Girardi

Not seen a thread here on this yet but feel free to lock if I'm wrong. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40723581 An interested, if misguided, thing to do...

Loved the previous one and would seriously consider one as they are supposed to be an absolute hoot. However good the new one is, afraid I just can't get over the looks. Outside the front end has been softened, the rear end has been made so very meh where the previous model was beautiful from all angles. Meanwhile the wheels are now utterly gopping! Inside we have an OK interior which yet again follows the modern trend of having an iPad-stuck-to-the-dash-with-duct-tape because they couldn't be bothered to style it in properly. It looked gash when a few cars started doing it, now it is everywhere it honestly makes me sad for humanity that we accept this at all never mind that someone might actually like it/think it looks good. Sorry - pet peeve. I'd never buy a car with one.

Yep, if it's the original system it's a one piece cat back. Mine had to be cut in various places to take it off!

Looks right to me

Will depend a lot on your required setup - 3inch vs 2.5 inch etc - and decat = more noise regardless, but there are many options on exhausts. Milltek judging from various videos is not much louder than standard at anything other than screaming revs, but there is also a choice of resonated or non resonated (with the non res being louder). Also there's Jetex which sounds similar. There have been issues with build quality on Milltek recently though... Plenty of people on here have had Blueflame (hard to find now though) which again isn't much louder than standard but a bit more beefy on tickover. Personally I've gone for a Piper - beefy on tickover and a bit more of a 'tuned' sound, really sounds awesome on full chat. Sound videos can be found here from Rob and Bowders: Though note it's not as loud without the decat!

Not clear from your post but make sure the 'wasserpumpe' is of the metal, rather than plastic type for piece of mind

Have you bought it yet? Pics once new bumper installed?? We miss you and your car Ray

If the discs/pads have been on three years I'd change them. I've had this on my Octy and two previous cars as well and new discs and pads sorts it everytime. When it happened on current car it was from the first day I drove it - discs and pads were less than 3k old based on paperwork but pad/disc transfer from previous owner holding it on the brakes at traffic lights. All fine after they were swapped.

Shame we won't get that over here. I like it. A lot There is some sense in not bothering though, we had the focus Mk1 'saloon' which were rare as hens teeth, and we got the Jetta as well which never exactly sold in big numbers.

Near identical fasteners all over the place on the wife's Mazda. They work by the screw expanding the bit of plastic it retains until it forms a seal. Unscrew them as much as you can, they won't unscrew fully. Once they are as unscrewed as you can get them, lever a small flat blade screwdriver under the retaining plastic (NOT the screw head) and the whole thing should just pop out. I'd recommend you get some fresh ones to replace them with as I can guarantee you'll break some of the ones you remove, and those that don't break will be very brittle.

Yep, black wrap. There was an official Skoda set of black wraps that were pre cut but they haven't been available for years and we're expensive even when they were around. eBay for black vinyl wrap and go mad

To echo the above, the only decent proven replacement is the Forge 007/008 but this is basically just about bling and the ability to change the spring on something very highly tuned. Unless you are running really big power the standard black one is fine and you don't need to service it every few months either which is a bonus. For the cost of them you can replace them every few years and still have change from your Forge replacement...

Head unit is easy as pie. You'll need some radio keys for it but other than that just make sure you get the right wiring harness and it's easy, space behind is a bit of an issue though unless you cut out the bar in behind (you'll know it when you see it). Welcome to #teamsilver - looks loverly

Cheers matey Figured they were a bit different. Yeah I was going to go miltek originally but everywhere I looked I read 'it's really good but will fall apart in 12 months' lol so was a bit of a no brainer in the end. I like the tone of the Piper as well, not stupid loud but a great little burble at tickover and you definitely know it's there when you press on!

Also been doing a bit of a clear out since we're moving house. Found my Milotec rear valance set in a corner that I've been meaning to put on for about 2 years(!) - few hours later it went on, and sets off the new exhaust well imho. Before: After: