Good point Stimps... What about snow-chains? Do they actually fit on the skud?

Originally posted by Witchfinder in this post

Um, what goodies would those be? Four wheel drive, side airbags and ESP? We get leather, bigger wheels/tyres, better brakes, more power, better exhaust.

Oh, and we pay less :p

Rob Rob tell them about the uprated suspension m8.

PS And err all the attention you get from hmm, dolly birds.

Originally posted by Witchfinder in this post

Um, what goodies would those be?

If you can't be bothered to read the brochure, Rob, and excluding those you mentioned, these are:

Electrically operated sunroof

Headlight washer system

Roof rails (Combi)

Central front armrest

Twin rear reading lights

Heavy duty suspension

Larger fuel tank

And to put the vRS 'goodies' into perspective:

Leather is actually part leather, with a user-unfriendly light centre panel, plus it benefits from inbuilt stitch obsolescence. And you can keep the light carpet!

Bigger wheel and tyres - yes, unless its a vRS Estate which copes on 16" wheels. But is an extra 15mm per wheel revolution that earth-shattering? I think not.

Better brakes - yes - but they are a must for boy racers.

More power - yes, but a standard Jabba remap is much better value for the 4X4 and, IIRC, will give similar power and torque figures.

Better exhaust - possibly - but where are the facts to back that up? The 4X4 of course has a different exhaust to the 2WD and the vRS.

For those that are new to Briskoda, I should explain that vRS owners are impossible to put in a box - they keep on jumping out and shouting about their cars!

Originally posted by delcac in this post

Rob Rob tell them about the uprated suspension m8.

Better watch out, Des, with your torsion bar thingy at the back - I'm surprised Denis didn't jump all over this one! Then again, in your advanced stages of psychological warfare he'll be guessing that you'll be hoping etc. etc.

Originally posted by delcac in this post

PS And err all the attention you get from hmm, dolly birds.

So would it be reasonable to say that RSs are for bachelors and 4X4s are for married folk? In that case I plead guilty...

Funnily enough I never felt the need to compare the 4x4 and the vRS with each other as they are so different that it is like comparing apples and pears...

I think most of us agree that the ultimate car would have been the 4x4 with vRS body kit/performance, for me it certainly would have been...

My tupence

But those 17" alloys look soooooooo tasty...

It's why I bought the hatch over the more sensible estate. So I'm a tart!

FWIW:

I have an electric sunroof (which I'd rather not have!)

The vRS estate has roof rails (I have roof bars for my hatch)

The central armrest is actually a disadvantage to many - a friend has a Golf GTi and it gets in the way up or down for me.

Rear reading lights... A minority requirement?

"Sports" suspension

A larger tank would be nice

Regards,

Mark

Originally posted by Quinten in this post

Funnily enough I never felt the need to compare the 4x4 and the vRS with each other as they are so different that it is like comparing apples and pears...

Yes, they are very different - almost mutually exclusive! - yet in some ways they are oh so alike - like in their engines, both giving the same performance upgrade range. That's what makes them so comparable, as two totally different means to the same end. And so the debate will continue...

Originally posted by Quinten in this post

I think most of us agree that the ultimate car would have been the 4x4 with vRS body kit/performance, for me it certainly would have been...

As a non-standard solution it can be done - that's another issue. I'm not the kind of guy to spend his money on body kit - I'm married - but I could have, for a reasonable amount of cash, and thus the DIY 4x4 vRS is a viable option. But then it would amount to something of a kit car, wouldn't it, posing as something it ain't.

I heard of a fine example in NL just a few weeks ago - there was this guy on a Dutch Skoda board drooling all over the optional 4x4 offroad package now available from Dutch dealers. It helps you turn your 4x4 Estate into an Audi Allroad-lookalike. If that's what you want - fine.

But then I asked what he was driving...

An Octavia 2-litre FWD.

Originally posted by Dutch4x4 in this post

Better watch out, Des, with your torsion bar thingy at the back - I'm surprised Denis didn't jump all over this one! Then again, in your advanced stages of psychological warfare he'll be guessing that you'll be hoping etc. etc.

Hey Des, I'm glad the Dutch are in NATO with us. If we'd tried to take them on rather than Saddam we might be in deeper trouble than we are right now............

Torsion bar? As nearly fitted to the Model T Ford? Wow!

Hey, I'm only trying to fulfil our government's preposterous ambition of being a guiding nation

Originally posted by DGW in this post

If you can't be bothered to read the brochure, Rob, and excluding those you mentioned, these are:

Electrically operated sunroof

Headlight washer system

Roof rails (Combi)

Central front armrest

Twin rear reading lights

Heavy duty suspension

Larger fuel tank

And to put the vRS 'goodies' into perspective:

Leather is actually part leather, with a user-unfriendly light centre panel, plus it benefits from inbuilt stitch obsolescence. And you can keep the light carpet!

Bigger wheel and tyres - yes, unless its a vRS Estate which copes on 16" wheels. But is an extra 15mm per wheel revolution that earth-shattering? I think not.

Better brakes - yes - but they are a must for boy racers.

More power - yes, but a standard Jabba remap is much better value for the 4X4 and, IIRC, will give similar power and torque figures.

Better exhaust - possibly - but where are the facts to back that up? The 4X4 of course has a different exhaust to the 2WD and the vRS.

For those that are new to Briskoda, I should explain that vRS owners are impossible to put in a box - they keep on jumping out and shouting about their cars!

Definately think , sorry , know that the goodies we get on the vRS are infinitely more desirable than anything on your list , in fact can't think of anything on the 4X4 list that I would want

Originally posted by mellowyellow in this post

in fact can't think of anything on the 4X4 list that I would want

Always wanted to say this once:

"Then you've chosen the right car for your purposes."

