SurreyJohn

Yet to see a big test with all the premium brands, as most on compare a handful due to time and cost. But after reading (and the videos and comments) from multiple articles, here is my take on all season tyres (Currently, July 2025) I originally posted this in a Superb thread, but copying it here, as should be easier to find, and help those with other models. I have used all seasons on our second car, and nowadays on my daughter's car for at least 8 years. They have moved on a lot in that time. There is not that much between the premium all season brands, it is marginal, (typically less than 4% difference). In tests one might be better at 2c in rain, but another better at 10c, one better at cornering, but not so good at braking etc. In practice, what is available in your required size, and the prices being charged (and prices go up and down regularly) might determine which you pick. You won't go wrong with any of these : Bridgestone Turanza all season 6 Continental all season contact 2 Goodyear vector all season gen 3 Michelin Cross Climate 2 (there is a new 3, but not commonly on sale yet) Nokian season proof 2 Pirelli cinturano all season SF3 Hankook have a new Ion flex climate (so new, not seen it in tests), replaces Kinergy 4S Could also consider these : Vredestein Quatrac or Quatrac Pro+ Falken euro all season AS220 Uniroyal all season expert 2 Dunlop all season 2

I have used all seasons on our second car, and nowadays on my daughter's car for at least 8 years. They have moved on a lot in that time. Don't worry about the heavy car bit, the tyre load rating deals with that, unless you normally load it up and carry lots of big people don't bother with a higher load rating or XL rated tyres. There is not that much between the premium all season brands, it is marginal, (typically less than 4% difference). In tests one might be better at 2c in rain, but another better at 10c, one better at cornering, but not so good at braking etc. In practice, what is available in your required size, and the prices being charged (and prices go up and down regularly) might determine which you pick. You won't go wrong with any of these : Bridgestone Turanza all season 6 Continental all season contact 2 Goodyear vector all season gen 3 Michelin Cross Climate 2 (there is a new 3, but not commonly on sale yet) Nokian season proof 2 Pirelli cinturano all season SF3 Hankook have a new Ion flex climate (so new, not seen it in tests), replaces Kinergy 4S Could also consider these : Vredestein Quatrac or Quatrac Pro+ Falken euro all season AS220 Uniroyal all season expert 2 Dunlop all season 2

The 14 day cooling off period is consumer finance law, they can't change that, but they could change a contract term with any early repayment charge after that date. Personally I wouldn't check it with the dealer, they get commission on arranging finance, and possibly they lose the commission if you cancel within cooling off period. There is a chance they have vested interest in it not getting cancelled, so might not give unbiased advice. Ultimately if you pay it off, somebody else (a poorer person, who can't afford to pay it off) subsidises any arrangement fees and incentives, because it is funded from the interest. But would be insensitive to actually advertise it like that, even though that's how it works.

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How about a curve ball, what about a CUPRA Born instead of an Octavia. Just introduced a new spec called Exclusive costing £38,800 (so you can add fancy paint) and still be under £40k expensive car tax. And they are offering a whopping £7000 deposit contribution. Comes as standard with many extra features, some of which aren't standard on the Octy. Fairly similar power to the vRS at 231ps and a 0-62mph time of 6.7 seconds Full spec here https://www.cupraofficial.co.uk/content/dam/countries/gb/cupra-website/download-documents/2025/v2_cars_models_cupra_born_pricelist_12330198_07_2025.pdf

If you intend to keep the car 10 years, then you need to be selective that it has been serviced throughly, and not abused by someone who didn't care about it's longevity. You should also look at the 1.5tsi, not as powerful, but as it is cheaper, can get a newer example for same budget. I do not know what equipment you think is essential, rather than a nice to have, or won't need or use, but always worth remembering the more expensive gadgets that are fitted, the greater the number of things that can go wrong or break and need repair. In some ways having less might save repair bills if it will get to around 13-14 years old in your ownership

Just looked at a VW group EV, CUPRA Born (just got a 2022 example and it is cracking car) as example of how they are being sold. April to June were offering £4500 deposit contribution and 0% July to Sept now offering £7000 deposit contribution and 4.9% Also get £500 charge credit or approx £1000 discount on installing a home charger They have also introduced a new Exclusive spec level, basically the mid spec V2 with a few options included as standard. So keeps it under £40k list price. Of course this is all smoke and mirrors, they could just sell it at £33k with no discount. Seems excessive amount of extra price and discount, would expect more like £36k with 3k deposit contribution. But does look like reasonable value at that price (and seriously undercuts the similar ID3 price). Makes Skoda EV sale offers look half hearted when compared.

