I'm just about to order a 1.8 TSI Elegance Estate and I'm undecided as to whether to spend the extra £365 on the ESP option. I'd be very interested in other members' views as to whether this is a worthwhile safety feature.

On a related note, since I'm already going for metallic paint and the luxury pack on the Elegance, I have considered spending the extra £900 or so on the L&K, which has the ESP along with many other extras included in the price. However, there are two things putting me off this:

1) I can't go for the light leather upholstery (kids!) and don't want to go for the alcantra. If I was prepared to wait for a factory order, do you think Skoda would supply the L&K with the full Onyx (black) leather (i.e. the Elegance option) instead? What's the longest I'm likely to have to wait for a factory order - I need it for mid-July at the latest, but would prefer earlier!

2) I'm not overkeen on having the 'Laurin & Klement' logo displayed all over the car. Could any owner who's recently purchased their L&K let me know the various places where this logo is displayed on their car?

Many thanks

Loz

Not sure on the leather question, but on my 11 month old L&K (so the latest L&K model) there are only two L&K badges, one on either front wing where traditionally you would have the indicator repeaters.

I'm sure if you asked the dealer they may even remove these for the cost of labour?

Finally, I am biased, but go for the L&K!

Hi, I Just took delivery of an L&K a couple of weeks ago.I am pleased with the Alcantara on the seats. Less slippy and much more comfortable compared with the fabric on my previous elegance. I ordered ESP on my Elegance and didn't have the misfortune to need it once but reassuring to have. Also , the L&K has the side airbags which were an option on the elegance. The Logo is embossed on the seats near the top and there is a badge on the front wings and on the bootlid. The only reservation I have is the Sputnik wheels are not as nice (in my opinion) as the Pegasus alloys and you cannot spec sports suspension on the L&K. Although I must say that I am getting quite fond of the softer ride and the grip on corners is still good. L&K was the best way for me to go cost wise/toy wise!!. Factory order took 8 weeks for me due to dealer managing to change spec on a stock order.

On a general equipment level and resale basis, considering what you are looking for, IMHO I'd opt for the L&K. The extra cost will be repaid to you on resale.

Colour of leather; sorry but can't help.

Good Luck.

As a safety feature, the ESP2 is fantastic, and a potential lifesaver. For the costs described by yourself though, i'd be tempted to go for the L+K and debadge. I'm almost certain they are only stuck on, not drilled.

If you spec a Elegance to L&K spec, then the Elegance would be circa £465 more expensive (although you would have the sports suspension with that).

Personally, I'd go with the L&K...

I have an L&K with light leather, and it is really nice. It does show dirt easier than black leather, but baby wipes are good, and using a good care cream means it wipes very easily. I have two young kids and don’t find it that much of a problem

The thing about ESP is that WHEN it completely takes over and prevents you having what could be a very nasty and expensive accident, you then don't even question whether it's worth it!

The thing about ESP is that WHEN it completely takes over and prevents you having what could be a very nasty and expensive accident, you then don't even question whether it's worth it!

No you don't. GET IT! It has saved my a** loads of times.

I've had an Elegance with ESP since August, and specified it on the basis of the EuroNCAP recommendation - see Euro NCAP - For safer cars | ESC Fitment

I went on a skid control course at Silverstone a couple of months ago - Audi A4 S-lines with a bedstead attached. Because I was interested, the instructor tried to get me to spin off, driving a figure of 8, with the ESP on, while he played with the friction - right up to the equivalent of ice.

The system was very effective, and the more I tried, the more it intervened. The only downside, is that it much reduces your speed, it basically locks a chosen wheel to bring the car back on line.

I felt that if I hit a patch of ice or wet leaves on a corner, it could certainly be a life or death option. You can turn it off for track days.

It also includes an electronic diff lock, which should be useful in icey weather.

That said, in the last six months, the ESP has only activated once, on a wet roundabout, to stop a bit of wheelspin, otherwise nothing.

On the other hand, I wish I got leather seats, because the fabric is a pig to clean after 18-month baby 'accidents'!

Although I felt the intrusion ruined my spirited driving preference, on a family car, it is a must have. I tested some of the claims, as I am curious like that, and did things like trying to stop from 60 - 2 wheels on the grass, two on dry tarmac. Stopped quickly and in a straight line. Also I hit a diesel patch (suspected) on a roundabout, at enourmous speed, while the system was allegedly off, and managed to retain full control.... i question my survival of that incident without it.

The thing about ESP is that WHEN it completely takes over and prevents you having what could be a very nasty and expensive accident, you then don't even question whether it's worth it!

You've probably right there. Still, being on "old school" driver who till this very day never have tried this novelty I sometimes wonder about the necessity.

As I understand. ESP is what saves you when you've taken a bend a little too fast or if you're suddenly caught by bad road conditions. It's more of correcting the driver's mistakes than ABS (which can be invaluable when someone else is making a mistake so that you have to hit your brakes hard).

