shrikep15

Just booked my Octy vRS TDI CR for it's service and cambelt change, and the dealer obviously 'recommends' that the water pump is changed at the same time. Their reasoning being that there's a good chance it'll leak when it's refitted. I can see it makes sense to get it all done at once, since it needs to come off for the cambelt and the labour is the most expensive part of the job. Just interested in peoples opinions, the car has only done 22K miles so hopefully the pump should be in good condition. Have most people left the original pump and been ok, or are they known to be a problem? Thanks.

I think it was about £300 for the tailgate, front and rear doors. I know it may not be the cheapest but I went for a high quality film and it also includes a lifetime warranty, and besides you get what you pay for.

Here's a link to pics of my race blue vRS hatch with medium tints. The front doors I've left clear as per the VOSA regulations, but I've had a clear UV protection film installed to help keept the interior cool. The film is a hybrid metallised rather than the cheaper dyes versions, this gives better heat/UV protection, won't fade and also gives true colour perception when looking out. I notice your in Chobham, the guy that installed mine is based in Maidenhead, so not too far from you.

All aftermarket tints are a film installed on the glass, it's the quality of the film and the skill of the installer that makes the difference. I'm not sure if £160 for rear only tint sounds a little cheap or not; I paid nearly £300 for the tint on the rear doors and tailgate plus the clear UV security film on the front doors. I could have probably shopped around and got it cheaper, but I was very impressed with the knowledge of the guy who does the work, and decided you get what you pay for. Here's a link to the company's site that describes the installation process.

Here's a link to pics of my race blue vRS with medium tints.

I get exactly the same problem, and I use the official VAG fan-jet approved screen wash. It wasn't such a problem when I first got the car, but with the freezing weather I've been using a fairly strong mix so I'm guessing that the factory put in a much more diluted mix. It's probably got a lot to do with the jets introducing air into the fluid causing it to foam (much like a snow foam lance works)

If you've got maxidot you can turn it on/off yourself (at least I can on my FL vRS). I can't remember exactly which menu it's under, but I know it's displayed as ATA.

I managed to kerb one of the alloys on my FL vRs so have contacted Lepsons to have it repaired. As a couple of the others have somehow managed to pick up stone chips on the side of the spokes and the rim, I've decided to have them all refurbed (probably in shadow chrome). Since this means I'll be without the car for a few days, I inquired if they would have a suitable set of loan wheels. The only ones they have are a set of 16" from an Audi A4. As the 'space saver' spare that Skoda supply is a 16" steel, I'm thinking these might be ok providing the offset and PCD matches. Does anyone know if these would fit? Thanks.

I'll try a take a few pics of the interior of mine at the weekend...in the meantime here's one I came across when I was waiting for delivery of my mine.

Here are a few recent pics of mine parked at Center Parcs, Longleat... ">

I ordered my FL vRS in July last year and specifically spec'd a full size spare. When it was delivered and I looked in the boot to check the correct one was fitted, and saw a 16" with higher profile and slightly narrower and not a super skinny space-saver, I thought all was fine. A few weeks ago I took the wheel out to install sound deadening to the wheel well, as I turned the wheel over I spotted a big yellow sticker on the rim - Not to exceed 50mph. So despite not being super-skinny it seems you are still limited to lower speeds. I've been thinking of checking with the dealer, but from my experiences with them I don't think they'll be in the least bit interested in offering any assistance.

As per your list I went for option 2 on my FL Octavia vRS - 35% tint on rear windows, but I also had a clear UV film applied to the front doors for heat/UV protection. See this post for pictures - Octy vRS Tints

I've had a medium tint applied to the rear windows of my race blue vRS by a company in Maidenhead (Auto Asylum). I also had a clear UV blocking film installed on the front doors to protect the interior and help to keep it cooler. The quality of the work second to none.

Variant:: vRS Engine: 2.0 CR TDi Transmission: DSG Hatch or Estate: Hatch Colour: Race Blue Extras: Front & Rear Parking Sensors, Full vRS Leather, Heated front seats, Xenons, Curtain Airbags, MDI, Spare Wheel, Factory bluetooth & MFSW with Maxidot Mods to date: Tailgate & rear doors tinted, clear UV film front doors.

Cost me a little over £300, not the cheapest but you get what you pay for. Having seen some really horrible installs I wanted to make sure I found a company that know what they're doing. The quality of the work is excellent; the installer removes all the trim to ensure a perfect pattern can be made which is then transferred onto the tinted film. There is not a single air bubble or ripple, and likewise there are no gaps around the seals. I was concerned about rattles and squeaks developing with the trim removal, but almost 4 months on and there is not a sound. Best of all, you get a lifetime guarantee for as long as you own the car. The company I used are Auto Asylym based in Maidenhead, Berks.

Here are a few pics of my race blue FL vRS which has a medium tint on the tailgate and rear doors. The front doors I've left clear as per the VOSA regulations, but I've had a clear UV protection film installed to help keept the interior cool. The film is a hybrid metallised rather than the cheaper dyes versions, this gives better heat/UV protection, won't fade and also gives true colour perception when looking out.

I don't know much about it, but Parrot do an adapter that allows you to use the steering wheel controls with a Parrot kit (details below from the web). They seem to cost around £75. Parrot MULTICAN - Steering Wheel Control Kit The Parrot MULTICAN is a steering wheel mounted control kit (for CAN bus vehicles) that allows you to use your vehicles existing steering wheel mounted commands to control your Parrot CK3000 Evolution Bluetooth Hands Free Car Kit. The Parrot MULTICAN operates with all kinds of steering wheel controls and is currently compatible with many car brands. The Parrot MULTICAN is available for the Parrot CK3000 Evolution and the Parrot CK3100.

