Based on an initial enquiry for a scout. We're about to make a factory order of a 2.0TDi manual estate, PCH 6+47, 10k miles. we want a comfortable/economical family car with space for the double buggy. We test drove a manual SE business 2.0 TDI estate on 16's which was fine in terms of speed, comfort & space.

 

Definite extras are:

heated front seats @ £250

front parking sensors @ £350

variable boot floor @ £150 (standard on the elegance)

 

Are there any other essential options we should be ticking? The noise cancelling function of the canton is interesting for £500 is it worth it?

 

The dealer is recommending an elegance for about £10 more a month than an SE but with the bigger wheels on the elegance the ride quality will no doubt reduce.

 

Is the Amundsen satnav in the elegance bad enough that we'd be better off with something stuck on the windscreen?

 

Thoughts appreciated.

I'd recommend the heated front screen, while worth it in the winter, It will be high on my list when I come to order my next Skoda.

Remember optional extras add nothing to the value of the car so, even though its a PCH think very carefully what you need

 

The interior and extra toys of the Elegance is worth a £10 a month as is residuals are keeping your PCH payments down

 

The Amundsen is an OK satnav and will do what you want it to but, its is restricted by not being allowed speed camera positions ect.

 

A spare wheel is an essential optional extra especially if you have a young family, I'd also recommend the boot netting system although, it does have some issues with the variable floor

 

Gotta ask you a question though which will affect the cost, why at only 10k p.a. are you going for the TDI and not the £2k cheaper TSI ? Is the TSI gonna devalue the whole £2k over the term of the PCH ?

Spare wheel.

If you drive a lot in the hours of darkness then the AFS Xenons are worth every penny.

The man with aim speaks a lot of sense. I'm sure that with a little effort you could get an elegance for the same monthly PCP given their higher residuals.  I'd go for Xenons if you drive lots in the dark but other than that I wouldn't have anything else.  They're well enough specced as standard. For me, anything else is just 'stuff' that I don't need and stuff that further challenges the value for money aspect of owning a Skoda.

 

Of course, we're all different so enjoy the options.  I must admit, given that I generally face forwards I struggle to see why front sensors are a must unless they're part of that girlie parking system that leaves you a foot away from the kerb and leaves everyone questioning your driving skills.  

Edited 22 March, 201511 yr by skovirg

If you do anything at all just plump for a standard Elegance. Considerably better standard specification and a nicer interior. The 17's with standard suspension make very little difference in ride quality compared to the 16's but you benefit from more grip care of the 225 section tyres.

If you must have heated seats and front sensors then go for it but personally I wouldnt bother and just enjoy the otherwise improved spec the Elegance offers.

In answer to your Q's....

Amundsen is pretty good, I like it and use it but I would not have spent several hundred £'s adding it on.

Canton is quite an improvement on the stock system...but in reality unless you are really into your music Id say not to bother. The sound quality on the stock system is more than adequate for most ears and with the settings tweaked quite bassy just lacks volume.

I like the Amundsen, if you do regular school run/nursery parking then get sensors front n rear.

We all know that mums can't park and you will be having to squeeze it into spaces.

I like the Amundsen, if you do regular school run/nursery parking then get sensors front n rear.

We all know that mums can't park and you will be having to squeeze it into spaces.

The parking camera is especially great. Makes backing up into a tight space a breeze.

I enjoy the canton in the vrs but not sure in 'real world' terms how it compares to standard unit, - we haven't gone for it in the scout we have on order as this is more likely to be 7-8k miles p.a. and shorter trips (verses approx 35 k Miles in the Vrs!)

We also didn't bother with power boot (not sure if this is standard on SE or elegance), again got it on vrs but after the first month or so the novality has worn off a bit and its a bit slow ( will be better if/when I get remote closing coded and the beeps stopped though)

Thanks for all the replies. To clarify we're looking at PCH (personal lease), all we're interested in financially is overall cost during the term.

