BMW v Skoda Advice

Sigerson

Hey everyone, I need some advice....

131 BMW
318
M Sport

or

161 Skoda Octavia VRS
2.0
184 BHP

Same price, which would you choose? IF, you were a student.

godtabh

Sigerson wrote: »

Hey everyone, I need some advice....

131 BMW
318
M Sport

or

161 Skoda Octavia VRS
2.0
184 BHP

Same price, which would you choose? IF, you were a student.

As a student I couldnt chose either.

A colleague has a 151 Skoda Octavia VRS. Class car with a lot of toys. Very nice to drive.

Wild Garlic

Sigerson wrote: »

Hey everyone, I need some advice....

131 BMW
318
M Sport

or

161 Skoda Octavia VRS
2.0
184 BHP

Same price, which would you choose? IF, you were a student.

Show off

Sigerson

godtabh wrote: »

As a student I couldnt chose either.

A colleague has a 151 Skoda Octavia VRS. Class car with a lot of toys. Very nice to drive.

I heard the same, just wanted to see if others agreed. Good power in it too.

bazz26

Your not really comparing like with like there. Both are from different segments. The 3 Series is 40bhp down on the Octavia but the Octavia has more room in it and probably has a bit more equipment as standard.

Have you driven either?

Sigerson

What would you guys think about switching from a Ford to Skoda?

A couple people have been saying I would be mad to change, but I think that's just down to the fact that they just see a brand name (i.e. historically, Skoda have had a poor name) whereas others actually know where different components of the car come from. For example, some of the parts are the same ones used in Volkswagen cars.

CIP4

Sigerson wrote: »

What would you guys think about switching from a Ford to Skoda?

A couple people have been saying I would be mad to change, but I think that's just down to the fact that they just see a brand name (i.e. historically, Skoda have had a poor name) whereas others actually know where different components of the car come from. For example, some of the parts are the same ones used in Volkswagen cars.

I didn't think Skodas have had a poor name. They were always VW's budget brand of car where as now Seat seem to be as Skoda have upped their prices in recent years. They share most of Vw's parts with vw and same engines drivetrain chassis etc. You have to remember they are all part of the Volkswagen Audi group. Just VW's without the badges really. I don't think Ford are anyway superior to Skoda the BMW would be the more prestigious one to own well that's what the average public think not necessarily what I think. Id personally take the Octavia as its a high spec well powered brand new car for the same money as the BMW if it was a poverty spec Octavia 1.6tdi then Id take the BMW.

Sigerson

CIP4 wrote: »

I didn't think Skodas have had a poor name. They were always VW's budget brand of car where as now Seat seem to be as Skoda have upped their prices in recent years. They share most of Vw's parts with vw and same engines drivetrain chassis etc. You have to remember they are all part of the Volkswagen Audi group. Just VW's without the badges really. I don't think Ford are anyway superior to Skoda the BMW would be the more prestigious one to own well that's what the average public think not necessarily what I think. Id personally take the Octavia as its a high spec well powered brand new car for the same money as the BMW if it was a poverty spec Octavia 1.6tdi then Id take the BMW.

Yeah, the main thing that's driving me towards the Skoda is the fact that I would go for the VRS as it has a lot of extras, has the sat nav and I quite like the body kit on it to.

I have a Ford Focus Sport at the moment and that has a very nice body kit but no real extras inside. Thats a 2012 now and I want to try and change it now so I can get a good price for it as it's very low mileage as well.

I've had no problems with it, it's just a balls to keep the white clean!

Gumbo

It would depend on what options are fitted to the 318.
I would leaning towards the VRs.....

Atlantic Dawn

As a student what would your annual mileage be? Is resale value or running costs an issue?

Nonoperational

Had a similar decision to make myself, went for a 161 GTD over a 131/141 320 Msport. Things like 3 years servicing, 3 year warranty, better spec, apple carplay swayed it for me.

Sigerson

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

As a student what would your annual mileage be? Is resale value or running costs an issue?

Well I've done about 38,000km over the last 3 years so I suppose nearly 13,000km a year.
Thats the mileage on the '12 Focus so that's quite low.