When I ordered my vRS from DTD, all the factory fit options were discounted at the same %'age as the car - in my case 22%.

I too have got an FL vRS CR DSG so can answer a few of your questions. 1. Paddle shift is something I wanted but haven't used a lot yet. Having said that it'a useful when you want to change down for an overtake, I can also see me using it on country roads when pushing on a bit. 2. Hill hold is included, extract from the manual - Uphill-Start off-Assist - The uphill-start off-assist makes it much easier to start off on steep hills. The system assists a start off by holding the brake pressure produced by the brake pedal actuation for approx. 2 seconds after releasing the brake pedal. The driver can therefore move his foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and start off on the slope, without having to actuate the handbrake. The brake pressure drops gradually the more you operate the accelerator pedal. If the vehicle does not start off within 2 seconds, it starts to roll back. The uphill-start off-assist is active in the event of a 5% slope, if the vehicle door is closed. It is always active on slopes when in forward or reverse start off. When driving downhill, it is inactive. 3. Can't say for sure, I've read other posts saying yes and others saying no. I'd read that my Sony Ericsson would work, but I when I tried it wouldn't so ended up having to buy a Nokia. 4. Not that I know of, might be worth adding the MDI. 5. Have read that the wiring loom in UK cars is different and doesn't support folding mirrors, but would be interested to hear if anyone knows different. 6. This is enabled as standard, and can modified through Maxidot. Hope this helps.

The salesman at Marlborough I dealt with first was called Kim and he was always helpful, and quickly arranged a couple of test drives. I also dealt with a guy called Mike who again was helpful. As I said, it was the sales manager - Keith - who I found to be really off hand. Regarding the DTD price. I'd already done my research and got a DTD price before my first visit, but didn't mention this when asking for a quote as I wanted to see what they'd come up with on their own. I said I'd think about it and come back later in the week. When I returned I mentioned DTD to see their reaction; this is when the Keith's attitude changed and he spieled off the DTD prices aren't valid. I said to the other salesmen that I'd prefer to do a deal with them directly if they could come up with an offer that a least approached the DTD price, but Keith wouldn't budge. I've had the car for 3 months now and it all seems ok. The only minor niggle is that I noticed one of the front discs was scored the day after I collected it, so I took it back in a couple of days later. Unfortunately as I walked in Keith was the only person in the showroom. I explained the problem and was given the brush off, he just said "so what, it's a new car and just needs to bed in". I got much the same attitude from the service department, saying that as it isn't dangerous they couldn't do anything about it. I should has insisted that they change it, but as I felt like I was banging my head against a brick wall I gave up. When the first service is due I think I'll be going elsewhere.

Marlborough are my local dealer, and to be honest I wouldn't recommend them. The attitude of their sales manager was dismissive and far from professional (the other salesmen were fine). I went armed with the DTD price and was told point blank they couldn't get close to that price. The sales manager even told me that DTD contact them to get the best price, and so the price they quote on the web isn't valid. I went back a couple of times to see they could improve their offer but they weren't interested. I spoke to DTD and was assured that the price they quote you 'is the most you'll pay'. As this price was a little over £3K less than what I'd been quoted by Marlborough I went ahead and ordered with them. Based on my research I was fairly sure that Skoda's bought through DTD are supplied by Marlborough, so it was no surprise when I was contacted by their sales manager a couple of days later. He even had the nerve to tell me he was disappointed I hadn't given him the chance to come back with a better price.

I bought my FL vRS through DTD and had absolutely no problems with them. Marlborough are my local dealer, and to be honest I wouldn't recommend them. The attitude of their sales manager was dismissive and far from professional (the other salesmen were fine). I went armed with the DTD price and was told point blank they couldn't get close to that price. The sales manager even told me that DTD contact them to get the best price, and so the price they quote on the web isn't valid. I went back a couple of times to see they could improve their offer but they weren't interested. I spoke to DTD and was assured that the price they quote you 'is the most you'll pay'. As this price was almost £2k less than what I'd been quoted by Marlborough I went ahead and ordered with them. Based on my research I was fairly sure that Skoda's bought through DTD are supplied by Marlborough, so it was no surprise when I was contacted by their sales manager a couple of days later. He even had the nerve to tell me he was disappointed I hadn't given him the chance to come back with a better price.

My FL vRS rear wiper operates when engaging reverse. It even works if the front wipers aren't switched on at the time, but have been used very recently (i.e. single wipe of the front screen after overnight rain before moving off, then engaging reverse a minute of so later)

Yes there are 4 rear sensors, the display being the same as at the front. That photo was taken while parked in my drive. The front sensors are all on because I park about 75mm from a wall; the rears are picking up gates that around 600mm away, but there's nothing in range of the outer ones.

Here's a picture from my FL vRS with front and rear parking sensors showing the display on the Bolero. You'll see that each of the four sensors is shown independently, indicating which sensor is nearest the detected object. The bars turn red when you get within about 370mm (or 15") from the object. If you've got maxidot you can also select a different tone for the front and rear sensors, so you can tell audibly which end of the car has detected the obstruction. Not used this feature as yet, but I imagine it can useful when manouvering in tight spaces.