1.6 CR Elegance in photocopier man/woman's white. Nice alcantara seats and what a stupid place to put the handbrake/arm rest. Extend the arm rest and you can't put the handbrake on properly. Come on Skoda, do the job properly and move it for the UK market. More later when I've done some mileage/spent some time in the car.

1.6 CR Elegance in photocopier man/woman's white. Nice alcantara seats and what a stupid place to put the handbrake/arm rest. Extend the arm rest and you can't put the handbrake on properly. Come on Skoda, do the job properly and move it for the UK market.

Or, and I know this might be controversial, just give us the electric handbrake like the Golf and the A3. After 4 trouble-free years in the A4, going back to a huge handbrake lever which you have to disengage yourself, is going to be a bit of a shock

Or, and I know this might be controversial, just give us the electric handbrake like the Golf and the A3. After 4 trouble-free years in the A4, going back to a huge handbrake lever which you have to disengage yourself, is going to be a bit of a shock

I'll second that, I had a Passat for 3 years before the Superb and the best feature of it was the elec handbrake but only as I had spec'd the optional auto hold which applied the parking brake each time you came to a halt, then released as soon as you lifted the clutch, it even applied automatically when you switched off the engine. Most complaints seem to relate to cars without the auto hold. The rest of that car was a big disappointment though, won't go back there again in a hurry!

the best feature of it was the elec handbrake but only as I had spec'd the optional auto hold which applied the parking brake each time you came to a halt, then released as soon as you lifted the clutch, it even applied automatically when you switched off the engine.

That came as standard in my new car and it was actually one of the reasons for picking it. Mine doesn't release as soon as the clutch is lifted, but when you start to move off. I suppose you probably meant the same though as the car would start moving as the clutch was released?

Driving has never been so relaxing!

I'll second that, I had a Passat for 3 years before the Superb and the best feature of it was the elec handbrake but only as I had spec'd the optional auto hold which applied the parking brake each time you came to a halt, then released as soon as you lifted the clutch, it even applied automatically when you switched off the engine. Most complaints seem to relate to cars without the auto hold. The rest of that car was a big disappointment though, won't go back there again in a hurry!

Haha - I paid extra for the auto hold on the Audi too, but when the car arrived, it was a 2009MY car and I got Stop/Start instead! I know that sounds strange, but I think it was because the respective override switch occupied the same space A net win I thought - I like Stop/Start and the BIK Tax dropped a step (143g/km >>> 139g/km - which sounds really high when you have a 110g/km Octy3 on order )

Or, and I know this might be controversial, just give us the electric handbrake like the Golf and the A3. After 4 trouble-free years in the A4, going back to a huge handbrake lever which you have to disengage yourself, is going to be a bit of a shock

If I liked electric hand-brakes. I would have bought a VW alltrak. I bought the Scout specifically because it had a real key and real handbrake.

If I liked electric hand-brakes. I would have bought a VW alltrak. I bought the Scout specifically because it had a real key and real handbrake.

I know it's not for everyone. I have a friend that has had a couple of company car A3s and will probably get another - but she is really apprehensive about the electric handbrake...

Its not something I would want in one and I'm glad Skoda don't do them. My reasons for this are (pretty much in order):

1) They are extremely expensive to repair out of warranty.

2) I have heard many reports of the VAG ones having a failure rate higher than manual handbrakes. Couple that with 1.

3) I've had the electrics fail completely in a number of cars before and its nice to know there is a stop lever that is purely mechanical and has nothing electric in it whatsoever.

I don't find manual handbrakes annoying, quite the opposite, I find them reassuring, especially in fancy computer controlled cars.

Its not something I would want in one and I'm glad Skoda don't do them. My reasons for this are (pretty much in order):

1) They are extremely expensive to repair out of warranty.

2) I have heard many reports of the VAG ones having a failure rate higher than manual handbrakes. Couple that with 1.

3) I've had the electrics fail completely in a number of cars before and its nice to know there is a stop lever that is purely mechanical and has nothing electric in it whatsoever.

