4 minutes ago, Alex-W said:

 

Really?

 

This one isn't too far from me and has 18s (which look nicer, are cheaper to put (decent) rubber on and are less likely to get damaged on the average British road).

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201902114810702?atmobcid=soc3

 

I've seen a few with these and assumed they were standard, 19" being the upgrade.

 

 

The one in the link is NOT a 230, 230's had VRS stitched into the seats and the " V "  on the VRS badge is Black not grey  and there is no Black Pack on the one in the link.

 

 

 

Edited 29 April, 20197 yr by Auric Goldfinger

3 minutes ago, Auric Goldfinger said:

 

The one in the link is NOT a 230, 230's had VRS stitched into the seats and the " V "  on the VRS badge is Black not grey  and there is no Black Pack on the one in the link.

 

 

 

Indeed, what this guy says. 

 

Don't trust the Auto Trader tech specs, that car is a 220.

My Ex 230 as from the Factory

 

 

Edited 29 April, 20197 yr by Auric Goldfinger

So, in case it wasn't complicated enough, both Autotrader and Skoda Main Dealers can't tell the difference between the models? 

(The one I test drove was advertised as a 230 at a main dealer - https://www.sparshattsgroup.co.uk/used/view/45441/skoda-octavia-2.0-tsi-vrs-#fndtn-panel2-1)

 

I'm starting to think finding something in my budget with the options I'd like will be like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

9 minutes ago, Alex-W said:

So, in case it wasn't complicated enough, both Autotrader and Skoda Main Dealers can't tell the difference between the models? 

(The one I test drove was advertised as a 230 at a main dealer - https://www.sparshattsgroup.co.uk/used/view/45441/skoda-octavia-2.0-tsi-vrs-#fndtn-panel2-1)

 

I'm starting to think finding something in my budget with the options I'd like will be like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

That's a 220 as well.

 

If they advertised it as a 230, they were confused. Sparshatts are catered much more to the average 1.6TDI buyer than vRS. You might find Meadens a bit more clued up on the performance range in that area of the county.

 

You are certainly facing an uphill struggle. The original 245 Edition only ran to around 580 cars total, I wouldn't be surprised if the PFL 230 was similar in numbers but they didn't get a specific model designation on the V5 like the original 245 did, so it's hard to find solid numbers. 

 

Add into that wanting a particular colour in manual and lots of them still being on 3 year pcp or lease deals and there are likely barely half a dozen of what you're looking for. 

I just did a search within 50 miles of Southampton (seeing as you linked Sparshatts Botley) on Autotrader for any vRS and from first glance it would appear only 2 of them are PFL 230s. A white dsg estate for £15k private sale and a grey dsg hatch for £17.5k from a dealer. 

 

There's not loads of them kicking about. 

An easy way of telling if a Pre Face lift Petrol Vrs is a 230.

 

The " V " on the badge on the Boot lid / Grille is black, VRS stitched into the seats, gear lever/door trim is Gloss black ( not carbon effect ) heated leather electric Front seats, and no LED strips in the doors.

Black exhaust tips.

Cheers.

 

The ironic thing is I'd much prefer a 'Normal' vRS from a looks point of view, so it's a bit frustrating that the only way you can get one is with an LSD is finding one with a very rare and subjective cosmetic upgrade.

 

Or pay a premium and get a 245.

 

What are the other hardware differences between the 220/230/245?

 

Is the power difference just down to the engine map or is there physical differences also?

Are there Brake and Suspension differences?

 

The option of getting a 220 and ultimately fitting a mechanical LSD is actually looking favourable in ease and money, which is a bit crazy.

There are various other differences, from memory the 230 and 245 specials got the following, on top of the standard cars offerings at the time... 

 

Black pack (grill, mirrors and roof rails on estate) 

Black exhausts

19" Xtrem wheels (grey on 230, black on 245 I think)

 VAQ diff

 

Stuff that my 245 definitely also has but I'm not sure applies to PFL 230... 

312mm vented rear brakes, instead of 272mm solid

Heated, electric alcantara seats with 4 way lumbar

Auto power folding heated mirrors

Sports dials on infotainment screen

 

Engines have subtle differences but nothing to excited over, all remap to 300-320 or so.

 

The non special edition 245s retain only the drive train except with addition of petrol particulate filter to meet WLTP. 

 

I think facelift cars have a wider rear track too. 

 

When a new/pre reg/ minimal mile vRS petrol manual hatch  should be obtainable for £20k ish,then personally I wouldn't be looking at 3 year old out of warranty cars at £15k or more...but I suppose we all manage our finances differently.

All very well if you have £20k to spend...  but if you don't then you spend less! 

Besides, the warranty issue isn't a huge issue for me, unless the car is ridiculously unreliable.

I'd rather somebody else take the hit on depreciation myself, if a car's only done ~30k it's barely run in and significantly cheaper.

 

1 hour ago, Kenai said:

 

Auto power folding heated mirrors

 

 

 

 

Hang on, what?  The mirrors aren't heated/folding as standard?  I thought everything has those these days.  At least heated anyway....

1 minute ago, Alex-W said:

 

Hang on, what?  The mirrors aren't heated/folding as standard?  I thought everything has those these days.  At least heated anyway....

They might be heated by they definitely aren't auto power fold on a bog standard vRS. 

6 minutes ago, Alex-W said:

 

Hang on, what?  The mirrors aren't heated/folding as standard?  I thought everything has those these days.  At least heated anyway....