I may have been lucky, but in 35+ years of driving I've never lost road grip in a really bad way where ESP might have saved me. That's why I'm a bit suspicious when reading in the newspapers that car models without ESP as standard equipment not even should be on the market (that seems to imply that all older cars should go to the scrappie immediately).

So if you are a cautious driver I would say that it's not irresponsible to leave it out.

But I may have misunderstood the whole thing? I'm much for learning and improving so feel free to correct me.

On my previous car I only had to use the ABS in anger once, but it save me from a possible accident. I'm sold now on electronic safety aids, and had ESP fitted to my Elegance. You may never need it, but if you do, the price won't matter!

When I got my L&K, Esp was an option (Elegence with luxury pack) and I chose to get it over a lot of other options. Like people say...You won't be counting the pennies the day you need it!

All your answers are here at the Bosch web page. Basically ABS, traction control, etc are all part of ESP rather than seperate "things."

I too have never lost traction in a bad way as a driver.

But then so far I've not had to execute a high speed swerve either.

If I do have to do it one day I'm sure I'll want all the help I can get!

All the bits that make up the ESP system are listed in the Octavia Manual and makes for some surprisingly interesting reading as to how much the computer can help when the excrement hits the fan. E.g. the EBD, which in addition to the ABS can adjust the power in individual brakes to ensure maximum stability and stopping power throughout the manoeuvre - which is more than just stopping a skid.

I've been caught out once by the EBA though since getting the Scout. Met a coach on a country road in a section of bends, just as it was mid corner, and due to its length was straddling "my" lane. Went to brake sharply but didn't plan to do an emergency stop - nevertheless the EBA "took over" based on the rate of pedal depression and I've never come to a complete standstill quite so quickly in a car ever!! Was all very controlled and bloody impressive! No one was behind me but it made me realise that in a heavy traffic situation, if the car behind doesn't have EBA then as much as I'll avoid the hazard in front, my tailgate is toast!! Still, thats preferable to possibly being dead.

Niall

I am a sales rep and travel 60000kms a year on all roads in all conditions,I will never own another car unless it has ESP, it has saved my life on numerous occasions.Dont listen to the so called purists who tell you it interferes with the driving experience.Some things happen occasionally that our reflexes just cant deal with! I believe it should be on all cars and just built in to the basic price.

as others have said, get ESP...... like shifty, I have tried its operation (on private roads) and its suprisingly good.....

the insurance companies, surely, should swing the decision in favour of ESP, they state that upto 70% of fatal accidents could be prevented if the car in question had ESP....

fabia vRS no ESP as standard, 130bhp 1.9 deisel group 9

Fiat GP sporting, ESP standard, 130bhp 1.9 diesel, group 6

Funnily enough I initially declared I had ESP added as an optional extra.

First they asked me what it was, then found out it was an optional extra and decided to charge me an extra £400 for the priviledge. So decided not to tell them!

Go with the L&K and get the ESP thrown in. In a few years time nearly every car will have ESP as standard (think along the same lines as ABS).

It might not be so much your driving that warrants the system kicking in but some other to$$er forcing you to take evasive action. It may well keep you out of that inviting ditch one day by preventing the car from getting into a nasty spin thanks to a dollop of over steer.

The L&K also gets a few bits that the Elegance can't have as an option so it's worthwhile to plump for the top model. In addition it gets curtain airbags, anti whiplash head restraints and xenon headlamps as standard too but you probably already knew that

The (2) badges aren't intrusive, especially on a dark car and the black leather is probably just a case of altering an order code on a factory build.

Apologies if any of this has already been said further up

I started a thread, with "ESP" in the title to attract the attention of future searchers, a few years ago to answer this very question:

Should I sepcify ESP on my new car?

(And to save you the bother of reading it, the answer is to get it)

Thanks for all the responses.

dstev2000 (or any other forum members) - any chance of uploading any photos showing the L&K badges - I know, sorry to be a pain!

I'm looking at ordering the car in anthracite grey.

Loz

The thing about ESP is that WHEN it completely takes over and prevents you having what could be a very nasty and expensive accident, you then don't even question whether it's worth it!

Been there, done it, glad I ticked that option box. Last winter, clear morning, unexpected patch of black ice :eek::eek:

ESP took over, situation saved :thumbup:

the thing with esp is it only has to help you once and it won't be the fact that the car isn't damaged that you'll like.

Have had several cars with it over 8 years and never had it actuate on me.

If you drive on or near the limit (yours, the cars or the roads) then get it - you WILL need it sooner or later.

If you drive within your, and the road's limits then it is not so necessary.

BTW if you really hit a big patch of black ice going too fast ESP won't save you, but you can watch the flashing light as you slide off the road. It does not allow you to break the laws of physics.

Saved my bacon once in the last Octy. I'd say yes as well.