Phil-E

I'm afraid times have moved on with all this modern start stop stuff. The new AGM batteries are expensive. And as above, it will need coding in if you want it to last again. Thankfully my 1.4 TSI MK2 doesn't have Start-Stop so the original battery lasted 8 years and a new Varta with higher capacity just cost me 80€ with express delivery included.

The supercharger pulley is a common failure. It has a magnetic clutch on it to engage and disengage the supercharger.

Welcome. Not been to 'Uddersfield for many years now. We went a few years back as we had some vouchers for the Titanic Spa there. And before then I was there receiving my GCSE certificates in the town hall.

Do you still need a diesel? If so then you really can't go wrong with a 1.9 TDI. With your budget as well you'd be able to get hold of a FL too.

When you say the controller doesn't respond, what do mean? The controller is clearly working and accessible as it's reporting a fault code. If it wasn't reachable then you would have an error that the controller can't be reached. Have you tried this: https://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/xenonalignment.html

I have a 1.4 TSI DSG. And we've been on holiday a couple of times. 3 adults, a dog, boot full and 3 bikes on the tow bar. Perfectly capable and accelerating still felt effortless without having to rev the hell out of it etc. We also drove a Golf Estate 1.5 TSI 150 ACT DSG. And again with 3 adults, a dog and a boot full it drove beautifully. Pulls itself along really nice and with a decent amount of torque from low down drives much like a diesel without having to floor it to get anywhere.

So I've had chance over the last few days to test out the Hankook Synergy 4S all seasons. We've had a load of snow and crazy cold weather (was -17c last night!) so the snow just isn't melting. I am super impressed. I've been up and down hilly country roads, through the town in start stop, roundabouts, car parks etc. Been spot on and really good grip and feedback. There was only one time where I got stuck. I parked up at work in fresh snow scraping on the bottom of the car. Then it snowed all day. I tried to drive off but the snow under the tyres had melted and turned to ice and then I couldn't push through the snow. Had to dig a bit of snow out the when and then managed to get out.

Ok. It's unlikely that they really need changing since they are lubricated with oil and very rarely wear on the 6 speed. However if I was in your position for the sake of another 300 (or maybe less) since the gearbox is out anyway then I'd have a new clutch pack fitted. It doesn't need setting or adjusting so the work time isn't really any more. But Basic settings must be performed on the gearbox afterwards so make sure the garage can do this. I assume so if they are working on DSG gearboxes.

I assume this is a 6 speed? How many mileshas it got?

The headlights aren't 100% sealed with breather holes etc. Dirt gets in over time and gets baked onto the lense.

https://go.skimresources.com/?id=38947X1001323&isjs=1&jv=14.4.0-stackpath&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.briskoda.net%2Fforums%2Ftopic%2F379308-hid-london-colour%2F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fitm%2FXenon-HID-Conversion-KIT-H7-4300K-Digital-Mini-Ballasts-Metal-base-HID-bulbs-%2F331046666030%3Fhash%3Ditem4d13eb3f2e%3Ag%3AjqAAAOSwBLlU3I2p&xguid=fd64533f1ed0bfef3d9969bbf78f08c8&xs=1&xtz=-60&xuuid=c9a8e8a573d644329ff34aa7fef564f8&xjsf=other_click__contextmenu [0] This is the best kit to go for. It's the one I used for 60k miles with no issues. The only issue being is that you need to have the car coded after fitted. This is the best solution as rather than using a canbus kit to try and fool the car (which has also been know to damage the electronics in the car), your fitting a normal kit but then coding the car to tell it has xenons fitted which adjusts the bulb warning and stops it from showing up.

Yes you can. I shine you don't have a light sensor though so it won't work quite as well as with auto lights. Leaving home can't be activated I don't think. https://www.servicetutorials.com/en/2020/01/07/how-to-set-activate-coming-home-without-light-rain-sensor-on-vw-golf-mk6-gti-jetta-in-3-steps/

There's no need to switch into N while stationary for short times. Even in D with your foot firmly on the brake the clutch(es) are fully disengaged as in N anyway. The clutch will start to engage if you only apply light pressure to the pedal though. But you'll feel that as the revs rise slightly and the engine note changes.

