DampDog

One or two motoring sites/magazine have already run little snippets on the upcoming VW Up facelift. As the CitiGo & Mii are all built at the same plant I guess that means that they will also inherit the facelift within a few weeks or months of the Up hitting the streets. Face-lift for the Up appears to be confined to some subtle exterior mods. Side repeater deleted from front wing and moved to door mirror and some smartened up rear light clusters. Interior changes are more obvious with the dashboard getting a fresher look, with the possibility of new options like MFSW. Likewise new wheel options to suit the fresher look. I wonder what the chances are of picking up some good discounts on the outgoing model as the new model hits the showrooms?

You will need to view it in Chrome so you can use the translate function. But these are about the most detailed "timing chain" threads I can find. It's well worth a read. http://www.polovw.it/foro/viewtopic.php?t=28554 http://www.polovw.it/foro/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=18592&start=1644

Thanks, it looks like it is model dependent. I may have been looking at the "colour" version which looks like a seasonal special edition which probably explains it. Cheers peeps. If I could magic up the dosh, SE L would probably be the model I would look at.

If that's the case even at that Skoda are a country mile better than VW. I run a Polo 1.2 TSi which I bought new in 2011, the car has only covered 18K miles and has a full VW service history with the supplying dealer. Other than a paint fault with was sorted under warranty the car has been trouble free. That said occasionally on start-up I can hear a rasp, which after a quick google looks like it is indicative of chain stretch. When I mentioned it they said it would not be checked as part of a normal service and would need to be booked in for investigation at my cost. I also motioned that that the tick-over had become slightly erratic. The reply to the tick-over query was we think there is a software-update that addresses that issue but the cost of an update and full diagnostic is £99. Now I like my little Polo, But either the dealer or VW are taking the pishh. Car is out of warranty now, that said I still don't think customers should be picking up the bill for manufacturing faults/quality issues. It looks like VW(VAG) are simply playing dumb again over rubbish engine design. Maybe they like being taken to court by customers and paying out millions?? who knows?

I've been mulling over the idea of ditching my Polo for something smaller for weeks now. I'm considering a Citigo or a Mii as eithet would pobably do the job. Pre-reg or ex-demo would probably be my best choice but as I'm trying to work out what model has what options I've been playing with the Skoda "new car configurator" Maybe it's me but it looks like the option of a sunroof has been deleted as it eithet cannot be selected or is missing altogether from the option choices. I'm sure this is a recent change as I was playing about with it last weekend and they were there. I just wonder if t's a case of the Citigo being due a mid-life face-lift and stock simply being run down. Or sunroof uptake is so low the've deleted it. Sods law, because I fancy one with a sunroof it's just they are like finding unicorn-droppings anyway. Is it me or are the "summer" new car deals a little on the thin side at Skoda? I was hoping to drop on something if I couldn't find a suitable nearly new car.

I've done a stint as an instructor for my sins and have to say I enjoyed the training side more than I did the instructing by quite a margin. Most folk I've spoken to who have taken additional training either due to career of just out of interest have enjoyed it far more than they expected to. Car wise, due to other commitments I've not been looking in anger this week. Only car I've seen that caught my eye is this one. It's a 75ps version one of only a few I could spot, they appear to be predominantly 60ps versions, but it looks too expensive to my eye. http://www.skoda.net.r66.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=605693195

I'd not noticed this, but will follow your adventures of new ownership. They do the up-selling of extras to death, I think in many cases they aren't really selling the car at all, but all the finance, insurance and shiny polish that goes with it. I almost feel sorry for them, being a used car salesman seems much more of a grind than it once was. They always appear to have a hint of desperation about them. Anyway I'm still looking for a CitiGo/Mii myself so interested in you opinion on the little car especially after usually driving something larger. Generally I have always bought my cars locally within 15-20miles, my thinking being if they do go wrong it's not too far to travel to get em sorted. Only problem at the moment is any and all the cars that have caught my eye are closer to 80-100 miles away. Just seems like a long way to go to possibly only view a car.

I'm not a fan of the "shiny-dash" either, textured finish is far better to my eye's, but I'm an old git. I hear what you say about the door mirrors, once set they tend never to be moved again, I'm just a sucker for my creature comforts. I know it's a city-car, but a few nice bits don't hurt. I thought they now come with a dual window switch on the drivers side. (I think lots of folk moaned so they added it)

Seems a slightly odd omission from the spec, given we live in a world full of scallies and it gives the insurers just another reason to crank up the premiums. I can't find a mention of immobiliser either, so are we to assume the car simply comes "as-is" I suppose we are at the cheap and cheerful end of the car market so saving money on build cost ranks highly. Disappointing though, even the little city cars are the wrong side of 10K with a few options. That said I have had two vehicles broken into over 35 years of driving, on bother occasions folk were were just standing around listening to the alarm sound.

