NigNB

Am liking these trucks, am guessing they're increasingly difficult to find?

Guess it depends what you want to tow, I've had caravans, folding campers, trailer tents and simple camping trailers. Completely agree with 85% maximum towing limit, and it may be better to consider a lower limit on a Rapid. IMHO a diesel + manual gearbox would always work better than petrol + DSG/auto, but everyone to their own. I have towed extensively with an Octavia 2.0 TDI CR, and it was excellent, but my current Spaceback 1.6 TDI CR is a great tow car for braked low weight units. In my case, my wife and I love our little retro Eriba Puck (600 kg). A few pictures: http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/nignb/slideshow/Spaceback%20Tow%20Car (Click & wait, depending on your internet connection)

Try these... http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/nignb/media/Spaceback%20MDI/B9113EE0-3BDD-4A4E-9C33-CA6A83F84568.jpg.html http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/nignb/media/Spaceback%20MDI/A92FEF06-2982-43E5-97DB-FD87DE33E473.jpg.html

For the non-techies amongst us: Having read the posts on Swing and MDI, I decided to keep it simple and have a little play around with my in car system. Although I realise some may not agree, I think the Swing-based system in my Spaceback Elegance works well for the car's price point. The AM/FM radio tunes well to all the major stations (Herts/Essex border) and the CD player functions 100%, along with all of the steering wheel controls, MDI audio displays etc. To be honest, I am quite pleased, but wanted to access a selection of music on a shedload of CDs built up over many years. I wiped and formatted an old USB flash drive (data stick), then ripped three favourite tracks using a variety of different music file formats. For my ears, and music taste, there was a clear winner played through the Swing unit - Windows Media Audio, more commonly known as .wma Not only did this sound really authentic to the original digital music, but all of the "Artist", "Album" and "Track" details displayed well through the MDI via "Browse" and "Info". The great thing about .wma, is a click on "Properties" and all of the details can be edited - I liked the display on the Swing unit, and liked the MDI dashboard display even better. And so to my criticism..... a normal size flash drive is much too big to sit in the USB without sticking out/snagging, so I internet searched for reviews on a small USB flash drive with suitable memory. I finally settled on a TDK TF60 16 GB: http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/nignb/media/Spaceback%20MDI/B9113EE0-3BDD-4A4E-9C33-CA6A83F84568.jpg.html http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/nignb/media/Spaceback%20MDI/A92FEF06-2982-43E5-97DB-FD87DE33E473.jpg.html Although the TDK packaging claims a capacity of 1000 tracks, I have now stored 80+ tracks and used less than 10% of available memory. So for less than a tenner, I will be able to have an 800-900 track Juke Box. If the files are stored without folders, i.e. use the flash drive as the root folder, then the "Mix" function works like an Apple shuffle facility across all of the music stored. The TDK is tiny, sits neatly in the USB port, reacts fast and has (so far) worked seamlessly with both Swing and MDI. Maybe not audiofile quality, but I am delighted with the end result.

Sold my Octavia Mk2, after 74K miles, and now very happy with a 14-reg Spaceback. Track down a low mileage minter and it's difficult to imagine a better car for the cash.

Have never bought anything from Superskoda, but assume easy to deal with? Any photos please Zombiebenny? Thanks...

Great pick up, keep the photos coming...

Excellent, thanks

Thanks for all the tips and guides guys. Just getting my Spaceback boot checklist ready, and wonder if someone has collated all the part numbers in one post please? ... or can someone post the parts page please? Boot hooks - Boot recess partition panels - Side net - Thanks

Has anyone bought a bumper protector from rearguards.co.uk? Any good?

Hi Richard, The list prices for the components are: Engine Cover - £53.71 (with emblem and 4 rubber seals) O-ring - £5.34 Don't forget to check if you need two ball post fittings... If you have difficulty with part no.'s PM me and I'll double-check.

Thanks for all the comments, and have gone ahead to sort engine cover for Spaceback (posted some before & after photos in separate post if interested). List prices incl. VAT were: Engine Cover - £53.71 (with emblem and 4 rubber seals) O-ring - £5.34 Also needed to order to small ball posts for the front mountings, which cost a few quid each. Small discounts should be available...

