Hi all,

 

First post in the place I'll be lurking most I think! I am seriously considering a petrol VRS, it ticks pretty much every box I have, and the ones it doesn't don't really matter. I am very interested in your guys experience of options though. I am torn between a 230 with a few options or a 220 with loads of toys. I like the idea of the Colombus Nav but is it worth a grand? I like the glass roof but does it make enough difference, I can see this making the car like an oven? Other toys are here or there. Reverse camera is yes I think as is Smartlink. When I drove the 230 the stereo didn't stand out so I think I'll go Canton or should I save the £500 and upgrade the speakers myself? This is my spec ATM. Oh and Meteor Grey. Haters gonna hate as the kids says these days.

 

Manufacturer RRP, OTR 

£27,800

Broadspeed Price, OTR (a customer recently saved £4,504)

£23,296

Canton sound system

£475

Winter Pack -- heated front screen/heated screen wash

£333

SmartLink

 £143

Rear-view camera

 £285

Sunroof -- panoramic glass

 £1,093 

Total 

£25,625

 

Interested to hear your thoughts!

Cheers

Stu

Hi Stuey84 & welcome to the forum   I love my petrol vrs I would say the sat-nav is like marmite for some people but I absolutely love mine, I would personally drop the sunroof-panoramic roof & use the £1000.00 towards other options or use the money for a proper car detail, window tints etc...100% get the Canton as I wish mine had the Canton upgrade. see how much auto fold wing mirrors are as an option too.

 

All the other options you have listed sound good to me.

 

Good luck  

Just make sure you take the infotainment version you like - changes later are not possible....I've learned it the hard way;)

*Camera - I had in my last car, many ppl like it, but imo sensors are more reliable; a bit of rain, mud, snow, low light...and camera can show :moon:. On top of it draws quite a lot of attention and requires a certain "feel" to get most of it.

*Heated front screen - great thing; take it! I had it in 2 cars, and it was used quite often: in snow, rain (fogging), more passengers at some colder weather...I'm so bloody sorry I don't have it anymore in octy

*Canton - I have one and it's really nice; ppl say much better than stock (yet I cannot make that comparison). Keep in mind though, that for most music, the soundproofing of this car, at least in my case, does not allow it to work at more than 30% volume.

*Sunroof - cool feature (had it in Sup 2 and 508) especially when u have kids. Things to note though: for the driver can create some extra reflections, some ppl reported squeaking, in general more noise than a metal roof. Some careful maintenance has to be conducted every now and then (drain lines) to prevent leaks.

i've had to scrape ice off the car maybe only 15-20 times this winter, only takes seconds so for me the heated screen isn't worth it (if i lived in scandinavia then maybe..)

i miss the sunroof (my mk2 had one) but i couldn't justify 1000 quid.

columbus is nice but again i couldn't justify the spend - the latest mib2 amundsen is fine (and free).

not experienced canton but tbh the factory system is fine for me.

i added the spare wheel (don't want to be stranded if i get a full blow out) and the crew assistant/rear bags for the kids.

meteor is a good choice

Options are always a personal & often illogical choice.

 

For me, is it worth paying quite a bit extra for 10bhp ? no.

 

Canton upgrade 500gbp - Yes the standard system (even with Columbus is not great but for me acceptable & the MIB2 should be slightly improved) but I dont have a sound system worth €500 in my house so I think its crazy to spend that in a car with tyre & engine noise.

 

Columbus navigation, yes its ok & nice to have everything integrated. The functionality is logical & easy to use (much nicer than the BMW i-Drive I have to use daily)

Is it worth €1000 when you can use your phone or a Garmin for €200.. No...

 

Panoramic roof - again its nice, gives a nice light & airy feeling in the car & is great for passengers & kids epsecially at night.

It it worth €1000 extra, probably not.

 

Would I spec all of the above on my next car... probably...

i added the spare wheel (don't want to be stranded if i get a full blow out) and the crew assistant/rear bags for the kids.

 

Ah yes, for me this is an essential option..!

 

In scandanavia I'd assume they dont get much ice to scrape off the windscreen in the winter.

Its that cold that the snow is completely solid & will wipe off the car like powder.

Also consider the Golf R estate, not a lot more at £27k, lot more powerful at 300ps, probably better noise insulation and residual values.

 

https://broadspeed.com/CarView/Volkswagen/Golf/40631/TSI_BMT_2.0_300PS_Petrol_R_Automatic_5_doors

thanks for the opinions so far, as Gabbo says options are totally illogical in the main! I hadn't thought of satnav through the CarPlay. I guess it could always to upgraded at a later date for an aftermarket.

 

Spare wheel is a good thought as is the rear air-bag. First baby is due in 4 weeks so should probably think about that a bit :-)

 

I have been airing on the 230's side for a few weeks. It has lots of extra bits, the 10bhp is nothing that can't be gained from an air filter so it's not about that but more the diff. Leather seats would be nice purely for cleaning purposes, not a fan of them otherwise.

 

I had been looking at a Golf but by the time a few boxes are ticked its north of £30K and in my eyes VW have devalued it by having the £200-£250pm PCP deals. I won't get one at ~£400 when a deal for half that has been floating around. I think my spec Octy will be around £300 and I can just about live with that.

I think the extras on the 230 more than make up for the price difference over the 220:

Sports exhaust with black tips

Heated electric leather seats

Electronic front diff

19" gloss black extreme wheels

Heated folding mirrors

Black pack

Only extra I added to mine was a spacesaver spare wheel, however if I could have had one with the pano roof I would have taken it. Heated screen is also nice to have.

In scandanavia I'd assume they dont get much ice to scrape off the windscreen in the winter.

Its that cold that the snow is completely solid & will wipe off the car like powder.

Believe me, we scrape a lot. Heated windscreen and Webasto is worth every penny up here.

And to op, my all time favourite option is ACC. I will never have a car without it again.

I think the extras on the 230 more than make up for the price difference over the 220:

Sports exhaust with black tips

Heated electric leather seats

Electronic front diff

19" gloss black extreme wheels

Heated folding mirrors

Black pack

Only extra I added to mine was a spacesaver spare wheel, however if I could have had one with the pano roof I would have taken it. Heated screen is also nice to have.

 I like the idea of the Colombus Nav but is it worth a grand?

I like the glass roof but does it make enough difference,

I can see this making the car like an oven?

Reverse camera is yes I think as is Smartlink. When I drove the 230 the stereo didn't stand out so I think I'll go Canton or should I save the £500 and upgrade the speakers myself? This is my spec ATM. Oh and Meteor Grey.

 

Winter Pack -- heated front screen/heated screen wash

£333

 

 

Loads of Pano roof problems on the MK7 Golf hatch & estate with it leaking. I think its a waste of money IMO.

 

My car had Nav as standard, however would I spec it? Not really & the top end one is way over priced for what it is. It might make a very small difference in resale...

 

Reverse camera, GET!!! can be retro fit but have to rip loads of trim from the hatch to the back of the infotainment unit....& run cables...

 

Canton, GET!!..I got the Dynaudio (Golf) & to retro fit takes a lot....you get 8 different speakers, sub woofer & separate amp under the passenger seat, & more adjustment settings in the head unit. The head unit now acts like a pre amp....I got it so save me ripping out the interior..

 

Winter pack, I have it, good as it reflects heat in summer, works with the dual zone climate to demist the screen quicker...very fast....and heats up too!...... used mine a couple of times when I had to leave car outside.

There was also lots of problems with Citroens glass roof on the C4 but I was hoping VAG would have it sorted.

I've been reading the threads on retrofitting the reverse camera and it does look like a pain. It's also £300 so not huge money.

Pretty sure I'll get the Winter pack, Canton and camera. See how generous the dealer is feeling when we haggle!

There was also lots of problems with Citroens glass roof on the C4 but I was hoping VAG would have it sorted.

I've been reading the threads on retrofitting the reverse camera and it does look like a pain. It's also £300 so not huge money.

Pretty sure I'll get the Winter pack, Canton and camera. See how generous the dealer is feeling when we haggle!

