Hi all,

 

I'm coming back to the fold after some time away, having had a MK1 Fabia VRS that I loved more than any other car I've had and I've owned some reasonably nice cars.

 

I should be picking up my new VRS estate in a couple of weeks all being well.  I wanted a factory order but was offered a fair discount to take a car already built, (although there were only 4 to choose from and 3 of them were white, so I had the red one to buck the current trend!) as long as I had it in March as the dealer was down on their new 14 plate registrations for this month, or so they said!

 

Anyway, my question is, has anyone had issues running these on shorter trips?  The reason I'm going back to petrol after several diesels is that I now work from home so my mileage has drastically reduced and I don't want to suffer from a clogged up DPF as I have in the past with a previous Leon FR that I had.  The car won't get a huge amount of use during the week, just a few miles down the road to the gym and maybe supermarket etc.  I will try to run it a bit more at the weekend for some fun if I get chance and it may get some longer weekends away with the dogs, hence having an estate.  I just wondered if they suffered much not getting a good run all the time?  It will be run on decent fuel.

 

I've had this engine and gearbox before in a Seat Ibiza Bocanegra that I had as a second car and I didn't do much mileage in that either but I didn't keep it long.  It was an 11 plate and a lovely drive, hence wanting the engine again in something more practical.  It didn't have any oil issues, but then as mentioned I didn't keep it that long or do that much mileage in it.  I did consider another as the Ibiza Cupra is currently cheaper than the Fabia and has more standard kit, but the Fabia estate won me over for practicality.  I've had many Seat's but only one Skoda and I really did take to it.  I just hope this one will be the same.

 

 

No problem running them on short trips, other than the MPG will not be great, 

say 25 mpg on trips of just 5 miles, and maybe low 30's to 10-20 miles,  

then you can have 35-50 mpg once its at Normal Running temps.

on 98 or 99 Ron.

I would not use 95 ron, and especially not for short trips.

 

Thats in winter or cold weather conditions,

Short trips in Warmer weather, is not an issue.

 

..............................................................................

For anyone else looking at Estates.

?

What about some of the Seat Ibiza FR ST with Petrol & DSG 140ps,

but not the Twincharger, 

Rather  ACT. (Cylinder Deactivation.) ?

 

Any Seat dealer with one sitting might be keen to get it sold, 'Much Cheapness'.

http://carleasingmadesimple.com/business-car-leasing/seat/ibiza-sport-tourer_1

 

These can get a Towbar fitted to tow with, a vRS can not for towing, but can for a bike rack.

Thanks very much for the info.  I expected the mpg wouldn't be the greatest, but having said that my current Astra diesel isn't returning anything amazing on shorter trips and I do worry about the DPF issues having suffered with them before.  I rarely got into the mid 30's for mpg with my Ibiza running it on Tesco momentum 99, even on longer journeys.

 

I'd looked at the Ibiza ST oddly enough but I didn't know they were offering it with the 140PS ACT engine and I wrote off the diesel due to my low mileage and its lack of power.  I don't know what it is but for looks it just doesn't seem to suit being an estate as well as the Fabia does.  I think the VRS with the black grille etc. and the gigaro's is a better looking car.  Obviously then there's the extra 40PS which is always nice. :-)  Skoda seem to excel at estates.  When you add in the 0% PCP deal I couldn't really say no.

I've not seen any other cars than VW's with the ACT engine yet?  Do you know something the rest of us don't, George?  I discounted the Seats as they currently don't do a 1.4 with DSG..

Well i understood you could buy the Seat 1,4 ACT DSG now,

(i have driven one, but it was a hatch, & it was not a 1.2.)

and the rather expensive A1 1.4 COD DSG.

 

If if that is duff gen about being on sale now or to order, then sorry.

I used to have a 10 mile trip to work when I had my mk2 vrs and managed a consistent 40mpg+ travelling at speeds of around 30-40mph on country roads. Journeys were about 40 mins but not much traffic.

I've not looked at the Audi but was under the impression only the Golf and Polo GT models were recipients of the ACT engine.  It might be coming up for launch though...which would be just my luck!

 

The Leon ST comes with the 1.8 180PS and DSG.  If the Ibiza ST comes out with the 140PS ACT engine and DSG I'm going to feel a bit sick, having just ordered an Octavia.

How can a 10 mile trip take 40 minutes at an average 30-40 mpg.

 

in 30 minutes do you not get 30 miles or near that far at 30 mph.??

Even if never above 20 mph, does 10 miles not take like 20 mins max on roads without much traffic

just following tractors.?

 

I get 60 mpg indicated in a vRS at that pace, even when cold starts.

