I'm looking at buying an 07-08 VRS Hatchback for around £10-12K. I'm new to Skoda's, but not VAG so I want to make sure I get the right options (as many as possible) so I really enjoy the car and also have a chance of selling it on.

I see that there are very few around with Satnav. Having seen the price I'm not surprised. Is there any way to retrofit it or could a portable unit like the Garmin be mounted (wired in) in the tray on top?

What options would existing owners think are essential? I'm thinking things like parking sensors, auto lights/wipers or Xenon headlights. (I'd love a sunroof but there seem to be only two for sale on Autotrader!!)

Any thoughts on the petrol v CR diesel as well? I'm in favour of the petrol as I do about 6000 miles a year and don't want to pay more for a diesel.

Any advice appreciated!!

You can retrofit anything if your pockets are deep enough.

Satnav is easy to do, £500ish (secondhand parts of course)

I'm looking at buying an 07-08 VRS Hatchback for around £10-12K. I'm new to Skoda's, but not VAG so I want to make sure I get the right options (as many as possible) so I really enjoy the car and also have a chance of selling it on.

I see that there are very few around with Satnav. Having seen the price I'm not surprised. Is there any way to retrofit it or could a portable unit like the Garmin be mounted (wired in) in the tray on top?

What options would existing owners think are essential? I'm thinking things like parking sensors, auto lights/wipers or Xenon headlights. (I'd love a sunroof but there seem to be only two for sale on Autotrader!!)

Any thoughts on the petrol v CR diesel as well? I'm in favour of the petrol as I do about 6000 miles a year and don't want to pay more for a diesel.

Any advice appreciated!!

Bluetooth by a company called hazzydayz

You can retrofit anything if your pockets are deep enough.

Satnav is easy to do, £500ish (secondhand parts of course)

Not at all, £500ish will actually get you a new RNS 510 more or less fitted

Not at all, £500ish will actually get you a new RNS 510 more or less fitted

Is that the factory standard stuff? I'm more familiar with VW model numbers at the moment. What I'd like is a built in satnav, as would be fitted if you ordered it as an option. Bluetooth as well but a Parrot kit works just as well.

Is there anything that cannot be reasonably cheaply retrofitted, that is a must-have option?

Is that the factory standard stuff? I'm more familiar with VW model numbers at the moment. What I'd like is a built in satnav, as would be fitted if you ordered it as an option. Bluetooth as well but a Parrot kit works just as well.

Is there anything that cannot be reasonably cheaply retrofitted, that is a must-have option?

Cruise control

If you want dual zone Climate Control (Climatronic) it is a must have as it would apparently cost around £4k to retrofit

If you want dual zone Climate Control (Climatronic) it is a must have as it would apparently cost around £4k to retrofit

I'd definately want climate control. I've seen a lot of cars advertised for sale with it, but it often turns out they have the old manual system.

Did Skoda offer heated seats in these models?

Not at all, £500ish will actually get you a new RNS 510 more or less fitted

Rubbish. Where can you buy a new RNS510 for £500?

Ben at Shark Performance can retrofit most things including bluetooth. As mentioned climate control is a bugger to have fitted, and the obvious one like sunroof. Id also suggest get front and rear sensors fitted as a factory option, It can be done after though

You can retro fit the following:

- Cruise Control £150-200 depending on where you go.

- MFD3 ( OEM Skoda in dash satnav, DVD, MP3 player with HDD ) £500ish

- W8/ Superb interior light with Cat-Vision £45ish depending where you get the part

- FISCON or OEM Bluetooth £300ish (You can use parrot but the FISCON and OEM give extra functionality through maxidot)

- Maxidot £400ish depending on where you get the dashpod

- For xenons just get a conversion kit for around £75 from Hids-Direct. They are not illegal they do not need headlight washers or levellers. My car just passed it's MOT with one in. Some people will quote various rules etc but they only apply to new cars not retro fits. You can do it all with OEM stuff but your looking around £600-800 depending on how cheap you can get the equipment needed. You will need headlights, bulbs, ballasts, wiring loom, washers, levelling sensors, blanking plate for dash levelling switch, a drill and balls to cut your bumper up.

- You can also retro fit front and rear OEM parking sensors but no idea of cost

- Climate control is a gimmick in my opinon. I have never felt any different in a car with it and my car which just has manual aircon. It just looks better in the dash. You can retrofit it but it will cost circa £4k

- L&K style LED door handle lights £25 for the parts and you can fit yourself.

