7 hours ago, DC04R said:

It had to be a FL though, the PFL looks a bit plain now and the interior in a FL is miles nicer.

 

In what way? I just looked up some pics of them on auto trader out of interest as I couldn't remember a difference when I looked and it looks more or less the same to me.

 

The exterior is obviously subjective as personally I don't like the split headlight look myself.  

 

Edited 3 July, 20205 yr by Alex-W

5 minutes ago, Alex-W said:

 

In what way? I just looked up some pics of them on auto trader out of interest as I couldn't remember a difference when I looked and it looks more or less the same to me.

 

The exterior is obviously subjective as personally I don't like the split headlight look myself.  

 

 

Nicer seats, better head unit, lights in the doors etc etc 

42 minutes ago, Alex-W said:

 

In what way? I just looked up some pics of them on auto trader out of interest as I couldn't remember a difference when I looked and it looks more or less the same to me.

 

The exterior is obviously subjective as personally I don't like the split headlight look myself.  

 

I dont think in pictures the difference is that apparent. Its just a bit more refined. Its a nice place to be, don't get me wrong the pfl is really nice and I had been looking at them but thought the seats looked better with the alcantara seats and like @DC04R says better head unit. I think the headlights in the pfl are xenon apposed to the led matrix. They are awesome, can see the whites of other drivers eyes as the swear at you 🤣 

Ironically another reason I only looked at the pfl was actually the seats as the leather wasn't available on FL.  

Agree the half leather ones aren't that great but the full leather is nice.

 

I've heard the LEDs are superior in terms of brightness, although I've not seen it first hand and find the bixenon ones ok.

Depends whether that's really a factor or not I guess.

27 minutes ago, Alex-W said:

Ironically another reason I only looked at the pfl was actually the seats as the leather wasn't available on FL.  

Agree the half leather ones aren't that great but the full leather is nice.

 

I've heard the LEDs are superior in terms of brightness, although I've not seen it first hand and find the bixenon ones ok.

Depends whether that's really a factor or not I guess.

Yea i guess if it was leather you where after then the pfl is the way to go. I've had to look actually at a fabric sealent for the seats just incase. Yea the bixenons are brilliant as well. Still much better than most cars. 

OK my take things thrown up here

 

1. The fl led headlights are by far, a lot better than the pfl xenons

2. Unless you're gonna drive on the edge of the cars limits you never know you needed the VAQ Diff

3. The electric seats have much finer lumbar adjustments than the manual seats

4. Both the 17/67 plate 245 & the 230 don't have a GPF

5. Using finance deals to your advantage is only smart if you're comfortable with them.

6. Some of the fl230 wing mirrors don't fold on locking (cancelled my order over that)

7. You're gonna have to travel if you want to get a car

 

In short, if you wait till September more 245's will be on the market, hopefully reducing the value of the 230's. Reading between the lines, value seems to be of more importance to you so this maybe the best bit of advice you've had 

Thanks... it’s tough with an empty rectangular space on my driveway chipping away at my resolve.  I could probably wait till sept given I’m easily able to work from home.   Is that the anniversary of when the 245 was launched?

5 minutes ago, Insearchofaskoda said:

Thanks... it’s tough with an empty rectangular space on my driveway chipping away at my resolve.  I could probably wait till sept given I’m easily able to work from home.   Is that the anniversary of when the 245 was launched?

My 245 was the 1st customer order on the road in late August 2017, as value seems to be your main motivator, waiting WON'T put you in a worse position & will more likely than not put you in a better position.

9 minutes ago, Insearchofaskoda said:

Thanks... it’s tough with an empty rectangular space on my driveway chipping away at my resolve.  I could probably wait till sept given I’m easily able to work from home.   Is that the anniversary of when the 245 was launched?

 

I think they appeared on order books April/May 2017, first deliveries in July but the bulk of the early deliveries were happening Aug/Sept I think. My car was registered July 26th.

Edited 4 July, 20205 yr by Kenai

Sound advice guys... I’ll see if I can bide my time for a month or 2

8 hours ago, Insearchofaskoda said:

Sound advice guys... I’ll see if I can bide my time for a month or 2

If you have the cash or loan arranged, it's a shame that you can't find a 2+ year old car from a private seller, as dealers offer really low prices on PX.  Have you tried putting a wanted advert on this site? Having had a manual mapped 220, it was far more engaging and quicker than my 245 7 spd DSG Golf PP with VAQ diff.  The only issue as discussed many times on this forum, regardless of whether the car has a VAQ diff or not, is simply putting the power down from a standing start in anything other than dry conditions.  Even rolling traction can sometimes be an issue, regardless of rubber. Good luck with your purchase, Octavias are great cars, probably a bit less refined re sound insulation with more road surface noise than your BMW but they offer great value for money and I really enjoyed having one. 

Have had one of the chaps approach me already but it was a manual and I don’t feel I could go back to a manual but it’s a good suggestion to place an ad.
 

Edited 5 July, 20205 yr by Insearchofaskoda
Spelling

Relatively new (purchased sept 19) FL230 DSG owner here. My budget wouldn’t stretch to a 245 and to me colour was most important - Rallye Green or nothing. I paid £16.5k from a main dealer and love it.
It doesn’t have any extras which doesn’t bother me as it is well specced as standard, the only thing I miss is auto folding wing mirrors.  No probs with the lack of fancy diff.
I’ve just picked up some genuine Xtremes from eBay which really finish off the look, the Gemini’s didn’t quite fill the wheel arches enough for me.

i had to travel from London to Stockport for mine. You aren’t in a rush so bide you’re time and something suitable will come up.

 

On 05/07/2020 at 09:01, stuartlee said:

Relatively new (purchased sept 19) FL230 DSG owner here. My budget wouldn’t stretch to a 245 and to me colour was most important - Rallye Green or nothing. I paid £16.5k from a main dealer and love it.
It doesn’t have any extras which doesn’t bother me as it is well specced as standard, the only thing I miss is auto folding wing mirrors.  No probs with the lack of fancy diff.
I’ve just picked up some genuine Xtremes from eBay which really finish off the look, the Gemini’s didn’t quite fill the wheel arches enough for me.

i had to travel from London to Stockport for mine. You aren’t in a rush so bide you’re time and something suitable will come up.

 

 

What's the fascination everyone has with folding mirrors? I would like them, just to be able to have a look outside to see that my car is locked but that's it.

 

I think I saw the green one you are on about in Stockport, I was having a nosey at it too as I'd decided I wanted a mk3 Octy (after my civic got pinched from around the corner from there)

The main benefit of auto folding mirrors is that you don't forget to unfold the passenger one and only realise when you're heading down the road with nowhere to pull over.

 

I tend to fold my mirrors in a fair bit when I park any car, generally when I'm parking at the side of a road or in a car park with narrow spaces to save them getting knocked.

I often forget in my Honda which is manual and have to stop, lean over and unfold it.

That said, it wouldn't dictate what car I bought, it's not a game changer.

We have folding mirrors as standard on our Karoq SEL and Superb 272 and the thought of folding the dirty mirrors in winter is not something I miss TBH. Again convert to the 7speed DSG in my Superb but the 6speed manual in the wife's Karoq is a fine choice also.