richardf

So far so good with the Note. A Space saver was readily available, unlike some brands where there have been delays. Step forward Suzuki UK who have had space savers on back order for weeks for the new Vitara.

I had to say farewell to my 1.6TDi Roomster recently. Driving a DPF equipped diesel with four drivers using it, two of them teenagers, is just not practical especially with a lot of short "practice runs" by the teenagers. I did go looking for a petrol version and at £13000 I found a black 89BHP with half leather in a dealer nearby. Apparently all the £9995s have gone. However, for £9995 I could have a 64 plate, petrol Nissan Note which already has Bluetooth, Cruise and spare wheel, so no need to add the extra £800 to the price of the Roomster. Bit of a no brainer really.

Could it be more than a sensor? Could it be an EGR cooler failure? In which case, go to your main dealer and wave your fully stamped service book, hopefully your extended warranty certificate and ask for assistance towards the enormous bill. It's about £800 to £900 because it is 5 hours labour. Been there and done this recently on a Seat Altea with the same engine. Apparently the blockage happens and is unavoidable. My commiserations.

I've used CK 3100s on both Seats and Skoda Roomsters. The first thing you will need is a mute kit. Some (even Parrott approved) fitters will insist you do not but don't believe them. If you don't use a mute kit you won't hear the beep to tell you when to talk for hands free operation. My microphone is instrument binnacle straight ahead of me, some people like the roof mounted approach. The straight ahead approach makes a lot of sense. Other than that I can only say that I had mine fitted professionally by K and M audio in Wigan, which is no help to you in your location. The Parrott is excellent but will require you to use the advanced pairing method for Samsung and HTC Smartphones. Hope this helps.

I can only agree with Stormchaser. However, It depends on body shape; long body with shorter legs or longer legs and a shorter body. The Rapid is no good for long body, shorter legs. I'm 6ft 4inches and for me the roof was too low even with the seat all the way down. However, my lanky legged 6ft 5 inch brother was just fine. However, the Roomster was perfect for both of us, so was the Octavia, so was the Superb.

My point is , that what Skoda needs is a small MPV of some kind to replace the good, but not big selling or well promoted, Roomster. I suspect that if they keep the basic interior trimmings of the Rapid/Toledo and call it a Space Back that it will not compete well in a crowded market. It needs to have a new name and some USP to compete with the C3 Picasso or B Class.

Ultimately though what is the point or the Rapid, original or Spaceback? The original Rapid/Toledo reminds me of a warmed over VW Vento from the 90s. The front and rear interior heights are restricted, it hasn't as much space for people as a Roomster and it feels cheap inside. Then, big deal. Skoda go to the VAG parts bin, find and warm over an existing design and arrive at a reboot of the Seat Altea. Well whoop de doop! Let's call it a Space Back! The bottom line is, the Altea must on the way out having been in production since 04, XL since 07, and perhaps for once VAG is thinking as a corporate whole.

The Roomster is a great car. A fortnight ago, I travelled from Merseyside to Watford and back in one day; basically three hours driving in each direction. Quick, smooth, comfortable for four adults with the computer reading 56MPG all day both ways. However, I'm glad I stumped up the ridiculous price for the retrofit cruise control before purchasing the 12 plate, 1.6 90BHP SE. I can't understand why Skoda haven't made a better job of marketing this great car.

In my opinion, getting the Nokia Bluetooth would rain on your parade. Our changeover from one Roomster with a Parrott 3100 fitted took over a week with the dealer trying to make the Nokia Bluetooth work. Not only would it not link to my Samsung mobile, it wouldn't link to my wife's Nokia mobile. Needless to say the Parrott kit in the previous car had done so, using advanced synch for the Samsung. Apparently the Nokia kit is the one "recommended" by Skoda. Finally we had the Parrott swapped over from one car to the other, no problems since.

The Roomster is my 4th DPF equipped car. I've never had the light go on. I must be doing something right with my driving, but to be honest I'm just getting a bit tired of always needing to be aware of the runs I have done. Perhaps I'm just getting old or I'm also aware that my daughters are about to start driving and my care routine may "go out the window" as they learn!

It is good. I have a suspicion that my diesel days may be coming to an end after more years than I care to remember. To be honest, I'm just about OK with the DPF and my mileage is just about high enough, but I suspect petrol would be easier and more convenient to manage.

It will be the same engine with the same advice needed, I suspect. Unless of course it is the same engine with the stop start which I have in the Seat Altea, a really nice and reliable system provided you've been driving it correctly, and quieter than the 90BHP in the Roomster. Good for about 53 MPG in realistic driving conditions. The Roomster with no stop start easily does 56MPG, if treated right.

