theandywaite

Now, now children!!! Anyway, back on topic :P Just been looking at the Columbus unit and it's certainly very impressive! Just wondering, how do you transfer music onto the Columbus hard disk? Most of mine is in digital format already (MP3) and I have a massive collection, so I hope this is an easy task... Some on eBay seem to say 30GB disk, some say 40GB disk. What standard options of disk are available, and are these upgradable? How much of this space is available for music (I'm guessing the satnav maps take up some of it)? Is it a simple swap out job for my current Stream unit? What else is needed? Some places say that a GPS arial is needed? Do the Columbus units display the parking sensor & climate control information like my stream does?

Hi everyone, I currently have the Skoda Stream unit and the 6cd boot mounted changer. I am wanting to upgrade my stereo and was wondering what my options were... I need: iPod connectivity - a proper iPod dock connector in my glove box so that the iPod charges. The iPod should be fully navigable from the head unit and display track names/artist names/playlists etc. For it to fit with the interior of my Skoda (i.e. no bright blue/red illumination) Bluetooth handsfree for my phone I would like: To keep the parking sensor/climate control displays that come up on the stereo The ability to play MP3 CD's in a single slot on the dash To keep the 6cd in the boot hooked up if possible What are my options in terms of standard units? Or am I looking at aftermarket double-din for the features I want?

I've also just bought a Petrol VRS - it's sounds a bit chuggy & like a diesel at low speeds/idle, but I just presumed thats normal? It also has the lumpy idle many people talk of... The power is still there, runs fine and it takes it AGGEESS to warm up and the cooling fans hardly ever kick in... Was it a properly noticable change when it started sounding like a Diesel?

I haven't had to buy new tyres for my VRS yet (still got the dealer-fitted budgets) but on my old Focus (sitting on 17" ST170 wheels) the best tyres I had, by a country mile, were Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3s. Tried a few, Pilot Sports - Continental Sport Contacts, but they weren't as good. They lasted ok, gave good levels of comfort, reasonable road noise, gripped ok in the wet... but in the dry they were something else! I think they've been discontinued now and replaced with the Eagle F1 Asymmetric, I'll definately be looking into them when I come to change.

I've just bought a '56' TFSI VRS - 20,000 miles, one careful owner (you can tell in the condition of the car), serviced to schedule AND had interim oil changes inbetween by the previous owner. Has lots of extras too - 18", CD Changer, Climate, Parking sensors, Cruise etc etc It's never been in an accident or had any paintwork done. New tyres all round (fitted by Skoda) and recent brake disks/pads. You could probably describe it as 'faultless'. Was just over £10k from a Skoda dealer with 14 mths warranty (2 mths left of Manufacturer, 12mths Skoda dealer warranty) If you look around there are some cracking deals to be had for a slightly older car, and with the Skoda badge up front there are pleanty about that havn't been 'ragged'.

+1 I love black cars, I only had silver this time because all the black ones I looked at had been wrapped round a lamp post. On my old Black Focus, every 6 months I'd spend an afternoon washing, claying, machine polishing, glazing and then waxing it. After that, just a quick wash & dry with detail spray once a week was sufficient to keep it looking mint.

I've been into detailing for a while now, and leather does not need fancy cleaners/conditioners to stay supple - the likes of which Halfords will sell. As it's a natural fabric, all you need to do is keep it moisturised, so like paul2505 said LTT do some good products that just moisturise the leather. Alternatively, I've heard recently on the grapevine that a good (cheap) alternative is to clean the leather down with a light cleaner (highly diluted Meguiars APC) and then just use baby wipes which return the moisture to the leather. Try that at your own risk, but it's what I'll be doing to the leather bits on my VRS seats.

It's a 56, cheers for the replies - glad it's nothing major! I love forums like this (used to be a member of the Ford Focus Owners Club) because advice/help like that is invaluable!!! Incase it happens again... anyone know if this would be covered by the Skoda dealer warranty? Or just the manufacturers warranty?

...albeit a minor one! Had my Petrol VRS for 3 days now. I just filled up, came back to the car with my girlfriend sat in it. The engine was off/key out of ignition but she was listening to the radio and I had left my lights on. Started it up and the speakers went "BOOM" (loud!) and then 'pop', 'pop', 'pop' every second. The display on the stereo was on as normal, but no sound was coming out of the speakers except the continuous 'pop'. Stopped the engine and it continued. Started the engine again and it continued. Tried to switch to the CD Changer and it said 'CD Error'. Drove it home (drive was faultless except the popping). Turned the engine off and it kept popping, but stopped after about 20 seconds. Looked under the bonnet for the 15 amp stereo fuse and pulled it out, started the engine and the 'pop' noise was no longer there. Put the fuse back in again, and the stereo & changer worked fine. Anyone else had this problem? Any idea what happened? I'm presuming there was some sort of surge when I started the engine at the petrol station which knocked the stereo out until I reset it?

