MK3 Octavia VRS owners
Discussion
I'm considering a new or nearly new petrol estate, to do a 70 mile a day mostly motorway commute and for DIY duties and kids are on the horizon.
It seems like a sensible choice with a bit of performance, just keen to know how owners on here rate them, and things to be aware of etc. Ive driven a 2016 vrs230 with the more fancy diff and it was a good drive, but the ride on 19's was on the firm side, so think I'll stick to the standard vrs model. Aware that the facelift has 230bhp but not the fancy diff.
Its likely to be a car to keep for a while, does anyone regret the purchase? Is 35-40mpg realistic on a motorway cruise?
Opinions on DSG verses manual? I'm a bit indifferent on that at the moment. Race blue seems to be the colour to have.
It seems like a sensible choice with a bit of performance, just keen to know how owners on here rate them, and things to be aware of etc. Ive driven a 2016 vrs230 with the more fancy diff and it was a good drive, but the ride on 19's was on the firm side, so think I'll stick to the standard vrs model. Aware that the facelift has 230bhp but not the fancy diff.
Its likely to be a car to keep for a while, does anyone regret the purchase? Is 35-40mpg realistic on a motorway cruise?
Opinions on DSG verses manual? I'm a bit indifferent on that at the moment. Race blue seems to be the colour to have.
Even on the 18s the 220 is still a pretty crashy ride. The roads around Manchester are dreadful and it is a bit of a pain. My main gripe is its inability to put the power down on anything but the smoothest of surfaces; the axle tramp is horrendous. As much as I like FWD fun, it's begging for 4WD and adaptive dampers.
Apart from that, mine has been great. MPG you mention above is easily achievable on the motorway. The only caveat is that the tank is on the small side. I've done about 7K miles in 12 months and the only problem I have is an occasional false reading on the front left TPMS, and this is the wheel that suffers the most axle tramp, so perhaps the two are linked.
Practicality wise, can't complain at all. The boot is vast but the car doesn't feel particularly large. It's reasonably well equipped, not that I'm all that bothered about infotainment or anything like that. I'd actually like a simpler console, but that's not a criticism to level solely at the Octavia. Rear leg room is very good too.
Can't comment on manual versus DSG as I've only driven the DSG which is far removed from the stuff VW were fitting only a few years ago.
And yes, Race Blue is the colour, although if you were feeling brave I think the Meteor Grey looks great.
Not sure I would have another one. I might look at the Superb 280 with 4WD next.
Apart from that, mine has been great. MPG you mention above is easily achievable on the motorway. The only caveat is that the tank is on the small side. I've done about 7K miles in 12 months and the only problem I have is an occasional false reading on the front left TPMS, and this is the wheel that suffers the most axle tramp, so perhaps the two are linked.
Practicality wise, can't complain at all. The boot is vast but the car doesn't feel particularly large. It's reasonably well equipped, not that I'm all that bothered about infotainment or anything like that. I'd actually like a simpler console, but that's not a criticism to level solely at the Octavia. Rear leg room is very good too.
Can't comment on manual versus DSG as I've only driven the DSG which is far removed from the stuff VW were fitting only a few years ago.
And yes, Race Blue is the colour, although if you were feeling brave I think the Meteor Grey looks great.
Not sure I would have another one. I might look at the Superb 280 with 4WD next.
Thanks, interesting about getting the power down and this axle tramp, but presumably this will affect most FWD powerful cars. The reviews of the mk 7 gti don't seem to mention this, is that suspension setup very different?
I'd expect traction issues in the damp, but it sounds like a bit of a problem. Maybe I should try one in the wet. I didn't really notice a problem in my old mk5gti with similar power.
The superb is nice, but it's just a bit big for what I want. The ubiquitous golf r estate presumably has none of these traction issues but it's too much money.
I'd expect traction issues in the damp, but it sounds like a bit of a problem. Maybe I should try one in the wet. I didn't really notice a problem in my old mk5gti with similar power.
The superb is nice, but it's just a bit big for what I want. The ubiquitous golf r estate presumably has none of these traction issues but it's too much money.
I find traction quite limited in our Mk7 Golf GTI PP, which also has the adaptive dampers. I'm used to quattro so despite expecting some issues I did find it a bit of a drag in the early months of ownership (we bought it in January) but you can obviously drive around it by being a bit more thoughtful on the throttle!
DCC is available as an option on the new vRS and I would definitely spec it with the small wheels if you're looking for a family friendly ride. Sticking our Golf in comfort allows it to lope along quite nicely on back roads and the motorway without ever feeling floaty.
DCC is available as an option on the new vRS and I would definitely spec it with the small wheels if you're looking for a family friendly ride. Sticking our Golf in comfort allows it to lope along quite nicely on back roads and the motorway without ever feeling floaty.
I've got a 2016 vrs 230 DSG and find I'm getting early-mid 30s mpg wise on my commute. Fairly easy to get 40mpg+ on the motorway, traffic allowing.
Can't speak for ride quality as I found it too soft as standard - I've now fitted the Eibach Pro-kit springs to sort that out. As it's a 230 it's on 19s.
