Hi all, bought a lovely diesel estate VRS last week and it's brilliant, love the cruise control, power, practicality; total win.  However I've got a couple of things I'd be grateful for advice on:

1) It has no spare wheel but instead the w@nky foam, any advice on good cheap spares?  I'm on 18" so would a cheap 16" or even 15" be okay?

2) When the engine is idling and either just started or when air con is off there is an extremely loud thumping noise which I assume to be a pump.  You can't hear it with bonnet up, just whilst in low revs car with no air con, is this a problem?  I usually keep air con on but worried something expensive is on it's way out.

3) The car has a parrott ck3100 for blue tooth phone which I assume isn't factory fitted?  This has an annoying habit of dropping out (so the stereo is still blocked but you can't hear the conversation) either mid conversation or after initially connecting perhaps half an hour into journey it will be be doing the same thing.  Does anyone have any advice?

4) Got a chip in the windscreen, any guess on cost for new glass?  It'll get treated but in my experience they all eventually go.

Advice from me: if selling your car on Autotrader cover up the number plate!  The previous guy didn't so now some crims in London have scammed the number plate and used their (presumbably) stolen car in crime.  Result my number plate is on national Police register and I set off all the auto detection cameras in London with requisite copper attention!

Thanks, Tim

You will need a 16" wheel or a full size alloy as anything less than a 16" wont fit over the vrs brakes.With the windscreen most places will repair it for free or if it has to be replaced then you pay your insurance glass excess,mine is £50,I cant help with the other questions,sorry! Welcome to Briskoda! 

Remember that if the spare wheel is not identical size (e.g., 225/40-18) to the wheels on the car then if you fit the spare you are legally limited to 70mph. 

Remember that if the spare wheel is not identical size (e.g., 225/40-18) to the wheels on the car then if you fit the spare you are legally limited to 70mph.

You are legally limited to 70 in the UK whatever wheels fitted!

ASM in Aylesbury are breaking a VRS and have 4 wheels and tyres for sale. The A1 condition wheel was £125, the damaged one, £50. A spare wheel set from a golf or Audi would suffice if you look on eBay.

Check your insurance policy for the glass prices. Most seem to charge for repairs now.

Had a replacement window from a local guy this week.

 

£150 for rain sensing glass

 

£190 for standard glass

Remember that if the spare wheel is not identical size (e.g., 225/40-18) to the wheels on the car then if you fit the spare you are legally limited to 70mph. 

Oops!  Finger trouble.  I meant limited to 80kph (50mph).

Oops! Finger trouble. I meant limited to 80kph (50mph).

If you get a 16 inch one, there is no speed restriction as it is not a space saver.

If you get a 16 inch one, there is no speed restriction as it is not a space saver.

The 16" spare on mine was marked with MAX SPEED 80KPH. It's because it is a different width tyre and radius wheel the same as a "space saver".

Wheels and tyres must be the same size on an axle. 

 

Have replaced mine with an 18" Neptune alloy and tyre to get over the speed restriction.

 

If anyone is interested in the original 16" spare and tyre (unused and unmarked) drop me a P.M.

The 16" spare on mine was marked with MAX SPEED 80KPH. It's because it is a different width tyre and radius wheel the same as a "space saver".

Wheels and tyres must be the same size on an axle.

Have replaced mine with an 18" Neptune alloy and tyre to get over the speed restriction.

If anyone is interested in the original 16" spare and tyre (unused and unmarked) drop me a P.M.

Must have changed because mine isn't marked.

The radius is the same with the 16", its just narrower.

The law allows different sized wheels where one is a temporary spare. It's the manufacturer who imposes to 50mph limit.

Edited 17 August, 201312 yr by Metblackrat

Must have changed because mine isn't marked.

The radius is the same with the 16", its just narrower.

The law allows different sized wheels where one is a temporary spare. It's the manufacturer who imposes to 50mph limit.

Agreed, the law does allow different size wheels on an axle, otherwise you couldn't use a space saver spare. EU law states that a temporary spare wheel (i.e. one of a different size) can only be used up to 80kph.