MarlboroLites

Since the collision my Octy has continued to give me miles of smiles, trouble free motoring. She flew through her last MoT. I'm sure she's getting faster too. My investigations have revealed a Forge RV which was a nice surprise. It reinforces my belief that the car was previously re-mapped! A green cotton air filter has been added for good measure. I've not dealt with the accident related dents as they're hardly noticeable. I did refurb the alloys though. I'm very pleased with the man with a can result. I chose a graphite finish which I think suits the car very nicely. Next job will be to respray the front and rear bumpers. Both are battle scarred. The plastic bumper trims were painted at some point in the past. They look crap, so I intend trying a paint stripper to see what lies beneath. I'll replace them if they are too far gone. I'm toying with the idea of selling her though....only because I want badly a MK4 Golf R32…! I still love driving her though so s difficult decision to be made.

Might fit the 150bhp 1.8t...not 180.

Interesting, glad I have 180PS 2.0 TSI having shed a DPF equipped 150PS 2.0 TDI. Luck more than judgement however.....

The Ombudsman has commenced it's investigation. I have provided it with all supporting documentation and evidence in support of my case. The money owed me remains outstanding. Skoda UK Executive Team keep telling me how horrendous this is for them. It's flipping worse for me! Skoda Finance are not returning my calls now. Neither the main dealer.... I hope the ombudsman wipes the floor with them frankly. Skoda UK need to take learnings away from this to ensure nobody else goes through my trials and tribulations. Voluntarily or otherwise. What Car wishes to commence its investigation..... The pen is mightier than the sword.

Excellent, mine has worn badly at the '10 past the hour' wheel position. The matt effect has worn away to reveal shiny, darker leather beneath. My car is in for chrome window trim replacements - under warranty - soon. I'll be sure to highlight the premature wheel wear. Thanks for the heads up.

Seems the dealer is still refusing to play ball. Skoda UK Area Manager has been deployed now. This is the second time it's come to this. I'll not have my money anytime soon I suspect. I'm still to hear from the Ombudsman. I expect it's report will damn all parties frankly. But hit the dealer hardest.

I've started a dealer review which I'll conclude once I have closure. I'd hate for anyone to go through what I have. Skoda UK reminds me of the UN and Sarajevo in this instance! I've wondered about appropriate compensation. I've had my original deposit (reluctantly) refunded by the main dealer. There's the 2 months PCP refund as a gesture of goodwill from VWFS (which Blade is not passing on to me!). And Skoda UK contributed £1,500 to my Kodiaq deposit to retain my custom. One always wants more of course, but I attribute a recent diabetic episode directly to the stress and frustration associated with this. I feel I should be further compensated. I requested the return of all my PCP related payments but that was declined. The Ombudsmen's adjudication will be interesting....

I like manual and autos equally but the Superb's box was pants. I rejected it in the end after a long running saga with the supplying dealer. I've just updated that thread in the Superb III members area. It was otherwise a brilliant car...

New Kodiaq owner saying "Hi!"..... She's a MY17 SEL 2.0 tfsi DSG. Finished in black, with black leather and 7 seats. She has upgraded Canton, reverse camera and front and rear sensors. There may be more...still working things out. Boy I love the engine, especially in sport mode. I think it'll give my remapped MK1 Octavia VRs a run for its money. MPG is averaging 32. Not bad at all. My wife keeps taking the keys to this which is a v good sign! Previous car was a Skoda Superb SEL 150ps 4x4 manual. Great car let down by a crap gear change!

Aye, small claims definitely an option. I intend seeing out the ombudsmen process before deciding next (legal!) steps.... I believe the dealer is part of the facelifted dealer network. Skoda UK really aren't impressed. And who can blame them. What Car? are very interested in running a story on my experience for its magazine. That'll hurt.....

Worst I've ever experienced. I think the ego of a certain individual has gotten in the way of common sense and professionalism..... Bit of both really. There was a distinct cycle of poor changes when engagement was terribly notchy, noisy and graunchy. Things would improve slightly then it would start again. The RAC engineer who performed the test within 200m announced there was something most definitely wrong with the gear change. After the RAC's damning report Blade insisted it have opportunity to retest the car as it believed 'the symptoms were a characteristic of the vehicle's. I refused but accepted an inspection by a different Skoda main dealer. White Dove in Cardiff performed that and concluded the existence of a fault. You'd think that would be the end of it eh? It took a further 10 weeks of arguments to get the car taken back!! You couldn't make it up.

