numskull

People say I’m stupid, but I think the 280 will become collectible, if only because it’s the fastest production Skoda ever produced. I’m still absolutely over the moon with the car; I’m seriously thinking about shoving into a Carcoon and buying a Fabia for everyday use. As for going green well, I’m holding out hope for Hydrogen powered vehicles, as I think range anxiety will always be an issue with electric vehicles.

After moving the seat all the way back to clean under the seat I had the same issue; no seat memory and no easy exit. Did the backwards/forwards thing and hey presto, all working again! Thanks very much to the OP!

On the few occasions I've really given it some stick, there really is a deep noisy throaty exhaust note on our 280, which can definitely be heard in the cabin over the engine sound. Personally, I want to keep it quiet until needed and looking BS; it's what a Q car is all about.

IMHO, yes.

Get one of the Aircon cleaning sprays. IIRC, you run the Aircon on full, set the cleaner off in the car, then close the doors for around 15 mins. I had exactly this problem in our MKI Superb. I too only used to run the AC in the summer. Condensation builds up in the ducting pipes and mould grows in there which creates a stink when the AC is switched on. Lesson learned and I’ve kept the AC on in all our cars and never had a problem since then.

I should add, the space saver was / is a cost option, coming with the polystyrene boot liner, Jack, wheel brace etc, so don’t expect this to be included as standard; I was lucky that Prykey ordered this, along with the other long list of options he added. Still find it ridiculous that cost saving extends to what should be a compulsory item in any vehicle. I’d like to see the U.K. stats on the number of punctures the compressed air and gunk systems actually fix.

Our 280 also has a 17” space saver kit.

To help you, I’d ring a dealer or TPS? Oh... hang on... I guess you could do that, eh? 👍

Yeah, agree with the others. It’s a clear case of “caveat emptor” - buyer beware. Did you buy it blind on the Internet? As an ex “demo” car and it’s been driven by numerous people, used as a runner for delivery drivers, used as a courtesy car, a “go and get the lunch” and “drop him at the station” and “I’ll take that for the weekend” car. Basically, the condition they presented it to you, is a reflection of their business attitude I’m afraid; they couldn’t give a toss how it’s been treated during their tenure, as they got a registration bonus, a good discount and they made a profit when it sold. Car sales and service is one of the last bastions of abysmally poor customer service; when was the last time you felt genuinely welcome at a car dealership? I ask as I wouldn’t have bought it In that condition as it reflects all of the above. Our 280 was four years old with 20k when we bought it in March from an independent dealer and apart from a fair number of touched-up stone chips, it was immaculate inside and out and had been prepped really well by the dealer, who was also very welcoming and professional. And really luckily, the previous owner is a well-known member here and the car is a credit to the way he looked after it.

Had both sets replaced earlier this year under warranty, as they failed.

I’m no technician, well. not for this type of thing anyway, but it does recognise stationery traffic on mine

I’m really getting used to ACC now and I have to say it’s brilliant. It’s bloody scary initially, to let it brake on its own as you come up behind a stationary traffic, but you get used to it.

Ahhhh.... well, what facet edge says is correct. Throw it back at the front; fortunately they can’t get away with “sod off pal” anymore.

Bloody odd. Speak to SUKCS and see if they’ll give you some goodwill on the cost - I’m presuming you’ve always used the network for servicing? It’s always served me well to do so with out of warranty claims. Shame that with leaving the EU, the EU wide 6 year merchantability laws will disappear here too....

Try the spare KESSY key? Also, it maybe the car battery is on its last legs and just not offering enough ummph to start the systems properly?

Well, that’s what they do. However... what are you going to operate with the switch? I ask as although you can buy the switch units, as far as I recall, none of these positively lock on or off, so depending on what you’re going to use it for, they may not be suitable.

Make what.... an omelette? Sorry, couldn’t help myself! Might be an idea to clearly explain what it is that you’re trying to do?

^^^ What he said; our MY16 280 holds the selected driving mode.

The Audi adaptation definitely helped improve the pedal response.

Don't know where you work Max, but if you're on the Waterloo run, there is a very well respected Indie VAG specialist in Surbiton, right next to the Station called VAG Tek. The only reason I've always used main dealers for servicing is for out of warranty goodwill; served me very well on the Superb MK1 when the oil pump failed at 99,000 miles; SUK coughed-up for the parts, which ran into '000's and I paid for the labour, which was £750.

Could be - we're in Surbiton. I looked at a 280 at Skoda Aldershot back in March. Lookers were OK, but I don't know how much longer they're going to be in business, as they've dumped 1,500 jobs so far and they keep getting bad news. See here... Allams are actually the closest but I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole, having ripped me off royally on the MKII.

I just checked with Skoda and the gearbox oil (and filter apparently - didn’t think it had one?) change is £225. Haldex oil change is £90.

Yes, it is. As others have said of their 280’s, without doubt this is the best car I’ve ever owned and it sounds like the one you’re proposing to buy has been well cared for and at a great price too. You could just get the gearbox and Haldex serviced when you’ve bought it; perhaps find out the cost and ask the current owner to contribute. I was very lucky, buying a members car and he’d bought a SUK 5 year warranty at time he purchased it new. I’ve already had the MFSW switches changed and they’d failed and the bonnet release fixed too. I recently noticed there’s a problem with the window regulator on the front passenger NS; it’s very noisy when its rising - and it also the “normal” squeaking coming from the suspension. Yesterday, I took it to Lookers in Guildford. The result is they’re changing both window regulators and the anti-roll bar bushes. Brilliant!

Is it being sold via a dealer or privately? So what is the service interval on the DSG/Haldex; I thought it was 30k? Is there one previous owner - can you speak with them? Anyway, it seems from what I’ve read, provided its working OK, so it isn’t gunked-up you shouldn’t have a problem. My daughter has a 2008 Freelander which has done 60k and that’s only just had the Haldex and gearbox oils changed for the first time in 12 years but prior to this, the 4x4 worked perfectly, as did the gearbox changing. Our 280 has covered 22,250 and the Haldex oil hasn’t been changed, but it’s due a service in Jan and will probably get it done then, maybe before. Anymore info on the car - age, colour, spec?

Wow! You’re going to pump the tyres up to 45psi, aren’t you?