My Spaceback's going in for the work on accelerator and power steering next week. Sounds consistent with your other comments but will post if anything new to report...

Some good advice there, thanks. Skoda mud flaps now fitted front & rear to my Spaceback, along with engine cover (see separate post for pictures, if interested)..... not too sure what to move on to next, but keen to sort out a decent boot floor cover.

I'm another very happy Skoda owner, having just driven my first 800 miles in a 14-reg Rapid Spaceback 1.6 TDI CR Elegance bought a couple of weeks back. I picked this up, in virtually new condition, with only 3700 miles on the clock. It was originally supplied by Vindis Skoda, Cambridge, and they have just run it through the workshop - giving it a 100% clean bill of health. Having previously owned a diesel Octavia for 4 years, and driven it for 74,000 miles, I was looking for something equally reliable and flexible. So far, the Spaceback has been excellent and I am delighted with it.

Can anyone post some pictures of wind deflectors for the Spaceback please? Am considering some for front, or maybe front + rear. Any thoughts?

Hi All, I know the issue of Rapid/Spaceback engine covers (or rather lack of them) has been dealt with in an earlier post, but thought some of you might like to see some before and after photos of my upgrade. Skoda decided to stop fitting the engine covers to the 1.6TDIs during 2014 and I feel that leaves the engine bay looking messy and the engine unprotected. VW have not done this, preferring to keep the push-on/pull-off cover for both protection and sound deadening. Have published a few photos on Photobucket so you can see the end result: http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/nignb/library/Spaceback%20Engine%20Cover%20Update My Skoda dealer couldn't identify the engine cover when searching on my VIN, as it shows greyed out on the online catalogue (due to being deleted as a standard fit). However, a quick search on the actual engine type/no. quickly identified the necessary part numbers. The engine cover came with the four small rubber fitting seals already in place, and the Skoda logo - so the only extra needed is the o-ring that locates around the oil filler cap. However, if you do want to fit an engine cover you may find that only two of the four locator fittings are in place. There are two at the rear of the engine bay which are integrated (cannot be removed) but the two front locators were missing on my car. I have published photos showing the threaded brackets that take these, and you can buy them from your Skoda dealer for a few quid each. I like the end result, and there engine is a little quieter too.

Thanks for the manual, really helped me out today...

Thanks all, lots of good advice and I will do some ongoing checks and seek out a trusted 2nd opinion. If anyone has a specific recommendation for replacement shocks (spec., size, part no's?), it would be much appreciated. Anyone else with thoughts, please reply......

Hi All, Just had variable service/MOT done on my (exactly 4 year old) 2010 reg. 2.0TDI CR SE Octavia saloon. Owned since a few months old and it's on variable servicing - been a very reliable car. However, the latest MOT brought up advisories on both front shock absorbers (misting/leaking). Interestingly, the OSF shock absorber had already been replaced under warranty on 25.04.13. The car has covered 63,400 miles - more the 50% of which on motorway. Shouldn't these shocks last longer than this? Anyone got any advice please? Thanks,

A few questions to get us started...... Anyone ever replaced the front seat covers on their Octavia? Are they freely available through the dealership network? Does it require a specialist vehicle trimmer? Anyone know of a good one around Herts/Essex border? Thanks, Nige

Thanks kalpat, I found the small locating plate and the sensor did click back into place. The side clips don't really look up to the job, so I'll keep a regular eye on it and find some cable ties to secure it better. Cheers.

Just noticed a loose plug attached to a cable in the space in front of the Octavia radiator, nearside, and behind the front grill. (Have attached image). It looks like an electrical connector that should plug in somewhere but I just cannot see where. Any ideas please? The car seems to be working normally..... a puzzle. Thanks 2010 Reg. Octavia SE 2.0 TDI

Having a nightmare... can't spell Octavia properly and it is a Yr2010 (sorry). I bought a dog guard off eBay this week (Part No. 861SKA001, claimed by seller), having been reassured that it would fit. However, it doesn't - too wide, doesn't line up with fittings and slightly too tall so snags roof lining. What a nuisance!

I would really like to source an original Skoda part Dog Guard for my Yr2000 2.0 TDI SE hatchback. My dealer says that there isn't one available (only for the estate). Got any ideas please? Thanks, Nige