ahenners

There are now 2 very different 7 speed boxes fitted so it's no longer as simple as 6 speed Vs 7 speed. Which engine are you looking at? The DQ250 6 speed wet clutch is generally more reliable than the DQ200 dry clutch 7 speed as long as the former is serviced every 40k. The DQ200 7 speed dry clutch does not have any servicing schedule, but there have been a number of issues around the oil used and software updates to the unit which have resolved some issues with this box. The DQ200 is mostly fitted to the lower power and torque engines in the ranges as it has a fairly low torque limit. There is now also a 7 speed wet clutch - DQ380/381 depending on whether fwd/4wd fitted to a number of Skodas which should be reliable, but isn't as time proven as the DQ250.

That's fair enough, with my mileage I'd have been happy to take the right petrol or diesel but the right petrol came up and was significantly cheaper than similar used diesels. @shyVRS245 will tell you the figures he gets with his beyond stage 1 VRS. A standard TSI can hit those figures no problem and there's no reason a mapped one couldn't either unless the power is fully utilised all the time.

Buy a TDI to save a few quid on fuel each week but spend loads improving it's power? Surely the cost of getting it to 320 bhp wipes out a significant amount of fuel savings? A remapped stage 1 TSI would be knocking on 300 bhp and can easily see 45mpg on a run, with the fuel being significantly cheaper per litre too.

They will need coding, yes.

No problem. To be honest it's handy the way it is, I'll use it to drop my windows an inch or two about an hour before leaving the office in the summer to let the trapped heat out before I get in.

And not fitted to a Focus segment hatch If we're going beyond this segment, why stop at 4 cylinder diesels? 6 cylinder diesels are fitted in larger non-Skoda VW Group models and are a world away from the Bi TDI 2.0 in refinement and performance. BMW do a fantastic straight 6 diesel in their bigger cars. New Touareg is getting a V8 diesel. But I thought we were talking about Focus sized hatches and the best you can get across any manufacturer in this size of car is a 2.0 with roughly 190ps.

Can any diesel really be considered a flagship? It's a compromise engine offered usually below the flagship engine in a particular model's range to satisfy fleet market buyers. Theses no Mustang diesel or Focus RS diesel because there's no real demand. They don't make cars that won't sell in volume. Does anyone really approach car buying by saying "I want to buy the best performing diesel a manufacturer offers" as the number one criteria in their search? They offer a 1.5 turbo petrol with a similar output to the upcoming ST diesel. They even offer it in an ST Line blingy trim to cater for those who want the looks. This is exactly the sort of car that people are buying now instead of diesels in this segment. I suspect they'll sell loads of 1.5 turbo petrols compared to diesel STs.

That's exactly how it's supposed to work. It means you can open it as little or as much as you want.

I wouldn't describe it as dropping the ball... Is there really much demand in the current anti-diesel climate for a 200ps+ diesel hatch? Who else is offering 200+ in a diesel in this segment? BMW are the only example I can think of recently and they dropped the 125d from the range - it was never a big seller. The STDiesel was introduced for those that want the looks but lower running costs. Those who want the power buy the petrol ST and the expected 280ps caters nicely. Unless you do silly miles, or it's a company car then the petrol makes more sense anyway. Besides do you really want to tell people you have an STD I'd be very surprised if the MK4 Octavia VRS had a significant bump on diesel power. The last generation jump was only from 170 to 184ps. MK4 will likely be under 200ps still.

Amazed you didn't find any results around VRS mpg, it's been done loads of times. Ultimately shorter trips are closer to 30mpg and longer trips are closer to 40mpg. Favourable traffic conditions on long runs and sensible speeds might even see 45mpg ish. Knowing what it's like getting in and out of Manchester and how busy it can be, I think you'd do well to break 40mpg, but then the diesel isn't going to be 50mpg+ in those circumstances either.

Can you elaborate on this? Also I'd be very surprised if the MK4 version was fully electric.

From the above response by @JohnnyType2 it sounds like there may be a better way to do it which avoids the tab snapping, I'd probably do it now that way if possible.

You've got to clip it in at an angle and it will break one of the tabs on the under side of the surround if I recall correctly. It's unavoidable due to the way it goes in. Still remains nice and tight though.

Yup this. That's how I do it on my MIB1 Columbus, definitely have to press the bottom left of the screen before inputting the postcode.

Yep all EA888 are chain. Great work from the dealer there... Makes you wonder what else they get wrong.

Postcode is the bottom left button on the screen when entering town and you have the keyboard up. I think the word postcode is abbreviated to ptcd or something like that. I honestly don't find it that bad, I don't rely on it daily, but whenever I've done a far trip I'm not familiar with, it's always got me there no issues. It's definitely not as good as some of the newer smartphone based systems which have more features, but I find it does the job just fine.

Bolero doesn't have Navigation, if it's the bigger unit you have Columbus. Columbus definitely has postcode search, are your maps up to date? I have a 63 plate with Columbus and I can definitely input 7 digit postcodes. Not possible to add android auto to yours as it's MIB1, only newer MIB2 units (late 2015 onwards iirc) support those features. You'd need to replace the whole system which can be done, as @SashaGrace has done if you find her thread. You can't use a TomTom SD or anything like that. Your only option is to make do, or upgrade to a newer MIB2 that allows screen mirroring.

2025s but 2032 will fit with a squeeze and have higher capacity.

How frequently do you get it? Is it every time you drive? Once or twice a week for me isn't unheard of, but anything more than a couple of times every now and again probably suggest something isn't right. For me it's also important what is going on at the time of it showing. It generally doesn't happen on open, quiet roads where the sensor has a clear, open view in front of the car and it can work out what's ahead. It's usually on busy roads, in adverse conditions, following other cars etc.

I have Front Assist but not Adaptive Cruise and also see this error. There is nothing to sort around the Adaptive Cruise, that's just what controller the "front assist restricted view" message is stored under since they both use a similar radar unit (I think there are some slight differences, so ACC isn't a software enable). You should only see the restricted error if either the front assist sensor is dirty, obscured by an object, or you've been driving close to other cars and it can't work out what is going on in front of you.

Good article and a good read, thanks for sharing

Dongle is £35 and Pro activation is £22. Absolute bargain for what it can do for the money.

Mine also sits like that since I replaced the bulbs for led. Just accepted it though. If you manage to source just that bit as a replacement let me know where and how much

Canton for me is one of the best things about my car. I spend 5-6 hours a week commuting and it's actually rather good, it makes the journeys so much more bearable. How do you find it currently? The standard system is noticeably inferior imo.

Where has 248 been confirmed, by the manufacturer? Or is it the same "confirmed" as the 220 dyno'ed at 240 as above? Apples Vs apples = 25 difference. Apples Vs bananas = 31 difference. Bananas Vs bananas = 8 difference based on that logic