Hi there. First off, I'm quite glad I've found this forum as I'm about to order my new Octavia (coming off of company cars for years). I am trying to decide on the best configuration for myself and have some questions for owners that have received their new Octavias (or ones who have drive/are knowledgable about them). I am not being lazy but Google returns results from configs old and new around the world so difficult to find relevant info.

My intended configuration is this: 1.6 TDI DSG Elegance Trim, Met paint, Columbus

1 - What are the differences between the Columbus and the standard Amundsen? Is it purely a larger screen? Is the UI the same? I know the nav doesn't have 3D cities and the gracenote database. Is traffic sign recognition included for free with the Columbus?

2 - Does the Amundsen show album artwork from an iPhone playing over Bluetooth (asked in a response to another thread but thought I should mention it in here too)

3 - I thought the Elegance was meant to come with the folding mirrors? If this is so, why does this option show up in the configurator and why does it then require the stupidly expensive electric seat?

4 - What features did you order that I don't have above that, after using them, would you turn around to another buy and say "mate - you have to get this" and why.

5 - What are your thoughts on KESSY. Is it worth the extra £300 to you? (Coming from a Toyota yaris and ford focus with keyless)

If you could help me answer any of the questions above or offer your own input, I'd really appreciate it. We're looking to order it this coming weekend so need to make a decision quickly!

Thanks!

- Drew

1. The main benefit will be the resolution is better on Columbus. I have come from a Superb with the old 7" Columbus and the mapping was much better so I expect new 8" Columbus woud be amazing, but for me I could not justify the £800 upgrade as I have also come from comany car to opt out personal purchase and had no deposit so had to finance the full amount this time. Traffic sign recog will be a feature of Columbus on cars fitted with the radar built after 1 July.

2. Not sure about that, don't have I Phone but artwork does display from the SD card. I have just ordered a 32GB SDHC card that will hold all my music, and it only cost me £20!

3. It does, the option is for adding memory mirrors to the memory elec seats.

4. Park assist, gives you front and side sensors that work for manual parking and the car will also steer you in and out of spaces if you like. Winter pack, worth it just for heated windscreen but also gets you heated seats and washers.

5. I did not bother with this, no hardship pressing a button on the remote and I prefer to be able to check my doors are locked before walking away from the car!

Edited 9 June, 201312 yr by Matt Pez

Thanks for the quick reply Matt. One other thing I can't figure out; Does the winter pack/heated seats option include heated front AND rear seats?

Thanks for the quick reply Matt. One other thing I can't figure out; Does the winter pack/heated seats option include heated front AND rear seats?

Nope just the fronts, you would have to upgrade to a Superb to get the option of rear bum warmers, my last car had them, used to enjoy making rear passengers sweat in the summer !

A note around Q5 - I dont know if you can do this little trick with KESSY - but with the keyfob, hold the unlock button for approx 3 seconds & all the windows will open, holding the lock for the same time will close the windows.

Useful for a hot day when returning to car, when in range open windows to let some heat out just before you get in & if a notice a window has been left open after you have removed the key from ignition, the lock to close will actually just close the open window.

Park assist is something I would def have, as i currently have front & rear parking sensors a must for such a large car with a high back, its just the next step. ( also a must if you are switching from a small city size car to the Octy.

Might be worth checking around about the sign recognition.

TBH any options are personal preference, depending on when you look at them if its a nice to have or must have.

Happy choosing.

Traffic sign recognition is an option if you spec Columbus sat nav upgrade, but IMHO any competent driver should be aware of the speed limits and shouldn't need a gizmo in the dash to tell him! My Amundsen shows in the nav display what the speed limits are anyway!

Traffic sign recognition is an option if you spec Columbus sat nav upgrade, but IMHO any competent driver should be aware of the speed limits and shouldn't need a gizmo in the dash to tell him! My Amundsen shows in the nav display what the speed limits are anyway!

I haven't got speed limits displayed on my Amundsen. I've got most thing ticked on the options but can't seem to find the one to display speed limits, any idea how to select it? And where onthe screen will the speed limit be displayed?

That's another tick in the box for the Amundsen. The speed limit is all I cared about as sometimes that's not 100% clear. Could care less about over taking signs etc as, you're right, if you're driving then you should be aware of that as you go along. (or shouldn't be driving at all!)

Let us know how you enabled it. I'm thinking that the Columbus may just not be worth it.

What about those of you who have added the Bi-Xenon lights? Are you happy with them? Is it purely aesthetic or doe you find that you benefit from the increased functionality?

(Thanks everyone for your help so far - Cannot wait to go in and order it!)

PS - Anybody know what the "mechanical rear seat release" option in configurator is? Does that mean if I don't opt for it, the seats won't come down? That can't be it...

