davejay

Sorry for the delay in replying, but.... I've now done 1,500 miles in the Octavia - the classic mix of town, country and motorway. Plusses: The driver's area is plenty big enough for a six-foot me and there's been no complaints from my wife or 89 year old mother about accessing or legroom in the front passenger seat. The boot may lack the Narnian dimensions of a Superb but it was plenty big enough for our holiday baggage. The ride is firmer and a lot easier over speed humps. The 2 litre diesel is about 15-20% more economical than the equivalent Superb. It's £100 a month cheaper to lease. Long distance driving is just as easy, or as similar as makes no matter. Parking and city driving are a lot less stressful both for my co-pilot (she doesn't drive) and I. I feel like I'm in control of the car rather than the other way round. Minuses: A couple of things aren't as big as I'm used to - central console, rear view mirror, that sort of thing. One or two bits of finish (especially the door handles) make you realise that the Superb now really is executive standard. There's a lot more clinking than solid thudding. The infotainment centre is of the "It wasn't broke so why mend it?" variety that's taking me forever to understand. In particular I can't get rid of that bloody woman's voice forever asking what me what I want to do. It doesn't look anywhere near as impressive as a Superb. Overall: It's a nice car, it's a lot cheaper and it's probably at the same level now as my first 12-plate Superb. They're both, in their way, great cars to own & drive. You pays your money, you takes your choice.

The medical has been completed, the personal terms agreed and I can now complete my free transfer to the Octavia forum after taking delivery today. Thank you for all the help and advice you've given me over the years. I've had four Superbs; three were as near perfect as makes no difference and the fourth was still the fourth-best car I've ever driven. They're just too big now for me to drive round town (and especially park) comfortably and the Octavia is also a lot cheaper. I hope it lives up to its predecessors.

Very good.

And breeeeeathe. i've managed to finally get the stuck-in bit out. What I thought were two metal retainers or similar was part of the plastic from the old clip - a trick of the light made it look metallic and it was in exactly the right (or wrong) place. Thank you once again for all the advice and trouble you've gone to; I really appreciate it. You can also see if you didn't know already how totally illiterate I am when it comes to anything mechanical. Now, if you have any suggestions for an appropriate punishment should I ever come across the scrote who stole the original...

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Again, thanks for all the help - that's the part I have. My worry is that what looks like two screws in the bit that's left of the clip aren't on the replacement.

Update - I've tried pliers but while it can move a bit, it still can't be removed.

No, I can't see anything like that on the new one. All I have is the cover - does it need the extra lugs, or does the replacement not need them? Thanks for the prompt reply.

Sorry to return to this, but the replacement cover arrived today and trying to fit it is problematic as there's something in the top left bracket causing an obstruction. If you can't see it properly, it's a piece of plastic with what looks like two screws but it's not being held in place. I can't see what's keeping it in there; it can move from side to side but not be taken out. I don't know whether it should be there and there should be others in the other brackets or it was part of the housing that was stolen and has to be taken out somehow, but either way I don't want to force it as I'm worried that the sensor itself will get damaged. I've tried removing the washers above but they don't seem to be doing anything other than covering two holes. I'd be very grateful if anyone has any ideas.

They quoted me half as much again for a replacement as Kopacek are selling them for.

Thanks for the information received. Are Kopacek reliable?

They definitely didn't take the sensor. The wires that are exposed was just the last fraction of an inch running into it. The screwdriver marking by the side of the radiator grille would indicate that they were either disturbed or else couldn't get that off and decide to take what they could easily steal.

It's still there and luckily seems fine.

Thanks. I've just had a bit of a traumatic afternoon whereby I was told that I might be worst-case scenario looking at a new radar sensor, plus radiator grille, for a total cost upwards of four figures. Luckily there seems to be no other damage so it's 'only' going to be the cost of the cover. Apparently there's been a spate of similar incidents as the sensors are £600 plus to replace and thieves not being the brightest don't realise that they're unusable in any other than the original car.

Yesterday afternoon i had the not-so-pleasant surprise of finding that the centre of my 2018 Superb radiator grille has gone missing - just the couple of inches square in the middle, which seems to be clipped/glued in and exposes a couple of wires. I've looked all over Google trying to find a replacement to no avail. Does anyone have any leads that wouldn't mean buying the entire grille and if so, how easy is it to put back in place? Suitable punishment suggestions for whoever took it would come in handy as well.