Further help from Skoda experts needed (in addition to my earlier DSG post).

 

For a similar budget when imported to Ireland with appropriate taxes applied (our dreaded Vehicle Registration Tax-VRT), I can purchase a 2015 L&K with 75,000 miles or an 2016 SE L Executive with approx 40,000 miles. I normally tend towards a "lowest mileage best"  outlook but the L&K with all its high spec finery has caught my eye! I'm concerned though that I may be somewhat blinded by that spec and that in fact the lower mileage still is more rational choice.

 

Given that history and condition etc are similar, which way would you lean?

 

PS purchase price may not look similar in £UK pricing terms but the spec levels of the L&K attract a significantly higher VRT rate, hence equivalency cost in Euro on import to Ireland

 

I'd go with the lower mileage. I had a choice of pretty much the same, and I just couldn't justify the extra for 19" wheels over 18" (I've already lost three tyres to potholes anyway!), a higher insurance premium, slightly harsher ride, all for the sake of having some some stitching on the leather. I'm lucky though as my SEL had options put on it new, then covered 4k miles over a year.

Do you want leather seats which I presume the L & K has but the SEL doesn't? I went for a SEL as I didn't want leather. Plus 35,000 less miles and a year newer would sway me.

22 hours ago, ReaF said:

the spec levels of the L&K attract a significantly higher VRT rate, hence equivalency cost in Euro on import to Ireland

 

 

Sounds like the Uk rates system 50 years ago  where if you tiled your bathroom, your rates went up!

Does the SE L Executive have leather?  If so Id go with it. 

 

The L&K is possibly on 18" alloys as opposed to 19" on the Irish spec car.  Also it doesn't come standard with the remote rear seat release in the boot like the Irish spec  I was looking at getting one earlier in the year but couldn't get one with cream leather and panoramic roof (combi) so I wound up buying a 2016 Irish model with everything I wanted. 

 

DCC is another consideration (standard on L&K) - will you be keeping the car for a number of years, how reliable will it be?

 

Do either have a reversing camera?

 

Best of luck!

Thanks All for replies so far....its great to get informed insight from Skoda converts!

 

The L&K is on 18" alloys with brown leather. Neither have reversing cameras.

 

@Markbro....you mention DCC which the L&K has; is the context of your question that the DCC may not be reliable if kept for  a number of years?

 

@xman...re: VRT. Enough to make a grown man cry; its roughly €4,500 for the L&K on import. The difficulty is that can be challenging to get models with a higher level of spec in Ireland. This creates rarity value for additional equipment/options and drives used car pricing.

 

 

Yes I'd prefer the car with DCC as it can only be better than the standard set up but from a reliability point of view I think you're safer on the standard setup.  It can always be upgraded in the future. 

 

If the DCC starts to act up outside of warranty it could be painful....

I was in s similar position when I placed my order in 2015. I was all for ordering an L&K but unfortunately it was only available with a tan or brown interior. I didnt want the tan and no way would the wife live with the brown so that left me with the SE L.

 

It worked out ok because as I'm keeping the car long term I didnt want DCC and wasnt really bothered about the other L&K options.

 

Just selected a few options I really wanted. 

52 minutes ago, Markbro said:

Yes I'd prefer the car with DCC as it can only be better than the standard set up but from a reliability point of view I think you're safer on the standard setup.  It can always be upgraded in the future. 

 

If the DCC starts to act up outside of warranty it could be painful....

 

If you mean DCC then it cant be upgraded later.

6 minutes ago, Nick_H said:

 

If you mean DCC then it cant be upgraded later.

No was referring to the standard setup,  a set of Bilstein coilovers or such would do the trick.

 

I guess the real option you ticked was the 280 box!

1 minute ago, Markbro said:

No was referring to the standard setup,  a set of Bilstein coilovers or such would do the trick.

 

I guess the real option you ticked was the 280 box!

 

Yeah lol ! That was a def... Sad but really wanted the LED's in the cabin also ordered spare wheel, false boot, colour maxidot, side airbags cant remember what else.... Oh 5 year warranty ! Dont regret the 280 for a moment its been great fun !

17 hours ago, ReaF said:

Thanks All for replies so far....its great to get informed insight from Skoda converts!

 

The L&K is on 18" alloys with brown leather. Neither have reversing cameras.

 

@Markbro....you mention DCC which the L&K has; is the context of your question that the DCC may not be reliable if kept for  a number of years?

 

@xman...re: VRT. Enough to make a grown man cry; its roughly €4,500 for the L&K on import. The difficulty is that can be challenging to get models with a higher level of spec in Ireland. This creates rarity value for additional equipment/options and drives used car pricing.

 

 

Just paid €2200 vrt on a 2015 SE. Quite a jump for the L&K alright!