JakeBlade

Aha I get it now. The whole lot (alloys and fitted tyres) came from My Tyres. I remember the fun and games of trying to work out why the spigot rings for the Skoda wouldn't fit, even though they were the right size, and ordered them from two different alloy wheel places. In the end realised that the mercedes spigots were still inside. I felt like a numpty, but the lad that was fitting the wheels onto the car got a lot more stick.

They had one previous owner before me (on a c class for one winter), then I had them for one winter (about 3000 miles), and the chap you bought them from I don't think used them at all. I'm not sure what you mean by valve option...?

You would've bought them from the chap that I sold them (and my big Sko') to! Lovely tyres they were.

Did you try 5730 SMD LEDs?

Wheel woolies would make cleaning them a lot easier: http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/pb-wheel-woolies.html

But as above, if you highly suspect that fuel got to the alternator, you MUST also check the cam belt as the diesel will start perishing it, and that will be a much more expensive failure for you.

I think 2 and 4 would look best on your l&k. And think about using some gtechniq c5 to seal the wheels for the winter.

If you're buying previously enjoyed wheels, then most (but not all) VAG and Mercedes wheels will have the correct PCD of 5/112 - not just any 5-nut wheels will fit. You will also need to reduce the centre bore to 57.1 (eg if you are buying Merc wheels, or some VAG wheels with a bigger bore, or after-market wheels which tend to be oversized bore) - you would do this by fitting spigot rings that are sized to reduce the bore of your wheels down to 57.1 mm. If you don't match the PCD then the wheels simply won't fit. If you don't match the bore (or reduce down with spigot rings), then the wheels will go on, but your car will shake like a space shuttle re-entering the atmosphere.

I believe that your factory 18" wheels are: 7.5J x 18, PCD of 5/112 and OS 47. Have a play around on http://www.willtheyfit.com to see what offset you need for a given width of alloy. If you go for a narrower alloy wheel (eg 7.0J) then there is obviously less width, and therefore in order to keep the wheel relatively flush with the wheel arch, you need a smaller offset. I think you are fine to go to 17" wheels with 225/45 17 tyres. For my winter wheels, I bought 7.0J x 17 5/112 OS 38, which were a Dezent after-market wheel.

Chaps, you need to look on http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/ Plenty of choice, cheaper than above, and free shipping. Prices are 'live' with the £/€ fx rate. I'm happy to share the link, now that I've sorted out my own winter tyres (-:

A decent smart repair on the dash, and you'll never know anything was there. Enjoy your v6!

Did you try putting in your old battery from your 5-series?

Don't suppose you have a part number for the skoda ones do you?Any width/length dimensions would be very gratefully received as well!

How did you get the car started in Bournemouth, did you use skoda assist?

Here you go. This is how you do it with a potato:

Wow, that was pretty clean. What fuel have you been using?

Nice find tmg!

When's the quad-piped L&K visit taking place?!? Surely the buggy will fit diagonally? If you're keeping the car for a while then it won't be long until your youngest is in one of those much smaller light-weight pushchairs, and then in nothing?

Nice write-up silver. How many miles since the last filter change?

Yes, in terms of PCD as they are both 5x112. But you'll need spigots to get the bore to the correct size.

Cmon, just get it done man!

Tyreleader have some great prices on winter tyres at the moment.

That L&K is nice, but it won't be around for long as that engine is quite rare. Plus you get quad exhausts on an estate, and the option to remap (easily) at a later date - as mentioned above. At the price it's on for, it won't be hanging around on the forecourt for long. It seems like they have priced it more like an Elegance, than a L&K? You can darken the colour up by choosing the right car wax. And do you really need 4WD?

Gloss black would look pretty awesome.

This might give you some thoughts on building an argument against the dealer: http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/car-buyers-guide/cbg_legalrights.html