pluves1

I could be wrong but, as you've set one click to open all doors I suspect what is happening is the car is arming itself (and locking) once you've left the car. Its easy to test to see if this is the problem. If it is then you'll need to go back to two clicks if you plan to leave someone in the car again. The isolation button is something different and although it can be used it still locks your passenger in!

Mistakes do happen. :S However, on something like the ABS this can be quite a serious issue as you say. I would be looking for some sort of goodwill gesture from the dealer. Although they have now solved the issue (fingers crossed) it doesn't hide the fact that their first attempt went badly wrong. I'm not sure how Skoda UK can help. If you still have faith in the dealer let them try to make up for the error of their ways. However, if you've lost confidence and have access to another dealer why not ask them to check over the work to ensure everything is okay and that by fitting it incorrectly in the first place this has caused no further damage. The work will now be logged on the Skoda system so if you do get problems I'm sure you'll have no problem getting them to help and its still got a lot of warranty left.

The dealer seems only concerned for the bonus. It is nothing to do with the VAT offer. The VAT offer is actually subsidised by Skoda and the dealer 50/50. If I order car now (before 31 December 2010) I will qualify for the VAT offer and I will avoid the price increases that are due early in the New Year. That is no different to this buyer. He ordered his car before the date and will avoid all the increases. No one is 'absorbing' the 2% price rise. If you order in the New Year the buyer pays 2% more than someone ordering now. The 31 December cut off date here is the dealers 2010 and December quota. Nothing else. In my view the dealer is being greedy and knows that they are in a strong position. The buyer is quite rightly annoyed (and I would be) as he specifically ordered a car so it was registered in 2011 and not 2010. All this becomes academic if the dealer can't get hold of the car and register it before 31 December - fingers crossed for more snow!

I'm really confused now. So the dealer hasn't even got the car but, wants to register it? :think: Can they do that?

May I suggest that you read the whole thread? The dealer has confirmed this is nothing to do with VAT increase or VAT free deal. I am not trying to be difficult or obstructive I am simply carrying out the instructions of Skoda UK who dictate all bonus payments made to me as a franchise holder.

Did you sign an order form? If not you could probably walk away and insist on your deposit back (ring your credit card company first to check you can do this). However, bear in mind that the dealer will probably have no issues selling your car on as the TDi's are now looking like June delivery if you order now to beat the VAT increase and also Skoda's VAT free deal. I recall seeing on another thread that the VAT free deal is likely to end for diesel version at the end of December but, continue for petrol in 2011 - how true that is I don't know. Why don't you ask the dealer what financial benefit he is getting? And then ask for some of this back as a gesture of goodwill?

So basically the dealer was hitting a bonus target and therefore refuses to delay registration. Isn't that a bit different to what they advised first? To blame Skoda UK is a bit rich. The dealer could delay registration - the only problem would be they would miss their bonus payment?

Ouch. I really did wince when reading that.

Can I ask do your roof bars have a T slot (upside down). Just wondering if my Audi bike holder will fit the Skoda bars or is it a new bike holder? Is your car DSG or manual? Looks cool but, you have really put me off having a white car as mine would look like yours all the time - not just in winter.

You'll be lucky to get a petrol by then if it's a factory order - never mind a diesel.

Haven't test driven a DSG but, I think the time has now come. Over £1500 to get a MFSW and Bluetooth is taking the mick though! Hopefully it will be as good as you say it is Thanks

Seems like a rabbit off here somewhere. Why would Skoda insist a dealer register a car by a certain date? Sounds like the dealer was trying to hit a target and needed to register by the 14th for whatever reason. As we're now past the 14th presumably the dealer has registered it? If they have might they have made an error they are not admitting to?

