I'm debating whether to go for a VRS this year (probably TDI as dont fancy 350 mile a tankfull from a petrol after 500 miles from a derv).....the options seem to have shot up though....

I don't remember it being £250 for the wheels.

I don't think it's a case of price fixing more a case of the cost of the car from a main dealer. Remember they'll all be using CAP/Glasses plus a profit margin to gain resale prices.

I recall the 18" alloys were about

Quote channel 4'Additional extras on top of the Skoda's

Spose its the beauty of having a strong product such as the octavia and as you say supply and demand but I still reckon vag group (including Audi/VW) have an element of price fixing when you check used values against parkers as an example.

That as maybe but they can only sell them for a price people are prepared to pay.

18" Wheels used to be 300 notes extra.

Seems that with every newer model Skoda produces, the cars prices are creeping up ever nearer to the same as it's VW oppo's, you just get a bigger car for your buck. This doesnt surprise me because I'm sure that VAG havent gone to the expense of turning Skoda around just so it can make less per unit than its direct sibling. That said, when you start spec'ing up a Golf GTI the price rockets too. If you want a bargain VAG car, Seat seems to be the dealership to call at now not Skoda.

comparing like-for-like, all no options (and like-for-like, I mean saloons)

Octavia 2.0 16v TFSI vRS = £17695

Jetta 2.0 16v TFSI = £18,980

Audi A4 2.0 16v TFSI = £23,145

the closest Seat Toledo was either a 1.6 at £13,895, or a 2.0 16v TDI at £17,995