PUFPAF

I've also thought about this,but it seems strange how the factories could cope with, say, 20 different countries' demands for standard specs... Anyway, you're right about the options, for example the vRS here loses a lot of options, which I see equipped here on the forum...and also most of the wheel options are only photos and pictures for us Nobody at the dealership gave me a reasonable explanation, the only answer I got was "these wheels are country specific" !?

Great car PekoSI, congrats Have a happy driving and ownership! Again and again when I see a car equipped with the Columbus and I want it. Didn't order it though, as it was EUR 1600 too much for me and for that money went for the 1.8 TSI estate...and still waiting for it! Doesn't your Elegance include some partial leather in the interior, or it is just the handbrake and the steering wheel? Also you seem to have ordered the simply clever kit (multifunctional box, phone holder, garbage bag etc.), could you please report how usable it is? Your colour looks very nice and it fits with the chrome package...aargh did I say I can't wait for mine to arrive ?!

Judging by the photos the white colour goes so damn well with the new Octy...

As far as I know in normal driving, dry conditions the ratio is 96% front :4% back. Should you floor your foot, the system will recognize the front wheels are losing traction and the back wheels will engage - up to 50:50. In any case, if you want to spin your front wheels in the dry, you wil have to put some effort

Thanks to Igdos and Juniperz I am now convinced to add the front mud-flaps As you guys both seem to have the same wheels, the Steel Grey car looks a bit higher off the ground, does it have the rough road package ?

Well, it looks like a taxi to me

This one looks very nice! Good contrast between the white colour and all the black items on your car Mate, I see you have the front mud-flaps, could you please post a photo from the sideview of your car - to see how they look in profile? Mine should come with rear mud flaps and I am wondering whether to pay extra for the front ones...

Keep them coming guys...so that I can drool until mine comes home... I am yet to see a denim blue estate

I totally agree with you. The problem with the car is that it is a big expenditure and people expect for this to get something flawless. I mean, if my Samsung/iphone is slow or crashes or smth else is wrong (which happens), I wouldn't care that much, cuz it does not spoil the family budget as the car does That is to say, the new model is more expensive than the old one and it is justified - more equipment, safety, space, refinement and performance for your money. However they have skipped on some details - for example the door protectors and the netting system for the boot were standard on my mk2 Elegance. Now they are not and I will have to pay extra for accessories on top of the higher price of the new model. And don't let them fool you, VAG group is making profits on this, as the average costs savings on Mk3 compared to Mk2 due to the new MQB platform is 17% (this has been disclosed to me by a Manager at a Skoda dealer). Bottom line, the producer is gaining more than we are with the new model due to cost savings combined with higher price (compared to the old model). Not that this has stopped me from ordering...

OK I spoke to one of the Managers here at the local dealership and they said the build week has been confirmed, i.e week 51 (hope that's final). They also said that now all October orders have stabilized and BWs must be accurate. So it should come home within mid-January the latest. finger crossed

Yet another 4x4ist! Well, I'd add the DSG first...oops, wait, Skoda is keeping that for the Scout version:) Anyway, I have ordered mine with the rough road package (goes with 16'' inch wheels only) and winter pack + Continental Winter contact tyres - in your face winter! IMO the rough road package is worth it, as the increased clearence gives confidene, while the smaller wheels will cost you less in rims and wheels over the years, not to mention less road noise and better economy. Also better for snow. Panoroof is also very good - just make you not going to have your bikes and thule box on the roof at all times:) Xenons just go without saying Canton I haven't ordered, as most of the time the wife or the kids will not allow to use it as you should... Full/partial/no leather depending on how much and what you are going to carry, but definitely opt for bumper/door protectors and plastic floor for the boot.

Yes it does, but as I wrote above it is way too long at 4.91 meters. This is a goddamn 25cm longer than the 4.66 meter Octy III estate. My wife would go nuts if she had to drive&park this in town

This topic summarizes my thoughts exactly 4x4 Octavia estate is a no-brainer if need a 4x4 AND an estate. Merc, bmw, audi, volvo and subaru 4x4 estates are a lot more expensive and will cost more to run. There are some one-off insignia and peugeot 508rx models, but both are much longer, harder to park and not very efficient or versatile and would have dramatic depreciation. The only closest are the superb and the passat estates, which, for me do not make more sense than the Octavia in terms of size, price and desirability... All of this is my view at least

Wow, that's quick! Very nice Christmas present

Well, in terms of driving experience and overall feeling feel that is. I'm not saying it is the best value, but in this class it definitely stands out. All models have 0-60 time of sub 7.5 seconds, it has the strongest residuals as well, IMO best auto-gearbox etc. all in favor of the 3-series. If somebody gave me a 330xd touring as a present, I wouldn't look for anything else I guess But that's just my cup of tea

I'd say that definitely the BMW is the better car,considering the image, the driving experience and the build quiality (incl. sound-proofing, materials used etc.) The 3-series is a more mature car as it has been made for decades and is currently considered as one of the best cars money can buy. The question is whether you actually need all that. I didn't order a 3-series for my new car because: 1) Octy III is notably more spacious 2) Octy III is cheaper to insure and maintain 3) Octy III is more discrete and should not disturb my sleep...as BMWs have the largest theft rate here 4) Octy III vs. equally specced 3-series was a whopping EUR 15k less expensive 5) Both are not the most exciting to look at 3 and 4 are country dependent, but I believe are valid more or less everywhere The only problem is that if you buy a Skoda, everytime you see a 3-series on the street you will know that you are driving the inferior car Good luck choosing !

I had exactly the same call

Ordered 11th of October, but still no date. The dealer told me that 51st week is possible, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Therefore I'm still waiting for build week. 1.8 TSI 4x4 estate

Ah yes, it was stationary. Makes sense now, thanks

Well, to avoid risks, I suppose changing the tyres with your Skoda dealer for the time of your warranty Im that case if they break it they have to fix it :p

Well, I kinda like the headlight washers, as they are cool and also they are useful in mud. Since they come with the xenons anywaylet's just say there is no useless extra on a car I wouldn't pay for them separately though I'm waiting for my car in January and I just hope that they are not too strong...because when I test drove the Honda CRV they were so strong I could wash my windscreen with them. Probably that is when the container is full...

Well, today I called the dealer and they also said 51st week. HOWEVER this is preliminary and will be confirmed next wednesday. They said Skoda factories have had real problems for 1 month with everything being sorted this weeek and from next week all delivery times should be accurate. 1.8 tsi estate

RNPhoto thanks for the detailed description By the one of the reasons not to order a 2.0TDI was exatctly this - they were obviously struggling to predict when a 2.0 TDI 4x4 estate will come. Thus, for the diesel they said approx. 120 working days, while for the petrol they claimed 90 working days By the way here the 5y (OR 100k km) warranty is standard, and by standard I suppose included in the price anyway I can add extra 50k km, making it a total of 5y OR 150k km, but decided not to go for this.

Andyvee that's good news! Congrats on your new new car:)

As of yesterday one month has passed since my order and deposit, I decided to contact the dealer and ask for any news. The reply was: "The car is accepted by the Skoda factory, but not yet planned for production. We have marked it as a priority car (wtf!?), and expect to have a build date soon." Has anybody had that? Does it mean that my car has been "ordinary" so far or are they just bullshting me?