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Well I'm the middle of a warranty battle with Skoda at the moment. I have an 02 Octy estate that I bought in March. After getting home and giving it a wash I noticed there was a bit of corrosion on the bottom of the front wings and cills, and on the tailgate. I went to a Skoda dealer in Reading and told them I wanted to make a claim. The guy whodeals with warranties took some photo's and sent off claim. He said that Skoda took ages to respond so I waited and waited. I called them every few weeks and even turned up on spec a few times, but got the same series of answers; the guy who deals with warranties is on holiday/sick or they hadn't heard from Skoda. Eventually in OCTOBER, yes OCTOBER I spoke to someone different at the garage who basically said, oh yeah, we found the paperwork last week and have submitted the claim as urgent, I kid you not! A week later I hear back from Skoda and they say they will sort the tailgate but not the rest. I asked why, and the girl said that the guy who submitted the report had said there must have been an 'external factor' that had caused the corrosion. When pressed, the girl stated that the car might have been 'parked under a tree' or 'might have been grounded'. As I explained, both were unlikely because there was no damage to the cills and the car would have to have been parked upside down under the tree to affect the cills? I went to the guy who did the original report and asked him about, and he said he'd written nothing of the sort. He showed me the original reports which just stated 'corrosion'. Anyway I got back to the girl dealing with the claim and asked why I'd been lied to/fobbed off and couldn't get a direct answer.She said she'd get some 'expert technicians' to have alook at the photos. A week later she called me back and said that the 'technicians' had agreed the claim was not warrantable. So I asked why, and she couldn't answer. I asked to speak to the 'technician' who made the judgement, but apparantly they cannot be contacted? Fobbed off again! So i wrote an email to Skoda customer services explaining what had happened. The matter has been 'elevated' to someone else, who has failed to phone me back on several occassions, but the upshot is Skoda have agreed to pay for a painted vehicle inspection, which is apparently an independant inspection carried out by a qualified technician. Whatever he says, Skoda will agree with. So I'll have to wait and see. The moral is, expect to be fobbed off and lied to, but the tailgate issue is a well known problem that they should fix for free. The warranty is for ten years, and there are no terms & conditions specified in my handbook. Skoda obviously don't want to pay for 'old' cars, but as far as I'm concerned, the car came with a 10 year warranty and that's the end of the matter. Good luck, give it a go. Cheers 352

Got LPG on 02 4x4 estate and it's great. My tank is the the spare wheel well, and overall it's a pretty neat install. I do have a bit of corrosion coming around the filler point on the rear wing, so you might want to have a good look at that. From what I've read recently, you can remap with much higher boost levels on LPG as it's higher octane and the knock sensors don't affect it until higher levels of boost. I don't get as much mileage as Karl, but in fainess it probably needs a service. Out of curiosity, what plugs does everyone use for gas, and what gap do you set them at? Cheers 352

Cracking cars, I've got one myself. Mines also got a rusty tailgate, it's an 02 and Skoda are fixing it under the 10 year anti corrosion warranty so a warranty claim might be an option for the new owner. GLWTS Cheers 352

Would love to buy a steel one! How much would you want to post it to the UK? I assume it would fit my 2002 1.8t 4x4 estate? My plastic one came loose a dragged on the floor so it's shagged. Cheers Jim

How much posted please, I might be able to collect depending where you are? Cheers 352

Are the bushes the same as the 2wd version and are they hard to fit please? Cheers 352

I noticed that the rear passenger side tyre is wearing on the outside edge of my 2002 4X4 Octy estate, so I took it in to get the geometry checked. The guy tried adjusting the rear but failed to get it right as he ran out of adjustment? He said there was a bush gone. Has anyone go a diagram of the rear bushes, the Haynes manual doesn't cover the 4x4. Does anyone know what bushes I need and where to get them please? I've polybushed the front dogbone and ARB, so I'm happy to have a go at the rear, unless it's really hard? I presume the bushes are different to the 2WD model? Any help would be great. Cheers 352

You have a couple of PM's Cheers 352

I've been after one for a while and would love to take it off your hands. I'm near Reading and could pop over Weds/Thurs evening if that suits? Cheers Jim

I need a new set of front ARB bushes on my 2002 4x4 estate. The problem is Superpro give 19, 21 and 22 mm sizings, but I've just measured the bar as 19.77 with a digital caliper so I reckon it should be 20 mm? Can anyone advise please? Also where can I get a set with the new style clamps please? Cheers 352

Hi Modra, Thanks for the reply, I'll get some standard ones ordered. Cheers 352

I had a quote of £220 for my 4x4 estate from this company on Ebay; http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170557667860&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT I've got no idea if they are any good, but the price seemed to be. Cheers 352

I've got a bit of a clonk on the front of my 4X4 estate and I'm going to try the ARB bushes and drop links. I've read a load of posts on here, but still can't find out which ones to buy? Should I go for standard or R32/S3 or are they all the same? The suspension is standard at the moment. Also, can anyone recommend which ARB and dog bone bushes please? I'm slowly replacing bits with upgraded items, and I'm a big fan of polybushes I just want to get the right stuff first time around. I am 'tweaking' the car, but on a budget. Any pointers would be much appreciated! Cheers 352

Where do you get maps for £200 please? Seems to be the next cheapest after the £30 ebay one. Cheers 352