Hi guys.

 

I had my free 2nd service done last month. My Occy has only just clocked 21K now and I have to say its one of the best cars I've ever had. Our current other car is a 2014 Subaru Sti, and if i'm honest I prefer to drive the Skoda (although it is nice getting into the Sti for a blast on a weekend)

 

I'm honestly thinking that I can't see a point when I would want to chop the Blackline in. Its the perfect family machine. I wouldn't mind a mk3 Occy VRS, but the sheer difference in price just doesn't justify me coming out of my mk2.

 

How are other Blackline owners feeling after a few years of ownership?

 

This is probably the 1st car we will have owned from new that we will still most likely have after 5 years. I don't abuse the Skoda in anyway, it's driven carefully and not thrashed - so i'm wondering what sort of problems can I expect on the car going forward? Anything I need to keep an eye on that is a known weak-point?

 

Also, does anyone know if on my 3rd and final free service next year I can change to long-life servicing?

 

Cheers,

Simon.

Edited 15 August, 201411 yr by Thehulkster

Well at 7yr / 83k my TFSI still ran like new and used less fuel than it did new.

 

I traded in because the bodywork was starting to be an issue, hopefully your blackline won't have that problem.

Personally I'd stick with the annual services and keep an eye on stonechip damage around the sills, wings, shutlines and where the door rubbers can rub.

 

Mechanically the cars are pretty sound. Mine only suffered from the usual suspects Teves Mk60 and rusty abs rings needing new hubs. Corrosion protection is a weak point.

Also, does anyone know if on my 3rd and final free service next year I can change to long-life servicing?

 

Technically yes, in theory no.

 

Your third and final free service is a fixed annual / 10,000 mile service. 

 

If the dealer follows the letter of the law with regard to the resetting of the service indicator they will be forced to keep it on the fixed regime. The reason for this is because they will have only carried out a 'minor' or annual service.

 

The reality however is very different. A 30,000 mile / 3 year major or variable service would not include any additional parts (pollen, air and fuel filters are not replaced until much higher mileage), so in effect after it's third free minor service the car would be good for up to 20,000 miles or two years i.e. a variable or long life service regime.

 

My dealer will perform a minor service and set the computer to variable (long life), so if you ask then you should be OK.

 

It is also worth noting that your diesel CR170 engine is fitted with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) so uses the highest spec VW507.00 long life oil regardless of which service interval it is set to. Some dealers try to justify the higher priced variable service due it using more expensive long life oil. This is rubbish as they should be using the same oil if it was in for a minor service.

 

Given that you only cover 10,000 miles per year I would question the need to move to variable. Since you plan to keep the car long term then fresh oil once a year can't be a bad thing, especially as it's only £139 each year...

 

http://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/service-and-maintenance/national-pricing/servicing

Edited 15 August, 201411 yr by silver1011

Well at 7yr / 83k my TFSI still ran like new and used less fuel than it did new.

 

I traded in because the bodywork was starting to be an issue, hopefully your blackline won't have that problem.

Personally I'd stick with the annual services and keep an eye on stonechip damage around the sills, wings, shutlines and where the door rubbers can rub.

 

Mechanically the cars are pretty sound. Mine only suffered from the usual suspects Teves Mk60 and rusty abs rings needing new hubs. Corrosion protection is a weak point.

 

Are you near the coast? Im thinking the climate in Scotland might have contributed to premature rusting this chap might be ok in Yorkshire.

My tfsi is now fast approaching 10 years old and although has a tiny bit of localised rust on the sills behind the front wheels its clear they are

from stone chips and I think this would have happened to any front wheel drive car with 200bhp.

 

Oh and my Blackline, im the same I love it! I even like how it grumbles when you put your foot down it makes a surprisingly nice sound for a diesel.

its had a few niggles one being the Instrument cluster but should be replaced under warrenty. mines just coming up to its second free service. its on 18k miles

Rusty sills on the MkII Octavia is more common than it needs to be, mainly due to Skoda not extending the stone chip protection far enough up the sills, clear cost cutting.

 

Fixed now on the MkIII but something all MkII owners should keep a close eye on...

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/314084-rusty-sills-help-me-dispel-the-bull/page-1?hl=+rusting

The stonechip paint was higher up from the MkII facelift onwards.

