Fidget

Yes, I planned on advertising here first, hopefully someone interested. I'll also do a bit more eBay hunting to see what similar examples have gone for in the past. Keeping as a refurbed winter set would seem sensible but the wife's doesn't like a 2nd set of wheels 'hanging about the place'. Unfortunately, no garage to hide them away to render her argument invalid!

Chaps, wondering if I can get some advice from those with more experience in buying/selling wheels. I have a set of 5 alloys, bought them about 3 yrs ago, fronts aren't in the best shape and the inside edges are flaking in places. 16" alloys, tyres are 2xRainsport 2 with 3-4 mm and 2xRainsport 3 with 7 mm. No idea what they'd go for if they were mint, but if the buyer wants to refurb I assume it would cost £50-£75 per wheel to do a powdercoat refinish(?) This is the type We're talking (not my auction): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SET-OF-4-AUDI-A4-B7-A6-C6-ALLOY-WHEELS-TYRES-8E0-601-025-B-8E0601025-B-/261818262845?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cf595a53d&nma=true&si=juq7G8QYoQr%252FhCrcPFf4wH0i%252Be0%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 1. Should I sell the tyres separately or with the alloys? 2. Assuming buyer will want to do a refurb, what would you ask for them? Is £150 wide of the mark?

That reminds me, really should get my Mobius back up and running. Without the evidence or independent witness, you can just imagine div 1 and div 2 protesting "no not my fault at all, this great white car came sailing across the junction while I was completing my turn". Pah

I had a go at changing side light bulbs at the weekend. Got the driver's side out with a bit of grunting, but could not move the passenger side. Pliers kept slipping, brute force not working (as eluded to in post above) - the reflector housing just flexed the more I pulled. I must have caught one of the wires at one point because I had a slither of insulation on the pliers. After checking that the wires/connection weren't damaged, I swore and gave up. There must be a knack to this, will have to try rocking the connector in horizontal position as suggested. I read another post which recommended snapping the clips off when removed so that it's easier next time. Surely not?!

pm'd

The spare wheel is still available.

Steering wheel has left the building.

Presumably you would have seen Eddie's thread in the Octavia forum where he showed off his PLA 1.5 to PLA 2.0 upgrade (although it doesn't go into detail on differences): http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/320125-park-assist-2-and-360-degree-optical-fitted/ I can find PLA1.5 and PLA2.0 kits online, but couldn't see any PLA 1.0 kits (2 minute superficial Google search).

Thanks for the clarification, I You Tube'd the devleoper menu and see what you're talking about. Clearly I was spoilt with the previous unit having been updated with speed cameras included. Mountains of info about this on the interwebs when you start digging, some evening reading to do I think...

Is Radio Text effectively RDS, providing info about the program or song playing? I always thought it odd the Columbus didn't have that function and yet a 2010 basic Swing unit could call up program/presenter/song name for a given radio station. Is the devleoper menu required to do a map update, or are you saying that specifically to direct a speed camera database to the correct partition?

The Columbus I retrofitted in my previous Octavia was an older 1Z0 Rev A unit updated to v2764 firmware and v9 maps by the previous owner. It was able to show speed cameras. My 2012 Superb has a 3T0 Rev E Columbus unit with v3840 firmware and v7690 maps (v8?). It doesn't have speed cameras and the routing options are different. Presume the routing differences are down to map version, but is lack of speed cameras because the Octy Columbus used an unofficial map update? Is any of this firmware-related? How do I determine what level of maps my current firmware could support and how do I verify the HDD size and partition system? All I can get to at present is the version numbers by holding the setup button.

Thanks for the info chaps, a search returned a thread from Gizmo describing just that. Good to know it doesn't affect the alarm chirp or parking sensors. http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/188956-electric-tailgate-beeps/

After what felt like the longest week, I picked up the car at the weekend. It's my first 4x4/haldex equipped car, so no idea what to expect (goes unnoticed 99% of the time according to the dealer?). The drive back was plenty long enough to get acquainted and I made a point of taking one of the A roads over the Peak District as it was much more interesting to drive than the M62. Ok, it’s not hard to be impressed with a Superb Elegance coming from a base spec Octavia without any factory options, but the kit level is certainly negating any misgivings I had about switching from Octavia to Superb. The wife never saw the car in the flesh until I brought it home, so her first (mocking) comment was “you’ve bought a barge”, her second comment was “crikey!” when she saw the front and rear legroom. It's true she can't reach back to wipe our kid's noses anymore, but neither do we have to tell them to get their feet off the back of our seats! I wanted something that felt less laboured on the motorway or when overtaking on A roads; it's looking good so far, plenty of grunt but nice and refined. The summer will be the true test when we load up with the kids and a full boot to drive to Germany. Little things I like, for example the doors feel much heavier, which means a nice definitive thunk when you shut them, or given I’m 5 years old at heart, the needle staging on the dash when you start up is really cool! Must admit I feel a bit poncy opening the electric tailgate by remote, it’s handy, but a bit embarrassing with the beeping. Next: Give it decent clean - take some pictures - sort out a spare wheel/ditch the can of gunge - replace the knackered front/rear badges and centre caps.

PM'd

Sold!