bw10030

Sounds like a wiring fault - get it looked at immediately!!!

This seems a bit (lot?) like cost saving? Surely it is not beyond the wit of man (or Skoda) to link the foglight operation to the 'Travel' mode on Maxidot? Indeed I'm surprised it's even allowable to sell a car in Europe which doesn't comply with all EU requirements (which is presumably why there's the 'travel' option to cancel to 'right hand drive' dipping function on the Xenons?). One for Skoda UK to ponder, methinks!

Hi sk4gw: Not spoken to Customer Services yet - might be a good plan - but at the end of the day it's the dealer experience which counts. I should not have to be working round them? Do you really think Customer Services would be any more sympathetic? At the dealers spoke to service reception (first) then went in again, insisted on speaking to the 'technician', which was when I got the ' they al do that sir' speech. In the handbook, it implies a maximum consumption of 1 litre per 1200 miles, why will the dealers not listen when it gets twice as bad as that? So I'm off to pastures new. As I drive a Superb as well, I will give serious thought to what to replace that with when the time comes round. So all in all, they may lose a keen (or previously keen) customer, not just from Skoda, but VAG as well.

Well, I'm having all sorts of trouble with mine, a '60' registered VRS, now with 20,000 miles on the clock. First noticed an oil issue when the 'low oil' light came on. Added a litre (dipstick was dry!) then topped when I got home. That was 2000 miles and 3 months ago. Since then, I have added 3.2 lires of oil, so I'm using a litre every 600 miles or so. Right then, off we go to the dealer - guess what, they all do that sir!!! I could not believe their approach - despite having clear evidence over 2 -3 months, and 2000 miles, they just do not want to know. They said they 'could' do a test (which apparently I would have to pay for), but involves adding no oil for 1000 miles and seeing what it's used - well based on my reckoning, the engine will have seized before the test is over, and then I expect the 'warranty doesn't apply sir because you ran the engine without enough oil in it' speech! Less than impressed or happy. So to cut a long story short, despite absolutely loving the performance, I'm getting shut, as the warranty (for what it's worth!) runs out year end, and I'm not confident the dealer will do anything before then. What a shame. However there is without a doubt a major issue with these engines (just too powerful for their size?) which is leading to these premature failures. I've got to say, reading the stories on here even if Skoda fitted a new engine the problem would more likely than not come back. My guess is there's a fundamental design fault which VAG are buying their head in the sand over. Oh, and by the way, having had the brush off from the dealer, my next car isn't anything from VAG!

Thanks all, sounds like a trip to the dealers is due! I'll let you know what the outcome is.

Hi guys (and gals); Just bought my wife a slightly used VRS. All black, privacy, top spec! Anyway whilst it goes like stink, I'm a bit concerned about the stopping. I've had a few VW group cars with the DSG gearbox (admittedly the 6 speed 'wet clutch' version), but with the VRS, when you slow down to come to a halt, as 1st gear engages the car surges forward, although the brake is on at a constant pedal pressure? Is this normal for this car / gearbox type? The only solution seems to be a heavy foot when coming to a halt, which does not make for smooth driving. Car is a '60 model, with 17000 on the clock. Appreciate all views.

Yes., it's the 6 speed DSG. Pebbles in a washing machine is a good description - it's so loud that (when it happens) you can't miss it, trouble is it does it once in a blue moon, and only when cold, and only in the lower two gears, and only when you extend the revs a little more than normal! Try getting that through to the mechanic via the service desk, and the computer booking system! I'll get to the dealers - at least then it's on the car's record so if it does go 'bang' (probably just after it is out of warranty), then I have cause for complaint.

Wow! at 12 months/ 20000 miles old? I'll get round to the dealers, not that they will confirm anything awry I guess.

It's not only that the ETA's are hopeless, but the routes it picks are sometimes ludicrous! I travel weekly from Milton Keynes to Preston (basically all motorway or 70mph limit), its 180 miles (plus or minus) and assuming no traffic issues it's a 3 hour (again plus or minus) trip. Sat Nav usually claims it's 191 miles, and 4 hours 30! I refuse to follow some of the 'advice' as to routing - why you would leave the A50 and go to Birmingham is a mystery only the sat-nav programmers will know! Now I can understand pessimism given the state of our knackered transport infrastructure, but these sat-nav systems built into cars can cost ££££'s. My previous approach (a Tom Tom) not only got the route right every time, but the time for most journeys was within a few minutes for every route (except if you went anywhere near Grantown on Spey, where for some reason - perhaps a whisky stop - it would add an extra 40 minutes. Now I can live with that approach!). Anyway, you're not alone with rubbish sat nav forecasts from the Columbus system. Basically I pass on the message 'I'll be a bout 3 hours' and then see how it goes! I've asked at the dealers, who just shrug their collective shoulders. So if it's built into the car OK, but never, ever spec one as a cost option.

