Advice Needed on Import VRS TSI DSG ?

[Jack Jumpin]

Hi,

 

I have put down a deposit on a unregistered White VRS TSI DSG seems fully loaded to me in all respects incluing NAV and full leather,

but it only has 17" inch wheels as standard in the country of origin ?

 

The car is from Cypus and I am sure you know what company I am accquiring it from.

 

I called Skoda UK to ask about warranty, and they said a standard UK car is 2 years with 1 extra if under 60,000mls.

 

I called Cyprus Skoda/dealer ? and was informed it was 5 years up to 100,000 kls.

 

I am not sure why the standard wheels are 17" in Cyprus, but I suppose I can always get a set of 19s in a few months either the Skoda VRS ones or

third party. When I realised it was 17s I thought I might just forget about it, but now I know it has full leather it makes a difference.

 

Am I making a mistake buying an import ? I am going to keep the car and modify it for a good few years, so resale shouldn't be to bad, after all it is a

European car.

 

Thanks

JJ

Edited 25 September, 2015 by Jack Jumpin

[seve88]

depends how much your paying for the car

 

you can save £6k here       http://www.buyanewcaronline.co.uk/skoda/octavia/octavia-hatchback/2.0-tsi-vrs-230-5dr-dsg/

[jbyrnes82]

I've got a set of 18" geminis for sale. Two of them need refurb but could be an option for you?

[old newbie2]

Hi,

 

I have put down a deposit on a unregistered White VRS TSI DSG seems fully loaded to me in all respects incluing NAV and full leather,

but it only has 17" inch wheels as standard in the country of origin ?

 

The car is from Cypus and I am sure you know what company I am accquiring it from.

 

I called Skoda UK to ask about warranty, and they said a standard UK car is 2 years with 1 extra if under 60,000mls.

 

I called Cyprus Skoda/dealer ? and was informed it was 5 years up to 100,000 kls.

 

I am not sure why the standard wheels are 17" in Cyprus, but I suppose I can always get a set of 19s in a few months either the Skoda VRS ones or

third party. When I realised it was 17s I thought I might just forget about it, but now I know it has full leather it makes a difference.

 

Am I making a mistake buying an import ? I am going to keep the car and modify it for a good few years, so resale shouldn't be to bad, after all it is a

European car.

 

Thanks

JJ

There were 3 vRS's on sale from motorpoint yesterday with the "wrong" wheels, is you car from the same dealer?

 

One point, any new car from Cyprus will have the speedo calibrated in km/h, not mp/h...

 

DC

[decuk]

My thoughts are, if you can't afford a UK Spec car, don't bother. You may have issues getting spares when quoting engine/ chassis numbers as there could be subtle differences.

[Auric Goldfinger]

I've got a set of 18" geminis for sale. Two of them need refurb but could be an option for you?

 

 

How much are you asking for the 18" geminis please.  I assume there straight, no buckles

 

AG

[allan1888]

I don't think you would get the 3rd year warranty either, it was Skoda provide the first 2 years warranty and the 3rd year was provided by Skoda uk, I don't think that's changed so since the car is not a uk car it would only have the 2 years

This was taken from the Skoda uk site regarding an import vehicle....

Vehicles purchased prior to 1st November 2001 will be provided with a 1-year manufacturer's warranty. Vehicles purchased and registered after this date will be provided with a 2-year, unlimited mileage manufacturer warranty, to which terms and conditions apply. Vehicles bought from a UK retailer will receive a 3rd year warranty with a 60,000 mile limit.

Link to page here

http://www.skoda.co.uk/about-us/faqs

[Jack Jumpin]

My thoughts are, if you can't afford a UK Spec car, don't bother. You may have issues getting spares when quoting engine/ chassis numbers as there could be subtle differences.

 

I see what your are saying but the car is £19,999 and it might have 17s, but If I add up the options that are on it on the UK configurator it comes to at least £27k.

 

So its not a case I cannot afford the UK spec one, but that I am saving a boat load of money on options on a brand new 65 plate car with 11 miles on.

