I currently drive a SEAT Leon FR+ Tdi 150 and have to say that i love it.

It's never let me down, looks great and drives fantastic. So why am i looking at Skoda?

Truth is, i don't know! I just like the look of them, and i can see them being a good car for years of future high milage driving.

Eventually (new year maybe) i will want something newer, and it's in my budget and stands out from all other cars in it's class, so it's currently top of my list.

So a couple of questions from me for a general guide.......

MPG: What can i expect from them straight out of the box? I know they loosen off and get better over time, but when my current car was brand new i was getting high 40's on most tanks, and i now get low 50's with 25,000 miles on the clock. How do they compare?

Standard kit: My FR+ came with Cupra body kit and wheels as a promotion. Climate control is standard but the rest is basic. Are the Vrs better kitted out?

Tyres: What can i expect to find on the rims from new? The Leon had P6000's and TBH i thought they were poor. Toyo's all round for me.

Deals: Are there any decent deals out there (online or at dealers) apart from the import scene. Not wanting a NON UK spec as they aren't worth the hassle.

Sorry for the long-drawn out post, but all your advice is welcome.

Regards

Dave

Suggest you test drive them both. The Leon is deffo better spec'd but pricier. See this thread:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/new-octavia/octy-vrs-tdi-v-leon-fr-tdi/62982/?highlight=seat+leon

The Leon is also more hardcore in the ride department (assuming you're comparing the vRS with the FR - the Cupra has a much-modifed and better sorted suspension). Having driven both, the Octy is much more civilised and has a huge boot - the FR had an extremely hard, bouncy and unforgiving ride. You'll find members of SEATCupra.net have found this, one or two have changed to Koni FSD dampers to cure it...

Thanks for your feedback, but i currently have a FR (MK1) and don't find the newer version cosmeticaly pleasing enough to make me look at spending the money.

Its 2 choices for me at the moment.

Keep what i've got (A very reliable car with looks and power) or

The VRS Octavia 170 for something newer and sticking with good quality and VAG engine. Shame the DPF restricts tuning, or it would sway me further.

I am sure you will not be dissappointed if you decide to change to the Vrs TDi. I am enjoying mine still.

I was getting low 40s on mine straight out of the box on average (sometimes in high 30s if having more fun). It now does (with 8k on the clock) around mid 40s to and from work (10mile run with mixture of B, A roads and motorway with plenty of lights/roundabouts). On a long run it does 50s and in fact the best I have done is 55 from Stafford to Swansea through mid Wales.

The kit in the VRS is probably a little basic but then the low price allows for a few choice upgrades. A recent offer was giving 18" wheels and jumbo box (including dual zone climate and rear electric windows) for free. Reading on here I think you would have to factor speccing the jumbo box and possibly maxidot as must have extras.

Tyres- I have some on the car but have no idea what make they are sorry (maybe I should look at these things!!!)

Deals: There are a lot of threads on here about deals. Drive the deal seems to be one of the favorites of the forum. I went into my local dealer when looking for mine and they pretty much matched the internet deal (they were a couple of hundred short but close enough that I would have chosen them over the internet). Also with the recent upgrade promotion mentioned above I am sure a deal on the extras could also be reached.

Hope this helps.

I am sure you will not be dissappointed if you decide to change to the Vrs TDi. I am enjoying mine still.

I was getting low 40s on mine straight out of the box on average (sometimes in high 30s if having more fun). It now does (with 8k on the clock) around mid 40s to and from work (10mile run with mixture of B, A roads and motorway with plenty of lights/roundabouts). On a long run it does 50s and in fact the best I have done is 55 from Stafford to Swansea through mid Wales.

The kit in the VRS is probably a little basic but then the low price allows for a few choice upgrades. A recent offer was giving 18" wheels and jumbo box (including dual zone climate and rear electric windows) for free. Reading on here I think you would have to factor speccing the jumbo box and possibly maxidot as must have extras.

Tyres- I have some on the car but have no idea what make they are sorry (maybe I should look at these things!!!)

