Looking at buying a new or nearly new Octy VRS Diesel estate (as mentioned in my intro post) but am confused as to the name and look of the standard radio fitted? The pic in the brochure shows just 2 buttons per side of the radio display, whereas the VRS I've driven has 6 (possible upgrade?) as do all other second hand ones on the skoda website. Is this the Stream I hear about?

Would someone be able to post a clear pic, face on, of what a standard cabin will look like, in particular what radio I can expect to have? Or do you all have the sat/nav, ya flash lot?!

Cheers

If a search turns up a blank, have a look on Stu's site, Octavia-vrs.com and the tech guides, there are pictures of standard stream units in the oem bluetooth guide and the MFD2 fitting guide.

cheers

Fluff'

I noticed that too - I guess the brochure pic must be one taken in another region or something.. it is confusing. The 6 button Stream player you mentioned is standard in the vRS (in the UK, at least)

...whether or not you get the version that plays MP3s or not, depends on the model year (2007 MY onwards)

Guiness, I thank you. Thought I was going mad but very glad to see its standard - feel much better. I did think that the model I drove had the £700+ upgrade for a mo! You've made my day, cheers!

Looking at MY07 or MY08 so should also be MP3 compatible. If I've read correct, that means the 6 CD in the boot isnt MP3 compatible?

Also, if the 6CD is standard and one has the Jumbo box with the ipod plug in, does use of this disable the 6CD changer while in use but if the ipod is unplugged, the 6CD works again?

Searched for all this but what I've read and seen isn't clear - as evident in their very own brochure!!

Thanks to Fluf for website link...

Guiness, I thank you. Thought I was going mad but very glad to see its standard - feel much better. I did think that the model I drove had the £700+ upgrade for a mo! You've made my day, cheers!

You're welcome. I've had a lot of help from this forum from the time I started looking at skodas, up to and beyond getting one. Happy to help!

Looking at MY07 or MY08 so should also be MP3 compatible. If I've read correct, that means the 6 CD in the boot isnt MP3 compatible?

Correct, but if you have the facility to create MP3 CDs, you'll probably find you dont use the changer much anyway.

Also, if the 6CD is standard and one has the Jumbo box with the ipod plug in, does use of this disable the 6CD changer while in use but if the ipod is unplugged, the 6CD works again?

As far as I know, they are totally separate inputs to the head unit, and so you can switch between front cd slot, cd changer, AUX-in from the head unit.

Haven't actually tested this myself yet, because I'm having some problems with my radio at the moment (another thread!), but i'm pretty sure this is how it works.

Cheers Guinness.... Apart from the radio, has your motor been trouble free? I know all manufacturers have problems, its how they are dealt with by the dealer thats important. All ok so far?

Okay, so MP3 front CD only, changer non MP3. Doubt I'd bother with the iPod jack then... Its just speccying a prebuilt Oct VRS, has everything I want except Jumbo box.... maybe not such an issue after all...

Be good if you could test your theory when you get a chance please? Similar radio problem as top post by chance?

Not sure from your pic but do you have a VRS? Is it the same colour silver otherwise?

If it's 2007MY onwards (Identifiable by red brake calipers) then it will have the Aux in jack if it has a Jumbo box.

The Aux in does not affect the use of the CD changer. It isn't an Ipod connector as such but a 3.5mm socket.

Note that picture shows the standard radio fitted into the optional MDF 'walnut effect' dash.

Cheers Guinness.... Apart from the radio, has your motor been trouble free? I know all manufacturers have problems, its how they are dealt with by the dealer thats important. All ok so far?

Okay, so MP3 front CD only, changer non MP3. Doubt I'd bother with the iPod jack then... Its just speccying a prebuilt Oct VRS, has everything I want except Jumbo box.... maybe not such an issue after all...

Be good if you could test your theory when you get a chance please? Similar radio problem as top post by chance?

Not sure from your pic but do you have a VRS? Is it the same colour silver otherwise?

So far it has, yes, but i've only had it 2 weeks! It is a fantastic car though. I find the radio reception a bit poor, but not to the point of annoyance. The "problem" i'm having is that my car should have the MP3 Stream in it, but doesn't - it looks like it's been swapped out at some point by a previous owner/dealer... because it's the older Stream model, my AUX socket and CD changer are not working correctly.

I'm talking to the dealer at the moment though, about getting this sorted. Yup, that pic is my car - a silver vRS

So far it has, yes, but i've only had it 2 weeks! It is a fantastic car though. I find the radio reception a bit poor, but not to the point of annoyance. The "problem" i'm having is that my car should have the MP3 Stream in it, but doesn't - it looks like it's been swapped out at some point by a previous owner/dealer... because it's the older Stream model, my AUX socket and CD changer are not working correctly.

I'm talking to the dealer at the moment though, about getting this sorted. Yup, that pic is my car - a silver vRS

Stop messing around with a stream/stream mp3. As you say the Radio reception on the stream is poor; IMHO it is horrible particularly on MW.

Be bold; ditch the Stream and fit an aftermarket, say Alpine, unit - I did; transferring one over from my Fabia and I love the sound even better than when it was in the Fabia. The Octavia's speakers are pretty good on the whole.

