VW Group platform sharing...

[rossybee]

Here's a conundrum I hadn't really considered until now, as I'm looking to buy a new VW Group product and now realise there are options, based on the same platform, with the same engine, but in slightly different states of tune

Now I appreciate there's the badge heirarchy going on, but I like to think I'm not affected by that

So how the heck does one make a decision?


Oh, and on a slightly different note - got roped into changing both batteries on a Bentley Conti GT last night - c@nt of a job

[j2 lot]

Surely it almost always comes down to badge preference/ snobbery.
Unless there is a difference in options you want or can spec, that leads you to a particular brand it can only be down to the name.
In VW group some of the 'lesser brands' are rebadged earlier models of the higher spec brands, do you want the latest look or last years look and money in the bank?

[ChrisG]

I had a similar choice last year of Diesel Cayenne/Toureg. I ended up going for the 'premium' option. I'd like to say it was based on residual value and overall cost of ownership but it has to be a lot of badge snobbery.

[Dominic]

It's quite interesting to think how many cars use the "golf" platform...

Skoda Octavia
Skoda Octavia Estate
Skoda Yeti?
Seat Leon
Seat Toledo
VW Golf
VW Golf Estate
VW Golf Convertible
VW Jetta
VW EOS
VW Beetle
VW Scirocco
VW Tiguan (or what the small MPV Is called)
Audi A3
Audi TT

I'm sure I missed some...

From my experience, although the platform may be the same, the interior fit and finish can vary quite a lot. The quality of the mechanical components can vary too. Although more expensive to buy into, the VW or Audi models can prove to be the cheaper ownership prospect due to suffering less with depreciation... IMHO

[woody]

Surely it almost always comes down to badge preference/ snobbery.
Unless there is a difference in options you want or can spec, that leads you to a particular brand it can only be down to the name.
In VW group some of the 'lesser brands' are rebadged earlier models of the higher spec brands, do you want the latest look or last years look and money in the bank?

Depends what your buying. We looked at Polos and A1s in October, with the same engine the A1 was cheaper, a better spec for us and a nicer car.

VW Up! looks fantastic, the Skoda & Seat versions have nasty chrome grilles. I'd have the Up!

I'd take a Golf over a Leon but an Octavia over both etc...

[rossybee]

Crapola. I didn't even consider the potential Skoda-love which could be rekindled

In my particular case it's the mk7 Golf GTI with 230 Performance Pack and 6spd manual.

Already looked at the Octavia vRS 220 and it's been poo-pooed by the missus as Octavia is the default mini-cab around these parts, and by the time you up-spec it to even a standard GTI, there's no real saving, so it's oot.

Then I hear word of SEAT bringing out the Leon Cupra 280, so I popped past the local dealer, and I'll be honest, the interior is a real let-down and do I really need an extra 50bhp in my family car? (same torques)

Audi don't have an equivalent A3 as such, jumping from the 1.8 turbo to the S3 with 300bhp & 4wd, which is a shame cos it's nice....

Have I just answered my own question?

[Kugaman1]

Ive got the new Leon FR as my daily runner.

Its really excellent, interior is 10 times better than last model and on par with the new Golf.

Only difference is the Leon looks good, full LED lights are really nice - the Golf looks great in photos, but every time I see one on the road I think they look fat and bloated.....

A3 is a tidy car but common as bloody muck up in the North East. There are 6 of them (new shape) on the small estate where I live! No one else has a Leon but several have commented on the fact that they like it...bloody brand snobs! - Mind you, Aberdeen Audi must be the easiest job in Britain for a salesman judging by the amounts of Audis up here... .

Fully loaded Leon 150 FR with LEDs, Satnav, leather, free 3 years servicing, etc cost me £21k.....exact same spec (HIDs) Golf GT150 was going to be £25k...that made my decision - Ive had the car for a year come March and haven't regretted buying it for 1 second.