Popped into the local Skoda dealers this morning, used CitiGo's were very thin on the ground. I got chance for a brief chat but he also mentioned the Elegance has now become the SE-L. Another new vehicle is going to be out of my reach anyway at the moment unless they have some deals on stock they need to shift. (only offer they running currently is a £500 deposit contribution) Can't really find anything on Skoda's own used vehicles stock that catches my eye. Good shout on looking for the front fog-lights I will keep that in-mind.

I have to agree. All the "design student gone mad" bits are generally lost on me. Not a fan of the shiny dash at all, textured one most of the Skoda's appear to have suits my taste. So long as it has height adjustable seats and electric door mirrors that's most of my boxes ticked. That said I quite fancy a sunroof, but they are thin on the ground on second-hand cars and a £700 option new. Covering a car in "boy-racer decals" doesn't hit the spot for me either.

I'd say the Mango trim level would be about equivalent to the Elegance. Only obvious drawback is they only come in black and off white. I have to say that all the manufacturers appear to be playing the lets add in some special trim levels that last the season then disappear just to make it more confusing that it need be.

Why what did you think you knew and what have you learned? I'm trying to get to grips with the specs (Up!/Mii/CitiGo) Skoda seem exceptionally stingy with options. I know they are cheap and cheerful city-cars but I would have thought electric door mirrors would be a given on modern vehicles. It's 2016 not 1976. Working out exactly what options come on the various Mii trim levels is tricky because the brochures are a bit pish. Skoda seem to think pretty much everything is an extra until you get the the elegance trim level. To my eye, the little Seat's look best value for money, with slightly better specs than the CitiGo. No idea what the dealers are like, but have no experience with Skoda either. If the rain holds off may have another look today.

I popped into my local Seat dealer at the beginning of March and they had shed loads of New Mii Sports for sale. They were knocking almost 3k off the asking price. Odd though as it wasn't advertised anywhere even though the 3 dealers I visited were all running the same deals on the quiet. At the time I didn't think about it too much but put it down to that model being replaced by the FR. Yet I haven't seen an "FR" anywhere, even in the showrooms, so don'r really understand what's been going on. I should have bought a Sport then but had an impending hospital stay so postponed buying. Same here not seen a single FR anywhere, including in the showrooms. The specs on the Mii at first glance appear to be better than the CityGo across the board, shiny dash a'la Up! features an many of the cars now. I know what you mean about the colour, I think it's called nude, but looks very much like "old English white" like you used to see on old MG's. Mango's have a chrome side accent and they don't look bad in that color. And I'm not really a fan of white cars.

It's well publisied that Hunt co-authored a book calling for the NHS to be replaced by private health insurance so it's pretty much a given what the underlying plans for the NHS are. It's a bit like putting Jimmy Savlle in charge or the orphanage and being outraged at what the outcome would be. Frankie Boyle recently did a piece the sentiment of the situation. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jeremy-hunt-privatise-nhs-tories-privatising-private-insurance-market-replacement-direct-democracy-a6865306.html It wouldn't surprise me if it runs deeper than that. Some of these "Honorable Gentlemen" already having interest in many of the medical companies that are already out-sourcing services or waiting in the wings to sub-contract the NHS services. It's not so much them being in a position of privilege so they can afford to use private medical care. They are lining themselves up to make money from the NHS gravy train and eroding services for the rest f us. But that's generally not down to their contracts not supporting a 24hours NHS. Nearly all NHS staff have rolling '5 from 7' contracts anyway. The vast majority work weekends as a matter of course. It's whether the managers have or are prepared to spend the money to provide the service or even if they have enough staff to cover the standard hours. Pointing the finger at the Doctors/staff and saying "look at them not working 24/7" is a disingenuous stand. It's would be blinkered to say the NHS doesn't waste money by the bucket-full in some areas. I agree 100% if I had a broken arm I'd want it dealt with immediately not in "clinic hours." that's not good enough. (i hope your Mrs is OK) But I think in the case of the doctors strike it's not so much about saving money and providing services as creating disruption in the NHS so the finger can be pointed and they can break it up into bits for the private sector. I was a patient in coronary car during the last strike and the "junior doctors" that were on-call worked their socks off.Weekends and all.

