Well, circumstances have changed, and so has my budget (hopefully!!) i'm now looking at a higher budget that affords me a possibly '06/'07 Octy, so am now looking at VRSs (2.0 FSI Turbo varient)

Couple of questions i have about them though, firstly, i see ads stating a multifunction steering wheel, yet see no buttons on them? Secondly, where are the cruise controls? Thirdly, are the lights/wipers auto or is it all manual (not that manual bothers me!!)??

All help much appreciated.

Cant speak for the petrol version (mines the vRS diesel) but I'm pretty certain that there is no multifunction steering wheel as standard or optional on the vRS (maybe aftermarket) If it has cruise it's on the left hand stalk. And lastly my lights and wipers are manual, not heard of auto on the vRS but could be wrong.

My 2008 vRS has auto lights and wipers - but I could easily live without them!

Cruise control on octavias is set / resumed / increased / decreased via a two way rocker switch on the end of the left (indicator) stalk. There is also also an on / off switch for the system on top of the same stalk.

The auto lights and wipers was an option. You can easilly spot the difference on advert photos, just look at the rear view mirror. If it is just cheap, basic mirror stuck on the windscreen it doesn't have auto lights or wipers. The auto lights / wipers cars have a slightly bulkier looking mirror from the outside, with a connection running up to the headlining from the light sensor. I had auto wipers on my Elegance so when I was buying my VRS I especially looked for one with them. I really like them, I'm not so fussed about the auto lights.

Are auto lights/wipers optional/included after a certain age only? Ie would i find an 06-57 plate with them potentially?

They were always available as an option.

The other must have options for me were maxidot, cruise (although can be easilly retrofitted) and rear parking sensors. If you're looking at older cars, I highly recommend you go for one with the rear electric windows and jumbo box (arm rest).

The multifunction steering wheel is only available on DSG cars and not manuals, much to my annoyance !!!!!! Come on Skoda, get a grip !!!!!!

I've an 07 TFSI and the the only functions on the steering wheel are steering and the horn.

Everything else you mention were options.

I keep seeing Maxidot mentioned, what is it?! And is the jumbobox JUST an armrest?

And what is DSG lol!!

DSG (direct shift gearbox) is basically an electrically controlled manual gearbox. Thats an auto to you and me. There are pro's and cons to a DSG box. Pro's, short shift time, hardly any power loss (uses a twin clutch as opossed to a torque converter) and seems to be a slight increase in fuel economy of a manual. Now the cons, expensive to make, complicated to fix, heavier than a manual, can be issue with how much torque it can handle if you plan on upping the cars power, and I've found that on these types of gearbox the ecu doesn't always "know" what gear you want and can hamper the selection speed.

Jumbo box is essentially a armrest come storage facility with an AUX (in mine anyway) input in it. I'm pretty sure that by adding the jumbo box you got rear electric windows as well.

Maxidot is the cars multi function display. Its larger than the standard cars display and adds alot more functions than the normal one. Get it if you can although can be retrofitted.

If you want the rear electric windows & jumbobox then I believe you want to look for an 07 plate or newer as these options became standard at this point (along with the 18" Zenith's).

You tend to get all those 3 options together or none of them.

I don't miss the rear electric windows, the jumbobox again is not a worry for me.

The 18" wheels would have been nice, however as I've just spent over £500 on 4 new tyres for the 17" wheels I won't be looking to exchange.

Cruise can be retro-fitted for around £150 - £200

Maxidot can be retro-fitted for around £300 - £350

I think if we're honest, more than anythitng else, Maxidot just looks a whole lot smarter.

No it doesn't....................

i'm only saying that cause I haven't got it.

If you want the rear electric windows & jumbobox then I believe you want to look for an 07 plate or newer as these options became standard at this point (along with the 18" Zenith's).

You tend to get all those 3 options together or none of them.

I don't miss the rear electric windows, the jumbobox again is not a worry for me.

The 18" wheels would have been nice, however as I've just spent over £500 on 4 new tyres for the 17" wheels I won't be looking to exchange.

Cruise can be retro-fitted for around £150 - £200

Maxidot can be retro-fitted for around £300 - £350

Ok cool, not sure my budget would get me a 2007 model with EVERYTHING?

