youngbaz
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Posts posted by youngbaz
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Well, I have to confess I'd just assumed it was done at PDI time.
Edit: I'm sure some of the dealer peeps on here can confirm one way or another?
When I removed the plate, it certainly looked as if the fixing screws were just ordinary self tappers - ie no 'female' threads present. Come to think of it ... if the locating holes were pre-drilled at manufacturing stage, then you wouldn't get variations in the finished fixing height of the plate?
IIRC, there were several indentations on the front and rear plate-fixing areas - presumably to accomodate market plate size variations.
Are you happy with how Rainworth have located your rear plate (heightwise)? I personally think all plates look better fixed with adhesive pads anyway, rather than the fixing screws whose colour-coded heads drop off, leaving a rusty fixing.
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"They light so far ahead, you'd swear you can see the future!"*
"The future's bright ... the future's Orange! Well no, sorry, it's actually a sort of bluey-white!"
Doesn't quite have the same ring to it, does it?
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Yes, there's nothing worse than a Baldy adjusting the lights!
Speaking as one of the follically-challenged clan I resent your having brought Babs' innocent typo to wider attention in this way!
In fact we baldies are uniquely equipped to carry out headlamp adjustments single-handed, thus cutting down on what might otherwise be an outrageous stealer labour charge. Whereas for most technicians the job involves a laborious sequence of: adjust - sit in car & check - leave seat - walk to front - readjust etc etc, the trichorially-absent technician simply has to squat down in front of the headlight and, using his finely-polished pate as a reflector, adjust the beam until the bounce-back is perfectly aligned into the headlamp's own reflector. Job done!
It's also worth pointing out, in the light (no pun intended!) of the currently running thread on: Why do people like xenons?, that all I have to do as a baldy, when faced with dazzle from an oncoming ill-adjusted Xenon beam, is lower my head and bounce their ghastly beams right back in their faces off the old shiny pate! They dip pretty quickly I can tell you!
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Got my VRS new from Rainworth as well, even though, like you (OP) it seems, I actually live only 20 miles or so from Stansted - must say something about their pricing?
I have to say that, all in all, I was very happy with the state of the car when I picked it up from them - in fact couldn't fault it from a prepping point of view, despite its being 1st March and hence several newbies going out that day. But maybe I'm not such a detailing fanatic as Rude Dog?
But one thing I must say, having seen the pix of your car posted on Detailing World, is that someone really ought to tell whomever is responsible at Rainworth that the rear number plate should be vertically centred on the flat-pressed area below the bootlip. They've done exactly the same with yours that they did with mine - ie positioned it way too high - looks totally naff!. It niggled me so much every time I looked at the rear of the car that I fitted a replacement plate after a week, having filled the fixing holes they'd drilled into the body with Bluetak in case of corrosion, and now have a nice, properly aligned 'virgin' plate, held on with double-sided adhesive strips rather than with horrible plastic screws. And, no, I don't think I'm a*ally retentive!
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Whats the 26E6? I`ve never herd of it!
Basically it's a service fix that addresses the early concerns experienced with the PD engine with the DPF (diesel particulate filter). It's a free fix that includes an ECU remap and replacement of a sensor. As I understand it, it doesn't completely cure your getting the DPF warning light, but should reduce the incidence of its occurring in most circumstances. As the dtsev says, should be entered in the service book if it's been done. But, if you telephone any dealer and give them your chassis number, they should be able to tell you anyway off the central database.
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Sorry Bry, but your whole funereal colour-coded impact is now totally let down by the dazzlingly bright silver locks on the driver's door handle. Surprised you missed that!
Materials needed:
- One pair of scissors
- One black bin bag
- One tube of Super Glue
Job done! Look forward to seeing the revised pix.
BTW: Has the Parish Church you're parked in front of closed down already, or have you painted out the notice-board details on your PC to protect the reputation of the architects?
- One pair of scissors
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The estate has the same external dimensions as the hatch, just a different rear end. Length/Width is exactly the same.
Well, I've just learnt something! I'd always thought the wagon had a significantly longer overhang than the hatch and just looked up the brochure for the OAL etc so that I could tell you with some authority how wrong you were. But you're right! Appearances can be deceptive - that overhang on the estate looks enormous.
PS: Perhaps the only minor point I can claim is that the wagon is 6mm taller than the hatch, bu that would be a Pyrrhic victory I guess!
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Amazing value! £140 for tinted windows and wall demolition/replacement with mature hawthorn hedge - your pad looks much less estatey now! Very nice.
On a slightly different tack ... only just noticed your detailed spec. How come you have the CR engine on the VRS, but no electric rears and 'only' 17'' wheels. I thought the 'free upgrade' on the VRS preceded the arrival of the CR - or is yours one of those semi-upgrades that resulted from an idle dealer not completing his vehicle order form correctly and hence failing to get the freebies?