Thank all for the continued feedback. (keep it coming) From what I've seen there is little to call between the CitiGo & the Mii. The Up really isn't in the race purely on price, (simply sticking a fancy steering wheel on doesn't really fool anyone does it?) VW have milked the customer base dry imo. Anyway there are some deals to be had on the Mii at the moment, Mango has a offer running that caught my eye of £2750 of rrp if you go via the PCP route. So while it initially looks a tad on the expensive side with that sort of discount looks much better. The offer is also running on other models I think. Other than that particular version looking a little "girly" the spec really is very good compared to almost all the competition. I'd still like to find a ex-demo or pre-reg car but as yet I've found nothing locally that has decent spec. Finding a 75ps with sunroof is like trying to find unicorn droppings I've not had chance to hit the Skoda garages/showrooms as yet and start digging for deals. I'd also like to get a longer drive in one just to see how it holds up on faster 'A' roads and motorways.

Cheers for the offer, but not really in a position to go-new this time round. Probably going to be looking for pre-reg or ex-demo with less than 5K on it. Sorry for taking a little while to reply, not seeing notifications for some reason. I'll check what settings I've clicked...

Well I made time to go and have a look at a Seat Mii this morning, specifically a Mii Mango. Have to say I really liked it, it was extremely well specced for a little car with cruise control, park assist, half leather seats, all the electric bit's and bobs that you could possibly need. Even had a DAB radio. Finished in an off white, they call it "Nude" Pre-reg with tiny miles. Only one major criticism... The blinkin thing was sold, just missed it, sold Saturday afternoon. Otherwise I would have bought it, just what I was looking for, little car with enough nice bits to keep me happy. A tad on the girly side, but I really quite liked it.. Myabe it was calling to my inner hairdresser... Now the search begins...

Cheers,I was just curious that's all.

I'm not sure whether that surprises me or not. Having to swap out the whole dashboard simply to change the facia colour/trim looks a cack-handed expensive way to go about things. It looks like it ought to just clip/screw into position. £500 quid is on the steep side, not sure that is even new! Ah well scratch that one... Cheers.

It appears that the trim/colour of the dashboard comes in various finishes dependent on model. Can this trim colour be easily changed at a later date. I quite like the textured finish, the shinny black not so much. Or is it a major component and so costly/complex to swap?

There is a Seat dealership that's fairly close to me. My intention is to pop over tomorrow morning. At the moment they have 2-3 Mango ex-demonstrators in at a good saving over list price. If nothing else I will be able to have a sit in and a proper look. Yeah, I've already twigged that one, also I've noticed some I think early cars only have a single window switch on the drivers side. Also electric door mirrors appear of vanish dependent on trim levels. I'm sure there will be a fair few other little bits n bobs I pick up on as I start to look at them in anger. Thanks for all the pointers peeps, keep em coming. The more I can pick up on the better.

Interesting that you've driven both cars so can make a useful comparison. I've had a very brief drive in a CitiGo, that was some time ago and a 5dr Elegance version if I remember correctly. I was pleasantly surprised by how well it drove. While it obviously doesn't have anything like the pace of the 1.2 Tsi, it went well enough for my needs. Space wise it makes great use inside of what at first glance seems a small car outside. Build wise the Polo is a step up with the quality of the interior materials and having the "trim" on all the interior panels. The painted door surfaces on the smaller car while not unpleasant does feel like a throw-back to the 60's and I guess a design decision to keep costs down. I don't think I can stretch to a new vehicle but I'd hope to possibly pick up an ex-demonstrator with under 5K on. I hear what you say about the revision to the face-lifed Up! later in the year, the changes look simple but enough to give it a lift. Hopefully the changes will filter into the other brands. I've actually seen a Seat Mii Mango locally, that has a decent enough spec including cruise control and few other bits. (though I would like a sunroof) Other than it being a little bit "girly" it's a decent enough car. Basically I just want something cheap and reliable to run for the next few years. Polo Tsi is a great car, but is proving to be a little temperamental so it's time to move on I feel. I'm an old git, my boy racer days are long gone, so long as it starts first turn in a morning, stops when need it too and is economical CitiGO/Up or Mii will do the job.

Cheers. "car is almost exclusively used to teach learners" I take it you use it as your tuition vehicle. I used to be an instructor for my sins. Gave it up 2011. 50mpg for stop/start short trips sounds pretty good.

Does that reflect in slightly higher engine revs/ noise in the cabin at motorway speeds? What rev's do they pull at say 50 + 70mph Also what sort of "real world" mpg's are people seeing. We all know VW can be a little economical with the truth with regards to economy/emissions. Hopefully Sunday morning I wil have some free time to go and look at a couple of cars.