I just assumed it was 40 minutes in total for both directions.

Edited 18 March, 201412 yr by OzFabia

I live c. 3.5 miles from work, so I do that trip twice a day. With longer trips a couple of times a week. I've never had a issue with mine, runs sweet as you like. Nearly 20K on her now, always on Momentum 99.

MPG is not terrible really, I would rarely get less than 30 mpg on any trip, even the short one to work.

I guess, what I meant was, when I was moving, I'd be moving at 30-40. But it's morning so there's some light traffic, traffic lights, junctions. It wasn't just a nice straight road with nobody in the way . Have achieved 50mpg on the same route but takes some real nannying.

From the experience I've had with my vRS, on short journeys of say 2-6 miles, anything from mid to high 20's if it's particularly cold and a journey of a couple of miles, to mid to high 30's is easily achievable on anything longer. Traffic and speed dependant obviously.

Short journeys aren't much good for any car, but decent petrol and regular servicing should see no problems at all and definitely take it out for a blast to enjoy it on the weekends!

Well i understood you could buy the Seat 1,4 ACT DSG now,

(i have driven one, but it was a hatch, & it was not a 1.2.)

and the rather expensive A1 1.4 COD DSG.

 

If if that is duff gen about being on sale now or to order, then sorry.

Just had a look and you can get the 1.4 ACT/COD engine in the Leon and Ibiza, but not with the DSG attached (unlike the Polo and Golf).

I drive 15 miles to work and, if I try, I can get 38-40 mpg (that's being really careful).

 

On average I'd say I get around 30-33.

Thanks for all the replies guys.  Much appreciated.

Picked it up at lunch time!    Very happy chappy.  It now has a huge 25 miles on the clock.  Is that enough to start checking the oil?!

 

First thing was to get it to Tesco for a full tank of Momentum 99.  Only cost £46 to fill with 8p per litre discount from shopping there.  It was still 1p cheaper per litre anyway than diesel that I'm used to and a smaller tank, although I've no doubt it won't last long!

 

First things I've noticed on the drive home ;-

 

- I can't get the seat low enough.  It feels like I'm very tall when driving (I'm only 5'9").

- The seats are quite slim in width but do hug you nicely and are very well padded.

- It's nice to be able to fold and click the arm rest away when not in use.

- Gear changes are smoother than a baby's rear end.  I really missed the DSG box once I traded my Ibiza and I'm glad to have it back.

- Cornering is scary!

- Big road bumps should be avoided at all costs.

- Stereo sound isn't great, but I need to mess around with the settings I think.

- Very quiet at normal speeds and standstill compared to my diesel, but road and wind noise on the motorway are more noticeable, as it's fairly tall I guess.

- It seems rather like a TARDIS, i.e. bigger on the inside?

 

Anyone know where you can get an Iphone 5S MDI cable from please?

What tyres did it come fitted with?

& have you checked and readjusted your tyre pressures if required?

& reset the TPMS.

 

Just need to know what the oil level they put it out at, hot check and cold dip,

then fill to that level if required while running the car in.

 

enjoy.

Continental Sport Contact 2, 205/40.

 

No idea what to do with the TPMS but I'll read the book.  They did point out the button but didn't know you had to do anything with it!

 

Ok, thanks for the oil advice.  Will check once it stops raining or I'll pull it into the garage later.

 

I was quite surprised you don't get a service book to stamp any more.  Apparently it's all electronic now.  They say it's to prevent fraudulent stamps.  Just means I'll have to keep my itemised receipts I guess so I know what's been done.

 

At least you still get a spare wheel though.

Picked it up at lunch time!    Very happy chappy.  It now has a huge 25 miles on the clock.  Is that enough to start checking the oil?!

 

First thing was to get it to Tesco for a full tank of Momentum 99.  Only cost £46 to fill with 8p per litre discount from shopping there.  It was still 1p cheaper per litre anyway than diesel that I'm used to and a smaller tank, although I've no doubt it won't last long!

 

First things I've noticed on the drive home ;-

 

- I can't get the seat low enough.  It feels like I'm very tall when driving (I'm only 5'9").

- The seats are quite slim in width but do hug you nicely and are very well padded.

- It's nice to be able to fold and click the arm rest away when not in use.

- Gear changes are smoother than a baby's rear end.  I really missed the DSG box once I traded my Ibiza and I'm glad to have it back.

- Cornering is scary!

- Big road bumps should be avoided at all costs.

- Stereo sound isn't great, but I need to mess around with the settings I think.

- Very quiet at normal speeds and standstill compared to my diesel, but road and wind noise on the motorway are more noticeable, as it's fairly tall I guess.