I assume the BMW would hold its value well as it is an M Sport.

As for the Skoda, I heard that when I would be trading that in again the future then I would have to go back to a Skoda dealer or a smaller dealer with it.

For example, I've been to a BMW dealer and they told me they wouldn't be interested in a trade- in but I know I would get a good price if I sold my own Focus privately as its a Sport model.

KwackerJack

Skoda, drove the Octavia and Superb and they are beautiful to drive

I drove a 2008 3 Series a few weeks back and I did not like it at all. Felt very cheap for the price tag. Closing the doors I felt as if I'd break them if I closed them to hard. I really hope the newer ones have improved because the public opinion that they are a luxury car is wrong as my old 06 IS250 was miles ahead in comfort and quality!

My mate bought a 2009 520 Diesel from BMW and all I say is hr is very lucky he has the 2 year BMW warranty, At least he has a new rear diff now, and a steering rack!!

Sigerson

Nonoperational wrote: »

Had a similar decision to make myself, went for a 161 GTD over a 131/141 320 Msport. Things like 3 years servicing, 3 year warranty, better spec, apple carplay swayed it for me.

Same situation so really.

Just the "prestige" attached to having a BMW is attractive but I suppose you can get better specs in other cars for a lesser price.

The VRS has 184 BHP and would only cost an extra €200 in terms of insurance.

KwackerJack

Sigerson wrote: »

Same situation so really.

Just the "prestige" attached to having a BMW is attractive but I suppose you can get better specs in other cars for a lesser price.

The VRS has 184 BHP and would only cost an extra €200 in terms of insurance.

The prestige does not always hold up I was travelling to Tullamore one morning and a black 2008 5 series 525 passed me out with a little fiat 500 Abarth following behind, BMW decided to flaunt his prestige.....and lost

If you buy a car just on looks and public perception you'll spend a fortune and be bored very soon....be different

Special Circumstances

KwackerJack wrote: »

The prestige does not always hold up ...
If you buy a car just on looks and public perception you'll spend a fortune and be bored very soon....be different

The prestige of many coveted brands in ireland goes out the window very quick when all the cousins come home for the christmas in Limerick. :pac:

MuppetCheck

What's the spec of the 3 series? That would have a big bearing on it.

368100

Skoda, more grunt, essentially same as vw, newer car, more toys.simples

Eric Cartman

if the 3 series has power seats, navigation and some nice other spec that would be my pic. Drives nicer and has a lot more appeal.

robtri

Skoda everytime....
much nicer car to drive than the 318... 318 in low spec feels cheap..
318 as its one of the entry models for the 3 series, imho doesnt live up to what a 3 series should be.

Bigcheeze

CIP4 wrote: »

I didn't think Skodas have had a poor name. They were always VW's budget brand of car

Hehe I guess you're under 35 and don't remember them as the iron curtain sh1t boxes they were for most of their history. In the 80's every school boy had a collection of Lada and Skoda jokes.

MuppetCheck

Eric Cartman wrote: »

if the 3 series has power seats, navigation and some nice other spec that would be my pic. Drives nicer and has a lot more appeal.

This is Ireland. It won't.

Eric Cartman

MuppetCheck wrote: »

This is Ireland. It won't.

a lot of uk imports doing the rounds lately

mfceiling

A brand new skoda or a pre owned 3 year old bm.

Skoda for me every time.

Leonard Hofstadter

The 3 series will have the infamous timing chain problem, so that's out before we've even started for me. A shame because in every other respect it is a much better car, drove an Octavia recently and while there's certainly nothing wrong with it (and in many ways it's very very good), it's about as interesting as watching paint dry to drive. Admittedly the one I drove was a 1.6 TDI with the non independent suspension, and a vRS will have proper rear suspension so it will be somewhat better, but the BMW has rear wheel drive.

MuppetCheck

captainspeed wrote: »

The 3 series will have the infamous timing chain problem, so that's out before we've even started for me. A shame because in every other respect it is a much better car, drove an Octavia recently and while there's certainly nothing wrong with it (and in many ways it's very very good), it's about as interesting as watching paint dry to drive.

