Freakcrab

I ran Whispbars on an Octavia (now branded Yakima) and they're pretty much fit and forget. Quiet enough to leave on all the time and look fine if they match the rail colour. They are limited to two bike racks unless the bikes are very small. Fitting of some racks can be tricky due to the small gap between the roof and the bar. I used Yakima forkchops and they only just squeezed in under the bars. I've moved them over to my Mazda and they seem a little stretched.

I've used a few Amazon sourced cables (seem to break a lot of them trying to fit the phone onto the top of that wee cubby in front of the gear stick). Current one is an Aukey. Make sure AA is installed on the phone and then select Smartlink in the car.

I've got a Pixel 3 XL and I can confirm that it works great with Android Auto.

It's very rare for someone to start a forum thread "HELP! Car working fine, AGAIN!". As many have said it's a self selecting sample. I'm on my third Octavia since 2002 so I guess I'm really happy with my luck thus far. Current one will be three years old in November and it's the only car I've not had to use the warranty on.

I'd also guess unlucky. Or maybe I've been lucky. I've had my 2016 vRS TSI since new and it's never had a warranty claim on it. A lot may depend on how the car is treated. Once my car gets to the end of PCP I'm buying it. It's a used car that I'll know has been well looked after.

Lovely car! You were very lucky to get it back. I'm still annoyed they removed that fantastic colour from the Octavia colour options.

Just a quick follow up. Cleared for driving short distances today. The car, after 4 weeks idle, started first time with no hesitation in 1.5 degree weather! The brakes, however, are less happy and still grinding a bit after ten miles.

Thanks for suggestions. Tried unlocking the car today and it seems fine. Door mirrors unfolded and everything. A portable booster may be just the ticket.

I've recently had a medical issue which means I can't drive my car. Just realised it's been sitting idle for over 3 weeks. Is there anything I should do to keep the charge of the battery up? Would running the engine help? Does the battery on a stop/start car resist discharge more or less? There are a couple of other people on the insurance, would asking them to take it for a drive help? Just resign myself to getting Skoda assistance to help when I'm cleared to drive again? Bear in mind that the car is parked on the street in the west end of Glasgow so a charger isn't an option. Thanks.

I moved from a Mk2 vRS to a Mk3 vRS and it's a big improvement. I understand not all models have independent suspension in the Mk3, unlike the Mk2, is it that bad? I'll agree with the door panels comment though. How did they make them worse than the Mk2?

Yep, Android Auto doesn't talk to the Maxidot at all.

Velvet red seems to be an interesting, but pricey, new option.

I'd have expected this to have been spotted when the dealer did their handover explaining the features of the car. What's up with some of these dealers?

I got park assist as I live in a flat in the west end of Glasgow. Plenty of parallel parking! I'm finding it's great. It does align with the car in front so small cars (the Minis and Fiat 500s that litter our hipster haven) will cause the car to park closer to the kerb but I've never had it hit a wheel. I'd guess a combination of small car that's close to the kerb would be required to cause an alloy strike. The only issue I've had with it is making it park on streets where there's a railing up the middle, the car won't go into it, I assume for fear of scrapping the offside of the nose. However, driving a car or so past the space gives it room to hug the side of the car it's parking behind and give it room to swing it. Clever!

+1 for folding mirrors. Very useful in tight car parks or, if like me, you need to park on the street. Variable boot floor makes the loading area nice and level.