shugz

Hi Bonsac, I have a 30gb iPod installed in the car h/u via aux- in connector, don't reckon the sound quality of the itrip be be that great. The iPod is a great tool for the car and I use it every time I am in the car. Cheers Hugh

Hi Fergal, When they are on and i have been for a drive I'll let you know how the Bilsteins affect the car. For part nos try: http://www.needforspeed.co.uk/pages/sbv_pl.asp?Vehicle=SKOCT01&PartType=SUB01 If this link doesn't work the spec is as follows: Bilstein Sports Shockers Front: VN3-4283

Hi All, I have just ordered upon recommendation by my local VAG performance centre (Star Performance) a set of Bilstein Sports shockers (actually, I got them from one of our members). He recommended these as they are the same as fitted to his S3, keeping standard springs on. That fits my bill as my Octy is going nowhere near a track just fast road use. In addition, I was also recommended NOT to lower the car any lower than the standard Octy vRS ride height. I should be getting them this week sometime and they should be fitted not long after.I'll post my thoughts if you're interested after they are fitted and I have been for a drive. Cheers Hugh

Hi Jason, It all makes sense now about the camera (I take it that it was totalled in the crash too?). Glad to hear you are OK and 'getting back in the saddle' quickly. All the best and take care, Cheers Hugh

Tav, Many thanks for the advice, Jimmy, I'm a bit in the dark too, but the VW article managed to lower their GTi by around 40-50 mm using the RSX kit and www.motorsportworld.co.uk have an RSX kit on their website for the Octy. I know however, the Octy is differently suspended from the Golf so you could be right. Cheers Hugh

Hi All, Been looking into the subject of lowering my Octy vRS and seek advice from anyone with experience in this game. I'm not looking for out and out race car handling (no track days planned) just fast road use. I would like the Octy to be lowered by about 30-40mm, to be slightly stiffer in feel with a better and more responsive turn-in than I get with the standard suspension set up. I have been looking on the web and on here and also from reading the magazine 'Volkswagen Driver' who have fitted a SPAX RSX kit to their 'Project MKIV Golf GTi' in which they gave the kit the 'thumbs up' . I have also looked at KW (variant 1's, don't think I require anything above that) but between these two totally unsure what would be the best way to go. Also, anyone with any recommendations concerning manufactures I haven't listed would be viewed with interest too. Many thanks in advance......... Cheers Hugh

Well, if a 'shiney valve' is your 'thang', Nick, then who am I to try to talk you out of it!!

Hi All, Had a chat with jim from Star Performance who recommended just replacing the standard DV (21GBP) with the same type on a 10K basis. He wasn't too fussed with certain brands of aftermarket DV's and basically this way works out a bit cheaper than buying an aftermarket one at circa 100GBP. I tend to agree with this philosophy and I'm going to do this futute, just my tuppence worth though.................. Cheers Hugh

Can you put me down for 5 liters too, please! Many thanks.............. Hugh

Just had a quote from Greenlight for

I'll maybe try Greenlight before I sign up with Adran Flux (it's worth a try!). Thanks for the help, Cheers Hugh

Hi All, It that's time of year again, insurance renewal time! Just had a fully comp quote from Adrian Flux for 750GBP based on a 2002 Octy vRS, 25 years old driver, driver only, 1 yrs NCB, 15K mileage per annum, parked on driveway in a 'low risk' postcode (according to the insurers postcode guide). I think this is pretty decent and I'm thinking of taking them up on it, does anyone have experience of them on here at all? Are they any good or is it worthwhile staying with my current (and slightly more expensive insurers, Direct Line) ?? Cheers Hugh

Couldn't agree more, it's a great tool for the car and for home use too....get one! Shame some people seem 'blinkered' by the Apple reputation and won't give it a go. 30GB of ICE in an item the size of a mobile phone, can't be that bad even if you have to change the battery in 18 months time. Most folk don't seem to complain that much if their mobile phone battery dies or can only hold a charge for about half an hour! Cheers Hugh

Ignorance is bliss...................

