Here's another one for the boffins...

I have an 06 Octavia II L&K at the moment, but need to get a new car. I'm thinking of dropping a spec in order to get the new 1.6D and save a bit of money generally ( I do a lot of miles, so would save a hell of a lot on the fuel economy alone).

The question is, if I order an Elegance without leather, how easy would it be for me to swap the seats over from my current car? My current car is obviously pre facelift, but I don't think there are any differences with the seats. Even though I've done nearly 130K miles in my current car, the seats still look good and would save me having to fork out £1,400 for the leather option. I'm going to go for the electric memory seat option so, in theory, they should be a straight swap.

I'm pretty sure they won't affect the price I can get for my current car too much - certainly not £1,400 difference anyway.

The elegance does not have electric seats, or the wiring/ecu to drive them and the seat memory. So they will fit, but you wont be able to adjust them at all.

Likewise with the L&K and normal seats, although you will be able to adjust them, the car will throw and log fault codes as it will not have the seats fitted.

The elegance does not have electric seats, or the wiring/ecu to drive them and the seat memory. So they will fit, but you wont be able to adjust them at all.

Likewise with the L&K and normal seats, although you will be able to adjust them, the car will throw and log fault codes as it will not have the seats fitted.

According to the latest brochure, you can specify electric memory seats and mirrors as well as auto-dimming side mirrors as a £475 option on the Elegance. It doesn't say you have to have leather with this.

I'm assuming that the wiring will be identical. Unless something has been changed following the facelift.

How easy is it to swap the seats? Is it just a case of losening a few bolts?

Some of the wiring has changed, including that to the climate controls and dashpod so its possible I guess that the seat wiring is different or has different connections/ECU revision.

I'm pretty sure they won't affect the price I can get for my current car too much - certainly not £1,400 difference anyway.

Are you sure?

The L&K came with leather as standard. No dealer or savy buyer would go near yours if it doesnt have it.

Why not try a breakers to get new seats for the elegance instead?

Are you sure?

The L&K came with leather as standard. No dealer or savy buyer would go near yours if it doesnt have it.

They will at the price I'm going to be asking for it.

Why not try a breakers to get new seats for the elegance instead?

The seats on my car are practically mint. I wouldn't want to put something someone else has been sat on in a brand new car.

The seats on my car are practically mint. I wouldn't want to put something someone else has been sat on in a brand new car.

That's fine, but as I say, I think you'll be leaving yourself with a lemon if you do. Also the old seats will have the memory module which you'll also rob. So that's 2 major spec features that yours then wont have

You could find you'll get close to a £1k loss in doing this quite easily. I know if I was looking at a car, especially if not familiar with the model & spec, would research then compare to yours and walk away.

Might be worth getting the new car and looking at a Seat Surgeons retrim - I'm sure that will be significantly less than the £1400 dealer option. Perhaps around £800 - 900 for a cash deal.

Might be worth getting the new car and looking at a Seat Surgeons retrim - I'm sure that will be significantly less than the £1400 dealer option. Perhaps around £800 - 900 for a cash deal.

That sounds like a good idea. Thanks.

That sounds like a good idea. Thanks.

I did a Group Buy there last year - here is the thread with all the contact details and examples of their work.

Most of it is on Fabias but I'm sure they have done Octavias too

http://briskoda.net/group-buys-promotions/seat-surgeons-group-buy/125432/