Westbury63

My MK1 Octi was supposed to have a new belt every 48 months. It got one every 60 months or so, wasn't going to worry about being 25% over scheduled replacement time. Close enough IMHO.

All cambelts come with tensioners as far as I know. Mind, I'm not a mechanic. Two of our Octis had their belts replaced, and both got the tensioners and w/pumps done at the same time. Have a look on here to see if it helps https://www.gatesautocat.com/ Dayco, Continental etc all have parts catalogues you can check with using reg no/VIN.

That's excellent. I hope it's going very well for them.

At 88k miles, your car is only just run in! Loads of life left in the car yet. The cambelt is fairly standard. Any competent garage should be able to replace it. Maybe there is a VAG speciaist in your area? Doesn't have to go to Skoda. NB: I would make sure the water pump and tensioners are replaced at the same time as the belt.

Honestly don't know. I was surprised you could get a sump guard for an Octi. The firm have loads of the listed for various motors, so get in touch to find out! If you do fit one, let us know.

Just had a google about and found this company. If Skoda/Vag are really making sumps out of fragile plastic, then these will be invaluable to save your car from sump incidents. https://www.sump-guard.co.uk/steel-sump-guard-for-the-protection-of-the-engine-and-the-gearbox-for-skoda-octavia-3-2013-2015

On what basis? it's accidental damage that is covered under the policy. They might ask for a contribution if a new engine is required and betterment occurs, but other than that it'll just be paying the excess.

Wow that is some Triumph collection! You must have a massive garage! I had a burgundy Dolomite 1850HL with overdrive years ago. I ran it for a year and put about 25k miles on it. Brilliant car and 100% reliable. Honestly, one of the best cars I've ever owned, and I've had more than a few. I also had a Triumph Trident 900 for a couple of years, but that's a different thing altogether. My Brother had TR7's for years. Cool and very wedgey. Always fancied a GT6. Such a fine looking car.

I have always stuck fast to 10k max or yearly on the oil changes. Whichever comes sooner. 5w30 will be absolutely fine, as long as it meets the relevant VAG spec which langers2k kindly posted. VAG 508 00 or 504 00. I have used Mobil 1 in lots of cars, including our VRS 2.0 TFSi. https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/p/mobil-1-5w-30-esp-5ltr-521771861 Re CP4L, I've just ordered some car shampoo, oil filter and trim restorer, and decided to treat myself to one of these funky items! https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/p/streetwize-monkey-mitt-553983100

Pays your money takes your choice as the saying goes. I have never paid for NCB protection, working on the basis that I never claim! When the deer brought about a total loss claim and reduction of NCB, I had to remind myself that I had been saving money every year to pay for the increased in premium because of discount reduction. Either way, it's not great for your bank balance and I still feel a bit hard done by! Enjoy the Kumquat and I hope your car gets fixed pronto.

Great to see the photos of the car in service. Looking forward to following the thread! Agreed 101%.

Can't help you on the sizes. You could always ring a factor or dealer to confirm. When it comes to replacement, I stick to one brand for both discs and pads. Just makes common sense to me. It would be very low for me, I would expect at least double that as I drive sedately. However, in an urban area and heavier braking, doesn't sound too far out.

Insurance costs increasing after making a claim, is sadly just a fact of life. A deer in Kings Forest took out my Pug 308 on 1/1/2020. What a way to start the year! That deer is still affecting the premiums on both our cars now, nothing I can do about it. At least Mrs W and me were ok. It's only tin and rubber.

I think people are too eager to jump ship and buy a new motor. Better the devil you know and all that, rather than buying an unknown used vehicle. That is the key. If you can do it yourself, older cars make a lot of sense. If you are paying labour rates, then it car quickly spirals up to a 'beyond economical repair' situation. It's a shame VAG dont support the older cars more so. It's only in recent years that Skoda UK have paid more attention to the history of the brand. I guess they didn't want to remember the rear engined cars.

Welcome to the forum eric60! Nice Rover collection you have. The 75 was a great looking motor. Which Triumph have you got?

You can come and do my car any time you fancy! Fantastic job!

Within the last few months on both my cars, I have replaced discs and pads. Both sets were sourced from CarParts4Less, who were brilliant and speedy. I bought a set of Eicher for one car and Pagid for the other. Having seen the difference first hand, I would spend the little extra and buy Pagid based on my experience. Better made for sure.

Phew! One is heavy enough. The valeters bucket was £5 from Euros and the grit guard a couple of quid from Ebay. Honestly, one of my best purchases ever.

My Citigo was nearly new, and I remember the pain of finding stone chips. No amount of waxing will stop the little <expletive>! It's so nice to have a 'mint' motor, but they are a worry. Feel your pain. I must admit, I feel so much happier in older cars. I never have to worry about where I park them, or the gravel blast that is an oncoming gritter lorry. The newest car on our family fleet is 2013. Much more relaxed about it.

With your VW background, hopefully you will get the old car running easily. Fingers crossed for no problems!. The Octi looks to be in fairly rust free solid condition. Is the underside solid? Are you planning on a full respray? I like the way it looks. Be tempted to sort the wheels out, roughly colour match paint the primer and use as is. Patina and everything and it looks great for a 60yo car. From the photos, the interior looks good too. Keep up the good work Andyroo!

Your Octi is looking fine in the sunshine! Good job. You go to a lot more effort than me, but the results are great. I wouldn't say I detail, but I do always wash by hand and like my motors to look clean. In my part of suburbia, I am the only one that washes their cars by hand. Washed my Honda on Thursday. Process (& products); 1/2 bucket of shampoo for cills and wheels. Clean cills and bottom edge of bumpers first - seperate noodle mit. Alloy clean - Car Plan wheel cleaner, let soak for 2 mins. Then scrub with wheel brush and finish off with my wheel and cill mit. - Rinse off with rain water. Pre soak car - rain water as its free! 2 bucket method wash with Turtle Wax Car Shampoo - It's not great, but I bought loads when Wilko had it on sale at £1.50 a litre, so I'm going to use it all !!! I have a proper valeters bucket with grit guard, because you've got to right?! Rinse car off - I use 3 big watering cans to avoid wasting water. Dry - microfibe cloth Polish glass - Triple QX - cheap and works well enough. Tyre dressing - Triple QX - cheap and works well enough when tyres treated twice Interior, Just needed the floor mats removed and brushed off this week.

Yeah, I like to think I'll know when to hang up the keys when the time comes, but probably be very reluctant to do so. Age is no barrier to driving, but when the motor skills start fading and reaction times increase, the sensible thing to do is retire. You get to be 'Joe Le Taxi' now!

Hopefuly your accurate Google review and this thread will prompt the dealer to do the decent thing and get the issues resolved asap. I would expect them to follow up with a suitable goodwill gesture. IMHO they have exploited the situation Covid brings about. They knew full well what condition the car was in, and have taken advantage of the online sale. Sharp practice that makes me angry. We all know that if you were to part ex that car, or if it were being returned at the end of a PCP agreement, the car would be inspected to British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) standards. That inspection would have found those defects.

Fair enough! There are lots of times when you just need to get a job done. Been there before years ago. For the record, I couldn't believe I could get 3 blades for £7.33, including delivery. They're not posh branded blades, but will probably outlast the car, and in fairness are actualy decent quality for £2.44 ea. Our local Halfords always seems to have lots of people using the 'WeFit' service. Cheaper and easier to access than main dealer.

Welcome to Briskoda. 91! That's a good age to still be driving. Hard decision to make sometimes.