Carlston

The outside diameter of 255/30R20 is a bit small, compared to some other slightly oversize tyres such as 245/45R18, 245/40R19, and 245/35R20. For example, 245/35R20 has an outside diameter 2.8% bigger than 255/30R20 and its radius is 9.25mm bigger. 245/35R20 fitted to 8J rims would give a lot more protection from kerbing damage and pothole damage than 255/30R20 fitted to 9J rims. There's also a huge difference in ride comfort between the 255/30R20 fitted to a 9J rim and a 245/35R20 fitted to an 8J rim. To make the 245/35R20 fitted to the 8J rim ride as hard as the 255/30R20 fitted to the 9J rim you would have to overinflate this 245 tyre by about 8psi...and that's a big difference. Although the 245/35R20 is a slightly narrower tyre than 255/30R20, it's XL load index is 95 (690kg), whereas the XL load index of 255/30R20 is only 92 (630kg). So this 245 can support almost 10% more weight (when inflated to the same tyre pressure) even though its narrower, or when supporting the same weight use consider less tyre pressure (about 0.2Bar/3psi) less tyre pressure. Together with the relatively narrower 8J rim and narrower contact width of this 245 tyre, it all adds up to a softer and more comfortable riding tyre...and I haven't even taken into account the stiffer sidewalls of the 30 aspect ratio tyre compared to the 35 aspect ratio tyre, which again would make the ride even worse. To add to the appalling hard ride, I doubt it would be long before the rims of the ridiculously low sidewalled 255/30R20 tyre would become buckled and/or damaged. 245/35R20 is a more common and cheaper tyre size than 255/30R20. Outside diameter of tyres 245/45R18 677.7mm 245/40R19 678.6mm 245/35R20 679.5mm 255/30R20 661mm ETRTO approved rim widths 45 Series 245/45 7.5-8.0-9.0 40 Series 245/40 8.0-8.5-9.5 35 Series 245/35 8.0-8.5-9.5 30 Series 255/30 8.5-9.0-9.5 "skoda eshop cz" are listing many 20" Skoda rims including 8Jx20 ET41 from the Kodiaq https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/cs_CZ/hlinikove-disky/c/alloyWheels?q=%3ApriceAsc%3ArimDiameter%3A20%22&page=1

When you get the new springs, make sure you check they are what you ordered. So often people fit springs without checking they are correct. You don't want to fit them and then find that the car is too high or too low, when it's so easy to check them before fitting. It's also important to make sure they are a matching pair. You don't want to fit one spring that is 10mm or 20mm longer than the other spring. Online sellers get a lot of returns, and it's quite common for springs to be put back in the wrong box. The first check I do, is to weigh them on digital kitchen scales. If those rear springs are not between 1.7kg and 1.8kg alarm bells should ring. But also check most of the other specifications including length, wire diameter (use digital calipers to measure this), and number of coil turns. Specification of 5Q0511121AF rear springs Uncompressed length 341mm Wire diameter 11.25mm Outside diameter 109mm Number of coil turns 7.6 Weight 1.75kg Actual photo of 5Q0511121AF rear spring (notice that the number of coil turns is about 7.6)

Both engines that you are comparing are Pumpe Duse PD, not common rail CR. The main difference is that the 1.9TDI 105PS is 8v SOHC and the 2.0TDI 140PS BKD is 16v DOHC. So the injection systems should be similar, but the 2.0TDI is 16v so should burn the fuel more efficiently and therefore be more economical. However, with an old engine it will probably depend more on how close to new condition the engine is still running Driving style will have the biggest effect on economy out of either engine. I could probably get close to 80mpg in the summer out of either engine on a gentle run, ie. not going above 50mph and keeping well away from the car in front to avoid sudden and/or repetitive braking, etc. I drive so gently and brake so little, that I get over 100,000 miles out of my brake pads...and this helps massively with fuel economy.

So Kilen were correct in their online spring catalogue. 15 0YF VWGROUP GKH Weight range 6 installation control only, no requirement forecast 22 1JA VWGROUP DFH Rear shock absorption, basic version 1 170 L03 VWGROUP GKV Suspension range 03 installation control only, no requirement forecast Front spring 5Q0411105GH 1 5Q0411105GH Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark blue violet 2 PR-L03 Rear spring 5Q0511121AF 1 5Q0511121AF Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YF I would probably go for Kilen 63140 rear springs to replace 5Q0511121AF, which you can get on ebay for less than £30 each including postage. Kilen are made in a modern factory in Sweden, and are Europe's biggest manufacturer of aftermarket car springs. Kilen and Lesjofors are the same spring just marketed under two different brand names. In the UK, Kilen is far more common and cheaper than Lesjofors, but in many EU countries Lesjofors seems to be the predominant brand. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/354459091551 Make sure you replace both sides at the same time.