 

I'm not near the coast btw.

 

There is a big thread on the sills issue. A lot of MkII Octys are starting to rust and not just at the sills.

There is a big thread on the sills issue. A lot of MkII Octys are starting to rust and not just at the sills.

 

Linked above earlier...

The stonechip paint was higher up from the MkII facelift onwards.

 

I'm not near the coast btw.

 

There is a big thread on the sills issue. A lot of MkII Octys are starting to rust and not just at the sills.

 

Ah ok just a thought. Theres about 80uM (microns) of Zinc From the galvanising on the metal so it should be fine unless there is some form of mechanical abrasion.

annoyingly my Blackline already has some rust under the bonnet where they have stamped a part number in the same position as it meets the top bulkhead seal.

I have had it touched up by the dealers but its coming back. water must just sit there. Strangely my pre FL doesn't have this issue.

Mines done nearly 29k and will have its final free service soon :(

But the car is brilliant. Was amazing at the Blyton meet, first time on track.

One fault with heating actuator, replaced no issue.

No plans to replace and don't want to.

As you say cost of the MkIII after a Blackline is a bridge to far.

Want it mapping to be even more fun, maybe one day. Dare say it does not need mapping, but glowing comments from everyone who has theirs mapped makes it tempting.

18 months and 17k miles on, and still loving the car. Waiting for the "bing" for my first variable service, was considering asking them to move it to fixed

Shame I can't look after it better, have a nasty gash at my rear wheel arch on the passenger side after misjudging a driveway wall, and a few scraped wheels from where kerbs jumped out at me. Oh, and a parking sensor that's trying to hide in the bumper

Mine will be 2 in October. I've only done 10,000 miles and have no plans to change it, at least for a couple of years. It's not missed a beat and is certainly the best car I've had. I get loads of stick for cleaning it as often as I do, but I'm not bothered. I even had a toddler who was visiting next door today say 'look mommy a ceen car' and I had only given it it's first rinse off with the jetwash after putting some debug spray on. Personally with the miles you're doing I'd stick to fixed servicing-it's not as if Skoda's servicing costs are expensive. I think I'll dump the contis when they wear out for a set of goodyears though.

Have to say I'm beginning to miss mine. Was a whole lot of car for the money and drove really well and spec wise it wasnt wanting for much.....also had a cracking sound system that sounded way better than the carp fitted in the mk3 that replaced it.

I think if it had been a little bit more perky performance wise and perhaps had bought the manual rather than DSG i'd probably still have it now. The Mk3 is just about the better car (the 150 diesel engine is excellent) but in Elegance spec it is quite dull to drive and Im definitely suffering a level of buyers remorse. I did go out in the Blackline from time to time just to drive it, the Elegance is just a car and a means to an end despite being probably a bit quicker than the Blackline.

If I buy a new car (and dont go back to a company car) it'll probably be either a new Leon Cupra 280, Golf R or S3 and sod the boot space. Yearning for a hot hatch with lots of performance.

Edited 15 August, 201411 yr by pipsyp

I had 'the fans' last night when I got back home after picking the kids up from work approx 600miles since the last regen. Never mind I thought, I'll go for a spin once I drop them off tomorrow if the tickover is high to let it complete the regen. Dropped them off lunchtime to find the tickover back to normal, so I went for a spin anyway. I sort of get where Pipsyp is coming from-I had the 1.4tsi before and nice as it was it was smooth and competent but boring compared to the Blackline which has a bit of character which makes it fun to drive, especially if you've added a dtuk tuning box (allegedly).

Had the Blackline for 18 months now and just given it an annual wash (no joke, don't do it any more often).

 

Mileage coming up to 7,000 from new and no problems whatsoever.  Can't say I have noticed any further regens following 2x that were noticeable last year.

 

Just returned from family holiday up the A9 to Highlands so car was full with family of five, St Bernard, luggage and car swallowed it all.  Must have done about 500 miles over the week and everything ran well but came back with Dornoch sand, pine needles, sweet wrappers, loom bands, pine cones all throughout the car so a good hoover and wipe down of the leather *cough* seats was needed prior to the wash.

 

Car has been great and can easily achieve 50mpg.

