mobil531

To the Wanderer 2015 103 tsi wagon manual. 234000 kms zero faults still as good as new inside and out 2020 Karoq 1.5 47000 kms zero faults still as new inside and out Best cars we have had in 55 years car ownership think you have been very unlucky regards Roger

Sign in to Erwinskoda and pay for 1 hour to download service requirements for your vehicle. Dealers love to change timing belts, easy to do, takes a bit of time and very lucrative. I inspected my 1.4 tsi Octavia a few months ago when just over 100000 kms. Was as new and the requirement for this belt is first inspection at 240000 kms thereafter 30000 kms. Follow Skoda, not dealer recommended in my opinion. My car is over 5 years old now at 104000 kms and has been faultless. regards Roger

I had a Skoda one fitted when I bought my new Karoq 2 months ago. $2000 Aud which I thought was expensive. But it is a work of art, totally concealed when not in use and swings out when required. The electrics of the thing are quite complex. Regards Roger

I use 98 not for any performance or fuel consumption issues (Doubtful anyway) but just because I hope it is of a high quality. Makes me feel good anyway. Regards Roger

Measure the treads yourself. A week after fitting a new set of Michelin’s to my Octavia when in for a service I was advised I had 3 mm of tread left ! In fact it was well over 7 mm so even deducting the 1.6 mm legal requirement they were well off the mark. Regards Roger

Took off top inspection cover on timing belt to inspect, having a bit of spare time. Timing belt was as new, no signs of wear, cam pulleys sparkling clean no sign of dust. Car 5 years old, 102000 kms with zero faults or issues. I will not have the belt replaced as dealers suggest but follow Skoda advice and inspect regularly. Amazes me the different recommendations for the servicing of this belt from so called Master Technicians when it is laid down quite clearly in the Skoda manual. As an aside I also have a my20 Karoq purchased November 2019 and that is a super car, the Octavia is nicer to drive as it is manual, manual Karoq not available in Oz. Regards Roger

I have a1.4tsi my15 with 100000 kms and would be horrified if it needed any sort of major repair at this age or mileage. In 54 years of car ownership of a multitude of makes I have never had a water pump failure. I expect the Octavia to see at least 200000 kms and ten years, it is running beautifully and I do my own servicing. Poshphil why did you have your timing belt changed? Service manual is 240000 inspection thereafter 30000 kms I have just bought a new my20 Karoq to replace my Toyota Kluger and this is a joy to own regards Roger

Replace timing belt at 210000 kms for non dust rich countries. Source Erwin Skoda As for water pump wait until it fails, if ever. Roger

Should be ok if well looked after. I have 80000 kms on mine no problems and is looking good for a long time yet. Please , once and for all, Skoda, yes Skoda, state the timing belt on this CHPA engine should be inspected at 240000 kms thereafter every 30000 kms for signs of wear. Official. Good luck if you decide to buy, well made and very economical. Regards Roger

I tried everything as above and some. Rattle was driving me crackers to the point of considering selling. I have a wagon/estate car and it turned out to be tailgate catch needing adjusting. Instead of removing plastic trim to access latch to adjust I wound some insulating tape around the latch and hey presto. Fixed and silent. Will eventually have to do a proper adjustment but works fine. Incidentally 3 years 4 months old, 78000 kms this is only fault. I think it is a super car, well pleased. Regards Roger in Oz

The timing/cam belt for the CHPA 1.4 tsi engine needs to be inspected at 240000 kms and thereafter every 30000 kms. Source Erwinskoda. As has the water pump belt. To inspect the timing belt involves releasing 2 clips and one fastener, removing the cover, and rotating the engine via the crank pulley. The water pump belt is a little more involved but doable. The lack of product knowledge at the dealers is astounding. Here in Australia they want to change the belt at 105000 kms, a good earner for them I think. My 2015 103 tsi wagon now has 64000 kms and has been and still is faultless. Very pleased. Will service it myself from now on as will be out of warranty in 4 months, intend to keep for 10 years or more. Regards Roger

Why bother with Haynes? Google erwinskoda, register with them, download the complete service manual and workshop manual after paying them a nominal amount, which incidentally is the official Skoda info and there you have it. No myths just facts! Regards Roger

I am happy to confirm the cam belt is a lifetime unit with first inspection at 240000 kms and thereafter every 30000 kms. VW/Audi Australia, at least the dealer I have dealt with, will not take this on board and were quite unpleasant when I pointed this out to them. Regards Roger

Sorry to be a party pooper! I have an Octavia estate, 1.4 tsi purchased new Jan 2015 now with 44000 kms. Have to report it is as perfect as any car can be. No faults, no rattles or squeaks, pleasure to drive (I have the manual) and extremely economical between 4.4 and 4.7 litres/100 kms. Seems very well built and I hope to keep it 10 years. Not worried about resale value, I keep my cars until they wear out. Only problem is dealer servicing, very poor and incompetent. As soon as warranty is up I will do my own maintenance as I always have but I will service every 8000 kms. Regards Roger

Glosrich I will do what Skoda advise re timing belt, although I respect your opinion I put my trust in Skoda who design, test and manufacture the cars. As for Honda, yes good engines. My other car is a Toyota Kluger bought new in 2005, 181000 kms, serviced and maintained by myself as per Toyota service schedule and running like new. My Octavia is a keeper which I will maintain myself after warranty, if and when it goes uneconomically wrong I will scrap it and buy something else. I will not buy from VW group again despite my Octavia being really good. Regards Roger