Can you put all you build codes up on this thread? There might be around 180 of them, so there are a lot. Kilen springs suggest that you might have 5Q0411105GH front springs and 5Q0511121AF rear springs. This is likely to be close to what you have or exactly what you have, if you have an Octavia MK3 1.5TSI 150HP 2WD DSG estate without factory fitted towbar, and with standard ride height. Front spring 5Q0411105GH 1 5Q0411105GH Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark blue violet 2 PR-L03 Rear spring 5Q0511121AF 1 5Q0511121AF Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YF

Suspension height measurements should be taken from the centre of the wheel to the wheelarch, not from the road. Is your car a 2019 Octavia MK3 1.5TSI DSG hatchback? Front springs will usually be softer for a manual gearbox car, and rear springs will usually be harder for an estate. If the car has a factory fitted towbar, the rear springs will be harder still. Maybe one of your rear coil springs is broken? Or maybe someone has replaced one of the rear springs with the wrong spring? Anyhow, 20mm is a lot. If you can see the different height on each side of the car by eye, then that is too much. Are you measuring with the car empty, or have you got some luggage in the car? As you can see in the chart below, there is a long list of possible front springs on the Octavia MK3. Which ones you have depends on the build code for the front springs. For example, build code L01 would mean you have the 5Q0411105GF. As you can see in the chart below, there is a long list of possible rear springs on the Octavia MK3. Which ones you have depends on the build codes for the rear springs. For example, build codes 1JA and 0YA would mean yuo have 5Q0511121A. Octavia MK3 front coil springs No Part code Title Note Quantity Model 1 5Q0411105GF Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark blue orange 2 PR-L01 1 5Q0411105GG Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark blue red 2 PR-L02 1 5Q0411105GH Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark blue violet 2 PR-L03 1 5Q0411105GJ Coil spring 2 paint marks blue 2 PR-L04 1 5Q0411105GK Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark blue green 2 PR-L05 1 5Q0411105GL Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark blue brown 2 PR-L06 1 5Q0411105GM Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark blue Grey 2 PR-L07 1 5Q0411105GN Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark green white 2 PR-L08 1 5Q0411105GP Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark green yellow 2 PR-L09 1 5Q0411105GQ Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark green orange 2 PR-L10 1 5Q0411105GS Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark green violet 2 PR-L12 1 5Q0411105GT Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark green blue 2 PR-L13 1 5Q0411105HA Coil spring 2 paint marks green 2 PR-L14 1 5Q0411105HB Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark green brown 2 PR-L15 1 5Q0411105HC Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark green Grey 2 PR-L16 1 5Q0411105HD Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark brown white 2 PR-L17 1 5Q0411105HE Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark brown yellow 2 PR-L18 1 5Q0411105HF Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark brown orange 2 PR-L19 1 5Q0411105HG Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark 2 PR-L20 1 5Q0411105HJ Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark blue brown 2 PR-L23 1 5Q0411105HK Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark brown green 2 PR-L24 1 5Q0411105HL Coil spring 2 paint marks brown 2 PR-L25 1 5Q0411105HM Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark brown Grey 2 PR-L26 1 5Q0411105HN Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark Grey yellow 2 PR-L27 1 5Q0411105HP Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark Grey orange 2 PR-L28 1 5Q0411105HQ Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark Grey red 2 PR-L29 1 5Q0411105HR Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark Grey violet 2 PR-L30 1 5Q0411105HS Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark Grey blue 2 PR-L31 1 5Q0411105HT Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark Grey green 2 PR-L32 1 5Q0411105KM Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark 1 paint mark white orange green 2 PR-L33 1 5Q0411105KN Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark 1 paint mark white orange brown 2 PR-L34 1 5Q0411105KP Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark 1 paint mark white orange Grey 2 PR-L35 Octavia MK3 rear springs for standard ride height cars No Part code Title Note QNT Model Price 1 5Q0511121AA Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YA 1 5Q0511121AB Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YB 1 5Q0511121AC Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YC 1 5Q0511121AD Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YD 1 5Q0511121AE Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YE 1 5Q0511121AF Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YF 1 5Q0511121AG Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YG 1 5Q0511121AH Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YH 1 5Q0511121AJ Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YJ 1 5Q0511121EN Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YK

I think that's very unlikely, as no one makes 225/40R17. Are you sure they're not 225/45R17?

