THE KICK INSIDE

latest update, new engine 6000 miles old or so --------check engine light, 'emissions workshop!' message - here we go again.....

Well here i am again.... Yes thats a known problem with the tip box, well at least it is on Audi a4's a colleague of mines got one and had that happen at about 45k miles, exactly the same symptoms and problem, replaced by audi under 'goodwill'. Still got the superb, though as I cant trust it my wife driving it as a run about, moved to Merc and bought myself a Brabus - worlds better service...(and cheaper hourly rates/parts than skoda too!) The skoda has now packed up the passenger door lock, the dealer didn't do the power steering fluid lines up properly when they changed the engine so had to have that sorted, and the new engine has just started throwing warning lights (its less than <5000 miles old!). Now just less than 40k miles total, and just asking for ts 20k service (as they didn't reset the service indicator AGAIN when they put the new engine in) - shocking dealers, shocking car... we will run it till it dies again then then it becomes a skip - still its got a nice heated rear screen to keep yours hands warm while you push it! Funny though all three skoda dealers that were involved keep trying to sell me a new one - i really AM tempted to go to one of their sales nights just to have some fun!

I agree the bar mounting is good (shame the boot interior isnt easier to remove...but like you say 2nd time would be easier) why oh why dont manufacturers do like volvo do and just stick a big plug in the back....the bar took me maybe 2-3 hours the wiring...well lets say its done now but OMG what a pain! the chelsea tractor took me less time to fit and wire than the superb did to fit the towbar AND i did that one solo!

Thanks for all the suggestions, i thought i WAS buying a right hand drive kit - specifically for a skoda superb!...but apparently such a beast doesn't exist! even the supplier thought they were selling me one! The kit fits the back of the car perfectly (including the legal fog lamp requirements and killing the reversing sensors when the vans hung on the back). The reason for wiring to the front of the car is that 20 amps wouldn't be enough to feed a modern caravan (the fridge can pull more than that - and my big leisure battery after using the mover can also sup like a good 'un!) Plus the fact that i want to use the trailer fuse in the fuse box for the lights so i can change the fuse easily - separate feeds for the fridge and constant pins of course as per the regs..... If anyone ever wants to do the job pm me and i can shed some light - including how a good 90% of the interior comes out (repeatedly in some cases!). its about the 5th towbar i have chucked on and its been the biggest SOB to fit AND wire - always made my own looms before - sort of wish I had this time!

Well we decided to keep the superb, it seemed sensible....not so sure now! We decided to get rid of one of the other vehicles that we use to tow so a bar/wiring was needed for the superb.... I have always made my own looms but decided to buy one this time.... Bought the westfalia towbar (removable) and the dedicated wiring kit (13 pin) and fridge extension kit from towequipe. bar went on ok (apart from having to take half the car apart!).. Wiring loom doesnt have provision for (the extension kit to plug into it (kit is for the loom....go figure) ) so we had to mod the end of the loom....then fit it, get it to the front of the car and its for a left hand drive car...so the fuse box is on the other side and it doesn't *beeeeeeeeeep* fit! So now i will have to make supplemental loom and get it across the dash....i wouldn't mind but this total POS was £90 and supposed to be plug and play - no WAY am i stripping it out......to much time already gone into the fitting! Looks like another family holiday is going to be canceled/delayed AGAIN due to the superb....

i have to say i am now of the opinion that the variable servicing regime lead to the untimely death (34k miles!) of my v6 engine....i have no evidence for this but am pretty convinced! (note at 34 k it had had one service at 7.5 k when i bought it and another at 17k, then onto variable.....) just my gut feeling....

Amazingly im still about.....and we have decided to keep the v6....one point its NOT an obscure engine as its used in a the passat and a4/a6 too.... one thing i am damn sure about though....the new engine is going on 5000 mile oil changes....

I didn't suggest it because i would have had to pay for it and i am not intending on keeping the car - its already the worst depreciating/most expensive running cost car I have ever owned -and i have owned (even my 4*4 import costs less to run in total and that INCLUDES sub 20 mpg fuel consumption!) and no perspective purchaser is going to give me the cost of the new clutch back.... Even if you take the clutch prices out the £80 looks pretty decent... I certainly could do the work myself but I don't have the time...my time is (financially) worth more to me than paying (i get paid more than i pay if you see what I mean).... For me reliability and speed of repair/service are paramount -sadly Skoda uk dont vet their dealers so they cant give me that service...so I must vote with my wallet and my feet..... Skoda UK actually rang me up to ask if i was a 'happy driver' .... points for ringing, but I think they wont be ringing again....ever....

