Even more surprised you shifted to a TSI then! What do you average in that now?

Xenons are not just bright lights there are other benefits as per spec. "Xenon headlights and AFS II, with dynamic angle control and integrated front headlight washers". Have had Xenons for years now and the new ones are even better. The beam angle changes depending on speed, tilts in heavy rain and snow for better visibility. Sunroof not just hole in roof, with the all black interior it will make it lighter, and neat touch is the side curtains when in tilt mode. Not sure what all of the functions of the Columbus are, but pricey for Sat Nav not mounted in line of sight of road. My choice was Xenons, sunroof,auto wipers, maxidot and a few other bits.

Wow, seems I have opened a serious discussion here

But seriously, putting aside the cost factor, the Columbus was something that I just 'wanted' if you know what I mean, I am in full agreement about buying a second hand one etc, but to be honest its just something which when you factor in its only about £10 per month extra to have it over the term of the PCP then its marginal whether its worth spending out the £500 on used one?

As for Xenons, its something which I would like, but having never had them I wont miss them, and I find the lights on my current FL to be quite good anyway, so I am happy, but I think I might pop a set of Osram Nightbreaker Plus bulbs in so thats a compromise on that.

The sunroof, thats one of our 'treats' we did until two weeks ago have a 12 month old New Beetle Covertible, but my wifes health (diabetic) is getting worse quickly and the car has hardly been used this last 6 months, and when she does drive she takes the Skoda as its the DSG box so easy to drive for her, so we had the Beetle sat outside doing nothi9ng except cost us money every month so we sold that back to the dealer so the sunroof is my little surprise to my wife, OK its not a cabriolet but we both like being able to open the roof, and it will brighten up the darker interior with it being all black inside.

The other options etc are just not required, so havent specc'd them.

Either way, I am happy with what we have ordered and we had to stop somewhere, in an ideal world we would of added the Xenons, front parking sensors, but thats another grand in total so I had to stop somewhere!!!#

As for going to CR from TSI I know it wont save me loads at the pump but as I live in a hilly area with lots of traffic I am struggling to get 20mpg with the TSI so I am hopeing that I can get around 35mpg from the CR if so, I will be a happy bunny, to me I have a fixed budget that I can afford each month on the car payment so as long as I stay within that, then what I save at the pump on fuel is a bonus.

Thats the joy of buying new, you can spec it to your own requirements.

Have enjoyed everyones feedback and lets hope the wait goes quick!

This sounds like this the thread to end all the petrol v diesel threads to me...as it's clear diesel is a clear winner. I've forgotten what my local forecourt looks like.

The beam angle changes depending on speed, tilts in heavy rain and snow for better visibility.

Not on the Octavia, these features are only available on the Superb's bi-xenon's.

The AFS II system on the Octavia adjusts left and right as you turn and up and down (self levelling) but the length or width of the beam doesn't change.

Silver1011

Are you 100% about the Xenons. Brochure lists them as "Xenon headlights and AFS II, with dynamic angle control and integrated front headlight washers".

"Xenon Headlights

Xenon headlights with AFS II (standard on L&K, optional on vRS and Elegance) are 2.5 times brighter than standard halogen headlights. The AFS II (Adaptive Front-light System) includes cornering headlights, the headlights move to illuminate the corner more than normal headlights and are dependent on speed and angle of the steering wheel. These provide the driver with increased visibility therefore enhancing safety."

According to Hella which I think makes the units  they have all the extra bits. http://www.hella.com...la-com/620.html

Sounds very nice.

Only thing I would not fancy is the sunroof.

For me one of the real bonuses of the rise of air con has been the virtual demise of the sunroof.

I would pay extra to have a car with the roof intact. I am very pleased that my new (to me) Octavia has this desirable feature.

Living in Scotland at least, having a hole in the roof of your car is not a great idea.

OK so the added weight and complexity and the reduced headroom may be fairly minor minus points, but the potential for leaks is the real downside.

Now Skoda sunroofs may be better than some, and I have been lucky with Saab sunroofs, but I will never forget the leaky sunroof on my MK5 Escort – Turned a merely unpleasant car into a truly ghastly one.

But lots of sunroof fans out there and hopefully Skoda ones stay leak free in the longer term.

Should be a fine car though.

Spare wheel - a good idea. Unbelievable that with the levels of standard equipment on modern cars the humble spare wheel is now an optional extra.

Octy0GG,

I reckon we are on the same paralell...but a bit west and the first thing I want is a sunroof to let the sun in. With the exception of 1 car, I have always had a sun roof and missed it like hell. Summers day with the roof open beats the windows closed and the aircon on, but there again as a biker for 45 yrs..

For me the short list started with a car with a sun roof and Xenons. The usual sales patter was "why do you want a sunroof when there is aircon". 'cause I pay the money you supply! Never had one leak, although the "cut hole in roof and drop one in" type were a recipie for disaster.

Had Mk2 - MK4 Escorts and agree they were bad, last one rusted through boot floor in 18 months. Then had Citroen Bx's with sunroof, zero trouble and 300k miles on 3 of them. Xantia without sunroof came next and moaned until it was sold with about 90k. maxda6 after that with sunroof and back to normal. And then came the Vrs, but will reserve judgement until the 3 yrs are up to see if the car surveys are right.