penguin17

Was the engine/oil up to temperature and did you disable everything? Stop start - off TCS - off Drive mode/DSG- sport/S Press and hold brake With a TDI perhaps there’s other conditions such as DPF regen status to consider (?)

I couldn’t source one from the few UK dealers I tried. I got a replacement from Superskoda as boydeee suggests: http://www.superskoda.com/scripts/podrobnosti.php?IDZ=27988&admin=1&MS=1&SC=1ae2a2aa661ffe05d0e34b14fcfda162

You do realise you can just turn the heating up on the climate control, if you’re cold?

It’s different in the left side for the 280. The right side just needs a firm tug, as per your post. The left side has an air intake behind the cover and has different lugs etc. It’s a very tight fit and a right PITA. In contrast the same job on my 150TDI took <10 mins.

It’s a different one for the left. I snapped mine too and replaced it with one from Superskoda. Catalogue no is ‘3V0853665A9B9’. (Grille V2left). The aperture on the left is tighter as it has the thickness of the air intake too and it’s a bugger to get off. Even knowing where all the fixing points are, I snapped one of the lugs and had to revert to swearing and white knuckles 😊

I have quoted and edited accordingly. 😉 No VCDS mod, driving mode, profile set up, etc etc compares to a pedal box IME.

Try auto-bulbs direct. They aren't the cheapest (e.g they are cheaper from Aliexpress, etc) BUT...they have obviously found a reputable supplier with some level of quality control as I haven't had any issues with the bulbs I've bought from them. When ordering new, rear LED indicator bulbs for my Superb, ABD were out of stock so I ordered direct from China...bulb failure within 10 months. If these are the correct ones for your year, etc then they are on sale at the mo: https://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/h7-twenty20-cree-led-12v-477-canbus-foglight-bulb.html EDIT: I have their own branded H8 fogs and have had no issues. Nice output/spread of light but I actually can't recall ever needing to switch on my front fogs since having them so can't comment on 'in anger' performance. They do a good job for cornering on dark roads etc and they also suit my DRL's when in reverse (which TBH is the main reason anyone uses them )

I'm actually wondering if the next RS3 will be a TDI! The new RS6/7 are derv drinkers.

It would seem that 400bhp is the next benchmark in the battle of the hyper-hatches: https://www.evo.co.uk/mercedes/a45-amg/19790/mercedes-amg-a45-technical-specifications-revealed-debuts-new-415bhp-m139 It's amazing what a 2ltr 4 cyl. with some level of turbo-charging is capable of achieving and without the laaaag of an 80's Group B car. I wonder if this will be catalyst for all the remaining FFWD cars to switch to AWD/4WD when they bring out new models. It would be interesting to see if the the next gen Golf R is going to have ~400bhp and if it will continue to use the EA888 engine.

and if they don't go down the full disclosure route, just message eBay support with a link to this thread.

Can the DVSA do anything?

The temperatures in Greece and the North East of England aren't really comparable; well not for extended periods anyway. I've used Quatrac 5's for the last 2 years and I'm happy with them across a range of temperatures and surfaces. I didn't experience any issues when we seen high 20's for a few weeks last Summer. They are also more than capable of sub-zero temps and deep snow. I literally had a choice of two all-season tyres for my car and picked the Vredestein as they seemed hands down the better of the two, I would have ideally liked CC+ but it wasn't an option. They don't brake traction or seem to struggle with my 280 on stints of 'spirited' driving either. They have asymmetric tread so are more of a Summer/dry biased all-season tyre. Wear rate is very good. Approx 22K miles covered and fronts are at 4mm and rears 6mm. I've just switched to PS4's but kept the Vredesteins for now, just in case we do get a bad Winter (the last one was relatively mild).

Find yourself a reputable, local independent specialist and ask their advice on parts and I'd be fairly confident in a price that's 20-50% cheaper than the dealers. It might be a little too far for you to travel but these guys are great. They look after our Mk4 Golf and I couldn't be happier with their service. https://www.northeastautotech.com/

Thanks! (so do I). Looking at the door assembly I think it may have been the window regulator that was making the noise. Failing that my next possible culprit is the glass 😕 One thing I completely forgot about doing was to gain access to the outer door skin and apply some Silent Coat there too....bugg3r.....

