The Plumber

Not been on the site for a while and today I've agreed to trade in my 14 plate Spaceback SE TSI for a 15 plate Toledo I-Tech TDI, which will leave me without a Skoda for the first time since 2009. Having changed jobs I'm now doing more miles and the up and down dale route to work is not very conjunctive to petrol economy. Had hoped to stay with the Skoda but the Seat dealer was offering considerably more for our Spaceback than the Skoda dealer and those we buy any car people. On top of this is the better standard spec with the Seat badge. Will be very sad to see the distinctive green machine go and I'll miss the glass roof but must move on. TP

Sorry have no further information, as that's all the dealer told me. TP

The Octy III has more seat movement forward and backwards but had far less space for your feet and I felt the seating, even with the height adjuster, in the Octy was a little low for my liking. Also prefer the sport seat in the Spaceback over the fairly hard bolstered affair in our MY14 SE Octy but neither are ideal for really long runs that I have done in the past, i.e. over 900 miles in a day. TP

But potentially uncomfortable; had to get rid of my octy III after six months and replace it with Spaceback, as I couldn't get on with the off-set foot pedals. However if you really want comfort get a V40, nearly new high spec models can be had for Skoda prices http://www.raychapmanmotors.co.uk/used/volvo/v40/d2-se-nav-driver-support-pack-17-alloys/malton/north-yorkshire/16767757 TP

Good choice; I've driven every model of the Fabia and the Spaceback is the better car to drive and practical. TP

Nice motor and good to see Skoda are at last bringing the Spaceback up to a spec it should have had from the off. Still one of my favourite small cars to drive and very practical; still amazed what it will carry. TP

Sounds like our Volvo which only gets used two or three days a week but I'm at a loss as to why two sets of discs appear so prone to corrosion on the Spaceback, which is used almost daily. With a previous Yeti I had issues with rear callipers sticking but this is the first car I've had with persistent brake corrosion issues. TP

Well with the recent wet weather and gritters being out and about I've noticed the discs are deteriorating again, particularly the rear, with scoring also becoming evident. Now having to stand on the brakes whenever its safe to do so to try keep them clean. With the scoring I reverted to the strange idea of jet washing the rear callipers and was amazed how much grit and dirt wash out, which subsequently and notably reduced the scoring. However less than two weeks later I've had to do the same again; seems the rear callipers are an easy dirt trap :( TP

The 225/50 R17 Cross Climates on the V40 have felt very sure footed to date, in temps ranging between 0 and 20 deg C and conditions of warm and dry to cold and very wet; this being the extent of the crazy weather experienced since the beginning of November when they were fitted. As a side note we've been out and about today but in the Spaceback and the roads have given its winter Nokian A3's a good work out dealing with deep standing water, in places up to kerb height, this being around Pickering and on the Wolds between Malton and Sledmere. Pleased to say they proved excellent wet weather rubber, considering the temperature was slightly above their winter comfort zone at 11 deg C. TP

Seats and armrest appear to have been taken from the Fabia III; assume to cut cost through commonality of parts. TP

My lad replaced his Fabia II a few months back for an Ibiza Toca, which is a mid range standard of spec and it comes with hill hold and corner fog as standard. So I think its about time SUK caught up with the the other VAG brands and stopped seeing easy factory switch on's, where the tech is built into the car no matter what the spec, as high profit margin options. TP

Gone from 225/50 R17 94V summer tyres to the 98V of the Cross Climate with our V40, which is a similar weight and size as the Yeti and I've not noticed any difference in ride. Main change is much improved wet weather traction. TP

Have the same with the V40, no idea if the auto lights are on or not, unless obviously its dark enough to see their pattern. Interior instrument lighting operates independently to the headlights, so it can be in daylight mode with the auto lights on. Would much prefer manufacturers include a instrument indicator light like in the days of old. TP

Cannot think the label on ours also states load and speed rating, will have to double check in the morning. TP

Not had issues with aquaplaning with them then :no: :wonder: TP

Best avoid the Michelin Cross Climate we have on or V40 then; more groves than you can shake a stick at but very good all weather tyres. TP

Very subjective question, particularly as the Dunlop statistical is one of the quieter tyres. You could look at the RT version of the Sport Maxx, as its got a better rating, or the lesser known brands such as Barum are often a good choice, as are Uniroyal and Nokian. Oh the Goodyear Eagle is supposed to be the quietest tyre out there; again statistical. TP

Not noticed any issue with the sport peddles in ours, maybe I have the right shoes/boots TP

On a serious note, I've not come across a Spaceback that was not as standard. However in the early days of the Yeti there were a small number of oballs out there, for example remember seeing an SE with factory leather seats but without front seat heating, which was not a UK spec, oh and there were a few Special Build Club models running on factory 16" rims instead of 17". TP

215/45/17 :wonder: TP

No real complaints with the 215/40 R17 Sport Maxx on ours and with switching to winters for 5 months a year, they unlikely to wear out during my ownership. However apart from cornering due to softer rubber and the lack of effective rim protection, the Nokian WR A3 winters are the better of the two tyres I'm running, even in the unseasonally mild weather we have currently. TP

Found with older pattern winters this 0.2 was necessary, however I've noticed the latest tyres feel more stable and wear more evenly across the tread without it. TP

Better half managed to demonstrate the lack of rim protection offered by the 17" 215/40 Nokian A3 winters fitted to the Spaceback, by brushing a curb. Fortunately just scuffed the paint finish down to the primer on the rim edge, without damage to the actual rim. Great tyre, particularly in the cold and very wet, which we run at the standard pressure as given on the fuel flap, having noted Skoda had stopped recommending a 0.2 bar increase in their owners handbook for winter rubber. Oh also running the new Michelin Cross Climate on the Volvo (225/50 R17) and likewise this seems an effective tyre in cold and very wet conditions and again set at the standard setting. TP

Apologies long day; Spaceback no frills Octy III no thrills of course TP

Strangely our March/April 2014 built Spaceback suffers from intermittent creaking, which I believe is from the front nearside suspension, or maybe the rear, or both (originally thought it was a return of the door seal creak, which I had last year). Developed a few months back and I've sort of got used to it in our case and not bothered to drive the 20 odd miles to the nearest dealer. Will probably get it checked come the 20k service; at 16.2k now. Anyway I hope you get it sorted. TP