greeny12

In the interests of balance, I want to post our experience of Allams. We've just had our Octy vRS serviced there - the first under our variable plan. They knew the price without consultation, knew what oil to put in(!) and have done a professional job including a good clean all round. They also had the forethought to check a recall item, which tuned out not to have been done on our car, and fixed that. The service manager was very friendly and helpful, and he said they now have two dedicated, Skoda-trained technicians working there. So there you go - it doesn't justify previous errors or bad service, but maybe they've learned their lesson?

Does anybody else find their radio is a bit crap at picking up AM frequencies (5Live basically)? Mine's not too bad (though not great) on FM but the AM is almost unlistenable. It's got a nice arial on the roof that looks the part(!), but has anybody experimented with non-OEM replacements? Ta,

Thanks Andy - I don't reckon we'll do more than 10K a year, and neither of us are 'hard' drivers. Maybe the variable thing will be OK for that?

Hi all, It doesn't need it just yet, but given the inevitable requirement to service my Octy at some point, I was wondering if anybody had any tips on good garages in North London and thereabouts (we live in Highgate). Also, my motor is on this variable service timetable. Maybe it's just me being an old traditionalist, but it makes me uncomfortable, especially given the stress on the engine of it being a turbocar. Anybody have a strong view on this? Should i just go for the annual option after I take it in for its first service? Cheers very muchly....

Well, it checked out pretty good I reckon! Absolutely spotless bodywork, wheels were immaculate, no stone chips, inside pristine. So I put my money down!! I'll have lots of newbie questions once I take delivery, but for now I'm just going to enjoy the anticipation....

That's all good advice - thanks everybody. It is Hortons I'm going to and this is a car they originally sold, so I should have lots of paperwork to look at. Other threads seem to indicate that the new Octavia suffers from a variety of niggles, so a look at the warranty work history will be interesting.... The last turbocar I've owned was a Lancia Integrale, so the oil point is a very good one! Cheers, Greeny

Hi all, An out and out newbie here. I'm off to check out a 2006 Octavia vRS estate tomorrow morning, at the main dealer in Lincoln. Anything I should be looking out for when test driving or examining it? Any tell-tale signs that it's a "friday afternoon" car? Thanks in advance, Greeny