Presumably your vehicle is now out of any warranty, it looks like they are telling you it is time to cast about for an good indie.

I'm not really one to crawl under the car anymore

Car is back in on Saturday to get

* the coolent flushed, refilled and bottle done (the stuff crusted around inside it is hard and crispy - don't want it in the engine) - and it does look like rusty water, I'll keep an eye on the colour to see if it starts to happen again once it's starting condition / history is known

* the track rod done

* the intercooler seals done

Then I'll sort the tyres in 1000-2000 miles time (wallet is taking a beating already and they're OK for a while)

Pollen filter - I'll do myself

+1 for the Michelin Energy Savers

Mine has just had its 4th (major service) at the local dealer,when i booked it in i made a point of asking if the pollen & air filter & spark plugs would be changed as part of the service,i inspected my car when i got it back & the wheels hadnt even been removed on the service(how you are meant to throughly inspect all the brakes/steering & suspension with the wheels still on is news to me,the dealer told me the "master technician" had booked 1.8 hours for the service.I suspect mine was put on ramp,oil & filter & air & pollen & spark plug replaced & some grease sprayed on the door hinges then put back outside,i expected more than this for a 4th year major service.

I thought the timimng belt was meant to be done every 4 years as well.

This just proves, finding a good workshop is as important and choosing the right car for you in the first place. There as many good independents there are bad franchised dealers, and vice versa. Any garage can service your car and retain its warranty provided OE parts are fitted. If a dealer tells you otherwise, then don't trust him or her and find somewhere else.

agree with the cam belt point, why one earth would they not change the pulleys? The service kit includes pulleys and belt, and all are supposed to be changed at the same time. You didn't have it serviced in Haverfordwest by any chance did you..?????

Edited 27 April, 201214 yr by stever750

This just proves, finding a good workshop is as important and choosing the right car for you in the first place. There as many good independents there are bad franchised dealers, and vice versa. Any garage can service your car and retain its warranty provided OE parts are fitted. If a dealer tells you otherwise, then don't trust him or her and find somewhere else.

agree with the cam belt point, why one earth would they not change the pulleys? The service kit includes pulleys and belt, and all are supposed to be changed at the same time. You didn't have it serviced in Haverfordwest by any chance did you..?????

According to the post the belt hasn't been changed never mind the pulleys.

I wouldn't worry....I changed mine at 68k, still on the original factory fitted one! I was under the impression it had been changed at 40k, so drove it like it was new. During the process of getting it replaced by the dealer who mis-sold I bought it from I was told not to worry, they rarely snap!!!

I thought the timimng belt was meant to be done every 4 years as well.

According to the dealer it is,my car is 4 years old in sept 12,i intend to replace it before then.

Tyre wise I'd say Michelin Primacy 3 would be my choice, but the energy savers are fine too.

In the past I felt that the none energy savers gave better traction in slightly damp conditions, but it's all subjective so if you're happy with the ES, they are a good tyre.

Tyre size is 205 60 15 H 91 - Apparently the only Michelin made that size is the energy saver ... primancy is not an option :think:

Presently the car has Dunlop SP Sport tyres

Edited 28 April, 201214 yr by peterhr

After all the service work the car was returning about 58MPg on a long run (motorway - not speeding) and about 45 in town doing my commute (previously the figures were 53 and 39 to 42 respectively - 42 on a warm day)

I got two Michelin energy savers on the front 29th may, and had to buy two for the back in France a week later (Flat spots on the rear tyres - I suspect I pulled off with the hand break on - oops!) - Thus I very neatly avoided the current Michelin money back promotion.

Anyway - the car is running really well - On the run Dover - Birmingham (via M25 west car park) I got between 64 and 65 mpg and the commute is currently at 47-49 mpg.

Sounds like a proper half - a*sed garage to me. Hope all goes well on the weekend. Might be worth expressing a certain amount of displeasure to the Service Manager and / or Dealership Principle.

I thought the coolant was Iron-Bru!

Services in a dealership will be given to the apprentice/trainee to do. No way would they have a 'master tech' doing mundane services. I try to do everything myself, that way I know it's been done properly. Anything I wont attempt myself I will take to my mechanic mate who I trust implicitly. The 'slight play' in steering arm would have been miniscule and not anything to worry about. Just the dealer trying to get more money out of you.

Flat spots on the rear tyres - I suspect I pulled off with the hand break on - oops.

You'd have to drive along with the rear wheels completely locked to flat spot the tyres and even then it would take a few hundred meters before you'd flat spot them - by which time I'd have hoped you'd noticed the handbrake was on or the beeping coming from the dash

You'd have to drive along with the rear wheels completely locked to flat spot the tyres and even then it would take a few hundred meters before you'd flat spot them - by which time I'd have hoped you'd noticed the handbrake was on or the beeping coming from the dash

Maybe 30 yards ... lots going on moving off from an Aire (services) on a French auto route (poor sign-age, everything geared up for left seat drivers, etc). was only flattened by maybe 1 to 1.5 mm but enough to put the wheel(s) out of balance and to shake the car - sometimes worse than others depending on whether the flats were more or less lined up on both wheels or not I guess.

Thought it was a rear wheel bearing but could find no play - you could feel the flat spots by running your fingertips around the wheels with the car jacked up - one wheel was worse than the other.

Have much less road noise from the new tyres.

I did also have a 4 wheel geometry check done on the car, even though it had been checked (and adjusted) a couple of weeks beforehand ... both places found that the set-up wasn't right and needed correcting and I didn't kerb or knock it in between *shrug* ... just in case that was the cause of the uneven wear.

(now at 49.4mpg on my commute, wonder if it'll reach the magic 50)

Services in a dealership will be given to the apprentice/trainee to do. No way would they have a 'master tech' doing mundane services. I try to do everything myself, that way I know it's been done properly. Anything I wont attempt myself I will take to my mechanic mate who I trust implicitly. The 'slight play' in steering arm would have been miniscule and not anything to worry about. Just the dealer trying to get more money out of you.

The two MOT's the car's had have reported slight play on NS steering rack - they've said not worth doing anything about it yet.

Edited 20 June, 201214 yr by peterhr

I'm guessing, but could the play in the "NS steering rack", be why your geometry keeps being reported as being "out" each time it's checked?

I could of course be sceptical of places that offer free alignment checks, and only charge if adjustment is needed .

However, perhaps it could be worth doing something about the play in the rack as it could be the reason you are incurring costs in tire wear and alignment bills?

Nah, the verticals at horizontals were out at the back both times (and the front) - though I do wonder if that might be due to the load the car was carrying on the second test.

Car's doing really well now on MPGs - it's a 140PD - been getting over 52 on the commute, where I'd be lucky to get 42 before.

Have Skoda come out with a standard (economy) remap for the engine management that they apply as part of the standard service schedule?