GreenLight

Afternoon all, I'm a driver trainer, so my Fabia vRS (SE) is a business tool. I love it to bits but as it has now done 130K it sadly has to go. I would have gone for the new vRS like a shot but it hasn't got a clutch pedal and I need a manual. So I've bought the new Suzuki Swift Sport. (My automatic training car is a Suzuki Swift SZ4). My SE is no 166. What do I need to do about the Briskoda register? Larry

Afternoon all, Well I've got one and it is outside now! To pick up where I left off. My friendly local dealer contacted the two Skoda garages who had a SE advertised on the web, but neither would allow him to sell the car to me. So much for dealer network team work! So it was down to me and with the help of my credit card and mobile phone I had a deposit accepted before close of business on the same day. I went for the ex-demonstrator from Faintree Garage in Bridgnorth, Shropshire. Advertised as 2,000 miles it was only 1,500 when I collected it on Monday. It is number 166 and I will enter that on Stu's poll. I think I might have experienced the 'stutter' but it is very minor and seems to be easily resolved by a gear change down? I was now, of course, left with the problem of four new tyres, MOT and six months tax before I could sell my current vRS. First call was to my friendly tyre dealer. Without prompting, he said "how much do you want for it?". I showed him the valuation from friendly local dealer and he said "I'll have it". So I am happy as Larry. (Ho Ho). Larry PS: One more question. On the drive back from Bridgnorth I was getting 60mpg plus. Cruise control set at 70. Which is more than I was getting on my current vRS. Which I must confess, I run on supermarket diesel. Do you guys recommend the BP Ultra (or whatever it is called?).

Evening all, Scooby Chris is correct. But 'IPSGA' doesn't have the same ring about it does it? 90% of Briskodians will not have a clue what we are talking about. I will leave it to Scooby Chris to explain. Wet Kipper. I agree with Bigw2069. I have three vehicles on private plates (I told you I was a fan). And so far, have always got the previous registration number back on transfer. But DVLA will not guarantee this and, in my experience, will make you feel that you are doing something slightly illegal when you apply for a transfer. Even though they are making a hefty profit out of us private plate fans (or nuts?)! A serious point, which hasn't been mentioned is that, as I understand it, if the car is stolen and not recovered, you loose the ownership to the registration plate. And if the car is written off you will have to buy it back, repair it and put it back on the road before you can transfer the plate. Good fun isn't it! Larry M5PSL, L66LDT, 7797LG

Afternoon all, When it comes to private plates you are either a fan or you consider them ostentatious and a total waste of money. There seems to be no middle ground. I am definately the former and work as a driver trainer. I bought M5PSL from DVLA, when it was released in July 1994. I paid

Hi Guys Thanks for all your replies. I've had confirmation that if and when I find one it will come with the balance of the manufacturer's warranty. The web site ads use some sort of template apparently which leads to the error. My friendly dealer is on the case but, as you all have said, a vRS (SE) is like hen's teeth at the moment. We have a number of leads but I'm saying no more! I will keep you posted. Off now to read about the BLT stutter. Nothing to do with the sandwich, I suppose? Larry

Evening All My vRS will be three next month. So I have to decide whether to MOT it, four new tyres etc. or go for a new one. I'm a driver trainer so the mileage is high (95K). I would like the SE, mainly for the leather seats. The pale grey cloth has been a right pain! The Skoda web site reveals a couple of used low mileage examples. Both 07 plates but each with only a 12 month warranty. Why can't I have the remainder of the manufacturer's warranty? And anything else I should look out for? Cheers, Larry

Thanks all The bash under the dash did the trick! Larry

OK guys So what do I do? Treated myself to a new CD today. The Puppini Sisters. Great album. (If you are my age, that is). Listened to it on the way home. Up to track 5. Intending to listen to the remainder on the hi fi indoors, I pressed the eject button. Nothing. Audio switched back to the radio but no sign of the disc! I tried thumping the dash but to no avail. It's an '04 vRS with the standard Symphony unit. Any advice gratefully received. Larry

Morning all Well I popped in to take a look yesterday . Easter Saturday. The interior is standard, with cloth seats. But I imagine you could pay even more money to have the leather option. The exterior is also standard with just the addition of a small "Sport" badge above the rubbing strip on the leading edge of the front doors. The 17" 5 spoke alloys have 'Italia Racing' on the centre cap. They are shod with Kumho Ecsta Spt tyres. 205.40.ZR.17 84Y Being a Saturday, only sales staff were available. So a very friendly guy (Ian) couldn't (or perhaps wouldn't) tell me anything about remap and suspension components. Sorry Andy. All he would say is they use two different, local, firms to do the work. He assured me the standard Skoda warranty was unaffected by the mods. As far as performance goes (no I wasn't offered a test drive) Ian pointed to two graphs displayed on the windscreen. They meant nothing to me. Was I tempted? Well, let's say I got a trade-in price for my 04 53K vRS and I might ring the insurance company next week! Larry

Hi Guys IML in Plympton is my supplying dealer. I too saw the advert in the Herald. I'll pop in to see them in the next week or so. a) To find out more. And To hopefully have a drive! I will report back. Larry

Your diagnosis was confirmed by the very nice man from the AA when he arrived this morning. He reconnected the pipe and reset the engine management light. So now I know where the computer connection socket thingy is! Thanks again, Larry

Hi guys I'm a mechanical thicko, so help please. Mine's a vRS, bought new Sept '04 Yesterday: 30k service by supplying dealer. Note on invoice "Advise slight oil leakage from pipe connections from intercooler to turbo" Today: Dual carriageway, national speed limit - no honestly, I'm a driving instructor! - Slight thud, lack of power and black smoke. Few miles later engine management light comes on. Limped home and parked up outside. Tomorrow: Probably leave it at supplying dealer with keys through the letter box. What might it be? and any advice greatly received! Larry

After the American Grand Prix debacle just don't fit Michelin! Larry

Hi all Following on from the thread about wheel widths. My vRS came with Continental ContiSportContact2 (205.45.R16.83.W) I've just replaced the fronts (at 15k?) My friendly tyre man came up with ContiSportContact. Without the 2 and a different tread pattern. We're still talking about the price! On my previous 2 Litre Elegance I was running Bridgestone Potenzas. Any thoughts from you experienced guys? Larry PS: Probably another thread about 1.9 diesel vs 2.0 petrol!

Put me down as 123 - GreenLight Larry