Hi everyone.

I've been to my local dealer today (Marhsalls Ipwsich, Suffolk) and have 99% done the deal on a Octavia vRS. I just want to know if this is an acceptable deal.

Brand new Octavia vRS with :

Metallic black paint

Cruise control

Headlamp protectors

'Octavia' sill protectors

Mudflaps

Price

Sounds like a pretty good deal with all the extras you are having as well!

I know what you mean about the Xenons - especially when you see how good they look in the vRS brochure.

I agree with the Xenons - I really wanted them too.

I suppose you could go abroad and get Xenons surely.

Have to say I,m glad mine doesnt come with xenons, and the associated costs involved when meeting stones etc.

Just my opinion anyway.

Andy

I don't want to buy an import. I work away from home a fair bit at the moment, so want the backup from a local dealer. Marshalls of Ipswich are very good, unless anyone else can suggest a dealer in Essex, North, NE or East London, or Suffolk ??

I want to order within the next week or so. I'm not afraid of retro fitting stuff, but Xenons will be too expensive. Might add the headlamp washers though.

What else can be retrofitted from the other Octavia range ?

Andy

I really dont see the point of headlamp washers (and / or wipers)

I had them on the Cavalier GSi and i can honestly say they were totally pointless.

I wash the car once a week anyway, so the lights never get that dirty.

hi i have a vrs rally no34/100 it has xenon headlamps,headlight washers,heated front seats,cat1 alarm and esp(electronic stability program)which is supposed to be better than asr,all standard on the rally.i don't suppose this helps you much because of the limited number in this country not sure if any available in your area also only available in white! i managed to get a blinding deal

Apparently if you have xenons then you must have headlamp washers.....dont know why.

Andy

Xenons must have self levelling and washers to stop other drivers from being dazzled and to stop beam dispursion from dirt / debris build up on the lense.

Well I would have liked xenons, but I can't have them so never

mind !

Can't wait to get the car, and after its first 1000 miles take it to Jabba !!

I'm spending money on it already !!

Originally posted by andy_ccr in this post

Xenons must have self levelling and washers to stop other drivers from being dazzled and to stop beam dispursion from dirt / debris build up on the lense.

Well I would have liked xenons, but I can't have them so never

mind !

Can't wait to get the car, and after its first 1000 miles take it to Jabba !!

I'm spending money on it already !!

You will find that the 1.8T engines are usually quite tight when new -- so I would recommend doing at least 5,000 miles before you get it mapped,otherwise you won't get the best results.

But don't just take my word for it -- speak to Mike or Elton @ Jabba -- I'm sure they will only be to glad to help.

My Xenons have polycarbonate lenses, which are much tougher than glass (and the aircon condenser ) and therefore seem much more resistant to stone chips than glass. I some small marks on the surface from stones, but no other damage (OMG - am I tempting fate or what??).

Howard

I'm pretty sure the headlamp 'glass' on my 4X4 is plastic also. I have fitted Skoda plastic headlight protectors to help prevent stone damage but, as I believe you know, they cannot be used with xenon headlights because of heat build-up.

Cant be used on the Superb either. Not because of xenons, but a) I havent seen any yet and the bonnet closes right onto the light unit and doesnt leave any space at all for said protectors, and yes my lenses are polycarbonate and look replaceable which no doubt they arent.

Andy

Well, that's what the dealer said anyway. Not sure I entirely trust them, but I'm going with what I was told. Maybe it would also get in the way of the washer system.

Bottom line is, everything's crossed here at Chez Fen.

BTW - big k gave the impression in a previous thread that there were separate part #s for the different components in the Xenon assembly. Which would kind of allude to the fact that some of the components would be demountable to be transferred to another assembly in the case of damage. Does ETKA give any clues here?

Cheers,

Looking at ETKA it would seem that the headlight unit, ie lens and reflector, is broadly similar for halogen and xenon and can be replaced. However there are some expensive-sounding parts behind the xenon headlight unit - ie headlight range control motor, igniter, and electronic control unit - which can presumably be reused if the headlight unit needs replacing in the event of damage.

Thanks Denis,

I can sleep slightly easier in my bed tonight. The air con's been bad enough. I'd hate for the same fate to befall me with the headlamps.

Just out of interest, how much is a new lamp for a xenon ?

Howard, have you come up with any ideas for protecting your new condenser from stone damage? There must be suitable mesh somewhere which could be put in the front air vent to deflect or catch stones, without impeding airflow, and whilst looking the business. Perhaps members can put their collective minds to this problem. Are there grilles already available, eg from Butt and Co, for 'standard' and RS models?

Originally posted by andy_ccr in this post

Brand new Octavia vRS with :

Metallic black paint

Cruise control

Headlamp protectors

'Octavia' sill protectors

Mudflaps

Price

Originally posted by DGW in this post

Howard, have you come up with any ideas for protecting your new condenser from stone damage? There must be suitable mesh somewhere which could be put in the front air vent to deflect or catch stones, without impeding airflow, and whilst looking the business. Perhaps members can put their collective minds to this problem. Are there grilles already available, eg from Butt and Co, for 'standard' and RS models?

I haven't found anything as yet in deepest Fenland's DIY stores. I'm hoping to have more luck at the huge B&Q in Slough next time I'm in the orifice. I want to find something I can mount inside of the existing grille, rather than replacing it. And a reasonably sized mesh. Oh, and preferably in black. (Don't want much, do I??)

Price seems okish with the various options that you have stated but I would try and get parking sensors fitted for that price as well. I don't have them on mine and manage ok but most people on this site seem to swear by them and the rear vision on the Rs is pretty crap

have to agree.

price is ok, but nothing special. at least, i think so.

oh, and welcome to briskoda!

Howard,

Halfords do some metal grill mesh. I quite fancied the Jaguar look like mesh but reckon the holes are too big and tempting fate i.e stones through and into my radiator.

They do a mesh with small holes which look goods but not as good as the Jag look-alike.

Per sheet this is