Mines now remapped to 290bhp / 467Nm and still getting the same mpg. The DSG is the box to go for if you plan to remap, but otherwise I'd stick to a manual. The DSG is great in traffic, but it takes away a lot of driver involvement.
Axle tramp is an issue, but can be solved easily and cheaply using an anti lift kit, or a powerflex lower engine mount bush. It's probably next on my list.
Hasn't set my world on fire, almost swapped it for a Megane 275 a few weeks back, but it's an incredibly capable and well built car, so can't really complain. Plus the spec I've got is stupidly high as it was an ex demo.
Can't speak for ride quality as I found it too soft as standard - I've now fitted the Eibach Pro-kit springs to sort that out. As it's a 230 it's on 19s.
Mines now remapped to 290bhp / 467Nm and still getting the same mpg. The DSG is the box to go for if you plan to remap, but otherwise I'd stick to a manual. The DSG is great in traffic, but it takes away a lot of driver involvement.
Axle tramp is an issue, but can be solved easily and cheaply using an anti lift kit, or a powerflex lower engine mount bush. It's probably next on my list.
Hasn't set my world on fire, almost swapped it for a Megane 275 a few weeks back, but it's an incredibly capable and well built car, so can't really complain. Plus the spec I've got is stupidly high as it was an ex demo.
We have a 63 plate VRS TSI Manual Estate. It has been a brilliant car and covered every base we need it to. Good for a long journey (great car for Le Mans trips), Good performance when you want it, great kiddie carrier, nice practical touches, massive boot so no need for roof boxes.
It's PCP deal finishes in 12 days time, and we looked at loads of replacement options and found non that ticked the amout of boxes the VRS does. So today I pay the balloon off and it stays for another 18 months. (Mrs W car allowance dictates max age 5 years).
In hindsight we would have ordered it with DSG instead of manual and added the Canton Sound (standard set up is not so good).
We get about 30mpg and most of that is local driving during the week and at the weekends, when I get my hands on it, and don't spare the horses. So that's not bad in my opinion.
It's PCP deal finishes in 12 days time, and we looked at loads of replacement options and found non that ticked the amout of boxes the VRS does. So today I pay the balloon off and it stays for another 18 months. (Mrs W car allowance dictates max age 5 years).
In hindsight we would have ordered it with DSG instead of manual and added the Canton Sound (standard set up is not so good).
We get about 30mpg and most of that is local driving during the week and at the weekends, when I get my hands on it, and don't spare the horses. So that's not bad in my opinion.
Edited by stumpage on Monday 22 May 09:34
I have a (Race Blue) 2015 VRS petrol estate with dsg, really quite like it , its recently gone in for some warranty work ie a new front foglight as water was getting in and a replacement rear seat catch as it become dislocated . Its been great over the two years I've had it , its fast enough for daily use and I find i get 34-35mpg on average but i don't do a lot of town work. Dont like the manuals as its not a very sporty 'box but its ok
I find the ride pretty good but had a Fabia VRS before and that was crashy, I'm on the standard 18's though.
Canton is great as is the upgraded sat nav, mine also has the raised floor and spare wheel but the rest of the options i added I could probably live without
I'm in the same position as the earlier poster as its coming up for three years in March , I re-read the paperwork as I thought the GFV was £14k and it wouldnt be worth that but the balloon payment is £10k and I really cant see past keeping it as its such a good all rounder
I'd like the diff from the 230 version but not the wheels as you say , also if you want extra power you can map them but I put mine on the dyno and its put down 242hp stock so i dont get too hung up on the stock figures , its quick enough for what i want from it
I find the ride pretty good but had a Fabia VRS before and that was crashy, I'm on the standard 18's though.
Canton is great as is the upgraded sat nav, mine also has the raised floor and spare wheel but the rest of the options i added I could probably live without
I'm in the same position as the earlier poster as its coming up for three years in March , I re-read the paperwork as I thought the GFV was £14k and it wouldnt be worth that but the balloon payment is £10k and I really cant see past keeping it as its such a good all rounder
I'd like the diff from the 230 version but not the wheels as you say , also if you want extra power you can map them but I put mine on the dyno and its put down 242hp stock so i dont get too hung up on the stock figures , its quick enough for what i want from it
selwonk said:
My main gripe is its inability to put the power down on anything but the smoothest of surfaces; the axle tramp is horrendous. As much as I like FWD fun, it's begging for 4WD and adaptive dampers.
I have a '16 vRS TDi DSG Estate in Race Blue. I tried the diesel and the petrol versions back to back and the above issue is why I plumped for the diesel in the end (that and the ridiculous fake noise the petrol one makes, though you can probably turn that off), because the slightly lower power and the way it was delivered made for a calmer drive. It's plenty quick enough I find.Anyway that aside I love the car and would buy another one without question. I swapped the OE fit bridgestones for Eagle F1s as soon as it was delivered from new because they are SO LOUD, which made a big difference.
I got mine on 0% which made it even sweeter. If they do another 0% deal on the Mk4 I'd have a hard time not changing I think.
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