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I know it's the done thing to fit a reduced-diameter steering wheel on go-faster cars, but surely you're gonna need an awful lotta power assistance to achieve snappy turns with that blue thing he's got fitted! Presumably it's a one-handed thing (as your man is demonstrating in the pic) ... you just grip it hard on top with your left hand (the man in the pic is all back-to-front) and make a sort of 'undoing a tight jamjar lid' motion? On the positive side it leaves your right hand free for gear changes, mirror adjustments etc!
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A very useful overview. I was able very quickly to glance over a new LE that was just about to be driven away from Rainworth's by its proud new owner on 1 March when I went to pick up my new VRS and I have to agree about the seats, the dash and the interior in general. I happen to be one of those who rather like the new steering wheel and I'm quite happy about the LE road wheels ie no strong feelings either way.
As it happens I was happy with my choice of 'standard' VRS i) because the price deal available was stunning ii) I couldn't get DSG on the LE, but, yes, the LE looked a well put together package.
It may just be me but i feel that the new steering wheel sits slightly further out from the dash than my previous car and changes my driving position slightly because of it, has anyone else noticed that?Surely this can be adjusted with the reach/rake handle? Isn't it just that you need to push it in an inch or whatever?
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I've currently got a Mini Cooper S Clubman
First recommendation is that you make sure that any Octy Estate you buy is fitted with satnav - you're going to need it to avoid getting lost inside the car in comparison with the Mini!
I have heard negative comments about the quality of the standard stereo. I was wondering how other people have found the quality on theirs?
Be aware that most of the negative comments on here are from audiophiles who are passing on info on their fixes/tweaks to like-minded others. Speaking as an 'ordinary' citizen, I have to say that one of the things that struck me favourably about my new VRS was the quality of the Stream. I like its looks; the display is very clear; there are oodles of presets; its programmability/menu systems are intuitive; and I happened to think the sound quality was really good for a non-premium car. Couple that with CD facility in the dash and multi-stacker in the boot, plus aux input in the jumbo box and I'm a very happy bunny.
In summary, what you're likely to save in excellent value on the overall package versus a premium brand offering you could always spend on an audio retrofit upgrade in the event you were disappointed? The car's the thing, innit?
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Yep, not surprised at that, in the light of my original post on the other thread. You might think that, now that the CR/DSG/VRS combination has been around for several months, the insurers would have their acts and databases together.
I doubt your insurance is 'invalid' however. If you gave them the correct info in the first place the error is theirs - and don't forget that with phone calls being recorded 'for training purposes' NU (sorry, Aviva!) will almost certainly have a recording of your original quotation conversation - they keep these to prove you're a liar when the boot's on the other foot!
In the event, once my insurer had gone off to check the situaton with their underwriters, they came back saying the premium would be the same anyway whether it was DSG or manual. Frankly I found that a bit surprising given the sgnificantly higher replacement cost for a DSG, but there you go!
PS: I thought I'd read somewhere recently that NU/Aviva were actually repatriating their call centre, but I may be wrong.
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I'd put it down to the competancy (or lack of) of the driver.
:P:rofl:Or his weight? :eek:
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Now THAT'S what I call a front splitter (see thread on Leon Cupra) ... and I'm talking about the bit on the outside front of the car, not the rather dubious leg positioning!
This vehicle has universal market application due to McLaren-style central steering wheel position (no need for separate LHD and RHD configurations), but I fear that's where the McLaren similarities end.
If you are claiming that's a two-seater then I fear your partner needs to attend an anorexia clinic ASAP.
Sounds a great idea, but having to carry around the fairground roof to complete the electrical circuit via the rear-end pole pickup might just prove a little restricting touringwise? That's why the trolleybus never caught on for personal trasport I guess?
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It helps to keep the front end down
Thanks - perfectly obvious now! I had been assuming it was an aerodynamic speed improvement aid, and just couldn't figure how it would be reducing drag coefficient. Coming from the wrong direction altogether! Presumably Merc forgot to fit theirs at Le mans a couple of years back?
Mind you, I took the precaution of choosing the diesel lump for my Octy ... doesn't this perform the same function?
More seriously:
i) It looks really neat in your pix, so I think it has visual appeal anyway. Is that the Leon item too?
ii) Surely one would have to be going at one helluva lick before it actually began to deliver a measurable roadholding/safety function? After all, it's quite a slim looking jobby.
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Forgive my ignorance but, apart from the aesthetic/cosmetic appeal, what does a front splitter do exactly (or even roughly
) ?I assume it must have some aerodynamic function, and I think I understand what a rear diffuser does but, without confusing me with rocket science can someone explain just how the front splitter works?
