Apologies in advance if this message rambles.

My VRS arrives in September and i have a whole host of questions!

1) Window tinting

Got to look pretty mean on a black skud.

Anyone got any experience with tinters? Got to be legal tints for me, anyone know much about the law?

2) The Silver mesh and light carpets. A bugger to keep clean I expect. Anyone have any experience using Scotchgard or anything similar?

3) Chipping..... I know this have been covered extensively already but....

Would conservative chipping really cause NO ADVERSE AFFECT on reliability or lifespan of the turbo and engine? Any problems with MOT emissions?

4) Jabbasport. Their website appears dead. Where do I look for Info?

More questions to come do doubt.

Thanks a lot for any advice. Its a nice feeling getting into a group of people passionate and knowledgeable about the car Ive been dribbling over for ages and now I can finally get my mitts on one!

Jono,

Welcome on board

1) Others have done the window tinting, so I'll leave that to them to answer. I haven't, it doesn't make it go faster.

2) An absolute nightmare to keep clean. I think John and Des have put clear plastic over their carpet. Me, I don't care. Others have scotch guarded their seat, again I haven't, I left it too late and they are stuffed anyway :(

3) Mine has been "chipped" for the last 93,000 miles. Still running. Only problems with emissions come when you do a full decat, it will fail. There are several exhausts out there that have free flow cats (usually 200cpi ones). These cause no problems and will pass a MOT test.

4) Can't help, although there was a thread the other day about this. I'm sure someone will post up the deatils.

Jon

Welcome to Briskoda.

As for window tint's,we have had a few cars done at our dealership,you are limited as to level of tint on front windows - but you can go total blackout on rears if you wish,although personally I think a "Smoke" tint is best route for black cars - I'm looking to get mine done shortly.

Interior is hard to keep clean,the main thing is to keep on top of it - if you notice a fresh mark - get it off ASAP.

I am fitting a complete milltek system inc sports cats today...will post details and pics later.

Jabbasport website is down due to webprovider failure,jabbasport advise that their web masters are on hols untill 04/08/03 - so expect site back up prob middle of next week.

4) their site died, the site maintainer was on holiday so no backups available, a new site is undergoing preparation IIRC, the maintainer should be back off holiday this week (again IIRC) so it should reappear.

Doh! beaten to it. Refer to Dave's answer above.

A general summary of the requirements for glass in motor vehicles can be found here and in our web links. Briefly:

"Motor vehicles first used on or after 1/4/1985 must have windscreens which allow at least 75% of light to pass through - all other windows must admit at least 70% of light. These requirements do not apply to any part of the windscreen outside the vision reference zone (as defined in C&U# Regulation 32(13)) or to windows through which the driver is unable, at any time, to see the road."

As far as tinting is concerned, the summary goes on to say:

"C&U# Regulation 32 does not specifically prohibit any window from having a tinted film applied, but a window with a tinted film which takes light transmittance levels below those specified above could be interpreted as contravening the Regulation.

If a vehicle's windows were excessively tinted by the use of stick-on film or a spray, there may be a contravention of C&U# Regulation 30. This requires that all glass or other materials fitted must be maintained in such a condition that it does not obscure the vision of the driver. Again, it does not specifically prohibit those windows from having a tinted film applied, but doing so could be interpreted as contravening the Regulation."

So, the windscreen can legally be tinted to allow 75% light transmission, the front door glass to allow 70%, and the rest of the windows can be blacked out if you so wish - provided you have 2 serviceable wing mirrors.

I have my own view on tinting over and above that already present in the heat reflecting glass fitted to a lot of the Skoda range. If I were offered medical treatment to reduce the sensitivity of the rods and cones in my eyes by 25%, I would refuse for obvious reasons. Whilst tinting may be fine in bright weather, it isn't in conditions where visibility is already reduced - such as in mist, fog, rain or at night. I would save the money and use it for something useful - like cruise control, parking sensors or chipping.

Originally posted by DGW in this post

I have my own view on tinting over and above that already present in the heat reflecting glass fitted to a lot of the Skoda range. If I were offered medical treatment to reduce the sensitivity of the rods and cones in my eyes by 25%, I would refuse for obvious reasons. Whilst tinting may be fine in bright weather, it isn't in conditions where visibility is already reduced - such as in mist, fog, rain or at night. I would save the money and use it for something useful - like cruise control, parking sensors or chipping. [/b]

Or just buy a decent pair of sunglasses;)

Cheers

Andy

What a day....have now fitted wheels & full Milltek system & cat -- you can read about it & see the pics Here

Originally posted by Kentish in this post

Or just buy a decent pair of sunglasses;)

Cheers

Andy

Yeah well. That doesnt make it look quite as mean

Perhaps the best way to make something safe in the area I live is to make it look like it belongs to a Dealer!

Shame you cant get reactolite(sic) tints isnt it.

Girlfriend is sick of me rambling on constantly about skuds now. Although the other day she did let slip "Were going to look soo cool in your new car."

Anyone got any tips on finding good value protective stuff like boot liners, fabric sprays, leather protectors, stonechip avoidance etc?

Justifying my nice big new purchase by telling myself its a car Ill be happy with for some years and i want to keep it looking pretty for as long as poss.

My dad mentioned he had spotted "JON 1" private reg on sale for 85000euros! can think of better ways to personalise a car.

Now heres a thread! "If you had

The Roof Box Company - in our web links and here - can supply a boot liner custom made by Carbox - a German company. Their liners are not cheap but they are good. I have one for my 4X4 Estate and am very pleased with it.

Think those pesky struts on the VRS will get in the way whan seats are folded. nevermind eh.

Anyone know any good door-sill and boot-sill protectors?

Theres that self healing clear film that you can get, some new cars have it in front of their rear arches, I know my Superb has it and my VW Transporter round the door seals both sides. There is also a slightly thinner and more flexible version that we use on mountain bikes to protect the paint, again its self healing.

Cheers

Andy

FoliaTec do a paint protection film,it's available from Demon Tweeks.

Speak to Chris Green on 01978 663066 or e-mail :[email protected]

Briskoda members get 10% discount - but there are exclusions from this - Chris will advise.

Originally posted by Jono in this post

Now heres a thread! "If you had

Originally posted by Jono in this post

"If you had

Originally posted by ncarring in this post

Trade it in and buy something with real class! :p

An Audi RS6 for me, please

Seriously though, spending 50K on an Octavia would be difficult I guess. I can't imagine you'd be able to spend much more than 20 or 30 K.

Gimme 50K and I'll prove it can be done.....