Octy0GG

Car: Octavia III SE Sport. According to spec this should have the cordless charge pad under the 'phone tray' I've no idea whether this works as my mobile phone is far too old for this. My concern is the electromagnetic field - is this on whenever ignition is on or is it only on when a suitable phone is detected? The reason I ask is that I have on occasions put a mechanical watch in the storage tray, as far as I am aware it has not caused any watch magnetization issues, but I am now thinking this is a possibility. I have learned the hard way that mechanical watch magnetization is definitely a real thing after sticking a laptop down on top of a mechanical watch, having said that I also learned that watch demagnetizers are easy to use and effective.

Just started getting this myself (also on an Octavia III). How did you get on with it? grateful for any pointers.

OK, I remember when Skippy the 1.5 TSI ACT first came out with its 'teething problems' I was very glad to have the slightly older 1.4 TSI (Not ACT). VAG's usual denial bore real parallels to its approach to the 1.9PD DMF problem. Still I, perhaps naively, thought they would have tamed Skippy by now - or is there another problem with them?

It's kind of odd how this developed. OK so it started with me having a bit of a moan about lack of choice and how there is no Skoda that meets my needs, or more accurately wants, as well as what was available 10 years ago. One day I might end up driving a DSG equipped car - more likely through lack of choice than as an active choice, but you can never tell. Many of the folk that contributed to prove the superiority of DSG / backwardness and general misguidedness of wanting a manual, first worked out the thought process behind why folk might want to stick with the older technology, before destroying the logic behind that thought, the thing is they got that first step wrong. Beyond saying 'still trusted to change gear myself' I didn't fully explain why I would want a manual or put forward any argument for manual superiority over DSG as a car or a driver, and I'm not going to, much as it could be fun to pick fault in pro DSG arguments - what would be the point, the end of the manual box is probably only a matter of when rather than if. I'd just like a bit more choice in the meantime, that's it, that's all, nothing else, no hating on DSGs or DSG drivers. ..... OK just one more thing, I'm genuinely assuming that the people on here driving a DSG are doing this as a result of a considered choice, I don't think that is the case for the majority of drivers. Even 10 years ago, the car salesman who didn't even bother trying to upsell me into an SEL or VRS still took the time to try and persuade me of the merits of DSG, now DSG is for most the default and soon to be only choice. Head down and preparing for incoming fire.

Sorry severe brain fade obviously current car is 1.4 tsi

Thanks. Described as being "Brand new, in stock" Mileage 10 miles and they are a UK Official Skoda dealer.

1.5 TSI SE L Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr, Manual, £21,407, RRP £28,125, Save £6,718 So as far as I'm concerned - Best engine, best trim level, best gearbox. Monte Carlo ruled out due to 18" wheels and glass roof.

This is the first time I've been even slightly seriously investigating potential replacements for my Octavia SE Sport 1.5 tsi. Would have liked to stick with Octavias but it appears 1.5 petrol, 150 ps and a manual box are no longer an option, they do still appear to be in the Scala with the added bonus of a real handbrake (no, my preference is not based on any rallying/handbrake turn delusions). Thing is I see an advert for a new 1.5 SEL Manual with what seems like a surprisingly good price reduction so I'm just wondering if there is something I'm not aware of. Is it OK to put up the price on here? If so I'll put it up.

You have a point there, I have never leased only ever bought - not because I'm well off. When I could only afford a ratty old car, I drove a ratty old car. The Octavia was first new car (strictly speaking not quite new, pre-registered 3 months and 100 miles before I bought it) and bought outright with the intention of keeping it a good long time, I suppose that brings with it a different perspective and order of priorities.

Yes, that's the annoying point. There was a time when the manufacturer/designer gave you what they (often an individual) decided was good for you, then there was an era where manufacturers realised that giving customers choice was good for sales. Choice is being taken away from buyers again, other people know what is good for us. Then of course when we buy the thing or use the service we have been given little option but to buy this is being interpreted as a real consumer choice demand. Think smart products, DSGs, internet banking, EVs sure you can add to the list .... OK this might be about more than Octavias at this point

You may well be right about the profit motive. What manufacturers don't get (and perhaps I need to say this quietly, is that I would pay more for a manual compared to a DSG, or perhaps put it another way, I would pay less for a DSG. Also prepared to pay more for a car with the luxury of a manual handbrake and wouldn't risk serious money on a car with a roof made of glass.

Thing is I do know a few people who could be described as automatic enthusiasts - but they all want proper old school automatics with torque converters.

