Getting to know the Eos
* The ups and downs with Deputy Editor, Alex
* Just a few niggles
I was surprised by just how much kit didnt come as standard, though, especially when the model I wanted started at almost 24,000. Extras I felt were essential included a wind deflector (230) and two-zone climate control (395).
I also wanted the sat-nav with iPod connection (1400), and found it impossible to resist the upgrade to black Vienna leather (1255), which would be easy to wipe dry if the heavens opened while the top was down, and also came with heated front seats.
The Luxury Pack included electrically folding door mirrors, while the Winter Pack included heated windscreen washer jets. Individually, the packs would have cost 265 and 395 respectively, but they seemed slightly less extravagant as a Multipack, with a 200 saving.
Having added 2170 worth of kit, I kicked myself for not noticing that steering wheel-mounted stereo controls werent standard, and cost 200. My other error was to forego a six-CD changer, which would have come in handy when my iPod broke and I needed to use the sat-navs DVD slot for my audio discs.
It was a tricky choice find my destination in silence, or get lost and have some music to cheer me up. Plus, without setting up specific playlists for the car, it would only play songs randomly from the iPod.
On the plus side, all the Eoss controls are simply laid out, so it didnt take long for salesman Chris Clark at VW Battersea (020 7924 5544) to show me how everything worked. Unfortunately, a leaking brake caliper meant I was back at the dealership within 48 hours. This was fixed within three days and, as if to make up for it, the Eos proved trouble-free thereafter.
