CJJE

The previous post I was thinking about is here: Chris

1) My MY21 2.0TSI 4x4 Sportline came with 225/45 R19 Bridgestone Dueler tyres. I haven't had any problem with these tyres but I did add the Dynamic Suspension option to cover off any harshness. I'll be switching to All-Seasons probably within a year, and ideally will be looking to buy either the new Bridgestone Turanza AS 6 or Continental AllSeason Contact 2s. Neither of these are yet offered as 225/45 R19s, but another forum member has fitted 245/40 R19s successfully and to my mind these are a better option than buying the previous generation Bridgestones, Continentals or Goodyears. The Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV is also available as 225/45 R19, but majors on snow performance rather than cold wet performance - and so is not my preferred option in the West Midlands. The tyres sizes varied a bit over the years, but for MY21, the 225/45 R19s were fitted to 4x4 cars fitted with the 2.0TSI and 2.0TDI engines. The 225/40 R19s that attract so much abuse were fitted to FWD cars with the 1.0TSI, 1.5TSI, 1.6TDI and 2.0TDI engines. 2) I added the Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Lane Assist options to my factory order, but both have their moments. On my MY21 car I can at least switch the lane assist off and it stays off - having tried it for many months I've now decided I don't like it interfering with the steering unless I'm driving in a strong side wind. And the Traffic Sign indicator in my digital instrument panel is a useful reminder of the last speed limit I passed - but it can be confused by missing/hidden signs, signs that relate to roads leaving at a junction... and weirdly once in a while it will display the metric equivalent of the speed limit (80 instead of 50 say). 3) I don't have a towbar on my car. 4) The MIB3 Amundsen fitted from MY21 on updates its maps whenever necessary and without any indication (as long as you pay the annual Skoda Connect charge!) Mine is now showing the map was updated last month. Over 3.5 years and 17,000 miles I've averaged 35 mpg brim to brim. But cruising at 70 on long motorway journeys can deliver 40 or so mpg. I don't notice the Haldex kicking in to power the rear wheels, but interestingly my tyre wear is far more even than I'm used to from FWD cars. I've just rotated the wheels front to back for the first time, and measured the remaining tread as 4.0mm at the front and 4.5mm at the rear. Chris

Agreed, it's a good move. On one of my previous Golfs, if the wipers were left set to intermittent and it was frosty or snowy overnight the motor would strain to move the stuck wiper blades. Chris

The sunroof is standard on the Sportline, so not shown as an option. And I agree that when I had Park Assist on previous cars I only used it to show it off. But the Area View on my present Karoq is invaluable. The main problem is that Skoda have lumped options together into packages rather than let you choose individual items. So you have to buy unwanted items like heated rear seats to get the bits you do want. Chris

Skoda UK have pulled the Karoq, Kodiaq and Octavia brochures from their website - hopefully just to update them - but according to the configurator: - there are no diesel cars being offered now, - Race Blue metallic paint returns as an option for the Sportline, - a new Parking Package Plus option is offered for the Sportline providing Park Assist and the return of the Area View camera. So the new Karoq finally matches the options I had fitted to my 3 year old Karoq, as well as offering Matrix lights etc. Shame it now attracts the DVLA 'Luxury Car' tax rates though 😞 Chris

With the atrocious depreciation rates for EVs, and insurance worries over the tendency to write them off rather than repair them, I don't see them as viable for private buyers yet. Business and fleet users get tax incentives to switch, but even they are getting cold feet I understand. But at least cars developed to meet the 2026 Safety Standards will have physical controls rather than touch screens. Chris

Fair point, but my car is just over 3 years old and has only done 17,500 miles. As I bought it with a 5 year factory warranty, the All-In-One option is needlessly expensive for me. However as I understand the spark plugs are changed at the 4 year service and cost £120, the Service Plan Plus looks attractive this time. I was paying £15.20 per month for the basic Service Plan when I bought it in April 2022, so the discounted price increase is pretty reasonable - especially compared with full price product Skoda were encouraging me to buy a couple of weeks ago. Chris

Well spotted! I bought one two years ago at the discounted price, and have just been badgered to renew it (but at the full price). Now I can buy it at the discounted price again One of the weird things about it is that they send you a paper invoice each month just before activating the DD payment. It seems completely pointless and just increases their admin costs!! Chris

Comparative tyre tests agree that the new Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6s are better suited to English (ie southern UK) weather than the esteemed Michelin CrossClimate 2s which have sacrificed wet weather performance for snow performance. The new Continental AllSeason Contact 2s fall somewhat between these 2, but also aren't offered as 225/45 R19s yet. I'll probably be choosing these too by this autumn when my present Duelers should be down to 3mm. To be honest I've found them pretty good, with my only embarrassing moment coming last month when I was parked on sodden grass and found that an attempt to drive up a 5% slope left me with all 4 wheels spinning happily! Chris

Mine came with the netting system, which captures items along the side and back of the boot, as well as some right-angled velcro things that grip the boot floor and stop items sliding around. The accessory brochure also shows this, but I don't know how expensive it is.

I went for the Superskoda one too. It looks great matching the paint colour.

You can download the policy details from the Skoda website. Because it includes European cover I found it cheaper to go elsewhere (for a UK only policy) after 3 years rather than renew the Skoda cover. Chris

If you log onto the Skoda Connect website you can generate a 'Digital Certificate' for your car. This will detail its mileage records, service records, and warranty details. It also claims to list the standard and optional equipment fitted, but mine is not completely accurate. Chris

I guess the metallic lining can deteriorate, but it shows the wisdom of testing it now and then. However, remember you can turn off the KESSY system when you lock the car ( such as overnight or in dodgy areas) by locking it with the key fob and then touching the dimple within a second. The indicators will flash twice, and you have to open the car with the key fob next time. It's all belt and braces anyway as the key fob will stop sending a signal if it is left stationary for a few minutes (for recent cars). Chris

Thanks for the update. I'll have to look after mine!! Chris