Hedgecutter

I've just swapped my 62 plate Superb mk2 4x4 for a 19 plate Vrs tdi 4x4. We've had the Superb for 11 years and 140000 miles, and it's been a steady old barge, and it's time to change with the family gone. I hope the Vrs serves us just as well.......I've got an Impreza spec C if I want to waste petrol!

You should be worrying about if Skoda staff have the skill to diagnose and fix issues without reading codes, not the price. My 4x4 began to whine from the rear diff during the warranty period; I was informed nothing was wrong with it at least 5 times at different services. Finally, I visited an independent VAG specialist, as they were cheaper for the cambelt change (£700+) and they immediately diagnosed a differential issue, despite it having the correct dealer oil service. Replacement cost new £2900 +vat. They don't clean the mesh filter in the haldex unit when they change the oil, and are only trained to read ecu codes, so which ever way you look at it, your car is being worked on by fitters, not mechanics, most of whom have come from Halfords or Quick fit. Don't be fooled by the videos and car washing, because if your car has a serious issue, they won't be able to trace it, and even if they can, they will fob you off well past your warranty. Servicing by Meadens of Brockenhurst, and then Truscotts of Helston. Good car, ruined by terrible dealer network, second time out of two new VAG cars that this has happened, hope it doesn't happen to you people.

Thanks, it was reported at two different main dealer services within the 3 year period, circa 25000 miles, and at every main dealer thereafter up to about 85000. They normally blamed the drone on the tyres. I have sourced and fitted a secondhand one, as the car was needed, and it is once again quiet . The haldex oil was changed at about 40000, but when I asked about the filter, they simply said it wasnt on the service schedule. The second hand diff was £550 from an A3 on 51000 miles. I must recommend Fil and his team at AVS Services in Pool, Cornwall, for his diagnostic skills and service, and immaculate workshop. He correctly diagnosed in an hour what Skoda failed to do in 4 years. I`m not sure that I can be bothered with battling them; it`s not the first time VAG have failed to deliver for me under warranty

Hi, I need a new diff for my Superb, so would appreciate recommendations for breakers, as a new one is £ 2900 +vat!!! Part no OBR 525010B... However, I reported the noise that the diff is making to my dealer whilst still under warranty, at two different services, and at my new main dealer twice after the warranty had ended. They both claimed nothing was wrong . An independant VAG specialist has now diagnosed it, using a stethoscope. Do you think that I have any comeback with them at all ? Thanks

I have had this for 2 years, eating rear tyres on the inner shoulder; it began after an alignment! It turns out that this chassis requires a VAG tool to set the raised toe on the rear if the alignment values are way out. Very few alignment centres or VAG are even aware of this.

Thanks

As above, has anyone changed their haldex oil; Superb mkII 170 4x4 ? Is there a filter? I guess it needs to be level to do ? Thanks

my 4x4 combi has suddenly started droning, but dealer said it was saw toothing, despite mot tester saying tyre wear was even. No bumps or hits, appearing to come from the rear.

As per title, does this bulb holder pull out or twist ? It`s hard to see it. Thanks

My 62 plate 4x4 combi had 8000 miles on it at 1 year, when bought; I have just found paperwork in the rear seat pocket showing it was recovered from a motorway to a Skoda garage, leased by an engineering company.

But it doesn't , just as it doesn't on an Impreza. That is why you have to use a correction kit, to extend the track rods. This is the classic error of folks who lower their cars, which changes all the wheel geometry angles, and actually raises the roll centre. The reason that you probably haven't noticed is that 18 or 19 inch wheels mask the problem, with their crashy ride. When I lowered the Impreza, the handling was no better, until I corrected the steering geometry. Just google roll centre dynamics, as I am no physicist to explain it in technical terms. Thicker sway bars are what stops body roll.

Funny how it always starts in any car after rain? You only need to get in with a damp jacket and shoes once.

Interesting... there is a fault in the ac on the "left hand temperature flap position motor". I`m just waiting for the part. I have tried shutting and opening the vent. The noise has a variable pitch, just like the wind blowing through a gap. I wondered if the ducting behind the trim was loose.

Of course there are issues, which if you study vehicle suspension dynamics, you would understand. You will alter the roll centre of the car, and also the wheel geometry. It may look meaner and sporty, but you are taking an average handling car, and making its ride even poorer. This will be aggravated by even wider wheels. As far as I am aware, you cannot buy a roll centre correction kit for a Superb. I have lowered my Impreza , by 30mm, and the roll centre kit transformed the ride.

Thanks; I`ll go that way on the next one, after warranty. It`s good to have a stamp in the book as well.

The air vent situated in the pillar just behind the driver`s ear whistles, unless I turn the ventilation fan off; then it will stop. Has anyone else noticed this, or got a quick cure? I noticed it last year, but have not been aware of it again until today, when it was very windy. It sounds just like wind whistling when one is indoors on a really windy day. Could there be a bit of transit trim protector film stuck in there, perhaps ? Thanks.

Just had it done; They picked me up to collect, but had offered me a car for the day; £ 167.94 +vat, £201.54 inc ( so 1p overcharged on vat?) Oil and filter change, air filter, and fuel filter, checked for codes, fault found on left temperature flap position motor, so rebooked for warranty repair, car washed. Turned out ok, but motor sounds a bit knocky on tickover.... my be my paranoia !

I think red is trying too hard, and as Surburbia says, I would go with something more subtle. I guess that was why I had initial reservations, and visions of red, splattered brush strokes. Red does go with grey well, but at the end of the day, a V6 Superb is not a sports car. I have personal experience, as my stage 2 Impreza wagon has red calipers, and I am not keen on them. It`s very subjective, and depends which way you want to go; stealthy or up front ! I would never have considered the blue ones above, but they look excellent, so go with your heart.

That looks excellent

I`m not keen on chrome, either. It`s a bit blingy. +1 for pictures.

Over 1000 euros for recovery, inspection and an oil change ? Or was there more ?

Hope it`s all ok; nothing worse than big breakdowns a long way from home. I`ve been there myself.

Of course dealers charge customers a lot; we don't call them stealers for nothing in this country! But as I said, I am still in warranty, so allowing my son to change the oil filter is not a risk that I am prepared to take. Obviously you didn't pay your son £ 60 + an hour, and you only need to see the current thread about the gentleman travelling to Spain who has lost all his oil due to a badly fitted oil filter by a dealer... He should be compensated, whilst all you could do is give your son a rollicking. Having visited them today, they can do the air filter for £ 28, fuel filter for £ 49, in addition to the oil change at £ 125, but there is no comprehensive inspection etc. These prices are not much more than my independent Subaru garage. Just for the record, pollen filter would be £ 28, cam belt/water pump £614, and haldex oil £ 60. As Silver says, at least they are upfront with their prices

Fair play, if you have attention to detail. How long have the decals been on so far ? I just had visions of red ones, which to my mind don`t really go on non sports car. The blue looks good.

I think I will go in tomorrow, as these prices were given over the phone, and as I understood it the lowest price was for nothing more than an oil change, with no inspection. You would have thought that there would be a standard service for cars under warranty. The employee kept putting me on hold, and I lost confidence in them by the time that she told me that they had someone else down as the owner.