.....personally I'd consider going 2.0 TDi, for the extra cost alot more performance and not a great deal dirtier or less efficient.....certainly rather spend extra money there than optioning a 1.6 myself

.....personally I'd consider going 2.0 TDi, for the extra cost alot more performance and not a great deal dirtier or less efficient.....certainly rather spend extra money there than optioning a 1.6 myself

Interesting. My view on the 1.6 is that I've driven it before (in the MkII) and have experience with real world performance. Fuel economy is absolutely paramount to me as I do about 70+mile RT each day so need to get the best economy. What are you averaging in your 2.0 DSG?

I haven't got speed limits displayed on my Amundsen. I've got most thing ticked on the options but can't seem to find the one to display speed limits, any idea how to select it? And where onthe screen will the speed limit be displayed?

I didn't do anything (honest guv'nor it was just there in the top left hand corner of the screen)!

Just looked it up in the Amundsen Owner's Manual.

Page 35 - "Set Up Navigation Settings", in the Map section, the instructions are go to Set Up (gear wheel symbol) - Map - "Show Traffic Signs - switch on / off the display of traffic signs".

Hope this helps!!

Edited 10 June, 201312 yr by Timoctav

Interesting. My view on the 1.6 is that I've driven it before (in the MkII) and have experience with real world performance. Fuel economy is absolutely paramount to me as I do about 70+mile RT each day so need to get the best economy. What are you averaging in your 2.0 DSG?

....well to be fair I have a Mk2 vRS Blackline 170 CR DSG but that'll do 46-48mpg on a good run not hanging about. Its only done 4k miles also and from experience of having a 2.0 TDi 140 CR Golf before it the fuel economy isnt great until they have got at least 10-12k on clock. Im expecting it to be able to return low 50's once its done a few more miles.

A MK3 2.0 TDi 150 will be considerably more frugal than that I'd have thought; depends what your drivings like, id you stick to speed limits everywhere and dont intend on working the car that hard the 1.6 is probably a good call, otherwise id suggest the 2.0 TDi is a better motorway car.

Edited 10 June, 201312 yr by pipsyp

.....Let us know how you enabled it. I'm thinking that the Columbus may just not be worth it.

What about those of you who have added the Bi-Xenon lights? Are you happy with them? Is it purely aesthetic or doe you find that you benefit from the increased functionality?

As I've just advised stokey in this thread, I'll have a look how it is set up as it "just happened" , in the top left corner of the screen!

Just looked it up in the Amundsen Owner's Manual.

Page 35 - "Set Up Navigation Settings", in the Map section, the instructions are go to Set Up (gear wheel symbol) - Map - "Show Traffic Signs - switch on / off the display of traffic signs".

Bi-xenons are always worth having, the difference in illumination between standard headlights and bi-xenons is literally night and day. They provide 2.5 times the illumination of standard lights. I always spec them if available and not standard. Important where I live, driving across the New Forest at night as it is not always easy to see the wild ponies and cows that browse wild and are unpredictable at the best of times.

Edited 10 June, 201312 yr by Timoctav

Interesting. My view on the 1.6 is that I've driven it before (in the MkII) and have experience with real world performance. Fuel economy is absolutely paramount to me as I do about 70+mile RT each day so need to get the best economy. What are you averaging in your 2.0 DSG?

Still a bit early for consistent figures but first tank on Fuelly was 51.1mpg, computer was averaging 53.9mpg over the same tank full. Since about last Thurs, I have been getting computer readings varying between 55mpg and 66mpg on my commute depending on traffic conditions. I think on a longer run, it will be mid 60s, will know better after a couple more tanks. I'm optimistic that the commuting will average out in the high 50s. :think: I do 72 miles round trip on mixed roads, approx. 12 miles country roads, 44 miles on M1, 16 miles urban.

Still a bit early for consistent figures but first tank on Fuelly was 51.1mpg, computer was averaging 53.9mpg over the same tank full. Since about last Thurs, I have been getting computer readings varying between 55mpg and 66mpg on my commute depending on traffic conditions. I think on a longer run, it will be mid 60s, will know better after a couple more tanks. I'm optimistic that the commuting will average out in the high 50s. :think: I do 72 miles round trip on mixed roads, approx. 12 miles country roads, 44 miles on M1, 16 miles urban.

Well damn. The one thing I thought I was totally set on (other than the car itself) was the 1.6 DSG but seeing those numbers has given me pause. I'll have to play with the numbers this week and see where we're at. Maybe without the Columbus...

Well damn. The one thing I thought I was totally set on (other than the car itself) was the 1.6 DSG but seeing those numbers has given me pause. I'll have to play with the numbers this week and see where we're at. Maybe without the Columbus...

Agreed, Columbus is nice if you can justify the cost but frankly it does little extra over the Amundsen other than offer a bigger screen and HDD jukebox which with SD card isnt really needed, also DVD playback which I certainly would not miss in a car.