No, you shouldn't expect any issues. The piston diameter is the same, so the braking pressure is the same. Make sure you use the same brake pads for both sides on the same axle. Otherwise, if one side has more friction the car could pull to one side when you brake.

The 1JC shows that the car has lowered/sports suspension. 0YF shows that the rear springs have OEM part number 3Q0511115AD. You can see on this thread that Bigeater has a Superb MK3 280HP 4x4 sportline with 3Q0511115AC rear springs https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/478335-does-the-sportline-have-stiffer-suspension/page/8/#comment-5731492 So it looks like similar models that left the factory with a towbar fitted one weight range higher rear springs, ie. 3Q0511115AD. autodoc aren't listing any aftermarket lowered ride height rear springs with a weight range higher than 0YF, so I suggest simply trying new 3Q0511115AD rear springs. EIBACH R22928 rear springs 3Q0511115AD https://www.autodoc.co.uk/eibach/18112510 What wire thickness are your current rear springs? You can then compare to the 13.75mm wire diameter of the Eibach R22928 rear springs.

There's an ebay seller that can supply your car's build codes for about 3 Euros. search "skoda vin decoder" on ebay to find the listing https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224631127243 You can also find your build codes on "skoda erwin" for 7 Euros, and you can get downloaded manuals for your car. The 7 Euros gets you 1 hour's access. Most people seem to be able to download what they want in that time. You can decoder the codes, on "VW codes decoder" http://igorweb.org/equidec.aspx Codes have 3 digits, comprising numbers and letters, so look something like this: 1JA, 1JC, etc. If you have lowered ride height aka sports suspension, your rear springs should be in the below chart. Note that 1JC means lowered ride height. Lowered ride height rear springs for Superb MK3 4x4 1 3Q0511115S Coil spring 2 PR-1JC+0YA 1 3Q0511115T Coil spring 2 PR-1JC+0YB 1 3Q0511115AA Coil spring 2 PR-1JC+0YC 1 3Q0511115AB Coil spring 2 PR-1JC+0YD 1 3Q0511115AC Coil spring 2 PR-1JC+0YE 1 3Q0511115AD Coil spring 2 PR-1JC+0YF 1 3Q0511115BH Coil spring 2 PR-1JC+0YG 1 3Q0511115AE Coil spring 2 PR-1JC+0YH 1 3Q0511115AF Coil spring 2 PR-1JC+0YJ 1 3Q0511115AG Coil spring 2 PR-1JC+0YK 1 3Q0511115BD Coil spring 2 PR-1JC+0YL

The Karoq 2WD uses slightly smaller outside diameter tyres compared to the Karoq 4x4. Compared to the 215/50R18 which is a standard Karoq 2WD tyre size, 215/60R17 has an outside diameter 2.6% larger. You might find this 2.6% increase acceptable. If you did find the gearing a little too long legged, you would just need to change to the slightly smaller outside diameter 215/55R17 size next time the tyres need replacing. The 215/60R17 tyre size is correct for the 6.5Jx17 ET33 rims, and is a winter tyre size for the Audi Q3 MK1. Since 2018, there's been an Audi Q3 MK2 which uses Kodiaq sizes tyres. Your alloys will be from the earlier Audi Q3 MK1. 7Jx17 ET43 rims are normally fitted with 235/55R17 tyres on the Audi Q3. I would prefer the 215/60R17 over the 235/55R17 for the Karoq, because there's less weight, less drag, more mpg, nimbler handling, and a smoother ride. The front wheel bearings that are used on the Karoq are also used on other VAG models that use the ET33 offset. Therefore, ET33 won't cause any harm to the Karoq's wheel bearings.

