Skoda Laura DSG CR 140 - Ownership Experience.

GTO · 2nd December 2010, 11:52

Congrats Anshuman! The Laura sure has finesse, a stonking diesel engine and the best autobox from the category. I'd highly recommend the extended warranty package to you, tied-in insurance policy notwithstanding. And yes, do keep a close eye on that dealer.

Coming from the Elantra, you'll be very happy with driving around the Laura DSG common-rail.

Quote:

Originally Posted by .anshuman

White has always been my favorite in Sedans and SUV's

White is seriously the new "black", if you know what I mean

Quote:

The Ambiente version comes the essentials i needed minus Leather seats and ACC.

I'm not a fan of Skoda's OEM leather seats. Well, you can always get Stanley next year?

Quote:

The refined and Powerful Engine with very broad powerband(For a Diesel).

True. And negligible turbo-lag, compared to the earlier PD unit.

Quote:

The Steering feels too fake at parking speeds.

The sole flaw in the Laura's driving experience. Not only at parking speeds, but I also feel its too light & lifeless at 150 kph.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

Btw is it a 7 speed DSG with a paddle shift?

Skoda / VW diesels get a 6 speed DSG while the petrols get a 7 speed.

Drive safe, Anshuman.

phamilyman · 2nd December 2010, 12:57

mmm ... that's a beauty! You my friend are a brave man - two of the brands most notorious for service are in your garage (replacing two of the most trusted ones - Maruti & Hyundai)

Time for a gaon meet?

blackbeast · 2nd December 2010, 13:03

Congrats Anshuman !
Please share dealership experience and discounts/offers with us. I am sure you'd be extra careful with the PDI.

Quote:

Originally Posted by .anshuman

The Decision Process-
Hyundai Sonata was within the budget but it's too dated, more focussed on the rear seat, a bit dull to drive and too large for my requirement.

Did you get a quote from hyundai ? at what price ?

noopster · 2nd December 2010, 13:17

Congrats anshuman! This is definitely *the* car to buy in the diesel AT segment. In fact I was sorely tempted to opt for this as I wait for my VW Vento but Skoda's horror stories scare the beejeezus out of me, to be honest. And the attitude of the dealer regarding TD wasn't very enouraging either, so I took that as a sign!

But I agree with your analysis 100%- the DSG is unmatched, 140 BHP on a 2 liter diesel engine is an incredible value prop. and the car's interiors, boot space, ICE and general look and feel are the icing on the cake. Here's wishing you many happy miles in this mean machine!

ashish22 · 2nd December 2010, 13:37

Congrats anshuman for the white beauty. Well this car indeed is the best AT diesel this side of 20 lacs. You know what i think its fraction of a second faster then even Cruze AT because of that awesome DSG and power to weight ratio.
Build quality is spot on and looks really elegant in white. Interiors also gel well with the overall character of the car.
Wishing you miles and miles of reliability, driving pleasure and happiness.

arunkk · 2nd December 2010, 15:23

Congrats anshuman. I thought you were soo much in love with your Elantra that you will never give her away. A great car and good classy interiors. The seats look very spacious and comfortable. How is the under thigh support? Waiting eagerly for your extensive report & comparisons.
And now I wonder why do you always choose brands which are not so good in the after sales department. Just curious

n.devdath · 2nd December 2010, 15:39

Congrats on buying my fav car in India today. Its fast, frugal, sturdy and decently priced.

I have been constantly eyeing it ever since it launched with the new engine. Please post a detailed ownership review and tons of pics.

And yes, do let us know if you face GC issues with this car since that is probably the single biggest area where the Yeti scores over it.

I feel that the Laura's rear bench is better than the Yeti for 3 people. Am I correct?
What was the price OTR? Can you post a pic of the underbody which shows the engine guard please.

Akshay1234 · 2nd December 2010, 15:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Skoda / VW diesels get a 6 speed DSG while the petrols get a 7 speed.

Drive safe, Anshuman.

Sorry for being too picky

But only the smaller petrols upto 250nm of torque have the 7 speed. Even the Superb V6 has a 6 speed.

Anshuman where have you disappeared?

razrman · 2nd December 2010, 16:11

Congrats Anshuman. Thats the best driver's Diesel car you could buy in that category. Add to that the DSG. You gonna have a great time ahead.

Awaiting your LAura VS Yeti comparison.

Quote:

Originally Posted by akshay1234

Sorry for being too picky

But only the smaller petrols upto 250nm of torque have the 7 speed. Even the Superb V6 has a 6 speed.

Anshuman where have you disappeared?

Hes just bought the Laura DSG. I doubt he is going to find time to stop driving it and log on to tbhp.