I came to the 1.6 90 bhp, after a very happy experience with the 1.9PD engine, in January and still wonder whether I have done the right thing. I have driven a 1.6 105BHP Seat for two years and can share some thoughts. With this engine you have to keep the revs up. If you are in town in a 30 MPH zone. After a dual carriageway stretch, you'll need to be in third, and often will need to change down, as soon as you hit the 30 MPH sign. 5th gear,unless on motorways at 70 MPH, won't be used much. You need to be running every two to three days in 4th at 2000 RPM for 10 minutes unbroken to keep the DPF clean otherwise you'll soon be idling at 1000 RPM not a nice quiet 800 RPM, as advised by the Skoda leaflets. Once you accept and get used to this you'll be fine and it will be no trouble. The 1.9 was so much more convenient. These are, of course only my findings, other people may disagree. If so, no probs.

Thanks for your input. I'll consider this option carefully.

One point to consider here is staff turn over. Back in the day when cars were less reliable and oil changes had to be done at 4,500 miles building a relationship with staff at a dealership was possible. Nowadays with 10,000 mile services and no interim oil changes it can be difficuly to build any relationship at all. Staff at other dealers, Ford, Seat, Citroen to name but three locally, seem to be different every time a customer goes in. At least at Alex Lawrie the staff seem to remain in post, are recognised and can recognise their customers. Sometimes that can count for a lot, especially in the case of a silly emergency like the boot lid breaking on a saturday at 11.00am. The sales staff seem to remain too. Somebody must be doing something right.

Has anyone used the internal bike rack with adult sized 26" wheel bikes? Is it a success? Is it worth the cost? Does it need to be installed by the dealer?

It is interesting because I didn't specify where I wanted it placed, I just assumed it would be in the usual place above my head. So when I got in to programme the Parrot I had to spend a minute or two looking for the microphone. When you think about it, there's no better place. After all I'm looking through the windscreen directly over the dials. Obvious really.

I've had a few Parrots and the microphone has always been next to the roof courtesy light in the Seats I've had. However I've just had one put in the new Roomster and it is inbeween the speedo and the rev counter, hanging upside down I suppose. It works brilliantly.

Got the bill today. £135. Sure it was £120 2 years ago. Certainly £130 last year.

I suppose that it's the feeling that at 60K it might be time for problems. However, I am loathe to change it, hence the question. It's a 3 with all the extras except heated seats,has FSH including the brake fluids, coolant, climate fluids and alignment. You may be right, why change?

It may be coming time to change my 56 Plate Roomster 3 1.9d 105BHP, 60,000 miles 52MPG usually. So do I go for the 90BHP SE of which there seem to be some about on the used market, or the 86BHP TSI? I haven't driven or owned a petrol car for 20 years and so naturally have tested the 90 BHP Diesel. The car would be used for second car duties mainly, town and some runs to about 7000 miles a year. We already have an Altea 1.6 TDi with DPF, which I nurture care to avoid blocking issues,although I've never had an issue I must admit. We run with up to four people and luggage and I expect good economy. Should I look for the 105 BHP petrol? Would the 86BHP petrol do the job or just stick to the diesel and risk even more OCD? Any views

800 to 900 revs normally. When warmed up, it would be unusual for the "running away" to happen on my 1.9, but it's usual on my 1.6TDi and apparently is a characteristic of the set up. In the old days of Diesel cars, the "running away" used to be common on the PSA XUD engines and used to be blamed on air ingress in the fuel line. These days it might be a cold start message to the ECU. What about consulting your dealer or a diesel specialist?

I'd agree with all the above, but there are a few other things to consider. On the test drive, does the steering seem remote or "wandery"? If so get the suspension bushes checked and changed. If you can get one with Climate Control, get it serviced. There should be a record on the engine cover. While I was about it, I'd check if the brake fluid had been changed at 36 months, if not it will need doing. Has the coolant been changed? It'll need doing if not. There should be a record on the cover of a service historied car. On a 3 to 4 year old 1.9Tdi, these are not scheduled service items but will need doing if you're going to run happily and safely. All in all my 56 plate 1.9 Roomster 3 has been a great buy and has been brilliant for the last 2 years. My only problem is whether to keep it or buy a younger example.

I have the armrest on mine. In fact mine seems to have everything, mudflaps, half leather wheel, climate etc. I suspect it was a very early 2006 showroom demonstrator. The armrest is in the wrong place. Too low to rest your arm on and just perfectly positioned to stop you changing gear comfortably. In 2 years I've never put it down when driving, apart from once to determine that it is hopeless.

I've been following this post with interest because I do have an Altea 1.6 Ecomotive and I'm happy with it. Overall it gives about 54MPG which is good. However, if I'm honest, my 56 plate 1.9Tdi Roomster 3 is a better sorted transmission, with more appropriate gear ratios. 54MPG is easily obtainable without much effort on my part and I don't ever have to consider 2000 rev running once a week to clear the DPF. It's reliable, spacious and comfortable. Have things really progressed at all? Apart from emissions limit changes, taxation, the need for stop start technology etc. etc. Hmmm. Looks like I may have to keep this Roomster for a while yet.