 

The elegance is +£10 month including front sensors and heated seats

 

@thmanwithnoaim The reason we're looking at the 2.0Tdi is that it became apparent that other models were available other than the scout we were initially interested in, do you have any experience of real world mpgs for the petrol & diesel? We drove a 6 mile old 2.0TDI SE and the computer said 50mpg over 30 miles of mixed driving, but most importantly it said 50mpg from cold to work (8.5miles) our 525d does 35mpg over the same journey (it is +400Kg, +25bhp, +80Nm).

 

@skovirg Neither of us could see the front of the car. We've got the sensors on our current car and wouldn't want to be without. In addition, anything that helps keep the car free from damage/scrapes on a lease deal is worthwhile. We're not interested in the self park that is OTT.

 

@kallekilponen We had the rear camera on the test drive, I found it difficult to look away and observe the whole surroundings, very clever piece of kit though.

 

@ExeterJ,  agree just too slow for practicality let alone just chucking something small in. I wish opening rear glass was an option! 

At 10k a year, diesel simply isn't worth the extra outlay or the extra cost at the pumps. I can't speak from real-world experience because I'm still waiting for my 1.4 TSi DSG to land, but my choice was also coloured by a suspicion that the increasing amount of anti-diesel noise in government is going to end up with them facing steeper car tax.

I looked at Elegance but stuck with SE because I'm not convinced manufacturer sat navs are worth it when a Tom Tom or a smartphone will do a better job. Similarly, the fancy alloys on the Elegance I tested told me the Octavia's ride doesn't benefit from low profile tyres (though may be the Scout's set-up is different?).

Amundsen is nice as it's always there but you would get significantly more features and faster operation from a £200 Tom Tom/Garmin so is is worth it..... put it this way I'm happy it came with the Elegance spec but I wouldn't spec it on an SE.

 

As stated before heated screen is a must.

All we added to the factory order was metallic paint and rear privacy glass, mostly to hide our bikes if in the back, but now we have a baby daughter too so will hopefully help keep the sunshine off her and the back of the car cooler.

I couldn't justify the cost of Xenons and a bulb change across the front has helped improve the lighting.

 

Also didn't bother with the 2.0 ltr, we're over the moon with the 1.6TDi. Great economy, zero VED and cheaper insurance.

OP don't look at my fuelly sig and think WTF, I rag mine something rotten (when on my own on the way to work @ 5am) but, I do know the 1.4 TSI DSG is giving me just about 8 mpg less than my Mk2 2.0 TDI 140 PD with 110K on the clock, I also see 50 mpg on a good run with the family in the car hence, my fuelly has a "best mpg of 42.9 (for a week on holiday in the west country).  In addition, many 2.0 TDI's on here aren't seeing any thing like the fuel figures quoted for the 2.0 TDI due to active regens and new engines which really only start to give their best from 30K onwards or year 4 on your mileage.  A lot of other more sensibly driven 1.4 TSI's are putting up fuelly sigs in the low 40's, have a check around or take a look at Honest John's et al.

 

I think the difference in fuel costs worked out less than £200 p.a. whilst, I agree the diesel will be cheaper in manual for car tax (currently), that is probably negated by the diesels higher servicing costs, not sure if servicing is included in your PCH. 

 

Above all the anti-diesel lobby ain't gonna go away and will start affecting residuals which on a PCH wouldn't be your concern but, may make your return of the car inspected to the very slightest of faults by lease company thats very likely gonna lose money on it.  Small petrol engines with big turbos is the way forward, no car manufacturer is developing diesel engines now, its a very big boat, why rock it ? 

 

Obviously, its upto you but, the economy/cost saving you seek may not be given by what I'd consider may be a 10 mpg difference for you, possible ask for another test drive in the 1.4 TSI to see for yourself under your own driving style but, if you get close to even stevens between the 2 I'd suggest the future value of a diesel may currently be over-estimated due to the effect of the anti-diesel lobby.

OP, this thread may help you http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/346869-2015-octavia-estate-14-dsg-city-stopstart-driving-mpg/

I'm leaning towards the SE due to satnav issues and decent ride on 16's. Prices are including tax, maintenance and tyres, SE £245 month elegance +£10 both including options as above.

 

Is the trip computer reasonably accurate, I know some cars tend to be worse than others, the test drive said 50mpg, my parents Toyota said 60mpg but did 50!!! 