 

Will probably change at the end of my lease deal, 3.5 years away, just hoping for a 'Blackline' O3 to be available at the time - unfortunately, like other members, the new pricing is more than I would want/can pay.

 

Looks like a 1.2 SE estate for me next time   :(

We went to Sundown Adventure Land yesterday - 100 miles away from us down the A1.

All climbed into the Blackline, used cruise all the way where possible, stuck to speed limits and after 200 miles averaged 55.8 mpg.

Nice.

Had my DSG Blackline for 2 years now. Still loving it. 15 mile journey the other day - sat at 60 MPH on the motorway and to my amazement it hit 60MPG! Often get the mid to high 50's on a run.

 

Issues -

 

Annoying whistle in grill which was a known issue and a simple fix - made less so as the dealer scratched the bumper whilst in their care. To be fair once i pointed that out they sorted it.

Rear wash wipe has had a mind of its own from time to time. Finally died after a day of heavy rain. Getting replaced today.

 

Apart from those minor issues it has not skipped a beat. Currently done 15k Couple of long trips abroad - very comfortable car and the stereo and speakers are top notch!!

Technically yes, in theory no.

Your third and final free service is a fixed annual / 10,000 mile service.

If the dealer follows the letter of the law with regard to the resetting of the service indicator they will be forced to keep it on the fixed regime. The reason for this is because they will have only carried out a 'minor' or annual service.

The reality however is very different. A 30,000 mile / 3 year major or variable service would not include any additional parts (pollen, air and fuel filters are not replaced until much higher mileage), so in effect after it's third free minor service the car would be good for up to 20,000 miles or two years i.e. a variable or long life service regime.

My dealer will perform a minor service and set the computer to variable (long life), so if you ask then you should be OK.

It is also worth noting that your diesel CR170 engine is fitted with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) so uses the highest spec VW507.00 long life oil regardless of which service interval it is set to. Some dealers try to justify the higher priced variable service due it using more expensive long life oil. This is rubbish as they should be using the same oil if it was in for a minor service.

Given that you only cover 10,000 miles per year I would question the need to move to variable. Since you plan to keep the car long term then fresh oil once a year can't be a bad thing, especially as it's only £139 each year...

http://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/service-and-maintenance/national-pricing/servicing

Skoda seem to scrimp with the service plans. If you are paying you get an air and pollen filter every two years but if they are paying you only get them after three. The third service on the service plan is oil and filter, pollen filter, air filter and brake fluid.

I thought the Blackline was a UK thing but I parked next to a LHD french registered estate with the Blackline spec just outside Clermont Ferrand last week. Wonder what the french call it?

lignenoire :p

Noirligne?

Mines in for the last included service tomorrow. 30,000 eeek. It's only 2 year old in October.

Will be asking about a pre pay service plan / pay monthly.

Love the car. Keeping for years.

Could you  remind me how much the CR170 Blackline cost please? cheers

About £17.5 to 20k new on VAT free deal, depended on whether you went hatch, estate, manual, DSG or chose white or a metallic colour.

They are a sought after Mk2 as they are all late cars, diesels and guarantee a nice spec (as they came with black wheels, full leather, Amundsen + nav, DAB and rear sensors as standard; OEM Bluetooth could be and in most cases was very easily retrofitted after purchase. They therefore hold their money well (I did well when I sold mine though kinda regretting letting it go now).

..are a sought after Mk2...

 

Excellent!  :clap:           

Came back from Manchester airport this afternoon down the dreaded M6 in SWMBO 1.9PD Seat (wouldn't be wanting to leave my baby in an airport carpark for a week LOL). She said 'Are you missing your 6th gear?' ..... not as much as all that extra ps and torque thinks me, but I kept shtum and just agreed with her as she's still not got hold of the keys yet.

Well it's 2 years on for me now as she's been for her 2nd free service today at Savilles. I didn't bother with a courtesy car as I was off today and the 2 hours went quickly, aided by a few cups of free coffee and a wonder round the showroom. They have a new race blue dsg cr vRS in, nothing extra on it other than the black pack but stickered at £26,100. Ouch. It's a nice car but it would be difficult to justify the cost to change with SWMBO as mines still got less than 12k on it. See them in 12 months for the last free service by the looks of things....and a set of tyres (4mm left on the fronts, 5mm on the backs)...and an MOT...