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Always wondered what the clunking was whilst reversing off of my drive on full lock.
This is a Department of Transport safety requirement implemented by Skoda UK (similar to the dong telling you to belt up) to avoid your non-compliance with the following Highway Code instruction:
201
Do not reverse from a side road into a main road. When using a driveway, reverse in and drive out if you can.
HTH?
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...The gain in my Max bhp was from 187 bhp (@4143rpm) to 210 bhp (@ 4458rpm) - a gain of 23 bhp. QED.
Hang on ... what was your PD170 doing at 187 in the first place? This was presumably after you'd implemented other tweaks but prior to the Bluefinning?
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If that makes sense.
Yes it does, thankyou!
But:
i) I'm still puzzled as to why the gain in torque for the 'latest model' is so much less than for the older one
ii) I was looking for someone to confirm that Superchips are indeed talking about the PD and CR respectively.
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In the light of their comment to me in an e-mail about their getting to work on an A3 170bhp CR today, I've just been digging about a bit on the Superchips website ....
For VW and Skoda, they only talk about results/options for a 170bhp turbo-diesel (2006 onwards). The quoted figures are:
BHP: before 170 .... after = +27 (ie 197)
NM: before 350 ... after = +77 (ie 427)
However, for Audi, when keying in A3, they now not only quote the same figures as above, but also: "A3 latest model - from Sep 2008 onwards.." . Figures are:
BHP: before 167 .... after = +40 (!!) (ie 208)
NM: before 350 ... after = + 50 (ie 400)
Now, I'm assuming from the dates that, by 'latest model' they mean the CR, whereas the '2006 onwards' is the PD. So - excellent news with regard to power potential on the CR, but I'm puzzled as to why the torque increase would be less than on the PD. I'm not a mech eng, but I wasn't aware that there was a trade off. Personally, I'd be looking to maximise torque rather than power, but however. All in all (and assuming this is the CR they're talking about), the package sounds enticing, since my engine's a CR. Any experts out there like to comment on these figures?
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What difference does the car make. If it's the same engine it shouldn't make a difference.
You're probably right! I guess I was thinking of the original mapping, which of course becomes irrelevant.
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About 3 clicks up & fully forward for me on a long drive when I'm not gonna need to use the handbrake regularly!
Flat & slid back for the daily commute... :( Handbrake in use often in the stop/start rush hour madness & with the armrest forward & raised, makes the handbrake more fiddlier... if you get my drift!
What both you guys need is the DSG!!
No need to fiddle round the armrest and, if you need handbrake, just slip it into 'P'. So, it's all the way up and out for me 24 hours a day - and ne'er a drop of Vi**ra in sight!Seriously, with my manual MkI it was a bit of a reach round the armrest to the handbrake, but manageable - with the DSG, no inconvenience at all.
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You can get one of those from halfords now,
Pioneer AVIC-F700BT / AVIC-F900BT / AVIC-F90BT Review | GPS Navigation Reviews
or even cheaper from here
But these are for a 900BT and the new model being referred to is a 911BT (Oh yes, a little bit of Porsche in my life!). Don't know whether the different suffix includes a different spec, or whether it is perhaps a unique OEM reference number. I wonder whether the dedicated VAG bit will be offered retail? For that price I'd expect Richard Burton to be giving me the voiceover!
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Sorry, but yes I did! For me this is an essential option as far as comfortable long-distance cruising is concerned. Had a central armrest on my Mk1 SLX and was surprised how 'short' the new one was, so fiddled with it and discovered the slide-forward facility before I'd even driven off the dealer forecourt. I find I can only rest my right elbow (correction: left elbow! I'm amazed no-one's picked me up on this ... I guess I'd have to be sitting with my back to the windscreen straddling the front seat to achieve this - not the safest of driving positions!) comfortably on it when it's in its foremost position.
And .... did you know that, if you jiggle it right, you can also adjust the height of the armrest?
:P:rofl:
) ?
No need to fiddle round the armrest and, if you need handbrake, just slip it into 'P'. So, it's all the way up and out for me 24 hours a day - and ne'er a drop of Vi**ra in sight!
vRS DPF probs; PD vs CR
in Skoda Octavia Mk II (2004 - 2013)
Posted
I've now driven about 3,500 miles in my VRS CR and no sign of a DPF warning light.
My regular journey to work (sometimes twice a day) is only about 6 miles each way - I guess about half of that in 30/40 zones - but, in all fairness, this is a very rural area, so no sitting in traffic queues. Another factor might be that I have the DSG box, which I notice frequently holds the car in a lower gear when cruising in a 30/40 zone than I might have chosen driving a manual, so this might help, given that it's being held at optimal revs?
Go for it!