New clutch

[rc_vRS]

I have an MY11 RS TSI manual wagon, and like you I could only test drive a DSG. The salesman seemed almost puzzled when I asked for a manual. I had to order the manual in blind faith that it would be a nice gearbox. I hate driving autos, and as nice as the DSG can be, I thought in case I kept the car post warranty, I didn't want any associated risks and maintenance costs with the DSG.

And I can tell you I've been very happy with the manual. It's a nice gearbox. Changes are pretty smooth and not at all notchy. Mine has now done 34k and it's still silky smooth to change. But more importantly, there's a perfect ratio for every situation. In terms of ratios it's the best box I've driven. In general coasting around town it's quite happy at 60kph in 6th. I find that I rarely use 2nd around town apart from initial take off, as 3rd is so flexible. I don't use 4th much either, there's just no need. If I give it a few berries at the lights I often go from 2nd straight to 5th or 6th.

I had exactly the same problem trying to test a manual petrol vRS. I've ordered a manual based on driving the dsg and also manual GTI and tiguan with the same gearbox. Now reading this I am concerned about not getting the multi function steering wheel, I didn't even think that skoda would not give you the MFSW in a manual!

Can anyone with a manual MY12 (standard bluetooth) confirm what steering wheel they got? I'll be pissed if mine doesn't come with MFSW (apparently going to be MY13 but the dealer can't confirm what if any changes there will be over MY12). There was a manual wagon at Essendon Skoda recently, might go have a look. I think it may be MY11 though.

P.S - this thread is getting a bit hijacked! Mods feel free to move this to a new thread if needed.

[Mysticality]

MY12 vRS TDI w/ no options.
Factory satnav/bluetooth (which is amazing, btw)
Steering wheel has a horn button... But nothing else. I'm looking at upgrading eventually.

The issue is that the vRS MFSW has the paddles, which would look silly on a manual.
Not sure if the other specs have them or not. (Scout/118TSI/90TSI/etc)

[rc_vRS]

MY12 vRS TDI w/ no options.
Factory satnav/bluetooth (which is amazing, btw)
Steering wheel has a horn button... But nothing else. I'm looking at upgrading eventually.

The issue is that the vRS MFSW has the paddles, which would look silly on a manual.
Not sure if the other specs have them or not. (Scout/118TSI/90TSI/etc)

Damn. not looking good then unless skoda finally woke up and fixed it for MY13, won't find out for a while though!

Looking at the standard features and options list from the dealer (printed sheet extra to the brochure) it just lists "Multi Function Leather Steering Wheel for Radio" as standard on 147TSI and 125TDI, no mention of DSG vs Manual. I thought that meant they all had it standard. Wonder what else is missing on the manual version?

Does your bluetooth have voice control (the demo I drove did but was dsg). If so how do you activate? And how do you control the MFD without the steering wheel buttons?

Doing some research there is a MFSW available without paddles:

www.skodateile.cz

To retrofit would need to get the wiring loom and control module too.

[Mysticality]

I doubt they've updated it for the MY13, with the Mk3 just around the corner.

There are 4 buttons next to the CD slot on the Columbus unit:
<-
->
Eject
Voice

Just press that.
I find it also works pretty well, and can even understand me when I talk normally. Like... Normally, normally. Not even "Talking to a machine normally"!

[donweather]

Skoda assume if they customer is too tight to prop for a DSG trans, then they wouldn't want stereo/bluetooth either.

I would go as far to say that from a Safe Design perspective, a manual transmission car actually requires steering wheel controls more so than a DSG tranmission car. Skoda would need to be careful here IMO.

Also, a non MFSW is so prehistoric.....geezus, even the Great Wall cars have them!!!! Skoda, get your act together!!!

[donweather]

As for the stitching, yesit is the black alcantara, with the rs logos and red highlight stitching etc... I havent seen any others out there with it as yet.

Saw it in the dealers on the weekend. Looks super hot, particularly with the carbon fibre trim also. I want that for sure!!!

[rc_vRS]

I would go as far to say that from a Safe Design perspective, a manual transmission car actually requires steering wheel controls more so than a DSG tranmission car. Skoda would need to be careful here IMO.

Also, a non MFSW is so prehistoric.....geezus, even the Great Wall cars have them!!!! Skoda, get your act together!!!

Just spoke to the dealer, they seem to think mine will have volume controls on the left of the steering wheel and MFD controls on the wiper stalk. I think he's half right, I've seen about 10 versions of skoda steering wheels on the net and none have buttons on only one side. He says they've only had about 2 manual Rs since he's been there so is not 100% sure, he is sure that you still can't option it on though.