DSG (direct shift gearbox) is basically an electrically controlled manual gearbox. Thats an auto to you and me. There are pro's and cons to a DSG box. Pro's, short shift time, hardly any power loss (uses a twin clutch as opossed to a torque converter) and seems to be a slight increase in fuel economy of a manual. Now the cons, expensive to make, complicated to fix, heavier than a manual, can be issue with how much torque it can handle if you plan on upping the cars power, and I've found that on these types of gearbox the ecu doesn't always "know" what gear you want and can hamper the selection speed.

Jumbo box is essentially a armrest come storage facility with an AUX (in mine anyway) input in it. I'm pretty sure that by adding the jumbo box you got rear electric windows as well.

Maxidot is the cars multi function display. Its larger than the standard cars display and adds alot more functions than the normal one. Get it if you can although can be retrofitted.

Cheers for the info

Ok cool, not sure my budget would get me a 2007 model with EVERYTHING?

Cheers for the info

You haven't said what your budget is

Well, as it stands its £10k, although if that is my total available budget (depending on a house sale) then i'm looking into Audi A4s. If its less than £10k, between £7-9k then i'll look at VRSs.

No it doesn't....................

i'm only saying that cause I haven't got it.

IMHO you're not missing much. I was sorely tempted by the recent group buy but didn't have the cash available. Then I got a courtesy car for 2 weeks that had maxidot and multi-function steering wheel.

Steering wheel - buttons in the wrong place too close to the rim - too easy to press 'em when using the wheel for its prime purpose - ie steering! You will probably get used to this over time.

Maxidot - looks great until you have to live with it! It is too bright at night and I am convinced that the dash lights don't dim as far in the maxidot dash as they do on the standard.

Warning lights replace the clock so when the low fuel light comes on the display switches between time and warning light - very distracting!

Finally it blanks when the ignition is off so you can't see the clock - I spend a lot of time "waiting" in my car and it is useful to have the time on view so I don't arrive late for appointments.

If you have other accessories (bluetooth phone, sat-nav) it may be more use but in a basic car - total waste of money - glad I didn't buy one!

I was really glad to get back my plain steering wheel and standard display.

Horses for courses, as I'm glad I went for an Octy with Maxidot fitted

As for the other options, the Jumbo pack was available giving the 'jumbo' (I use the word loosely) armrest, dual-zone climate and the 18" wheels. My May 2006 car has these. Also cruise and rear parking sensors, both of which I find useful.

Steve

Sorry to bump my old(ish) thread, but the autolights/wipers, can these be retrofitted? And other than size, is there anyway to tell from pics (as i'm mostly looking on 'trader etc) whether the car has the Maxidot fitted?

and my comments for anyone else reading through this.........

Maxidot is more than a visual display, you can alter some settings in it such as coming home light delay, auto closing windows, how the exterior mirrors behave etc. It can also be turned off (ie so its blank).

Steve

I've got an 09 Elegance at the moment, as courtesy as mine's in for some warranty bits. I wouldn't touch auot-wipers with a bargepole; I found them incredibly infuriating last night for example, as they don't do as good a job as I can! And I couldn't see a way to turn them off...

To answer the retro-fit, I think it would be reasonably involved as you'd have to fit the rain sensor on the windscreen. Not sure if these use a different screen altogether or if the sensor is separate and just joins the screen, up by the rearview mirror.

Maxidot - it would be obvious to see, if there was a photo in the ad of the dials, perhaps showing mileage etc. It's a large display in between the tacho and speedo, so you can't really miss it

Steve

Maxidot - it would be obvious to see, if there was a photo in the ad of the dials, perhaps showing mileage etc. It's a large display in between the tacho and speedo, so you can't really miss it

Steve

Cheers Steve, i just did some forum searching to find some pics, and it appears pretty obvious which have it and which don't (maxidot) as half of the centre section is black half grey (lcd screen) for those that DONT have it. Thankfully the cars i've been looking at on AT all seem to have it.

Yes correct. I can easily upload two comparison photos for you in here later, if you like. As the courtesy I have currently doesn't have Maxidot.

Steve

We've had people fit the tunnel light switch when they've already got auto wipers, but I don't recall anyone retrofitting both with the sensor mirror.

Edited 11 June, 200917 yr by wega3k

I'd have the auto-dim rear view mirror from this 09 model, but that's about it I think. Would be good if that could be retro-fitted as it seems the sensor is in the mirror itself and then would just need a power feed?

Steve