Guinness

Cheap, but you get what you pay for. I've just left them after a year with them. 20 minutes to answer the phone every time, rude and uninterested staff, and unreasonably high admin fees if you need to make any policy changes mid-term. I can't comment from experience, but I didn't have much faith in how they'd perform if I'd ever had to claim.

Yes, look at the pic half way down this thread http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/215540-removing-gear-knob-boot-and-plate/ Think they've changed it again recently (with the introduction of carbon-fibre style central console instead of brushed aluminium effect.) I think the latest one is much nice but I haven't found anywhere to buy one yet..

Yep, that's where I was coming from . I think we're agreed that it's not production ready but I doubt the overall shape / central console will change. Feels like a bit of a step backwards. Mind you, compare it to what SEAT are doing with basically the same interior for the Toledo and theirs looks a lot more appealing after a bit of showroom gloss is applied! I'll reserve judgement till I can see one in the flesh!

Disappointing? I think so.. seems very bland and reminds me very much of the MK1 Octavia!

I couldn't live with that Focus interior though; very fussy and over-styled, but that's a personal thing I guess! Anyway, is that a grey vRS I see in your sig - they're hard to find! Are you thinking of a private sale and if so could you PM me the details?

Thanks, that's what I wanted to hear!

Ah yes, good point. Last week I did look at another brand new one in Blade Skoda, Bristol which had the carbon-fibre effect dash. I guess there's probably only a month or two between the two cars I've seen so far, hence the difference. I wont be buying new though; hoping to look for something 2010/2011 so hoping that will include the brushed alu trim.

Had a look at a 61 plate vRS today and was pleased to see that the dash trim has been revised to a (quite convincing) brushed aluminium effect trim. Think this looks miles better than the matt silver plastic I had on my pre-FL MK2 vRS. Does anyone know when this new trim was introduced? Is it on all facelift MK2 vRS ?

This is useful info - thanks! My wife is really keen on the Yeti actually but I did have the same fears over boot space and really like the Octavia still. Anyone know any other significant spec differences on those model years? What about ABS failures and sawtoothing tyres - were either of these sorted after 2010 for example? I know I said vRS above - that's mainly because I'm a bit of a sucker for higher-powered diesels, but I'd probably be happy with a 140 Elegance instead.

Thanks. Love the thread linked in your signature by the way - lovely car! I did consider a Superb but its enormous dimensions would be just a bit too big for my driveway and work car park too! I also think I might possibly be too young for a Superb I did put quite a bit of effort into improving the sound insulation on my old Octavia, with half-decent results, although mostly it seemed to improve the stereo rather than reduce the road noise!

So I sold my pre-FL vRS about 2 years ago to swap to an Alfa Romeo 159. The Alfa is an awesome car and I will really miss it but it seriously lacks on the practicality front (that's not why you buy an Alfa though, right?!). With a baby on the way and more camping holidays I'm starting to think about coming back to a FL vRS Estate (diesel this time). Browsing around AutoTrader it looks like my budget is going to fall somewhere between MY2009 and MY2010 (or early 2011 at a push with higher mileage) and I wondered if anyone knows what the main differences were across those years? Was sound proofing improved on the FL Octavia as that was one of main gripes with my previous (otherwise excellent) Octavia?

+1, Good post. I had an old shape Megane for 3 years/50k miles and not a single issue. Also, my first car was a Saxo which has been passed around my family and will soon reach its 12th birthday. Never broken down, never failed an MOT, total cost of repairs over 12 years: £11 - for a failed windscreen washer pump, and that was probably because I burnt it out trying to spray from a frozen tank. Personally not a great fan of the current crop of French cars but give them a chance!

It took me about four separate episodes (on various cars) of buying aftermarket mats that were one or more of: ill-fitting, poor quality, overpriced and/or ugly before I realised it just isn't worth the bother. Now it's OEM mats every time - might cost you a tenner more but they'll fit and fix properly first time.

You're right - you may be able to just remove the bottom edge screws and pop one or two clips out just to get a hand in there, although I fear that your rattle may be coming from in the external door skin. You will not gain access to that by removing the door card as it is behind a riveted panel. Likewise, the speaker is riveted to the door metal (not screwed), so unusual for the fixings to come loose. Still worth a look in there though probably as it may be coming from something unexpected. The courtesy light does just pop out if you lever firmly on one or other side. You wont damage the wiring. Tweeter grille also quite easy - just be patient and dont use metal to lever. Try a plastic credit card or knife or even better, get a set of plastic trim removal tools - so useful for many things

I dont think it's possible to remove the grille separately, as it is part of the door card. If you follow the guide carefully and take your time, it's not that difficult to remove. The only thing you're likely to break are the trim clips which can be replaced for a few pence each (or PM me you address and I'll post you some as I have 5 or 6 spares hanging around).