Octavia vRS v Merc C200 Executive

[Moley RUFC]

So I have finally narrowed it down to these to cars for my next company car. Strange combination after coming from a Leon FR I know but I have always respected how good a car the vRS is and I really like the new styling although the LED lights are a bit OTT. I have another child on the way so I know the vRS trumps the Merc's boot space for 2 kids under 4 years old.

I really like the new C200 range and in the Executive guise it comes with COMAND and the sport grille too. The Merc will be down on power to the vRS (Merc 136bhp v 168bhp vRS) but I don't mind as long as the quality of the car and ride make up for it. http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/unitedking...

Opinions please, especially drivers of the C200 and new model vRS

Edited by Moley RUFC on Saturday 3rd July 07:38

[Moley RUFC]

I'm 30! I would like to retire next year though.

Point taken however

Edited by Moley RUFC on Saturday 3rd July 08:43

[nsmith1180]

Id go for the Skoda too. Cant put my finger on it but id rather been seen in a top of the range skoda than a mid range merc.

[Moley RUFC]

Wouldn't be so much an issue if the Skoda had the same spec as the Merc. The Merc has COMAND as standard on the executive whereas I would have to pay £495 alone just for Bluetooth or £1,250 for Columbus sat nav which again the Merc has as standard.

[nsmith1180]

Moley RUFC said:

Wouldn't be so much an issue if the Skoda had the same spec as the Merc. The Merc has COMAND as standard on the executive whereas I would have to pay £495 alone just for Bluetooth or £1,250 for Columbus sat nav which again the Merc has as standard.

Yes, but what about when the kids aint in the car??? Bigger HP, better styling, bigger boot,slightly lower spec but what can you do. The merc is a great managers car, the skoda is a Professional petrolheads car.

[EmmaP]

vRS then get it chipped

[liner33]

I'd rather have columbus sat nav (so much more than sat nav though ) than comand any day in fact i'd rather have a decent audio system and a tom tom than comand.

The VRS isnt a top of the range model though ,its a mistake people often make its just a mid range sports edition

I've gone from Mercedes to Skoda and the ownership experience is so much better , i'll never buy another Merc

[Moley RUFC]

Reaching for the Skoda brochure again now after I'd kind of decided on the Merc......The model I can have is the 5 door hatchback 170bhp diesel with either the manual box or the DSG. I have the PD version of the 170bhp engine currently in my Leon FR and it is a cracker whilst the newer CR version in the vRS is supposed to sound less Massey Ferguson.

It's a company car so servicing isn't a huge issue. Both the nearest dealers for Skoda and Mercedes are a far distance too.

[Moley RUFC]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

My company car list is for diesel only

[alock]

Moley RUFC said:

Wouldn't be so much an issue if the Skoda had the same spec as the Merc. The Merc has COMAND as standard on the executive whereas I would have to pay £495 alone just for Bluetooth or £1,250 for Columbus sat nav which again the Merc has as standard.

You could always buy the OEM satnav for £600. It's a direct replacement so can be swapped back when you return the car and you then sell the OEM satnav separately.

http://www.primeprestige.com/oemretrofits/mfd3-rns...

[dan1758]

I've had a vRS estate as a company car since Nov 08 it now has 45k on the clock and its been a brilliant everyday car. I would recommend these cars as they are well built, comfortable and quite quick when you need it. If I drive like a saint and use the cruise control I can get over 600 miles from a tank of diesel, which is quite good.

Hope that helps

[Moley RUFC]

dan1758 said:

I've had a vRS estate as a company car since Nov 08 it now has 45k on the clock and its been a brilliant everyday car. I would recommend these cars as they are well built, comfortable and quite quick when you need it. If I drive like a saint and use the cruise control I can get over 600 miles from a tank of diesel, which is quite good.

Hope that helps

It does thanks. The estate is also on the company car list

[anonymous-user]

i have an Octavia Vrs estate. Good car but they are pretty noisy. Not engine noise but general road noise. This can be greatly improved by soundproofing boot floor & under rear seat. Go for a proper test drive to see if you can live with it or a bit of DIY to sort it out. I understand that later in the year the soundproofing is being improved, this must be an area Skoda skimped on to save money...

[Balmoral Green]

Moley RUFC said:

servicing isn't a huge issue.

It might be when you compare Skoda levels of service with those of Mercedes

[Moley RUFC]

Case closed.

Octavia vRS wins by a knockout!

Had a drive of the vRS DSG diesel this morning and visited MErcedes Benz at Worcester.

The vRS is great fun and epsecially pleasing is the lack of a DSG nanny auto shift up. I was concerned that even if you were in 'Sport' mode, with the paddles, the car would upshift for you above so many revs. Alas no the needle was bouncing off the limiter until I changed up (admittedly this is a diesel so it still sounded cack!). Really good interior, suspect LED lights though but the car ticked all the right boxes apart from the awful 5 spoke alloys. A set of BBS CK's will sort that though.

The Merc on the other hand is just to small and as many have said too far down the desirable list of Merc's to be good enough. The boot is also far to small.

Sorted, off to order a race blue DSG Octavia hatchback Monday. Pics to follow

Edited by Moley RUFC on Saturday 3rd July 12:52

Edited by Moley RUFC on Saturday 3rd July 12:53

[liner33]

I didnt like the DSG on the diesel , my local dealer has a VRS DSG loan car and I find its in 6th at 40mph the dealer reckons the box never "learns" properly due to the car getting so many drivers but i'm not convinced.

I'm sure you will be happy with it though the CR engine is a lot more refined than the PD