I don't find manual handbrakes annoying, quite the opposite, I find them reassuring, especially in fancy computer controlled cars.

Here is another reason.

The owner of an automatic audi with electric handbrake recently borrowed one of my vehicles. When they returned it they left it parked on my lawn in neutral (it's manual) with the handbrake off.

Too much automatic junk stops people thinking. I'm really lucky my lawn was flat enough to stop it rolling away. So is the neighbours fence.

There is also a correlation of higher clutch failure in manual cars with the electronic brake. Perhaps they don't let go like they should.

Ok, so been for a long spin in it today. So quiet for a diseasel which smacks of the Audi influence - or it could just be that the Elegance trim level cars are well padded - but equally for a 1.6CR it takes an age to pick up speed. It's possible to alter the dynamics of the car using either "normal" "sport" "eco" or "individual" - means you can set it up exactly as you like it. I left it in sport as that's what I'm used to - every bump being felt through you know where, positive steering but oh soooo slow from 30-50 where it matters in town or overtaking on the motorway. Decent fuel economy though so far.

Nice to see a heated screen like the Ford quickclear screen but the rubberised plastics have fallen in quality IMO. There's a unusual lip on the dash in front of the front seat passenger which I didn't like, and as well as the handbrake issue above, the bonnet release is also on the passenger side. That really would something me right off after a while.

The heated alcantara seats are nice and comfy and the columbus is good, providing quality sound but again, the cd player and SD slots are in the cubby. WTF ? Oh yes, I'll just change the CD when I'm on a trip from say Manchester to Birmingham. Er, sorry, no can do without pulling over whereas I can in the MK2 FL. That would also p me off. Boot space is good and accessible.

Then there's the price. Granted it has lots of options but an extra five grand over what I paid for mine ? Not worth it. So the replacement to the Peril will either be a used one or something from another stable. Shame really as I really wanted to like it but if I'm honest, I preferred the 150hp Golf GT TDi I had a couple of weeks back....

So, which do you prefer ?

New interior -

Paul007, can you elaborate a little bit on the heated windscreen? Does it have the thin wires going across it or is it the new "electrically conducive material" that supposedly has no wires in it? I'm guessing, since it's warm outside, that you haven't used it yet... Did it bother you/was it visible in bright sunlight?

Edited 3 June, 201313 yr by TudorM

Here is another reason.

The owner of an automatic audi with electric handbrake recently borrowed one of my vehicles. When they returned it they left it parked on my lawn in neutral (it's manual) with the handbrake off.

Too much automatic junk stops people thinking. I'm really lucky my lawn was flat enough to stop it rolling away. So is the neighbours fence.

There is also a correlation of higher clutch failure in manual cars with the electronic brake. Perhaps they don't let go like they should.

Do you have a link to anything on this as works car just had to have a clutch at only 56k which has an electronic brake

Just my personal view on your points raised & has the car been returned ?

Ok, so been for a long spin in it today. So quiet for a diseasel which smacks of the Audi influence - or it could just be that the Elegance trim level cars are well padded - but equally for a 1.6CR it takes an age to pick up speed. It's possible to alter the dynamics of the car using either "normal" "sport" "eco" or "individual" - means you can set it up exactly as you like it. I left it in sport as that's what I'm used to - every bump being felt through you know where, positive steering but oh soooo slow from 30-50 where it matters in town or overtaking on the motorway. Decent fuel economy though so far.

- IF sport mode is unsatisfactory & you can personalise then how easy was it to do ?

Nice to see a heated screen like the Ford quickclear screen but the rubberised plastics have fallen in quality IMO. There's a unusual lip on the dash in front of the front seat passenger which I didn't like, and as well as the handbrake issue above, the bonnet release is also on the passenger side. That really would something me right off after a while.

- WRT handbrake & the jumbo box, i am not a fan of this, but pushing the arm rest top right back I dont actually find it a real problem probably due to not having lots of town stop start traffic.

