Elegance 2.0 TDI PD Auto Hatchback

Beautifully Built, typical VAG hard suspension

I did 38,000 miles in one of these beauties in a little over two and a half years and even though it was an automatic, the very excellent DSG gearbox meant that I could achieve over 50 mpg (imperial) on a long journey.

Nothing broke or came loose and I rather enjoyed driving it. Servicing costs at a main dealer were not too unreasonable although changing the oil and filter on the gearbox every 37,500 miles a bit on the pricey side.

The boot was huge, the carrier bag hooks a very good idea but the hatch a bit of a stretch to reach up and pull closed for anyone less than 6ft tall.

I got through two sets of front tyres and one set of rears in 38,000 miles and the engine definitely needed topping up a couple of times between each variable service which came along at about 17,500 mile intervals.

The gearbox was a revelation with six well spaced ratios, very rapid shifting and none of the slushiness of a conventional torque convertor equipped auto gearbox. Very occasionally though it would get caught out at low speed trickling up to a roundabout and only select the correct gear with a bit of a thump.

The finish was perfect and no rust detectable anywhere on the car including underneath.

The headlights on full beam were fine but dipped headlights a bit insipid.

I could just get by with the radio and CD unit fitted to my car - it was fine apart from generally poor reception on Radio 3 and a tendancy to "one note" bass on low notes - not very HiFi.

So why did I get rid of the Octi? Well, I am generously proportioned (allright 6ft 2in tall and nearly nineteen stone) and the seats were just not big enough for a fat person to be completely comfortable in. Don't get me wrong I could easily drive for a couple of hours at a stretch but the firm ride coupled with the undersized seats meant that I would get out of the car with all sorts of aches and pains. When I started to work away from home these aches became a real nuisance so I reluctantly traded the car in. Someone, somewhere has ended up with a real bargain.

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