Couln't agree with you more , which is why we don't all buy the same cars , it would be a boring world if we all liked the same thing .

PS , I only posted the reply to wind Denis up

Originally posted by mellowyellow in this post

PS , I only posted the reply to wind Denis up

Don't you all?

:cheers:

Edited to add: hey, hands off Denis!! He's the only one approaching my level of nerdship and sticking to the engine-code crusade to which I am a zelote follower!

Originally posted by DGW in this post

How on earth Skoda UK can con people with a badge change, minor chip mod, wheels just one size bigger, and some extra bits of plastic - while withholding loads of useful goodies,- totally amazes me....

Cant understand your point dont think they are conning anyone, I think Skoda UK chose what options to have on the imported RS's to get the price down and make it a good package at a reasonable price - the initial price given pre launch by Skoda UK was 16000 with 16" wheels and 4 airbags, when they launched at 15100 with 2 airbags and 17" wheels it was a steel compared to its competitors at that time. If it was priced a lot more than the 4X4 I think it may have been a con.

There are still a lot development overhreads with the RS sourcing and manufacturing many different parts soley for the RS seats, carpets ,bumper, discs, calipers, exhaust, wheels, tyres and fitments than you make out.

The 4x4 a great car but the L&K's the most apealing IMHO if its useable and visible goodies that you want. The 4X4 looks like a Standard Octavia to the undecerning and for my use looses too much boot space. As it comes with a 150 bhp engine its look and standard performance is not apealing to me I wanted a sporty looking car inside and out and yes I love the light carpets and seats as it makes it so different. Personally I am not keen on modifying a car from standard so wouldn't contemplate a 150 - 180 chip option if I had a 4X4 and replacing the bumpers and spoilers to make it look like an RS. I was happy in buying an RS in the first place especially as the 4X4 is more expensive to buy and with the cost of aftermarket chip and body parts would put the cost up too much.

My bugbear with Skoda UKs policy is the lack of options available at extra cost on its models - especially as the same models going down the line for other countries can have them.

fantastic to see how politely & logically people still argue the 4x4/RS argument. By now on certain other forums it would be down to slagging & Insults.

Ah, the classic 4x4 \ RS debate - it's a friendly banter that Briskoda would not be the same without....

Dutch4x4 wrote: optional 4x4 offroad package now available from Dutch dealers

Any pics?

Ian, you had me wondering yesterday, when you wrote this:

Originally posted by Tavia4x4 in this post

Well I have it slightly "down" one click from level... then my fingers just around the stick for nice easy changes.

Down from level? What does he mean, "down from level"? Does it actually do that?

Went to check that on the way to work this morning, and IT DOES!

And guess what, must now conclude that the armrest is SUPER and works just like Ian has been telling us all along - for relaxed and yet utterly brisk motoring...

So are the rest of us stupid or is Ian the only one to read the user manual? Or a bit of both?

Anyway, I guess I owe Ian an apology for all the extendable arm jokes and will wait until others have discovered the hidden perks of the armrest too...

Then again, you might just have such an extendable arm, Ian, as I was popular with the girls at school too

Originally posted by Tavia4x4 in this post

Any pics?

I would have, if Skoda wouldn't fail to send me their customer magazine. It was featured in last month's issue - or so I've heard.

Of course, you can't trust the Dutch importer's website to have a picture of it. Or even a mention.

Originally posted by Dutch4x4 in this post

Down from level? What does he mean, "down from level"? Does it actually do that?

Went to check that on the way to work this morning, and IT DOES!

And guess what, must now conclude that the armrest is SUPER and works just like Ian has been telling us all along - for relaxed and yet utterly brisk motoring...

So are the rest of us stupid or is Ian the only one to read the user manual? Or a bit of both?

Well, I knew that the armrest can be adjusted to "below level", but I still find it gets in the way! The transmission selector isn't too bad (and there aren't too many times when I want to select the lower ranges, anyway), but I find it seriously obstructs access to the handbrake.

Originally posted by Dutch4x4 in this post

And guess what, must now conclude that the armrest is SUPER and works just like Ian has been telling us all along - for relaxed and yet utterly brisk motoring...

Heh, could never work out why I loved the armrest and everyone else hates it! Don't think it was in the manual - I just "play" with things on new cars till I discover what I like....

(come to think of it, thats probably how I was with girls too )

would have, if Skoda wouldn't fail to send me their customer magazine. It was featured in last month's issue - or so I've heard.

You get a Skoda customer magazine??? Tch, we don't see such things!

but I find it seriously obstructs access to the handbrake.

There is a technique to this that gets easier with practice...

Reaching slightly around the left (for RHD cars ) of the end of the armrest, you need to use the first two fingers under the tip, then your thumb on the button - impossible if you have put the handbrake on with a mighty pull with the armrest up - but if you use this technique with the armrest down it's possible to put the handbrake on a few clicks, and release it the same way - certainly my car has never rolled off on me!

Originally posted by Tavia4x4 in this post

if you use this technique with the armrest down it's possible to put the handbrake on a few clicks, and release it the same way - certainly my car has never rolled off on me!

Can't do that :(

The handbrake needs to go on fully, to hold the car against the transmission creep. It's one of the (few) disadvantages of having automatic transmission - along with not being able to "feather" the brake pedal to come to a perfectly smooth stop.

My car is still where I left it this morning - and haven't even consciously worked my hand around something to get the handbrake on. Apparently I just did it.

So I guess for me it's not in the way!

ahh, forgot you were an auto owner....

Surely with "park" selected as well as the handbrake it would be extra stoppage?

Mellowyellow

TY for highlighting the 4X4's strengths. Being modest, I didn't want to go overboard and use bold typeface! Nice to see that neither side will give an inch - which says a lots for how strongly we all feel about our Occies, regardless of model.