You can basically fit any of the MK2 stereos (including the Facelift). The Amundsen is a good unit if you want Bluetooth built in as some of these (not all so you need to check which you buy) have an integrated Bluetooth module. The Bolero and Columbus require an external module.

And with a load of V10 TDI torque and proper tyres: https://youtu.be/KqLf6NJ7MZ8

Thought it flashes when ESP intervenes as well? Or maybe that's changed in newer models.

Agreed. Last winter I was driving over the hills back home. Was really thick with snow. I had to do an emergency stop coming down a hill round a slight bend at one point as there was a fallen tree in the road. The ABS kicked in and obviously there was a bit of skidding but at no point did the car begin to spin or loose control. And that was in a 1700kg+ convertible on 225 wide tyres. Had I have been on summer tyres if have probably skidded, spun and hit the tree!

The light should flash whenever the system intervenes. Either with wheelspin or if the ESP kicks in.

When I test my all seasons the other week that certainly seemed to be the case. I test it by setting off super steady, letting it creep first and then slowly getting onto the throttle and had no wheel spin. Then tested it with a heavier foot up a slight incline. There was a little bit of wheel spin but the power is regulated by the traction control. So the wheels don't spin wildly out of control with the engine bouncing off the rev counter. Worked very well to be fair.

We have a Chillout/guest room (sofa bed). We have some 90s Pioneer separates hifi that I picked up for 20€ (cracking sound I have to say) and a record player. We'll often spend evening chilling out sat on the floor cussions and pulling out random records (anything from Spice girls to heavy metal. But a lot of German elektro Punk). But for everyday music listening in the living room we have a pair of Xiaomi Mi smart speakers that support Google assistant/Chromecast. Can't complain at their price in comparison to the big speakers from Google etc. Great sound and super convenient being to just quickly cast music or speak to Google to play something from Spotify etc.

I've driven a couple of times with my 1.4 TSI DSG in hot weather. And even with 3 adults, a dog, a boot full and 3 bikes on the back I've never seen anything more than 115c. I do have a factory tow bar though and on the 1.4 TSI (and the 1.5 TSI I believe) this includes an uprated radiator.

I'd never not have all seasons or winters again. I use all seasons now as I can't be bothered swapping them over anymore. A couple of years back we got some bemused looks from the neighbour as they were wheel spinning and struggling to get onto their drive (steep slope over the curb and path made it tricky). And I just pulled up with my winter tyres on and reversed straight in. He came over and asked how I'd managed it. Lol

I've driven for years without all seasons or winter tyres. And only once got stuck and driven through thick snow, hilly roads, back roads etc. Yes you can still make progress with summer tyres if driven correctly. But after having winters and all seasons I'd never not want them again. In 2018 we had booked to go to Germany as I had a job interview. And the day before I'd arranged to pick up a set of alloys for my winter tyres. Was a little too late as it snowed really heavy. Drove down back country roads to pick up the wheels from some farm. Passed 3 cars crashed in ditches. And that was in a 1700kg automatic convertible with 235 wide summer tyres. We then drove down south from York which took hours as there were multiple motorway closures with accidents and stuck cars etc. Ended up diverting down some tiny back country roads. But again never once got stuck or even began to loose control. Just drive steady and to the conditions. The one time I got stuck was arriving at the families house in Germany and they live on a private back road that runs parallel with the main road but the access to it is up an extremely steep (30% gradient) road. Out little Peugeot 306 1.9D just couldn't make it even trying in reverse wiggling the wheels. The next day we got winter tyres fitted and just drive straight up the hill with no bother.

Is there no option for just WPA2? It seems it's set to WPA or WPA2 automatically?

It's all about the tyres. I'd highly recommend some all seasons next time around. A 2WD with all seasons or winters will out perform a 4WD on summers on anything icy or snowy. After all 4x0=0. No grip on any of the tyres still means no grip. I've passed 4x4s in the snow in my Octavia before. Wheels spinning and sliding around and I just drove passed like I was on dry tarmac 🤣😂