Redboy

Errr it actually is Shkoda. That’s what the Š letter sounds like. We Brits just don’t or can’t pronounce it properly.

Horses for courses. I feel the opposite and that it needs a Sport + mode. The sport mode on the 272 is adequate and doesn’t feel like absolutely ‘’full on’. To me the benefit of Sport mode is that it tightens up the suspension via DCC, so you can push on without as much body roll and DSG holds onto the gears longer, throttle response could be quicker. Even in sport mode, it’s not as as fun as my last mapped manual Octavia, which although only 20 Bhp more powerful, had 100nm extra torque.

It does pay to check. I drove back to the dealers twice after services on with my MkII. First for a hunting tickover - dipstick not pushed fully home. I was so annoyed that I had simply turned the car around and driven straight back to the garage. Then another time, wipers not secured onto splines after cam belt replacement. I’d not known as I driven home from the garage in in the dry and the next morning the screen was wet. In fairness I first checked the fuse and the wipers still weren’t moving, couldn’t hear the motor, so assumed the worst. Simple checks can help…if you know what you’re looking for. Glad it was a cheap fix. They are generally reliable cars.

That sounds an easy repair. Did he not lift the bonnet and look at the engine, take the engine cover off? Or did he simply scan it, read the fault code and say “ It needs to go to the dealers? “

Yes they have less sound proofing and can rattle from the B pillar or sun glass holder, however they can carry loads of gear. The tech has moved on but that's reflected in the price you paid. You have got a cheap GTI, remap it and enjoy.

If you can’t fit anything in it you might as well get a 2 stroke go kart and thrash around a track, at least you won’t bump into any speed cameras or tractors.

Merci beaucoup! Did this tonight. Took 10 mins total using a OEM wooden spatula as you described. Right hand drive cars don't have the sunroof drain tube to worry about. A very fine blade screwdriver lifted the spreader rivet head out, carefully keeping a finger on it, making sure not to lose it down the adjacent vents on top of the dashboard. Hardest bit for me was refitting the windscreen pillar cover without marking or damaging it. I found the best way, was to use the spatula to force the rear edge of the cover into the slot nearest the door and its rubber door seal, then guide the leading edge into the slot nearest the windscreen, then finally shove it forcefully downwards. The new ticket holder is very tight now.

Well executed, not too Halfords boy racer-ish.

Hopefully the bottom end of your engine survived the loss of oil pressure or are you going to replace the big end etc?

Having had a mapped manual VRS Octavia, 220 TSI it was more fun and quicker to drive than my DSG 245 Golf GTI PP. As @KenONeillsays, a motorbike will give you the adrenalin rush that you don’t often have the opportunity to have (safely) in a car.

2018 L&K 2.0 TSI estate, 19K miles £22840 should have DCC, Canton and lots of extras at Birchwood Skoda Eastbourne. Reliable smooth. From my experience very little road tyre noise compared to Golf GTI. Some fluttering from the door mirror. 40 Mpg on the run, not sure when the 7 speed DSG box was introduced but DSG is smooth. The DCC will removes the floatiness on twisting roads. I expect the TDI 190 L&K would be similar, especially if it’s is a 4x4 version.

Finally repaired. 8 weeks but worth it. Windscreen and headlining stayed in. Thank you David Smalley at Horton Lincoln for sorting it out.

What's it like to ride, I.e. practical, in terms of how far or how long you can go before you need a break?

I am collecting my car tomorrow 50 miles away with a replacement sunroof cover, done under warranty at a VAG authorised body shop, so that will be 200 miles of my fuel in total. To be honest I am just pleased that it’s been fixed at no cost other than some fuel. The hybrid Suzuki Swift courtesy car does 70 Mpg so it’s not too bad, you just can’t overtake on single track A roads. I will reserve judgement until I see that it’s well repaired and the repair has not caused any damage or rattles. I understand the frustrations of the Octavia IV community. Nice cars, silly glitches.

Nothing dropped on mine, it is a stress fracture, identical to those suffered on VW cars, particularly Golf GTI. Is your NCB under threat because you have made another claim. I always ask for NCB protection.

You must be a competent mechanic to drop an engine in, so apart from the obvious, thermostat not opening, blocked radiator or airlock in the system, no.

Update: I dropped the car off at a VAG group approved bodyshop this afternoon, after collecting the roof cover and various tubes of glue from Horton Skoda of Lincoln earlier today. The box just fitted inside the hatchback opening. Apparently they plan to drop the headlining and leave the windscreen in place, thus no extra squeaks should come from the dashboard or camera alignment required. The Suzuki Swift hybrid courtesy car did 72 Mpg, lots of gadgets but no cruise. Bit plasticky and noisy on the road and no torque or power to speak of. Apparently it’s actually a Toyota Yaris. I will probably put a final note on this sorry story in a few days

Have you ever run a business? My father sold motorcycles and cars as well as building their engines, general repairs and spraying them. Some weeks you sell several and some weeks, none. Businesses have to make a decent mark up to pay, business rates, taxes, staff costs, rental etc, warranty or service costs and deal with some very unscrupulous buyers....oh yes and make a living. Then jokers on this and other sites refer to them as stealers. Nobody wants to pay dealer prices...until there’s a warranty claim. As you say, probably best for you to buy privately, 3 year old Octavia TSI with regular oil and filter changes should be good for many fault-free miles. Good luck.

@e-Roottoot I waved at a guy on a mountain type bike all in black who looked like you not far from Glen Clova hotel, (picture from the car park) about 2pm yesterday. Not you? We used the high road driving in and out. Lovely weather up here.

In ECO mode with DSG I found yesterday going down fairly gentle long slopes in Glen Clova that the car gradually slowed down, whereas on straight flat roads it carried similar speed for a reasonable distance, quite bizarre. Barely worth all the effort, as driving intelligently with anticipation in Normal, I can get similar economy as other members have remarked that the fuel shuts off on the overrun.

Thank you so much. I wish I had found your reply before making a 6 hour trip to Scotland on Saturday with my wife sat in the back, complaining that it echoed badly! All sorted.

Terribly thirsty? Good job you didn’t have to drive a ‘fast car’ like a Triumph 2.5 PI or Jag in the 70’s doing 15-16 Mpg. Petrol cars with 200+ Bhp doing 35-40 mpg are amazing, Tootling around in the summer the TSI will do 45+ mpg But yes if economy is the game and long journeys are routine, then diesel is the way.

Rather than worry about German definite articles, in an age where we are told that technology makes us smarter, information overload along with mobile phones, texts and emojis, spellchecker and other apps, is lowering literacy rates. At least that's my impression I get from reading posts on the internet.

It should really be called the Monaco Grand Procession. The only nail-biting 'racing' is done in the pits. The hardest bit for the drivers, according to the commentators is maintaining concentration to avoid clipping the armco.

Is there room for the VW GTI 245 PP backbox to fit under the bumper and still have the correct exhaust tip spacing? You might have to be prepared to do some cutting. Mine sounded fairly burbly on the drive and the large round tips looked good. The Octavia is pretty quiet, even my current 272 L&K sounds better than my last mapped VRS 220 TSI.