My brother spotted this in Christchurch NZ. Anybody on here going to claim ownership, can't be many in Christchurch. Snow nearly as rare as Scouts, obviously a dedicated surfer not to be put off by freezing temperatures.

Edited 10 June, 201214 yr by Skaut

Can't help with owndership but it looks like ANZ spec is different to that of the UK.

No sunset privacy glass?

No headlight washer's?

Nice to see a dirty 4x4 though!

If he has a model year 2011 Scout then it probably won't be his as the Scout pictured is a pre-facelift...

Nope, not me - I'd never let my car get that dirty . Right now keeping the Scout and a white Polo clean requires some dedication, given the filthy, slushy roads after last week's snow and coldest temperatures on record in 140+ years.

As you say, they are rare beasts out here. I see far more Maseratis than Octys, let alone Scouts! Given they are no longer available to order, anyone in NZ wanting one better get in quick if they want a new one. I just checked and there is one demonstrator available. Then that's it, no more... Even second hand, they are as rare as hen's teeth. I wonder what that will do for resale?

BTW, sunset glass and headlamp washers are both options out here (you get the washers if you select Xenon lights).

Nope, not me - I'd never let my car get that dirty . Right now keeping the Scout and a white Polo clean requires some dedication, given the filthy, slushy roads after last week's snow and coldest temperatures on record in 140+ years.

As you say, they are rare beasts out here. I see far more Maseratis than Octys, let alone Scouts! Given they are no longer available to order, anyone in NZ wanting one better get in quick if they want a new one. I just checked and there is one demonstrator available. Then that's it, no more... Even second hand, they are as rare as hen's teeth. I wonder what that will do for resale?

BTW, sunset glass and headlamp washers are both options out here (you get the washers if you select Xenon lights).

I was talking to a DOC employee the other day, they are loving their 4x4 octavias but I don't think they are running any scouts.

I'm stuck in a rut with my attempted skoda purchasing. Superb Alldrive (kind of like a scout) is something Skoda NZ still know nothing about, the Octavia scout are out of production until the new model and there's nothing suitable in stock. Can't even find a suitable example on the UK used websites, closest is an A4 Allroad.

Gotta be white, manual and diesel.

My Skoda dealer contacted me in early May for my thoughts on bringing in the Superb Scout. From what he and I could figure out, we concluded that it is really nothing more than an accessories pack for the standard 4x4 Superb i.e. a few extra bits of plastic bolted on to make it look more "Scouty". There is no increase in ride height over the standard Superb 4x4, which incidentally is 141mm, compared to the Scout's 180mm. Skoda NZ are looking for something to fill the hole left by the (hopefully temporary) demise of the Scout. My personal view is that, although it looks pretty good, I'm not sure what its purpose would be in NZ?

Good luck in your search, but my guess is that you will struggle to find a non-DSG car unless you are willing to buy second-hand. When I bought mine in late 2010, the only option was 6-speed manual with the 2.0L CR diesel, but Skoda were trumpeting the imminent arrival of the DSG, so I'd imagine that virtually all the cars brought in since DSG became available in Jan 2011 will have the automatic box.

My Skoda dealer contacted me in early May for my thoughts on bringing in the Superb Scout. From what he and I could figure out, we concluded that it is really nothing more than an accessories pack for the standard 4x4 Superb i.e. a few extra bits of plastic bolted on to make it look more "Scouty". There is no increase in ride height over the standard Superb 4x4, which incidentally is 141mm, compared to the Scout's 180mm. Skoda NZ are looking for something to fill the hole left by the (hopefully temporary) demise of the Scout. My personal view is that, although it looks pretty good, I'm not sure what its purpose would be in NZ?

I've had the same discussion with them. I concluded they didn't know what they were talking about.

The Allldrive Superb appears to be three things.

1. 4x4 drivetrain.

2. "Outdoors" styling pack (tupperware guards and bumper).

3. "Rough Road Package" which is underbody protection and 20mm increased ride height.

The NZ skoda people seem to be confusing the Alldrive with the "Outdoors" styling package.

Good luck in your search, but my guess is that you will struggle to find a non-DSG car unless you are willing to buy second-hand. When I bought mine in late 2010, the only option was 6-speed manual with the 2.0L CR diesel, but Skoda were trumpeting the imminent arrival of the DSG, so I'd imagine that virtually all the cars brought in since DSG became available in Jan 2011 will have the automatic box.

Skoda NZ are buying cars basically in Aussie spec and having their "needs" dictated to them by a what people in a flat country with no corners or over-populated cities want.

I could take a second hand car if I can find one that fits the bill (needs to be black or white for sign-writing purposes - company car). But in the last two years I've seen just one that could have been (black manual scout) and I wasn't ready to buy.

I am very happy to special order one, but that requires Skoda NZ's assistance which I'm waiting to hear back on. I keep being nudged towards DSG (trying to sell me the cars they have, not the car I need), I keep telling them I'd buy a manual hyundai i40 before a dsg skoda.

Option C is (another) landrover. Defender would be good for parts commonailty, but a D4 would fit the bill so much better.

Interesting. I didn't realise (and nor did my dealer) that the Superb ride height increased in the AllDrive. This definitely makes the Superb more appealing to me for next time around. It will put it firmly up against the newly launched - in NZ at least - Passat AllTrack, which rides at 165mm. Would that be an option for you to consider? Probably not, as I bet there's no manual option.

If Skoda can't help, have you considered either the Volvo XC90 or Subaru Outback (which as you know are 10 a penny here and I think are available as a manual diesel)?