If you have access to VCDS you can do the following

- Emergency Braking Hazard Lights

- Anti-Hijack ( can be done through maxidot if you have it)

- Single/ All door unlocks ( Again can be done through Maxidot)

- Coming/Leaving home lights

- Twin Rear Foglights

- Cornering Fog Lights (if the controller is present)

- Daytime running lights (if the controller and bulbs are present)

- Alarm Beep for Activation & De-Activation (If not already enabled)

- Hazard Light Flash for Alarm Activation & De-Activation (If not already enabled)

Can't think of anythig else for now but will add to my list if I do.

Oh and all the mods I have listed I have done so I know they all work.

Carl

Edited 23 March, 201016 yr by vRSCarl

Rubbish. Where can you buy a new RNS510 for £500?

eBay and I know of a bloke who has got 10 ( though they are VW ones ) and they are all legitimate brand new ones.

A friend of mine just got a brand new one of eBay for £530 which came in the OEM box and had code card the lot.

So it is quite easy to get one for £500ish

We'll have to agree to disagree I guess. I don't believe the units on Ebay are brand new and have never been used/fitted in cars. Recon/refurbished/stolen then yes they maybe. Where are they sourcing brand new units from and selling them for £500 when they are £1k+ from offical dealers. A box and a code card doesn't mean the unit is brand new and unused.

We'll have to agree to disagree I guess. I don't believe the units on Ebay are brand new and have never been used/fitted in cars. Recon/refurbished/stolen then yes they maybe. Where are they sourcing brand new units from and selling them for £500 when they are £1k+ from offical dealers. A box and a code card doesn't mean the unit is brand new and unused.

Just because a dealer charges £1k+ doesn't mean that is the cost.

A dealer can charge £18k for a brand new car which you can buy from other companies online for £15k. Does that mean they are stolen,refurbished,reconditioned?

Also i know a box and card doesn't mean its brand new never fitted. But its quite easy to tell if it has been or not.

But as you say we will just agree to disagree

Carl

Edited 23 March, 201016 yr by vRSCarl

If you have access to VCDS you can do the following

- Emergency Braking Hazard Lights

- Anti-Hijack ( can be done through maxidot if you have it)

- Single/ All door unlocks ( Again can be done through Maxidot)

- Coming/Leaving home lights

- Twin Rear Foglights

- Cornering Fog Lights (if the controller is present)

- Daytime running lights (if the controller and bulbs are present)

- Alarm Beep for Activation & De-Activation (If not already enabled)

- Hazard Light Flash for Alarm Activation & De-Activation (If not already enabled)

Can't think of anythig else for now but will add to my list if I do.

Oh and all the mods I have listed I have done so I know they all work.

Carl

Nice info - is there a guide or anything for this ?

I don't fancy bumbling around in VCDS on my own with a brand new car !

No but i can knock one up when i get back from honeymoon Mid April if you want

Carl

No but i can knock one up when i get back from honeymoon Mid April if you want

Carl

That would be brilliant

Many congratulations on getting married - I am in December

Cruise control is a must have - but can be retrofitted for under £200.

If you want parking sensors that integrate with the display on the head unit then its essential they were fitted at the factory, otherwise a retrofit would be VERY expensive.

Make sure its got 18" wheels, rear electric windows, jumbobox (arm rest) and climate control This was a free option for a long time (and is now part of the standard spec), but there are a few cars around without (Carl :p) and they are much less desirable.

Don't take the description on adverts as gospel either, most have a spec discrepancy or three.

I had a standard car with the free option pack, and retrofitted cruise, and I didn't feel like it was missing anything important.

- W8/ Superb interior light with Cat-Vision £45ish depending where you get the part

This sounds interesting Carl...have you got any pics (before & after)?

Cheers

Doug

P.S. Armrest light sounds interesting as well...pics for this mod if available please?

I very much like the sound of the LED door handles. Never seen these. Have you a part number? Also are they for the inside or outside? Thanks!

No but i can knock one up when i get back from honeymoon Mid April if you want

Carl

Nothing to do with thread. What is banner at bottom of your reply about-I.P. etc?

No but i can knock one out when i get back from honeymoon Mid April if you want

Carl

It was surely only a matter of time..........................

Small things amuse small minds eh Brian.

Hence why you always laugh when you loom at yourself in the mirror after getting out the shower

Carl

Hence why you always laugh when you loom at yourself in the mirror after getting out the shower

No probs - we've got a full-length mirror. Tripping over is the main hazard :p

Does anyone know the part number for the illuminated door handles? and are they fairly easy to fit?

Cheers