Octy09

I got a good one... I do a high annual mileage so not like the figures quoted in the post above but certainly comparable to the better offers I've seen. Drive the Deal have had some good prices on the go... Typed on a phone

After lurking here for a while (we also have an Octavia) yesterday I ordered a Fabia Monte Carlo TDI 105. Factory order so will take a few months, but I'm excited! This forum has been a good source of info in helping me to decide so thanks for that! I've gone for the marmite colour that is Meteor Grey... I know not everybody likes it but I fancied something a bit different! Typed on a phone

If you've got CarPlay I don't think you *really* need the voice control option, because CarPlay uses Siri anyway, and works with that button (which is still there regardless of whether you've specified it to work). If you ever wanted to make calls by speaking to the car outside of CarPlay, using the Skoda system, then I think you'd need to spec it. Typed on a phone

Hi folks, Just been looking on carwow and specced a Monte Carlo... noticed that they've got the option to select a black centre console - I know many on here aren't keen on the red. Also noticed the addition of the Stelvio 17" alloys on the options list, as well as the Twist alloys. Didn't know this was possible until now. Have those always been options and I've just been half asleep? [emoji6] Typed on a phone

Exactly. I think there's a lot to be said for "warm hatch" looks but with more realistic running costs etc. I think some of it is Autocar being presumptuous in calling it "warm" because last time I checked, Skoda don't.

I often wonder what Autocar's definition of "interested drivers" is. They go mad for the MINI, for example. Having test driven one recently, whilst it had great steering and good road holding, for the most part I didn't 'enjoy' it any more than I did the Fabia. I certainly couldn't get as comfortable as I could in the Fabia. In fairness to VW the Polo R-Line is the closest equivalent but even that, after discount, is around £800-£900 more than the Monte.

Best bet is to install Tapatalk on your phone, sign in on that and then post it [emoji1360]

I'm guessing the phone would still work through Bluetooth though, right? Guess it's worth keeping an emergency phone cradle in the car just in case you have to revert to using sat nav from your phone's screen. Not ideal but in the interim I guess it's better than being completely without any navigation...

I think it very much depends on the dealer. Our Skoda dealer (Mitchell) have always been fantastic and locally have an excellent reputation alongside their other brands (Mazda and Lexus). Skoda overall also do very well in driver power surveys, so it's a shame that some dealers are letting the side down.It's a similar story with other makes, though. The other car in our household is a Citroen and our dealer are nothing short of dozy and unhelpful - huge contrast to the Skoda one.

Sure, it depends on the exterior colour, but I guess it also depends on how worried people are about it contrasting. I would say it looks good with the greys, red, blue etc.There's red in a Golf GTI's interior with the checked seats, but then some of the colour options aren't quite as wild. I think it adds quite a cosy/sporty feel to what is otherwise a slightly plain interior. Interestingly, the models they've shown at the Geneva Motor Show this year and last didn't have the red centre console; maybe that's an option in the rest of Europe, or a deletable feature...

Back to your original question, there's a thread somewhere on here (maybe Monte Carlo related?) asking about the 17" alloys and whether they affect ride comfort. The answers I've come across are "not much" or "hardly noticeable". Hope that helps, I think the bigger wheels do make a difference visually - might not add as much value to the car as options like cruise control, glass roof or heated seats tend to, but then that may not be your problem at the end. Enjoy [emoji1360] Typed on a phone

Just to note as well, if anyone's worried about their data usage, I use maps daily and I'm on a 2GB data plan... never gone over. Just in case anyone's wondering how much they need etc...

That's poor. CarPlay is compatible with iPhone 5 onwards - you just plug it in with a USB and it should work. Dealers that give such false information should be shut down.

Or a 70s Golf GTI [emoji12] I think it brightens up what is otherwise a slightly dull interior...

Is everyone defo doing this? We get our book stamped as well. It's listed as being part of a service.Given that 'full service history' is such a selling point further down the line, surely it makes sense to still have a book? How else are you supposed to tell when your services are due (apart from the car alerting you)? Is there even a maintenance book?

Bit far [emoji23] obviously it's not to everyone's tastes but it's hardly revolting... You're sat in the seats most of the time anyway, ha.

Thanks. Bizarre that they're different sizes. Do we think this was done on account of the optional smartphone holder? At least there are decent ones in the doors. I've always thought our Mk2 Octavia does a good job of holding bottles in the door pockets. I do a lot of driving too (2 hours / 100 miles per day) so can empathise with your coffee comparisons! [emoji23]

Anyone able to advise on my cup holder question above? Typed on a phone

Sorry to hijack this but it's the closest I can find without starting an entirely new topic... these things are related. Can the cup holders in that area reasonably hold two cups? Only reason I ask is because one looks smaller than the other. Has anyone had issues? Reason I ask what may seem a little thing is because the car that the Fabia would replace in our household doesn't have cup holders (previous car did and you forget how useful they are)! Thanks. Also a feel your pain about the iPhone cables, Jane. Best bet I can think of is using a little tie-around to keep the cable itself neat and tidy. I have a cable from a company called Native Union and they come with neat little leather 'belts' to keep the cable wrapped up...

Nice! I test drove a 90bhp on Saturday and was really surprised at how powerful it felt low down, like you say. The bigger wheels definitely make a difference looking at it. Hope your Octavia arrives soon! Typed on a phone

Test driving one tomorrow - could be either 90bhp TDI or 105bhp TDI. I do a lot of motorway miles so hoping to be impressed! Typed on a phone

I'd completely be the same... it's a big step forward in technology and still quite unique in this sector. Typed on a phone

Odd that it shouldn't work... Are your iPhones running the latest OS? I guess if you were to upgrade your phones then you might have more luck eventually. Typed on a phone

I wouldn't accept ANY aftermarket thing they try to fob off on you because this defeats the point of having CarPlay or Android Auto. These are features that will become increasingly common and increasingly important to buyers and the dealers need to wake up to it and know what they're selling to people... Typed on a phone

I saw one at Geneva and according to the fella on the stand it had the sport suspension. Typed on a phone