burtracoon

New options and trim levels will always be of interest. The challenge comes when working for a large and very rigid organisation to try and spec something off list. After months, in fact years off lobbying the right people and getting a car signed off with a spec I'm very pleased with and to be honest thought I'd never see, so to find order dates and trim specs discontinued is disheartening from the point of view that I know to go back through the process won't be an option. It will be a case of well just choose something else from the list that can be delivered sooner. I'm sure it will all work out but in the meantime I do wonder if I will see a VRS on the drive. 1st world problems I know.

That makes interesting reading re: VRS tdi orders. After years I've finally convinced the HR dept to let me have a VRS estate rather than the usual humdrum cars normally offered. They then faffed around for months changing lease companies. As a result the delay meant I too have had to forgo the alcantara upgrade. I was told the order had been placed this week with the lease Co and they gave a date of early June. We will see, wouldn't be surprised if I find out next week this deadline was also missed.

Whats the quality of the jack lead your using like? If it's a couple off quid cheapy it could be that. I went through about 3 faulty ones when I first got my Octavia. I ended up with a quality Belkin lead and haven't had a problem since.

I have the 2.0tdi Elegance estate that was making similar noises as well as doing a good Darth Vader impression and I figured it could be colder. We recently had an air con course at work so was forceful in volunteering my car for the demo. The Octavia should have 550g of gas in the system, we recovered 140g a 1/4 of what it should be. It now works a whole lot better, colder and quieter as you'd expect. The system was vac'd down and checked for leaks. I was shocked that even with natural leakage it was that low from the factory on an 08 car. How did they check your level? It can only be done by recovering the gas thats in there and then refilling / recharging the system.

I have a Bury CC9060 with the active cradle for a Blackberry, and regularly also use it with my Iphone. I find it very simple to use and great quality and would definitely recommend it.

That car was on the Skoda stand at the Autosport show in January, looked even better in the flesh although I'm not so keen on the wheels either.

I've yet to even see a picture of one let alone in the flesh. Does anybody have any images they'd like to share. I'm a little bit keen out of the starting blocks but thinking about my next company car. thanks James

The wheel was definately level before it went in. I'm a stickler for that sort of thing as it drives me mad hence my frustration, having done 20000 milles since April when I got it you get very familiar. The car was visable too me as I waited in reception, but I used the opportunity to make a few calls etc as I was at work so didn't pay too much attention. I have ok'd it with the lease company to take it to Skoda for a check up so hopefully they will be able to shed some light on it. Hey devonutopia I think I've seen your car around (but not for a while) hello to another Exeter dweller. James

Update time, all tyre pressure checked and rears were as they should be and the fronts were both even but 0.10 bar over recomended. Having put this right and done a few hundred miles more the steering wheel is still off by a degree clockwise when the road wheels are dead ahead. Next step is to call ING the lease company to see whta they say and then perhaps back to the dealer.

Well popped back to the tyre depot as was in the area. The manager gave me the knowing puzzled look as if to say P*ss off, but after moaning that lease companys never pay up for alignment after Kwik fit fleeced every one for years by charging for alignments on every job, he did check for me. Apparently the alignment is spot on, he swapped the front wheels over side to side to see if that made a difference. Without a decent run on straight roads my impressions are that it hasn't sorted it. Not sure where to go from here as an 8 monh old car with a wonky wheel to me isn't acceptable. I think a trip to the dealer may be in order however I'm sure I will have fun with the ever helpful lease company who wish to avoid any form of expediture. I know that swapping the tyres shouldn't cause such and issue but the fact is that it has. I will be checking everything myself this weekend. any suggestions greatfully recieved

I have just had a pair of Michelines (specified by the lease company) fitted to the front of my Octavia estate at 20000 miles replacing the factory Bridgestones. After previous bad experiences with ATS that I have to use I found a friendly small branch in a rural town. However As friendly as they were having now travelled on decent roads a few days after I find my wheel is a couple of degrees off to the righy. I don't believe the tracking or alignment was touched. Obviously it is the new tyres that has caused this but how come and is this a common problem? I pressume I need to go back and have it adjusted with the wheel centred. I don't think in my memory I've had tyres fitted where I haven't had to go back and have the balancing or alignment redone. Is it really that difficult a job?

That's pretty much what I figured but as they had been vaguely quoting April from the offset I am kind of expecting them to be ilinformed, and musing as to what the longest lead time is likely to be. Guess I'll just have to wait and see. Thanks James

Hi there Well I am finally joining the club as my new company car was ordered in mid Feb, an athracite grey Octavia Elegance Estate 2.0tdi with Maxi dot & light assist. I really can't wait. Spent yesterday cleaning my VW Jetta to pass on to it's new keeper in the company. My question is the leasing company is being vague and quoting early April for delivery from when we placed the order but obviously I've read on here build and delivery times of 8-12 weeks, which from order works out to some time in May. It's not really an issue but just wondering how long I'm likely to have a hire car for. Thanks James

That looks great, sadly it would wipe out my budget for any other options at all, which when I already have an Ipod and a Tom Tom doesn't add up financially. Shame that Skoda have deleted the other options.

Having tried the stereo on a recent test drive I found the standard system a little lacking compared to what I've been used too, whilst leafing through the current Octavia brochure on page 16 in the picture showing the curtain airbags you can make out additional speakers in the doors. Obviously this was of interest yet I have been unable to find any reference in the brochure or on the website. Searching this forum there are references to 12 speaker and Amp upgrades which sound just the ticket, however I have also seen threads saying that it is no longer available. As my vehicle will be a company vehicle a factory upgrade would have fitted the bill. Is anybody able to clarify what if any upgrades are available? Was it an option, and is it still available? many thanks in advance.