This is the second VRS diesel octavia we've had - sent back an 08 plate company hatch a few months back and have just bought the above privately.

Couple of questions, if anyone can help me out:

1. The auxillary port is 'empty'. The car has a jumbo box and aux socket, but if you insert the cable there is nothing for it to connect to. Could it have 'fallen in' to the underneath of the jumbo box or has anyone seen this before - no functionality but the hole is there?

2. Bought a Haynes Manual, partly to get instructions on removing/opening up the underside of the jumbo box to look into the aux port issue.

http://www.haynes.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=54203&langId=-1

On the haynes website it says it is for diesel models except 1.6 litre diesel engine, 4x4 models, or, 'Tour' or 'Scout' but does not mention whether or not it covers the VRS.

However, on the back of the book it says does not cover VRS. Does anyone know if it will be any use for the VRS or should I send it back (book is still currently in the plastic wrap as am thinking of returning it if not any use - could a separate VRS version be published later?).

I was planning to do my own oil changes to save a bit of money and will do things like pre-MOT checks, but might not do much more due to it needing to be hooked up to the computer so will probably send it to a local independent for some work when necessary. Before the 08 VRS we had a 54 plate elegance so there seems to be a lot of similarilty, but don't know if there's enough differences to make the slightly inappropriate haynes manual a complete waste of time? We are planning to keep this car for a good few years (4-5 at least) and expect around 12-15k miles per year, and not hoping for it to be worth a huge amount (£1-2k) at the end.

3. it is booked in for the timing belt change and an inspection service next week as is currently on 102k at 3.5 years, hasn't had the belt changed yet and last had an inspection service at 84k (although the oil has been changed since). There seems to be some dispute over exactly when the belt change is due and from what people have said on here it could either be a bit overdue, due very soon so might as well get done now or isn't due for quite a while. Its the CR engine but the service book says it should have been done at 94k (=150 000 km). Service indicator says about 1000 miles to go for next service

cheers for any replies!

TBH I can't understand why it says it doesn't cover the vRS. The manual covers both of the diesel engines the vRS used (PD170 BMN and CR170 CEGA, which weren't fitted to any other Octavia model), and the rest of the car is not vastly different from the others in the Octavia range anyway. I can't help wondering if its a misprint?

thanks guys thats very useful!