Hi,

 

I was recently going to order a new vRS, until i found out that order books had bee closed and no stock orders that were left matched my required spec.

 

I test drove a 245 at my local dealer (as it was the only one they had available) and loved it.

 

However, a 2014 car has come up for sale for a good price that is very close to the spec that i was looking for,

 

I am trying to decide whether i should go and have a look at it, or wait until the order books open again (which is what i was going to do)

 

I am trying to work out what i will be 'missing out' on if i go for the 4 year old car?

 

Other than the obvious external changes, what are the other main changes that were carried out to the latest FL model and are they worth having?

 

The car i am looking as says that it has LED headlights, but i thought that these were only available on the FL model?

 

I understand that the Infotainment system has been slightly updated, but how? Is the screen the same size as it looks a bit smaller?

 

Is it only the FL model that has the capability for Android Auto? I notice that the older car still has a usb slot (is this just for playing music?)

 

Is the 10bhp difference really noticeable?

 

Oh and is the 'sound generator' standard on this model year?

 

Anything else that i need to be aware of?

Edited 27 February, 20188 yr by chuno

Massive depreciation is one thing you’ll be “missing out on”.

Good luck

Went from 64 plate VRS diesel Dsg no sat navigation to 17 plate Vrs245 manual with std 8" info screen cars are so different in many ways but new one so much better in everything including fantastic brakes which should not be overlooked in a performance car, LED headlights seem to light up country roads for 300metres like driving during daylight and great for showing your displeasure to other motorists when they change lanes on motorways without using optional indicators. Wait and if you can afford it buy the new car or you may regret it later.

You won't have the mib2 infotainment with android auto or Apple. The 245 has an improved diff. you probably wouldn't motice the difference unless  you were driving on the ragged edge.

other than that the differences are in the face lift styling i think

The engine is exactly the same you can get it remaped to output the same or more power.

Mine is currently on 303bhp

You could save yourself enough money to buy another one if you wanted.

There are several people in the process of fitting the upgrades to have the mib2 infotainment.

I await their progress. it may be less of deal breaker if it is cheap and easy.

I am trying to work out what i will be 'missing out' on if i go for the 4 year old car? Facelift 245 or pre-facelift 230 have a trick front diff which aids traction; early Mk3's didn't have cruise control as standard; early Mk3's didn't have flat bottomed steering wheel.

 

Other than the obvious external changes, what are the other main changes that were carried out to the latest FL model and are they worth having? FL vRS has LED headlights, ambient interior lighting and 7 speed DSG on 245 rather than 6 speed; alcantara seats; 245 has electric seats and mirrors as standard too I think.

 

The car i am looking as says that it has LED headlights, but i thought that these were only available on the FL model? Correct - 2014 will have Xenon, not LED.

 

I understand that the Infotainment system has been slightly updated, but how? Is the screen the same size as it looks a bit smaller? There have always been several options, most basic is Bolero, then Amundsen, then Columbus; the Amundsen became standard about 2014 I think, doubt there are many Mk3 vRS's with Bolero. Columbus is a bigger screen and was a costly option, about £1,000 IIRC. Facelift models have a newer Amundsen and Columbus, both look bigger and sharper, big black glass screen with buttons incorporated into the glass rather than separate. 

 

Is it only the FL model that has the capability for Android Auto? I notice that the older car still has a usb slot (is this just for playing music?) I Think it was only 'MIB2' units that got this facility - I think this was introduced during 2014 so unsure how you could check, someone else may know. USB slot allows music to be played or connection to Android Auto/Smart Link if enabled.

 

Is the 10bhp difference really noticeable? Realistically no. If you mean between a 220 or 230 pre-facelift though, as above, the front diff will make a noticeable difference I would think. Likewise for FL 230/245.

 

Oh and is the 'sound generator' standard on this model year? I'm pretty certain all 2014's will have this, which can be disabled if required.

 

If it was me I'd be waiting, as the 2019 model year is to become available soon and may bring some changes worth having? Have a look here:

 

 

Edited 27 February, 20188 yr by pist0nbr0ke

From june all new build will be fitted with GPF (gasoline particulate filter) which will change engine noise (quieter) and reduce performance and economy slightly. Certain engines are being dropped from production approx Wk 26 iirc and new engines introduced later in the year but I don't know if or how this affects Octavia

Facelift gets Android Auto / Apple Car Play out of the box.