Would you mind if I didn't redo the whole process again? Sorry, in hindsight I should have done but I actually only went outside to apply some tyre dressing. The removal actually isn't very hard and the type of clips used are very good and will withstand a good tug, whereas the other type I've seen in the past were basically collateral damage. Here's the schematic of the door assembly. As long as you use some proper trim removal tools and apply pressure on the areas where the clips are then you should be good. door trim (3).pdf

Looks spot on . Pano roof too? I like the red grille trim extending into the lights.

Oooft now that's purdy. Do you still get a bottle opener in the centre cubby, like the mk5's? Lovely colour, very classy. Enjoy your new car

I was planning to remove it but some of the electrical connectors were fiddly and one for the LED strip was wrapped and taped. I already had an ideally sized bucket at the ready so rested the card on that and leaned it towards me, whilst working. No real drama and fairly simple. Good job a didn’t snap any clips as the bag of spares I had from my old SEAT are different to the type used in the Superb.

Removed the drivers door trim and applied silent coat absorber foam and 2mm deadening mat; hopefully that will stop the ANNOYING vibration that occurs at 2k revs. I’ve given up asking the dealer to sort this. I was going to make a gasket around the main door speaker too but I was surprised to see that the unit is riveted to the door, not the usual torx screw I’ll do the passenger door soon.

You half expect it with dealers though, or I do. It must be part of their business model to do as little as possible to make a car 'sellable' and only rectify issues that the buyer picks up on. Why spend hundreds on a car until you know you're costs are going to be covered shortly afterwards?! Pi55e5 me right off! @theandywaite the fact you've asked on here means that you have your doubts and your spidey senses are tingling about this car; go with your gut and just walk away. Those few issues could be from a catalog of non-related incidents or could be from a low impact shunt of shorts. e.g; rear end shunt, tyre goes pop, things in the boot move forward and snap the trim, rear bumper gets repaired but parking sensor doesn't and front bumper hits the car in front, knocking the bonnet alignment out.....or could just be several, unrelated and 'innocent' signs of a neglectful first owner.

So this will be out of the question ?!

Which paint did you use and how did you find it to apply, etc? I'm thinking of doing this myself but will wait for the pads to wear and do the whole lot whilst the wheels are off.

Jet Seal is something I’m wanting to try. Always good to hear a solid recommendation, thanks. Though I have the Carlack twins (NSC and long life sealant) to use for my ‘big Summer detail’. I bought them a year ago and still haven’t used them. I’m trying to empty my boxes of kit before ordering more 😊.

If you like CG butter wet wax then have a try of their wet mirror finish....oooooooh glossy. Oh and if you have a metallic finish then CG's v7 detailing spray really makes the flakes pop. Yes, you've guessed I'm a big fan of Chemical Guys stuff; easy to use, great results and smell like ye olde sweet shop

New set of PS4's fitted yesterday and didn't really get a chance to see what they are like on the way home for the dealers. Finished work and let rush hour pass and then went for a little drive across the moors... I never really had a problem with my Vredestein all-seasons but having had them fitted to the 280 from day one, I was keen to see if the PS4's would live up to the hype and/or make the car a little nicer to drive (or just be a waste of money?!). Well it took all of 5 minutes to realise that they are every bit as good as their reputation. Plenty of predictable grip and braking is also improved (a lot). On a rough surface they drone a little more than I would like but on a smooth surface there's no tyre noise at all. The dealer inflated them to 2.5 BAR but they did feel a little squirmy so I topped them up to 2.9, which I used in my Vredesteins and they have worn evenly across the belt on all 4 tyres. I'll try 2.7 tomorrow and see how they feel. First impressions are very good and I may just have to set my alarm clock extra early on Saturday and get the papers from that little newsagents in Coldstream.