That's shocking! What year 530d was it? Whatever happened to EfficientDynamics??

Was a 56 Plate so pre efficient dynamics unfortunately! :(

Apologies if I've missed it, but you don't seem to have mentioned what price it's up at Grizzle?

Was a 56 Plate so pre efficient dynamics unfortunately! :(

Ah fair enough, was gonna say if it was pre MY07. Oh dear :(

Lovely car and it looks to be fully specced with everything you'd want including parking sensors, auto lights, dimming rear view mirror and auto wipers.

Ah fair enough, was gonna say if it was pre MY07. Oh dear :(

Yeah I know, oh dear to the economy but hell yeah to the performance It went like stink once I had it all mapped up! Was not great improvements to the economy though as you would usually expect with a diesel.

Just buy the VRS, get a warranty to cover possible bills for the ABS, aircon, turbo when the 3 yr manufacturer warranty runs out. Good Mpg and performance for the price against the BMW badge are worth it. I should know, I gave up on my 523i and have had 3 years of good enjoyment so far.

I'm also a converted BMW owner.

Not quite in the same league as you 525d / 530d drivers!

My 140bhp Scout is every bit as good as my old 150bhp 320d.

I just couldn't justify the servicing and random but far too regualr repair costs, even through a local BMW indy :'(

Can't wait til I can afford to replace the trusty Peugeot 306 with a vRS and become a two Skoda family.

Good choice Grizzle, don't think you'll be disappointed. Your new car has my ideal spec (Maxidot, xenon's and rear PDC).

I just can't get my head around why steering wheel controls aren't available on non-DSG vRS's - grrr!

Edited 14 January, 201115 yr by silver1011

Just buy the VRS, get a warranty to cover possible bills for the ABS, aircon, turbo when the 3 yr manufacturer warranty runs out. Good Mpg and performance for the price against the BMW badge are worth it. I should know, I gave up on my 523i and have had 3 years of good enjoyment so far.

Agree about the warranty as in dealers should be giving a year out, but ABS shouldnt be jacking in after 3 years, what percentage of cars actually screw up? Makes me wonder if forums blow these things out of all proportion.

If your journeys are very short, they are quite thirsty, I'm struggling to get 300 out of a tank on standard (cheap) unleaded on 8 mile journeys to work, my 2 litre diesel was 450ish. For me, the VRS petrol is a blast to drive after a VAG CR diesel though, got a rough edge to it, a car you want to drive for the heck of it.

Edited 14 January, 201115 yr by Si-Audi-Sline

Apologies if I've missed it, but you don't seem to have mentioned what price it's up at Grizzle?

its up for £12,995 which i thought was pretty cheap for the spec and miles.

Agree about the warranty as in dealers should be giving a year out, but ABS shouldnt be jacking in after 3 years, what percentage of cars actually screw up? Makes me wonder if forums blow these things out of all proportion.

If your journeys are very short, they are quite thirsty, I'm struggling to get 300 out of a tank on standard (cheap) unleaded on 8 mile journeys to work, my 2 litre diesel was 450ish. For me, the VRS petrol is a blast to drive after a VAG CR diesel though, got a rough edge to it, a car you want to drive for the heck of it.

So want to go back to a petrol though had enough of the clatter in the morning also

Agree about the warranty as in dealers should be giving a year out, but ABS shouldnt be jacking in after 3 years, what percentage of cars actually screw up? Makes me wonder if forums blow these things out of all proportion.

If your journeys are very short, they are quite thirsty, I'm struggling to get 300 out of a tank on standard (cheap) unleaded on 8 mile journeys to work, my 2 litre diesel was 450ish. For me, the VRS petrol is a blast to drive after a VAG CR diesel though, got a rough edge to it, a car you want to drive for the heck of it.

It's not the ABS jacking in, it's the ABS control unit failing at 4 years old - a known fault. The car drives OK but with the ABS light up, and Skoda dealer says it needs the control unit replacing. Our Octavia Vrs Mk 2 has done a few miles but it's been well looked after - the unit failure just happens.

Anyway, apparently once it's replaced that's it, job done. What I'm waiting for is to see what Skoda will do about the cost, as it's a known fault.

Still happy with both of ours - even if the Octavia Vrs mk 1 is a bit low-slung for the snow we had lately!

Petrol consumption good on both, but the Mk1 is lighter so uses less - and virtually no oil.

Edited 15 January, 201115 yr by essexblonde

So got to test drive the car today for around an hour, it drives great pulls fantastic clutch and gearbox are smooth as is the steering etc but and its a big BUT...

1. The next service is due Sept which is brake fluid( which should have been done by now) pollen filter etc they havent offered to do this, its currently at 30,125miles and registered Dec 2008 the last service was 18k and just a basic service.

2. the xenon headlights the right hand side light has a massive gap between the light and the grill area and doesn't sit flush i don't think. left hand side is very tight and they are both misted up after our drive (we had the lights on)

3. Scuff on the rear bumper which i think i could sort my self (but why should i)

4. Wheels are scuffed (although its not bad and i;m not hugely bothered at this stage)

Your opinions would be gratefully appreciated especially regarding the servicing.

