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.

You can't compare a 184hp golf GTD with a 150hp elegance... They're completely different cars.

You could compare the 150hp golf gt to the elegance. The cost is £1100 more for the golf, but you'd har a car which is centrally worth more than the octy. You also get acc standard and a nicer cabin.

You can't compare a 184hp golf GTD with a 150hp elegance... They're completely different cars.

You could compare the 150hp golf gt to the elegance. The cost is £1100 more for the golf, but you'd har a car which is centrally worth more than the octy. You also get acc standard and a nicer cabin.

My mistake, I meant the 150bhp Golf GT, not the 184bhp Golf GTD which you'd have to compare with the forthcoming vRS. As a driver's car I'd take the Golf GTD over the vRS unless the roomier cabin was a priority.

Edited 10 June, 201312 yr by Timoctav

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.

Not a huge sum in it if you compare the MK7 GT to the MK3 Elegance....yes the GTD is alot more money but then it has the 181hp engine and is a warm hatch not a run of the mill family car.

I give you that though the MK3 Octavia is a handsome car and dealer service is arguably better...though I do think customer service does largely boil down to who owns the franchise and not so much an issue with VW service levels....I understand there are a few not so great Skoda dealers out there.

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...

Mine is a manual gearbox, not sure if the DSG is better or worse on mpg?

I prefer the auto personally. Have driven the manual ones before but just think that, as we plan on keeping this for a number of years, this would be better long term (especially regarding wear and tear on the gearbox)

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 !

Nope you can get the option front and back seats heated which is different than heated front seats but of course more expensive . Just re-checked this on the configurator. I was in doubt if I need to take this one or just the front package for my wife when she will be pragnant. But experience said wife will stay in front and the child will have a special chair so no heat on that one.

Nope you can get the option front and back seats heated which is different than heated front seats but of course more expensive . Just re-checked this on the configurator. I was in doubt if I need to take this one or just the front package for my wife when she will be pragnant. But experience said wife will stay in front and the child will have a special chair so no heat on that one.

Not in the UK - seat heating is front only.

I prefer the auto personally. Have driven the manual ones before but just think that, as we plan on keeping this for a number of years, this would be better long term (especially regarding wear and tear on the gearbox)

No worries, just did not want to mislead you with mpg info on the manual 2.0TDI as I realised you appeared to be talking about the DSG I think the official stats for the DSG 2.0TDI are about 5mpg lower than the manual. :think:

...... I think the official stats for the DSG 2.0TDI are about 5mpg lower than the manual. :think:

IF the official stats relate to real life, which they don't. Knowing how mechanically efficient modern double clutch transmissions are compared with older torque converter automatics I suspect that there would be very little mpg difference between the two 'boxes.

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!

I haven't even got the show traffic signs option, I must have an old map :( now need to try and update it and I've got a mac and I think you need a PC to do so hmmm!

Edited 10 June, 201312 yr by stokey

Yea - I can see that in the Amundsen manual (interestingly, it says that it displays signs stored in map data AND seen by the camera - I wonder if traffic sign recognition is enabled with Amundsen as well as Columbus?)

I agree about the Autos. i think it's especially true if you take into consideration driving in urban traffic as you don't have the danger of over-revving or staying in the wrong gear too long.

I think after today, my spec has changed to

Octavia Elegance MY14

2.0 TDI DSG

Met Paint

Front Protect

Bi-Xenon lights (Depending on budget)

I really appreciate everyone's input. I'll make sure to keep everyone posted when it arrives.

I haven't even got the show traffic signs option, I must have an old map :( now need to try and update it and I've got a mac and I think you need a PC to do so hmmm!

My map version is 0018 2012/2013. I haven't checked whether mine has the option either, I've just read the manual? The speed limits are just displayed, I didn't have to program it.

FYI I have a Mac also - so I'll ask the dealer to do the updates.

Edited 10 June, 201312 yr by Timoctav

My map version is 0018 2012/2013. I haven't checked whether mine has the option either, I've just read the manual? The speed limits are just displayed, I didn't have to program it.i

FYI I have a Mac also - so I'll ask the dealer to do the updates.

Yes mine shows speed signs in top left hand corner, I never had to tick any option it just worked already? I don't know what map version I'm running though, another thing to have a look at.

IF the official stats relate to real life, which they don't. Knowing how mechanically efficient modern double clutch transmissions are compared with older torque converter automatics I suspect that there would be very little mpg difference between the two 'boxes.

I had a similar dilemma a few months ago about 1.6 or 2.0 (thread on here somewhere). I reckon the economy will be negligible in real life use, and the extra power / comfort makes the 2.0 totally worth it. I have no experience with DSG but do question the value of this over a nice 6 speed manual.