- Unless you are constantly opening the bonnet, cant see what the issues is ( my mk1fabiavRS had this & was no niggling issue)

The heated alcantara seats are nice and comfy and the columbus is good, providing quality sound but again, the cd player and SD slots are in the cubby. WTF ? Oh yes, I'll just change the CD when I'm on a trip from say Manchester to Birmingham. Er, sorry, no can do without pulling over whereas I can in the MK2 FL. That would also p me off. Boot space is good and accessible.

- CD what are those ?, with the advent of MP3 players ( some cheap now) ipod connections, usb connections & SD card slots i personally think it should be a cost option to have a cd player.( a 16gb sd card or usb stick holds lots more music that the 6 cds my Bolero can hold)

Then there's the price. Granted it has lots of options but an extra five grand over what I paid for mine ? Not worth it. So the replacement to the Peril will either be a used one or something from another stable. Shame really as I really wanted to like it but if I'm honest, I preferred the 150hp Golf GT TDi I had a couple of weeks back....

- If you are looking at price then spec up the Golf comparable to the Octy ( i have done a couple of these) then breathe out after a sharp intake specially when considering the Golf is smaller than the Octy. Dont forget the customer ratings for dealers & cars when you compare. ( after all the considerations if its for you then as can be said - its my money & i will spend it how I like )

Do you have a link to anything on this as works car just had to have a clutch at only 56k which has an electronic brake

Not at hand sorry. But I kept finding examples when I was researching it about this time last year.

Elec handbrakes are great so long as it has hill hold and its possible to drive off without having to manually disable it.

My last few cars ive found the handbrake can slip on really steep hills; seems all the worse with rear disc brakes. No such problem with elec handbrakes.

I also understand on some cars they can be used to perform controlled emergency stops; though could be scary and dangerous if your kids got at it whilst driving.

Just my personal view on your points raised & has the car been returned ?

Ok, so been for a long spin in it today. So quiet for a diseasel which smacks of the Audi influence - or it could just be that the Elegance trim level cars are well padded - but equally for a 1.6CR it takes an age to pick up speed. It's possible to alter the dynamics of the car using either "normal" "sport" "eco" or "individual" - means you can set it up exactly as you like it. I left it in sport as that's what I'm used to - every bump being felt through you know where, positive steering but oh soooo slow from 30-50 where it matters in town or overtaking on the motorway. Decent fuel economy though so far.

- IF sport mode is unsatisfactory & you can personalise then how easy was it to do ?

Nice to see a heated screen like the Ford quickclear screen but the rubberised plastics have fallen in quality IMO. There's a unusual lip on the dash in front of the front seat passenger which I didn't like, and as well as the handbrake issue above, the bonnet release is also on the passenger side. That really would something me right off after a while.

- WRT handbrake & the jumbo box, i am not a fan of this, but pushing the arm rest top right back I dont actually find it a real problem probably due to not having lots of town stop start traffic.

- Unless you are constantly opening the bonnet, cant see what the issues is ( my mk1fabiavRS had this & was no niggling issue)

The heated alcantara seats are nice and comfy and the columbus is good, providing quality sound but again, the cd player and SD slots are in the cubby. WTF ? Oh yes, I'll just change the CD when I'm on a trip from say Manchester to Birmingham. Er, sorry, no can do without pulling over whereas I can in the MK2 FL. That would also p me off. Boot space is good and accessible.

- CD what are those ?, with the advent of MP3 players ( some cheap now) ipod connections, usb connections & SD card slots i personally think it should be a cost option to have a cd player.( a 16gb sd card or usb stick holds lots more music that the 6 cds my Bolero can hold)

Then there's the price. Granted it has lots of options but an extra five grand over what I paid for mine ? Not worth it. So the replacement to the Peril will either be a used one or something from another stable. Shame really as I really wanted to like it but if I'm honest, I preferred the 150hp Golf GT TDi I had a couple of weeks back....