Before about 2015, there was a lot less emissions equipment, and were made to lower euro5 spec, consequently can't be used free in some cities with low emissions zones. Euro6 emissions were gradually upgraded over time, and more and more equipment was added, this adds to complexity and is of course means more that could potentially go wrong. Latest diesel cars have very complicated emissions equipment whose long term reliability is not yet known. Realistically for a 10+ year old car, how well it was cared for and serviced, is going to determine its condition. You need to choose wisely as condition varies widely. In my opinion the version that seems to be cherished and kept going for years by some owners is the 1.4tsi

Yes there have been a number of minor tweaks, or improvements to the gearbox in 8 years. From memory I think they added another production site too as volume of auto gearboxes went up. Very sparse number threads on problems with this gearbox with petrol engines in recent years, across all the models. So you would be incredibly unlucky to get problems again.

The smaller cars (Fabia, Scala, Kamiq, Rapid) have 5 bolt 100 PCD (100mm bolt spacing), the larger cars including Karoq have 112 PCD wheels You cannot fit a Karoq wheel with the bigger bolt spacing to a hub with different bolt pattern, the bolts won't line up.

What sort of rims are you proposing in 19 inch, I wasn't aware anyone made them with the 5 x 100PCD (bolt spacing) in more than 18 inch size. The existing 17 inch have a 600mm diameter, the proposal is 684mm diameter, so gaining 13% in size, which is massive difference, and will drastically change gearing.

This is the Skoda wheels brochure https://www.skoda-auto.com/_doc/6d5c59b3-5d97-451a-ab78-2ef185e6e373 There is also a Skoda UK winter wheels (with tyres) brochure https://www.skoda.co.uk/_doc/d1040b95-40f0-431a-95ed-d531f289c13f As you will see, lots of different sizes for a Karoq. The 17 inch wheel with deeper sidewall will be less harsh over rough tarmac than bigger 18 or 19. However there are two things you need to be aware of, temperature and basic physics. Everyone knows rubber gets hard in cold weather, and harder is stiffer (less soft and probably more rumble). Modern tyres have all sorts of things in their compounds eg silica to try and balance grip with a long wearing life (and budget tyres have simpler compounds, so often don't wear or grip as well, because they are built down to a price). Generally all season tyres are softer at typical UK temperatures, than summer biased compounds (and if you want comfort avoid anything with sport or eco in its name as they tend to be even firmer). So if don't want to change the alloys (and you could be paying good part of £1000 to get set of 4 new), then look for premium all season tyres. Note some brands have two load ratings, and for comfort don't buy higher load ratings if you have a choice as sidewall is stiffer. There is nothing wrong with Bridgestone as a brand, but the turanza eco is an inappropriate choice if comfort is your first priority.

The ships vary in frequency, can be nothing to UK for 3weeks, could be one tomorrow. Tends to be 3 sizes of ship, very large (goes to US etc), medium (includes UK), smaller (Scandinavia). Just keep looking on vessel finder etc. Not uncommon for ship to load once, and have multiple disports, Sheerness, Grimsby, Tyne. So don't just look for one going to Grimsby as next port.

Not sure which model or year you have But the right scroll wheel on steering runs through the options. There are about 10 different things that can be displayed From memory has to be in driving data (use the left right buttons next to scroll button if in different mode). In some displays pushing down the scroll button and holding it down whilst scrolling it flicks through sub menus giving more optional info.

There are two parts to the info on fuel cap The box in top right with the open boot, is the spare, and yours is an 18inch space saver (temporary) size. The 3 possible wheel sizes (16, 17, 18 inch radius) have pressures for front and rear, for normal, heavily loaded and an eco setting. Eco saves bit of fuel, but might give a slightly harsher ride.