 

Pre-FL cars with MIB2 (MY16 / 65 Plate-ish) got Android Auto / Apple Car Play, although there is/was a fee to enable it, so not all cars will have it enabled. Generally that's something a dealer would do (£150 ish possibly) rather than a VCDS setting, although check out @SashaGrace's thread on her VRS as she's getting it done elsewhere after retrofitting an MIB2 unit to a car that came with MIB1:

 

 

 

As above, MY13, cruise and flat bottom wheel are options, MY14 nav is an option (more Bolero equipped vRSes around than you think!), MY15 gets Amundsen (5.8 inch screen as standard) and MY16 brought the MIB2 infotainment with 6.5 inch screen and SmartLink capability as standard for Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. The FL gets the latest 8 inch screen as standard are the Columbus is 9.2 inch. The pre FL 230 and FL 245 have the VAQ diff. The soundaktor is standard on all vRSes and is tied to the drive mode, on newer cars you can adjust the sound independently, although VCDS/OBDEleven can be used to deactivate it. Pre FL cars have xenon lights and they have a more fluid ‘bend’ with the AFS over the new LED’s.

 

As noted, just as I was typing, I’ve put a MIB2 Amundsen in my car and the radio unit is currently on a plane over to Poland to be coded and it will soon return with SmartLink and nav. I went for Amundsen over Columbus for cost reasons and I plan on installing the new screen in the future. In fact, the guy who’s doing the radio coding has a 2018 screen and radio we talked about doing a deal over at a good price, but I need to slow down the spending haha.

Thanks everyone. Explains every clearly (especially sasha's post) which is what i was looking for)

 

Think i will hold off until the re-open order books.

23 minutes ago, SashaGrace said:

As noted, just as I was typing, I’ve put a MIB2 Amundsen in my car and the radio unit is currently on a plane over to Poland to be coded and it will soon return with SmartLink and nav. I went for Amundsen over Columbus for cost reasons and I plan on installing the new screen in the future.

 

Who is it doing that if you don't mind me asking. My 2nd Columbus unit is on it's way now (1st didn't have DAB!) and I have a few places to code it but may need a backup option

Will put up all the details once it’s bakc and in the car, can’t wait, hate having no radio! Gives me an excuse to use the Merc, not in this weather though

So, in-summary: A brand new VRS adds a several bells whistles, a 3-year Warranty, 3-4 years extended life-expectancy, plus the pleasure of owning a new 18-plate car. The only benefits of a used VRS are that it offers 95% of the performance, comfort, looks and fun-factor for 40-50% of the cost.

You forgot to add "if nothing goes wrong" to the last sentence.

39 minutes ago, xman said:

You forgot to add "if nothing goes wrong" to the last sentence.

 

Economically-speaking, 2nd hand low mileage is the way to go provided the previous keeper has not thrashed it and serviced it as per schedule and definitely on a fixed mileage/term scheme, vice flexible. Unfortunately it's impossible to know if a car has been rented on PCH/PCP with minimal care.  Honest John had a recent case with a BMW 6600 miles 2.5 years old requiring a new engine and supposedly hadn't been serviced once. The new owner had it for 1 week! 

2 hours ago, xman said:

You forgot to add "if nothing goes wrong" to the last sentence.

My VRS suffered two water-pump failures, a faulty sound actuator, and slipping seat mechanism within it's first year. It's second year saw a clutch failure (caused by presure-plate manufacturing defect). Years 3 & 4 have been trouble-free. A welll looked after 3-7 year old car will likely be more reliable than a brand new car due to individual component infant-mortality rate. Of course, £12K+ worth of "used car savings" can pay for a lot faults if-needed. It is far more sensible to buy used. I can admit this, even though my last 5 or 6 cars have been purchased new.

I've got a lovely Pre-FL 230 with the diff, fully loaded with Columbus MIB2, android auto, heated windscreen, washer jets and front and rear seats, adaptive cruise, lane assist etc etc ...

 

Bought it used to save on the huge depreciation and saved a fortune. It would have been over £34k new at list price!

 

Don't regret it, apart from having a crisis and almost swapping for a megane 275 last summer.

 

It's even better on the eibachs with the Shark custom remap :-)