airshod

Have you cleaned/put a new pollen filter in?

Do bear in mind that this was a journey of 780 miles (in one sitting) not short UK hops. As we travel to and from Czech 3-4 times per year (usual travel distance 975 miles each way), we have a pretty good handle on how the car performs, whether in winter tyres in the snow/sleet, or in the baking heat of summer. So 2.5 MPG down was a noticeable drop, and actually left us 30 miles short of our Luxembourg fuel stop (£1 per litre!). So I do think it is a significant drop. I will, however, keep an eye on how it performs over the next couple of months, and worry about it after that time.

Update on the Czech Skoda experience (referring to me on page 32); the car was repaired FOC, and we also paid nothing for the pickup and the weeks "car hire". Today, we drove home from Pilzner (near the Czech/German border) some 780 miles, and the MPG was noticeably down (having previously achieved 44.5, and today not exceeding 42). However, we were fully laden and using winter tyres, so only time will tell. Bloody good Skoda service, however, and we are eternally thankful!

We contacted Skoda in Cz. and it was pretty much "Help first, ask questions later". When they established what the fault was, they pretty much said that Skoda would get the tab. Proof will be in the pudding when we collect the car on the way back through Europe next week...! But so far, the original Czech Skoda service has proved to be very good indeed (no matter what it may cost).

My 07 TDI VRS failed 2 nights ago, having driven from Channel Tunnel (Calais) to just over the Czech boarder, 600odd miles. It was dark, lightly snowing, and the car was full, with 2 adults, 2 kids, and a boot FULL of Xmas presents and clothes for a week away. The coil warning light came on, and the car seemed to go into safety mode, but the power continued to fail. So we pulled over onto the hard shoulder, tried restarting the engine but it wouldn't start - as though the battery was on the blink. Luckily, my Czech speaking wife contacted Skoda roadside assistance, and they came as quick as they could, with a courtesy car. But the 1.2 hour wait, standing with 2 young kids, in the snow, in the dark, next to a very busy road, was more than a little daunting. The car had only been serviced in September, and we had no idea that this issue even existed, so we were ill prepared for it. But the car is now at Jan Šmucler Czech Skoda dealership in Horšovský Týn, and the parts are coming direct from the factory. I suppose the car chose the right country in which to break down!

OK, thanks for the response. If you decide to take the trip, let me know!

Single ticket from York and a full tank of petrol on offer...?

It's got to go! £7995....

£8350, any bidders?

Quite happy to be proven wrong...! We could come to a compromise, but it doesn't have DSG, I'm afraid!

why do i get the impression that even if i gave the car away, no one would be intersted!

£8750 now!! I'm sure now isn't a good time to sell, but needs must!

Thanks for all the views. Is anyone remotely interested? I am always open to offers, and if you need more details, please ask! Cheers, Tom

********************SOLD****************** 2006 (06) Race Blue Estate VRS Petrol 38,221 miles ONE OWNER Tax Feb 2011 MOT May 2011 Jumbo Box 18" Alloys Climate Control Located in WORTHING, West Sussex. Full listing on autotrader: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201046373050076 Been a brilliant car, and am sad to see her go. If you are interested and would like more info, please let me know! Cheers, Tom

thanks for your help guys, and Stu - your walkthrough made it a breeze! It all appears to be working properly, and I am making do with the old fascia until I get a new one. I got the MFD2 from a Czech guy living in the UK, and it is original Skoda splash screen/colours, etc. It is also the "A" revision. I don't know the difference between that and future versions but it seems to do the trick!