allena

Congrats. Friday the 13th is a lucky day for my wife and I, so fear not.

Congrats. May you have only happy motoring ahead.

@ Trevorminor: I wish! Try doing that in France! Their attitude is quite unbelievable, and what has disheartened me even more, is that it is replicated by Skoda HQ... in as much as they don't seem to have any control over their concessionaire (or wish to have.) The excuse from the French concessionaire is that they are not a standard item in France ... this, not withstanding the fact that Skoda HQ especially sent the foils to France to be fitted to my car. (If only I had stuck with James Rothwell of Allams, none of this would ever have happened! James was about to arrange to send me a set of foils in the post, when SkodaHQ told me they had already sent the foils to France, so I had to ask James to "stand down".) @Rockhopper: I agree with you entirely. Particularly as (contrary to our wishes) the foils were not fitted to the car before it was delivered to us! However, there is not the slightest bit of doubt that this is Skoda's decision. The whole thing has become very acrimonious, with the concessionaire not even offering a word of regret for our inconvenience, wasted time, and loss; even insinuating that we have lied about the damage that was done in the garage when the carpet and the foils were replaced (required because we had that leak in the driver's footwell that is noted in this forum). My wife and I feel as though we have been despoiled (to put it politely!) Our Yeti is now just over 6 months old, and not for one single day of that period has it been in a condition that we would consider to be "new". What is worse is that quite clearly it never will be, since they dinged the bodywork when doing the carpets and are going to "touch up" the damaged paintwork - and refuse to negotiate on it. It is lamentable, because we like the car. I would have said 'loved', but with all the hassle we've had, that is just no longer possible. There is just no way in hell that we will ever buy another Skoda.

Well, my proposal to have the third set of foils fitted by a specialist, has been met with a bullying attitude that I've experienced all along: "do that, and your warranty is void" - or words to that effect. The concessionaire and Skoda HQ have chosen this route of forcing me to have the dealer fit the foils again - even though the last time they cut them (badly) to avoid wrapping them around the edge of the door, and within weeks were coming 'unstuck'. There are a number of other warranty items outstanding - to be dealt with at the same time as the foils - and I have been very clearly told that if I chose to have the foils fitted by a third party specialist I'd get none of the other work carried out. Nice eh. :(

I have the same problem as BobMcL. And it effects both my wife and I, and at one and the same time, so I don't personally go with the clothing thing, because clearly the chances of us both always wearing something that causes the problem are quite unlikely. I too have had the problem with most of the modern cars I've owned. I can vouch for the fact that holding the edge of the door (metal) as you get out, does stop it happening... I discovered that on a previous car. It's the only thing that I know of that will definitely work.

This business of trimming the foils around the profile of the wheel arch/door, rather than folding it and sticking it on the inside of the door: does anyone know if this might be some kind of official Skoda 'get out of trouble' ploy? (Since the dealers find it so difficult to do.)

I've had the mud flaps fitted since new. Should have had the foils too, but they came about five or six weeks later. Anyway, the mud flaps don't seem very effective at stopping stuff being sprayed up the sides of the car. I wonder if some enterprising company will produce a more effective model?

I'm not surprised about France. They obviously have a problem backing the product here (as I can say from first hand). Even the Montauban agent has gone - so even one less choice for me within what you could call 'striking distance'.

@ Northener: I don't know if your final comment was serious or not, but it certainly resonates with me! The Skoda Yeti is a brilliant car - that's why my wife and I chose it, but for us it is Skoda's attitude over warranty work, and the quality of it, that have definitely soured our love for the car. We were going to upgrade to the top model this year, but can't visualise being able to get good service in France. So it'll be back to the drawing board again. :(

That's great news. And what fantastic comprehension of client expectations your dealer demonstrates! Brilliant. (I'm a little envious, though, because I can't seem to get the same level of competence in France.) :(

Congrats on having done the deed and ordered your SM. Now take up yoga or something to take your mind of the calendar.....

Great! Thank you, AHarrold. The photo was very clear for my purposes, and clearly, in that respect, your foils have been fitted in the manner given in the Skoda instructions. Some owners (me now included) have not! :(

Great photo, AHarrold. As a matter of particular interest to me is whether - where it goes around the edge of the door following the profile of the wheel - does it actually wrap around that edge? The foils came with that edge specially pre-slit to make fitting it completely around that curved edge, easier. GreatYeti shows this where he describes the foils having been fitted and shows the inside edge in photo 1 - he says: "Note how the foils wrap around the door edge in Picture No:1 and adhere up the inside edge providing protection for that edge." Are yours like that? I'd be very grateful if you'd let me know.

Mine has a mark too. It isn't visible on the edge, but you can just about feel it when sliding a finger along. However, underneath - immediately underneath the edge - beneath what I can feel, there is a very prominent 'pimple' for want of a better word. But no paint blemish at all, Stouff.

Hi AlHarold. Some while back (I've forgotten the thread) I posted a copy that I'd been given of the parts sheet for these foils and the Yeti. Admittedly it wasn't very clear exactly, but GreatYeti posted this LINK with the instructions to fit the foils, and it includes some photographs of the foils. Basically they fit towards and around the trailing wheel arch edge of the door.

Great news. Enjoy, indeed.

