KeteCantek

Following on from previous post of buying spark plugs, air and pollen filter, I have completed them jobs. Car is at 28k miles, 6 hears old. Old plugs as expected, looks fine, coil packs wasn't too hard to remove on a cold engine (ambient 22deg ish). Plugs should last the rest of my ownership of the vehicle.

After I adjusted that rubber seal around the filler cap 2 weeks is ago... Filled up (half tank and 3/4 tank) drove around, no smell anymore. Might be the outer seal that wasn't letting the cap seal itself properly. Previously at those sort of fuel level, definitely smell coming through. Rarely need a full tank as don't go long journey but next time it allows, will keep and eye/nose! out.

Changed out the pollen filter. Reminded of how faffy it is the get the clips off the plastic cover. On mine, the left hand side clip is obscured by dangling cables which have to be moved out the way. New Bosch pollen filter (same part number as old) has less number of pleats compared to the old one too.

Bought a pollen filter, air filter, and NGK spark plugs for my 280 from opieoils. Compared to dealer fitted prices, that would save me a whopping 100quid ish doing it myself. Now I hope those coil packs come off nicely when doing it and don't break...

So... I had a good look the other day around the filler cap and the cap itself as I thought maybe the cap is leaky. Cap looks fine, but I noticed there is a rubber seal around the filler neck that is not aligned properly. I aligned that and after a few drives over a few days, I did not detect any smell anymore. However, tank is less than half full now so it could be that too. Will filler up to more than half soon and see if it comes back.

I think it's more complicated than that. Might be the anti-siphon device interfering? Or simply the hose isn't rigid enough Just a guess...

@njr911 remap will be it.

Over the last month or so during the warmer weather, my 66plate 280 did smell of petrol (expensive petrol at that...) After I stopped. Really strong on the warmest days, a bit on a day like today at around 25deg. Don't get it when it's cooler. Not seen any leaks and I have opened the filler too to check and no gushing of petrol. Will monitor and see how it goes. Worse case I guess at 200quid, it might be fixed.

There is really next to no reason not to do air filters yourself with a high quality part. I reckon I'd spend more time telling the service people not to do it when booking, then repeating myself at the check in, then checking they didn't do it and charge me than doing it myself. I jest but it's a 5min job max. Pollen filter a bit trickier but still a 5min job or 15min for a first time noob like me (watching YouTube and doing it..). What the SC charges for those is next level robbery.

With traffic, probably close enough. Otherwise you should be able to exceed 40mpg if you do motorway miles sensibly. But then, if fuel cost is a concern, there are much better ways to cut overall motoring costs...

Agree the sound is the attraction. It is also a big car, long bonnet and wider than a superb. Didn't know they don't sell the ISF in Italy. I'd personally would have a Lexus GSF if I could afford it... But at 2quid/Litre petrol, every rev would cost a bit ... Have fun with the mustang!

Ah, lovely car. I agree there is more to driving than just power figures/acceleration. Not many NA v8 cars about anymore, get them while you can. I'd consider one of those 5.0 v8 Lexus too. Your daughter will get round to it soon enough lol

The superb 280 has no peer if space and a bit of performance is important with the least amount of money. I think many who bought this car wants exactly that combo. Anything else, something gives. Want to retain space and performance, pay up... But of course will get better materials and nvh..Such as in a 540 touring...heeeheee. What do you have an eye on?

I have the liquid Collinite and it's similar. In fact, I dare say the sonax brilliant shine detailer also does the same. All excellent beading effect. 476 is a good one, old school but good.

That's the drafting HGV on ACC speed. Iirc, 50mpg is possible with my 280. I did it once on the motorway Bristol to London but hell is it boring and is the wrong car for this type of driving lol.

Which figure? The motorway figure? Stick to speed limit 70mph ish, 35mpg. Stay behind a bus or hgv using adaptive cruise , more than 40mpg, 45mpg even. If you do 80-85mph, have a bit of fun, expect 30mpg. At least that's what I get.

I have a 2016 280tsi currently at 26.7k miles. Does everything I need perfectly, I own it outright, so will just hang on to it until I cant buy petrol easily or affordably I guess.

If servicing includes tyres off, then just do the swap then. Mine will be off at least every 2 years when the brake fluid change is due.

I think going to a dealer would cost less than £560... Run away from that Indy. I think going to a dealer would cost less than £560... Run away from that Indy.

Recently hired a VW transporter panel van. The difference in ride is crazy huge. Van feels incredibly smooth in comparison but with lots of roll and pitch of course. Recently changed tyres (same size , OEM 19inch) and that made a difference too, taking away the sharp edges.

Depends on tariff but standard is about 30p per kWh.

Looks like fairly low annual mileage. The 190 tsi or iV will be better. iV will get better fuel economy on motorways ICE only vs the 190 tsi. However, you lose boot space with the iV and it is more expensive. Also not sure if you can charge at home but beware of the rate. At 30p/kWh, it's awfully close to a good efficient petrol car at 1.6/L petrol... You have to do your calcs

The main difference between budget (as in real budget) vs premium tyres is normally the wet performance. The difference in dry is there but won't make a difference in day to day driving but might in emergency situations. However the gap in wet widens significantly. In any case a new budget tyre will almost certainly outpeform a worn (just above limit, ~2mm) premium tyre in the wet. Did a tyre event with continental where they let us try it out and the worn contis got spanked on emergency wet braking by a new budget set. My conclusion is, budget tyres are fine, maybe swap them out when it's at 3mm or so. Drive to conditions and all good. My new set of tyres should last the life of my planned ownership as I don't do much mileage. Another 15-20k miles or so I reckon and it'll be 5years old with half-ish the thread left.

For what it's worth, they have the same EU rating for noise on the label. I have a longer drive on motorways tomorrow so will see if I think it's any better or not. I would expect it to be a bit better since it's new and still a more comfort biased tyre. Pretty sure outright grip especially when wet will be significantly better as there is no way all the tests out there are wrong. But rarely on the road one uses it. Maybe except emergency braking/maneuvers in the wet where the PS5 is one of the best. The harshness over bumps (calming measures) is significant for me to feel it straightaway, tyre pressure I have checked and matched so it's not a factor.

It was yesterday ... But I replaced all 4 oem (2016) pirellli P7s with Michelin PS5 tyres. First impressions, slightly better ride (rough edges gone), noise same at best slightly better on some surfaces. Grip is better but nothing to make a difference in normal driving. That said, the pirellis were well past it's best