Your Superb MK3 is 4x4 and you want to tow a caravan. The fella who is considering those 3Q0511115AB has a Superb MK3 2WD and wants his car low and to handle like a Ferrari. He is also in the process of trial and error, where things could easily turn out different from what he is expecting. Two different cars and two different setups. The 4x4 weighs more than the 2WD so uses different springs, especially the rear springs. It's best to find out the OEM part numbers of your current springs before doing any modifications. One Superb MK3 estate owner who was towing a caravan had a broken rear spring and felt sure he needed much stiffer rear springs. However, the garage would only fit the springs that the car left the factory with. The owner found out that these new springs were fine, and that he didn't need much stiffer rear springs after all. As aftermarket springs are cheap on ebay, it might be best to try new standard rear springs, in case the original ones have simply started sagging...and then take it from there. If you go up by more than about 10% in stiffness, you might find that the springs become uncomfortably stiff when there's not a heavy load in the car.

What OEM part numbers are your current front and rear springs? Did your car come with a factory fitted towbar? If so, it should already have slightly stiffer rear springs compared to a similar car that didn't have a factory fitted towbar. It may be, that the rear springs have started to sag with age and simply need changing for new springs. You can see in the chart below, that the Skoda parts catalogue lists ten rear springs for the standard ride height Superb MK3 4x4 (the code 1JA means standard ride height). The first five rear springs in this hierarchy are probably too soft for the 4x4. I suspect that you may need something like 0YF (weight range 6) rear springs, or 0YG (weight range 7) rear springs in the below list, ie. 3Q0511115N or 3Q0511115P. No Part code Title Note QNT Model Price suspension Shock absorbers 4-wheel dr.+ - 1 3Q0511115AH Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YA 1 3Q0511115AJ Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YB 1 3Q0511115AK Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YC 1 3Q0511115AL Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YD 1 3Q0511115M Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YE 1 3Q0511115N Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YF 1 3Q0511115P Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YG 1 3Q0511115Q Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YH 1 3Q0511115R Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YJ 1 3Q0511115BC Coil spring 2 PR-1JA+0YK

Just changing from 225/40R18 to 205/55R16 would massively improve the ride. Compared to 205/55R16, the 215/60R16 has three big problems. Firstly, the price of 215/60R16 is generally much higher than 205/55R16. Secondly, the outside diameter of 215/60R16 is about 5.1% higher than 205/55R16. ICE engines aren't good at pulling gearing that's much higher than the gears that have been optimised by the manufacturer...particularly 1st gear, and top gear. A clutch that is pulling a 5.1% higher first gear, is going to wear out faster compared to the standard gearing...especially if you do a lot of uphill starts with a 1,600kg caravan on the back plus maybe 400kg of passengers and their luggage. Thirdly, if an insurance assessor sees the car, those massively oversize tyres will stand out like a red rag to a bull. Outside diameter of tyres 205/55R16 631.9mm 215/60R16 664.4mm (+5.1%) 215/55R16 642.9mm (+1.7%) The Superb MK2 normally uses 7Jx16 ET45 rims with its 205/55R16 tyre size, but there's also a winter tyre option that uses 6Jx16 ET50. 7J is quite wide for a 205/55 tyre, so changing to 6J or 6.5J would help improve the ride a little more. Perhaps 6Jx16 ET43 from the Karoq or 6.5Jx16 ET46 from the Octavia MK3 and Octavia MK4. On the standard 7Jx16 ET45, 215/55R16 might be a better option than 215/60R16 as the outside diameter is a far more modest 1.7% bigger than 205/55R16. 215/55R16 is also a better size for the 7J rim. As you can see in the ETRTO chart below, 215/55R16 is a better fit for a 7J rim (hence highlighted in bold) than either a 205/55R16 or 215/60R16 tyre size. ETRTO approved rim widths 205/55 5.5-6.5-7.5 215/60 6.0-6.5-7.5 215/55 6.0-7.0-7.5

The purpose of checking the battery voltage is to see if the battery has a bad cell. You can check for a bad cell by fully charging the battery and leaving it overnight (perhaps at least 8 hours) and then checking the battery voltage. If after about 8 hours the voltage has dropped to a low level, such as below 12.2V, you probably need a new battery. Although, it's best to perform the test with the battery disconnected (such as disconnecting the negative terminal) in case there's a parasitic drain, such as a radio gone bad and causing the battery to drain quickly. Although your car is 2020, it's well know that Skoda don't use good quality and expensive AGM stop-start batteries, but a cheaper EFB battery. The cheaper EFB battery doesn't last long, so you may need a new battery. Usually battery problems turn out to be a battery with a cell that's gone bad, and the battery simply needing replacing. If you do get a new stop-start battery, an AGM Varta battery is one of the best.