Anybody come across this before? Very occasionally (like once a month), my 170 DSG car makes a right old racket! It's usually when cold, and it sounds like a really clapped out (rattly) engine, but I think it may be gearbox? The car is properly serviced ( two 10000 mile services done), and uses no oil, nor is the smooth running of the engine (for a diesel!) affected - it's just an awful noise. It's significantly noisier than normal - like you can hear it over the radio whereas normally there's no engine noise, and as soon as the gear changes, and revs drop, so does the noise. It seems to start at 2500 - 3000 RPM. It does not do it in 3rd or higher, even when it has made the noise in 2nd and you extend the engine speed into the 'problem' area. Once it starts it stays noisy in 1st or 2nd until warm. Car is a 12 MY estate, with 20000 miles on the clock. I would like some ideas because taking it to the dealers (12 miles away) means the problem has gone long before I can get there.

Ivory doesn't work with jeans - unless you properly clean the leather (soapy wash and balm treatment thoroughly) every couple of months - more if they are new jeans. However this does keep the interior smelling lovely!

Just a question, in my 12 Elegance, the 'temperature' warning 'bong' seems much quieter than (say) the 'low fuel' bong. Any ideas why - it's really easy to miss the temp bong at speed or with the radio on and doesn't seem adjustable?

My module has a Nokia label on it.

I've done remaps before (admittedly on the PD engines), no change in reliability (over 4 years), +10% better fuel economy (from 48 to 53 mpg) and heaps more power (170 bhp ish). Road tax doesn't change - a foible of our laws, once the car is certificated you can do what you like apparently) but insurance can be tough - you'll need to shop around to find an insurer who will cover you. The best route is to say you've done it for fuel economy . . . .

Another vote for the 1000rpm tickover in cold weather . . .

As I said, not done on a CR, but the PD software update - via laptop - is around £300! Almost worth coming here and getting it done - although I guess it may be different on the CR - I have heard that the ECU needs to come out on that engine, but also that it's possible with it fitted. No doubt an expert will put us right!

Agreed, especially with the leather - takes a good few miles to get nice and toasty in cold weather, even on setting '3'.

It's not the foglights that bother me, it's the wandering beams from the Xenons doing their 'clever' stuff round corners and the like which distract me! It those instances (i.e. in fog) where the beams from the headlights can be seen, it makes the extra fixed light from the fog lights much appreciated! Technology gone daft!

Mines a Nokia (under the drivers seat), maybe that's why Nokia works fine - given the earlier comment, it is clearly a Vodafone issue. if they wont assist, maybe (if possible) its time to walk away and use another provider - what sort of Customer Service are they running?

Back to the subject (!), around 42 MPG is what I'm getting in reality (ignore the onbord computer which is optimistic although an expert can get it calibrated I believe, mine tells me I'm getting 47 or so, the little liar!). My driving is 50 - 50 motorway / open road and town, so not bad, although worse (by 10mpg) than the 140 BHP Golf estate I had, both with DSG's. If economy is the issue I would recommend the 140 BHP diesel. Size - bloody enormous, especially the estate. Sometimes too long - some car spaces just are not long enough to safely park in. However what you can carry is unbelievable as a result. Handling - more of a cruiser than a handler, although it is sure footed.There's no sports seats, and the leather doesn't hold you well if you 'indulge', but the basic handling is first safe and secure, rather than entertaining. Comfort though is OK, although some people say the seats are uncomfy, I've never had an issue. Technology - you need to be an expert to get the best out of the installed software, I think corners have been cut with regard to functionality, for example it's impossible to have the radio 'off', so when you switch on you have to turn the volume down (or select 'Aux' in the media menu, with nothing connected - however when you do that, every time you switch the car on again, it defaults to the aux page - grrrrrr!). But if you need space rather than pace, and economy over badge snobbery, there's really nothing to beat it.

Done the 105 - 170 update (admittedly on the PD engine), excellent results (you shouold see the looks on 'boy racers faces when they see a 'boggo' fabia diesel leave them standing!), it's been done for over 4 years with no related reliability issues. Fuel economy increased by +10% (from about 49 to 54 brim to brim), and no adverse issues with driveshafts, gearbox or the like - the chances are these are used across the VAG range in more powerful cars so are well capable of the extra torque. The only thing I would say is there is a slight tendency to torque steer especially if you use 'full wellie' with some lock applied, however I generally don't notice the difference usually, but use the extra oomph when travelling on the motorway or main roads (or when upsetting racers!). I travel up the A9 regularly from Pert to Inverness, the extra power for the hills plus the ability to safely overtake have to be experienced to be believed. Rarely do I do 'standing start' blasts. My Superb may well be going from 170 to 211 bhp soon, but as that's got a DSG box, I'll be asking the outfit who do the mod, of there experience with this combination.

My view - they're the best headlights I've had on a car. Agree the problem is likely to be the settings, also if a lot of your travel is in France with the 'travel' mode operative, probably this will inhibit the true excellence of the lights. BTW, agree with the earlier post about Fabia lights - two candles would be as good, what they're like in the Monte Carlo version with 'smoked headlight covers' I only fear to witness!

I'm definitely no teccy, however my Nokia N8 on o2 works a treat . . . .

Seat belt warning chime? But the system would need to think the car was moving . . . .

If the Mundane-o estate is too large, chances are both the Skoda and Volvo are as well . . . . .