I've little doubt your right about that, that EV thing is already being rammed down our throat, it's just not legally enforced quite yet. We know it is going to be enforced, it has to be, despite the hardest of hard sells very few people want them.

As I go through the configurators it becomes ever clearer that we are being punished for having the cheek to look for a manual gearbox, petrol engine car. I suppose now Skoda like so many are now more in the business of infotainment systems. Current car Octavia III SE Sport 1.4 tsi manual. Something of a sweet spot as far as I am concerned 150ps in a reasonably light car, reasonable performance, space, economy, range, still trusted to change gear myself. Had it from new, coming up for 10 years old - what in the current range even comes close? Funny how fast 2016 became the good old days.

Car 2016 Octavia SE Sport 1.4 Right now alternating between summer and winter tyres. Reaching stage where 2 new winter tyres required. Currently using Continental Winter Contact TS860. Had been thinking about stopping alternating between winter and summer tyres and going for all season tyres. Part of the thinking being that no mater how perfectly I try to time tyre changeover a lot of driving is done on the 'wrong tyres' (Costal Scotland - plenty of seriously cold days in late spring, quite a few warm days well into winter) also not doing so many miles now so alternating tyres means driving on older tyres. Hadn't entirely made up my mind on going All Season but have just noticed a new dilemma. A lot of tyres are now EV compatible. I know EV compatable is not EV only but a lot of online sources are saying not to use 'EV compatible' on petrol cars. Your thoughts? or have you found any authoritative guidance on 'EV compatible' tyres on petrol cars?

At least that worked and without too much expense or effort. Resolution is poor but it always was. Longer term may go for something a bit better.

Yes, a cheap new DVR that will use existing cameras and cabling is the plan I'm going with - just hope they are all OK. Getting one without a HD and will transfer the one in existing unit across. Notice some sellers are a bit cheeky the way they don't quite spell out 'no hard drive included' but instead give an option - '+ 1Tb' - left me wondering what I get without the '+ 1Tb' - Oh I see no storage! so to my thinking not really a DVR at all. Anyway I'm buying this one in the full knowledge that it will come without a HD

OK looks like this is the problem - so no easy fix. Guessing it's a capacitor although no markings. The button cell is OK - the grotty stuff on it is just something that has been put on to hold it in place

Just noticed although power light comes on and fans start on power up there is no beep - thinking there probably should be.

Thanks MATT0693 Should have said, when I first tried to get it going the power supply was dead - tested with a voltmeter - output 0v Now using a replacement power supply which seems OK My mobile phone, unfortunately, is not a smartphone. Just about as basic a NOKIA as you can get.

Home Guard CCTV system An old one - Looks like this https://www.serversdirect.co.uk/p/931388/homeguard-diy-1tb-4-channel-cctv-security-kit-with-x-480tvl-cameras Trying to get it working again. Unit is showing power light on and cooling fan is running Cameras (2) are powered up (LEDs lit when dark) Monitor connected and powered up New batteries in remote and checked IR signal using camera on laptop Mouse is lit up Monitor just shows Home Guard logo - so at least it knows what it is connected to - but I cant get it past this stage. It's a while since I used it so not sure if it is knackered or if I'm missing a step somewhere along the line. On line manual makes it look like you just power up and you are into the menus. Grateful for any suggestions you can offer

Aye, I'm seeing that. Mine have almost made it to 5 years (despite living near coast) so have already exceeded their design life, will definitely be getting both while discs are off.

Thought I better check the other one too so I've been out and had a look. Yes I can see the problem there, one of the mountings is ripped out of the backing plate - presumably corrosion damaged rather than any great force as the rest of the backing plate is not deformed. Still convinced first one is properly secured. Will need disks and pads soon so may as well get both new backing plates while the disks are off.

Recent service - Skoda approved service centre (VW Dealer) Both front back plates insecure quoted £69.90 each - declined. (Assumed it must be loose screws) The back plates are original and have not been touched from new. Have had a look at one of them - plate is not loose, not rusty, not bent. Quite flimsy but that is just the design. I do notice that the part of the back plate that sits in the fairly limited space between the between the ball joint and the disc is quite flexible - but again just part of the design. Still I'm thinking this must be what they are looking at. - Any thoughts.

Front wipers and washer fine. Rear wipe fine but not rear wash. MOT soon. I know I've got to get rear wash sorted but is it required for MOT? Everything I see on line says no - rear wash not tested but it's all fairly old information (10 yrs +) given the ever tightening nature of MOT, just wanted to check this is still the case.