Baxlin

I’m so pleased I bought extended warranty (actually aftermarket, not manufacturers, but via the dealer) with my Volvo. OK, the car was 6 years old, but had only done 28000 miles - it was a model no longer made, but I wanted a full 4 seater folding hardtop convertible. Anyway, the dealer offered me 6 months warranty, and I bought a full year’s 5* cover from WMS for £229, the dealer paying half as it only extended theirs by 6 months. I renewed it each year, thankfully! £1000 limit per claim, but no limit on number of claims. I had to make many claims over the 4 years I had the car, including turbo, anti skid system, complete software reinstall, etc, etc. The last year’s premium was £299, but I was well ahead, it had paid for itself several times over. Needless to say I bought extended warranty with my new-to-me 3 yr old Octavia. But then again, I never buy it on things like washing machines or TVs, I rely on statutory rights...

Mentioned it to a salesman at the Skoda dealer, who said he wished they were OE, as the ‘stick-in-the-hole’ is not the best selling point on the car, with such a heavy bonnet...

Oops, I always try to buy something ‘different’ eg Rover 75, Volvo and Saab convertibles, and my 3 wheeler. So it seems I failed this time, with an Octavia! But then it is in brown, with beige interior, so that’s a bit different, I suppose... Malcolm

Thanks to all who advised on this mod. Done mine today with the Febi 27709 struts, and ball bolts from SGS, as suggested. As I’ve said on the thread I started, if I hadn’t dropped by socket handle into the engine compartment, and had to find a few washers, the job would have been done in just a few minutes. Brilliant mod, definitely recommended.

Thanks to all who contributed, I’ve just done mine. Brilliant mod!

Brilliant job! If I hadn’t dropped my socket handle down the front of the engine compartment, and spent a while looking for correct sized washers, the job would have been done in less than 10 minutes. Very happy bunny.😀

Sounds like my Volvo, Noms! I bought it at 28k miles, sold it at 51k. DPF, injectors, EGR valve, Turbo, software replacement, etc etc I really got my money’s worth out of the aftermarket warranty, hence buying it with the Octavia.......

We have had two previous Skodas, (Fabias) the 1.2 3cyl kept needing new coil packs, and it’s replacement had the infamous 1.6 Golf diesel, which (we should have known better) wasn’t good for the short journeys it was used for. It was replaced with a Nissan Note, and we soon read the doom and gloom merchants on that forum. My new (to me, anyway) Octavia replaced a Volvo, which in the 4 years I had it, cost me at least half of what I paid for it originally in major repairs. Not alone, according to the Volvo forum. As I had a Merc a few years ago, I still read the Merc forum. And although my car had no problems whatsoever, many forum members have different experiences. I suppose what I’m saying is that car-wise, forums tend to report more bad news than good, and from what I’ve seen, Skodas seem to be no worse than any other. I hope I’m not wrong (I bought extended warranty just in case......🤫)

Looking on eBay, tow bar ironware can be not far off £250, without fitting and electrics, but then if you don’t want/need a tow bar, it’s money for nothing.

I’ve had mine 6 days now, done 93 miles in it. But on reading this thread it seems others have owned theirs longer than that........

Thanks FG: hopefully I’ve ordered the correct piggyback fuse. Good point about the insulting 😀 tape, I usually do this, even though on my last car, a Volvo, where removing the glove box didn’t make the fuse box any more accessible, it was awkward to say the least!

Thread resurrection: I cannot find the paint code sticker on my brown 18 reg Octavia SE L. I have had the boot floor out, and the spare wheel (80kph Max, but full size tyre, not seen that before), but no sticker. Surely I don’t have to start taking all the boot linings out? Where else can it be - not in recognisable form on the door pillars? Alternatively, any one know the code for this colour? Thanks in advance. Malcolm

No Andrew Jordan again? My teenage granddaughter’s favourite after she sat in his car in the pits a few years ago

Re hard wiring dashcam, rather than using a hardwire kit, on previous cars I have used a piggyback fuse, but attached a trailing female lighter socket, and used this with the camera’s OE plug. I intend using this method on my Octavia, hoping there is room somewhere for it behind the dash. It’s not been a problem before, and it’s cheaper, and avoids maybe buying the wrong hardwire kit. Did I read that fuse 47 is a standard blade fuse, not a mini?

Done it!! 😀😀😀 thanks again. I want not to change the long term readout while I have the car.

Thanks. Sounds simple! It’s the long term one that I really want to zero.

I’ve just bought a 2018 Octavia SE L, but the dealer is sending me the manual, so I’m trying to find my way around it ‘blindfold’. l’ve downloaded a version online, it while it says how to switch between the mpg readings (long term, from start and since refuelling) I can’t find how to reset any of them back to zero. Resetting the ‘personalisation’ settings doesn’t do it, and while I assume a factory reset might, surely you don’t have to do this each time? Also, I can’t find an instantaneous mpg readout. Is there one? Please forgive all the questions! Thanks Malcolm

Ooops, sorry. Ages since I’ve been on here, and not overly familiar with the search function. (Not picking the car up until tomorrow)

Hi, anyone know if it’s possible to fit gas struts to the bonnet, to replace the ‘stick in the hole’ standard fitting? If so, a source for the parts? Thanks Malcolm

Hi Andy, enjoy! I’m due to pick up a 2018 SE L Octavia in the next few days, a 1.4 petrol, with the DSG box. Brown with beige interior. It will be quite a change from a bright red 2 ltr manual diesel Volvo folding hard top Convertible.... (I will miss the open top motoring, but not the problems I’ve had with the car. My first and last Volvo.)

Just bought (pick it up next week) a 2018 1.4 TSI SE L with DSG auto box. In a sort of metallic brown with beige interior. Coming from a 2 ltr turbo diesel hardtop convertible Volvo, so quite a change!