Think the answer of 1.6 vs 2.0 will be sorted on a test drive. The Octy 3 is lighter than the Octy 2 and my Blackline's returning high 40's per tank with best long distance mixed run of 53, which is very good given what it is. The offical combined difference between the 140 cr and my 170 is less than 1 mpg in the mk 2, so I think you'd be quite surprised with the 2.0 in the octy 3 and that the mpg you'd get will be closer to the official 62 than you'd get compared to the 1.6's claimed 72. It's been well documented that the higher performance engines are able to get closer to their 'official' figurs that the 'economy' engines in the real world so I bet you won't get 10mpg better out of the 1.6 Couple that with the extra enjoyment/performance available from the 2.0 I'd choose that every time, but it's your choice not mine! Options wise in most cases as you won't get any of the cost back on trade in, so as long as you're prepared to write anything off you order over the standard spec you'll be fine! Enjoy.....

You've all convinced me. 2.0 it is!

...though I do think customer service does largely boil down to who owns the franchise and not so much an issue with VW service levels....I understand there are a few not so great Skoda dealers out there.

You are right there, my own experience is to avoid any garages that are owned by a large chain such as Inchape or Jardines as if they had bubonic plague. I've had abysmal experience with both (Porsche Centre Bournemouth - Inchcape and Scotthall Hampshire BMW - Jardines). Pick a garage that is family owned and an individual customer tends to be valued rather than be treated as a cash cow. Goodwill also tends to matter to a smaller firm as well. Can't fault Sparshatts Skoda, Snows Toyota or D1ck Lovett Porsche, all family owned. Why won't this nanny site let me put the short name for Richard in!!!

Edited 10 June, 201312 yr by Timoctav

Anyone had any experience with Azure Skoda in Chichester?

Once you've lived with DSG for a while would be very surprised if you werent converted. Sure they arent as smooth at low speeds as the best torque converter autos but the ability to cruise around lazily one minute and wring its neck the next with 8ms upshifts, and paddleshift add a massive additional dimension to the DSG experience......as much as I like a decent manual transmission for day to day use car I'd question why you'd ever buy a manual when DSG is as good as it is. Well worth the £1100.

Something I find unusual is that VAG tend to quote the same 0-60 times for manual and DSG variants.....DSGs have got to be quicker with their faster shift times and zero power loss between shifts.......that its known a standard 170 CR vRS DSG with launch control (yes any 6 speed wet clutch car with 170ps+ has the function) can crack 60 in less than 7 secs despite its 8.4 official tim says it all to me.

Up until recently we always had manual transmission in our sports cars, since we've had double clutch transmission we'd never go back to a manual. Stayed with manual in the Octavia mainly on cost - another £1,100 ! But considered that DSG is pretty much the same cost as bi-xenon lights then yes it does represent excellent value.

You've all convinced me. 2.0 it is!

I'm sure, like me you won't regret it. I have test driven a 1.6 for a 7 mile gentle drive and could only manage 50mpg. My wife's Peugeot 308cc 2 litre diesel easily gives 55mpg, with lots of power, so hoping for 60 plus with the lighter, more modern City.

Once you've lived with DSG for a while would be very surprised if you werent converted. Sure they arent as smooth at low speeds as the best torque converter autos but the ability to cruise around lazily one minute and wring its neck the next with 8ms upshifts, and paddleshift add a massive additional dimension to the DSG experience......as much as I like a decent manual transmission for day to day use car I'd question why you'd ever buy a manual when DSG is as good as it is. Well worth the £1100.

Something I find unusual is that VAG tend to quote the same 0-60 times for manual and DSG variants.....DSGs have got to be quicker with their faster shift times and zero power loss between shifts.......that its known a standard 170 CR vRS DSG with launch control (yes any 6 speed wet clutch car with 170ps+ has the function) can crack 60 in less than 7 secs despite its 8.4 official tim says it all to me.

Fair comments and I have no experience to compare. I was just trying to keep the lease costs down and couldn't justify the cost to myself. Maybe I should have had a test drive..

Anyone had any experience with Azure Skoda in Chichester?

Yes

Yes

Mysterious :-) Could you elaborate? How were they after you had ordered?

Mysterious :-) Could you elaborate? How were they after you had ordered?

Got to make you aren't a spy for them.

They're ok, though they seemed to ignore me prior to me buying the Octy, in fact I went in there the other day to show the girlfriend the car as she was curious as to what it looked like and no one said hello to us, they just looked at us and carried on their business, my sales guy was holiday but his name is Kevin and I highly recommend him, though I hope he calls me soon with an update on the car.