9 hours ago, travs said:

What’s your budget @gav_is_con ?

Blue one

This is interesting as it is a partial facelift - SKODA written on the back, but it has MIB2.5 as there are SD card slots in the glove box. Leather looks like it could do with a bit more of a clean too but don’t let that put you off. Low miles for the age. No sunroof. Lucky at that point to get digital dash too.

Grey one

Costs more and higher miles but will be a full facelift with the EA888.4 DNFE engine with the decent Continental turbo. Can’t see a sunroof and none mentioned so should be good for that too. Will have MIB3 but money is on the firmware needing updating.

Thank you @travs i have seen both of those and I forgot to say no cream leather and those alloys do not float my boat.

On 18/11/2025 at 11:15, travs said:

Standard Bosch or NGK are fine tbh

Update on the spark plugs' saga ... the other day I had a couple hours free, and two tasks to do ... I decided for the - apparently - faster one, to remove one coil and spark plug so I can order whatever is mounted there, as "online" I cannot guess the right type.

Everything was fine and by the book until I pull the coil and "plop" comes only a short piece, and I see some rubber seal remains in the engine.

I managed after some reading and viewing online, that this is when the rubber plug "detaches" from the coil itself, and it seems a pain to remove when stuck to the metal, and nevermind if it starts to disintegrate.

So the easy half an hour job turned into a "non job", or a recipe for disaster ... I had other tasks awaiting, after trying other two coils and no joy, I closed everything and posponed the matter.

Since I cannot trust I will be able to remove anything without permanent damage, I am thinking to upgrade directly to a better coil, any suggestions?

APR? True that one of this costs as the full set of the OE ones, there must be a reason.

PS: instead I made a brake liquid replace and bleed to the motorbike, and I went riding instead! 😁😄

6 hours ago, leolito said:

Update on the spark plugs' saga ... the other day I had a couple hours free, and two tasks to do ... I decided for the - apparently - faster one, to remove one coil and spark plug so I can order whatever is mounted there, as "online" I cannot guess the right type.

Everything was fine and by the book until I pull the coil and "plop" comes only a short piece, and I see some rubber seal remains in the engine.

I managed after some reading and viewing online, that this is when the rubber plug "detaches" from the coil itself, and it seems a pain to remove when stuck to the metal, and nevermind if it starts to disintegrate.

So the easy half an hour job turned into a "non job", or a recipe for disaster ... I had other tasks awaiting, after trying other two coils and no joy, I closed everything and posponed the matter.

Since I cannot trust I will be able to remove anything without permanent damage, I am thinking to upgrade directly to a better coil, any suggestions?

APR? True that one of this costs as the full set of the OE ones, there must be a reason.

PS: instead I made a brake liquid replace and bleed to the motorbike, and I went riding instead! 😁😄

Damn. I changed to RacingLine ones but I don’t know of any proof that they provide any better, just newer so a stronger spark.

I didn’t know OE would be a problem though. How many miles has the car done? Rubber breakdown from lots of heat cycles?

I've got 61k km, I am for first replacement of the plugs.

Browising around, the problem seems not to be uncommon, just is that is the first time I see it on myself .... will look at alternatives and then resolve, as I dowant to change the plugs. Thanks!

My 280, just over 4 years old, I’ve always fed it on the higher octane ‘5’ fuel - bit of a shortage around these parts and it looks as if I’ll have to use ‘10’ for the foreseeable - what do other 280 owners use………?

28 minutes ago, Berisford said:

My 280, just over 4 years old, I’ve always fed it on the higher octane ‘5’ fuel - bit of a shortage around these parts and it looks as if I’ll have to use ‘10’ for the foreseeable - what do other 280 owners use………?

Mines set for 97 Ron fuel.

42 minutes ago, Berisford said:

My 280, just over 4 years old, I’ve always fed it on the higher octane ‘5’ fuel - bit of a shortage around these parts and it looks as if I’ll have to use ‘10’ for the foreseeable - what do other 280 owners use………?

