Diesel vRS advice please (potential purchase)

[06octy]

Thinking about becoming a 2 skoda family and replacing my 330Ci Sport with a dieseasal vRS (we've already got an 06 plate 140 TDi). Just after a bit of advice really:

I'm looking to buy it as an approved used car - what options should I be looking for on a prospective purchase?

Bit disappointed with the build quality on the 06 octy but I read here that the vRS models are made in a different factory - is that true?

Would consider getting a remap if I did buy one but worried that it might struggle to put the power down on anything other than perfectly dry roads - any comments?

My daily commute is a 55 mile round trip (all motorway) - my long term average speed is about 52mph so I assume under those kind of driving conditions the mpg of a vRS wouldn't be massively different to our manual 2.0 TDi?

Do most people run their vRS on premium diesel, std diesel with Millers added or just bog standard diesel?

Bit concerned about going from my rwd BMW which I love driving (although sadly most of its use is up and down the motorway) to fwd, although I expect the vRS will be a lot more fun to drive than the Octavia we currently own. Anyone else made a similar change?

Thanks in advance.

[Captain Scarlet]

Hello. I'm not sure if the vRS is built in a different factory. I find that on damp/wet roads it can struggle to get the power down especially in the first 3 gears. A remap probably won't help this..lol. Although beause of the DPF there aren't a lot of remaps around, although a few members on here have them. At least you'd be fine doing a lot of motorway journeys.

The mpg may be a little lower than the 140 version, but not much I wouldn't think. With the current price of fuel I'm only using standard Shell diesel, maybe put V power in for special occasions.

[FocusZtec]

Originally Posted by 06octy

Bit disappointed with the build quality on the 06 octy but I read here that the vRS models are made in a different factory - is that true?

IIRC - isnt it the estate that gets built in a different factory to the hatchback? (please correct me if Im wrong as Im interested in this fact - sadly )

Lee

[Occy VRS TDI]

Hi
I have a diesel VRS hatch, beware of clutch/DMF/ judder/grab, otherwise as they say "enjoy the ride"Fuel return...cant grumble...considering Mr X is fleecing us.

[Captain Scarlet]

Yes forgot to mention make sure to enquire about the flywheel, as earlier builds had failures.

As for what toys you want I'd look for the parking sensors, maxi dot, zenons and dual zone climate control. Cruise control and sat nav are good but can be added later be yourself.

[SCVRS]

Get one, you won't be dissapointed. As for the "getting the power down" question. It can struggle in 2nd even in the dry, although this adds to the fun a little (except when cornering!!)

As for a remap, they do exist

I have heard that when the power kicks in for 2nd gear the traction control kicks in and this can also happen in 3rd a little and even 4th if you really give it some. But the torque increases to around 320-340 lb/ft. The surge of power is incredible!!!!

[06octy]

Thanks for the replies. Anyone here had a vRS remapped by emaps (Simon)?

Not sure if its just me but none of the cars I look at on the Skoda Approved Used Cars website seem to have any extras fitted or is it just that they don't list them on the website?

[bahnstormer vrs]

Originally Posted by 06octy

My daily commute is a 55 mile round trip (all motorway) - my long term average speed is about 52mph so I assume under those kind of driving conditions the mpg of a vRS wouldn't be massively different to our manual 2.0 TDi?

Probably no different in a vRS TDI; ought to get 45+ mpg on that sort of run.

Do most people run their vRS on premium diesel, std diesel with Millers added or just bog standard diesel?

I've been using premium diesel (Shell V-power) since it came available about this time last year. I initially did some back-to-back testing with regular shell, V-power and BP Ultimate (two tankfuls of each) and preferred the 'feel' of the V-power and it gave 2-3mpg better than the others.

I have also, for the past 9 months/15,000 miles been using a double dose of Millers to good effect. On a rolling road day the V-Power & Millers combo was worth, IMHO, about 10bhp.

Bit concerned about going from my rwd BMW which I love driving (although sadly most of its use is up and down the motorway) to fwd, although I expect the vRS will be a lot more fun to drive than the Octavia we currently own. Anyone else made a similar change?

I had a 381i BMW a few years ago (many other RWD cars before that) and whilst they are perhaps 'purer' in their handling, for day to day motoring a FWD car is more usable, particularly in the wet (just look how the BMWs are disadvantaged against FWD drive cars in BTTC).

Neutral/Oversteer balance, eh? Can be a bit tricky in the wet surely.

Putting aside the often suggested Eibach/FSD combo; a Neuspeed rear anti-roll bar is an excellent investment to replace the OEM anti-roll bar. Its a couple of mm thicker and takes the handling balance of the vRS TDI from Understeer/Understeer to slightly understeery neutral/slightly oversteery neutral (if that makes sense).