Deals: There are a lot of threads on here about deals. Drive the deal seems to be one of the favorites of the forum. I went into my local dealer when looking for mine and they pretty much matched the internet deal (they were a couple of hundred short but close enough that I would have chosen them over the internet). Also with the recent upgrade promotion mentioned above I am sure a deal on the extras could also be reached.

Hope this helps.

Excellent reply mate, thanks very much.

My daily commute is from Wrexham (N Wales) to Stafford and back, so a grand total of 2000 miles per month before trips out, shopping, gym etc. So it would loosen off in no time i would think.

I've tried looking through the Skoda website and brouchers i picked up can't get a defintive answer on what the Maxidot and Jumbo box are. I asume the Jumbo box is some kind of cooler? Maxidot sounds like some kind of security feature?

Drivethedeal is probably the only site i haven't checked yet, so i will browse it later on when i get 5 mins.

Extras i DO know about and would specify are the 18" upgrade wheels and the Xenons. Not concerned about auto lights/wipers etc as i'm quite confident i could work out if it's raining or getting dark

Cheers

Dave

Maxidot is a dashboard information display. Follow the octavia link in my sig and take a look at the blutooth guide for some pictures.

Jumbo box is the name given to the centre armrest.

Jumbo box is a strange name for an armrest

So is the Maxidot a better on board computer (MPG, Av speed, miles left etc) with some extras, or is it THE on board computer, and without it you get nothing?

Sorry for all the Q's, but if you don't ask you never find out

Bluetooth is another option i'd have to add....... damn car is getting dearer LOL

There's a storage area in the arm rest , hence the name. It's not Jumbo though.

The standard car comes with a trip computer showing the usual stuff , the Maxidot looks better and adds a few more options.

Thanks Dr Zoidberg. I'd have to look at what sort of deal i could find before considering the Maxidot. I'm sure the pics don't do it justice, but it doesn't appeal over the standard OBC.

Armrest is something i'd like in my current car, but also something i've managed without, so not fussed there either TBH.

Bluetooth and Xenons are a must though.

Drive the deal have given a price on the following:

VRS TDI

Race Blue

18" wheels

Cruise

zenons

(no bluetooth option)

for £17,825

Thats not too bad but i think a dealer might do slightly better

Bluetooth isn't an option in the UK.

Bluetooth and Xenons are a must though.

I'd definitely get the maxi-dot in case Stu does another Bluetooth group buy. You won't get phone book download and column stalk phone control if you don't have it fitted + it looks better.

I think i could live without it initially, but maybe retrofit it at a later date if i wanted it badly enough.

I'm surprised that BT isn't an option on UK spec!

So is the Maxidot a better on board computer (MPG, Av speed, miles left etc) with some extras, or is it THE on board computer, and without it you get nothing?

Not quite...without it, you get a basic trip computer (3/4 functions?). The maxidot display not only looks much better in the dash, but gives you lots more stuff like:

Doors open display

More extensive trip computer

Auxiliary display for radio / cd (current station, track etc..)

Auxilary display for sat nav (if you spec that, or add it later)

Bluetooth display

Blown bulb warning messages

..and most importantly:

access to lots of coding features on the car, which you would otherwise need a dealer (or someone with VAG-Com) to change, such as:

Central locking modes (open one door / open all, auto locking, auto unlocking)

Mirror adjustment (one or both together)

Indicator flashes (when you just tap the stalk)

..for £100 (or whatever it is), it well worth having.

Now it's been explained like that............

I have vagcom, so the coding side is covered, but some of the other stuff sounds good enough to shell out for.

I thought the display was the same and it was just a module that plugged in to activate extra features. If not, then i fancy getting it now.

I would say it's well worth it. It makes the dash look more complete if nothing else.

Sorry to be a pain, but does anyone have a pic of the dash without maxidot so i can compare?

I'm tempted by one, but if i could see how much better it looks, i think i'd be swayed (i'm so shallow LOL)

I would say it's well worth it. It makes the dash look more complete if nothing else.