- If you are looking at price then spec up the Golf comparable to the Octy ( i have done a couple of these) then breathe out after a sharp intake specially when considering the Golf is smaller than the Octy. Dont forget the customer ratings for dealers & cars when you compare. ( after all the considerations if its for you then as can be said - its my money & i will spend it how I like )

Apart from the lack of 2 zone climate the Golf GT is as well spec'd as an Octy Elegance, in fact it comes with front and rear PDC, Radar cruise, front assist, cornering fogs, privacy glass and elec handbrake with hill hold so if anything its better equipped. Its 24k though so id expect that to be fair.

Not at hand sorry. But I kept finding examples when I was researching it about this time last year.

If you do, please forward on.

Ok, so been for a long spin in it today. So quiet for a diseasel which smacks of the Audi influence - or it could just be that the Elegance trim level cars are well padded - but equally for a 1.6CR it takes an age to pick up speed. It's possible to alter the dynamics of the car using either "normal" "sport" "eco" or "individual" - means you can set it up exactly as you like it. I left it in sport as that's what I'm used to - every bump being felt through you know where, positive steering but oh soooo slow from 30-50 where it matters in town or overtaking on the motorway. Decent fuel economy though so far.

- IF sport mode is unsatisfactory & you can personalise then how easy was it to do ?

The driving modes do not affect the suspension settings so the hard ride in sport mode must be in Paul's imagination! All is does is affect steering, throttle and power via engine management settings.

Paul007, can you elaborate a little bit on the heated windscreen? Does it have the thin wires going across it or is it the new "electrically conducive material" that supposedly has no wires in it? I'm guessing, since it's warm outside, that you haven't used it yet... Did it bother you/was it visible in bright sunlight?

I can answer that as mine has Winter Pack. There are wires but you have to stare at the same point on the screen for a few secs from about 10 cm until you are cross-eyed to be able to notice the little wiggly elements!

What did you have to do to get one for that long?

I really want to like the mk3 more but it's still not grabbing me more.

I had a rav4 for an hour at the weekend and liked it then went to one of the local dealers on the off chance to see another octy for a back to back comparison. They had a 2.0tdi elegance but it had been sold so no test drive. As an aside the salesman seemed bored ****less and utterly disinterested. He said they "might have one for a drive in a few weeks", then didn't even offer to take my details.

That's now two out of four dealers who have been *so* bad that I don't want to give them any money. FFS, Skoda. I'm an ideal customer who could easily be sold a £25k car and I can't find a reason to buy. Are you doing that well?

@ pipsyp - Interesting

Paul007, can you elaborate a little bit on the heated windscreen? Does it have the thin wires going across it or is it the new "electrically conducive material" that supposedly has no wires in it? I'm guessing, since it's warm outside, that you haven't used it yet... Did it bother you/was it visible in bright sunlight?

No, I didn't use it, but it had thin wires going across it diamond style, like in the Ford's as I say.

Personalising the dynamics is easy - there's a button on the transmission tunnel that allows the driver to select "normal" "sport" "winter" "comfort". The "sport" mode sharpens up the dampers and steering so the ride's more sporty.

"The driving modes do not affect the suspension settings so the hard ride in sport mode must be in Paul's imagination! All is does is affect steering, throttle and power via engine management settings. "

I kid you not. It really does make a difference. Shame it doesn't make it any faster.....

The bonnet release being on the passenger side would just p me off. That's all.

CD's - personal preferences I guess. I do have a 32gig card too.

Price - you pay's your money..

Despite the comment above re sport mode, I can assure anyone who has not yet taken delivery, there is no damper adjustment, only throttle, steering and aircon settings are fiddled with by the witchcraft button. I have used eco mode for the last couple of days and can report that ecomomy is about 10% better than normal mode, managed 57 mpg today on commute both directions, still only got 350 miles on clock so hoping will break through the magic 60 mpg soon!

Great stuff - keep reporting progress with the 2.0CR. I'll defo be an eco guy going for the highest mpg record!

Despite the comment above re sport mode, I can assure anyone who has not yet taken delivery, there is no damper adjustment, only throttle, steering and aircon settings are fiddled with by the witchcraft button.

that's spot on, ride isn't affected in anyway whatsoever with the different Skoda drive profiles.