Karl7

Don't think I'm allowed to fit towbar as lease car. Also big expense for car I don't own. To be fair the Thule Clip On has been great, been around UK and France/Holland with it. Only ever put the kids bikes on it. No issues. I did try a similar cheaper Menabo Polaris clip on before, but that did look like it was putting weight onto the glass on the octavia, so sent it back. Thanks for the advice, I will be looking at towbar options for the VRS, as Clip On incompatible to the longer rear spoiler.

Thanks everyone for the detailed advice. Clearly it's not a straightforward job. It's a question of how important roof rails are for load carrying. Maybe not actually a big deal? I do however carry bikes fairly frequently, and often fully loaded for holidays (as attached)! Maybe not having holes in the roof is also a good thing as the car ages? I get that I could just wait for another car to pop up. I've only just noticed this problem so simply weighing up the possibility of retrofitting. The reality is I've been looking for months, and my company lease car needs returning ASAP. The problem is how tight Skoda/VW were with the standard equipment on the VRS. I wish I didn't have to wave goodbye to all the SE Tech equipment I've got used to. That's why the limited editions (pfl 230/ early fl 245) are so attractive. I want a manual, petrol MIB2 with at least heated seats and front sensors in dark grey, blue or black. Also ideally pre-2019 so it has both port and direct injection and no GPF. So actually there have been very few cars around recently that tick those boxes. Certainly not many low mileage FSH ones with water pump & thermostat just done, fresh haldex and gearbox oil, new front discs, pads and tyres all round. My current thinking is I can probably cope with getting some new roofbar feet. So likely I'll go ahead and buy it. Thanks again for the quick and comprehensive advice.

Thanks, really useful to know. And yes speaking direct to bodyshop good idea. Although it seems like a good opportunity to fit rails, it would complicate and delay things further. If they even agree to do it - and also I'd have to contribute to costs, tying me in to a car I haven't seen yet, and may ultimately want to reject for other reasons (hopefully not). Presumably If I accept car as it is, it sounds doable/ financially viable without having to rush it now? The whole roof lining wouldn't need removing again to fit the rails - just the edges, enough to access to drill etc? Really appreciate the responses so far, if anyone's done it and got some advice that would be great. Cheers

Spoken to local dealer, who says roof rails cannot be retrofitted as the roof panel is different and there are additional strengthening components etc. Does anyone know if this is true, and has anyone managed to find all the bits and find someone reliable to fit them? Also, if anyone's got an estate without roof rails - how much of a compromise is it? Presumably little or no flexibity for positioning of bars to accommodate roof boxes, bikes etc?

Just spotted that the black pfl 230 I'm looking to buy doesn't have roof rails..I thought all the estates had them! I've already got all the correct Thule bars/footpacks etc for my current SE Tech estate. Bugger. Was also worried it might indicate previous roof damage repair, but on careful checking of the build sheet it does state PR code 3S0 'Without roof rails'. So...wondering if anyone has experience of obtaining the rails and fitting/getting fitted? Looks like pairs available from breakers for less than £100...but did the pfl 230 have gloss black (rather than standard matte grey ones) - and are these the same as fitted to all cars with the 'black pack' option? How hard are these gloss ones to find in good nick second hand, or can they be ordered from dealer- or elsewhere cheaper? I understand there are no holes or indents on the extenal roof surface - the guide marks for drilling are presumably visible if roof lining removed? Coincidentally the dealer has sent the car to bodyshop, and the roof lining is due to be removed to fix some minor roof dents in next couple of days. Wondering if there's any chance I could source the rails quickly somehow and get delivered to be fitted at same time? Thanks!

Thanks for quick reply! Agree always a danger of being too precious about having perfection, given that a parking dings or worse can happen anytime. The good news is that the dealer's just called me, and the (off-site) bodyshop have said PDR is possible , probably with rooflining removed, and is the best solution/ their preferred option anyway. So all appears to have sorted itself out. Thanks Karl

Hi hope someone can advise, as they want to do this today! I'm buying a low mileage black 2016 VRS estate from a big dealer network's used car division (not Skoda franchise, but they do have VW/Seat & skoda dealerships elsewhere). It's a distance sale with delivery. So I haven't seen the car, but on the flipside I get 14 days to return if unhappy (I'll be getting it thoroughly checked over). It appears to be in great condition, but they've told me that they've noticed 15+ minor shallow indents on the roof and bonnet- looks like hail damage or something apparently. They've sent me photos but can't make them out in a building with reflections etc. I've asked for some outside or better photos. They say that paintwork is undamaged. They costed removing the headlining to push the dents from the inside, but 5 hours labour apparently. So instead they're proposing to fill and respray roof and bonnet. I've no knowledge of body/paintwork, but my gut instinct is not to disturb factory paint unless really necessary. I've asked them to pause the bodyshop while I get advice. Any thoughts? I could offer to contribute the difference to remove headlining etc (but could that cause further problems, especially as not a Soda dealer?). Or alternatively accept car with dents, for a discount. Thanks in advance!

Excellent cheers Mick, fellow Planet Rocker!

Thanks, that was quick! And hi, yes this is my first post, but I've been lurking for some time picking up loads of useful advice. Not sure I explained very well - I meant can they get DAB+, rather than just the older standard DAB? Reason for asking - a lot of stations have moved or are about to move to DAB+ only, and I don't want to have the cost and faff of upgrading if can avoid. Cheers

Evening all. Sorry if answered before - I have tried searching the site. I'm in process of buying a 16 plate PFL vRS 230, which has the last of the head units with the physical buttons. It has the larger screen so pretty sure is MIB2 and can have Smartlink activated etc? Question is whether this early MIB2 unit can receive DAB+ like the later all-glass screen units can? Anyone got one can confirm - e.g. can you get Planet Rock, which has recently moved from DAB to DAB+? Thanks!