ACM · 2nd December 2010, 16:56

Congrats Anshuman

You have chosen the best value model, nice photographs.

Enjoy the best 0-100 experience this side of 25L .

noopster · 2nd December 2010, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by arunkk

And now I wonder why do you always choose brands which are not so good in the after sales department. Just curious

Really? I had an awesome Hyundai service experience for 7 years. They are as good as MASS IMHO.

anandpadhye · 2nd December 2010, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACM

Enjoy the best 0-100 experience this side of 25L .

Oops, you are forgetting the Laura petrol...0-100 in 8.x seconds...
But then only a Laura can catch a Laura

.

Congrats Anshuman,
Great car and great color.
Even I have bought a white one (petrol).

Cheers!

GTO · 2nd December 2010, 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by akshay1234

Sorry for being too picky

But only the smaller petrols upto 250nm of torque have the 7 speed. Even the Superb V6 has a 6 speed.

Ah yes! IIRC, the Superb 3.6 petrol uses a derivative of the gearbox used on the Laura DSG (and other VW diesels).

Invinsible · 2nd December 2010, 17:58

The 7speed DSG is using a Dry clutch setup compared to the 6 speed DSG which uses wet clutch setup. 7speed DSG can with stand torque upto 300NM compared 6speed DSG which can handle upto 440 NM of torque. Since diesels are more torquey thats one of the reason why they use 6speed DSG.

arunkk · 2nd December 2010, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by noopster

Really? I had an awesome Hyundai service experience for 7 years. They are as good as MASS IMHO.

I was mentioning about his 2 recent purchases from Fiat & now Skoda.

2nd December 2010, 12:57	#17
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,968 Thanked: 4,642 Times	mmm ... that's a beauty! You my friend are a brave man - two of the brands most notorious for service are in your garage (replacing two of the most trusted ones - Maruti & Hyundai) Time for a gaon meet?
	() Thanks

2nd December 2010, 13:17	#19
noopster Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pune Posts: 9,238 Thanked: 12,904 Times View My Garage	Congrats anshuman! This is definitely the car to buy in the diesel AT segment. In fact I was sorely tempted to opt for this as I wait for my VW Vento but Skoda's horror stories scare the beejeezus out of me, to be honest. And the attitude of the dealer regarding TD wasn't very enouraging either, so I took that as a sign! But I agree with your analysis 100%- the DSG is unmatched, 140 BHP on a 2 liter diesel engine is an incredible value prop. and the car's interiors, boot space, ICE and general look and feel are the icing on the cake. Here's wishing you many happy miles in this mean machine!
	() Thanks

2nd December 2010, 13:37	#20
ashish22 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 598 Thanked: 100 Times View My Garage	Congrats anshuman for the white beauty. Well this car indeed is the best AT diesel this side of 20 lacs. You know what i think its fraction of a second faster then even Cruze AT because of that awesome DSG and power to weight ratio. Build quality is spot on and looks really elegant in white. Interiors also gel well with the overall character of the car. Wishing you miles and miles of reliability, driving pleasure and happiness.
	() Thanks

2nd December 2010, 15:23	#21
arunkk BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 186 Thanked: 42 Times	Congrats anshuman. I thought you were soo much in love with your Elantra that you will never give her away. A great car and good classy interiors. The seats look very spacious and comfortable. How is the under thigh support? Waiting eagerly for your extensive report & comparisons. And now I wonder why do you always choose brands which are not so good in the after sales department. Just curious
	() Thanks

2nd December 2010, 15:39	#22
n.devdath BANNED Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,287 Thanked: 2,811 Times	Congrats on buying my fav car in India today. Its fast, frugal, sturdy and decently priced. I have been constantly eyeing it ever since it launched with the new engine. Please post a detailed ownership review and tons of pics. And yes, do let us know if you face GC issues with this car since that is probably the single biggest area where the Yeti scores over it. I feel that the Laura's rear bench is better than the Yeti for 3 people. Am I correct? What was the price OTR? Can you post a pic of the underbody which shows the engine guard please.
	() Thanks

2nd December 2010, 16:56	#25
ACM Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,745 Thanked: 4,361 Times View My Garage	Congrats Anshuman You have chosen the best value model, nice photographs. Enjoy the best 0-100 experience this side of 25L .
	() Thanks

2nd December 2010, 17:58	#29
Invinsible Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,257 Thanked: 62 Times	The 7speed DSG is using a Dry clutch setup compared to the 6 speed DSG which uses wet clutch setup. 7speed DSG can with stand torque upto 300NM compared 6speed DSG which can handle upto 440 NM of torque. Since diesels are more torquey thats one of the reason why they use 6speed DSG. Last edited by Invinsible : 2nd December 2010 at 17:59.
	(2) Thanks