I feel I owe an update to interested Briskodians...... Keeping this brief, eventually my car was collected by Blade, Gloucester. That was 2 weeks ago, after around 6 months of pain and stress with my interests clearly secondary to those of Blade's Head of Skoda Group. He refused to comply with instructions from Skoda UK. Skoda UK and VWFS both supported my rejection. But Blade not so willing it seems. I had my deposit returned but I'm still owed 2 months PCP payments which VWFS provided to Blade which was supposed to be relayed to me simultaneously to the deposit. Blade his holding on to that and I'm told it there is no intention to transfer any further money to me. Isn't that theft? Once again I'm piggy in the middle whilst Skoda UK Executive Team 'encourage' Blade to do the right thing. I really don't understand why a company with such healthy profits has chosen to put me through such a painful process. It's so disappointing. Anyway, I've cracked on with my complaint to the Financial Ombudsmen. They have all emails and correspondence to consider which includes quite damning evidence of Blade's poor, indeed deceitful, treatment of me. I'll have my day.... I'm a firm believer of Ying and Yang. Incidentally, I purchased a Kodiaq 2.0 tfsi and I'm thrilled with it!

I had and undeed continue to have a shocking experience of this company. Whilst sales and service is impressive, its aftercare treatment of me in the rejection of a faulty Skoda Superb III is abysmal. The attitude is driven by its Head of Skoda Group. Look him up... 6 months on my case remains unresolved. Blade's Head of Skoda is refusing to take instruction from Skoda UK on my compensation package. I'm still owed a considerable sum of money although the faulty vehicle has now been returned. That took 5 months, it affected my health such was the stress of the situation. And the stress continues. My interests are secondary to Blade's it seems. If anyone wants chapter and verse PM me. You'll be horrified. The Financial Ombudsmen is investigating, What Car? taking an interest too. I'm getting in touch with Gloucester Trading Standards tomorrow. Buyer Beware.....

Thankfully, the RAC inspection has confirmed the gearbox fault. I'm now waiting on interested parties to work up a deal for me. Either a replacement vehicle or total refund.

A colleague in work has an Octavia with the same engine gearbox set up. I drove it a while back to compare and it's the sweetest gear change I've experienced...except for my MK1 Octy VRs which is just perfect. Also the loan cars I've had whilst attempts were made to trace the fault in mine had beautiful gear changes. RAC inspection Tuesday.....

So, for those interested...a short update. I had a call from the lady in VWFS dealing with my complaint/rejection request. She explained the process that was being applied and summarised the nature of my rejection. It soon became apparent that the dealer was in fact seeking to locate a similar vehicle to mine...not as a replacement for mine but to drive it for comparative purposes as it is believed the issues I'm encountering are a 'characteristic' of the manual 6 speed box mated to the 4x4 transmission in the 2.0 diesel! It would have been nice to have known that prior to the conversation with VWFS. My entire argument for quick resolution was built upon a belief that the dealer was supportive of my case based on previous conversations. I'm really unimpressed at the change of direction frankly, especially not being informed!! My vehicle now has to receive an independent investigation which VWFS is arranging (independent?) and if the fault is identified then my rejection will be approved. If it is determined to be a 'characteristic' of the gearbox my rejection request will fall. I'd love to hear from folk with similar vehicles (ie 6 speed manual, 4x4 etc) of their experiences. When I approached Honest John for advice early doors he said this gearbox should be slick, smooth and precise. Mine has none of these qualities, especially involving changes to and from 2nd & 3rd. A mechanic friend of mine drove it and suggested the issue might be spline related. There's a Kodiaq close by for sale with the same gearbox/engine set up which I might test drive. That may well provide a benchmark.

Welcome fella!

Just needs a good machine polish now and sort out that rogue alloy. Might just refurb them all.... Thinking graphite or darker grey/silver. Overall I'm chuffed with how easily I've made her presentable. I'll try a dentmaster type service for the 2 minor dents I'm left with - A pillar and rear arch.

Yes, mine is an estate. I'm pleased to report the tailgate now operates perfectly. It received a re-calibration when in with the dealer. The car is perfect save for the poor gear change. As I was getting nowhere with Customer Service and VWFS I emailed Skoda's CEO. Within 24 hours I had an encouraging reply. I now have a customer service manager handling my rejection request who is liasing with VWFS on my behalf. I'm having regular updates and undertakings are being honoured. The dealer is also trying to find a suitable replacement vehicle for me. All very pleasing. A shame however that I had to resort to knocking on the CEO's door before gaining any traction. Further, a shame that I missed the recent used car promotion with all its incentives because of the initial poor service.

Still no response from VWFS..... And no Customer Support from Skoda itself. This is very poor.....

After:

Another pre 'repair' pic:

I can't upload more pics.... Why's that I wonder? 10mb limit?

Before:

Brilliant, thank you so much. I'll let you know how I get on.