I think skoda have dropped the ball on manual's, wtf would you not want the buttons on the wheel if you have a manual? That's just plain dumb. As above, would more need them in a manual!!

Looks like will have to be upgraded after it comes in.

[Damo105]

I'd be pretty surprised if your MY12/13 car arrives with the MFSW. Cause I doubt Skoda would develop a new steering wheel when the new model is pending.

The lack of MFSW was a consideration when ordering my manual, but at the end of the day it wasn't a deal breaker. The MFD controls and cruise controls are on the stalks, so the only thing you really lose is audio controls. But the Columbus system is touch screen, so changing radio stations is pretty simple. In practice, it hasn't bothered me not having the MFSW.

I understand that the DSG wheel has the paddles, so it's not suitable for the manual, but from memory the TSI manual does have the MFSW, so I'm not sure why Skoda hasn't used that wheel for the RS manual. I can't remember if the pre-facelift RS had the MFSW, and they were all manual.

[donweather]

but from memory the TSI manual does have the MFSW, so I'm not sure why Skoda hasn't used that wheel for the RS manual.

I'm confused? Isn't the TSI, the RS?

Also, the MFSW has bluetooth controls also, not just radio/audio.

I note the comment about the new model pending. Does anyone have any information on timing of this? I'm assuming you're referring to the RS TSI?

[rc_vRS]

I'm confused? Isn't the TSI, the RS?

Also, the MFSW has bluetooth controls also, not just radio/audio.

I note the comment about the new model pending. Does anyone have any information on timing of this? I'm assuming you're referring to the RS TSI?

The bluetooth/phone control is one of my main gripes, my current car has voice control on a stalk behind the steering wheel along with track/seek/volume etc and although I thought it looked crap initially it is actually really handy. I pretty much never have to touch the HU and I use it all the time, especially the phone/voice dial.

If the new RS doesn't have bluetooth voice activation and phonebook scroll without touching the HU and taking my eyes off the road I'll be dissapointed. Not a deal breaker but just annoying.

And regarding skoda having to develop a new steering wheel, they already have one for manual version in vRS 3 spoke style with all MFSW buttons, see the link I posted a few posts above. Don't know what vehicle/market they use it on but it is there in both the red stitch and standard. If I can get one to Aus I will def look at upgrading, some of the guys on Briskoda have done it on older vRS so it can be done.

[donweather]

It's like Skoda and their sales staff make you feel like a 2nd class citizen when you buy the manual over the DSG!!!

I still can't get over the look on the 14 yr old sales kids face when I told him I wanted a manual. He was like....what's that!!!

[donweather]

I'm confused? Isn't the TSI, the RS?

I now know what you meant by this........you mean the non RS TSI (eg the 90 TSI).

I just checked the pics and the non RS TSI's do have the MFSW!!!

Go figure. So why the bloody hell doesn't the RS TSI!!!!

[woofy]

No manual sold here has ever had steering wheel controls, and I doubt any will until the all new Octavia 3 comes here, not sure when they will sell an RS model of it though, that's usually later on.

Actually that should be no manual RS, the 4 spoke wheels do have it though in the lower models. As far as a manual needing them more than the DSG, I would say the opposite, you have two free hands with the DSG, but one with a manual and you need it to hold on, not to be trying to press buttons with it.

Not that it makes any real difference, my manual 6 had all the buttons as does pretty much every car, it was a quirk that I found annoying at first and then got over it. The MFD stalk and the cruise stalk work fine and can be operated easily, even perhaps moreso than trying to find the right button on the steering wheel as the stalks are where your hands and fingers already are.

[Mysticality]

I now know what you meant by this........you mean the non RS TSI (eg the 90 TSI).

I just checked the pics and the non RS TSI's do have the MFSW!!!

Go figure. So why the bloody hell doesn't the RS TSI!!!!

What? Does it? Seriously?

And I spose... The non-vRS models don't have the sports wheel.
-shrug-
Thats the only thing I can think of. :S

[Tigger]

You can option the MFSW on any model of Octavia, even the base models...if you order from factory.
The difference is whether a stock vehicle ordered by a dealer would have it on.

Anyway, I HAVE NOT seen a manual RS with the same MFSW as the DSG, except for the paddles obviously.
(So it has the stereo controls on the left of the wheel, and the phone controls on the right.)

But you can have the other steering wheel design with the four spokes with the MFSW features as found on the base models...go figure!!??

But if you want the RS sporty steering wheel, then it is buttonless...

I just looked online at at least 15 examples to confirm this...