Definitely; woth the price for making the dash look better.

Its like having a colour screen on your mobile - you wouldn't buy one without these days, would you?

Sorry to be a pain, but does anyone have a pic of the dash without maxidot so i can compare?

I'm tempted by one, but if i could see how much better it looks, i think i'd be swayed (i'm so shallow LOL)

Haven't found any pictures without maxidot yet, but the following link contains all the pictures of maxidot you could ever want!

maxidot pics

Does the Maxi-Dot definitely display radio station etc as it does in my current Audi with DIS? People are saying it does but that picture gallery of the Maxidot doesnt show a radio display anywhere. I've ordered a new vRS TDI from Mitchell Cheshire Oaks if that helps? Cheers

Correct me if I am wrong but the jumbo box option gives a lot more than just the arm rest and cooled storage box. If I remeber correctly it also gives you the dual zone climate control (only manual aircon/climate as standard) and electric back windows (manual winders as standard). Also where does the ipod connection go if you do not have the jumbo box? With it in the storage box it makes a handy place to keep ipod/cables when not using them and they are out of sight. As such I would definately recommend getting the jumbo box as I am sure resale value will be effected if this option is not present.

Does the Maxi-Dot definitely display radio station etc as it does in my current Audi with DIS? People are saying it does but that picture gallery of the Maxidot doesnt show a radio display anywhere. I've ordered a new vRS TDI from Mitchell Cheshire Oaks if that helps? Cheers

Yes, but you can't see any of the other functions (e.g. mpg etc) at the same time.

Correct me if I am wrong but the jumbo box option gives a lot more than just the arm rest and cooled storage box. If I remeber correctly it also gives you the dual zone climate control (only manual aircon/climate as standard) and electric back windows (manual winders as standard). Also where does the ipod connection go if you do not have the jumbo box? With it in the storage box it makes a handy place to keep ipod/cables when not using them and they are out of sight. As such I would definately recommend getting the jumbo box as I am sure resale value will be effected if this option is not present.

AFAIK, dual zone climate control and rear electric windows are totally separate options to the jumbo box, but all the other stuff you said is true - the jumbo box includes the MP3 socket.

i see where you're coming from though, as skoda were recently (are still?) doing an offer where you can spec the jumbo box, rear elec windows, DZCC and 18" alloys for £450 (or something like that), which is significant discount. Most new buyers have been able to haggle this kit in for free anyway

...and I agree - if you can, spec the jumbo box, if only for the arm rest on the motorway!

AFAIK, dual zone climate control and rear electric windows are totally separate options to the jumbo box, but all the other stuff you said is true - the jumbo box includes the MP3 socket.

i see where you're coming from though, as skoda were recently (are still?) doing an offer where you can spec the jumbo box, rear elec windows, DZCC and 18" alloys for £450 (or something like that), which is significant discount. Most new buyers have been able to haggle this kit in for free anyway

...and I agree - if you can, spec the jumbo box, if only for the arm rest on the motorway!

I thought the rear electric windows and jumbo box came together? Might be wrong though.

I thought the rear electric windows and jumbo box came together? Might be wrong though.

Sorry, you're quite right - I just checked skoda.co.uk. I've been talking rubbish again! I think on other models you can spec these items seperately, but on the vRS, they come as a pack:

Dual zone air conditioning, jumbo box and rear electric windows (Jumbo Box inlcudes 3.5 mm jack socket) £450

Satellite navigation system, colour (including disc)*** £1,350

Acoustic rear parking sensors £260

Acoustic front and rear parking sensors £500

Cruise control £180

Curtain airbags £280

Electric sunroof (slide & tilt) £665

18” Zenith alloy wheels £450

Xenon headlights with integrated headlight washers £550

Auto dimming rear view mirror with rain sensor and light assistant £145

Maxi-Dot £120

edit: ...and I think the offer I was thinking of was that pack + the 18" alloys, so £900 worth of kit in total