It's a Petrol TFSI... HURRAY 30MPG if I'm lucky Justa - They're 18" Zeniths pete8tch - I really wanted black but all the black ones I saw had accident damage/scuffs/faults - this one I bought was an amazing deal, 23,000 miles, spotless inside & out... couldn't say no really!

Just got my VRS on Thursday and I LOVE it. Just given it a quick clean, really needs a full detail though when I have time...

Hi everyone, Just bought myself a TFSI Octy VRS!!! It's not the colour I wanted, but it's immaculate (it looks brand new), has all the toys, 20,000 miles and I got a really good deal on it. I pick her up at the weekend. So excited!

I actually had a CTR for a couple of days, was great fun. Like someone else says - the lack of midrange/torque is no where near as bad as people make out. You just don't care when the car is screaming it's way to 9000 rpm and you're hitting silly speeds (where legal and appropriate, of course!). I would definately have a CTR, they are gorgeous, very racey and would suit me perfectly. I'm just struggling to find one in decent nic, they've all been wrapped round a lamp post and thrashed by young chavs! The Octavia is nice, mainly because it's different. When I had a test drive (admittedly I didn't really push it with the Skoda salesman in the back seat) I thought it handled quite well, and the power is obviously there. The main thing that I like about the Skoda though is the interior. The Civic feels like a 90's car with some expensive race-spec items thrown in (Recarro seats, Momo wheel in the Premier model). The Octavia doesn't feel quite as racy, but it's a mile ahead of the Civic in terms of comfort, equipment and finish inside... it's thoroughly modern inside. There's also pleanty about for my budget that have been carefully looked after by more sensible drivers... I'm keeping my eyes open for both cars

Hi Everyone, I'm currently on the lookout for a 'hot hatch' for £10k, and I've narrowed it down to two quite different models. I'm looking at late EP3 (old shape) Honda Civic Type-R's and Skoda Octavia VRS's. Two very different cars, but both great in different ways. I like the idea of getting an Octy cos they look subtle, and most won't have been thrashed... well not like Civic's anyway! Seen a nice one not far away but it's been in a smash, so avoiding that. There's another I'm also looking at which doesn't have many options, but the price is good meaning I afford to get a remap, a decent set of tyres and the suspension set up not long after. Anyway that's me - just thought I'd say hello! I'm gonna have a read around, I'm sure people will have already asked about common faults etc. If anyone is thinking of selling their black Mk2 VRS in the East-Midlands area then let me know

Thanks, Looked into insurance, it's an affordable £900 for an Focus ST or a Octavia vRS. I'm now also considering (rather randomly) a Honda Integra Type-R DC5, but insurance on those is a little more. Nothing like the cost of insurance on Evo's though, that's rediculous! Honestly not sure what I want. The reason I like the Skoda, like you say, is it's grown up image, warranty and it would be nice to be the first owner. I saw lots of pre reg ST's last year too. When the facelift one came out, Archers of Ashby were selling off their stock with the old bumpers for £13-£14k, but since the credit crunch has kicked in, no dealers seem to have any stock of ST's, new or used. Both my closest Ford dealers have none in new or used, not even a demonstrator... used 08 platers within the dealer network are advertised for £17-£18k!!!

Thing is though, taking fuel/tax into the equation, I can afford a brand new Skoda Octavia VRS TDI. If I was to get a Focus ST, I'd be looking at a 3 year old one, which means I'd get the old bumpers (facelift ST is MUCH nicer), no warranty and I'd have to pay for MOT's...

Thanks everyone. Helpful comments! The guy in the dealership mentioned REVO, although I've not heard of them... was going to get Bluefin or Dreamscience if I got a Ford, I presume Revo are a similar thing? At the moment, I'm 21 and whatever I get is going to be my first big-power car. I've not got a family, and I'm not too bothered about seats - though getting a couple of mates in the back is a bonus... If I was to go petrol, I'd probably get a Focus... I'm really only considering an Octavia cos with the diesel, I can have the power but keep the fuel & tax to a reasonable level! That, and the dealer's seem REALLY good, especially when compared with the pushy idiots at Ford...

Hi everyone, I'm currently trying to decide what car to buy. I'm really a massive Ford fan, so my main choices are either a Mk1 Focus RS or a Mk2 Focus ST. Even so, I really quite like the look of the Octavia VRS... and if I get the diesel, I can get bluefin (or similar) for 200bhp and it will return nearly twice the MPG of the Fords... I know all you guys will be a little biased, but how do you find the Octavia VRS TDI to live with? Any tips for someone maybe looking to buy one? Thanks, Andrew