Dr Moriarty...I'm not sure how your reply helped...but anyway I did ask in a Vodafone shop and got the answer that there were problems with the 6230i and that Vodafone would not be selling it (despite the fact that they do sell it in the UK).
They have been saying that for months now. O bought a 6230 in the spring and the 6230i would be available in a couple of weeks. Glad I did not wait.....