Spannaz

Er.. wtf is a quadlock?

So did you have to route a new mic/cable up into the grill in the headlining pod or is it already there as standard (in for example a 2010 vrs F.L.)?

- when ever I have done this job, I use a modified G Clamp, to compress the piston back in (very gently!), whilst turning it at he same time with a home-made tool, and if that doesn't do it, I stick a bleed pipe on the nipple and loosen that as well. Never had it so it doesn't work using this (home-made) method. Don't suppose the handbrake cable has been tightened up too much to allow the mechanism to fully retract has it? Silly question, but you are turning the piston the right way aren't you? :no:

Don't know if everyone else already knew of this handy (no pun intended!) upgrade for the standard non-damped interior passenger grab handles, but I thought that I would share the info just in case.. It struck me that my old Bora 150 PD had much nicer level of sophistication in this area, so I compared the internals of the mechanisms and identified that whilst the Octavia ones were nicer being black to match my headlining, they didn't have a "damper" device inside, but looked like they could incorporate one (don't even know if you can get black damped handles, but even if you can, I bet they are more than £4.50 for the four of them !!!). So a bit of creative eBay searching in "worldwide" (as opposed to.co.uk) and sure enough, you can buy the damper units but only from China (where I suspect the original units were made anyway. I know we all slag of Chinese parts from time to time, but where else can you buy the internals of a mechanism without buying the whole part from (in this case) Skoda! And they were only £4.52 with free postage (for the set of 4), and arrived in about 10 days. Thought that I may as well do a fitting guide: the first one took me about 20 minutes to remove, pull apart, re-assemble with the new part and re-fit to the car, the second, about 10 minutes, the third about 5 and the last one in even less time! The result is a nicer device, with a more "quality" feel. I suppose that this is one of those minor "savings" that VAG make over the VW and Audi brands.. Anyway, hope this proves useful to someone. Items purchased here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151151376426?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Thanks for that! So.. Point 3 - actually dont like the look of the RNS310 (seems to have a smaller screen?) and think I would rather the Columbus (even if only in erms of looks), so do you know what the Skoda/VAG kit P/N is to upgrade the columbus? Is it this? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121295685399?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT (or similar?)

So point 2 - the only thing that stops the columbus from being a working satnav is an antenna lead, and the software and controls?

Can I ask.. I have the nice-looking (but I think a bit cheapo) Balero in my 2010 Vrs, but as it never came with the bluetooth connectivity upgrade, doesnt have any kind of GPS, the screen is a bit lo-res. and the SD card reader is unfeasably slow when reading folders (not loose mp3's I'll admit), I'm thinking about getting the Columbus unit as I want it std looking with the relevant functions (such as heating, rear parking display etc). So questions: 1. does the Columbus have a better (less minecraft!) screen resolution? 2. does the std columbus have built-in gps that will work if I just plug the unit into my car (with the additional of an antenna/cable or two)? 3. does the columbus (I'm thinking of the S/H ones from Lithuania on ebay - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131553229817?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) have bluetooth connectivity as standard (I imagine not), if not, is there a product that I can get what will do the job relatively cheaply? 4. I assume that it is pretty much replace the unit, add gps antenna, replace the facia with a different shaped Columbus one (link?), get it coded with someone who has VCDS. Am I on the right track?

A leaking or disconnected turbo hose will give loads of black smoke as too rich - this can sometimes be heard as the engine (turbo) will hiss significantly where the pressurised air comes out of the leaking pipe..

I've never been in the petrol VRS but I have 3 very quick motorcycles which I use to scare myself and trying to go anywhere fast in a car in this overcrowded land of ours, is in the majority of instances, tiresome. The faster you go, the more you are at the back of a queue! My Diesel is so frugal with fuel, its just silly (61mpg on most of my daily 30-mile commutes), but has soo much torque when overtaking, I seriously cant think of a single reason to have a petrol car anymore. Now French roads would be a different matter - always glass-smooth and empty!!

I have the MK2 FL 2.0 170 vrs and I cant beleive what a good car i is - went from a Golf iv 1.9 PD 150 and it went well but the Octy is giving me 61mpg most of the time (although my 30mile commute is pretty sedate ufortunately!). The Skoda is great, but got to say, the hatchback is bigger to drive than I thought when I first saw it.. Already got a small scuff on a rim (grr!)

I would upload a couple of profile pics but doesnt seem to want to let me! Probably some newbie thing

Hi all - just doing the intro thing, before I start asking questions :p