 

Although frowned upon by UK dealers for obvious reason, we live in the Euopean community so surely part numbers will be exactly the same.

 

Cheers

JJ

Edited 26 September, 2015 by Jack Jumpin

[Jack Jumpin]

There were 3 vRS's on sale from motorpoint yesterday with the "wrong" wheels, is you car from the same dealer?

 

One point, any new car from Cyprus will have the speedo calibrated in km/h, not mp/h...

 

DC

Hi DC,

 

Yes, its one from Motorpoint, I am sure this will be changed to mph via diagnostic tools, I don't think they could sell it legally in the UK without changing it.

 

I found this older post on the subject or changing via VCDS, but even though I could do it myself I will make sure it is done before parting with the cash.

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/210638-change-mfi-from-kmh-to-mph/

 

Cheers

JJ

Edited 26 September, 2015 by Jack Jumpin

[old newbie2]

I see what your are saying but the car is £19,999 and it might have 17s, but If I add up the options that are on it on the UK configurator it comes to at least £27k.

 

So its not a case I cannot afford the UK spec one, but that I am saving a boat load of money on options on a brand new 65 plate car with 11 miles on.

 

Although frowned upon by UK dealers for obvious reason, we live in the Euopean community so surely part numbers will be exactly the same.

 

Cheers

JJ9

Good points, I'm thinking that you should take a good look at the Cyprus specs for the vRS, though (can be found on their website, just look for Octavia RS limo) ,cos there are differences.

 

It's possible that some changes might not be obvious, but although Cyprus drives on the left (mostly....) their rules were different, rear fogs weren't required & suspension settings might be different, given that local roads can be worse than the UK.

 

(Been there, driven various rental cars, avoided the falling rocks, dozy farmers in old pick-ups & flocks (?) of goats on the country roads!) 

 

HTH, DC.

[DGW]

Whilst I would expect Skoda UK to honour the 2 year EU-wide warranty on the import, thereafter I think that you would have to ship the car back to Cyprus if you needed to make use of the Skoda Cyprus 5 year/100,000 km (62,137 mile) warranty.

http://www.skoda.com.cy/aftersales/warranty

[old newbie2]

Whilst I would expect Skoda UK to honour the 2 year EU-wide warranty on the import, thereafter I think that you would have to ship the car back to Cyprus if you needed to make use of the Skoda Cyprus 5 year/100,000 km (62,137 mile) warranty.

http://www.skoda.com.cy/aftersales/warranty

Ooh, that's an expensive trip. 

 

No car ferries to the (official) Republic of Cyprus, only from Turkey to "Northern Cyprus", so it would probably be cheaper to pay fix the car in the UK............  

 

It's possible that you might not want to have any work done in Cyprus, according to my ex-pat now retired motor mechanic cousin, who still uses his own tool-kit out there........... 

[seve88]

if you paid £20k for the car,  then intend changing the wheels & tyres 2 months later,  effectively you've paid  £21k +

you've also only got 2 years warranty

 

also did you trade in your old car,  motorpoint normally give you below trade  price for your car,  as all they do is send your car straight to auction .

 

motorpoints prices  at first glance may appear cheap, but a lot of there new stuff is run out models or imports with different spec.

they also have a lot of nearly new cars which are ex daily hire, driven by every tom **** and harry.

 

if you didn't have a trade in, you could have got a better deal with a uk car with 3 year warranty etc from a broker,   although you might have to wait for the car.

[old newbie2]

Hi DC,

 

Yes, its one from Motorpoint, I am sure this will be changed to mph via diagnostic tools, I don't think they could sell it legally in the UK without changing it.

 

I found this older post on the subject or changing via VCDS, but even though I could do it myself I will make sure it is done before parting with the cash.

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/210638-change-mfi-from-kmh-to-mph/

 

Cheers

JJ

Since it's an analogue speedo, with a printed face in km/h, it might have been / will be, easier to fit a UK market unit.

Either that or they would suggest that you use the digital speedo that's one of the things that can be displayed on the maxidot, & which can be set to display mph..  