You have my sympathy, Stouff. I'm with you on this. It is extremely disappointing to arrive to collect your new car - after a considerable waiting period - only to find that the thing is not what you might consider to be 'new'. Because in my opinion, a new car - like any other product - should be in faultless condition when you take possession. What is also, and possibly even more, annoying, is that the dealer 'apparently' hadn't noticed the defect - even though they would have had to clean (and presumably, polish) the car in readiness for your collection! From my own experience, what you now have to be very wary of, is naively only looking at the bonnet when you go to collect the car after the defect has been dealt with! I say this because so far, every defect - or correction of a defect - that Skoda France have dealt with on my Yeti, has resulted in there being a new problem created whilst the car has been in their dealer's possession. Let me give you just one little example: my Yeti had the protective foils badly fitted by supplying dealer number one. (The problem with them was that they were badly positioned and coming unstuck in places.) After I collected the car from dealer number two, who replaced the foils, I discovered scratches to the paintwork beneath the new foils. And one scratch above the foil too - matching in direction and size. Even a child would realise the logic that I could not have caused those scratches: since they weren't under the original foils, but are now under the replaced ones. Skoda's comment? Let me quote their report I've received today: "It is not possible to know if they (the scratches) come from the garage or if they were present before." Just make sure, my friend, that when you collect your car, you give it the 'once over' as if it was the day of delivery all over again!

That reminds me.... nothing to do with rallying Llanigraham, sorry ... I can remember hanging out of the passenger window in my Dad's Morris van, in a smog in London, using a torch to see where the kerb was! I have a sneaky suspicion you'd get some kind of fine if you did that kind of thing these days. :S

Bill, number plates straight? What do you want... blood! I'm with you. I don't think these are 'little things' either. We pay a hefty premium for cars in France, as it is. My 'Ambition' with only ESP, removable tow bar, mud flaps, and protective mats added, wasn't that much short of Є25,000. I don't think it is too much to ask that the car be properly checked over and prepared by the dealer, for that kind of money. But actually, when you think about it, cost is immaterial: you are supposed to be buying a new car, whether the dealer gives you a discount or not is up to them, and giving you a discount does not alter the contract in so far as what you are buying. My wife's Renault was under a very large silk 'sheet' (for want of a better word) which was ceremoniously removed in the dealers showroom to reveal the car in absolutely sparkling and pristine condition. All that was missing as they whipped it away was the fanfare! The Skoda, on the other hand, was parked a few meters away from their gleaming, base, showroom model, and was - by comparison - the poor relative: Swarf from the number plate drilling left on top of the rear bumper (and swiped away with a hand gesture when I complained - thus scratching the plastic); no cleaning to the engine compartment; scuff marks on the side black plastic sill mouldings; runs all over the bodywork - where it hadn't been rinsed off properly (at least it showed it had seen some water!); oil on the handbrake grip (discovered too late on the trip home); scuff marks and scratches on the internal plastic - particularly the back end of the armrest housing; and a rubber boot mat that didn't fit properly, are just examples of what I don't call 'little things'. And on top of all that, repeated lies on the part of the 'partner' concerning the protective foils which hadn't been fitted. I'm not too sure about the French attitude: my neighbour is more attentive and demanding of detail than I am. He even, unashamedly, makes a visual 'walk round' whenever his wife comes back from a trip in his Peugeot. (I wouldn't put up with that if I were her, but that's another story!) And when the car was new, it was equally unashamedly displayed for us all to see (by invitation)... with every part in pristine condition. If there had been a crooked number plate, he would have gone crazy! Go get 'em! (Your rights.) Is what I say. Best wishes, Allen

Wasn't Claud Auto's by any chance, was it! My saga has been continuing, believe me. It has not got any better! Next Wednesday I am taking the car to the most local dealership for a meeting with two Skoda technicians from the French concessionaire... where, I understand, they will be making a report to determine how Skoda are going to deal with my problems. Those problems are all largely to do with the failure of the supplying dealer to order the bl**dy protective foils in the first place (and probably failing to do the PDI on the mechanics), and then damage done as a result of remedial works - sometimes remedial works on top of remedial works (but not by the supplying dealer!) When I know what is happening I will write an report of my own detailing the story. As it is, Skoda 'after sales service' is progressively destroying the 'newness' of my four-month old Yeti... actually lets abbreviate that to simpky the word 'destroying' on its own. :( Best regards, much sympathy, much empathy, my positive thoughts that you get your problems sorted to your satisfaction, Allen

Best wishes for your new SM BillN_33

I had wondered how they get them off. I'm assuming they heat them with some kind of hot air gun to soften the adhesive?

@ nokiauk: I can of course sympathize with you. But I'm bound to say (IMHO) it is the edge of the door that would get splattered from small grit and the like off the road surface, so if it was me I wouldn't accept the cutting of the foils to miss that area. I suppose Skoda themselves wouldn't be very happy to hear that a dealer was 'modding' a spare part like that: they obviously make them to cover the door edge, don't they? As the customer I feel we can so easily be 'worn down' by these kind of things, and I for one won't stand for it! (*puts on suit of armour, picks up sword, and exits stage left*)

Thanks, Tony. I haven't been too good, hence my silnce on the forum. :( Have sent you an email. Regards, Allen

Or even tell me if your carpet stick up in these areas?