Vi Bilagare recently did a test when it was cool 10c (a temperature much higher than many mornings in UK) and found OE tyres were poor at these lower temperatures. I think they are suggesting get standard spec tyres instead. https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre-Tests/2025-Vi-Bilagare-Summer-EV-Tyre-Test.htm Always worth remembering that tyres are generally harder when cold, so buying all season tyres instead of summer will usually give more comfortable ride (except when hot in mid summer)

Per todays (13 March) annual Skoda financial presentation, seems the Fabia, Kamiq and Scala will stay in production until end of decade about 2029-2030. There might be a mild hybrid version coming at some stage The earlier plans to replace them with small electric cars have been delayed until end of decade. European demand and EV build capacity are the reasons. Seat-Cupra also had Financial presentation (1-2 hours later) and seems the Ibiza and Arona will continue for about another 5 years too for same reason. Not sure if the similar VW models (Polo, Taigo and T-cross) are also going to continue for a while as petrol models, due to lack of electric alternatives yet.

Per todays (13 March) annual financial presentation, seems the Fabia, Kamiq and Scala will stay in production until about 2029-2030. There might be a mild hybrid version coming. The earlier plans to replace them with small electric cars have been delayed until end of decade. European demand and EV build capacity are reasons. Seat-Cupra also had Financial presentation (1-2 hours later) and seems the Ibiza and Arona will continue for about another 5 years too for same reason.

According to Skoda Media UK a new electric car will be unveiled at this weeks annual Financial result's presentation (Thursday morning) Last year (March 2024) was Elroq, so will March 2025 be Epiq ? https://skodamedia.com/releases/1564

It is a shame, didn't read the handbook, and switch them front to back around 10k - 12k miles Then wouldn't have needed any new tyres yet, and could have not spent any money for few more months/years

The 1.0tsi when coupled to DSG box works brilliantly. The free revving tsi engine can accelerate well, but can be rather hard work changing through the gears quickly to keep engine at sweet spot However I would caveat that if you live in a very hilly area, or regularly load the car with lots of passengers or heavy goods then the bigger engine could be better choice.

The codes usually have another 3 characters for the colour at end. The letter at 10th character is different versions with different offset for different width tyres eg 8j, 9j etc. Some of the more powerful cars (and electric cars) have different sizes front and rear Some wheels have two codes, one for the originals which can be ordered with new car, and one for spare parts for second set for winter tyres etc, the spares (which are identical but lot cheaper) This is the wheels brochure, with codes https://www.skoda-auto.com/_doc/6d5c59b3-5d97-451a-ab78-2ef185e6e373

Go with all season tyres, seem to be less prone to cracking because they can tolerate being used from very cold, although it might simply be the compound is not as brittle on cold days. Your choice might depend on availability in size you require, and price, consider any of the following: Bridgestone Turanza all season 6 Continental all season contact 2 Michelin cross climate 2 Pirelli Cinturato all season SF3 there is also (been around for a while now) Goodyear vector 4 season gen 3 Other Hankook kinergy 4S2. (there is a new one Ion flex climate, but don't know anything about it) Falken Euro all season AS220 Vredestein Quatrac (Or older Quatrac pro plus)

Are the seats uncomfortable, or just badly adjusted. Remember cannot move the pedals, but can change just about everything else, so start adjustments from feet upwards, not from bum area. This link is handy guide. https://www.physiomed.co.uk/uploads/guide/file/21/Physiomed_Sitting_Guide_-_Driving_Digital.pdf

I don't know what the dealer is talking about. The deposit contribution comes from the manufacturer (who presumably reduces the price to dealer by same amount). You will need to look at the breakdown on the sales invoice to see exactly how they record it, but there will be a reduction in amount due by the value of the contribution (and as long as it is not part of the total due, you should be ok) What might happen (and it is not your concern) is that the dealer gets a commission from finance Co, but if it is cancelled within cooling off period, the commission is voided too. I suggest you don't tell the dealer you intend to pay it off, just tell the finance company