Cheers

Graham.

So got to test drive the car today for around an hour, it drives great pulls fantastic clutch and gearbox are smooth as is the steering etc but and its a big BUT...

1. The next service is due Sept which is brake fluid( which should have been done by now) pollen filter etc they havent offered to do this, its currently at 30,125miles and registered Dec 2008 the last service was 18k and just a basic service.

2. the xenon headlights the right hand side light has a massive gap between the light and the grill area and doesn't sit flush i don't think. left hand side is very tight and they are both misted up after our drive (we had the lights on)

3. Scuff on the rear bumper which i think i could sort my self (but why should i)

4. Wheels are scuffed (although its not bad and i;m not hugely bothered at this stage)

Your opinions would be gratefully appreciated especially regarding the servicing.

Is it on variable servicing? How many miles will you be doing a year? If it's on variable, according to the car how long is left until the next service? Is this where the September date has come from?

Lights - sounds a bit suspect! Although I suspect the offside one has been out (I'd be asking why) and it hasn't been put back properly. As you might know, you're able to completely remove the headlamp units and you'll see a catch down by the side of the unit when you lift up the bonnet. On the misting, check the covers at the back of the lights have been put back on properly. Difficult to be 100% on that, without the lights being removed completely. Could just be that the car's been sat for a while and a bit of residual moisture is present, especially if the lights haven't been used for a while. Did you notice how corroded the brake discs were before you got in for a drive? Always good to check and gives you an indication if they're properly rusted up. Also leverage with the dealer that he might need it selling

Scuff - I'd get them to sort and inspect before collection (if you're buying!)

Wheels - how badly scuffed? Can give you an indication of the previous owners habits and also the possibility that the suspension alignment's out if he liked to drive into kerbs! Check for even tyre wear across all four.

Steve

So got to test drive the car today for around an hour, it drives great pulls fantastic clutch and gearbox are smooth as is the steering etc but and its a big BUT...

1. The next service is due Sept which is brake fluid( which should have been done by now) pollen filter etc they havent offered to do this, its currently at 30,125miles and registered Dec 2008 the last service was 18k and just a basic service.

2. the xenon headlights the right hand side light has a massive gap between the light and the grill area and doesn't sit flush i don't think. left hand side is very tight and they are both misted up after our drive (we had the lights on)

3. Scuff on the rear bumper which i think i could sort my self (but why should i)

4. Wheels are scuffed (although its not bad and i;m not hugely bothered at this stage)

Your opinions would be gratefully appreciated especially regarding the servicing.

Cheers

Graham.

Even at a dealer this is no more than £70-80 for brake fluid and pollen filter when you have it with the oil inspection service. My last service variable with fuel and air filter plus oil was approx £225. That was at a Skoda dealership. I'd be more concerned about the misting, which I think can be an MOT failure and the gap with the lights ie do you think it's had a frontal shunt? Scoffs can be sorted and you may get a discount unless these are issues already included in the price. Otherwise the car does look good in the picture.

2. the xenon headlights the right hand side light has a massive gap between the light and the grill area and doesn't sit flush i don't think. left hand side is very tight and they are both misted up after our drive (we had the lights on).

When I owned my 2007 VRS , someone kindly caught the front bumper and pushed the headlamp into the wing. The lamp sits on a platform that costs about 15 quid and has two cylindrical adjusters. I had several attempts , after the repair by a well respected bodyshop to get the gaps correct again, and though much improved, it was never perfect. I would be more concerned as Xenon units are not cheap! The repair to the bumper cost £150 inc lamp mount which basically meant respraying half the bumper. Mine was Race Blue too.

Sounds like it's had at least a minor knock at some point.

My car was a PD170 and had it's first variable service at 19K. It was due another, which included brake fluid, which was about £300 at Skoda. I think it was about 70 quid less without brake fluid. This might be different for petrol. There is a trick you can do to find out how many days and miles are left before service on the OBD, but can't remember what it was.

Edited 15 January, 201115 yr by modra_vrs

Is it on variable servicing? How many miles will you be doing a year? If it's on variable, according to the car how long is left until the next service? Is this where the September date has come from?

Lights - sounds a bit suspect! Although I suspect the offside one has been out (I'd be asking why) and it hasn't been put back properly. As you might know, you're able to completely remove the headlamp units and you'll see a catch down by the side of the unit when you lift up the bonnet. On the misting, check the covers at the back of the lights have been put back on properly. Difficult to be 100% on that, without the lights being removed completely. Could just be that the car's been sat for a while and a bit of residual moisture is present, especially if the lights haven't been used for a while. Did you notice how corroded the brake discs were before you got in for a drive? Always good to check and gives you an indication if they're properly rusted up. Also leverage with the dealer that he might need it selling

Scuff - I'd get them to sort and inspect before collection (if you're buying!)

