bigman1976

I used 2x 5.5” pads and 2x 3” pads. To be honest, I reckon I should have cleaned the pads more frequently or used the smaller pads whilst the larger ones were drying and vice versa. I found washing in water with washing up liquid worked well to clean. As for applying the products, the Sigma flashes off quickly so application is a doddle. CanCoat is a bit more challenging and I have spotted two places where I didn’t quite remove it completely. It doesn’t show unless you’re really looking for it but I should have use a light source when removing it. Sadly, my errors were down to me being exhausted after a almost 2 days of polishing and washing and having my wife in my ear. She doesn’t understand the appeal of detailing!

I’ve since topped off the paint using Garage Therapy Sigma. The gloss levels and slickness of the paint are obscene!

Like many, I haven’t visited this part of the site for a while. A now 3 year old somewhat put paid to detailing for a while (except a quick maintenance wash) but my car got some TOC a couple of weeks ago, so I thought I’d add it to this thread to help build some momentum! My process was: Snowfoam using Garage Therapy Decon Clean wheels using Bilt Hamber Auto Wheels and Bilt Hamber Surfex HD Rinse 2 bucket wash with Harage Therapy Decon Dry Decontamination using Bilt Hamber Korrosol and Auto Finesse Tardis Clay using AMDetails clay Single stage polish using Carbon Collective Hex 15 polisher using Sonax 04-06 compound on greenHex Logic pads Wipe down using Car Pro Eraser Coated using 2 coats of Gyeon Can Coat Wheels coated with Carbon Collective Platinum Wheels Tyres dressed using Gyeon Tyre Wheels coated with H2Go

Component protection is designed to prevent (deter) people from stealing head units. Each unit is coded to a particular vehicle and this message will come up if a head unit has been put in a different vehicle. However, some times, there are gremlins which cause these things to happen for no reason and they go as soon as they arrive. It must be similar to the occasions when CarPlay doesn’t function for no particular reason by does when you start the car again.

Should be good for a year though with regular maintenance washes.

It’s been washed with Garage Therapy Decon shampoo, Bilt Hamber Korrosol was used for iron fallout, Auto Finesse Tardis was used for tar deposits, AM details clay bar, Sonax 04-06 polish, green hex logic pads and topped off with Gyeon CanCoat, Angel Wax H2Go window sealant, Carbon Collective Platinum wheels, Gyeon Tyre and Gtechnic C5 trim dressing.

Mine has had its annual “deep clean” where all protection is stripped off, it’s fully decontaminated and then polished and coated. Takes a day and half, kills my back but means I know it’s good for the year ahead!

It’s a guess, but could the pollen filter be disintegrating?

My 19 plate came with Bridgestone Potenza S001. Not sure if they would have been the same in 2015. I’d look at something different when I come to change them.

Nice! This is the car I imagine Darth Vader would drive.

I don’t think it’s a difficult car to park really. Mine doesn’t have a reversing camera (like you said, very few seem to have it and it really should be standard) but the parking sensors help, though they are pessimistic. I guess that’s better than rubbing paint off the corners of the car! It is a little longer than my Octavia estate and definitely wider, but visibility is good. You’d soon get used to it.

I like the Canton system, personally. It can sound a little “bright” at times but that is rare. It may not be as good as some other systems, but it is good. It’s basically the same as the Octavia but has additional speakers in the doors. MPG wise, I get about 35 overall. My commute is a mixture of motorway, A and B roads. On a long run, I’ve got 40+ but if it’s only shirt journeys, you’ll struggle to get more than 30. Personally, I didn’t buy it to hypermile and enjoy the performance whilst remaining within the legal limits.

I came to a 272 Sportline Plus from an Octavia VRS and am glad I did. Like you, there were certain upgrades I wanted like the Canton. Unfortunately, there were hardly any with the virtual dash and none in my budget. Personally, I’m glad I have a rear wiper but can’t tell you how well it clears the screen without! Heating controls in the back are/were an option. I do find it frustrating that adverts are so poorly written or why they don’t use better quality images. A photo of the speaker grill with the Canton badge would be helpful! As for owning one, although I drive a pre-facelift, I suspect 90% of the car is the same. It is a much more classy car than the Octavia (again, I’m referring to the last gen Octavia), the interior is vast and very well equipped. The engine pulls like a train, especially at higher speeds. Initially, I was a little disappointed that it didn’t seem that much quicker than the VRS but popping it in sport mode and flooring it soon allayed those fears. I think the improved refinement and different gearbox tune makes it seem less urgent but it is very quick. The one thing I thing let’s it down slightly is the suspension. 90% of the time, it’s great, comfortably for a long drive but not wallowy. It’s only when pushing on along A and B roads where the damping doesn’t seem to be quite enough. It’s in no way dangerous but it doesn’t have the control of a VRS. It is a heavier car, of course. As an ownership prospect, as long as you’re not worried about some other’s perception of Skodas, it’s a brilliant car. People who know about cars know they’re great and motoring journalists love them. As long as it’s got what you what and is within your budget, I’d wholeheartedly recommend one.

In answers to your questions: Hatch or estate would come down to how often you need the additional height you get with the estate’s tailgate. The hatch’s boot is cavernous and would be ample for most 90% of the time. To my (biased) eyes, the Sportline looks best. I am not a fan of chrome on cars so the blacked out look works for me. The L&C is fully loaded with kit and has a more luxurious look. I have the 272ps petrol and I’ve had 33 mpg overall (best of 38 on a run). It’s smooth and powerful but very refined when you want to cruise. If you’re hammering it or driving around town your mpg will be in the 20’s. I have experienced the 190 version in an Octavia and it was very nippy. Can’t comment on the 1.5 I’m afraid, but I’ve read that it’s a great engine.