Interesting. I didn't realise (and nor did my dealer) that the Superb ride height increased in the AllDrive. This definitely makes the Superb more appealing to me for next time around. It will put it firmly up against the newly launched - in NZ at least - Passat AllTrack, which rides at 165mm. Would that be an option for you to consider? Probably not, as I bet there's no manual option.

If Skoda can't help, have you considered either the Volvo XC90 or Subaru Outback (which as you know are 10 a penny here and I think are available as a manual diesel)?

It contines to astound me that Skoda NZ have no idea what is included in the Alldrive package. But I just got another email from my dealer confirming they have no idea. I copied my dealer into an email to Skoda and confused him greatly. Won't do that again.

If I can't get any joy in NZ then I'd be back to plan A which was importing a used car from the UK. Plan B was buying a new car in NZ, but they don't want to sell what I want to buy.

I won't ever be buying a subaru. One of the main reasons to get a european car is international parts supply and expertise. I'm done with paying ludicrous prices for Japanese car parts which I can't replace because my hands are too big.

The volvo's do seem nice, but are ~50% dearer and again only automatic.

Is your Octavia manual? Perhaps I should just buy that and get it vinyl wrapped to the colour I want. Who did your re-map?

Edited 11 June, 201214 yr by Kiwibacon

Skoda NZ are buying cars basically in Aussie spec and having their "needs" dictated to them by a what people in a flat country with no corners or over-populated cities want.

Not sure which country you're referring to there? Plenty of hills, corners and overpopulated cities in my part of the world....

.....where there's no Scouts apparently at the moment apart form (extremely limited) dealer stock. Rumours via a dealer of a Scout 5 and a Scout 7, which it has been surmised may be updated Octy and Superb versions, but nothing solid to back that up. If the Superb version doesn't appear, it looks like the VW alltrack is my next car....

Not sure which country you're referring to there? Plenty of hills, corners and overpopulated cities in my part of the world....

Really? Where does Australia hide all these hills and winding roads? I've driven the great ocean road (in a rental camry, *shudder*) but that doesn't compare with driving from Wanaka to Nelson or the two mountain passes and skifields I end up driving every year. The driving here is very different to Aus. Which is why I've never owned an Australian car.

The electric handbrake is the one thing I really don't like on the Passat.

Edited 11 June, 201214 yr by Kiwibacon

Is your Octavia manual? Perhaps I should just buy that and get it vinyl wrapped to the colour I want. Who did your re-map?

6-speed manual with the new CR diesel engine. The remap (a Bosch Seimens solution) was done by Zsolt in Auckland. Here's a link: http://www.performance-vag.com/. Highly recommended. It was organized through my dealer, with Zsolt flying down to Christchurch and installing it using the dealer's workshop facilities. The key selling point for me was that it was covered by Skoda NZ (as long as you only go as far as Stage 1). From memory, it cost me $1500. Once out of warranty, Zsolt was very happy to take the remap much further, but I doubt I'll go down that route personally.

Sorry, my car's not for sale . The more I read on here, the more I'm convinced I bought at just the right time. Skoda NZ were really keen to raise their brand awareness and were offering very competitve pricing. My car is a MY2011 spec with pretty much every option included apart from the Amundsen GPS, painted roof rails and MDI cable. At the risk of sounding cocky (and tempting fate!), I reckon it's possibly the best example in NZ in terms of spec, mint condition, low mileage, rattle and squeak-free. Now, watch this space for someone to rear-end me on the way home tonight :S .

Good luck with your search for a black or white manual diesel Scout. There must be a couple out there somewhere.

Can't even find a suitable example on the UK used websites, closest is an A4 Allroad.

Gotta be white, manual and diesel.

Here you go (I've never even seen a white Scout in the flesh, they are the rarest!)

I'm sure one of us could help you to load it into a container bound for NZ!

http://www.skoda.net.r66.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=602502966

Here you go (I've never even seen a white Scout in the flesh, they are the rarest!)

I'm sure one of us could help you to load it into a container bound for NZ!

http://www.skoda.net...px?id=602502966

That is a nice example. If buying new from a dealer in the UK (even though I guess it's a demo model) and exporting can the VAT come off it?

Maybe I just need to find out where Simon parks his and get it repainted fast.

Thanks for the remappers link. I know a Q7 owner who may be looking for a DPF removal remap in the future. It's almost out of warranty.

Edited 12 June, 201214 yr by Kiwibacon

Simon, how is your fuel economy?

Really? Where does Australia hide all these hills and winding roads?

You don't have to get far out of the cities to find fun roads. Most people don't, but they're still there - you just need to get off the highways/motorways. The peaks aren't as grand as NZ, but there are many forest and back country mountain roads (not all dirt) where the Scout is worthwhile.

I've got two peaks over 1500m within 10km of my house. I don't *need* a scout model as I have two other 4wd vehicles, but if I had the option in a superb I would take it. I need to get a closer look at some Octavias also. But I do need a manual gearbox and I do need heated mirrors, heated seats and some form of supplementary cabin heating (webasto or PTC element). It gets cold here and the modern efficient diesels don't put out enough waste heat to get the cabin warm and keep it warm when it gets really cold.

Simon, how is your fuel economy?

It's averaging 7.1L/100km over 15,000km. 80% of that is urban driving though, which doesn't help. Best I've got is 5.8L/100km on a run from Christchurch to near Farewell Spit at the very top of the South Island.

Never seen a white version of a Scout in the flesh. Honestly, I've only seen perhaps 3 or 4 Scouts full stop in the 2 years I've owned mine. Gotta love that exclusivity :-). I wonder how many in total there are in NZ?

Have seen a new silver/grey one in hawkes bay a few times recently