Wheels - how badly scuffed? Can give you an indication of the previous owners habits and also the possibility that the suspension alignment's out if he liked to drive into kerbs! Check for even tyre wear across all four.

Steve

As far as i know its on variable servicing, we will be doing around 8k a year, i never got to see what the car had left on the service, September is what the salesman said it was due (which didnt add up)

Its the lights (as well as the service) thats worrying me most they work fine but the misting and not sitting properly is odd, the dealer is about 2 hrs drive away so its not as if i can just "pop" down.

The more i think about it the more i might give it a miss and look for another. :(

As far as i know its on variable servicing, we will be doing around 8k a year, i never got to see what the car had left on the service, September is what the salesman said it was due (which didnt add up)

Its the lights (as well as the service) thats worrying me most they work fine but the misting and not sitting properly is odd, the dealer is about 2 hrs drive away so its not as if i can just "pop" down.

The more i think about it the more i might give it a miss and look for another. :(

I'd also give it a miss if I was you or at least check one or two others out first, not for the servicing (if its anything like my audi the intervals were 2 year 2OK miles), more for the other stuff it doesnt sound very well prepared for sale and if there is anything else lurking 2 hours trips to see them will soon become a pain.

Fair enough, decent decision as I didn't realise it was a decent drive away from you.

Those are areas that need checking up on. Maybe consider raising these with the dealer over the phone/email?

Remind me - is that at a main or independent dealer?

Fair enough, decent decision as I didn't realise it was a decent drive away from you.

Those are areas that need checking up on. Maybe consider raising these with the dealer over the phone/email?

Remind me - is that at a main or independent dealer?

Its a main Skoda Dealer, Borders Skoda.

Yeh i'm just going to drop him an email raise those issues see what he says.

Thanks very much for your help Wardy

Quite simply, the dealer should put all these things right for you if they want to get the sale. If they quibble, walk away: there should be plenty of other vRSs out there.

The lights issue sounds like the result of a front-end prang - possibly quite a minor one - inexpertly repaired.

Quite simply, the dealer should put all these things right for you if they want to get the sale. If they quibble, walk away: there should be plenty of other vRSs out there.

The lights issue sounds like the result of a front-end prang - possibly quite a minor one - inexpertly repaired.

I have just sent an email with 7 points that i felt are wrong with the car and its not 100% considering the competitive price they are after.

1. The lights misting up, i dont know if this is because its sat for a while but the dealer did say "it was just in" dont know if that was a sales tactic if it was sadly it didnt work lol.

2. The service history, The brake fluid should have been change by Dec 2010 going it was registered Dec 2008 and the first service showing no fluid change.

3. The gap on the offside light which meets the front grill/bonnet area was to wide which makes me think it could have been in a front end shunt at some point.

4. The rear bumper has a scuff which needs either polished or fully painted.

5. Scratch on the bonnet at the drivers side has been very poorly touched up.

6. The wheels most notably the front wheels have heavy kerb damage which could have under lying suspension/steering damage, The 4 tires are well over half worn also.

7. The plastic storage cover above the hazard switch has damage to it.

I'll let you know the outcome.

You're going about it the right way. They can't do anything about a problem unless they know about it. So you've now put your cards on the table

However, the reason I asked about type of dealer was that I'd really expect a main dealer to take some pride in the stock they were selling and not present a car with obvious defects, such as a bumper scuff. Just seems to smack of a poor attitude, and never gives me a good feeling really. Basically, those sorts of issues shouldn't be there in the first place, for you to discover. That's the way I see it anyway.

Hope you get a positive outcome to your email though.

Cheers,

Steve

It also ran out of tax at the end of December, in case you hadn't spotted

So depends on the dealer's definition of 'just in' !

So that's £235 to factor into the price somewhere

Just give them a ring in the morning, got to be the easiest way to get things sorted, doubt you'll get a full set of tyres though.

You're going about it the right way. They can't do anything about a problem unless they know about it. So you've now put your cards on the table

However, the reason I asked about type of dealer was that I'd really expect a main dealer to take some pride in the stock they were selling and not present a car with obvious defects, such as a bumper scuff. Just seems to smack of a poor attitude, and never gives me a good feeling really. Basically, those sorts of issues shouldn't be there in the first place, for you to discover. That's the way I see it anyway.

Hope you get a positive outcome to your email though.

Cheers,

Steve

Thanks Steve John Armitage (Sales Executive) has been there for 6 years so that says something about him i feel anyway he's not a "sell rotten cars for 6 months and bugger off" type.

It also ran out of tax at the end of December, in case you hadn't spotted

So depends on the dealer's definition of 'just in' !

So that's £235 to factor into the price somewhere

Ah dont worry i know about that they were throwing in 6 month RFL lol how kind of them.

Just give them a ring in the morning, got to be the easiest way to get things sorted, doubt you'll get a full set of tyres though.

Would you believe they are closed on a Sunday lol