 

DC

[pipsyp]

Hmmm at that money new is good value, but it will always have the fact its an import stacked against it.

The residuals on these things arent great and so this will always be worth that little bit less than a UK car....also the spec doesnt come into its used value particularly.

I think if its something you are looking to buy and keep fairly indefinitely I wouldnt worry about it. The 17's are an official vRS wheel (just not offered in our market) and will be cheaper for tyres.

Just look out for spec anomalies that might make it not so desirable.....seems to have Columbus which is good but is the mapping installed....also does it have DAB and Bluetooth like UK cars?

Ive noted they have leather but no seat heating....you get seat heating with leather on UK cars.

Also does it have the factory alarm....if not it could really affect insurance cost. In many EU markets the Alarm is optional.

The speedo looks to be in MPH so shouldnt worry too much about that.

[pipsyp]

Also I wonder if it has drive mode select...if not may not have the soundaktor either.

[decuk]

Insurance companies often ask if its a UK Spec car. You would have to say no...

[flybynite]

Nothing wrong with a European import but if you are not the one who imported it you need to do it with your eyes open.

The car may not have the spec of a uk car as many European countries options are specc'd as opposed to come as a standard package. You may get more than UK spec but check thoroughly

The car will have 2 years warranty, anything more will rely on you paying for it and claiming back from a dealer in the "home" country. Probably better to cost in an aftermarket warranty for subsequent years.

The car will need a speedo in mph and kmh for uk registration the maxi dot will not be acceptable for that. There is a cheap way (use a firm that makes replacement speedo cards and change it which requires dismantling the speedo cluster) and the expensive way (get Skoda to lift component protection and code a new UK-spec instrument pod in)

It will always be an import to insurance companies. Does not make a huge difference (if any) depending on the car and person but you will have to declare it.

There will be no issue getting parts as they use the same system and you often have to wait for parts for UK cars anyway, of all the problems you may have this should not be one of them

If it gets you a car or options that are not available in the UK it may be worth it but if it is one you get here you may as well push for a deal through some of the brokers as there are good discounts to be had.

Edited 26 September, 2015 by flybynite

[MINIMadDamo]

Was looking at these in auto trader as they have a yellow and red one available. It's a bloody decent spec for 20k especially as the Nav is Columbus.

As others have said check the spec of the car out, but doubt the speedo will be an issue if it's from said company.

[jbyrnes82]

How much are you asking for the 18" geminis please.  I assume there straight, no buckles

 

this is the post I've put in the for sale section http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/372201-18-anthracite-gemini-alloys/

Aside from the kerb damage shown in the picture I believe there are no buckles they remained on the car for a while until I got the new ones and the car handled the same as it always did and was used on local roads and motorways

[Steveker]

Personally I wouldn't buy an import for the reasons already specified i.e. different specs in other countries, especially things like safety systems, brakes, air bags etc.  Insurance there are plenty of companies that will not touch an import regardless where it came from unless it was built to UK spec, I used to buy cars that were UK spec through Guernsey as it saved the VAT. I would recomend buying a car through a UK broker that buys from a UK dealer that way you get a UK spec car with full warranty. Ive just done it and saved 20% on a VRS TSI DSG.

[Jack Jumpin]

How much did you pay ?

 

I have now bought the VRS TSI DSG today. It seems to have everything I need except it has 17s instead of the standard 18s in the UK, I will change these after winter for 19s.

 

Here is the spec can anyone decode this to advise exactly what it has options wise ?

 

Edited 2 October, 2015 by Jack Jumpin

[DGW]

Type them into the decoder below.

http://igorweb.org/equidec/Default.aspx

[Eddie-NL]

Buying an import is fine if it is a good bit cheaper

 

Motorpoint will order the car for the UK market (correct lighting and Speedo, RHD) it just depends on the extras to make it UK spec. Like the 17" wheels and no Lane assist is what I saw on the motorpoint cars.

 

3rd year warranty is nothing to worry about as you can buy that, and the skoda one is limited and is more based on how generous the dealer feels.

 

If you are keeping the car for a few years I wouldn't worry about depreciation