Have you checked the battery voltage after charging it and leaving it overnight? If you don't have a multimeter to measure the battery voltage, you could use something like these. These two items could also be useful to keep an eye on the battery voltage when charging it with a battery charger. search "LED car voltmeter cigarette lighter" to find on ebay, etc. search "car cigarette lighter female socket battery alligator clip" to find on ebay, etc.

Can you see any coloured dots on the front springs? Both sides should have the same coloured dots, and these can be used to identify what front springs you have. You might find that your coloured dots are either 1 blue dot and 1 grey dot, or 1 green dot and 1 white dot, although they could be something else. This photo should give you an idea of what the coloured dots on the front springs look like No Part code Title Note QNT Model Price suspension Shock absorbers for vehicles with electroni- cally regulated shock absorber PR-G04 - 1 5Q0411105HL Coil spring 2 paint marks brown 2 PR-L25 1 5Q0411105HM Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark brown Grey 2 PR-L26 1 5Q0411105HN Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark Grey yellow 2 PR-L27 1 5Q0411105HP Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark Grey orange 2 PR-L28 1 5Q0411105HQ Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark Grey red 2 PR-L29 1 5Q0411105HR Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark Grey violet 2 PR-L30 1 5Q0411105HS Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark Grey blue 2 PR-L31 1 5Q0411105HT Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark Grey green 2 PR-L32 1 5Q0411105DQ Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark 1 paint mark yellow brown red 2 PR-L35 1 5Q0411105GF Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark blue orange 2 PR-L01 1 5Q0411105GG Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark blue red 2 PR-L02 1 5Q0411105GH Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark blue violet 2 PR-L03 1 5Q0411105GJ Coil spring 2 paint marks blue 2 PR-L04 1 5Q0411105GK Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark blue green 2 PR-L05 1 5Q0411105GL Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark blue brown 2 PR-L06 1 5Q0411105GM Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark blue Grey 2 PR-L07 1 5Q0411105GN Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark green white 2 PR-L08 1 5Q0411105GP Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark green yellow 2 PR-L09 1 5Q0411105GQ Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark green orange 2 PR-L10 1 5Q0411105GT Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark green blue 2 PR-L13 1 5Q0411105HA Coil spring 2 paint marks green 2 PR-L14 1 5Q0411105HB Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark green brown 2 PR-L15 1 3Q0411105 Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark 1 paint mark yellow red yellow 2 PR-L42 1 5Q0411105HC Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark green Grey 2 PR-L16 1 5Q0411105HD Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark brown white 2 PR-L17 1 5Q0411105HE Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark brown yellow 2 PR-L18 1 5Q0411105HF Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark brown orange 2 PR-L19 1 5Q0411105HG Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark 2 PR-L20 No Part code Title Note QNT Model Price suspension Shock absorbers for vehicles with electroni- cally regulated shock absorber PR-G09,G10 - 1 5Q0411105GN Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark green white 2 PR-L08 1 5Q0411105HE Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark brown yellow 2 PR-L18 1 5Q0411105HF Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark brown orange 2 PR-L19 1 5Q0411105HG Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark brown red 2 PR-L20 1 5Q0411105DH Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark 1 paint mark yellow violet blue 2 PR-L36 1 5Q0411105DJ Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark 1 paint mark yellow green green 2 PR-L37 1 5Q0411105DK Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark 1 paint mark yellow violet green 2 PR-L38 1 5Q0411105DL Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark 1 paint mark yellow green brown 2 PR-L39 1 5Q0411105DM Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark 1 paint mark yellow brown white 2 PR-L40 1 5Q0411105DN Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark 1 paint mark yellow brown yellow 2 PR-L41 1 5Q0411105DP Coil spring 1 paint mark 1 paint mark 1 paint mark yellow brown orange 2 PR-L42 G04 springs L01-L10 L13-L20 L25-L32 L35 L42 G09, G10 springs L08 L18-L20 L36-L42

In the Skoda parts catalogue, these rims are listed for both the Kamiq and the Scala as original equipment. The difference being that these rims were fitted with 215/45R18 tyres on the Kamiq, and 205/45R18 tyres on the Scala. 658601025G Aluminium rim Diamond silver 7Jx18 ET39 https://www.lllparts.co.uk/catalogs/skoda/CZ/SCA/584/6/601/601080

