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All, TL;DR Black friday discounts code at bottom. A little over 18years ago an idea formed and so it began. Now 18years is quite a good run... For anyone in the dark, briskoda, turned 18years this year Over the years we seen thousands of members post, read, learn, share. Over all models in the range, united by a common theme, if not always in agreement. Each month now we see millions of visitors, reading the rich trove of knowledge we have here. The community has grown, shunk, grown, and will always eb and flow, much like a river as it finds it's way through the countryside. The rise of social media was, and remains a concern. Many of us believe the forum approach offers more than the immediate here today, gone tomorrow of social media. But we do need you're help to keep it thriving. Post, share, spread the word, every action helps. Talking of action, climate action. Earlier this year I set about covering our ongoing carbon impact. The internet is a huge contributor to the problem, more so than driving this year We've been cabron neutral/negative for the services we host upon and consume for a few months now. I wanted to do more, carbon negative overall? This milestone seemed like a good point to do it. Looking back, it's almost impossible to say how much we've used to provide the community; we don't have a totally accurate record of trips to data centre x or y, so it's the best of british fag packet maths... I've taken what we use today, <1/2 tonne per month, still quite a bit eh? Then multiplied it back over time, then added a bit on; quite a bit on, because all those odd days here there, older it equipment was more power hungry and so on adds up... In numbers we might comprehend, it's around 250'000 miles. To that end I've offset an addititional 180tonnes of CO2 to cover our earlier years, that's 10tonnes per year, and includes some slack for driving to x and y, my laptop being on doing updates to the site at 3 or 4am the odd night... Going forward we'll be covering our continued use, so continuing to be negative, along with the tree planting programme. You can find out more about all this here: I'd like to thank the current team of admins, mods for doing what they do. I'd liek to thank former members of the volunteer force over the last 18years for doing there bit to bring us to where we are today. Thank you to all t hose who through freedom part with your own hard earned cash to support what we do here. Of course all that we do, would be for nothing without you, the community member. I thank you too, for your time, the dedication by many to sharing info and the helping others. Thank you all for being a part of, and in making this community. It's yours, you made it, each post, thread added a leaf to briskoda's tree of life. To think we've seen marriages, babies, life altering advice and support, and so much more, all from connections, people, through these few pages. Quite humbling, thank you. So it's 18years, time for a party? Heck yes. One small pandemic problem in the way. I'm begining to come up with a few ideas for next year, shows, trackday etc where we can get together in one way or another. We've all got many bridges and challenges to cross before then, so stay safe and keep in touch. In lieu of a party, I decided to make some space in the storage. So a 50% off stickers voucher code, and other stuff to clear from the shop. I guess you could say it's a black friday event... https://www.briskoda.net/forums/store/category/3-merchandise/ Discount on stickers other merchandise of 50% - code: 18years Old models t-shirts discoverd in a box - £5 ea to clear. Freedom, great value as ever from £6 per year.

I forgot to do Octobers tree update in october, so I've just done it now. https://ecologi.com/briskoda?tree=5fc13a725b6349001c70f4cc Another 2tonnes of Co2 offset, we use <1/2 a tonne, and trees, again I've rounded up to 100 trees. Thanks to all joining, renewing freedom and purchasing stickers. Thanks also to those adding to our little forest inbetween. Get in touch if you want your trees in your profile

Turn it off is my answer. I have. I dont rely on these systems to keep me in lane as I have eyes to do that.

My car is now 5 years old, and while it has low mileage it was time to get the belt done. Unlike diesels they don't change the waterpump at the same time, as that resides on the other side of the engine, and is actually quite a complex and expensive unit so is only replaced if leaking. The upside is that it is a bit cheaper than a diesel, €500 from Skoda. The kits includes the belt and 2 pulleys and bolts, and was itemised as €300 on the bill. I asked for the used parts afterward and found that the belt looked like new, and both pulley bearings were butter smooth and play free. I'd say there was a LOT more life in them, but I'm holding onto the car for a while so was happy to get it done for peace of mind. The car also had an oil, pollen and air filter service, and they also removed the wishbone bushings and packed them with lithium grease to hopefully cure the dreaded suspension creak. They seemed well up to speed on the creak and did not charge for this. Free wipers also under special offer, €200 for the above was very fair. Happy customer.

