AdyP

This is the first winter I have owned the RS, and one irritating thing I have encountered is the mustard-yellow muck that keeps gathering under the oil filler cap. I have been into my dealer already and they said it was just condensation from short runs, and not getting warmed up enough. Nothing is showing up in the coolant tank. I have cleaned out the cap and filler pipe about 4 times in the last 2 months and it is really bugging me. I have never had a car do this before, and my driving trips have not changed. Also the weather we have had here in Ireland has not actually been that cold the last couple of weeks, never dropping below freezing. Any hints about what to do? SHould the moisture not be escaping normally? Is this just a badly positioned filler pipe neck which never gets warmed enough?

I am sure there have been several of these already, but my mate and I often have one of these conversations over a pint. This is my current list, budget is no issue, and is subject to change whenever a new copy of Evo comes out Ferrari 599 GTO - have you heard the thing on YouTube? No further reasons needed for me... Classic Mk1 Cooper S - have been a big fan and an owner of Classic and New Minis, this would be the ultimate original. Clio Williams - like the 205 GTI but a little bit gruntier. The only car that gold wheels look good on! R35 GT-R - blisteringly fast in all weather and sounds amazing away from the lights. Mk1 Golf GTI - not the best hatch but the original, and one of the coolest old-school ones Golf R - a Golf GTI with sexy undies on! Porsche 4.0 GT3 - minus the dodgy stickers, this would be my ultimate 911 Aston Vantage V12 - looks, sounds, bad JB impressions, machine guns etc Caterham R300 Superlight - for gentle family cruising in the summer sunshine. Honda NSX-R - not all that new but I love the looks of this thing. The NSX is pretty special still and this even more so. What would you guys go for?

Hmm...maybe there is a business there in carting off Mother-in-laws to a better place

Wow some serious beasties you owned there. I doubt you are the only person taking a break from big horsepower, big running cost cars. Nobody can really criticise anyone's choice on that especially when money is often a hard thing to justify blowing on something non-essential like a fun car. Enjoy the new wheels mate! All said and done a good choice.

It's missing how to change the sidelights though. I assume the I was trying to unclip the right thing, it caused pain due to sharp edges digging into my knuckles and I was unsuccessful in loosening them. Also the right method of disconnecting the wiring block to remove the whole headlight unit would be good.

Would quite like to see a Quattro version with the 5-pot TTS engine in it though How Q-car would that be!

I guess everyone on this forum and outside have their own reasons for buying whatever version of Skoda, vRS or not. Same as every other forum where what you have is the best of course and in many cases other cars all suck...until you change car of course! I doubt anyone bought their vRS because it was the ultimate hot hatch...or because it could outrun a GT-R...or because it was "dead sexy like"... It may well be about the most practical family car out there that still has some grunt and driving thrills included. I wanted a GTI or an ST, or to upgrade to a Cooper S, but huge boot space is useful occasionally and when family is involved you have to go for the best all-round compromise. Plus I don't have the cash for an S6 Estate or similar. Some of the Skoda promotional blurb is a bit cringeworthy, with dads wearing race helmets etc etc, but I think hey have nailed a very good niche with the Octavia vRS, more so than with the Fabia I think. I reckon my Top 10 Unlimited Budget garage would probably not contain my Octavia, but until I win the Euromillions it is staying

The sidelights are something I would like to change in mine as well. They are quite a sickly yellow colour IMO. I upgraded the main and dipped beams to some good Philips ones, but coming to the sidelight W5W bulbs I could not figure out how to get to them without a set of long bent-nose pliers. This was with the headlights pulled out but not disconnected as they did not seem to want to let go of the wiring loom... Any advice out there?

But being serious, it's a competent car but that doesn't quite cut it. Although I don't think it was ever meant to be as driver focused as a GTI/ST/RS Megane. I just find it leaves me a bit cold. Erm...actually I noticed that as well, more so now than when I first got it. However a mate showed me how to adjust the air-con, and now it's much better!

So there's a health and safety hint boys and girls...if you like a good stiff ride take the correct precautions to avoid losing valuable portions of your anatomy.

Er...guessing you lads might know each other right?

Well this was only on the Roundwood road out of Kilmacanogue, but I need to take a run to Wicklow/Sally Gap for a real test 50mpg...not a hope for me! 50gpm would be closer

I guess it depends on the driving you get to do most days. I have to admit that there isn't a mad thrill of excitement on my daily run, the car basically does its thing and driving is easy. It isn't the same experience as something like the MINI I ran for 6 years. Even driving normally I loved the feel of that thing, mainly the quick steering and instant direction changes. I think maybe playing around with the suspension setup and maybe a little exhaust work will add a little character to the car perhaps. I have driven the CR vRS and it is quick, but don't know if it is the same drive as the TFSI which can rev a little higher. One thing I keep getting unclean thoughts every time I see a Golf GTI, too small a boot for our main car though :( I think this may be just due to the discs being wet after a while. It takes a second or so to clear them fully in most cars. Not sure if running grooves will improve it as water will still sit on most of the disc surface until you use them, but maybe worth a shot if it gives the water an easy escape route. Common advice is to apply the brakes gently every now and then to clear them, but I don't know anyone who follows that advice. I have used the EBC Ultimax discs before, and was pretty happy with them, but loads of choice out there and plenty of experienced heads to ask too.

Golly If you are overheating your brakes, you must be using them too much...is that it? Just messing, they are not race brakes, and probably would start to fade after a few big stops or maybe on track if you are leaning on them, but I think so far they are dead on for road driving. They bite with no dead travel and are easy to modulate without either giving yourself a windscreen headache or an excessive puckering of the seat fabric. Pushing past standard power it might be good to run something a little meatier to counteract the extra speed (up to and no further than the national limit in your respective country and taking into account variations in your local authorities mandated speed limits), but I wouldn't jump straight into a big brake kit yet, unless it was for looks. Glad some of you guys are still driving for fun, it's too easy to lose the will to live in traffic and on motorways. Back roads rule!

Haha sounds like a..."Honey, I'm just off to get some more party hats...back in a bit...screech!!" Any excuse to bugger off for a burn in the car eh?