Ditto. I've always used Tesco Momentum 99RON in mine (supposedly better than Shell V-Power in independent tests). No shortage where I am. In fact I filled up the other day at £1.46p / litre when they had run out of Diesel completely & some of the 95RON unleaded pumps were also taped off. The 280 definitely performs better & has lower fuel consumption with 99.

I think I've only used 95RON on a couple occasions in 8 years when on holiday & couldn't find any 99RON.

UK E5 might be 97 ron min or 99 ron min, did the tuner really go for 97 ron? Some E5 might have up to 5% BioEthanol but it might have none. Tesco Momentum 99 can differ in parts of the UK as ESSO Super Unleaded does. Sainsbury's 97 ron Min might be 99 ron.

Mine's a 10 year old car and I started on Tesco 99 until I switched to Costco 97 RON when my daughter got a CostCo card a few years ago (and my local Tesco often ran out of 99 for some reason). There's the occasional top up with regular if I'm in the middle of nowhere (usually Liverpool...) and I want to top up for the trip home.

Always used 97/99 or an octane booster when E10 was the only available product. 95% it’s Tesco Momentum.

The seat memory unit has gone kaput in the last couple of days… more bloody expense.

Had heard the same about Tesco Momentum v Shell. Car is mapped for 99. Like Num, will head to Tesco if possible, or Esso or Shell.

Created a specific post…

Edited 29 March29 Mar by numskull

On 02/01/2026 at 09:36, gav_is_con said:

Thank you @travs i have seen both of those and I forgot to say no cream leather and those alloys do not float my boat.

I may have finally found one in a blue an estate 2022 280 L&K with 47k. Anything I should be looking out for and insisting is done before handing over my money. My concern is the DCC shocks always mist up before failing and dealers won’t replace on misting knowing they are going to fail anytime soon?

Spark plug should they be done officially and personally. Same with the DSG it’s 70k but people still suggest 40k on the 7 speed.

I do wonder how to get 2 years warranty etc rather than 1 year offered by doing the whole finance thing and paying off within a month if it will works. Advice welcomed on the above

Ask for the service and maintenance history (service is literally the service, everything else like haldex/dsg etc is maintenance).

On DCC don’t worry about misting, worry about leaking. One of mine went at 28k and 3 years old so they’re a bit of a ticking timebomb. Good time to upgrade to something like Bilstein B6s though.

Yes to DSG at 40k. Bonkers that Skoda changed it to 80k on the dq381 but I’m sure there’s a myriad of reasons some of which we know or suspect and others not. Either way, you’re right to get it done if not in the history.

Sparks you can do yourself if you’ve done them before. Special technique to get the electronic connectors off the coils (fingers behind, pull towards you, push up clip with thumbs).

If you have a decent independent near you with a decent reputation you trust, I wouldn’t bother with the warranty.

Haldex is every 2 years so that should have been once and second this year. Make sure they clean the gauze, not just change the oil.

Brake fluid I think is 3 years so should have been done. Air con service is every couple I think so same as haldex. Don’t quote me on that.

The good thing is the engine is seriously good. The continental (as in tyres) turbo on the high power is good for a reliable 450bhp. The hardware is the same as the Mk8 R, 8Y S3, TTS etc etc. the different outputs are down to mapping so you can remap with what must be the best bang for buck.

It’s a DNFE engine which is EA888 gen4. Not gen3. That CJXA and DNUA on the pre-facelift and any supposedly knowledgeable websites don’t realise the difference.

Good luck viewing!

11 hours ago, travs said:

Ask for the service and maintenance history (service is literally the service, everything else like haldex/dsg etc is maintenance).

On DCC don’t worry about misting, worry about leaking. One of mine went at 28k and 3 years old so they’re a bit of a ticking timebomb. Good time to upgrade to something like Bilstein B6s though.