[campbell]

The gap between VW and Skoda has narrowed a little I think. And Skoda pricing for new Octavia is up a full band IMHO = Skoda taking over from VW level, VW moving into Audi territory and Audi, well, moving into territory of I'm not sure what but if you have the cash why not

Rossy, I agree that the differential between Octy and Golf absolutely helps rule out the Czech warrior. However the Octavia is a cleverly stretched version of the same platform which makes it a true family car whereas the Golf is (IMHO) one size down from that and hence ruled out for some on that basis instead.

What a great problem to have

[rossybee]

Ref the Skoda - don't get me wrong - in the right clour with the right wheels, the new Octy vRS estate certainly looks good - tbh I've gone no further than glance thru the window outside the dealer....

...perhaps a proper sit-in and poke/prod around, maybe even a wee drive, but I still have the aforementioned wife barrier, as it's effectively her car when I'm away with work.

The Golf GTI has a certain classlessness which none of the others possess, Audi included

[campbell]

In shock news, even I am not convinced that the Octavia has been positioned correctly - yes I'd like one very much but in some ways I think it's too much money for where it is supposed to sit in the VW foodchain.

But I suspect I am just having to face the fact that it's out of our league now

In your position, I think I'd actually look at a previous shape A3 (S3?), latest I could find. I'll keep dreaming!

[Mr Momo]

I test drove the vRS estate - nice and plenty of space/poke, but £25k and 6 months delivery. Looks good too, especially in Race Blue.

I'd go for the GTi, but surely it'll be nearer £30k to be similarly spec'd. Neighbours have a black GTD and it looks very classy (clean or dirty).

Audi's are two-a-penny in Aberdeen and, apart from the RS4, look dreary, samey and generally driven badly (all indicator bulbs removed at factory ? ).

[douglasgdmw]

Surprising that in some markets, the VW group were pricing Seat cars higher than VW (South Africa for instance). Reason being that Seat were being marketed as the premium sporting brand.

Had a Seat Leon (Cupra) ages ago and it lost far more than a Golf would have done so if I was in your position I would also look at long term ownership cost as a factor (suspect VW would win in residual stakes but depends upon how you are purchasing the car)

George

[Dominic]

. Although more expensive to buy into, the VW or Audi models can prove to be the cheaper ownership prospect due to suffering less with depreciation... IMHO

Had a Seat Leon (Cupra) ages ago and it lost far more than a Golf would have done so if I was in your position I would also look at long term ownership cost as a factor (suspect VW would win in residual stakes but depends upon how you are purchasing the car)

George

I rest my case

[BiggestNizzy]

. Although more expensive to buy into, the VW or Audi models can prove to be the cheaper ownership prospect due to suffering less with depreciation... IMHO

Had a Seat Leon (Cupra) ages ago and it lost far more than a Golf would have done so if I was in your position I would also look at long term ownership cost as a factor (suspect VW would win in residual stakes but depends upon how you are purchasing the car)

George

I rest my case

I remember many moons ago (2000) when I bought my clio I popped into the VW dealer to look at a polo it was well spec'd with manual windows, a radio (no tape) seats, a steering wheel a 50 horsepower and a choice of paint for £8500 having been to the renault dealer where for the same coin I could get a Clio S with sports seats CD changer, fancy headlights, sports suspension, 75 hp, fog lights and metalic paint for the same amount of money. I was a little bit disapointed was an understatement. The dealer did say that the clio would loose more on resale and he was right if I had wanted to get rid after 3 years it would have be worth 50p more but then I would have suffered 3 years of driving a sh*t underpowered unconfortable bland polo.

As I see it (personal opinion) you only get nicer plastic, deeper carpets and nicer cloth/leather more toys (as options) as you float up the VAG range.

[campbell]

As I see it (personal opinion) you only get nicer plastic, deeper carpets and nicer cloth/leather more toys (as options) as you float up the VAG range.

Absolutely spot on. Which is why we have felt so at home with our lowly Skoda which the kids kick seven bells out of (some of the time) yet it has held out incredibly...when they are bigger or have their own jalopies we'll enjoy the treats and opulence of an Audi of some sort I imagine