Hi everyone.

I've been directed to this place by the folk at Detailing World as I'm looking to get rid of my Subaru Impreza STi and am looking to replace it with something from the VAG range. After discounting the Golf GTi and Passat, it seems the Octavia vRS (petrol model) is the next car for me as it offers me 5 seats, leather upholstery, a petrol engine, good performance, lots of toys but most importantly, a more compliant and relaxing drive.

My budget is £8k and I'd like a 2006 or higher model with the Bolero or Columbus satnav model.

I've done a load of research and have found the answers to any questions I was after myself. However, I have a few questions I am still unsure of as follows...

1. Does 2006 (and upwards) vRS models have cruise control fitted as standard?

2. Does 2006 (and upwards) vRS models have dual-zone climate control fitted as standard?

3. Do I get the Jumbo Pack fitted as standard (cooled armrest box)?

4. Does a in-car CD Autochanger come as standard?

I would also like the Bolero or Columbus satnav and having looked at a few cars on the ads, it appears most do not come with this as standard. I would like something with the full kit (satnav, DVD, CD/Autochanger and TV) and like the look of these...

Columbus RNS-510 http://www.superskoda.com/images/Elektro/rns510-6.jpg

Bolero http://www.theskodashop.co.uk/pub/files/.thumbnails/1255943932_1Z0035156F_w450_h400.jpg

Can these both be fitted to the Skoda Octavia and if so, what am I looking to pay for a professional job (don't mind having it done by Skoda as I want a new unit and done correctly).

Thanks for any help.

Edited 10 November, 201015 yr by cobraman

There will be others with more knowledge than me on soon but i think all but the cd changer are optional on a 2006 vrs. my 2008(58plate) has dual climate,jumbo box,rear electric windows but doesnt have cruise or maxidot. cruise was supposed to be standard after 2008. If the cars you look at have a jumbo box then they will have duel climate,rear electric windows etc. I looked at a 07 & it didnt have any of these so i think your going to have to look at each car on its own options that are fitted. Hope this is of some use to you!

1,2 &3 - Not fitted as standard until around 2008 - but not 100% sure on that

3 - Jumbo box is not cooled! It takes the air from the vents which may be warm.

4 - 6 CD changer fitted as standard is mounted in the boot; but if you are going for a Bolero or Columbus you won't need it as both have integral 6 CD changer.

BTW do you realise that the Bolero is not a Sat-nav? Just a touch screen ICE system.

I think the early vrs came with 17" alloys & the later ones were 18". could be wrong though!

Thanks guys - talk about quick replies.

I did like the look of the Columbus over the Bolero so it will be the Columbus then. Can anyone confirm whether these come with DVD/TV or not? Also if someone could quote me a price fitted, it will be appreciated so I can budget for it.

I guess I'll also have to look for a car with cruise control, climate control and jumbo pack already fitted.

This info helps me a lot. Thanks.

Columbus doesn't come with DVD/TV as standard and also it is only a single CD, not a multi CD as someone stated above

All I can say I had to sell my fantastic Subaru Legacy 2.5 Auto (new June 2005) last year due to redundancy and I will get back to Subaru ASAP!

Don't forget the 4 wheel drive system and the way they drive!!

I don't think you'll find many 2006 cars with Columbus fitted, it's an expensive option to tick especially when they can be bought for less than 50% of the factory price.

It'll be easier to find one without and get it fitted.

However, I'd have to say that it's not the best SatNav/ICE device and you might find that you can find something else that does a better job.

talk to shark performance (site sponsor) they can retro fit just about anthing. i'd guess columbus and cruise are prob pretty straight forward to retro, but maybe climate might be a bit more complex..

Columbus was/ is a 1500 factory option but I've seen 2nd hand units go for around 500 quid - fitting is pretty simple. If you do go second hand for the unit you should take some precaution to ensure you're not buying a stolen unit.

hth.

Thanks for the further replies - all very helpful indeed.

Now I understand the comment about the Subaru - its a wonderful car but I find it way too raw as a daily driver plus the build quality is quite bad (a new creak and rattle everyday). Previous to the Subaru Impreza I had a Honda Civic Type-R and Mazda MX5 so am now ready for a comfortable but quick hatchback (I will definitely remap the car at some stage).

I'm still a little confused about the Columbus unit. I've heard that they come with satnav, dvd, 6-disc autochanger and also on one occasions Freeview TV. Are there different models in the range?

Ideally, I would like a Columbus unit which plays cd's, dvds, mp3's and has satnav as a minimum. A 6-disc autochanger and Freeview TV is more than welcome. Which model has all these fitted?

I've also heard about Maxidot - is this the centre screen between the dials (i.e. showing the trip computer)? And I've heard Maxidot is the one to go for. How do I know if the car I'm looking at has Maxidot?

Thanks again.

Thanks for the further replies - all very helpful indeed.

Now I understand the comment about the Subaru - its a wonderful car but I find it way too raw as a daily driver plus the build quality is quite bad (a new creak and rattle everyday). Previous to the Subaru Impreza I had a Honda Civic Type-R and Mazda MX5 so am now ready for a comfortable but quick hatchback (I will definitely remap the car at some stage).

I'm still a little confused about the Columbus unit. I've heard that they come with satnav, dvd, 6-disc autochanger and also on one occasions Freeview TV. Are there different models in the range?

Ideally, I would like a Columbus unit which plays cd's, dvds, mp3's and has satnav as a minimum. A 6-disc autochanger and Freeview TV is more than welcome. Which model has all these fitted?

I've also heard about Maxidot - is this the centre screen between the dials (i.e. showing the trip computer)? And I've heard Maxidot is the one to go for. How do I know if the car I'm looking at has Maxidot?

Thanks again.

The Columbus is the Skoda equivalent of the VW RNS-510 and is the current factory fit sat nav in the Octavia, a 2006 model will not have one fitted unless the previous owner upgraded to it as the 2006 Sat Nav was the Nexus.

From Skoda they do not freeview TV but I believe the TV part can be added as an external component. I belive DVD movies can be played but only whilst the car is stationary. Any Columbus owners care to confirm this?

To have multi CD you need an external CD changer

Easiest way to tell if the car has Maxidot is to look at it when the car door is open, it shows a graphic of the car with the door open.. One pre-facelift cars the non-maxidot display is half height and green making it easy to tell.

Edited 10 November, 201015 yr by Raglits

Ideally, I would like a Columbus unit which plays cd's, dvds, mp3's and has satnav as a minimum. A 6-disc autochanger and Freeview TV is more than welcome. Which model has all these fitted?

Thanks again.

My car has Columbus and 6 disk changer and I don't know why they bothered with it.

Columbus has 20GB set aside to load MP3s and has a SD card slot on the front which will take up to 32GB card. Given that a 16GB SD card is around £15 you can get a lot of music on board for very little expense.

I really can't see why I would ever use the changer and I never have.

Edited 10 November, 201015 yr by Lou_O

Thanks Muppet for the clarification.

I was wondering why the 2006 Octavia's headunit was completely different to that of a 2008 model.

And also thanks for the clarification on the Maxidot. It seems that this was an optional extra then on the earlier Octavia's as the ones I have seen on Pistonhead ads seem to be greenscreened in between the dials.

Thanks Muppet for the clarification.

I was wondering why the 2006 Octavia's headunit was completely different to that of a 2008 model.

And also thanks for the clarification on the Maxidot. It seems that this was an optional extra then on the earlier Octavia's as the ones I have seen on Pistonhead ads seem to be greenscreened in between the dials.

Maxidot is an optional extra unless you buy a L&K or a DSG equipped car, however, the facelift cars have a full height display in the dials which is black...