- It seems rather like a TARDIS, i.e. bigger on the inside?

 

Anyone know where you can get an Iphone 5S MDI cable from please?

Congratulations! Get some pics up on here for us please :-)

The Estate is definitely the best choice but then again I am quite biased lol.

The seat height is rediculous isn't it? I'm sure it used to go lower on the 2011 hatch I had previously. This one feels like you are perched up on a pedestal whilst driving, I'm sure that doesn't help make the handling/cornering sensation feel any better! SWMBO looves the high seat tho.

Congrats on you new purchase, on behalf of everyone on here I think I'm right in saying we all wanna see some pictures asap please :-)

I also agree the seat height is to high on its lowest setting, I'm 6ft 1" and it feels like I'm sat on it rather than in it, which is a bit off a pity because the seats are very nice otherwise. Sadly I can't help but think if I was sat 25/30mm lower it would not only help my comfort in the car but this would also help lower the cars centre of gravity and help the handling department.

Anyway, enjoy, get some miles on her so you can then give the full beans through gears and all things make more sense after that.

Wrighty

Does anyone know if this is correct about no Service Book with the New Cars?

Or as it is, No Service Book with new Skodas!

 

The Service Book has the important information for the Purchaser, VIN, PDI Date etc, 

& important for resale to private individuals, Traders or non VAG Dealers.

 

Servicing does not need to be Done by Volkswagen Audi Group Workshops or Dealers.

So Service Stamps can still be Important in the EU Free Market when having Services done.

& while Stamps can be hooky, so can Information put in to Computers.

 

It Is Skoda Dealerships that are not Writing up important things in Service books like when an Engine might have been replaced,

Mileage at the Time, and new components fitted.

All good and well if it is on a SKODA/VAG coimputer,

thats little use as you sell your car privately.

 

RE Fuel Tank @ 45 Litres.

If you are on a trip and not just filling up and parking up, but going to cover at least 50 miles,

'Vent the tank'.

When the Petrol Pump.gun cuts off, move the Slide in the filler hole, 

hear the air escape, and you will get near £10 more, 7 Litres or so in,

You might need to let it vent 2 or 3 times.

TAKE CARE, you have used the Expansion Capacity up.

If you do not use that extra fuel and park in the sun, thats a bad thing.

 

10 gallons in and 1+ in reserve @ 35 mpg = 350 miles.

The same at 42 mpg = 420 range and some still some in reserve.

 

george

I cant help with very recent cars, but my march 2013 car does have a service book.

Its not too important though, because its all on the Skoda database isnt it.

Thanks guys.  I will get some pics up whilst its still clean!  I know I'll get some stick about putting the side protection mouldings down the doors.

 

Thanks too George for the venting info.  I didn't know that.  Lots to learn about this car.

 

I think a lower seat would help you 'sit into' the car a little more and it did seem lower in the hatch I tested.

 

I too was concerned about the lack of a servicing book.  I think it must be to make you come back to a Skoda dealer to get it serviced.  I would anyway, certainly whilst its under warranty, but what about when its not?  It's a bit of a scam if you ask me.  All I got was a small A5 card folder, but it does have the sticker you normally get on your service book with all of the codes on it i.e. paint colour, engine code (CTHE), extras fitted etc. etc.  I guess you have the folder to keep your service print outs in and receipts etc.  I would be interested to see how many others have had this and when it was brought in at Skoda.

 

I took it out for an evening run last night to the gym and had my first 'DRL/side light' issue.  A polo in front of me kept putting its hazard lights on and waving, then eventually pulled over.  As I was about to go around them they pulled away again as they must have realised they weren't front fog lights.  They do seem to give off a very bright blue light though so I can understand their point.  Having said that in the short trip I did I spotted three other cars with front fogs on that they have the choice to switch off.

Re Service Book with new Vehicle.

I have just checked with Skoda UK.

 

That is the new thing from Skoda, No Service Book.

 

They will have to revise that pretty soon.

As much as they might like Buyers to return to Skoda/VAG Dealers for Servicing,

& most will, and with Service Packages most will have to.

 

But it is a free market to have your car Serviced at VAT Registered Garages to the Manufacturers Service Schedule using Genuine Parts.

That does not mean that the Garage Doing the Servicing has access to the Skoda Records on previous servicing,

and it is handy to refer to a Service Book as well as Receipts,when they are present in a car.

(Both get lost or messed with, but when they are there it is a nice quick easy check,

Especially once a car is maybe out of Warranty and not being Main Dealer Serviced or Maintained.)

Thanks for checking that.  It'll be interesting to see if other manufacturers follow suit.  VAG group may be trialling it with Skoda to see how customers react.