zacherynuk

I tend to get on my high horse about such things. If you can't confidently parallel park, you should not have the same licence as the rest of us. We have a separation of people who learned to drive automatics vs manual - we should also consider all of the other modern factors, although ABS is covered in the modern syllabus, non-ABS isn't so much (instructors discretion) - People learning to drive with ESP, traction control, Hill control, blind spot indication, auto dimming mirrors, auto brake, auto park and soon in Germany auto multi storey parking with 3rd party black box... these people can still go out and buy a fully manual car, which is scary. Scary like people who pass their motorbike test on a 125 can go and buy a 1000 ninja sport. They have a decent community who are always talking the death aspect. We have a community who are always talking the safety in a crash aspect. Anyway, I have used the focus auto park and been in a merc as a passenger whilst it's auto park was demonstrated. Neither experience made me 'wow' - I can't see the benefit - tech is interesting though. I like tech and I like driver aids, but it comes down to basics - If you can't park, if your can't judge rudimentary positions and sizes in relation to other objects you should not be driving a car. End of. Humous here too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4jP0KqyIIU

My LE leather is still 100% tip top after 40k - and as I understand it, the LE covers were swiftly applied at the border just before the dealers took delivery.... I need leather (due to previously mentioned children factor) but I can't seem to work out how to get it on a 4x4.... If my leather started to sag I would be invoking Sale of Goods Act 1979 tout-sweet... wouldn't make me not order it though.

teeth floss works great!

My 2 pence on the exaggerated low profile tyres is that they would only benefit an exceptionally well setup car* running on an exceptionally well maintained surface. *Tyre pressures are a lot more critical on low profiles than standard, for example and when driven at any decent pace you need very good and well maintained suspension. I would prefer to have progressive breakaway, more damage resilience, more overall and guaranteed grip and an all round nicer ride. A quick search found this thread, which sums up my thoughts succinctly. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1084401 " Touring cars on the other hand use big rims purely for marketing purposes. I was involved in BTCC for many years as a chief race engineer and chassis designer. In the early 90s they ran 18" rims, but the manufacturers really wanted to promote 19" rims and eventually they insisted on switching to 19". We carried out a very comprehensive tyre test involving Dunlop, Michelin and Yokohama when the 19" tyres were under development. In all cases the 18" tyres were significantly quicker. The bigger rims allowed a bit more freedom in the suspension geometry and obviously more clearance for brake calipers, but 18" was a much better compromise overall. As for road use, ultra-low profile tyres are entirely for show. They certainly compromise the ride and don't give the best grip levels. I'd say 17" is probably the best compromise between handling, ride and weight. "

sounds like I should test drive a 'normal' octavia 150 - but does seem that 17";s won't be an issue on the Vrs Glad I'm not the only person who prefers more rubber!

^ Unsure if trolling. Really ? Having mine chipped from stock 184 to 202 made a very noticeable difference in the mid range driving . http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/130332-a-few-of-you-have-been-waiting-for-this-cr-170-curve/ I have driven a stock vrs since this upgrade and although not not a bum-clenching difference it was still very much apparent in the important 40-70 range! by some! I am currently considering paying 3k for a super charger kit to take my TVR from ~225 to ~280. I have driven a 400SC and it was wildly different to mine. In comparison 150-184 seems a massive difference!! 20% more power that you don't notice ? How come ?

Thanks for the ideas: I can only ask. I'd be happy with a 4x4 in L&K or an L&K outdoor Yeti with a bigger boot... I think 17's on a VRS is the most likely We'll see.

Nicely... cheers TP... so as I do now, I could run 17's with my vector all seasons without any insurance penalty - thanks to wheel size "being in the manual" and the all seasons "having the snow flake" you think? Wonder what the best way to accomplish this would be... think a custom factory order would be a possibility ?

... for 17" wheels ? I simply cannot find another car I want, I've looked at all sorts now. I was sorely tempted by the face lift yeti... but... it's just a fec lift and today I looked at the boot with the oh so important 2 wheel buggy and, well no going back from the Octi boot now is there... So, although the Vrs Is only available in 18"+ I was wondering on the feasibility of putting 17"s on ... Cheers

Gah.. so sensible...

<sigh> look at max speed

The Vrs didn't last long eh ? Link here: http://cc.skoda-auto.com/gbr/pages/step2.aspx# See attached screenshot.

cheers

May I ask where you bought it from ? I asked Allams in Epson about the 4x4 and they said not available to order until the end of the year... I have emailed them the exact spec I want from the car configurator and no reply to that or a voice mail, so I guess they simply do not want my business. Anybody recommend a dealer in / around Surrey where I could buy a 4x4 ? Cheers

Gahh Gahh! Hells bells. I want a 4x4 elegance with everything. I can only spec 4x4 with SE trim and the dealers know effing eff all about effing anything about effing skoda cars. I can't get a solid date I can order, when I could have it or a price. What gives ? Can I order a right hand drive from sweden ? Sorry not useful to you ...

Indeed, I would bet it would be very easy on the B roads to kill the MPG to ~20 - whereas the derv wouldn't change. Also don't forget the quality CR maps...

On the Vrs Going from 18" to 17" was a massive comfort increase, with little or nor perceivable loss in progressiveness or handling. My TVR has 16" rear and 15" front and very stiff suspension but is also very comfy. (On the same roads that destroyed my 18" above) I would say that your tyre choice is more important than wheel size, but that, perhaps 16" may be a little small for such a heavy car with spirited driving.... Edit: Also no 17" option on the VRS has ruled me out this year...

Are the residuals not usually better with the dervs too ?

Also - has anyone ever chipped a 4x4 ? http://skoda-car-configurator.cloudapp.net/CarCard/44088201

That is some of the worst parking....

I3 it is then. <sulks>

Went to see one at the weekend... at last - as I'm getting very itchy to part with some cash! Sad to say I wasn't blown away at all; you have all seen the exteriors etc - I like the front - it's more aggressive/masculine than the facelift grill and lights look good. Rear end... nice... but the exhausts are shocking - very halfords special - the amount of daylight between the exhaust and the shiny bit is awful. Inside the seats are very nice I thought I like the all in one and comfy too - best since the LE Gear change seems lower and pedals felt further apart - may be an issue for the Heal&Towers Everything else ... ok. Except for the door trim... FFS. Hard plastic ? Come on. Really ? I had nicer door cards in my 1984 Maestro. (What's weird I have previously been in a 2013 SE with soft trim and a 2013 elegance with hard trim - wondering if something is afoot there...) Dealer offered ~8.2 for my LE but bugger all of the list price so I'm a little up in the air. I may well just put in a punt on a fully specced 4x4 and sit it out.

Can't find the photos.. but I paved a walkway up the side of our old house - 14 slabs total iirc. and the car was on it's knees. All the way down and no give - I drove home so slowly - there was literally no give in the rear suspension... Ahh - here is the drive : http://goo.gl/maps/5CBQt ... erm it was nicer when I did it and I guess they decided they didn't need the other ones near the pavement... (or they cracked up cos i'm not a builder! lol!)

Hah! "The only Diesel that should be found in a performance car is Van Diesel!)

Leave your aircon on all the time. Why would you not ? There obviously is moisture in the car! Check all the usual places for moisture collecting (wheel well & foot wells especially) If it's just your front screen... then perhaps a leak into your blowers (AC will slowly dry that up) - If rear wash isn't working... gosh - I guess you keep squirting it until you find a damp patch!