Phil-E

I think it must build on the underside of the valve (the exhaust side). I just know I've read posts etc from many people where they're suddenly having fault codes even though the valve is deactivated and it turns out the valve is partially stuck open which throws an engine light. So the sure fired way is to blank and deactivate.

Yeah and I once drove from York to Germany via channel tunnel and it knocked around 10mpg off with 2 bikes on our 1.9 TDI DSG Octavia roof. With the tow bar rack it barely makes a difference it seems.

As for the bike carrier. I'd honestly invest the money and get a tow bar. I've had one for the last few years and it's come in handy on a few occasions. Carrying the bikes on a tow bar rack is also much better than on the roof.

If the EGR is only deactivated and not blanked out it can over time accumulate soot and start to open and get stuck. Ideally you need to blank it at the same time.

Probably doesn't have a module 46. They got rid and it's all in central electrics (09 I think).

I honestly don't get why the UK hasn't fully adopted all seasons or winter tyres. Am I right in thinking they're not even an option from new in the UK? For me all seasons are a bare minimum requirement and wouldn't drive on anything else.

A good example being: https://youtu.be/_LtuyukrF8A

Is this really from a cold start or a cold "warm" start (with slightly higher ambient temps). This engine does a weird cat pre-heat with ambient temps of like 20c or above. The exhaust can be loud and gurgly and the engine tends to jolt around a bit if you try to drive off. That's because the valve timing is changed and I think an air pump or something runs I've read somewhere.

Yeah I'd say it's a loose connection or solder joint. Probably can be realised. There are companies that can repair them for not a huge amount of money.

Have you thought about aftermarket options? I went for a 10" Android stereo in the end. Much better functionality than the stock Skoda units which are getting a bit dated now. It is fully integrated and shows climate Display, reverse parking lines etc. I swapped out the rear aerial amplifier for the side window which now provides DAB to the stereo.

What phone are you using. I know on Android you can look under the Bluetooth settings and see what services the phone is connected to (either calls, media or both). Strange that the stereo displays the BT audio option though. Have you tried completely deleting the pairing on both sides and starting from scratch?

The reversing camera is one of my favourite features and wouldn't want to be without it now! I also get the dynamic parking lines on mine which is a nice touch.

I believe that will be the newer 1.4 TSI with 150bhp? Think they're belt driven so no timing chain issues. And otherwise a cracking engine. If you're mainly just doing short trips then petrol is the right choice. The DSG should also be trouble free at that mileage and year. Just be sure to take it for a really good test drive. Try and get in some stop start traffic and check for any clutch judder.

And the trouble with taking to a dealership for these sorts of problems is that according to VW/Skoda the Mechatronics and Gearbox are just complete units. If something breaks on them then they need completely replacing as a whole unit. Even though most DSG problems can be fixed relatively easily and inexpensively. So an independent specialist should know this and can usually fix it. Wonder if it's something like the accumulator that's cracked. And it's the loss of pressure in the mechatronics or something.

I used to love driving my previous car hard. It was a big heavy diesel convertible loosely based on a Vectra (Saab 9-3 1.9 TTiD and automatic 6 speed). But the chassis was seriously good and very chuckable. And it handled the 240bhp and 490nm of torque (from 1500rpm) through the front wheels well. Another nice little touch that I've not experienced in any other car was the seatbelt. When accelerating or braking hard the seatbelt would lock like it does when you tug hard on it. This meant you could tighten it, start driving hard and it would lock you tight into the seat. Really helps with feeling how the car feels and being able to react in a controlled fashion.

It sounds the same as the previous TSI engines then. It's normal and is part of the catalytic converter warmup. The revs rise, engine and valve timing is changed and the exhaust from outside can sound "gargly" and loud.

It was one code. Specific to the vehicle. Had to send the serial number etc from the stereo to them.

Strange. It could perhaps be wastegate related?

So we took a drive out yesterday and cam back via the Autobahn. Was hungry, road was empty and it was dry. So I burried the pedal to the metal for the first time properly in this car. So for a little 1.4 I was surprised. Does 200km/h comfortably but didn't have much puff left to go any faster. Revs around 4000rpm at 200. So they're not what I'd call slow either these engines. Sure, it was no match for me previous Saab that would crack 240km/h with the roof down and almost 260km/h with the roof up! But who needs to drive that fast anyway.

Yes. The radio code is also stored in the cluster. Either that or there are other ways to get the radio codes. I've used an eBay service for a Skoda swing radio before. I had a new cluster installed and paid a few €€s and got a code emailed to me that worked 👍

I've only had a really quick look at that. But from what I can see you need a Euro 6 diesel? Is the 1.6 TDI not a Euro 5 or even 4?

I've driven that engine in a Golf hatchback before... I can only really describe it as underwhelming. Hopelessly wheezy performance, no grunt at any revs and fuel economy was awful too. So it basically comes down to it being a very old tech engine with not much going for it. It doesn't come down to engine size. The 1.6 TDI is leaps ahead of the petrol. It has a decent amount of grunt to it. To compare the two engines: 1.6 FSI 1.6 TDI 115ps (6000rpm) 105ps (4000rpm) 155nm (4000rpm) 250nm (1900rpm) So the key there being the torque. In the diesel it achieves peak torque from 1900rpm compared to 4000rpm. And it has 100nm more than the petrol. I'd also be asking if you really do need a diesel though. The 1.6 comes with a DPF that doesn't like short journeys all the time. So if you're only doing the odd longer journey a petrol may still be the better choice. In which case a 1.4 TSI may also be a consideration. I've been on holiday a few times in ours with 3 adults, a dog, a boot FULL (estate too) and 3 bikes on the tow bar. Not once did it feel underpowered and didn't need to downshift on motorway hills. Handled some mountain roads with ease too.

Yeah I mean In reality it probably did make a difference. But the engine even in top condition is hardly a smooth or punchy thing. Just shows how much tech has moved on. And even the lowest power 1.4 TSI is leaps ahead of the 1.3 SPi 122bhp (5000rpm) Vs 54bhp (5000rpm) 200nm (1500rpm) Vs 94nm (3250rpm) 5,3 l/100km Vs 7,1 l/100km

What about something aftermarket? This for example integrates with the cars systems like the factory system. And is a fraction of the cost. And probably has more functionality. Hope the link works as it's from Amazon.de https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08SMDNX79/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_i_KQZ2JDGF54XQC833FWTD?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Yeah I was surprised the difference it seems to have made. Think I'll do them more frequently than the recommend 60,000km! And the last petrol car I had was around 13 years ago now. And that was a Felicia 1.3 SPi. New or old plugs in that didn't matter. Was still gutless! Lol