I'm thinking of changing my current daily car - a 200K miler Audi A4 quattro Avant TDi - and a vRS Diesel is on the list of possible replacements. However, it has to be an estate and there are fewer of these for sale. I have seen an 09 "Limited Edition" for sale with 27K miles for £15K. Is this a good price and whats in the LE spec over and above the norm? I am aware that the LE was a "run out" model before the Facelift, I think, is that right?

I like the idea of the full leatrher interior in this particular LE I have seen and full leatrher seats would be one of the few options I would normally opt for (for reason of longevity and wear resistance). Does the LE have Xenon headlamps?

Thanks

Personally I would opt of the Facelift version LE are the pre facelift and have horrible wheels, look for one with toys on already if your looking to spend around £15k then you have ALOT off choice

Avoid LE IMO, came with nasty wheels but benefited from leather interior and tsi engine. That seems over priced too. I would be looking for early FL for that sort of money.

£15k for a 3yr old Octy having a laff.

LE has known issues with soft alloys buckling. Plus as said you'll get a newer facelifted model for that price. I'd expect to get a nearly new for that.

Thanks for the comments so far. I was slightly wrong about the price - it's up at £14K NOT £15K; I don't see many Facelift cars available for that money with similar mileage, just one in fact and the others that are available are in the £15K bracket.

Maybe a facelift 60 plate car at £15K is a better buy?

£15,000 is way too much!

I assume this is the one you've found?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skoda-Octavia-Estate-2-0-TDI-CR-170-vRS-Estate-Limited-/200769190166?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2ebec6b916

The LE (Limited Edition) is a factory standard vRS with (very nice) leather seats and inferior poor quality multispoke aftermarket alloys.

You also get a nice little numbered badge stuck to the dash/seats to tell you which one of the limited production run you have and one on the boot lid that is poor quality and fades after the first wash.

There are no factory fit optional extra's on any LE's as it wasn't possible to add options. I'm sure I've read on here the reason is because a batch of bog standard grey vRS's were shipped over here and the seats, wheels and badges were added here in the UK?

As a result no UK spec LE's have xenon headlights.

As above for £15K you should be able to get an almost new facelift vRS with similar mileage on for that money. There are loads on Autotrader for a smidge under £15K. These are from main dealers too so they'll be willing to negotiate.

Here is one of many FL diesel estate vRS's, it has xenon's, auto lights/wipers, Maxidot etc. etc...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201220470898684/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/body-type/estate/fuel-type/diesel/model/octavia/make/skoda/page/5/radius/1500/postcode/yo325zs/keywords/vrs?logcode=p

(and its in the best colour )

Or if you need to stay around £13K here is another great example. At £13,695 I'm sure you'll be able to negotiate a good chunk off the screen price...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201216464975078/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/body-type/estate/fuel-type/diesel/model/octavia/make/skoda/page/6/radius/1500/keywords/vrs/postcode/yo325zs?logcode=p

http://www.autotrade...ock?logcode=dsp this is at £12,995 at my dealer not an Estate, boot no bigger on estate just taller hatch

http://www.autotrade...ock?logcode=dsp this is at £12,995 at my dealer not an Estate, boot no bigger on estate just taller hatch

Nice example.

We've got a vRS LE and have absolutely no complaints - apart from the wheels, the front two of which have buckled. We're currently wondering what to do about this - risk ruining the originality of the car and buy normal vRS FL wheels, or try to get these repaired? But otherwise, if you like the look of the LE, go for it. Just be aware of the wheel problems. Interior is nice, the leather wears well, and it's nice to have something that's a limited edition.

With regards to hatch/estate, Estate does add some other practicalities other than the "taller hatch". Boot lip is slightly lower, plus there's the bonus of being able to have the false floor fitted which is especially handy if you're carting stuff around - and the handy retractable parcel shelf/boot cover.

That price is too high - ice just had the pick of two LEs for lessthan that.

Where are you based? Personally I'd say go for the LE if you like it - but not that one (or not at that ptice anyway). Theres not much difference in exterior looks between pre FL and FL but the LE comes with FL interior/switches/bolero etc, much nicer seats and doesn't have the tacky DRLs......

As for the wheels - there are issues that seem to affect the majority, so either be careful or factor in this. I'm looking at getting wheel and tyre insurance which seems to be £100 a year and will cover any refurbs, punctures, etc. be careful though as some providers won't cover buckling (which seems odd)

Thanks for all your replies.

The ebay one above, is the one I had seen via Autotrader.  An estate is essential due to the need to transport a large dog about in comfort occasionally!  Thats not negotiable I'm afraid.

I can live without Xenons, they'd be nice to have but I've never had 'em, so i guess I wouldn't know what I was missing and I am not in slightest bit bothered by auto wipers, I can /w the wipers on myself! (or Ltd Edition badges etc).

I am really keen to have full leather if possible but there really are not many about with that optional extra., apart from the LEs it seems

So, if I was keen to have the LE in the ebay ad, what is it actually worth, ie what should I offer, bearing in mind the wheel issue as well.  I'd probably end up getting another set of wheels and putting winter tyres on the existing wheels anyway.

Its really not the fact that its an LE that I'm bothered about, its the fact that its an estate and has full leather.  I guess I am keen to stay around the £13K mark.