It was a skoda dealer.......and you expect common sense.....

I don't so much expect it to go, but i have been told its likely too....i agree the only clutch i have ever had replaced went at 240,000 miles...but i was told by someone 'in the know' that it was likely prior to 100,000k.....aand who am i to argue i wouldn't expect a cam shaft to be made in multiple pieces either!

omg rust on a 5 year old car....frankly that's below unacceptable...i though they were supposed to be fully galvanised 9so the advertising blurb says!)! I have had 15 yo volvo's with no rust on them - and i do mean NO rust period....my brothers 240 with 230,000 miles on a F plate is just starting to show odd bits..... I become more convinced im making the right decision and that cost have been cut in the wrong areas on these cars! Mind you i still say change cam belts on schedule (age or mileage) on any vehicle - because the damage if one lets go is just too nasty to be worth the risk...

wouldn't try it on pd engine! the injectors wont like it without fitting tank and fuel pump heaters - on an old school diesel you can run up to about 30% winter more summer with no issues but you need to do more frequent fuel filter changes, also you should process it strictly speaking to remove the glycerine and balance the pH. it will also give less mpg than derv but the engine tends to run better and on distributor pump blocks it helps pump lift (lubrication) - tends to run smoother and smell of cod and chips driving down the road.... to be honesti wouldnt put it anywhere NEAR a VAG deisel its a very differnt beast form say a merc block or a mitsi 4m40 - both of which will run on anything you like pretty much! (think tractor engiens!)

You do what the service center says for a number of reasons... 1. these things get changed over time (famously the vectra the cam belt mileage changed from 80k to 40k because of a number of failure at about 50-60k) 2. if you DONT and then you have a cam failure as i have you can kiss goodbye to ANY hope of goodwill from skoda....i only got good will because i had a full main dealer hsitory on the button every time and they tried to argue it!!!! (well its missing the latest service - no it isnt its on variable and it hasn't come up yet!) 3. if your cam belt DOES go you write the engine off - so its cheap insurance! DO NOT MESS ABOUT WITH CAMBELTS ITS SIMPLY NOT GOOD PLACE TO SAVE A FEW £... I dont know on the petrol but on the diesel v6 its a BIG job so prepare fora £500 bill! (the whole front of the car has to come off on a diesel!)

£80 includes servicing, mot, all repairs (parts and labour), leaks, aircon regas, clutch, brakes, recovery ..pretty much the only exclusions are tyres, rims and day to day oil/screen washer top ups! if you work out that a superb over the next two years would cost me:- Service *2 @ £250 = £500 Cambelt £500 Brakes £150 AA cover * 2 @ £150 = £300 Clutch £400 Warrenty 2 @ £360 = £720 £80 a month looks like a bargain FYI merc dealer rates are almost exactly the same as skoda dealer rates PLUS my merc dealer gives you 15% off if your car is over 3 years old to reward loyalty (now there's a concept strange to skoda dealers!) Driving the superb home i was struck again by how good it IS buti simply cant do with the dealers, no courtesy cars, having to fight for what's right, technical ineptitude and the general 'now we have sold it to you we don't care' attitude....god alone knows how bad parts will be to get once its out of production!

Well almost the end of a long saga... I picked the car up today from the dealers with the new engine fitted...2 year unlimited mileage warranty on the engine and its cost me about £1150 all in.... Now personally I don't think i should have had to pay anything and if i hadn't been a really obnoxious PITA i am SURE I would have paid out well in excess of £7k. Having driven the car home tonight the clutch problem its had from day 1 (and complained about to the dealer to be told 'its fine they are like that sir') has gone, the car is quieter than its ever been and much more refined...i wonder if that's how come i bought it (approved used from a skoda dealer) 14 months old 7500 miles....only owned by skoda uk....maybe its was a problem child engine from day 1! Anyway once its valeted it will be up for sale 34k fssh, new engine...now having experienced Merc dealerships its just really reminded me of what service I need and want.... So guys there you go...i really really like the car..but i just cant live with the engineering coupled with the dealers.