I'm in the market for a FL Octy VRS, and on my list of 'must have' options are; parking sensors and Maxidot.

I've been looking for a while and trying to find a car with Maxidot is proving difficult (I'm not sure yet I'm ready to move to a DSG car). So I was wondering about buying a car without it and then retro-fitting or just doing without.

So, the questions are;

a) for those with Maxidot - how much do you use it/could you do without it?

for those who have retro fitted it - was it really worth the hassle and expense?

c) and for those who don't have it - do you wish you did - if so why?

I've been looking at cars with leather, xenons, optical parking etc and dismissing them because they don't have the Maxidot but am I looking for something I wouldn't use that much. Or should I broaden my search and go for a DSG car and learn to live with it?

Maxidot on the pre-facelift cars was more desirable because the non-Maxidot cars got a different green lit pixelated screen so the black and white LCD Maxidot 'looked' much nicer.

On the facelift Octavia's it is now much more difficult to tell as even the non-Maxidot cars get the nicer LCD screen.

As for the added functionality I really don't see the benefit. Most of the regular settings can be done by the dealer when you pick up the car, they are then left like this for as long as you own the car.

The only real advantage I can see is the ability to flatten the headlight beams for driving abroad. If you leave the UK regularly then it makes sense, otherwise I wouldn't bother, especially if it is restricting your choice of used cars.

Iv it on mine it's handy but I don't use it much ether!

Maxidot... what is all the fuss about a little pixelly display???

Xenons... Can give problems if the levelling motors fail especially at MOT time and can be very costly,,, if you ever had issues then you wont want them again!

Personally speaking the rear parking sensors are a must, the rest are jolly nice to have if they are included free, but seem to be the "holy grail" of most on here?

I expect somebody will quote me to the contrary!

I have it as I am a DSG owner, its handy yes, is it a deal breaker on a car though, probably not, there are plenty of little tweaks in it though to play with, I usually end up sodding around with it when waiting outside a shop for the wofe or something, tweak things then find those tweaks annoy me so end up putting it back to standard!

I would say its desirable, but not a must have.

As for moving to a DSG, thats a MUST have, I was always in the I must have a manual its part of driving lark etc, but as my wifes health has got worse we changed to DSG so its easier for her to drive it, and I would NEVER go back to manual now, its just a pleasure to drive, round town you can be lazy and stick it in D and let it do the work, but when on the open road you can use the paddles, pop it in sport, pop it in manual, use the kickdown etc its just a nice thing to have on a car.

Another indicator if you have Maxidot is when you open your car and get in the display will show a car with the relevant door open, also on starting your car you will be presented with the message 'Skoda Information System'

Although i do have a question, on my last car (Scout 1.8T FL) I had maxidot with MFSW, on my current car i don't, but on my next i have Maxidot ordered on its own without the MFSW (annoyingly!) How do you operate/scroll through the menu without MFSW?

Regards

Having had it on the last three cars, I would not be without it. The information you get is so more informative than a simple light on the dash. My 11 year old A8 has a full colour Maxidot display and thats very nice indeed.

If a tail light, headlight, indicator bulb fail you get a nice message telling you exactly whats failed. On the non maxidot display you get a single bulb failure warning and you need to work out whats gone wrong.

You can have a massive digital MPH speedo, by a changing a setting in VCDS.

You can alter a number of car settings to your taste using the system menu, without Maxidot you would need VCDS or a dealer visit.

If you get a fault with the car, instead of just a light you get an explanation in the maxidot.

Lots more as well, and it looks so much better on both pre and facelift cars.

Look here for comparison pictures of both in the facelift octavia.

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/147872-fl-maxidotnon-maxidot-with-pics/

The first pictures are of the non maxidot display, scroll down for maxidot.

The only real advantage I can see is the ability to flatten the headlight beams for driving abroad. If you leave the UK regularly then it makes sense, otherwise I wouldn't bother, especially if it is restricting your choice of used cars.

Can you do this on pre FL cars?

Ive never noticed that function on mine.

That option is only available if you have factory xenon lights.

That option is only available if you have factory xenon lights.

And a facelift (Option is not present in my 08 Scout with Xenons and Maxidot)

I tried to add it after I'd ordered the car but I was too late. I think it'd be well worth it on a new car but not worth the hassle of retrofitting.

i have it fitted, its great but once set to your likings you will not use again,

It can be retrofitted

I supplied a Brand New cluster to a member on here and he got the dealer to fit

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/217217-maxidot-fl-retrofit/page__p__2672381__hl__maxidot%20on%20fl__fromsearch__1#entry2672381

If a tail light, headlight, indicator bulb fail you get a nice message telling you exactly whats failed. On the non maxidot display you get a single bulb failure warning and you need to work out whats gone wrong.

....and in the good old days you didn't even get a light out warning. Knowing exactly which bulb has failed saves all of about 10 seconds in not having to walk round the car to find out. :giggle:

I like mine. Looks nicer with the car graphics and being able to show your CD and SD Card info on the dash. It means you can also switch between the tracks using the stalk.

I didn't get parking sensors as I have never reversed into anything, I think they are more gimmicky than the Maxidot.

As has already been mentioned, if you have a Columbus then you'll get directional info displayed which I like. And also, if you have a Bluetooth kit fitted, you'll get call info displayed there too - also quite useful.

It's by no means essential but I like having it

It can be retrofitted

I supplied a Brand New cluster to a member on here and he got the dealer to fit

http://www.briskoda...._1#entry2672381

Eddie, are you able to supply UK spec Maxidot clocks on a regular basis?? If I don't get I know I'll still want it

Just need to decide between petrol and diesel, I know the arguments for both but even though I do low mileage the fuel efficiency of the diesel (especially having had one for the last 5 years) I'm going to find hard to resist. Test drive both I guess is the best option.

I had the same dilemma with my company car budget...Maxidot or full size spare wheel? went for the FSSW and haven't missed the Maxidot even after having the same sort of system on my last car (seat Leon). It seems to me that you set your system up how you want it (at the dealer before handover) and leave it be.

Edited 19 April, 201214 yr by Falkster

Very handy IMO. I have the Xenons and flatten the beam when I pop over to France (2 or 3 x a year).

If it helps, I wouldn't be without the DSG, Xenons or Maxidot. They're all great.

I don't have Bluetooth, so don't miss it. Don't much like talking on the phone when driving as am painfully aware that I'm not concentrating properly on driving.

Eddie, are you able to supply UK spec Maxidot clocks on a regular basis?? If I don't get I know I'll still want it

Just need to decide between petrol and diesel, I know the arguments for both but even though I do low mileage the fuel efficiency of the diesel (especially having had one for the last 5 years) I'm going to find hard to resist. Test drive both I guess is the best option.

I can order them (petrol and diesel versions full UK spec )

I wouldnt be without it on my TSI VRS if only for the Oil Temp function