screen with touch buttons and No Nav
Amundsen - Same with with Nav Enabled
Columbus - 9.2" screen with Uprated nav.
Its possible someone has just fitted the screen (as they are a plug and play swap other than shaving some tabs off the connector - I fitted the MIB2 proper button 8" screen to my Golf).
I think if you just have the screen fitted I don't think the "APP" button works as the media unit has no knowledge of that button's function. Could be wrong though.
There is minimal functionality difference really between MIB2 and MIB2.5 other than the UI looks a bit different and the processor is a bit faster so not really an issue if it is just the screen thats fitted.
It makes using the stereo much easier than with the old 5.7"/6.5" screens.
Really like these, and fancy one next but probably in estate form (27yrs old going on 50?!). Had the Seat Leon TDI 184 equivalent with a remap and it was brilliant, quicker than it should have ever been with so much torque. Was surprised at how nice the Octavias are inside (and the boot space) for the same car pretty much.
What sort of mpg are you getting out of the petrol version and if you don’t mind me asking how much did you pay? I’m looking at higher mileages too as they seem much better value.
What sort of mpg are you getting out of the petrol version and if you don’t mind me asking how much did you pay? I’m looking at higher mileages too as they seem much better value.
MY95 said:
Really like these, and fancy one next but probably in estate form (27yrs old going on 50?!). Had the Seat Leon TDI 184 equivalent with a remap and it was brilliant, quicker than it should have ever been with so much torque. Was surprised at how nice the Octavias are inside (and the boot space) for the same car pretty much.
What sort of mpg are you getting out of the petrol version and if you don’t mind me asking how much did you pay? I’m looking at higher mileages too as they seem much better value.
Not OP but I bought a 2016 Octy vRS TSI DSG 220 back in November, the OBC reckons my long term MPG is just shy of 38mpg, it's been steadily increasing as the days have been getting warmer. My commute is mainly Dual Carriageway/ Motorway at peak times (although usually fairly free flowing). I have managed to coax 42mpg out of it once or twice when the traffic has been particularly kind and I wasn't in a hurry though. What sort of mpg are you getting out of the petrol version and if you don’t mind me asking how much did you pay? I’m looking at higher mileages too as they seem much better value.
Also RE: Hatchback vs Estate, I believe whilst the Estate on paper has a larger capacity 600 vs 640l respectively, and with seats down about an extra 1000l each, the additional volume is due to the squarer boot lid, so if you aren't shifting tall items or packing to the roof liner then you'll easily get along with the hatch.
I can get an XL Mountain Bike with 29inch wheels slung in the back with very little effort in my hatch. I suspect the estate would be easier, but it would be trivial at best.
Edited by Sslink on Thursday 16th February 09:25
In my 230 manual (2016) driving with plenty of enthusiasm on a typical mostly B road commute I'm getting 33-35mpg.
On a motorway run it's easily up to 42, 45 if you stick more rigidly to 70.
Despite its size, the mk3 Octavia manages not to be too lardy which must help quite a bit with economy.
On a motorway run it's easily up to 42, 45 if you stick more rigidly to 70.
Despite its size, the mk3 Octavia manages not to be too lardy which must help quite a bit with economy.
Demented said:
The only negative I’ve got is the rev hang when changing gears – I presume it’s got a clutch delay valve, so I’ll be having a nosey to see if that can be removed.
I don't know this for certain, so don't take this as gospel but I'd expect it *not* to be a clutch delay valve. Rev hang would typically be a mapping thing[1], which suggests its *not* been remapped as why the hell wouldn't you remove that! I should point out that technically it's illegal to remove it[2].
[1] It's for emissions. Apparently the rapid closing of the throttle creates a lean condition which increases NOx, to get round it manufacturers prevent the rapid closure of the throttle and hence the rev hang. https://www.autoweek.com/news/technology/a34301354...
[2] It's illegal to cause a car not to meet the emissions standards it was type approved to. So removing the rev hang would technically[3] stick you in the same legal boat as removing EGR, DPF, GPF, cats etc. ie £1000 fine if caught and have to rectify before using it on the road again as it would not be roadworthy. Also can't legally sell it (to anyone) without declaring it's been done.
