Rincey

I do around 10,000 miles a year and most of that is around town - diesel doesn't give me a huge benefit in costs. Alright, I might only be getting around 22mpg in the BMW around town, but in the Skoda it was about 38. but petrol is also cheaper than diesel so cost savings wont have been much. All about what suits really

Well unless I start doing loads of motorway driving, then I am going to stick with petrol from now on. I will miss the torque kick you get from a turbo diesel but it is a small part of the overall package. As I said, I will be sorry to see the vRS go because it is a great car - but the time to change is here

And this is where we talk about having a 'lemon' because I have never been let down by any problems on BMW's. If I had bought a petrol vRS would I have been happier? Quite possibly but I didn't so I am going back to what I know best I have had lots of BMW diesels and never once encountered any DPF issues and this is with the same journeys as I am still doing. But its all about personal preference!

Yes, it was my first Skoda and I was sceptical because I have always had BMW's. If I got one bad beemer, it wouldn't stop me getting another because so far with all of them, I have had no problems at all. Well, apart from one that was blowing fuel rails but that was my doing because I didn't know what damage the tuning boxes can do hehe!

And as many people complain about faults on their Skoda's too - its horses for courses. Take me for example, I am a prime example of someone who has had no problems with any BMW's, but perhaps that is because I keep them well serviced and know the models to avoid and what to look out for. Would I go back to a Skoda again? In truth, this is doubtful but I never say never. And the reason you will see more Skoda Taxis than BMW's is that the Skoda is something of a work horse but I have a friend up here in Warrington who owns a garage and he has loads of Skoda's always in and out for work to be done on them. Then there is the price difference - would you go off and spend £30k on a taxi? The Octavia is perfectly suited as a taxi - a BMW isn't. Don't get me wrong, I will be very sorry to see it go because it is a great all-rounder but I just can't live with this DPF problems. As a car more suited to someone else's driving (not as much around town) then I would highly recommend it. If i were doing more motorway runs, then I would not have gone off and got another car. But I am truly sorry to be getting rid :(

I have owned lots of BMW's... I know that when the services come around, generally nothing needs doing Or if it is anything, it isn't much.

Having had real problems with my DPF, I would definitely steer well clear. I was told by Skoda that as this is not a warranty item, I have a choice now of regenerating it every few days in 3rd gear down the motorway, to the point it wont regen, then I have to buy a new one... Yeah OK. I sold mine over the weekend and bought a petrol BMW instead! My journey was about 6 miles a day and even though I did get a good motor way run every other weekend, it was the short stop-start ride to work that was killing it. Never again!

I'm not comparing anything anywhere and haven't done. Just stating that this is a petrol, not a diesel. Yes, the coupe is a smaller car inside, but then it is meant to be. If I needed a bigger car there was a nice 530i that I had my eye on, but I don't need something big. But you can't really compare a Skoda with a BMW in so many areas... This is why I am going back to BMW again and why I am going for petrol rather than diesel. If you are happy with the vRS, that is great, but I am looking forward to the silky smooth and quiet BMW - and none of the hassles and problems

My BMW is a 325i, not a diesel

Well Skoda aren't exactly blameless here seeing as it's their car and they decided this was somehow a good idea Great car let down by silly faults that needn't happen!

Well, I spent the last 3 weeks running up and down the motorways regenerating the DPF that was lighting up every couple of days. I sold mine today and I pick up my BMW on Wednesday. I think that as long as you wont be doing just town driving, and are able to take it for a good long run on the motorway every week or two at the very least, then the DPF should be OK. But I won't be going down that route again. Andy

Well, you learn by your mistakes I guess. Gonna stick with petrol from here on in and stop worrying about an extra 10mpg here and there.

Bah must have registered another account at some point - real one here

No, he is up in Mansfield - but worth a (long) day out

Well, I have had a remap done by Ben @ Shark this weekend, so is this likely to be picked up by them or will them doing this revert it back to the original map?

This to me, doesn't sound quite right. First one I took it into the garage and they did the regen for me. I did the other myself last night after a drive down the motorway for 10 minutes. The car is a 2008 vrs (PD) and only done 27,000 miles. Anyone any ideas - or shall I just get the DPF bypass done? Cheers, Andy

I have just been to see Ben @ Shark today and all I can say is wow! I have the same car as you, PD170, and the remap doesn't do stupid things to the engine but it pulls like a train all the way through the gears now, right upto the redline, where it normally starts dropping off. Just completed the drive back and of course, had a little play. First thing you will notice is how much more responsive it is - the power is all the way through the rev range and it still gives you a kick in the pants when you bury the loud pedal I also noticed a reduction in the wheelspin I used to see. Much more linear power now, After playing, i set it to 70 to see what the MPG was like and I noticed an increase of around 4mpg... hard to tell eactly because lots of hills and stuff, but definately an increase worth having! Why don't cars roll off the production line like this - it feels like this how it should have always been! All I can say it use a specialist who knows what they are doing! Thanks Ben - top job bud Andy

Amen to that And welcome to the boards

I fitted a HID upgrade kit to my car and can confirm that they do take a few seconds to warm up - so very possible they are upgraded. The canbus can be located behind the headlight housing you you might not even see anything. Oh, and its halogens that light up immediately, not Xenon's - my BMW had factory fitted Xenons and they took a few seconds to warm up too.

Maybe your would be happy driving 14miles with no oil in your car, but I think that is where you and I differ As it happens, he had some of this oil on his van and topped me up but still took it for an oil and filter change anyways seeing as we are off to France next month.

OK sweet, I will have a look for this Thanks!

I have tried a search but its bringing me lots of random crap back. For some reason, I appear to be very very low on oil - oil light isn't on, but dipstick is showing below the minimum mark. I have booked Greenflag to come and pick me up in the morning as dont fancy risking the drive to the garage, but I need to know they are going to put the right oil in - can anyone tell me what this should be please? Cheers, Andy

Identical in looks to mine - but mine is vRS Diesel and 08 plate

I have mine tinted all round but a very light smoke on the front two windows. It just looks a little better than having only the back done. And had exactly the same on my BMW which sailed through its MOT Oh, so I have like one down from limo tint in the back which means you can still see in (just) but have very good visibility out, and the lightest smoke on the front which just looks like normal smoke coloured glass - just takes the edge off clear Andy

They are not illegal Chris, you really need to check out what the DOT say about them. My insurance company have them on my insurance with no problem and no increase in premium. I am sure they wouldn't allow them on if they were illegal now, would they The ones that are illegal are the ones you see on Corsa's and such likes that don't have projectors and you just have that nasty glow that blonds everyone. And if you keep your lights clean, then you don't need washers either. Just wipe them over with a cloth every few days is all you need! I still giggle at those uninformed peeps