My advice... get what you want within what you can afford. Apaprt from the panoramic roof.  Every car that I've owned, when you look through forums for that car people have problems with them leaking or causing noise/rattle issues

Sound advice. It's been a long while since I bought a factory fresh car, 2005 in fact and Citroen didn't really offer much in the way of options as the cars where specced very well anyway so all this choice is makin me lien a kid in a sweet shop!

to be honest I could have ticked every box on the carwow page when i was spec'ing mine.  Unfortunately the price would have been higher than that of the Audi A4 I had looked at and discounted on the basis of cost!! I just think that if you are buying a new car then its the only real oppurtunity to buy the car you want without (unreasonable) compromise. The only thing i removed from my car based on popular opinion was the Intelligent Light assist and that was only because it can be enabled by VCDS which I intend to buy anyway!!

Columbus does seem overpriced, but consider Amundsen; in case its already included - you're covered!

You do have to be careful though with the options, you can end up spending a lot on an Octavia when your getting into BMW, Merc, Audi, Lexus territory.

 

Above £25k is a lot for an Octavia, no matter how good it is. Especially when you can get a basic new petrol VRs for around £19k discounted.

 

Ok if your keeping for the long run, but if you want to change after 3 or 4 years, the depreciation will scare you.

 

Also there is a mid life facelift due next year which will further hurt residuals of the current model.

 

Just do you sums carefully, be aware of what it will cost you over the term, and how this compares to other makes/models.

i've had to scrape ice off the car maybe only 15-20 times this winter, only takes seconds so for me the heated screen isn't worth it (if i lived in scandinavia then maybe..)

i miss the sunroof (my mk2 had one) but i couldn't justify 1000 quid.

columbus is nice but again i couldn't justify the spend - the latest mib2 amundsen is fine (and free).

not experienced canton but tbh the factory system is fine for me.

i added the spare wheel (don't want to be stranded if i get a full blow out) and the crew assistant/rear bags for the kids.

meteor is a good choice

Not all rear bags are standart?? Can't believe if this is true. Please share some info..

Not sure it's available for the VRS, but if it is consider the L&K - most of the goodies come as standard. Ours has the panoramic sunroof and no leaks or rattles whatsoever.

Not all rear bags are standart?? Can't believe if this is true. Please share some info..

Rear airbags are an optional extra which can't brought without the Crew Protection. Rear window air curtains are standard but, they just stop the glass flying around.

Beware with the crew protection if, you get a little bit sideways it will open the windows for faster airbag deployment and suck you into the seat with the pre-tensioning seat belts, not quite what you need when giving it an arm full of opposite lock.

Regards

T

Not sure if the front assist is included in the VRS at the moment, if not I would definitely recommend it.

Also before anybody starts with the usual "if you know how to drive you won't need it" don't bother!

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

Rear airbags are an optional extra which can't brought without the Crew Protection. Rear window air curtains are standard but, they just stop the glass flying around.

Beware with the crew protection if, you get a little bit sideways it will open the windows for faster airbag deployment and suck you into the seat with the pre-tensioning seat belts, not quite what you need when giving it an arm full of opposite lock.

Regards

T

Good to know thanks!

I think it also comes down to how much time you actually spend in the car. I've specced over 8k worth of extras for my VRS but I do 30k miles pa so I want it to be right for me. Horses for courses. As to whether any of the options are actually worth it is pretty subjective. End of the day, is buying a brand new car a sensible thing to do when all it will do is depreciate and when you can buy a used car or a $hite box 6k Sandero that will ulitmately do the same thing? No good being the richest person in the cemetry, I'll enjoy my Octavia, with all its extra toys, which had a list price over 35k!!

Edited 21 April, 201610 yr by cherry evo

I think it also comes down to how much time you actually spend in the car. I've specced over 8k worth of extras for my VRS but I do 30k miles pa so I want it to be right for me. Horses for courses. As to whether any of the options are actually worth it is pretty subjective. End of the day, is buying a brand new car a sensible thing to do when all it will do is depreciate and when you can buy a used car or a $hite box 6k Sandero that will ulitmately do the same thing? No good being the richest person in the cemetry, I'll enjoy my Octavia, with all its extra toys, which had a list price over 35k!!

 

Perfectly put, cherry evo.