Expatman

I have an L&K Octy estate on order for delivery in November. Last week I asked the Dealer to add ESP to the order but they tell me that it is impossible to add ESP after the order is confirmed because Skoda won't allow them to. It is 4 months from delivery - do you think this is reasonable?
Any ideas on what I can do to get the Dealer/Skoda to change their mind, they have a 1,000 pounds deposit from me!

patnmand

My dealer was much the same when I wanted to change the spec on mine I'm afraid. Seems to be that, once you've signed the order form, it's cast in stone.

What made you change your mind about ESP?

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Patrick

Octy II Elegance 2.0PD TDI DSG
Flamenco Red
Maxi-dot
Multifunction Steering wheel
Light Assistant
Towbar

Octy-KUT

Sounds ridiculous to me; if I remember correctly, options could easily be added to a factory order until approximately four weeks prior to the build week.

Expatman

A couple of things made me change my mind:

1. Article in Autocar on lifesaving capabilities of ESP systems

2. Talking to a friend who has just bought a new Golf, apparently ESP is standard on the Golf and as the Octy is basically built on the Golf chassis I reckoned that VW must know something to decide to include ESP as standard!

It strikes me as very customer unfriendly to not allow spec changes before the car is built - it isn't as if I wanted to change models, ESP is an "add-on" and would not require any fundamental changes to the order.
Interestingly I have a quote from Autofinders for the exact car with ESP and even if I forfeited all the 1,000 pound deposit on the ordered car I would still save about 500 pounds by cancelling the order and reordering from Autofinders. Delivery promised date also within my timescale!
What would you guys do? Anyone any experience with Autofinders.co.uk?

Royski

You'll find that any cars supplied by the likes of autofinders and broadspeed will be factory ordered to your specification but they will be pre-registered so you will be in effect the second owner.
As for the ESP I would push your dealer to contact skoda uk to see if it can be added to your order. My dealer was willing to fax them last week to add the audience cd player to my order and my car is being built in August, however I decided not to proceed when I realised that you now have to buy the speaker system as well.
I think that ESP and curtain airbags for that matter are must have items. I have ordered them on my Octy. I have a young family and I would not forgive myself if I were involved in a serious accident that could have been avoided for the sake of a few quid spent on their safety.

Lummox

I would imagine four weeks before build the car is allready planned out and part allocated to the vehicle and the shell will have been effectively pre picked.

ESP wouldnt be like adding something simple like parking sensors, its built into the car and consists of alot of parts.

As for VW fitting ESP and Skoda listing it as an option, if Skoda fitted everthing as standard that VW did no one would buy a VW.

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Octy-KUT

Lummox, the OP says the car is 4 months from delivery; I mentioned my dealer informed me 4 weeks prior to build week was the cut-off point

Expatman

Just to finalise this - met with the dealer in UK who had been contacted by Skoda and asked to "help".
Basically dealer agreed to order the car with the options I want, including ESP, price was approx 20 pounds more but otherwise a successful outcome. Dealer said they would have to take delivery of the original spec car but they obviously had no concerns about being able to easily sell it.
So, it looks like everything has worked out okay. Full spec I have ordered is
: Octy Estate L&K spec with 2.0 TDi and DSG. Cusrtain air bags, ESP and tyre pressure monitor in Sahara Beige with black leather interior.
Should be ready for my return to UK in November.
My only real quandary was colour! Sahara or the new Highland Green, decided to stick with Sahara because I have not seen the Highland green on a car and sometimes colours look good in the brochure but don't work on the metal. Anyone seen the Highland Green metallic?

Octy-KUT

Glad to hear you got a positive result

Royski

Exactly the same spec and options that I have ordered, but in diamond silver. Was originally going for the 1.9 but now having the 2.0 delivered hopefully beginning of September.

Expatman

Great - let us know your impressions of the L&K when you get it!

golfturbo

Mine's hopefully middle to late September! Can't wait, I just can't be bothered to look after my A4 anyomre although I know I have to cos I gotta sell it!!!

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ednmra

Mine is Sahara and it seems [ALMOST] immune to muck. Everyone likes the colour, including me, but I think it should be renamed "light dirt".

Royski

Will do!