Just picked it up today. In short, I'm thrilled! :sun:

 

After reading some recent posts, I had been wondering whether I had made the right choice. I've moved from a trusty MkII 1.9 PD and at least to me, the MkIII feels just as well put together. The seats seem to have improved slightly and the DSG is a dream to drive.

 

 

 

PS  Anyone know what the intervals are for cam belts on this model.

IF it's the same 1.8 as in the Mk. 2 it hasn't got a cam belt, it has a chain

 

 

Oops, just checked another thread, apparently all the new range all have cam belts.

Edited 2 December, 201411 yr by ednmra

I got the same engine, 4x4 and DSG too. Have had it almost a month now. Very happy and now it has started to snow

Just picked it up today. In short, I'm thrilled! :sun:

 

After reading some recent posts, I had been wondering whether I had made the right choice. I've moved from a trusty MkII 1.9 PD and at least to me, the MkIII feels just as well put together. The seats seem to have improved slightly and the DSG is a dream to drive.

 

 

 

PS  Anyone know what the intervals are for cam belts on this model.

Lucky sod. I opted for the 184 hp TDI version, and will have to wait until april...

IF it's the same 1.8 as in the Mk. 2 it hasn't got a cam belt, it has a chain

 

 

Oops, just checked another thread, apparently all the new range all have cam belts.

As far as I know the 1.8 tsi is the 3rd generation of ea888 engine, with cam chain.

IF it's the same 1.8 as in the Mk. 2 it hasn't got a cam belt, it has a chain

 

 

Oops, just checked another thread, apparently all the new range all have cam belts.

 

Retract your oops

 

The dealer just told me it has a chain.

Lucky sod. I opted for the 184 hp TDI version, and will have to wait until april...

 

That's a long wait Kalle  :(

 

I ordered in mid August, 3.5 months from order to delivery.

 

Suddenly the winter darkness up here doesn't feel too bad 

As far as I know the 1.8 tsi is the 3rd generation of ea888 engine, with cam chain.

 

Thanks

I got the same engine, 4x4 and DSG too. Have had it almost a month now. Very happy and now it has started to snow

 

We've had a few sprinkles since October but mostly just +/- zero celsius, so plenty of ice around. I'm itching to use more engine power but I don't want to grind off my studs  :(

We've had a few sprinkles since October but mostly just +/- zero celsius, so plenty of ice around. I'm itching to use more engine power but I don't want to grind off my studs  :(

Tell this those whom studs are forbidden

I'm sure you will be delighted with it.  I have my 1.8TSI 4x4 for just over two months.  It is a lovely car.

 

Perhaps the only drawback is I can't get anywhere near the quoted fuel economy.  It is quite thirsty.

Tell this those whom studs are forbidden

 

Tä? 

I'm sure you will be delighted with it.  I have my 1.8TSI 4x4 for just over two months.  It is a lovely car.

 

Perhaps the only drawback is I can't get anywhere near the quoted fuel economy.  It is quite thirsty.

 

I heard this model likes to drink. The oil price crash came at a good time    Was it you who was getting somewhere around 9 litres/100Km?

Edited 3 December, 201411 yr by susi

Retract your oops

 

The dealer just told me it has a chain.

The other thread is wrong then - someone said all the petrol engines in the Mk. 3 had been redesigned to cam belt, for the manufacturer's penny pinching economy !!!

The other thread is wrong then - someone said all the petrol engines in the Mk. 3 had been redesigned to cam belt

 

It must have been. You first instinct was correct   Unless...the unspeakable happened, and my dealer got it wrong  

I have for the last 5 years now used unstudded winter tyres on my 1,4 TSI. Good grip in almost all winter conditions, except ice (wet ice is worst).

Now I am waiting for my 1,8 tsi 4x4 to be shipped from factory. For this I have chosen studded winter tyres to maximize grip in all conditions. One drawback is tyre noise on asphalt. I have specced every heating gadges, the only option Skoda is missing is heated steering wheel.... It would be my first choise if available.

I am SO looking forward to get my car, I think it is the ultimate combination. I assume the high consumption will be reduced after some run-in period.

Tä? 

studs are mostly restriced to northern countries..

I have for the last 5 years now used unstudded winter tyres on my 1,4 TSI. Good grip in almost all winter conditions, except ice (wet ice is worst).

Now I am waiting for my 1,8 tsi 4x4 to be shipped from factory. For this I have chosen studded winter tyres to maximize grip in all conditions. One drawback is tyre noise on asphalt. I have specced every heating gadges, the only option Skoda is missing is heated steering wheel.... It would be my first choise if available.

I am SO looking forward to get my car, I think it is the ultimate combination. I assume the high consumption will be reduced after some run-in period.

 

Non-studded friction tyres seem more popular in the south (e.g. Helsinki), where conditions are very variable. I've also used friction tyres on hard-packed snow and they're just fine. Up here in the middle of Finland, practically everyone is on studded tyres. Without them, it's near-impossible to accelerate on the ice.

 

I'm with you on the heated steering wheel. Getting into your car when it's -35°C and gripping the wheel with the left hand, then the right, then the left again 

 

If you're even only half as pleased as I am with this model's performance in the nordic winter, you will be a very very happy guy 

studs are mostly restriced to northern countries..

 

Yes, I do believe they are. But to be fair, it would be difficult to justify the increased road wear in other countries.

Here in Oslo you have to pay around 100€ (1000 nok) each winter if you want to use studds. For most of us winter tyres are good enough, because they perform excellent in all other conditions than ice.

But we need around 10% using studds, else the roads get polished and very slippery.

Non-studded friction tyres seem more popular in the south (e.g. Helsinki), where conditions are very variable. I've also used friction tyres on hard-packed snow and they're just fine. Up here in the middle of Finland, practically everyone is on studded tyres. Without them, it's near-impossible to accelerate on the ice.

Mine will have the Hakkapeliitta R2s, and I'm sure they'll handle most conditions just fine. I currently have the older Hakkapeliitta R:s on a AWD Volvo, and haven't had any problems accelerating even in very icy conditions. It launches off the line much quicker than any RWD/FWD car with studded tires I've tried so far.

 

It actually came with the studded Hakkapeliitta 2:s, but from my experience the R:s handle much better especially on black ice. (In conditions where the ice is so thin the studs can't penetrate enough to get grip, but the surface is still extremely slippery.)

Fair point Kalle. My experience with friction tyres is limited to 2WD cars, I hadn't factored in AWD to the comparison.

I see the topic has shifted towards tyre discussion

 

Nevertheless, about the car - I also find it very satisfying.

 

My previous TDI, although very good and reliable, has been annoying sometimes due to refinement and slow warm-up in winters. This however is just too good and I cant find anything that's bothering (touch wood, lets hope it is reliable long-term) - even the fuel consumption that everyone and their brother are afraid of is reasonable IMO. City traffic driving gives almost the same figures as my wife's petrol Toyota Auris 1.6 auto - which is a compliment to the 4x4 TSI DSG

Regarding fuel, I'm still on <500Km but am getting ~7.2 litres/100Km on a 50Km journey (mix of 60, 80 & 100 Km/h). I can live with that.

Delivery time of mine is closer than ever. Some TLC and mounting of parts.......

Edited 6 December, 201411 yr by fatzy