Not sure whether I dream this but I am convinced the V6 engine runs smoother and better using Esso fuel.  I have tried all combinations but Esso seems to suit the car - interested if others have views on fuel/performance/smoothness.

 

 

Can't say I've noticed between Shell to Texaco to Asda it does seem to run a little nicer on V Power but on general fuel it all seems the same to me. 

 

Only just seen this, very nice car Leon!

Thanks Babs! It's been great every day, it's certainly well planted in the wet and dry.  

Different cars with the same engine run better on different fuels. My first Toledo 110 TDi ran well on Tesco fuel but badly on Shell. Second one was better on regular Shell than BP or Esso etc.

My TSi runs well on Esso fuel.

Few photos on our way back from the midlands today, was miserable, but it was still a pleasure to be in on the way home! Thought we'd mess around with a phone app. 

 

The pre wash before the 500 mile round trip!

Ps! not middle lane hogging in the last photo, we did pull back in. 

 

I still love it at night when all the lights come up, or when its getting dark. All the lights are really subtle and quote comforting.   

Nice pics Leon

 

Hey Leon, glad to hear you're still liking the motor

 

On the leather issue, that's a case of it being the wrong product really. With something like that, it's not conditioning the leather, which is what you need to 'feed' it and get into the leather itself. What that product is doing is just coating the top layer, hence the shininess. 

 

I swear by Poorboys Leather Stuff for leather seat care. First couple of times leave it to sit on the seat overnight, and have a microfibre in the car to wipe it down before driving off! Best done when you know the car will be sat for a day, if possible.

 

This will sort the conditioning aspect as well as deal with any grime that needs to come out of the seat - you'll see on the first couple of applications the microfibre you use will be a bit grubby after use! Here's a link but it's available from most detailing places. You also don't use much at all, I've had the same bottle for a few years now:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Poorboys-Leather-Stuff/dp/B004ODBDAA

 

Then once you're sorted and happy with how the seat has come up, you might want to look at a sealant. The nanotech coatings will be perfect for this. They will resist wear to the leather surface as well, which is how they come to be shiny. Also helping to prevent damage/spills etc. I've never used these two on leather, but the Nanolex stuff is superb for coating car mats and other interior surfaces.

 

Gtechniq - L1 Leather Guard: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/leather-care/gtechniq-l1-leather-guard/prod_1093.html

 

Nanolex Textile & Leather Sealant: http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/nanolex-textile-and-leather-sealant-cat22.html

 

Hope this helps!

 

Cheers,

Steve

 

Well Steve, 

 

It took a while but I picked them up from Ebay, £15 for both and super quick delivery! 

 

I bought 2 of the recommended products you mentioned... never used the Leather Stuff before so I youtubed it, and someone was applying it with their bare hands... so I followed!

So the above pics are from the seats before treatment. I'm not sure if it'll show much difference after but you can see theres a bit of shine to the seats, I don't think theres much I can do to rectify the stretched leather - this is my biggest annoyance with the car so far. I might aswell not let anyone sit in the car! Id of thought for 44k they'd hold up better than that? 

 

So I went on and applied the Poorboys Leather Stuff, I got a bit squirt happy on the drivers seat! I used it a bit more sparingly on the passenger & rear bench! 

 

I've got to say it felt a bit weird applying it by hand, not the usual thing to do I guess caressing the leather...

 

So now I will sit and wait for it to soak in a little bit before I go and buff it off, I guess this will take a bit longer than the 10 minutes suggest on the bottle? I hope it doesn't go wrong!!! 

 

The next question is how/ when should I apply the leather guard? 

Once it's fully dry you can apply L1

Do test it out on a small section first to make sure it's ok. I've yet to find L1 react with anything, but it's best to be safe.

Cheers

Steve

Once it's fully dry you can apply L1

Do test it out on a small section first to make sure it's ok. I've yet to find L1 react with anything, but it's best to be safe.

Cheers

Steve

I guess with the L1 it doesn't enhance anything visually other than leave a protective layer ?

I've let the Poorboys Leather Stuff soak for a good 45 minutes, and wiped it down with a cotton cloth. 

 

It's quite slippery! These are the results but it's difficult to tell on the photos, it's a little shiney, but it seems to have softened the shinier bits, and added a bit of shine to the rest of the seats...?! 

 

 

Kind of wished I didn't do the steering wheel, but I assume it's still a little damp, so I think everything will need an extra wipe later on. 

 

The seats seemed to gain a little more friction when wiping the Poorboys off. Was it worth the extra £5 over the Simonize leathercare? I'm not sure yet until I give it another wipe down later on. However there is less shine after using it over the Simonize.  

They certainly come up better but like you say could be the photo. I've always used Poorboys Natural Look Dressing - same blue colour but smells of marzipan! Always been impressed with it.

 

L1 is great - I treated my leather with it and then the alcantara with I1.

Yeah, I've not put the L1 on yet, just waiting for the moisture to dry a little more before I apply it.  

Did you wipe down with a damp cloth? Should be fine by the morning.

Did you wipe down with a damp cloth? Should be fine by the morning.

No I didn't use a damp one, should I have done? 

No I didn't use a damp one, should I have done? 

 

Every leather cleaner I've tried has said use a slightly damp cloth. Poorboys might be different though, but worth checking.

Every leather cleaner I've tried has said use a slightly damp cloth. Poorboys might be different though, but worth checking.

Oh right, thats a new one too me. I just checked the back and it didn't say anything, just a clean cloth was recommended. I'll check in the morning.

You can use either with the Poorboys stuff; damp cloth might work better as you might have applied a bit too much this time round

 

On first application, I usually leave it to soak in and condition overnight - but that's not always practical.

 

You could always do another application of Pooboys, before using the L1.

 

It's a good shout using it on the steering wheel as it's often forgotten, and tends to need a good clean after a while! Obviously you need to be careful that it's properly dry before you go anywhere though!

Ill see what its like tomorrow Steve, there's quite a bit of surface area in the car to go round two between the day! Ill give it a go first thing. I trust your recommendation!

I know, it's a big old bus!

 

Maybe just focus on the problem areas a second time, perhaps? I usually let it dwell, particularly on high traffic areas, like the front seat bolsters.

I'll go over it again tomorrow! But the car still smells of leather. 

 

Also got some nice 19" wheels on their way should be delivered on Thursday!

Well today was quite a fun day! I managed to source a decent set of ally wheels for my Superb. 

 

I was looking at the Xtremes for the mk3 rs, however I thought I'd wait and get them for an rs when I get round to it.... not changing yet though! I love my v6!

 

So I bought some replica Audi R8 V10 (Only 4 less on mine :P) alloy wheels. Their only budget tyres for now, their alright if not a little noisier than the conti's. 

 

The ride is exactly the same, the shocks and springs and handling is identical. Very happy with that.

 

Here are some photos, had a few people compliment them today and I think I made the right choice! 

 

 

I don't hang out in carparks by the way! This is our residents car park.  

Like the Wheels Leon

Look good fitted Leon

Liking the Wheels Leon

 

Look good fitted Leon

Thanks guys, I was worried at first but it looks really smart! 19's fit nicely and I reckon once it's lowered it'll look even better. 

 

Not sure if I want to lower it yet though. 

Very nice indeed.

Ahh I'm glad theres the thumbs up! Just need to keep on top of cleaning them. I've already sealed them with polish and wax today.