As per the we're 18 topic, I've added 180 tonnes of co2 offset to the pot. This I believe makes the community provision, servers, backups, driving etc carbon negative over the 18years we've been running it... I beleive that and as per previous posts will continue to operate on an offset more than we use to keep the trend going. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjrXXjQ6UDM

The answer is as far as I am aware you cant. We have been driving cars for years without these aids and they are not needed. I find aids like these actually switch peoples reactions off as they are too reliant on them to help driving.

Heard from Skoda today, they have released a series of updates today and our car requires 8 of them, car booked in for week beginning 14 December, can't wait, will update when I get the car back.

I'll raise a glass to that. Thanks Colin, and team of volunteers, for helping to make this place rather special.

Happy Birthday, Briskoda and thank you Colin and the team, present, old and sadly departed.

Mine is a bit rattly after doing timing chain but it's coming from the gearbox which I think is the input Shaft bearing but don't think it's bad enough to worry about at this stage. Car has only done 37k. The car is not in daily use as yet and I am tempted to do the head gasket just because have a suspicion coolant may be leaking into combustion chambers and looks like the tools needed to test are as much as the parts to change it. From what i can gather my car does not have the temac gasket so will likely go at some point if it hasnt already. Its a 2003 and from what i can gather has spent a lot of its life stood. Looks like a fairly straight forward procedure, easier than the chain I have just done.

That's shocking. Admittedly you've been a bit silly 🤣😂 But they openly guaranteed there will be no signs of tampering. It's highly likely that the car has been tested to the stricter value. If you scratch this number off the label in the door sill then they have to test it to the higher older value. But they'll still be inspecting the DPF with a fine tooth comb if it's already failed. Obviously the new DPF will need mapping back in and an initial forced Regen to reset all the pressure values etc. A once over/health check of the engine, hoses and EGR etc wouldn't go a miss to ensure the engine is running well and not going to clog up the new DPF within 100 miles.

No official new Amundsen2 units anywhere in UK or whole of Europe and unlikely in the future. (source: Skoda UK) I have been waiting for mine to be replaced under a warranty claim or a Kenwood? alternative to be offered. (perhaps it's an inside job as Skoda UK must be fed up with my and my dealership's constant chasing)

The trunk road BP stations I've drove past all seem to have those 150w chargers. I've no problem paying the contactless prices if I can get a charge easily. To be honest, all I'm after is reliable quick hassle free rapid charging at convenient locations. Price doesn't matter because it's such a small proportion of my overall EV miles.

You might have noticed that the washer jets aren't in their usual place on the bonnet skin - they are under the edge on the bonnet support pressings. A gentle wiggle (care in the cold with plastic fastenings) and the jet assy pops out. No glue or clips. There is also a pre-formed grommet cable access formed and blanked off in the washer tube grommet. Looks like just cutting the blanking end off and a cable can be fed through to the washer jet areas. You can see all this within 30 secs of opening the bonnet! No idea where the feed is located - but I'm sure you can suss that out. Looks like the option to heat the jets is already part provisioned.

I don't think you'll get very far as Skoda clearly quote that the up to 55km is in the WLTP cycle and not in the real world.

I've transferred all my music files from my SD cards to a tiny USB-C memory stick, and it all works fine. It has a USB-A connector on one end to connect to my PC, and a USB-C on the other end to plug in the car. And it's small enough to fit under the sliding panel too. See here for an example: https://www.mymemory.co.uk/integral-32gb-micro-fusion-otg-usb-3-0-flash-drive-120mb-s.html Chris

Sorted.... the angle / access is a bitch.... But the key was working out what needed twisting.... There are some stand-up metal "hooks" - but these are fixed in place, and this is what the bulb holder twists into.... So, the trick was to grab and twist the black bulb holder... Twisting anti-clockwise... but remembering you are looking back on yourself.... so kind of upside down... Just to confirm, the mole grips comment above was tongue in cheek.... what I used was an old rag (t-shirt), and warm hands having just had a warming coffee... and knowing what to twist and in which direction is the key.... Gloves if available.... would have likely worked just as well... Having removed it, the bulb really didn't want to come out of the holder, so a flat bladed screwdriver to prise it out gently helped.... Replacing is the opposite of removal, but so much quicker.... Thanks for the support / encouragement... Malcolm

Did they make Conti Sport Contact 5's in 2013 when you bought the car, or was it 3's back then? In which case you probably have a newer / better version than originally supplied. We send about 100 tyres a month back. Thanks, AG Falco

Ah I see right very helpful, there all the way down there are they, umm. It sounds like the sound im having it coming from the top of the engine.. unless this noise travels from vibration, I'll get a screw driver on a few parts tomorrow and try taking the belt off again.. see if it's definitely the engine. See if I can pinpoint where about it's coming from , I guess I could sort of put the screw driver at the front of the engine .. similar to where there located .