[3] Technically because of course equally unlike removal of EGR, DPF, GPF, cats etc it would be almost impossible to detect in the real world and the actual amount of NOx saved by it would be minimal.
SteBrown91 said:
Useful information
Thanks for this, looks like my google-fu still needs some work You're right, my 'APP' button doesn't do anything when pressed. So based on what you're saying I've got a MIB2 with the Amundsen 8" FL screen (NAV works)?MY95 said:
Really like these, and fancy one next but probably in estate form (27yrs old going on 50?!). Had the Seat Leon TDI 184 equivalent with a remap and it was brilliant, quicker than it should have ever been with so much torque. Was surprised at how nice the Octavias are inside (and the boot space) for the same car pretty much.
What sort of mpg are you getting out of the petrol version and if you don’t mind me asking how much did you pay? I’m looking at higher mileages too as they seem much better value.
I'm still on my first tank so I'm not sure how accurate it is but the trip is reading 36mpg average right now, which I'm happy with. I paid £5250 for it.What sort of mpg are you getting out of the petrol version and if you don’t mind me asking how much did you pay? I’m looking at higher mileages too as they seem much better value.
Fastdruid said:
don't know this for certain, so don't take this as gospel but I'd expect it *not* to be a clutch delay valve. Rev hang would typically be a mapping thing[1], which suggests its *not* been remapped as why the hell wouldn't you remove that!
I should point out that technically it's illegal to remove it[2].
[1] It's for emissions. Apparently the rapid closing of the throttle creates a lean condition which increases NOx, to get round it manufacturers prevent the rapid closure of the throttle and hence the rev hang. https://www.autoweek.com/news/technology/a34301354...
[2] It's illegal to cause a car not to meet the emissions standards it was type approved to. So removing the rev hang would technically[3] stick you in the same legal boat as removing EGR, DPF, GPF, cats etc. ie £1000 fine if caught and have to rectify before using it on the road again as it would not be roadworthy. Also can't legally sell it (to anyone) without declaring it's been done.
[3] Technically because of course equally unlike removal of EGR, DPF, GPF, cats etc it would be almost impossible to detect in the real world and the actual amount of NOx saved by it would be minimal.
That's a good point, to be honest I hadn't thought of emissions side of things. I need to figure something out though as it's pretty annoying.I should point out that technically it's illegal to remove it[2].
[1] It's for emissions. Apparently the rapid closing of the throttle creates a lean condition which increases NOx, to get round it manufacturers prevent the rapid closure of the throttle and hence the rev hang. https://www.autoweek.com/news/technology/a34301354...
[2] It's illegal to cause a car not to meet the emissions standards it was type approved to. So removing the rev hang would technically[3] stick you in the same legal boat as removing EGR, DPF, GPF, cats etc. ie £1000 fine if caught and have to rectify before using it on the road again as it would not be roadworthy. Also can't legally sell it (to anyone) without declaring it's been done.
[3] Technically because of course equally unlike removal of EGR, DPF, GPF, cats etc it would be almost impossible to detect in the real world and the actual amount of NOx saved by it would be minimal.
Seems to take a good couple of seconds waiting for the RPM to fall enough when changing between 1-2-3 before I can release the clutch. It's a little better in the higher gears but still not great.
Demented said:
That's a good point, to be honest I hadn't thought of emissions side of things. I need to figure something out though as it's pretty annoying.
Seems to take a good couple of seconds waiting for the RPM to fall enough when changing between 1-2-3 before I can release the clutch. It's a little better in the higher gears but still not great.
One thing as noted in the article I linked is to ensure you *TOTALLY* come off the throttle as even 1% throttle will make it worse. Seems to take a good couple of seconds waiting for the RPM to fall enough when changing between 1-2-3 before I can release the clutch. It's a little better in the higher gears but still not great.
Demented said:
Thanks for this, looks like my google-fu still needs some work smile You're right, my 'APP' button doesn't do anything when pressed. So based on what you're saying I've got a MIB2 with the Amundsen 8" FL screen (NAV works)?
Sounds like it. On the MIB 2.5 the APP button should go straight to the App Connect (Carplay/Andrid Auto) screen, whereas MIB2 didnt have an APP button, but later MIB2s do default to the App Connect menu item if you press "Menu" as an intermediate step until the units were redesigned.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff