Trying to justify the Elegance over the SE. I've never been a massive fan of cruise control so it feels like I would be paying over the odds for Satnav!

Are there any features that make it really worthwhile?

I opted for the Elegance for a number of reasons:-

 

Front centre arm rest - £150 option on SE

Radio & phone controls on the steering wheel - again £150 option

Variable estate boot floor - again £150

Auto dimming rear mirror - not available as an option (or at least not when I ordered)

Sat nav (though I've added Columbus) - an expensive luxury I'd have to admit!

 

There are a number of other features which seem less vital, but which still add to the appeal of the car, such as better wheels, cruise control, headlamp washers etc.

 

Hope it all seems worth it when the car finally turns up!

Edited 22 December, 201312 yr by trevman

I would have the Elegance trim every time if it was choice between the two & I couldn't go for a vRS,

It's not just the gadgets, it's got better trim too!

Ive got the elegance trim not out of choice but out of availability at the time of purchase.

Im not fussed by any of the additional features as I rarely use sat nav and things like variable boot floor and headlamp washers do nothing for me. Although my wife says she is lost without a centre armrest!

And I know need to determine what colour goes best with a beige interior. Actually with two small children I think I am best stocking to black.

In making the choice the big thing to think about is how long you will keep the car.

 

If you will keep the car for 6 years add as many extras to the SE as you want can afford as they add no or little to the trade in value at the end.

 

If you are going to change the car after taking out PCP, either at the end or part way through then trim level counts as it will be included in the trade in figure / resale sum.

 

Buy the time I had added extras to an SE it made sense to go for Elegance spec on PCP rather than SE + options because of a higher GFV.

 

There is around £1800 difference between the two specs and the Elegance should retain around 42% of that after 3 years.

 

For example

Some of the options you might want to add on like out dimming rear view mirror cannot be added unless you add other very expensive extras.  I have just tried to add auto dimming rear mirror to an SE in the configurator and had to add, Bi-Xenon Lights £900, Light assistant £140, cornering fog lights and then I could have the dimming mirror for £0, £1190 of extras. On PCP that's £1190 thrown away.

Why not just get the S if you're not bothered about any gadgets?

Have gone SE but at the time of order I had no choice as I've opted for 4x4. However even now Elegance is available I'm in no rush to switch my order, as nearly three quarters of my options list is not standard on either spec, which tells me the extra cost of the Elegance would be waisted cash.

 

 

TP

Have gone SE but at the time of order I had no choice as I've opted for 4x4. However even now Elegance is available I'm in no rush to switch my order, as nearly three quarters of my options list is not standard on either spec, which tells me the extra cost of the Elegance would be waisted cash.

 

 

TP

 

Switching the order would mean the January price increase and possibly losing the 0%, as the Elegance 4x4 isn't available to order yet.

That a bigger reason.

How much more is the Elegance over the SE?

 

The lack of a central armrest would be enough to swing it for me!

How much more is the Elegance over the SE?

 

The lack of a central armrest would be enough to swing it for me!

 

It's about £1,800.

 

Personally, worth it any day for me because of the Admundsen which is cheaper to upgrade to Columbus by quite a bit than just adding Colmbus to a lower spec car, plus the trim etc... and some options are cheaper as you are half way there.  Like the 18" rims are £350 instead of £700.

Depends whether you want any of the extra gizmos and are prepared to spend the extra.

No brainer if you want nav and some of the other bits Elegance trim brings, falls economy to spec up an SE.

Have gone SE but at the time of order I had no choice as I've opted for 4x4. However even now Elegance is available I'm in no rush to switch my order, as nearly three quarters of my options list is not standard on either spec, which tells me the extra cost of the Elegance would be waisted cash.

 

 

TP

In money terms, 4x4 costs pretty much the same as Elegance. I went for 4x4 for a quick delivery. But I think even given the choice, I would still have chosen the 4x4 over Elegance for the same money. On the one hand, 4x4 is mechanically better with independent rear suspension (but worse fuel consumption).  On the other, Elegance has more toys and better trim. On balance 4x4 is better value for money for me, but others might disagree!

In money terms, 4x4 costs pretty much the same as Elegance. I went for 4x4 for a quick delivery. But I think even given the choice, I would still have chosen the 4x4 over Elegance for the same money. On the one hand, 4x4 is mechanically better with independent rear suspension (but worse fuel consumption).  On the other, Elegance has more toys and better trim. On balance 4x4 is better value for money for me, but others might disagree!

 

Likewise agree, mind the Octy III order will potentially be my fifth Haldex equipped VAG group motor 

 

Also test driven the Octy III in various 2wd forms including vRS 184 and decided not for me; to light and wayward at the back, for what I'm used to anyway.

 

 

 

TP

Personally I think people order what they like and tend to justify their opinions as it's right for them.  That's why they got it.

 

So if you want or have an SE, it's right for you.

Like wise with the Elegance.

 

 

 

Likewise agree, mind the Octy III order will potentially be my fifth Haldex equipped VAG group motor 

 

Also test driven the Octy III in various 2wd forms including vRS 184 and decided not for me; to light and wayward at the back, for what I'm used to anyway.

 

 

I've driven the diesel VRS and it's a good bit of kit.

Only thing I didn't like was the lack of traction off the line due to trying to pull away fast and being front wheel drive.

It corners really well for a family car.  Can't fault it's stability control or handling balance on the public road.  Didn't feel light on the back end at all.