Vacuum yes that's a good idea !

Hi ELSUSSETTER Thanks, I also heard from Skoda today, our car requires 9 updates which they think should cure the problems. Booked in for Tuesday next 1 Dec 20 so will update you all when I get it back.

Update I now not only follow them on Youtube, but recently joined their Facebook page. Tonight they posted this update vid. https://www.facebook.com/badobsessionmotorsport/videos/1263842360656099/

We knew you could do it. 👍

Gearbox out today to finally get the clutch changed, Sachs SRE Organic out SRE Sintered Clutch in. Not as grappy as i thought pretty smooth and light compared to before. Standard clutch lasted 84k, this SRE Organic lasted 20k....

I don't own the mk4, but having had a MK1, 2 and 3 plus use of Audi/VW group cars, I can confidently say that the current system has put me off any car in the entire group that uses it. Somebody mentioned Audi have a dial again, do you have a link to that info, as that might make them an option if I can find a non-rubbish dealer.

This is what it says on wheel-size.com Skoda Fabia 2012 1.4TSI VRS – Generation: Mk2 5J [2007 .. 2014] [EUDM] – Power: 177 hp | 132 kW | 179 PS – Engine: CAVE, I4, Petrol – Center Bore: 57.1 mm – Wheel Fasteners: Lug bolts – Thread Size: M14 x 1.5 – Trim Production: [2010 .. 2014] Tire Rim PCD 205/45R16 83V 6.5Jx16 ET43 5x100 2.2 205/40ZR17 84W 7Jx17 ET48 5x100 2.2 215/40ZR17 87W 7Jx17 ET43 5x100 2.2 215/35ZR18 84W 7Jx18 ET43 5x100 2.3 So you may be able to fit 215/35R18 tyres on suitable rims, ie. 7J rim NOT 8.5J rims. You will also need a suitable offset such as ET43. However, you are pushing the limits of what is possible to fit without rubbing so you may get rubbing. 205/45R16 would be a lot more sensible especially on 6.5Jx16 ET42 5/100 57.1 rims. This would enable you to have a cheap steel spare rim to match four alloy rims. Alcar 9680 Steel Rim 6.5Jx16 ET42 5/100 57.1 https://www.autodoc.co.uk/alcar/14750923 Bear in mind that 215/35R18 will give very little protection from pothole damage...so much so that it's a case of when your 18" alloy rims break and buckle...NOT if. Here's a Uniroyal Rainsport 5 tyre in size 215/35R18 that's not as expensive as some if you still want to go down the 18" route. https://www.autodoc.co.uk/tyres/uniroyal-4024068002970-03610360000

Mine is booked in for next week. I’ve had it less that 2 months. It’s a 65 plate. It has several distinct rattles or buzzes on acceleration. If they can’t or won’t fix it i’ll get rid of it. I can’t listen to that.

I'd completely agree with the above comment for the transmission tunnel. I was about to recommended ambassador mats in Standish (they were great in the vrs), but a quick Google tells me that, alas, they are no more. If you're getting the transmission mat you may as well get it and the others from superskoda at the same time.

Never tested aftermarket products. I have OEM textile mats for summer and OEM rubber mats for winter. Very happy of both sets. But the tunnel cover rubber mat is a must have if you have kids...

Sad to hear. Unfortunately, so long as people buy Lithuanian infotainment units off eBay, this is never going to stop. The demand is too strong. The only way to significantly reduce this type of crime would this be for vehicle manufacturers to sell units at cost through their parts departments.

Batteries have a finitie life span. Some can go for years like my dads mondeo. His is 16 years old and on the original battery. Others can go in as little as a year.

Good luck.

I've finally ordered a black painted grill to replace my peeling plastidip one. £56 delivered is still too much but better with the 20% off

Look near the rear seat belt reel on the left side.

I checked 2016, which is as recent as 7zap goes, and part number is the same, so I'd be confident.

225/40 R18 has no less than 8 types of tyre from Continental (and some of them are old designs), which is useful if you have piecemeal replacement as above, but means you can easily be buying old technology. Sort of like finding IPhone 7 on sale alongside IPhone 12 For the record the 8 currently listed are : All season contact (a new design ideal for all year use in UK) Conti Sport contact 5 (summer tyre, been around for few years) Eco contact 6 (new summer tyre) Premium contact 6 (more comfort based summer tyre) Conti Winter Contact TS810 sport (winter tyre, about decade old) Conti winter contact TS 830P (winter tyre, also out for years) winter contact TS850P (winter tyre, highly rated) winter contact TS 860S (newer winter tyre) Of the list, only one is suited to all round use in UK, also since the introduction of the all season, the new summer tyres have become more summer like (more likely to be hard and not grippy in cold). I suspect those in Scotland might be able to use the winter TS850P all year (not a formal recommendation)

Pre Wired Heated Washer Nozzle Spray 2 Pin Connector Plug VW/Skoda - 8E0973202 | eBay Information source - Item 24 here: hose line for washer water - Yeti(YET) [EUROPA 2014 year] (7zap.com)

Hi @scubasad, What sort of annual mileage do you anticipate in your possible post covid, post brexit, retirement world? Are looking at buying new or second-hand? I'm assuming second hand since you posted in the mk3 section and a new model Mk4 is out Have you driven a VRS to know whether you like it or not? Same for DSG transmission? There are other possible factors that you don't need to share here but will influence your decision like personal health, grandkids, dogs, elderly dependants, partner's preferences etc. Not to mention possible UK diesel exclusion zones?? The DSG box in the VRS is very efficient, when compared to traditional torque converter automatics, comparable economy to a manual but the manual will usually have the slight edge in the right hands. DSG boxes are brilliant 'on-the-go' swapping pre-selected gears almost seamlessly and instantly. Some people have some issues in stop/start traffic and pulling away quickly at roundabouts. I think this latter may be an issue with stop/start features, a bit of turbo lag and driving mode selected. If the preselected gear is different to what is suddenly needed then there may be a hesitation. Some also report 'delays' engaging reverse gear and reversing up slopes. Can't say I have witnessed issues with any DSG I have driven although I don't own one. Something for you to investigate on any test drive though. The clutch packs in the more robust 'wet' DSG (above 250Nm) sit in an oil bath, are very robust and suffer little wear even when stressed by towing or fanging, but that oil must be changed at recommended times and is not cheap. I believe CVT's have similar maintenance requirements though. The water pumps on VAG group diesels are a known weakness and may need replacement at anything from 20k to 60k+ miles. It is not a catastrophic failure there usually being plenty of warning as the temp gauge starts to fluctuate, plenty of threads on it. Personally if I were only going to do low annual mileage and lots of short trips then I'd strongly consider petrol.

Getting the front bumper off is very sh*te to start with. After that, I dremeled the plastic glass cover on the edges in stead of prying open the glass so I avoid the chance to break the glass. After the cover is off, it's really simple to be honest, scuff the chrome inner piece and spraypaint it to black.

Resistance, Ohms, Lowest number range. If you post a photo of the meter I can put marks on the picture.

I reckon I will just stick to esso then as it's closer to me. Thanks for the advice everyone.

The Billon dollar question - that seems to be a trade secret so you will not get a true answer to that one! Edit:- always remember that what you load into your car is made out of 2 "parts", the basic spirit is common for all brands who get supplied by a single refinery, that is essential to keep the supply chain sensible, where the brands add their "identity" is at the tanker filling stands at the refineries, as that is where the additive package is added to the spirit, each has their own "brew".

Either, it doesn't matter, as mentioned you want high octane and they're both the same.

Numberplate light. Just unscrew the bulb holders and look at the wires. Most problems like this are obvious to the eye. If the screws are too rusty, remove the bulb, then test resistance to chassis metal from each contact of the bulb holder. One should have very low resistance, the other one no connection.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/440429-windscreen-factory-suction-cup-marks

Here is my review and real world consumption test if you want to drive deficiently.

I think you may have found a Tyre Depot with these tyres that they have an excess of. As far as I am aware, depots tend not to send tyres back to the centre, if they can avoid it, so their preferred route will be to sell directly, if they can. It may be that the next depot is short of these, but they won't tend to equalise the supply, unless they really have to, and maybe not even then.

Yes, will do. I am expecting a bit more throttle response. And smoother cold start driving. Maybe fuel economy back up a little would be good too!. It has seemed to get worse lately. Main reason for undertaking this work is that when cold, under very light throttle, I can detect a slight miss until the engine warms up a bit. Didn't throw any codes and it only started in the last month or so. Seems quite consistent with the carbon clogging of the valves and ports symptoms. Finger crossed after all the trouble and the injector clean and tests it will be gone...the fault symptom that is....

Hello welcome to the Skoda car forum club