Bit of a difference between the softer sprung 1.6 diesel one you drove and the VRS to be fair. I wouldn't judge what you think it would be like by that. Although I'd prefer the BMW over one from that point of view, maybe a decently specced 320d to close the performance gap.

OP would a Golf GTI or Leon Cupra appeal given your small mileage? Overall cost to own on the Golf on particular might make it cheaper.

Eric Cartman

captainspeed wrote: »

The 3 series will have the infamous timing chain problem, so that's out before we've even started for me. A shame because in every other respect it is a much better car, drove an Octavia recently and while there's certainly nothing wrong with it (and in many ways it's very very good), it's about as interesting as watching paint dry to drive. Admittedly the one I drove was a 1.6 TDI with the non independent suspension, and a vRS will have proper rear suspension so it will be somewhat better, but the BMW has rear wheel drive.

timing chain issue also ended in 2011 afaik

Arthur Daley

Imagine this thread title in 1988. Skoda sure have come a long way. A masterclass in brand reinvention by VAG.

Leonard Hofstadter

Eric Cartman wrote: »

timing chain issue also ended in 2011 afaik

No they still have the problem after 2011 despite BMW's claims to the contrary.

Fair point Muppet Check, I accept I'm probably being a bit harsh on the Skoda but that was my honest opinion of it based on what I found. It is a good car but like a Toyota it is utterly boring to drive, though as you rightly point out a vRS should be considerably better. Still, I can't see how it will come close to a 3 series for driving pleasure, I've driven an M3 and I know a regular 3 series isn't going to be even half the car that is (given the price of a new M3, I should bloody well hope so), but even allowing for that I'd still expect a 3 series to be far more entertaining to drive than a vRS Octavia.

Blazer

I lov my BMWs but giving me a choice between a 318D "shudder" or a brand new VRS and I'll pick the Skoda every time.
If it was a 320D coupe or something a bit more powerful than the 318D then maybe.

Idbatterim

What would you guys think about switching from a Ford to Skoda?

A couple people have been saying I would be mad to change, but I think that's just down to the fact that they just see a brand name (i.e. historically, Skoda have had a poor name

hang on here, we are talking a hypothetical ford to skoda. In terms of street cred, I would have them pretty much neck and neck. We arent talking about going from a bentley etc to a skoda. Sure even bm, merc audi are common as muck on the roads here and this is coming from a bm driver...

2 things about the bm, firstly the 320d will likely have the same tax but good bit more bhp, secondly the potential timing chain issues as has been mentioned...

just checked, the 2011-15 318d = 141bhp and 181 in the 320d...

368100

Bigcheeze wrote: »

Hehe I guess you're under 35 and don't remember them as the iron curtain sh1t boxes they were for most of their history. In the 80's every school boy had a collection of Lada and Skoda jokes.

I'm under 35 and I remember them, now if only I could remember a few

rock22

Bigcheeze wrote: »

Hehe I guess you're under 35 and don't remember them as the iron curtain sh1t boxes they were for most of their history. In the 80's every school boy had a collection of Lada and Skoda jokes.

This reputation seems to only date from around 1990s in UK.
I remember them in the 60's 70.s when Skoda did come from behind the iron curtain, They were always considered basic but extremely well made. They were idiosyncratic ( iron head on an aluminium block !) but I never heard any comments at the time concerning their quality.

They were certainly never confused with lada

Armchair Andy

Arthur Daley wrote: »

Imagine this thread title in 1988. Skoda sure have come a long way. A masterclass in brand reinvention by VAG.

So bad even Terry McCann wouldn't be seen in one.

Nonoperational

Sigerson wrote: »

Same situation so really.

Just the "prestige" attached to having a BMW is attractive but I suppose you can get better specs in other cars for a lesser price.

The VRS has 184 BHP and would only cost an extra €200 in terms of insurance.

Yep, but a brand new VRS with all the toys has a certain level of prestige too.