Thanks for that - quite useful to know an 'approved' after market bit of kit exists. Just one small problem - I can't use the MFSW as manual cars dont have them :no: So as good as it looks it as useless as the £1600 Skoda sat unit I was going to spec but, can't control from the steering wheel

Absolutely bizarre - I really dont get it. What were skoda thinking of? Little things like this annoy me. They allow me to spec just about every option I need but, not a handsfree unit on a 'top spec' model I prefer petrol even though I do a lot of miles. My issue at the moment is that my S3 is shocking on fuel (that could be my driving style) and also the more miles I pile on it the faster it's going to depreciate. I realised all this when I bought it as I knew I'd get bored after a year or so. So the plan is that I'll keep the S3 as a second car and get something cheap and cheerful for my commuting. I'm based in Ingleby Barwick

So on a manual vRS you don't even get volume controls for the radio? This just gets worse! Thanks for the info on the Skoda original bluetooth but, how do I answer a call? Please dont tell me I have to press the screen on the Sat Nav :( What a half ar*ed effort by Skoda. I now have to spend even more dosh on DSG - is DSG worth it? Another test drive to be booked then?

Thanks that would make sense but, I still find it staggering that Skoda can't source a steering wheel with the button on for a manual! Can anyone confirm what steering wheel you would get on a vRS manual? I'm confused. Do I still get 3 spoke MFSW? Also if I fit a Fiscon or OEM bluetooth how do I pick up from steering wheel if there isnt a button? Thanks in advance.

Apologies for resurrecting this old thread but, does anyone know why you can't spec Bluetooth on a vRS manual - even if you spend the thick end of £1600 on the Sat Nav unit? I find it staggering :( Just been into a local dealers to test drive and was discussing spec - I wrongly assumed that it was included in the Sat Nav package. Can anyone recommend a local (North East) OEM installer please?

White cars look great - until they are dirty. As someone who doesn't wash his car too often thank you for ensuring I never buy a white car

Folks. Thanks for all the feedback so far. I think at the moment my biggest dilemma is petrol or diesel. I think I'm settled on the estate as the hatch looks a bit boy racerish with the spoiler on the back. I prefer stealth! Whilst the S3 is killing me on fuel, the money I save on depreciation and costs to run for a petrol Octavia might make the proposition more palatable. The big issue I have is the local dealer doesnt have a test drive for the diesel so I may have to search for one to drive before making the final decision. It seems as though the more options the better (I do like my toys!) but, can anyone point me to a thread which gives step-by-step on removing the audio unit to replace the sat nav? If its easy to do I may look at this as a diy upgrade in due course. Once again thanks for all the feedback - much appreciated.

Derek Slack in Middlesbrough which is just along the A66 - apparently they are the North East's oldest Skoda dealer!

Hi All First post and few questions if someone could help out. Currently drive an S3 but fuel costs are killling me on my 25,000 miles a year. So I went looking at cheap new cars where I could save a bit of cash (and depreciation) on the outlay. Having looked at the Octavia I'm seriously considering buying one before the year end to take advantage of the VAT promotion A few questions first though please (I've tried searching some aspects but, not much joy and looking for quick and simple answers or pointers to the relevant thread) 1. Hatchback or Estate? (I have only ever had 5 door hatches and a BMW Touring.) Dealer tells me I wont recoup the £1000 extra cost of the estate on trade in/resale 2. Diesel or Petrol - I dont mind filling up as it can't be any worse than my S3. More worried about dropping power. Is the diesel the same 170bhp engine as in the Audi Q5/TT? 3. Essential options? 4. Plan to retrofit the Columbus Sat Nav - is this easy? Pointer to any step by step installs would be useful. Do I need to spec Maxi Dot? 5. Leather worth it? Finally any ideas of what discount to aim for? Appreciate the VAT promotion is ongoing but, anyone experience of discounts available. For interest this is my current thinking on spec. Octavia vRS Estate 2.0 T FSI 200bhp Options Race Blue Metallic Full Size Spare Maxi-dot trip computer Black vRS Leather seats Bluetooth and telephone function Auto dimming rear view mirror etc etc Heated Front seats Silver Roof Rails Not sure about Xenons Columbus Sat Nav factory install MDI Curtain Airbags Front and Rear Parking sensors Any help/advice appreciated :yes: