Hi All

First post, I am having a test drive over the weekend (new company car due).

I on my 'green scheme' am limited to the Elegance Greenline with my choice of £1500 of extras.

Unfortunately they only have a 170 DSG diesel that I can have on demonstration.

Questions are

1. Is park assist worth the premium?

2. What does tow bar preparation get me (had a good look on the forum and it is confusing)?

3. Sunset glass or blinds?

4. Is there anything I should look out for on my test drive.

I am really looking forward to driving the car. My parents had earlier Fabia models and loved driving those cars. Need to get away from the usual VW, Audi, Volvo and BMW car park that work seems to be at the moment. This really looks like a 'stand out' car and awesome spec.

Looks like I will have to make a quick decision if I am to get a car anytime soon. Can't believe the build times.

This forum is great and hopefully I can become a member with the car in the near future!!!

Any feedback gratefully received,

Cerys

1. No but decent way to get front parking sensors

2. Not a lot so it seems from others on here

3. Blinds and get film fitted later if need be

4. Its a big car so a trip to a car park might be worthwhile but since the engine , trans and wheels/tyres will be different not a lot else

I have and use Park Assist, and wouldn't want to lose it; I also live on a major bus route, so the 30 to 60 seconds it shaves off parking in tight spaces is worth it. However, if you're already the type who spins into a space in no time flat (I typically take about 60 seconds parking manually in a big space, and a couple of minutes in the tightest spaces Park Assist will use), or if you rarely parallel park, it'll be just a gimmick. It can also be a nice reassurance - if Park Assist says a space is viable, you can get in it. Be aware, though, that it lines you up with the car in front and the car behind - watch your wheels if you get it, as you may need to intervene (just change from reverse to forwards motion) to stop it kerbing them.

The built-in rear blinds are nice; it's personal taste whether you'd prefer sunset glass or the blinds. If you're looking at the estate (aka combi), note that without the variable boot floor, there is a lip. The variable boot floor makes loading much easier (it also slides forwards over the bumper).

Be interested to hear your impressions of the test drive. I have yet to drive a Greenline but after yet another experience with a 105PS VAG diesel where I just can't believe how slow it is, in this case a Golf, suspect that my final order won't be going Skoda-wards.

Just absolutely refuse to stomach the company car tax for the vehicle I want. The Greenline would cure that, but based on experience so far with VAG 1.6 units in much smaller vehicles...

Sad but there it is.

Be interested to hear your impressions of the test drive. I have yet to drive a Greenline but after yet another experience with a 105PS VAG diesel where I just can't believe how slow it is, in this case a Golf, suspect that my final order won't be going Skoda-wards.

Just absolutely refuse to stomach the company car tax for the vehicle I want. The Greenline would cure that, but based on experience so far with VAG 1.6 units in much smaller vehicles...

Sad but there it is.

Trouble is the test drive car is a 2.0 170 so no representation of the greenline engine. But as with you I am not going to pay the tax on any other engine than the greenline. Previously had a 1.8tdi Passat with 110PS, not fast but then on the roads today when can you ever? Am hoping to at least get a drive in a greenline before I put my order in....

1. Is park assist worth the premium?

2. What does tow bar preparation get me (had a good look on the forum and it is confusing)?

3. Sunset glass or blinds?

4. Is there anything I should look out for on my test drive.

Looks like I will have to make a quick decision if I am to get a car anytime soon. Can't believe the build times.

1. IMHO If you (not you personally but in general) need park assist maybe you shouldn't drive a big car, but as Richf says it's a way to get front sensors.

2. My understanding of towbar preparation is that they code the car and leave out a connector so that towbar electronics can be plugged in at a later date, no towbar though... (If I'm wrong please feel free to put me straight!)

3. Matter of preference, I've gone for the sunset glass on mine.

4. You haven't said what you're already driving so it's hard to know what you're comparing it against, I'm trading up from an octavia to a superb and didn't even bother with a test drive.

Delivery times are a bit pie in the sky. I ordered mine and was told 25 weeks, I'm now being told my build week and delivery date of mid October which is only 16 weeks.

Good luck with your test drive and post your thoughts back on the forum!

James

Edited 4 August, 201114 yr by bigjim73

Questions are

1. Is park assist worth the premium?

2. What does tow bar preparation get me (had a good look on the forum and it is confusing)?

3. Sunset glass or blinds?

4. Is there anything I should look out for on my test drive.

I have towbar perp on my car I had to buy a dedicated wiring kit from the dealer and this plugged into a connector in the nearside rear wing. The kit consisted of a 13pin towing socket, a "black box" and all fixings. The dealer then coded the electrics to the car. The fitting took very little time once the interior trim was removed as everything supplied fitted on existing clips etc

Sinclair

Regarding the factory-fitted rear sunblinds, it is worth knowing in advance that they do not completely cover the window. There is a gap between the blind and the window frames of 1 1/2 inches or so on both sides. However, unlike tinted glass, you can choose whether or not to use the blinds depending on weather conditions and passenger preference, and you won't look like a drug dealer. :p

Not entirely convinced they are worth £130, as there are better fitting (but fixed) blinds available as an after market option, including blinds for the rear window/estate side windows, for less money. The factory blinds do however, retract neatly back into the door panelling.

Questions are

1. Is park assist worth the premium?

2. What does tow bar preparation get me (had a good look on the forum and it is confusing)?

3. Sunset glass or blinds?

4. Is there anything I should look out for on my test drive.

1. Yes when you add the cost of the front sensors, you would be daft not to have the park assist.

2. Pass

3. Sunset glass, I hate limo black (aka 'drug dealer') tints, but the sunset glass is pretty subtle.

4. Variable boot floor is essential if you need a flat load area,

you cannot order a spare wheel with a Greenline (although the dealer may order one separately to the car for you?)

Hi All

First post, I am having a test drive over the weekend (new company car due).

I on my 'green scheme' am limited to the Elegance Greenline with my choice of £1500 of extras.

Unfortunately they only have a 170 DSG diesel that I can have on demonstration.

Questions are

1. Is park assist worth the premium?

2. What does tow bar preparation get me (had a good look on the forum and it is confusing)?

3. Sunset glass or blinds?

4. Is there anything I should look out for on my test drive.

I am really looking forward to driving the car. My parents had earlier Fabia models and loved driving those cars. Need to get away from the usual VW, Audi, Volvo and BMW car park that work seems to be at the moment. This really looks like a 'stand out' car and awesome spec.

Looks like I will have to make a quick decision if I am to get a car anytime soon. Can't believe the build times.

This forum is great and hopefully I can become a member with the car in the near future!!!

Any feedback gratefully received,

Cerys

Firstly, a Greenline Elegance plus £1,500 of extras is generous in my book. The Elegance comes so well equipped you might struggle to choose extras to this sum. Are you including metallic paint as an option, as this alone costs £440.

I have driven both a SE Greenline Estate and a Elegance Greenline hatchback and am of the opinion that the 1.6Tdi provides adequate performance for the majority of conditions. Indeed, the 1.6Tdi mated to a 5 speed gearbox is prefereable to the Passat's 6 speed 'box which demands constant changes. View my recent posts for a comparison of both a Superb SE Greenline and Passat S Estate.

1) Personally, I think Park Assist is an expensive gimmick. Don't forget, the Elegance comes as standard with front and rear parking sensors.

2) Can't comment on the factory tow bar, however, I believe it is detachable. I think the electrics do not provide split charging.

3) I have the retractable rear side sunblinds on my current Superb and they are great. I am not a fan of sunset glass. If you have young children they may not like sunset glass which restricts outwards visibility in everyday UK conditions (ie. not bright sunlight). If you choose a hatchback, you can also specify a retractable rear window blind.

4) Please note, the Greenline has no spare wheel, only sealant. You can however, buy a full size 16" spare wheel and jack/brace from your local dealer for around £125.00. The variable boot floor cannot be ordered with a Superb Greenline (for weight reasons).

Why can't you test drive a Greenline? Through my leasing company (Leasedrive) I was able to arrange a 3 day test drive of a Superb Greenline which was delivered and collected from my home. If you drive a 170 you will be disappointed when you later drive a Greenline.

I've ordered a Greenline SE Estate in the last 2 weeks and know that I probably won't see it until Dec 2011/January 2011.I currently have a Superb hatchback, but fancied a change.

Edited 4 August, 201114 yr by veloplus

I am not a fan of sunset glass. If you have young children they may not like sunset glass which restricts outwards visibility in everyday UK conditions (ie. not bright sunlight).

The sunset glass really is not that dark, my son and actually prefers it as it keeps the inside of the car cooler and the fact that there is no blind there he can see out even more than with a blind fitted, even at night there is no issues is seeing outside through the sunset glass.

However don't take everyone's opinion on it as gospel - go and sit in a car fitted with sunset glass for yourself and then decide... if you are after a dark tinted window then it probably not be dark enough for you?

1) Personally, I think Park Assist is an expensive gimmick. Don't forget, the Elegance comes as standard with front and rear parking sensors.

On the Elegance front sensors are £ 330 and park assist is £475 so it is an added cost, but not much, heated windscreen is good for winter mornings and the anti dazzle rear view mirror is very good if you get annoyed by headlights in the dark.

The sunset glass really is not that dark, my son and actually prefers it as it keeps the inside of the car cooler and the fact that there is no blind there he can see out even more than with a blind fitted, even at night there is no issues is seeing outside through the sunset glass.

However don't take everyone's opinion on it as gospel - go and sit in a car fitted with sunset glass for yourself and then decide... if you are after a dark tinted window then it probably not be dark enough for you?

I've plumped for sunset glass on mine - did this because it keeps the car cool in summer like you say but also I have custom blinds on my Octavia and the kids are now at the stage where they prefer to see out the window, this isn't very easy with the blinds as the material distorts the view.

So the fact that sunset glass isn't that dark is probably a good thing (for me!)

All

Thanks for all the responses. The car has arrived at work and I can't wait to use it over the weekend. I am going to the dealer at some point so will try and get a look at the glass etc.

As for why I couldn't get a Greenline test drive - apparently Skoda are supply lots of cars to the tour of Britain??? If I didn't get my test drive in this weekend then it would have been end of September.

I will post more thoughts on Monday when it has gone back and what I am thinking of ordering.

And in answer to the £1500 of extras, I need to include any metallic paint in that.

Thanks again

Cerys

Deffo get the glass, it adds to the look

105 VAG engine, well I know of an Octy owner who has one and it's a slug.

Deffo get the glass, it adds to the look

105 VAG engine, well I know of an Octy owner who has one and it's a slug.

My Octy 105 was a flyer and felt stronger than the stated output. A remapped 105 will be equivalent to a 140PD.

Deffo get the glass, it adds to the look

105 VAG engine, well I know of an Octy owner who has one and it's a slug.

My Octy 105PD was a flyer and felt stronger than the stated output. A remapped 105 will be equivalent to a 140PD.

The 105CR is a different beast which needs more revs than the 105PD. On a long cruise the 105CR is significantly more economical.

I just had the rear parking sensors put on mine - don't trust computers to park my car no matter how good they say they are.

As for the Superb - after a 5 minute test drive (I had the demo car for 3 days) I placed the order - says it all really...

Enjoy...

Edited 7 August, 201114 yr by Johnraka

The car is on its way back and I am gutted to see it go.

The car was everything I expected and more. I have ordered one first thing this morning. Wasn't going to go for an estate but after driving one for the weekend and that boot...got to have one.

Could not believe how comfortable the ride was and the Columbus was amazing. In my current car I have wires trailing everywhere, hooked straight up to my Galaxy SII, put the phone in the arm storage and off we went. Sat Nav was as good as my standalone Tom Tom when I used GPS co-ordinates (Thanks to the tip on here). Had a ride in the back whilst the missus drove and had more than enough room to swing a cat!

I could go on all day but for the money it is unbelievable value and everyone who saw it couldn't believe it was a skoda.

Just the long long wait for it to be built now I suppose. Never mind plenty of time to keep getting the tips and engaging in this great forum.

Many Thanks for all your comments and advise.

Cerys

Test driven a 1.6CR now.

OK obviously it's slow but as veloplus comments above providing you use more revs then it's quite OK. If you drive it according to the gear change indicator then it is a slug, but then so is a 2.0 140PS Passat. In my opinion the change advice for economy encourages the use of too low revs, it just feels devoid of mechanical sympathy.

If one ignores the gearchange indicator and, dare I say it, drive the vehicle normally using mechanical sympathy, then it's absolutely fine.

If I want to be completely picky the one issue I found was a typical scenario, you are approaching a roundabout, slowing planning to stop but looking to go, you see an opportunity, select second, press the gas, and just for a couple of seconds it seems a bit... steady, not flat exactly, but just off steady and then gets on boost and away you go. Maybe it's just a case of adjusting driving style to cope.

It seems a bit strange as one can also pull away almost from rest in second, and in fact once did without any real problem, so need some more miles to figure out how to deal with this. Having said this the engine never ever bogged down which is something I experienced on the 5 cylinder Volvo D3. Also a 6 speed box on a 1.6 Volvo Drive was just so fussy.

So in summary, quite OK.

I thought Volvo seats were comfortable but the Skoda ones are excellent.

So now to sort out colour and options.

The sunset glass really is not that dark, my son and actually prefers it as it keeps the inside of the car cooler and the fact that there is no blind there he can see out even more than with a blind fitted, even at night there is no issues is seeing outside through the sunset glass.

However don't take everyone's opinion on it as gospel - go and sit in a car fitted with sunset glass for yourself and then decide... if you are after a dark tinted window then it probably not be dark enough for you?

I'll second that. My Sunset Glass is not as dark as I would like. I'm actually considering overlaying tint film on the sides. I've used dark tint film successfully a few times on previous cars and will use it on a Golf arriving later this year for which I did NOT select VW's version of sunset glass. I do have the rear blinds, but they have not yet been used and I reckon blinds to be a bit tacky.