Hi guys,

Have a bit of a dilemma. I currently have a lovely 2008 57 plate Octavia vRS in Race Blue thats done a mere 18,000 miles.

I bought it just over a year ago and got a good deal on it from my local VAG main dealer.

However, here's the dilemma.

I have seen a stunning facelift vRS on a 59 plate. Lower mileage and with more toys.

ie Xenons, daytime running lights, cruise, reversing sensors, dimming mirror, heated seats, auto wipers etc..

Basically its a newer facelifted car with lots of toys.

Been offered a half decent trade in value for mine although I would probably get more privately, naturally.

Wife thinks I'm bonkers for wanting to swap my car for something that she thinks is the same car. She does'nt get it.

Question is.. What do we think? Hang on to my car as its a lovely motor. Or go for the better/newer one with the toys?

Bonkers? Yes, your wife says you are so thats confirmed it, as she is always right As for actually changing to a newer model, why not, if you have the money and prepared to spend it, go for it.

Go for it!!

The new vRs is far better...but I'm biased

Toys are good

go for it mate worth it

Personally I would keep the pre-FL - you know it to be a good car with no hidden problems. I tend to be a bit suspicious of nearly new cars that have been p/xed (unless its a pre-reg).

I have a late 2008 pre-FL with dimming mirror, auto lights and wipers - frankly I could happily manage without. The autowipers in particular can have a mind of their own at times.

You can easily add cruise to yours for under £200.

I fitted a set of colour-coded reversing sensors to mine (thread on here somewhere) and they have worked perfectly - better than the factory-fit on my wife's Fabia II !!

Similarly you can add a set of HID - again I posted how to do it on here by coding the controller with VCDS. You can also enable DRL's if you wish (using VCDS).

Bear in mind that all the key components on the FL chassis (shocks, springs, rack etc) have the same P/N's as the pre-FL so the thing is going to drive much the same.

Maybe you'd be better doing a few gentle mods on your present car (cruise, rear ARB, Whiteline ALK etc etc)?

Edited 13 July, 201015 yr by Hauptmann

Personally I would keep the pre-FL - you know it to be a good car with no hidden problems. I tend to be a bit suspicious of nearly new cars that have been p/xed (unless its a pre-reg).

I have a late 2008 pre-FL with dimming mirror, auto lights and wipers - frankly I could happily manage without. The autowipers in particular can have a mind of their own at times.

You can easily add cruise to yours for under £200.

I fitted a set of colour-coded reversing sensors to mine (thread on here somewhere) and they have worked perfectly - better than the factory-fit on my wife's Fabia II !!

Similarly you can add a set of HID - again I posted how to do it on here by coding the controller with VCDS. You can also enable DRL's if you wish (using VCDS).

Bear in mind that all the key components on the FL chassis (shocks, springs, rack etc) have the same P/N's as the pre-FL so the thing is going to drive much the same.

Maybe you'd be better doing a few gentle mods on your present car (cruise, rear ARB, Whiteline ALK etc etc)?

Difficult to argue with the logic of this, you have a good car that you know. Toys are nice of course. If your wife thinks you are bonkers now just imagine the palaver if the new one were to break down . . .

I'd go for it. As long as it's from a main dealer.

Just do all the usual checks (Hpi etc) and you should be ok.

Don't forget you will still have around 2 1/2 years manufacturers warranty on it as well. So that will cover any mishaps

I'd go for it. As long as it's from a main dealer.

Just do all the usual checks (Hpi etc) and you should be ok.

Don't forget you will still have around 2 1/2 years manufacturers warranty on it as well. So that will cover any mishaps

the new TSi respoonds better with a remap than the TFSI so do it

Id go for it, I just have (although ive got to wait till sept/oct :(

chopped in my 58 plate vrs for a new FL and have ended up paying £10 less per month. go figure!

Hmmm. The one I'm looking at does'nt have the maxi dot. What exactly is this Maxi-dot?

Also will the stereo be the same in the FL version? There is mention of touchscreen on some reviews of the FL version.

Finally it has headlamp washers. I assume these are only with xenon equipped models? Or do some of the FL models have headlamp washers without xenons?

Maxidot is a multifunction screen that sits inbetween the speedo and rev counter. It gives you a little more information compared to the standard screen and also allows control of a few features too (i.e. can turn some things on and off without having to use VCDS). It is a nice extra but by no means essential.

The FL version has a Bolero stereo which is different to the Stream. It does have a touch screen.

The headlight washers are only with Xenon headlights. They are not fitted as standard.

Maxidot is a multifunction screen that sits inbetween the speedo and rev counter. It gives you a little more information compared to the standard screen and also allows control of a few features too (i.e. can turn some things on and off without having to use VCDS). It is a nice extra but by no means essential.

The FL version has a Bolero stereo which is different to the Stream. It does have a touch screen.

The headlight washers are only with Xenon headlights. They are not fitted as standard.

The headlight washers can be specc'd without Xenon lights. I have them on my Elegance. A very useful extra if you drive for a living.

BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!

The headlight washers can be specc'd without Xenon lights. I have them on my Elegance. A very useful extra if you drive for a living.

I did not think these could be specced on the VRS (much like the multifunction steering wheel is only available with DSG!!!! although can get it on manual cars of other specs).

I went for it, and haven't regretted it. I had my PD vRS for less than two years and it only had 22,000 on the clock.

That said, the CR engine was big draw as well as the interior and exterior changes.

I've got a January 2007 vRS at the moment.

Next August (Yer I know, a year away) I'll have had it for three years.

My plan is to look at 18-24 month facelift vRS' at this time with the possible plan to "trade-up".

I've got no idea what my car will be worth in a year's time - but I'll hopefully keep it in the excellent condition it is in now and get a good price.

I just do like the facelift, but cannot justify the change until I've had this one for three years

Id go for it, I just have (although ive got to wait till sept/oct :(

chopped in my 58 plate vrs for a new FL and have ended up paying £10 less per month. go figure!

Im doing the same thing its a no brainer