GWoodhouse

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm aware that faults get a disproportionate amount of attention on the internet and there will be thousands of owners out there who haven't had a single issue. As someone who thinks any type of AI on a car is BS (not a luddite, I've worked in IT for 25 years and know what computers are good at, and what they're bad at) the reported ACC faults do concern me the most. To be honest, the biggest turn off for me is that the infotainment system is entirely touchscreen. Touchscreen for the air-con that I tend to fiddle with a lot, just no! Even in my mark III I've taken to using the small knob (tee hee!) on the dash rather than the touchscreen for a lot of things. I am thoroughly confused tbf! Octavia is still a good value proposition but I'm also looking at 3 series or A4 for a few grand more.

That is, quite frankly, crap. For a diagnostic check on a 1 year old car from a main dealer, I'd be expecting a free coffee and a profuse apology for the inconvenience, not a £90 charge. Absolutely stealing a living. Is this common for dealers across brands? My local indy charges, but not that much, and mainly because they must get a procession of crap cars to plug in that they've otherwise not made any money from.

Sounds a bit of a nightmare having done some reading around, the adaptive cruise control that doesn't know what country it's in sounds like fun! Is the head unit variant a hardware component, i.e. B, C, D are later versions, and can't be upgraded? Software versions are just that but certain head units can only have certain software versions? The car I'm looking at is a 21 plate so might be a slightly later build. Might just take my time and try to get a later version. Shame really as there's not much else that takes my fancy, maybe an A4, I don't think they use the same head unit as VW, Seat Skoda?

I'm looking to replace my 2014 SE Elegance with a MkIV SE L, any advice generally about the MkIV and this spec appreciated (1.5 TSi petrol). I am buying 12-18 months old and appreciate I will be paying a premium at the moment, but I'm due to swap and I can't see lead times coming down or used prices falling any time in the next 12 - 18 months. I'm fortunate in that I already have a private buyer for my MkIII I've done my research and the spec level on the MkIV looks to be a step up, one question I have is that I understand it supports Apple and Android, but does it still come with an 'old fashioned' SD card or USB for playing music? Thanks

If you press the right hand rocker switch on the steering wheel while the trip computer is in Navigation mode the satnav will announce the next instruction, e.g. how far to the next junction. You're welcome.

Longest I've ever run a car (previous was a MkIV Golf that I ran for about 96k miles). It's been a great car, loads of trips to France and running the kids all over the country for their hobbies (track cycling and music respectively!). This was on yesterday's trip from Coventry to the Welsh National Velodrome in Newport! Looking to change soon but waiting for prices to be less crazy 😞

63 plate 1.4 TSi SE Estate In no particular order... Likes: Sensible infotainment system, decent blend of efficiency and performance, massive boot (including the extra bit underneath), leg room front and rear, leather bits on seats, sport mode :-), 98,000 trouble free miles, auto dimming rear mirror, decent cup holders front and back, levers in boot to lay rear seats flat, reasonable looking alloys (unlike the latest models ), trip computer and driver info, bluetooth phone integration that imports pictures from your contacts, DAB radio, tyre pressure warnings, steering wheel controls, excellent tyre wear Dislikes: looks a bit boxy (the new models are much nicer), headlamp washers that can't be turned off, road noise, SatNav takes a while to wake up, touchscreen generally (prefer a dial), touchscreen gremlins in the cold (has possibly been fixed by a new battery), there's not a single panel that doesn't have a scratch or a small dent (it's had a hard life)! Will probably get another one but might consider a Golf or a Leon.

Not got the engine code to hand (or know how to find it!) but pretty sure it's 103kW so CHPA or CPTA and therefore 508 spec is ok?

Update, the car went in for a service at 96,000 miles on 9th November. Given the previous problem I checked the oil level as soon as I got it back and it was at the top of (b) on the above diagram, I also noted that the service sheet says they've put 4litres of 0W20 in. Checked the level yesterday and it's dropped to about halfway on the dipstick already having done about 500 miles. Is the thinner oil burning off or leaking? After I topped it up with 5W30 previously it was OK.

They tested it and provided the attached. I've no idea what it means tbh so happy to be advised, the car has auto stop/start. What happens if the car isn't coded after having the new battery?

My 63 plate, 96000 mile 1.4TSi had a service earlier in the week and they've recommended a battery change, as far as I know this will be the first one (we've owned since 16,000 miles). Quite impressive really. Local garage have quoted £95 + VAT for the battery, don't know about labour.

It's quick enough for me to be honest, especially if I put it in sport mode. Our other car is a JCW Mini so I just drive that if I fancy having some fun 😀

Not much to add really except I got 493 miles out of my last tank in my 1.4TSi, mainly a trip up and down the M6 from Coventry to Liverpool, few 20 mile runs to work and a trip up the M1 to Derby. Range dropped to 0 miles as I was driving to the petrol station on Tuesday morning to fill up 😬. It's been a great car economy wise tbf, long term average is 46.2mpg

I take it to the local hand car wash I'm ashamed to say! I don't think it's the washing necessarily, it's the sun that does it. The pillars on the other side of the car are fine. Car is a 63 plate and it's only the last couple of years it's been a problem.

I just used the dark grey t-cut colour fast that I use on the bodywork. Comes up quite nice but there must be a way to protect it to stop it happening.

The B pillars on the side of the car that face the sun when parked on the drive (which it's done a lot since I've been working from home) get in a right state. After a trip to the car wash this morning they were worse than ever and I thought beyond repair. Fortunately a bit of polish has restored some of the gloss (for now) and they don't look too terrible. Does anyone know what's the best products are to repair AND protect these? Anyone have similar issues?

2500 miles since posting this and the level has hardly dropped at all, looks like the garage didn't put enough in at the last service. One to keep an eye on 👀

Thanks for the welcome. First time poster, long time driver! The 0.5 litre has moved the level up to halfway on the crosshatched area on the dipstick which I believe is about right (I read elsewhere that 1 litre should take it from the bottom to the top on crosshatch area?). Car was 'warm' but not up to full temperature.

63 plate 1.4 TSi estate that's now done 92,000 (trouble free) miles. Last service was at 86,000 miles (local independent we've used for years) and the low oil light has come on, which is unusual. I didn't check the level after the service so no idea if the garage have filled it to the brim but if they did it's used about 4 litres in 6000 miles. I've added 0.5 litre oil (Halfords own 5W30 to VW 504 spec) and will monitor the usage. I've also noticed that fuel consumption has dropped slightly, just done a run to Nottingham and back 65 miles each way mainly on M1 and A46 so nice easy driving and was getting 42mpg compared to long-term average of 44-46mpg. No smoke from the exhaust as far as I can see. Anything to worry about or pretty much par for the course for this engine / age / mileage?