Oh dear, better get the hammer ready for use in about 11 months time......... Thanks for the info, Cheers Hugh

lol How true, don't have any VW history or Golf GTi books (only cars I've had worth having a book on except the Skoda) in my collection. Must be something to do with folk thinking that because we are Skoda owners they think, 'he's a bit different/ a total nutter, I'll get him a book to match the car, poor guy!' or something like that............. Cheers Hugh

Definately worth the 8 quid, the early days in particular are very interesting. A good overall read and I can honestly say I know a good deal more about the cars and the brand itself after a read of this. Cheers Hugh

Fairy I'm sure will cut through any grease the best,once made the mistake of using IPA (isoprop-alchohol) and it was 'smear-heaven' after that....... Cheers Hugh

Nobody believes me with this one but the absolute best way to clean the inside of the windows is using a damp chamois followed by newspaper to dry it off. Give it a try and you'll be amazed! Cheers Hugh

Rob, Thought the Roses were a shadow of the band they were without Reni on the sticks. Shame they 'burnt out' and blew it big time as I would have loved it if they had the success of that other lot of Northerners....Oasis.Not knocking Oasis as they worked damn hard and played many gigs before scaling the heights of the charts/ Knebworth etc. I just would have preffered it to be the Roses................. Phil, lol Sorry to disappoint, I'm 25! Just inherited an 'old man's' taste in fine music......................(flameproof suit on) Cheers Hugh

You can't beat Moon or Bonham in my book (and that is coming from a guitar player!). I wanted a set of drums as as kid but we lived in a flat so was only allowed to buy a guitar (12 years later I still can't play the drums but tend to give a top drummer more kudos than a guitarist for some strange reason.....) Don't forget Reni of the Stone Roses as he is/was a fine drummer also.Those are my top 3 IMHO and for me, no one else comes close. Ultimate rock track for me at the moment: In a Broken Dream by Python Lee Jackson featuring a certain lepoard skinned trouser wearing, cockney-Scot called mr Stewart. Top tune................ Cheers Hugh

Just back from Chatham's who have kindly agreed to fit a new screen FOC under warranty next week. I found them to be very helpful and while in, the service manager said they have shifted 5 Fabia vRS' and they are not taking long to sell. They had a silver one on display outside the dealer, that is the first one I have seen 'in the flesh'........looks very nice! Many thanks for the contributions with this subject as I was a bit unsure whether they would cover this or not. Cheers Hugh

That's reassuring to know guys, as with it being close to good ol' Crimbo, funds need to go elsewhere if you know what I mean. The 'crack' definately starts at the edge of the screen at the bottom and moves upwards. To my untrained eye, it definately looks like a windscreen stress sort of failure rather than coming into contact with one of those massives rocks that fly off the back wheels of HGV's etc. I'll give Chatham's, Edinburgh a call tomorrow and hope to report back here with good news. Many thanks once again for the advice as it is much appreciated, hope to see you all maybe next year if you plan a jaunt up to Jockland. cheers Hugh

Hi all, On the way home from work tonight I heard a slight 'ping' from the windscreen area of my Octy vRS on the driver's side. Didn't think too much about it as I put it down to being 'one of those noises a car sometimes makes'.However, when I got home I noticed an approx 10cm crack running diagonally in the windscreen starting from the bottom of the windscreen about 10cm in from the A-pillar. To the best of my knowledge and after the quick inspection (albeit in the pitch dark) there was no previous 'stone chips' or damage of any kind prior to this happening. I probably know the answer to this one already but what are the chances of me trying to get the windscreen replaced under warranty? I think the dealer might think I am 'trying it on' but I believe it should be replaced FOC due to the fact it has failed in this way. Does anyone here have any similar experience of this problem and did Skoda UK/ local dealers help out at all? Many thanks in advance for any help........... Cheers Hugh

Speeding are a very good and cheap site (from my experience of them so far). I have not used them for bulbs but their prices for AutoGlym/Meguiars stuff is pretty good and it comes with free delivery (usually a couple of days lead time). i have used them a few times now without any drama etc. Cheers Hugh