New Guy

[malachi]

Evenin' All,

I'm in the market for a Scirocco. I run a Motability Mini Cooper, which has to go back in July, so I've to order my replacement car early in April.
Motability has been torpedoed by the powers-that-be, so I can't have the Audi A4 I fancied. Among the remaining choice, largely shopping trolleys, the
Scirocco is one of the few interesting cars left.

So far, I've tried a 140 GT diesel, which was impressive, if a bit noisier and grumblier. Than what? I also had a go in a 160TSI-powered Golf. What a lovely engine...I was very taken with its silky output.

So, I'm currently thinking 160TSI, plus a few GT bells and whistles, as in...

What I need: parking sensors (MS = eyesight issues, but legal to drive)
ACC, which I know is standard (slipped disc/failed back surgery syndrome + speed bumps/pads = Owww!)
Adjustable lumbar support (see back stuff above)

What I'd like: Dual aircon (MS means never feeling cold but feeling hot too easily. Dual A/C would keep my wife happy)
Front fogs (maybe)
Multifunction wheel (maybe)
No badges (free)

So, any advice, experiences, caveats?

Thanks, folks.

[RW1]

Welcome malachi.

As you can see, I spec'd up a 160PS a little bit higher than basic+. Never regretted any of what I paid for extra. Made the Scirocco a pleasure to drive and own. Was going to change at 3 years but the car generally has proved to be the right spec with the 7 spd DSG for knocking about town in sub 30mph speeds and standing traffic. Yet on the motorway, the 7th gear puts the engine down at 2,400 rpm for relaxed cruising at 70mph.

One thing given what you have said about back & eyesight, rear parking sensors are a must for you.

Only one thing as an option that hasn't been used in two years is the fog lamps.

Plenty of info on here to make an informed choice.

Chris

[Deacon]

After having mine for nearly 3 years now the only things i wish I'd added are the highline computer (for the oil temp read mainly) and the mf wheel (the touchscreen is excellent but a pain to use while driving imho).

[gibbsy]

You have mentioned back problems. You would have to upgrade to leather seat package to get lumbar, it is not standard even on GT spec. Saying that I find the seats extremely comfortable and supportive, I suffer from osteoarthritis for the whole of my spine with a self healed wedge fracture to L5, which causes me a lot of problems when picking a car. The ACC is brilliant, set in 'comfort' it is far far better over rought roads and speed humps that my previous Volvo.

I would go for DSG, besides being a delight to use and doesn't detract from the fuel consumption it will take a lot of strain away from the lower back. I don't know what Sciroccos will be available in 2012 on Motability but it seems it will be decimated with most manufacturers offering bog standard models with no cars having an OTR over £25k and a maximum deposit of £2k. Give it a couple of more years of this Tory government and you'll see the blue tricycle single seater making a comeback.

[malachi]

Well thanks, people!
The dealer found.out that I can have adjustable lumbar support on the standard seat...it's a £260 add on but can't be retrofitted. On my test drive, I found the.standard (GT) seat to be very comfortable. I'll be allowed a.half hour drive so I may find the adjustment isn't necessary. I've a now inoperable L5/S1 disc prolapse and, after four.ops, an implanted neurostimulator. The.pain remains a sizeable problem.

I have thought about DSG but.I believe it's too costly to fit into the Motability framework. That said, I like a manual 'box and the VW's clutch is significantly lighter than the Mini's.

Thanks again, I'll have more Qs as things progress...

and happy.new year to all!

[buster]

hi with back problems go for the petrol engine every time .i know people will say the diesel is fine, but you will notice it were others dont. i and my wife suffer back problems, and she will not have a diesel at any price as she has a disc problem added to a polio related op. we have a standard scirocco 122 tsi as we found that was fine for our needs,with regard to driving comfort and speed. good luck in your quest. its a time that you have to get it right or its with you for 3 years .

[gibbsy]

hi with back problems go for the petrol engine every time .i know people will say the diesel is fine, but you will notice it were others dont. i and my wife suffer back problems, and she will not have a diesel at any price as she has a disc problem added to a polio related op. we have a standard scirocco 122 tsi as we found that was fine for our needs,with regard to driving comfort and speed. good luck in your quest. its a time that you have to get it right or its with you for 3 years .

I cannot see the logic in your remarks. I suffer from severe back problems and this is probably the easiest car I've drive, petrol or diesel. The 140ps diesel has a very smooth power delivery and much more torque than the 122 tsi. More torque equals less gear changes to keep momentum, less gear changes has to be better for a back problem. The difference between driving a diesel Scirocco to a petrol is so small that you would probably only notice the heavier engine is on a track, or a banzai drive over Welsh mountain roads. My 170 tdi handles as well as high performance Hondas that I have owned.

[buster]

I cannot see the logic in your remarks. I suffer from severe back problems and this is probably the easiest car I've drive, petrol or diesel. The 140ps diesel has a very smooth power delivery and much more torque than the 122 tsi. More torque equals less gear changes to keep momentum, less gear changes has to be better for a back problem. The difference between driving a diesel Scirocco to a petrol is so small that you would probably only notice the heavier engine is on a track, or a banzai drive over Welsh mountain roads. My 170 tdi handles as well as high performance Hondas that I have owned.

ooooH!

she will not have a diesel at any price as she has a disc problem

If you took the time to read this you would see. The logic is [ the car we have is just the car we need ]. What other people think other people need is an open question, it could never be one car or one engine, or we would all end up with the terrible blue trike things. So thank god we now get to choose. The reason a diesel would not be good for us is the tick over vibration that my wife is very prone to feeling nothing to do with the normal driving of the car. i have understated my wifes illness and disability,as this is a car forum but i could go on for pages before i started on my disability.
I too find this the best car i have had though motability, it ticks most if not all the boxes even down to the steering wheel adjustment to peddle reach, which being a 5ft 5in shortie can be a toss up of reaching the peddles fully with the steering wheel under your chin, or steering wheel at arms reach and only use half clutch. I personally do not like autos, we have had 2 and they always seemed to have problems, mainly to do with vacum pipes and tick over.
When we went to see what was on offer this scirocco was the only car which my wife could enter and exit easily, polo and golf models which we had had before the volvo s40 were no longer able to meet her needs .I hope this sheds some light on why i feel that people have the right to make a comment when asked.

[malachi]

I think much of my resistance to diesel power is to do with habit. I've driven lots of diesels, from old-style ones to common rail TDIs, over many, many miles. I just happen to like the free-revving and responsiveness of a petrol motor. So, I've never wanted to own a diesel.

Food for thought...what's happen if twincharge technology was put on a diesel? Hmmm.

[salsajoe]

After having mine for nearly 3 years now the only things i wish I'd added are the highline computer (for the oil temp read mainly) and the mf wheel (the touchscreen is excellent but a pain to use while driving imho).

These are extras that I had fitted (MF wheel which means you get the highline computer included) and fog lights. In hindsight I would have opted for cruise instead of the fogs (not very good in fog!!). Also had interlargos wheels but with back problems probably better sticking with 17" wheels.