Thanks, again.

I would start at £11,500 no more than £12,500

By Mr AWOL,

"That price is too high - ice just had the pick of two LEs for less than that.

Where are you based?"

(can't seem to reply with a quote for some reason!  anyway, I am in Castle Donington (Donington Park) so near Derby/ Loughborough.

What is the right price for "that car"?  Where were the two LE that you had the pick of and were they both estates?

I guess that this id the Facelift model thats nearest to what I want, and even that hasn't got leather:

http://www.autotrade...01220470898684/

Honestly I would by the one above, then keep your eyes peeled for some on ebay and replace them. I am sure you would get more for your money, a better looking car and its newer as well.

I would start at £11,500 no more than £12,500

Pretty much this.

Andy - I was looking at one at progress skoda in Bedford, and one at jewsons in Oxford. I have agreed to buy the one from Oxford as it was in slightly better nick and had rear parking sensors already. I drove te Bedford one though and had an Audi tech look round it and it was mechanically sound - biggest problem was a scuff on the rear bumper TBH. They were both hatchback CR diesels.

The Oxford one was up for £13k (30k miles) and the Bedford one was originally up for the same (29k miles) but was reduced to £11790 according to auto trader. My target was £11kk to £12k and I think I did well in the end, depending what you value mine at. Bear in mind these were both skoda main dealers and therefore offering a 1 year skoda approved warranty.

The CAP value on the cars is £10,500 so it'll cost any dealer at least £11k to buy it in p/x, tart it up and spin it round. If you get one for £12k then, not too bad - you can see what a bargain the Bedford one was on that basis. If its still there, someoe should give Alan a call and go buy it......

Thanks, again, guys.  Pity I need an estate, then, or else the Bedford one might be looking good.

I wonder what the yeovil main dailer would take for the Facelift Blue estate (either cash, or what he'd give me part ex on the A4)?

How big is your hound Andy? I don't know if you can get HB dog guards, and take the rear shelf out when fido is in the car? Might be a silly idea, dunno......

If the one you have posted is also at a main dealer then perhaps it might be worth pointing out to him that there are a few LEs up for sale at the mo, and that the going rate is closer to £12k (get your p/x value first). Add that the CR is now three years and therefore many PCPs will be ending now (so expect a few more on the market) etc and exaggerate about the wheel issue. Make out you could take or leave an estate vs hatch but have a slight preference (in case they try the old 'yeah but none are estates' nonsense)

Push them, be prepared to wait, and I reckon you'll get that at twelve no problem.

Would not another option be, buy and Est you like for price and mileage but factor in another £1K for a Seat Surgeons Retrim,

Why not just make the dealer an offer ? I like the seats and the interior ...as regards the alloy wheels , they are easily and cheaply changed. Like has been mentioned they are cheaper options out there , if the dealer does not budge ....go elsewhere. In the current climate a sale is a sale. Who knows ! Good hunting and good luck. :sun:

Don't know if this helps, but I was in the market for a new car & ended getting this (see attached).

The basic vRS has quite a high spec, but the guy that owned this spent over 4k of extras on it - sunroof, heated leather seats, adaptive xenons, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, parking sensors, to name but a few.

In sourcing this car, I found that the multifunctional steering wheel only came with the DSG auto, as standard, which was a major plus for me. Other plusses, were lower insurance, tax & fuel consumption (I make a trip to the petrol station once a fortnight now It's definitely worth looking around. I drove from London to Southampton to get this one, & was prepared to make a trip to Yorkshire for another I'd seen.

I had my heart set on the racing blue, but since buying this one, all my mates say how good the colour is on this one (& I don't get ribbed that it's a Skoda :evil:). My old car was a 2.5 V6 Mondeo Ghia X. This one trumps it on so many levels. I'll probably make some personal adjustments to it, like handling & entertainment, but I have to honestly say, so far, this is one of the best cars I've owned... :love:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Very nice car,

Welcome to Briskoda.

Always worth a long trip for the right car in my opinion. Just check documentation and information first, take someone with you and don't tell the seller where you've come from until you've struck a deal, so they don't think your a guaranteed buy!

I've driven from South Wales to liverpool, bridgnorth and Cheltenham to source recent cars, and each one has been worth the trek. I've also said no after one long journey where I saw two cars, so you've also got to be prepared for a wasted journey or two too. But 50 quid petrol might save a grand or more so worth it in the end, especially if its a rare model you are after.

Adam

I love my LE - had it since new, was going to change at 2 years and couldn't bring myself to do it, was going to change before the warranety ran out and couldn't bring myself to do it then either (got a 3 year extended Warranty Direct full package for £800 instead!).

Essentially it is the face lift Octy in terms of the Tsi engine and cabin switch gear, but using the old bodyshell. As others have indicated the best bit is the seats (far, far better than the normal dealer vRS leather upgrade), the worst bit is the soft wheels (I've replaced 2 of mine) that are actually cheap Team Dynamics Monza R's (I'd have much prefered they kept the original Neptunes).

Well, the dealer with the one on ebay didn't get back to me but the Main dealer with the blue one on Autotrader did and has offered an attractive trade in price so that's the one in pole position for now, LE leather seats or not!