Does anyone know? I've been told by a couple of people to swap the filter and then drain the oil. Why is this?

Errr, no locigal reason from what I can see. The filter sits very high in the engine bay anyway.

EDIT - didn't realise this was for an Octavia. Still can't see any reason why though!

It's not an Octy, it's a Furby with the paper element style filter. Lummox has said on more than one occasion that it should be changed first.

Should be to help prevent contamination from old oil. It's the general rule of thumb with most cars.

They are not the screw on type are they? For those i used to drain take the filter off and bin it then leave it draining for a bit more.

I'd probably take the paper one out before the drain then let all the oil away, but I certainly would change it before i put any new oil in or did the sump plug back up.

No its a cartidge filter.

As long as its changed before you put the new oil in I really can't get my head round why it might be a problem.