I would check that she is able to undo the wheel bolts herself. Garages often overtighten wheel bolts, and sometimes I have to stand on a breaker bar to loosen them. If you don't have a long breaker bar, you could be left stranded at the side of the road. It's a lot easier to undo an overtightened wheel bolt by using a breaker bar than a ratchet handle and extension bar, as the force is directly targeted at the socket/wheel bolt. This enables you to stand on the end of the breaker bar if the wheel bolt is extremely tight. 1/2" breaker bar (this one's about 18" long)

nta16's wife drives a Fabia MK3 90HP, so only has 256mm front brake discs. It's the more powerful cars that have the bigger 288mm front brake discs. But like you say, a workaround if you get a puncture and have front brake discs bigger than 256mm, is to fit the 14" spare to the rear and then put the bigger 15"+ rim on the front.

Is it Monroe 376246SP ? The mechanic should put the model number on the receipt, so that you know what's been fitted. MONROE 376246SP Shock Absorber Gas Pressure, Twin-Tube, Telescopic Shock Absorber, Bottom eye, Top pin https://www.autodoc.co.uk/monroe/13672272

Have you been on carwow? If you want to look at all the options that seems like a good place to start. For the £20-£24k price range, maybe take a look at the Audi A1. The Audi A1 1.0TSI 110HP DSG starts at under £23k with the usual discount. Same platform as the Fabia/Polo/Ibiza. I heard that this current A1 model is the last Audi will build, as I suspect they are going to concentrate on their higher priced cars with higher profit margins. Or maybe the VAG group are simply going to price the Polo/Fabia/Ibiza cars at the level of the current Audi A1. The Audi A1 insurance group is higher. Around 18/50 insurance group for the 110HP cars, but might depend on exact model. The Skoda Fabia insurance group is lower. Around 13/50 insurance group for the 110HP cars, but might depend on exact model. See "insurance group" moneysupermarket.com for car insurance groups https://www.moneysupermarket.com/car-insurance/groups/

Compared to the Fabia, the Dacia Sandero seems better value, especially the £14,500 LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) version, which is based on the middle trim level Expression. The Dacia Sandero 1.0 turbo petrol 90HP does about 52mpg, and the LPG version does about 42mpg due to the lower energy density of LPG compared to petrol. However, LPG is about half the price of petrol, so cost wise that's like having a petrol that does 84mpg...and that's how I look at it, ie. as far as I'm concerned the LPG Sandero does 84mpg! I'm a long term Skoda fan, but I don't like being ripped off by "Rip Off Britain". If I could import a cheap, new LHD Fabia from Europe I would, and I prefer LHD to RHD due to the better pedal layout...ie. in LHD you don't have the wheelarch intrusion pushing the accelerator pedal awkwardly across to the left, and LHD has a comfortable place to rest your left foot. Dacia Sandero https://www.dacia.co.uk/vehicles/sandero/prices-versions.html?gradeCode=ENS_MDL2P1SERIELIM4

I would tell the dealer that the starting price of a Fabia in Poland is 66,450PLN (about £12,400), and what's the best price he can do? Even the Fabia Monte Carlo is only 79,500PLN (about £14,800). The VAT rate in Poland is 23%, so the price in Poland should be more than the UK price. Skoda Fabia in Poland https://www.skoda-auto.pl/modele/fabia/fabia

That's where you need an old fashioned dumb charger, just to put a little charge in a dead battery (or below a certain voltage level) and then connect the smart charger as the smart charger isn't always smart enough to know when a dead battery can be brought back to life. It's the same with NiMH AAA/AA/C/D/PP3 batteries. If the voltage has dropped to a very low level, a smart charger won't charge them because it thinks they are defective. Hence, use a dump NiMH charger to bring them back to life, and then put them on the smart charger. Actually, many smart chargers for NiMH batteries don't work very well and will often overcharge them. This is very damaging for the battery and will massively reduce their life. I've recently purchased a SKYRC NC1500 AA/AAA smart battery charger, and so far hasn't missed when the batteries are full. However, I always set the charging current to the lowest 200mA setting. With batteries, a slow charge is better than fast, as the battery lasts longer...and with NiMH batteries, if the smart charger misses when the battery is full and keeps charging, less damage is done. However, like I've already mentioned, this SKYRC NC1500 hasn't overcharged yet, and I doubt it will. SKYRC obviously know what they are doing with the algorithms.