numskull

Of course. It’s Wheelbase in Hersham. The owner, Colin Marshall is a knowledgeable and very nice guy. They have all the OE diagnostic kit and full access to VAG service, so they can update your service record. I first used them in 2010 when our MKI Superb PD140 blew its oil pump and I had it towed there by the RAC. Colin said it was a known design fault with the PD140 engine and he was sure that an authorised dealer could get full parts contribution from Skoda. He used a local guy for recovery, got me a great price to take it to my then dealer, Ridgeway in Reading. They did get full parts contribution (around £4k) and part contribution on labour. I had to pay £700. I say all this to show Colin is a straight up and down guy. They have free courtesy cars and normally short advance bookings. They are cheaper than main dealers too.

That’s terrible. And I’m a a loss how the heck that happened.

I gave up using dealers in 2020. I use an excellent VAG Specialist indy a few miles away, who’ve been established for 20+ years, for all work and servicing on the 280.

As they’re supposed to come with two umbrellas, just get the dealer to supply you with them. They’ve probably been nicked and sold on eBay before PDI.

I just turn the Stop/Start system off.

I’ve found the VW Lane Assist system, compared to other manufacturers systems, to be excellent too. The one on a Kia Ceed (🤮) I drove the other day was atrocious; very jerky and over sensitive.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the DCC set up except comfort and normal are too soft. Sport should really be normal and normal comfort. I’ve never experienced the suspension bottoming-out. Having said that, when the Monroes fail, which undoubtedly they will at some point, I will be replacing them with Bilsteins.

Our 2016 OE MOL EFB battery finally gave up with a bad cell in October. Still just started unless it went to 0 or below so it sounds like the same issue. It’s been replaced with a RAC branded Varta Silver Dynamic AGM 570 901 076 battery. Very slightly more powerful but at least it should be fine for the next few years.

FEEEEECK!!!! 😳

I’ve got a Racechip GTS Black plus a Racechip XLR Pedal Box fitted to the 280. I’m very happy with the performance and having the ability to change the profile is great. I just wanted to have the flexibility of being able to remove it and reuse or sell it. In fact, I bought it preowned from a member here so there you go.

SWMBO 2003 Focus AC failed last year and Halfords had a free airco test offer. So I took it down there and after 25mins of him trying to find the coupling (yeah, I know; I should’ve told him to pack up after 10) he announced the system was full so it needed a compressor. I then went to KF, who had a 1/2 price Airco regas offer and after 25 mins the car is handed back over with nicely chilled air coming out. Yeah, it was nearly out of gas.

Luis, Where is the noise actually being generated? What I mean is, is it at the top of the steering column or is it lower down? Has the technician said it is the steering rack, the steering column or both items which need to be replaced? I think speaking to Skoda is a good idea as you may be able to get a goodwill payment from them, as these are not items which should fail so early in the life of any vehicle.

I’ve found the amount of engine braking in D to be negligible. It’s a bit better in S but still not that effective.

I honestly wouldn’t trust a Halfords “technician” to fit a tyre valve dust cap, let alone a Xenon bulb. And isn’t the wheel arch a simpler approach (and potentially less fraught) than removing a bumper to replace a bulb? I can imagine your sensors being ripped out again as the technician, with all of 1 hours training in every aspect of their day-to-day job, heaves the bumper off the car, complete with sensor and headlamp cleaner wiring and hoses all still attached, dropping the bumper on the concrete in the process, as they refuse to give way to the oafs abuse, attempting to deftly hang on to their attached parts. “Ooops… sorry about that mate; I fink it’s all OK though”. 🙄

When was the last time you had the gearbox serviced?

Do stand alone auto electricians still exist, given these days cars are cram-packed full of electronics and ECU’s? I’m just guessing without the manufacturers diagnostic equipment they’d get nowhere with their “diagnosis”.

Non OE units are far cheaper at £150 per pair and, of course, are made by the OE suppliers.

Bought these from ebay a couple of years ago and they're absolutely fine.

On then19th October, my 2016 OEM MOLL EFB battery was replaced with an RAC branded Varta Silver Dynamic AGM 570 901 076.

I wouldn’t be either…. ☹️

Unfortunately yes, it sounds like it.

Yep, it certainly did, but better than a wrecked engine.

Ah. Methinks Google translate strikes again!

First time I drove the 280 on snow and ice (& still on the P7’s then btw) and I was amazed how the car gripped the surface. There were FW and RWD vehicles scatted on the sides of the road. Like you Colin, I wouldn’t go back to a 2WD vehicle.

The yanks got a winning class action against VAG on this issue. Very unlikely one would win here and it’d be 2041 before it was settled. Ours went earlier this year and that was a £700 fix.