Thought I would take a few minutes to share my thoughts with everyone on my new vRS LE TDI compared to my old vRS PDI having completed 750 miles. I took delivery of my new vRS LE 10 days ago having decided it was time for a change. Just like almost everyone else i had to order straight off the spec sheet having not seen a LE in the flesh so seeing the colour has been somewhat of a nice surprise. Yes granted I loved the race blue finish of my old car but the grey is really growing on me and makes the car a wee bit more reserved. Think it's fair to say the colour does change a bit depending on the angle you look at it and is very hard to describe exactly what colour it is.

I know there is a mixed reaction to the alloys on the forum but I for one am in the positive camp, I think they look good and the colour is somewhat different too and really compliments the grey. They also show off the red callipers much better. Though without measuring i get the feeling the wheels sit out past the body work a bit more than the standards, has anyone else noticed this?

Engine wise I wasn't sure what to expect in the day to day difference between the PDI & CR units even after a test drive in a non LE CR. I am well impressed with the CR engine, it is that bit smoother to drive and ultimately quieter. Driving wise I find it to be that wee bit quicker off the blocks and i have less need to drive it on through the rev's like i would have done with the PDI. I know it's still early days but it is a wee bit more economical perhaps 2 mpg on 50% Motorway and A Roads and 50% country driving.

The interior I find is a great improvement on the standard car. Firstly i never really liked the light grey finish on the seats as i found mine had begun to discolour with the black coming off the rest of the seat and slowly blackening the light grey. The leather seats are fantastic and very comfortable and it's the seats that people really notice. The new dash pod is a real improvement too both in layout and in visability at night. I also like the little 'demo display' of moving the needles through full travel etc when I switch on the car. But by far and away I am most impressed with the Bolero radio and new climate control which interfaces greatly with it. Being able to have 6 MP3 cd's stored in dash is great as is the SD card reader. The radio interface is great and a very welcome edition to the car. I also notice as have other users the delay in scanning through large SD Cards (mine is quite happy with a 16 GB SDHC - which is more than enough storage for me) but it's only a minor niggle. It may just be me but i feel that the new steering wheel sits slightly further out from the dash than my previous car and changes my driving position slightly because of it, has anyone else noticed that?

I have successfully transfered my parrot hands free kit from one car to another with the dash being put together the same and the connectors indentical in both cars. One thing i did notice was that the aerial connection is now made up of two coax connections and not just the one, have skoda fitted a 2nd element to improve MW reception as i notice a wrapped element on the external aerial?

Specification wise there is very little difference as my old vRS had cruise control, dual climate control, jumbo box and rear electric windows but it would have been nice for them to have included the OEM bluetooth to compliment the new bolero unit.

Only small niggle i have is the lack of special edition badge on the back, it's on order with the dealer and hopefully I shall have it in place very soon.

Ok, I am sure you are fed up reading well before now but as you can probably tell I am really pleased with it and glad I made the change.

Hi nice to hear you got a LE and very happy with it I will hopefully be getting one next week!

Since I've never owned a Skoda, hows the sound quality of the Bolero unit? The car I test drove didn't have the radio working so I could not test it..

Cheers

A very useful overview. I was able very quickly to glance over a new LE that was just about to be driven away from Rainworth's by its proud new owner on 1 March when I went to pick up my new VRS and I have to agree about the seats, the dash and the interior in general. I happen to be one of those who rather like the new steering wheel and I'm quite happy about the LE road wheels ie no strong feelings either way.

As it happens I was happy with my choice of 'standard' VRS i) because the price deal available was stunning ii) I couldn't get DSG on the LE, but, yes, the LE looked a well put together package.

It may just be me but i feel that the new steering wheel sits slightly further out from the dash than my previous car and changes my driving position slightly because of it, has anyone else noticed that?

Surely this can be adjusted with the reach/rake handle? Isn't it just that you need to push it in an inch or whatever?

Hi nice to hear you got a LE and very happy with it I will hopefully be getting one next week!

Since I've never owned a Skoda, hows the sound quality of the Bolero unit? The car I test drove didn't have the radio working so I could not test it..

Cheers

I'm by no means the right person to ask about how the Bolero unit sounds, but to be honest i find it a step better than the Stream unit i had in my old car. I have noticed better radio reception and as of yet no CD skipping, something i did get in the old car.

There have been a number of threads dealing with sound quality so perhaps you are best reading through them.

Surely this can be adjusted with the reach/rake handle? Isn't it just that you need to push it in an inch or whatever?

I tried using the adjustment but i could only get up / down adjustment but not in or out from the dash. I'll try again this evening, perhaps it's just very stiff to move?

I'm by no means the right person to ask about how the Bolero unit sounds, but to be honest i find it a step better than the Stream unit i had in my old car. I have noticed better radio reception and as of yet no CD skipping, something i did get in the old car.

There have been a number of threads dealing with sound quality so perhaps you are best reading through them.

Thanks ab,

I've read some of the threads regarding the sound issues with the tweeters.. I guess I'll just have to check when/if I get the car!

Cheers,

Thanks ab,

I've read some of the threads regarding the sound issues with the tweeters.. I guess I'll just have to check when/if I get the car!

Cheers,

Something else i should have said. As i route the sound through my parrot handsfree kit, i'm sure it probably has an effect on the overall quality too.

Nice post ab !

I have done pretty much the same change, PD hatch to CR est and agree with your sentiments.

My advice, don't bother with the "LE" badge, I had mine removed prior to collection and in my opinion it looks better without ??

(I didn't get the badge from the dealer though .....!)

Good write up.

I'm picking my LE up on Friday - even more excited now!

Surely this can be adjusted with the reach/rake handle? Isn't it just that you need to push it in an inch or whatever?

You are totally correct, tired it once i got outta work and yes it was very stiff but a little pressure and it moved fine to exactly where i wanted it

Good write up.

I'm picking my LE up on Friday - even more excited now!

Enjoy

Nice write up:)

I too have enjoyed the first few miles in the LE and agree with all you have said.

The interior is stunning and everyone who has seen it agrees-it's the stand out of the car.

The paint is something that I think gives the car a more upmarket feel and matches the alloys well. It's one of those nice colours that changes in different light-I gave mine a wash and wax the other day and it looks stunning in the sun we have been having.

I too though have had to get the LE badge on the boot replaced as the lettering had rubbed off on delivery. The garage is in the precess of getting me a new one just now.

Thumbs up from me - great car. Enjoy yours:thumbup:

I sat in an LE yesterday for the first time and I have to say that I thought the seats were absolutely cracking! Really very comfy indeed. I liked the new interior changes - climate controls and Bolero etc but the alloys were absolutely dire and the colour just didnt do anything for the car imo! Even the dealer said the alloys looked like Halford specials and ruined the overall effect!

He also mentioned that a number of the rear badges had lost their lettering at PDI when the clear shipping tape was removed from the badge. :eek:

Lee