durhamfisher

I'd shop around, I got quotes of around £300 (main dealer prices) when I got mine done. It gets cheaper if you combine it with a service / MOT.

If all FSI engines (inc 2.0 TFSI) are chain driven does this mean you never have to change the chain, as you have to with a belt driven system?

Bit confused here - if the dealer doesnt generate or retrieve the code from the online system, who does? The dealer must initiate the code generation and download it onto the key - I think you are saying that he doesnt actually see the code as part of the initialisation process?

Last year I purchased a spare key for the car from the main dealer as I was only supplied with one originally (car was second hand). The dealer needed the car and original key to complete the programming of the new key. I didnt supply them with any codes. I spoke to an independent key cutting specialist but he admitted that the codes are generated by VW and they only let dealers access to the software to generate new codes. I think the radio checks the codes on the ecu for enabling, no more 4 digit pins.

I had my timing belt changed recently at a Skoda dealer (2.0TDI). I contacted Skoda before hand to see their recommendation regarding water pump change as I had conflicting quotes with/without water pump. They called me back to say there was no specific requirement to change the pump during a cam belt change. However, they also advised that it would cost me roughly the same amount again if the pump failed. Given the car had only done 50k I decided not to do it. In the end its your choice.

I think you will find each car is different. My PD engine uses aroung 1l every 9k. I've done 55k and the consumption has been pretty consistent. When checking I normally do this on a morning before startup, not sure whether 20 minutes is enough for all the oil to settle. If its the same dip stick on the PD engine its a pain in the a*** to judge the level correctly.

I have the 2.0 PD TDi and I'm down by about 10mpg (55 to 45), which includes running the air con.

I've just been informed that I need new disks and pads all round. Not suprised really as the pads are the original ones (car on 53K) and my engine breaking driving style has resulted in pitted disks all round. So, do you think that its worth buying OEM disks and pads from Skoda, given 53K is pretty good going, or just go for a third party make. Seem to remember having bad experiences of squealing brakes when choosing the cheaper options on previous cars (not Skoda though). Havent got any quotes yet but if anyone has changed recently i'd be interested to know costs.

Maybe you could test it with a magnet to see if its plastic or not?

Sounds like they didn't set it to fixed servicing when they serviced it at 14500. My experience is that garages always forget to reset the service indicator. For fixed servicing only you can set this yourself, check the manual. For fixed you get 10K between servicing, so your next service will be 24500.

If its similar to the Octy then your first reading was for variable. You then reset the service to fixed using the buttons in the instrument panel. You cannot switch it back to variable without VAG-COM (dealer or independent garage or a mate with the software/lead etc). Even if you did switch it back, I dont think that you would be on the correct mileage/calculation (can someone confirm?). The service counter is now on a time distance setting and will now count down 9800 miles until the next service. If you wait this long you will be over the service time limit, so you need to take the dealers advice and take it for a service when they suggest to prevent any warranty issues.

Got my Octavia 2.0TDi serviced (variable), cambelt change and MOT for £500. Cheaper than a local independent. Advised I needed new disks and pads (which I knew about before going to the garage as its still on the original pads at 53K and I could see the disks were not in the best condition) but didnt try the hard sell. Overall recommended.

maybe, but I bet they dont suffer from dodgy DMF's!

Even more tempted to get rid after viewing this link from the Superb section http://briskoda.net/superb/superb-has-gone-my-new-whip/141072/ Nice car!

Thinking of getting rid of my 2.0tdi on an 05 plate given all of the discussions on failed DMF's and turbos. Car is just approaching 50K. Every time I drive it I'm listening out for whines from the turbo or juddering from the clutch. Is there too much hype about these problems? Cannot understand how Skoda comes top of relaibility surveys if these components are failing on a high percentage of cars. So am I paranoid or realistic, should I sell it or keep it???

Maybe missing the diesel engine torque/low down grunt, which always seems to make acceleration seem quicker than it actually is. I know I missed it when I swapped from diesel to petrol. I swapped back 6 months later.

Not wanting to start a petrol v diesel debate, but you dont buy a vrs with its fuel saving ability in mind. I thought that they ran better on super anyway? I'd have been testing the performance increase, not arguing with the garage over £10.

It was only a short time ago that you would have been queuing to get fuel at 115.9ppl! The guy didnt guide you to the super pump, you picked it up yourself. Maybe he was genuinely interested in your vrs. Dont forget you could save even more in fuel costs by buying a diesel!

Yep, same here but I think that it is more from the drivers door near the b pillar. Wasn't worth getting the dealer to look at it when under warranty as they couldn't pick up on the creaking suspension which was at least 10 times as loud.

Turn on your ignition (but not starting the car) and press and hold in the stalk in the rev / speedo panel. You should see the miles left to the next service after a couple of seconds.

I have a 05 octy and have the 6 CD multichanger but no mp3 socket on the car. I believe later cars have this, but I'm sure some one here will assist further.

Yes, a service is due every 2 years or 18K which ever is first. I do around 18-20K a year so I service around once a year. Are you doing many short runs or infrequent long runs? Is the car regularly getting up to temperature? I mention this as VW /Skoda recommend you are on fixed servicing if you are doing frequent short runs. If not, all is well!

I also have an 05 2.0tdi. Took the decision once it was 3 years old to go to an independent VW specialist for servicing. Saved £80 on the dealer and have had no problems. Just checked before hand they would be using the correct oil grade and would be changing all filters as part of the cost. However, have not decided yet on who will do the cam belt this year as its due on 4 year old.

Read some posts on here recently on the cage mod. There was a similar theme to the posts which related MAF problems with poor mpg and excess smoke / poor running. Some people has simply unplugged the MAF connection and replugged in a few times which seemed to improve things. Unfortunately, haven't tried it myself as my 2.0tdi shows an average of 55mpg on the trip counter.

When I purchased my car the pipe was already off (water only in the washers). However, I fixed mine using a post on here in about 10 minutes. Used various screen wash additives since (not from Skoda) and never had a problem. Just make sure the concentration is sufficient to prevent freezing. I think its a bit of a money generating exercise from the dealers to charge you, given its a design flaw.