I trust that all helps.

[inexeng]

Thats a mighty big engine the BMW 381i

[bahnstormer vrs]

Originally Posted by inexeng

That's a mighty big engine the BMW 381i

Yea; but I could still get it sideways on a wet roundabout!!

[inexeng]

Was it 8 litre then ?

[06octy]

Thanks for the replies.

Wavering a bit now between the petrol and the diesel if I do decide to change the Beemer. Was coming round to the idea of a petrol but just achieved an OBC mpg of 53.7 in the 140 TDi coming in to work this morning (thanks largely to the lorry dawdling along in the outside lane on the A1 backing all the traffic up, but at least it helped my economy!) at normal time.

Actually Bahmnstormer vrs the 330Ci is really good in the wet, apart from when you hit standing water which is pretty terrifying but that'll be down to the 255 section rear tyres! Puts the power down from a standstill really cleanly still in the wet unlike any FWD car I have ever owned and you can really push it when cornering still with absolute confidence, unlike in say an S2000.

From when I used to watch the BTCC the BMWs always had to carry a weight penalty in order to give the FWD cars a bit of a chance - not sure what is happening with the touring cars these days although Andy Priaulx seems to do ok in his Beemer (admittedly in the World Series)!

[bahnstormer vrs]

Originally Posted by inexeng

Was it 8 litre then ?

Oops; just realised my typo; should of course be 318i

[bahnstormer vrs]

Originally Posted by 06octy

Thanks for the replies.

Wavering a bit now between the petrol and the diesel if I do decide to change the Beemer. Was coming round to the idea of a petrol but just achieved an OBC mpg of 53.7 in the 140 TDi coming in to work this morning (thanks largely to the lorry dawdling along in the outside lane on the A1 backing all the traffic up, but at least it helped my economy!) at normal time.

Not sure that you'd get quite as good a figure from a vRS TDI but nearly.

I have the same scenario daily; 20 miles @ 55-70mph due to thick traffic down the A1 into North London but then 8 miles urban 40mph dual carriageway with light traffic so no holdups gives me 47-50mpg. The return journey with congested urban for the first 8 miles but then clear traffic up the A1 allowing a very 'brisk' pace, often results in only 37-39mpg. Overall on a 450 mile tankful I get 40-42mpg.

Actually Bahnstormer vrs the 330Ci is really good in the wet, apart from when you hit standing water which is pretty terrifying but that'll be down to the 255 section rear tyres! Puts the power down from a standstill really cleanly still in the wet unlike any FWD car I have ever owned and you can really push it when cornering still with absolute confidence, unlike in say an S2000.

I accept what you say. Standing start will give the advantage to a RWD car but I still believe on a wet corner/roundabout with FWD its easier to balance the power and more forgiving when you lose grip; no leary oversteer!

From when I used to watch the BTCC the BMWs always had to carry a weight penalty in order to give the FWD cars a bit of a chance - not sure what is happening with the touring cars these days although Andy Priaulx seems to do ok in his Beemer (admittedly in the World Series)!

I lose track of the weight penalty issue in BTCC these days but it was clear to see the variation in lap times 2 weeks ago at Donnington on a track that went from dry/damp to damp to slightly wet to dry/damp (varying light rain) and how the BMWs with their RWD struggled mid race.

Overall, petrol vs Diesel in the vRS there is probably not much to choose between them for day to day motoring, apart from fuel consumption, and whilst most would argue the TFSI is better for a weekend blast; I find I can still have a hell of a lot of fun in the TDI when I want to.

[VRStu]

The vRS used to be built solely at Vrchlabi but due to popularity production was also commenced alongside the other OctyII at Mlada Boleslav.

You can identify the build plant from the VIN/Chassis number.

[vRS Ian]

I got 53mpg yesterday over 180 miles in my diesel vRS. On runs I usually do more than 50mpg, and 600 miles per tankful. Overall I average 49mpg.

The economy is totally linked to how you drive, I have seen 30mpg on a number of cross country runs when I've been 'trying'.

On the driveability front, I am absolutely positive my car was loaded with a new map by the dealer during the last service. The bottom end from 1300 to 1900rpm is now much smoother (less torque) which is a better thing. I now get much less wheelspin as the torque comes in more gently.

Great car anyway, would get another.

[Marcus100]

I have only ever had wheelspin once with mine on a very greasy road. Never had any wheelspin issues with the caravan on even, it just chugs away quite happily.

Economy wise, do see the low 50's quite regularly, up to 57. During the recent fuel shortages hereabouts was seeing a tank range of over 600 as was drivng VERY carefully.

[06octy]

Does sound like the difference in mpg on my typical daily commute between the vRS and TDi would be minimal. Need to have a play in one and see what I think....