ianc

222bhp - check...
Audi 4wd system - check...
Improved trim, no white carpets or seats - check!



Ian

[Edited by ianc - 11/6/2003 11:23:47 AM]

NACRO

Exactly my point Notorious Rev and as for being a friendly bun(m) fight- I'm well aware of that, I'm just here to be the voice of reason from the Subaru "side". My next car is probably going to be a remapped Octavia 4x4. I had the pleasure of driving one and it was about as quick as my classic Impreza (before I had it remapped)and in my opinion, with the full leather interior had a better interior and build quality than the blobeye courtesy car I had inside.
Plus they are dirt cheap and so are servicing costs.

edite cos I spelled the rev's name wrong


[Edited by NACRO - 11/6/2003 11:07:29 AM]

Flat 4x4

John

You can get either the vRS or Audi S3/TT calipers/brackets from the usual new or used sources.

The vRS estate comes with 16 inch (like the 4x4) rather than 17 inch wheels on the hatch (same wheel design and brakes) so the assumption is that the brakes would have room to fit ok without changing to larger wheels.

(John: Note re 1.8T 4x4 performance)
The performance through the gears is very, very deceptive. I asked for a conservative 'unleaded usually' remap with Jabba and ended up with 220bhp /230lb/ft, but more importantly (for me) sheer 4th gear 'lugability' from 1500rpm. Remember also that the 4x4 is shorter geared than the vRS - top is 21.6mph/1000rpm rather than 24.3 so in anything other than a standing start it is very similar to how my 99MY Impreza performed and not hugely far away from Tek2.
My Impreza FELT quicker



[Edited by Flat 4x4 - 11/6/2003 8:44:58 PM]

NOZZER

"Although that does beg the question- why do they go round the Nurburgring in similar times to standard Imprezas? "


My quickest lap at the ring was as a passenger in a tavia rs, admitedly he spends more time there than in england

Was impressed with the car though.

[Edited by NOZZER - 11/7/2003 1:41:00 PM]

NACRO

quote: "However, your comments about the irony of deluded Impreza owners, driving around in their pedestrian Japanese saloon cars, with a cheap, **** interior, attempting to bolster their self-image, whilst avoiding damage from vandals, thieves, and jealous non owners, when they could be in a much better built Skoda... have been noted."

Did you write them down in a little book? I guess when you fit into the sterotype someone has outlined then I suppose it must be quite hurtful. Face facts Subaru is not a marque (NB Marque) of aspiration. It is a manufacturer of cheap performance cars a job it does very well indeed.

[Edited by NACRO - 11/10/2003 6:35:08 AM]

Beemer_Deano

When it comes to performance cars, for most speed junkies VFM means very little - that's why people still buy Ferraris, Lamborghinis and even M3s And I guess Subarus performance cars are why most people come to this web-site, so Skoda's "Fastest production car" isn't going to impress many.

Still though, it's a reasonably quick, reasonably comfortable car for a very reasonable price. It's really not worthy of the defensive stances being taken by a couple of people on either side IMO - particularly now they started getting offensive

Deano

*edited for the grammar police*

[Edited by Beemer_Deano - 11/8/2003 4:47:56 PM]

Flat 4x4

Ha-de-ha but a teensy bit outdated if my experience with (Subaru) dealer trade-in prices is anything to go off!

Re the service costs Chrisp & co. My last 30k service which is basically an oil (semi-synth) and filter change plus checks, it was £59 including vat at a large Skoda dealer, while I waited in the South East. The standard of care and service so far has been excellent.

The one proviso / option you have is to run on long life oil if you want - like any VAG brand car. As my car is mildly remapped, I CHOSE to pick a 10k standard interval to change the oil (like with Subaru) regularly. With long life, the service would have been about £140 and at 17,000m'ish intervals.

My service was in the last 3 months so prices have not changed.
I kid you not these are cracking value cars to run - MPG,services, insurance,and they are really well built by the Czechs.







[Edited by Flat 4x4 - 11/8/2003 6:05:39 PM]

chrisp

So Skoda fully back warranty wise these remaps. If so why dont they do them from standard and add £500 to the price ?

You can increase the performance of a scoob with an aftermarket remap for far less than the prodrive kit but it will stuff the warranty.

So lets compare apples with apples, guys.

[Edited by chrisp - 11/9/2003 9:29:53 PM]

Flat 4x4

Chrisp

You're right - as you say, how many Scooby owners have gone the Ecutek route as an alternative to PPP.

The point which I'm driving at in this thread is a value for money alternative to yet another Impreza, on a par for ownership experience.

The reason that Skoda do not fit a 210/220/230 ECU is not because the engineering cannot handle it, which it patently can, but because there would be zero point in buying an equivalent Audi or VW for anything other than the badgework.

The Czech factory is one of the most up to date in the VW group (outside of Lambo)and the cars are consistently produced at lower defect rates than the VW brand factories.