A friend with a 2.0 LTR Octy Elegance who is also using a manual phone app, adding in the mileage and fuel amount, with full top ups everytime, claims that it it is pretty accurate yes.

 

TMWNA may have a view on this too.

Yep, the trip computer is pretty accurate on mine too.

My 1.4 TSi is my first SE after two Elegance models. I thought I'd miss the 6 disc CD player and cruise control but so far have not missed either. Didn't use cruise much in the UK anyway.

Definitely wanted a real spare and am glad I got it. Also ordered the extra mud flaps.

Can't honestly see the point of heated seats in the (southern part of) UK.

Thanks for your input everyone. I've done some maths, I don't know if the deals are available on the petrol's but the fuel consumption is as follows.

 

Petrol 1.07ppl 10K @ 38mpg= £1284

Diesel 1.17ppl 10K @ 50mpg= £1067

If I was ordering again, I would stick with the Elegance but opt for 1.4 TSI over 2.0 TDI for the following reasons...

- Improved refinement for minimal additional fuel outlay

- No potential dpf problems

- Lower purchase price - I purchased rather than leased so appreciate may not influence the OP.

- Elegance spec over SE adds loads of kit, Cruise, Larger Wheels, Sat Nag, High Beam Assist, Alcantara Seats, Colour Maxidot, Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror, Multi Function Wheel, Carpet Mats, Front Assist, Rain Sensors and Headlight Washers, so for an extra £10 a month, no brainer!

If I was ordering again, I would stick with the Elegance but opt for 1.4 TSI over 2.0 TDI for the following reasons...

- Improved refinement for minimal additional fuel outlay

- No potential dpf problems

- Lower purchase price - I purchased rather than leased so appreciate may not influence the OP.

- Elegance spec over SE adds loads of kit, Cruise, Larger Wheels, Sat Nag, High Beam Assist, Alcantara Seats, Colour Maxidot, Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror, Multi Function Wheel, Carpet Mats, Front Assist, Rain Sensors and Headlight Washers, so for an extra £10 a month, no brainer!

 

I'd agree. As the OP is looking at a 47 month PCP, there are some big selling points for £470 over the entire agreement. That's about the same price as metallic paint.

OP, your maths looks good and 10p/p/l has been the difference between the two fuels for a long time so, its what I calculated too however, dunno if thats gonna be the same in four years time when the anti-diesel lobby have gained a bit more backing, they've already got Boris on their side who knows what the next government will do but, raising taxes always seems to be on the agenda and if given the right excuse.....

 

Seriously, if the maths work now when you've got the decission to make go with it, you can always say at the end of your lease well, I didn't have a crystal ball if my fears are confirmed.

One of the (minor) reasons I chose the SE was to NOT have the bigger wheels. Partly didn't like the look and partly prefer the ride, tyres and protection of rim by the higher profile tyres (I don't whiz round bends on the limit of adhesion ................any more..............)

Also the 16" Ilias wheels turned out to be the easiest alloys to clean I've ever had!!

OP, your maths looks good and 10p/p/l has been the difference between the two fuels for a long time so, its what I calculated too however, dunno if thats gonna be the same in four years time when the anti-diesel lobby have gained a bit more backing, they've already got Boris on their side who knows what the next government will do but, raising taxes always seems to be on the agenda and if given the right excuse.....

 

Seriously, if the maths work now when you've got the decission to make go with it, you can always say at the end of your lease well, I didn't have a crystal ball if my fears are confirmed.

 

I've emailed our dealer for a quote on the 1.4 TSI, it has to be at least £20 month cheaper. However I believe that the diesel uses significantly less fuel from cold during the warm up phase. Depending on how the petrol comes out monthly we may go for a test drive.

 

One of the (minor) reasons I chose the SE was to NOT have the bigger wheels. Partly didn't like the look and partly prefer the ride, tyres and protection of rim by the higher profile tyres (I don't whiz round bends on the limit of adhesion ................any more..............)

Also the 16" Ilias wheels turned out to be the easiest alloys to clean I've ever had!!

 

So what was the major reason(s)? I had noticed that those 16's looked very easy to clean!!! On the other hand the BBS on my E30 require 3 different brushes!!!!