HELP! Obscure 2016 Octavia VRS TSI 230 questions
Discussion
I'm nearly at the point of signing on the dotted line for a 2016 petrol Octavia VRS DSG estate.
But... I have a couple of questions I'm hoping someone with experience of the car can help me find answers to.
1) I've had a dreadful experience potholes and large low profile rims/tyres. Ultimately this resulted in a £1200 bill in damage to my previous car, so I'm keen to avoid. Unfortunately it seems the VRS petrol only comes in 19" 35 profile tyres. Considering this car is marketed as the do-anything, fast, practical estate, perfect for UK roads, seems slightly silly. What are they actually like? Does the does the softer sport suspension offset the issues caused by the low profile tyres? Or are they still pothole-damage magnets?
2) Load carrying ability? Very occasionally, the car would be used to haul large, reasonably heavy loads for holidays. Roof box, full boot and kids in the back etc. How are they at carrying loads? I'm conscious that estate cars are particularly susceptible to loads over the rear axle making the whole car sit back onto the rear axle (example pic below as its quite hard to describe). I'm particularly worried given the sport suspension of the VRS and its humble Golf chassis of its ability to carry loads. Anyone with experience of this?
3) Pre-facelift infotainment system. The mirror link system? What can it actually do? I know it's not Android Auto but frankly the salesman was clueless as to what it actually did, so I'm none the wiser.
But... I have a couple of questions I'm hoping someone with experience of the car can help me find answers to.
1) I've had a dreadful experience potholes and large low profile rims/tyres. Ultimately this resulted in a £1200 bill in damage to my previous car, so I'm keen to avoid. Unfortunately it seems the VRS petrol only comes in 19" 35 profile tyres. Considering this car is marketed as the do-anything, fast, practical estate, perfect for UK roads, seems slightly silly. What are they actually like? Does the does the softer sport suspension offset the issues caused by the low profile tyres? Or are they still pothole-damage magnets?
2) Load carrying ability? Very occasionally, the car would be used to haul large, reasonably heavy loads for holidays. Roof box, full boot and kids in the back etc. How are they at carrying loads? I'm conscious that estate cars are particularly susceptible to loads over the rear axle making the whole car sit back onto the rear axle (example pic below as its quite hard to describe). I'm particularly worried given the sport suspension of the VRS and its humble Golf chassis of its ability to carry loads. Anyone with experience of this?
3) Pre-facelift infotainment system. The mirror link system? What can it actually do? I know it's not Android Auto but frankly the salesman was clueless as to what it actually did, so I'm none the wiser.
The 230 may come only with the 19 wheels but 18 were standard on other variants so you could easily swap them . I'd be happy to swap 19s for my 18s.
As for loading I've not had an issue with it sitting tail down but I haven't got close to the load limits weight wise nor needed a roof box
As for loading I've not had an issue with it sitting tail down but I haven't got close to the load limits weight wise nor needed a roof box
I had a 2016 230 Estate on lease for 2 years.
The ride on 19's is terrible. Ridiculously uncomfortable. I never curbed the wheels or had any issues with pot holes but I would never buy or lease one again. I thought the wheels were ugly too! I did ask the dealer if 18's could be optioned but that wasn't possible.
One thing in the 230's favour compared to the standard VRS is the equipment levels are much better in the 230. The 230 interior leather is nice and the styling is nicer too.
Space was really good - plenty of room in the boot, seats up or down. I used to have 5 people in the car with associated luggage and the rear suspension never moved at all!
Mirrorlink is for non Android or Apple phones and I never used it. Android Auto and Apple Carplay can be added by the dealer for low cost - I think I paid £100 to them directly. Android Auto is a much better sat nav than the standard one - I used it all the time.
The ride on 19's is terrible. Ridiculously uncomfortable. I never curbed the wheels or had any issues with pot holes but I would never buy or lease one again. I thought the wheels were ugly too! I did ask the dealer if 18's could be optioned but that wasn't possible.
One thing in the 230's favour compared to the standard VRS is the equipment levels are much better in the 230. The 230 interior leather is nice and the styling is nicer too.
Space was really good - plenty of room in the boot, seats up or down. I used to have 5 people in the car with associated luggage and the rear suspension never moved at all!
Mirrorlink is for non Android or Apple phones and I never used it. Android Auto and Apple Carplay can be added by the dealer for low cost - I think I paid £100 to them directly. Android Auto is a much better sat nav than the standard one - I used it all the time.
Edited by Camelot1971 on Monday 6th May 08:49
Edited by Camelot1971 on Monday 6th May 08:52
We had a Scout for 2 years so can't comment on the wheels, but it could certainly carry plenty incl 3 bikes on a rack hanging off the towbar, 3 kids and a boot jammed to the roof.
O/T but that Disco has knackered rear air bags or compressor - it should level itself. Mine was on springs and never sat down like that no matter what load.
O/T but that Disco has knackered rear air bags or compressor - it should level itself. Mine was on springs and never sat down like that no matter what load.
I had a VRS diesel estate on 18" wheels and then a 230 DSG petrol estate for 2 years on the 19" inch wheels. Both were Meteor Grey for what it's worth (when it was quite rare) and I liked that colour.
Never noticed any difference in ride quality to be fair. Decided the DSG was a mistake (never came to terms with it). Good load carrier and transported several engines in the rear (one at a time!) without any problems.
The wheels do kerb very easily - don't let the wife drive it!
Overall they were good cars if a little dull. I hated the DSG fart on the petrol version - frankly it was embarassing. The fancy diff on the 230 never seemed to live up to it's billing - it did not feel that much different to the electronic version on the previous diesel.
Competent cars overall, and very good at what they do but don't expect to feel any passion.
Never noticed any difference in ride quality to be fair. Decided the DSG was a mistake (never came to terms with it). Good load carrier and transported several engines in the rear (one at a time!) without any problems.
The wheels do kerb very easily - don't let the wife drive it!
Overall they were good cars if a little dull. I hated the DSG fart on the petrol version - frankly it was embarassing. The fancy diff on the 230 never seemed to live up to it's billing - it did not feel that much different to the electronic version on the previous diesel.
Competent cars overall, and very good at what they do but don't expect to feel any passion.
SteBrown91 said:
Can’t answer the first 2 questions but if the car has mirrorlink it should also have android auto and carplay. This was fitted to most CW group cars from mid-15 onwards for the 16 model year. If it’s not enabled it can be retrofitted by a dealer.
Mirrorlink MY15 cannot automatically do android auto and carplay. From MY16 (Build date CW26 2015 onwards) it can.g7jhp said:
The 19" wheels look horrible anyway, far too bling for an Octavia even in vRS form.
Better sell the 19" as they'll have value snd buy some 18" BBS CH-R which suit the vRS much better.
The OEM wheels look far better, whether in 18" Gemini or 19" Xtreme form. Each to their own though...Better sell the 19" as they'll have value snd buy some 18" BBS CH-R which suit the vRS much better.
Edited by g7jhp on Friday 10th May 20:29
g7jhp said:
The 19" wheels look horrible anyway, far too bling for an Octavia even in vRS form.
Better sell the 19" as they'll have value snd buy some 18" BBS CH-R which suit the vRS much better.
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Like those alloys. I think I’ll contact my mate in Falmouth who has a tyre business and see what he can do. Better sell the 19" as they'll have value snd buy some 18" BBS CH-R which suit the vRS much better.
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