 

This has been discussed a few times as the wording is very unclear.  2 versions of mirrors available.  Both fold with heated glass.  One version is manual folding and the other is powered folding either on a button press on the fob or controlled from within the car.

When I ordered mine I assumed they would be power folding (standard on our Ibiza!) but realised and revised the order...£210 extra!

However,it's also still an option on many BMWs costing a lot more,so no logic involved.

Oh, ok.  Not so bad then.

Power folding is a nice to have.  I'm not going to lose sleep over folding in a mirror on occasion.

Heated is a requirement.  I like to see stuff when it's cold too!

2 minutes ago, *JP* said:

When I ordered mine I assumed they would be power folding (standard on our Ibiza!) but realised and revised the order...£210 extra!

However,it's also still an option on many BMWs costing a lot more,so no logic involved.

 

One reason we bought our Mazda 6 Sport.  As the top model it has everything included..  power mirrors, memory heated seats,  xenons with washers, etc etc.  The only thing I had to search for was leather, but that was still quite common.

That thing was only just over £15k new in 2011 too.  Under 8k for us in 2016 and as good as new mind.  A well spec'd bargain!

4 hours ago, Kenai said:

 

19" Xtrem wheels (grey on 230, black on 245 I think)

 

 

 pre FL 230 Black 19" Extremes as Standard

There's loads on AT, granted they may not be near you.

 

Here's an early 230 in Meteor Grey - very first 230 estates came without roof rails strangely:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201904187120564?atmobcid=soc3

 

And a later one with roof rails:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201904297435991?atmobcid=soc3

 

Black hatch:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201904096771890?atmobcid=soc3

 

And, I believe this is a members car IIRC - and has 18's in the pics for some reason:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201904307472995?atmobcid=soc3

 

Red hatch:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201902164993540?atmobcid=soc3

 

Cheers, most of those are many miles away and I don't really have the time/inclination to go that far tbh, but at least I know what I'm looking for.

In all honestly, I'm not a huge fan of the wheels that it came with so I am a little torn as changing them is additional hassle/cost.  Also, the estates just look terrible without roof rails for some reason.  

 

Anyone know what the code is for the Manual 6 speed gearbox?  Just trying to get an idea of cost/viability of fitting a mechanical LSD to one.

 

 

Edited 1 May, 20197 yr by Alex-W

Ok, so I have an opportunity to purchase a pfl 230.

The wheels are, being 19s already a bit kerbed, as to be expected.

The garage also has a TDI vRS in, with pretty good condition 18" Geminis, which they said if I want, they'll swap the wheels over with.

 

If I get the 18s fitted to the 230 am I hugely destroying the value?

I want the leather and the lsd from the 230, but having kerbfinders fitted just seems like a pain.

The main issue is I'm essentially taking a special edition and making is less 'special'.  But more usable.

1 hour ago, Alex-W said:

Ok, so I have an opportunity to purchase a pfl 230.

The wheels are, being 19s already a bit kerbed, as to be expected.

The garage also has a TDI vRS in, with pretty good condition 18" Geminis, which they said if I want, they'll swap the wheels over with.

 

If I get the 18s fitted to the 230 am I hugely destroying the value?

I want the leather and the lsd from the 230, but having kerbfinders fitted just seems like a pain.

The main issue is I'm essentially taking a special edition and making is less 'special'.  But more usable.

I'd have the 18s all day long and there's no way that is going to affect the value a few years down the road.

My new order is with 18s....if you look at the reviews they generally say you need DCC to soften the ride to even consider the 19s.

...and that's before you consider the more expensive tyres and,as you have found out, the vulnerability of the 19s to damage.

My Ex Pre FL 230 had 19's and I found the ride rather bumpy, I ran them ate the recommended 2.7 bar. My 19 plate 245 has 18's on and its a completely different ride, tyres also set at Skoda's recommendation at 2.4 Bar.  No DCC fitted to either car. As JP states 18's all day

 

 

 

Edited 23 June, 20196 yr by Auric Goldfinger

Personally I would leave the 19s on it and buy a second set of aftermarket 18s later if I was really that bothered by the ride. That way you have them available to refit if you want at sale time. 

 

For me personally, the ride on 19s doesn't even come close to being an issue and if I do go aftermarket, I'll be getting 19s again. Everyone has their personal preferences and tolerances for these things. 

 

It's hardly a value killer if you do swap them but you might end up with a few 'are you sure it's really a 230?' questions when you sell it. 

Edited 23 June, 20196 yr by Kenai

Yeah, I figured probably would, although I guess as I'm not planning on selling for a long time then the difference will be negligible and everyone will be driving vRS 340s by then...

 

Regarding aftermarket, if I were to ever but non OEM wheels they'd have to be OZ ultraleggerras, which are about £1300 before tyres, so that would work out an expensive option.

They're the only wheel which just look right on every car.  And they're light.

 

The other option is to keep the 19s, refurb the kerb marks out, probably just get them done in one colour (anthracite, as the black wheels don't look as nice imo) rather than diamond cut and put up with the ride.

The ride didn't seem that bad on the test drive, but they road surfaces were pretty good.

I don't think I could entertain diamond cut refurbs tho, it's a lot of money to spend to likely just kerb it again.

Edited 23 June, 20196 yr by Alex-W

The 19"s are gorgeous wheels but being a bit of an old man Im at my comfort limit on the 18's. Ive had 3 opportunities to go for the 19's and stuck with tge geminis every time!