I understand what you're thinking, but there's always next time too. I'll get a 4 series M Sport in 3 years, but it was just stretching me a little too far this time. If you're a student I assume you'll be buying many more cars, it's nice to be able to upgrade a little each time.

Saying that, I do like the 3 series. It's a lovely car. But needs to be M Sport spec for me.

DARK-KNIGHT

Where did i go wrong lol when i was working full time i drove a van and now as a mature student i couldnt afford a 1990 rustbox

MuppetCheck

Worth mentioning a new VRS is about 34.5k plus whatever extras like metallic paint, nav, upgrade wheels etc. If the 3 series is the same price that's an awful lot for a 3 year old 4 cylinder 3 series.

bidiots

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

Where did i go wrong lol when i was working full time i drove a van and now as a mature student i couldnt afford a 1990 rustbox

Absolutely this, did well to feed myself as a student AND a bus pass.... Hell I'm working 20 year's and couldn't think of buying new!

chriity139

VRS hands down. BMW are nothing special until you start getting into the big engine models.

MarkR

Student with a 35k car? I'd take the new one, sell it, and give the parents back 34k. Buy a run around.

Idbatterim

was in a VRS taxi the other day, the driver said he picked up a demo model with 5k on the clock for 30k...

Skylinehead

368100 wrote: »

I'm under 35 and I remember them, now if only I could remember a few

What do you call a Skoda with two exhausts? A wheelbarrow
What do you call a Skoda with a sunroof? A skip

Those were the classics.

Stallingrad

Skylinehead wrote: »

What do you call a Skoda with two exhausts? A wheelbarrow
What do you call a Skoda with a sunroof? A skip

Those were the classics.

I think Lada had dibs on those.

Skylinehead

Stallingrad wrote: »

I think Lada had dibs on those.

Fairly interchangeable really!

MuppetCheck

Ah lads, the best one was why does a Skoda have a heated back window...tut tut...can't believe ye missed that:)

coolbeans

chriity139 wrote: »

VRS hands down. BMW are nothing special until you start getting into the big engine models.

Agree with this. skoda every time. No envy or prestige with the likes of a 520d for example or anything below it. 318 I just think is a boggo Beamer. Ok car but certainly nothing special. Gimme a specced up Skoda with 40 more horses out of the factory any day. I reckon you need to be spending at least €70k plus to get something special or prestige from the BMW stable.

Bigcheeze

Stallingrad wrote: »

I think Lada had dibs on those.

To be honest I think the lada jokes were recycled UK Skoda jokes.

Lada was big for a while in Ireland in the late 80's. The big selling point was a new car for under £5,000. It helped that the new reg system started in 1987.

Skoda was big in the UK Before lada appeared here. I don't remember seeing many of the communist era Skodas here.

Marcusm

Bigcheeze wrote: »

To be honest I think the lada jokes were recycled UK Skoda jokes.

Lada was big for a while in Ireland in the late 80's. The big selling point was a new car for under £5,000. It helped that the new reg system started in 1987.

Skoda was big in the UK Before lada appeared here. I don't remember seeing many of the communist era Skodas here.

I remember a fair few Skodas, they stood out because they were rear engined. I would agree that there were more Ladas and FSO Polonezs than Skodas though. Definitely lets of jokes too.

Bigcheeze

"Marcusm wrote: »

FSO Polonezs

Ha forgot about those Yugoslav yokes!

Idbatterim

Agree with this. skoda every time. No envy or prestige with the likes of a 520d for example or anything below it. 318 I just think is a boggo Beamer. Ok car but certainly nothing special. Gimme a specced up Skoda with 40 more horses out of the factory any day. I reckon you need to be spending at least €70k plus to get something special or prestige from the BMW stable.

Well if you want to go for a new BMW, that may be the case, there is a2006 760 on carzone asking 13k with several months tax! Or any number of older s class, a8 , 7 series barges being literally given away... If I did have 70k and had to spend it on a new car, it would be the a7 id be buying I reckon ...

cml387

Bigcheeze wrote: »

Ha forgot about those Yugoslav yokes!

Polish. The Yugoslav yokes were Yugos,basically a downgraded Fiat 128.