No....for me it'd be a standard 2.0 TDi with Golus wheels and sports suspension; maybe a three spoke wheel with paddleshifts if I were buying one with my car allowance.

Agreed, Columbus is nice if you can justify the cost but frankly it does little extra over the Amundsen other than offer a bigger screen and HDD jukebox which with SD card isnt really needed, also DVD playback which I certainly would not miss in a car.

No....for me it'd be a standard 2.0 TDi with Golus wheels and sports suspension; maybe a three spoke wheel with paddleshifts if I were buying one with my car allowance.

It looks like it's £900 difference between the 1.6 and 2.0 DSGs which is only £100 more than the Columbus. It sounds like the return on investment would be better as you get more with a bigger engine vs merely aesthetic differences between the navs. I'm also quite excited about the average fuel economy figures you were posting as I was thinking they would be much worse than that. No car allowance, unfortunately. Just a wife who took about 3 months convincing to see the difference between this and getting a "cheap" Ford Fiesta... Going to have to pop down to the dealer this week and get my hands on the demo to make the final call.

PS - Looks like they just posted the adaptive cruise control that was meant to be included in elegance... £450?!?!??!!

The MK3 Elegance is a very well equipped car as standard, only thing its lacking in standard form for me at least is that it looks underwheeled on the 17's and the standard suspension makes it look even more so. I also dont like the four spoke wheel and I wouldnt want a DSG without paddleshifts (unsure if they are standard on the MK3?).

V easy to fall into the trap of optioning alsorts of kit; many things are novelty items which you could live without im sure and loads of spec only helps a little on resale..on the whole anything you add to it will be dead money.

Think you've got to do whats right for you spec wise but wholeheartedly dont think you'll go wrong with a 2.0 TDi.

PS - Looks like they just posted the adaptive cruise control that was meant to be included in elegance... £450?!?!??!!

Front Assist is meant to be standard, ACC was always going to be optional, just that the configurator said "free optional" rather than "cost optional".

It looks like it's £900 difference between the 1.6 and 2.0 DSGs which is only £100 more than the Columbus. It sounds like the return on investment would be better as you get more with a bigger engine vs merely aesthetic differences between the navs. I'm also quite excited about the average fuel economy figures you were posting as I was thinking they would be much worse than that. No car allowance, unfortunately. Just a wife who took about 3 months convincing to see the difference between this and getting a "cheap" Ford Fiesta... Going to have to pop down to the dealer this week and get my hands on the demo to make the final call.

As good as Columbus is, if it was a question of having a 1.6 TDI with Columbus or 2.0 TDI without Columbus then it's a no brainer - 2.0 every time. The real world difference in fuel consumption between the 1.6 and 2.0 is likley to be marginal, the smaller engine would be worked harder and likley burn more fuel as a result.

Front Assist is meant to be standard, ACC was always going to be optional, just that the configurator said "free optional" rather than "cost optional".

450 quid is pretty terrible when you consider its standard on all MK7 Golfs with cruise. With the radar unit in place essentially all the hardware is there except the colum stalk for the cruise, other than that bet its a coding change. Shame on Skoda, thats a poor show.

450 quid is pretty terrible when you consider its standard on all MK7 Golfs with cruise. With the radar unit in place essentially all the hardware is there except the colum stalk for the cruise, other than that bet its a coding change. Shame on Skoda, thats a poor show.

So it might be, but if you spec up a Golf SE to the same level as the equivalent Skoda Elegance that £450 is small change as the difference is £2k +.

So it might be, but if you spec up a Golf SE to the same level as the equivalent Skoda Elegance that £450 is small change as the difference is £2k +.

To be fair though I'm sure most people would just go and buy the GT which on the whole is probably a bit better equipped than the Elegance and to an extent warrants the extra spend. I actually think comparably the Golf is the nicer car its just too small for my needs really; I actually think the Octavia has become a little too expensive where as the Golf actually is pretty good value for money compared to days gone past.

Edited 10 June, 201312 yr by pipsyp

To be fair though I'm sure most people would just go and buy the GT which on the whole is probably a bit better equipped than the Elegance and to an extent warrants the extra spend. I actually think comparably the Golf is the nicer car its just too small for my needs really; I actually think the Octavia has become a little too expensive where as the Golf actually is pretty good value for money compared to days gone past.

I think you will find that the Golf GTD is even more expensive compared like for like with the equivalent Elegance - I didn't need the additional room the Octavia offers over Golf, but I prefer the looks of the latest Octavia, Skoda reliability and customer satisfaction is leagues ahead of VW, don't quite unerstand the former when all the major components are shared however! VW dealers are notoriously arrogant and indifferent towards their customers, like most German car dealers, another major put-off.