PS> Good choice of car; well done.

Guinness - ah yes, I've spotted the VRS badge! Would you mind posting a full side on pic when you get a chance? I wanna get an idea of the colour with the wheels - see if it helps me decide against Race Blue.... Good luck with the radio swap and glad to hear all is well - I was concerned reading so many reports of faults....

bahnstormer vrs - Tempted by Red too - any chance of a side on pic from you too? Red with red calipers kinda appeals.... Notice you have the torque monster too, nice!

Cheers guys....

Stop messing around....

I'm not expecting the change to mp3 stream to help with the radio reception, to be honest - i just have a stack of mp3 CDs from my old car that I want to play!

I hear what you're saying though - on the whole, it's maybe not the best head unit in the world, but for a standard fit the sound is good enough for my untrained ears (and still an improvement on my previous cars). I stretched my budget getting the car so i'm struggling to afford a set of mats for it at the moment, let alone swapping head units

Ciderspace - check out http://www.briskoda.net/forums/new-octavia/some-more-pics-octavia-vrs-56k-warning/41747/?highlight=pics for loads of pics. I much prefer the silver over the blue - but it's totally down to personal taste i guess

Ta for that link.... silver is very nice though must search for the estate..... Never had silver car before - but silver looks cleaner for longer

Yes, you're right, it does look clean for a long time but the tar spots show up worse so you can't win (also harder to wax cos you can't see where you've already done!)

Let us know when you get yours - i'll be very interested to see how it compares your bmw330

Ah yes, tar spots... perhaps blue would be best then... it does look rather splendid (Actually, black would get round the tar spots...but then......) We can't win!

I certainly will! Testdrive felt very similar I must admit - controls mostly to hand, similar driving position, I like it fairly low (not lean back boy racer style, mind!)... I have woken up to the fact that no matter how much one spends, things go wrong.. I need more space than my Coupe allows and comparable Beemer is +£10k... its just not worth it. Really cannot wait to get behind the wheel of my new car....

So far it has, yes, but i've only had it 2 weeks! It is a fantastic car though. I find the radio reception a bit poor, but not to the point of annoyance. The "problem" i'm having is that my car should have the MP3 Stream in it, but doesn't - it looks like it's been swapped out at some point by a previous owner/dealer... because it's the older Stream model, my AUX socket and CD changer are not working correctly.

I'm talking to the dealer at the moment though, about getting this sorted. Yup, that pic is my car - a silver vRS

maybe the reason your reception is so bad is that who ever swapped your radio also never put the Aerial back in properly, I had an issue like that on the Mk1.

Btw Be very careful disconnecting it as I've been told it can break easily.

bahnstormer vrs - Tempted by Red too - any chance of a side on pic from you too? Red with red calipers kinda appeals.... Notice you have the torque monster too, nice!

Cheers guys....

How's this for you?

and this, although I have now got a colour coded radiator grill;-

Oh, different wheels on a vRS - I quite like them. 18" cost option? Great pics, ta

Oh, different wheels on a vRS - I quite like them. 18" cost option? Great pics, ta

Yup; dealer fit accessory, details are (from Skoda.co.uk);-

"8x18" B14 Alloy WheelPart Number: CCB609001Suitable For: New OctaviaInformation: 8x18" 215/40 R18 tyres or 225/40 R18 tyresProduct Details: Alloy wheel designed for the Škoda New Octavia. Only suitable for tyre sizes:8x18" 215/40 R18 or 225/40 R18 tyres. These wheels will look even better when fitted with the lowered suspension kits ZGB1Z3071676 or ZGB1Z3071676RRP: £170.00 "

Interestingly the RRP was £180 when I bought mine earlier this year and I thought then they were good for the price.

I remember you saying that they'd stopped supplying those wheels but I saw a communication recently that said there was some new stock in now so perhaps it was cheaper.

I remember you saying that they'd stopped supplying those wheels but I saw a communication recently that said there was some new stock in now so perhaps it was cheaper.

A bit disappointed actually; I wanted to keep a somewhat exclusive look.

Mind you they are good wheels and perhaps Skoda UK saw the sense in offering them (my dealer puts them on all his demonstrators).

.... just getting back to the colour thing, I have to say that silver cars I have owned do stay cleaner longer, as does red. Silver hides a lot of minor scratches too as the laquer on the metallics does go a white-ish colour when marked or chipped. Race Blue doesn't hide chips very well. :(

Race blue (which I have) is obviously the best colour.:P

...... oh and I dig the wheels Bahnstormer. They took a while to grow on me having seen them in posts some time ago but I do like the look of them, especially on the red car. Would look good on silver too.

So are a set of FSD's and some Eibachs on order yet to drop it onto the wheels ?

...... oh and I dig the wheels Bahnstormer.

Thanks.

So are a set of FSD's and some Eibachs on order yet to drop it onto the wheels ?

Nope. I had FSDs fitted the day after I got the car, to soften the ride whilst keeping the handling sharp BUT

I kept the OEM springs as I quite like the 'rally' look and I didn't want to get it too stiff.

I am though thinking of getting stiffer anti-roll bars to neutralise the understeer.