As someone (post 20, I think) said, the test instrument isn't that accurate.

 

When mine was passing/failing tests earlier in the week, the open circuit terminal voltage was 11.9v (it wouldn't hold charge above 12.2v anyway), or around 35% charged, and measured as delivering 56% of the rated CCA = 319A. (My 1.2L petrol Fiesta has a battery rated more than that.) Since the rated CCA of the original fit is only 73% of the recommended Bosch S5 anyway, my guess is that the CCA on a failing and part-discharged original fit battery is insufficient to fire up the pre-heaters then recover enough to crank the engine. A Bosch S5 at the 35% charge condition would appear to deliver 77% of the rated CCA, or 780 x .77=600A, which is more the the CCA of the fully charged original battery!

 

That's all a bit 'what if', but it might explain our problems.

 

Finally, the SM let slip that Skoda UK recognise this as a known problem with 2L TDI Superbs. I've also discovered that Skoda fit a smaller CCA battery for the UK market compared to cars for elsewhere in Europe.  And from this thread it seems to be worst with the 170hp DSG variants.

Call-back from from Skoda UK CS earlier, to ask how things are going.  Told him to get his tech colleagues to check out the Briskoda Superb II Forum and look at these common battery complaints.  Also pointed out that Banner produce a lower CCA rated battery for the UK market.  Suggested that an otherwise excellent car is spoilt by a less than adequate battery.

 

I also bitched about not having the car for a 7 days.  Told him I did not ask for a courtesy car because it wouldn't have been the spacious estate I need to ship trainee Guide Dogs around, or finish my daughter's house move.  He implied that I was likely to be offered some sort of non-cash good-will gift to compensate for my inconvenience.

 

He will also be contacting the Dealership to make sure it gets properly resolved to my satisfaction.

 

I'm generally pretty happy with Skoda UK's response so far.

Try the www.batterymegastore.com

They list different types for the mkII. They are darn good at delivery. Ordered a 1000 crank for my RR Vogue at 3pm and arrived by 10 am the next day. Cheaper than the dealers and probably better warranty.

No affiliation, just a satisfied customer

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Edited 19 February, 201412 yr by sas1810

Try the www.batterymegastore.comThey list different types for the mkII. They are darn good at delivery. Ordered a 1000 crank for my RR Vogue at 3pm and arrived by 10 am the next day. Cheaper than the dealers and probably better warranty. No affiliation, just a satisfied customerSent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

Those are really good prices: nice find!

Anything to help.

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Was looking at a Bosch at £95 from ECP after the usual 25% discount, equivalent Varta is £73.50 at batterymegastore.

If you change you battery yourself just a word of warning, I did mine at the weekend, I was at my Dads house as he got it on a deal for me so after changing it just switched the radio on to see if I needed to put a code in it, fortunately I didn't, The shock came when I got in to drive it home the dashboard lit up like a christmas tree with all sorts of faults including a big warning saying ESP Fault! I had thoughts of having to go to a local Dealer to get the faults reset, It was a bit of a relief that after driving down the road about 100 yards all the fault lights dissapeared and everything was normal, I can only imagine it must be the car doing some sort of calibration that utilises the ABS sensors as the tyre pressure light was on also!

If you change you battery yourself just a word of warning, I did mine at the weekend, I was at my Dads house as he got it on a deal for me so after changing it just switched the radio on to see if I needed to put a code in it, fortunately I didn't, The shock came when I got in to drive it home the dashboard lit up like a christmas tree with all sorts of faults including a big warning saying ESP Fault! I had thoughts of having to go to a local Dealer to get the faults reset, It was a bit of a relief that after driving down the road about 100 yards all the fault lights dissapeared and everything was normal, I can only imagine it must be the car doing some sort of calibration that utilises the ABS sensors as the tyre pressure light was on also!

Yep, it's the same in most cars and sometimes you might need to do lock-to-lock on the steering, and lower the windows and put them up again as it may need to re-learn the window comfort closing.

I have changed a couple of batteries with my ctek charger plugged into the 12v socket before now, where I've been worried about needing the radio code - but appreciate that's not up everyone's street.

SWMBOs 10 plate 1.9 couldn't be left for more than 2 days or it had to be bump started, as it was out of warranty, bought a high power one from the local fitters, when they took the duff one out it wasn't a Skoda one, it was a branna or something like that, car has only done 18K, anyway all the cells were at different levels, and you could see that without opening it, through the sides,, so the non dealer who sold it either swapped it or someone else did, result left the car for 5 days started instantly

SWMBOs 10 plate 1.9 couldn't be left for more than 2 days or it had to be bump started, as it was out of warranty, bought a high power one from the local fitters, when they took the duff one out it wasn't a Skoda one, it was a branna or something like that, car has only done 18K, anyway all the cells were at different levels, and you could see that without opening it, through the sides,, so the non dealer who sold it either swapped it or someone else did, result left the car for 5 days started instantly

 

That brand sounds like it was the original battery from when the car rolled off the factory floor.

Perhaps I should have posted earlier, but the Dealership did find a significant drain that they suggest is a module not shutting down in a timely manner.  An overnight clamp amps recording showed it active for 11 hours, then a big current spike before dropping to near zero.  The new battery is still being drained, but hasn't been killed yet.

 

Going back in in exchange for a courtesy car next week until it is fixed under warranty.

 

Will post this on the Battery thread also.