I'm still trying to establish a shared componentry figure compared with my last(new)Audi with Quattro drive, but under the bodypanels I'll take a stab at 70%. Anyone know the true figure ?

I'll say it again Chrisp - I have more confidence running long term with the 1.8T 4x4 engine at 220bhp than I do running 250bhp with a UK 2.0T Impreza short of an 03MY or UK STi. From experience.

edit
JOHN - Star performance are wrong I'm afraid. Can I suggest the FAQ and other threads about the VVT fly by wire engines on www.briskoda.net





[Edited by Flat 4x4 - 11/9/2003 9:54:29 PM]

NACRO

Have to say I was going by similar figures to Flat 4X4. I could get an almost new 4x4 Skoda with less than 10K miles for around 10K UK pounds. Add 1K for the upgrades and it's about 5K less than a secondhand WRX of a similar age.
The warranty remains intact as far I understand, although I imagine this varies depending on dealer.
As for blue collar background I was just pointing out that this group seems to be the type who aspire to Impreza ownership. IT Professional???? An oxymoron. I used to work in that field myself.
I do really believe that the Skoda is held in a higher regard these days by the professional classes (not that I give a toss anyway)it is a VFM issue. Plus you have to admit that the Imprezas image is a bit downmarket these days, again not that I give a toss about that, just being a realist.

edited to add they did do a 4x4 saloon.

[Edited by NACRO - 11/10/2003 2:10:42 PM]

ianc

Staying out of this argument on blue collar and white collar!!



But facts - Octavia 4x4 was originally only available as an estate. It was then also available in a hatchback for a season, but then reduced to the estate only again.

Ian
(in IT )

[Edited by ianc - 11/10/2003 4:52:01 PM]

Flat 4x4

...well sort of.

"Skoda shows VW the standard - the 3rd most satisfying car, 90.1.
Skoda just keeps getting better, with the Octavia leading the way"

Impreza - 01MY > 15th
Impreza - pre01> 26th (fit,finish, squeaks, running costs mainly)

I'm not saying its a better drive, but it isn't far off ...

www.briskoda.net

Floyd

iTrader: (9)

You're just trolling for a fight.

Go preach to the Skoda community! Have you pushed the wrong BBS button? This is for posh motors!

F

oz555

Don't think that old Skoda put down rings true anymore. Quality cars now.

Flat 4x4

Trolling for a fight ? Moi ?

(The thread contains Impreza information doesn't it?!)

BlackScoobyWRX

Just a thought -

the Impreza has been around for some time now and even the early ones go like **** and turn heads. Skoda on the other hand have been going much longer, they're still generally behind in the performance department and they're fookin' ugly !!

Just a thought !!

Floyd

iTrader: (9)

Yes Oz, but it still grates on Skoda owners to here the same old cliches

F

chrisp

Leading the way, I just hope they move over out of the way

Flat 4x4

I'm proud to have been a "farmers only, sheep toting, horsebox towing, muddy-welly,wipedown interior" Subaru owner five times over

But hey, I agree, my Skoda is none of those things

chrisp

Actually they arent too bad, just a bit too slow and underpowered for me to replace the scoob with.

yasawas

a lot of people complain that the impreza's cabin is dull but the octavia's is just fookin ugly and cheap!!!

Flat 4x4

..hmmmmm...Audi stalks, switches, pod, dash moulding,VW climatronic. Fair enough

NACRO

quote: "This is for posh motors!"

I though this was a Subaru BBS. I don't want to burst your bubble but look in any modern day Skoda and I think you'll find it's a bit better than any Subaru.

philjohno

Maybe, but I know what I prefer telling people what car i drive

Toonman1

I obviously should've looked in another Skoda then, as the Octavia RS I drove was very tacky inside, had loads of rattles and large, white seat panels that were already very grubby.

Cheers

NXG

Isn't the Skoda just a cheap VW these days since the VAG buyout?


The Imprezza isn't a cheap anything. It's original, desireable, affordable performance.

scoobycar60

If the VRS had the 210/225bhp (bigger turbo) motor + audi 4wd system and they impoved the trim (white carpets and seat panels ,what were they thinking! then it would be an easily tunable competent alternative to a scooby, at present unless you want to do lots of mod, not quite there yet IMHO.

Flat 4x4

They're getting there.

Never known of any rattling vRS's but my 4x4 has had 220bhp for £425 if that's any use ? The seats are half leather as std on the vRS though ?

drumsterphil

iTrader: (1)

Bloody 'ell, Skoda's have certainly gone up in price!!

NACRO

quote: "I obviously should've looked in another Skoda then, as the Octavia RS I drove was very tacky inside, had loads of rattles and large, white seat panels that were already very grubby."

I can well imagine, however I was comparing the Skoda to a Subaru not something with a decent interior.