Yes to DSG at 40k. Bonkers that Skoda changed it to 80k on the dq381 but I’m sure there’s a myriad of reasons some of which we know or suspect and others not. Either way, you’re right to get it done if not in the history.

Sparks you can do yourself if you’ve done them before. Special technique to get the electronic connectors off the coils (fingers behind, pull towards you, push up clip with thumbs).

If you have a decent independent near you with a decent reputation you trust, I wouldn’t bother with the warranty.

Haldex is every 2 years so that should have been once and second this year. Make sure they clean the gauze, not just change the oil.

Brake fluid I think is 3 years so should have been done. Air con service is every couple I think so same as haldex. Don’t quote me on that.

The good thing is the engine is seriously good. The continental (as in tyres) turbo on the high power is good for a reliable 450bhp. The hardware is the same as the Mk8 R, 8Y S3, TTS etc etc. the different outputs are down to mapping so you can remap with what must be the best bang for buck.

It’s a DNFE engine which is EA888 gen4. Not gen3. That CJXA and DNUA on the pre-facelift and any supposedly knowledgeable websites don’t realise the difference.

Good luck viewing!

Thank you very much for this info

What I discovered from the printed history

April 23 car nearly 3 years old soon. At 46k and the one owner done about 15k a year on long life regime, any concerns?

June 24 18k oil and inspection service

July 25 34k oil and inspection inc Haldex 4x4 service and pollen filter

March 26 46k oil and inspection. Brake fluid change

Recommending spark plugs and Haldex in April 2027 I thought it was mileage based ?

DSG they saying dec 27 again I thought it was miles based?

I can’t see a dealer doing the DSG free as it’s not due in their eyes until 80k as we know

Going to see it Monday anything else I need to be aware of what do you think of this. I don’t mind some opinions?

Edited 28 March28 Mar by gav_is_con
Edit

Just sounds like a high mileage driver. I think it’s mileage or time. Maybe they’ve overlooked that and just gone on time. It great but if they’re high miles driven well on the motorway then no biggy.

Weird they clearly drive high miles but didn’t have the servicing in April of each year. Anyway seems like most things have been done if not on the button. If it runs well and seems in good condition then go for it.

Don’t pay any attention to it looking clean; they’ll all be like that. What options does it have? Is it a Sportline or L&K…?

4 minutes ago, travs said:

Just sounds like a high mileage driver. I think it’s mileage or time. Maybe they’ve overlooked that and just gone on time. It great but if they’re high miles driven well on the motorway then no biggy.

Weird they clearly drive high miles but didn’t have the servicing in April of each year. Anyway seems like most things have been done if not on the button. If it runs well and seems in good condition then go for it.

Don’t pay any attention to it looking clean; they’ll all be like that. What options does it have? Is it a Sportline or L&K…?

Thanks, Yep they went long life,I think the computer tells you based on oil condition around 18k anyway, right?

I will have to see to the DSG myself if I get it.

Spec wise it’s an L&K, I wanted that. With stuff I do and don’t want. No sunroof or tow bar. It does have all standard L&K stuff not sure what’s extra is a reverse camera extra anymore? , it has that and 18” wheels thankfully

It’s an estate if I didn’t say.

The boot has no side rails and is lower than boot lip my mk2 has side rails and dividing frame, was that an option on mk3?

On 28/03/2026 at 21:49, gav_is_con said:

Thanks, Yep they went long life,I think the computer tells you based on oil condition around 18k anyway, right?

I will have to see to the DSG myself if I get it.

Spec wise it’s an L&K, I wanted that. With stuff I do and don’t want. No sunroof or tow bar. It does have all standard L&K stuff not sure what’s extra is a reverse camera extra anymore? , it has that and 18” wheels thankfully

It’s an estate if I didn’t say.

The boot has no side rails and is lower than boot lip my mk2 has side rails and dividing frame, was that an option on mk3?

Don't think reverse camera was an option. I have sunroof, (just sunroof, not pano being a hatchback) rear wiper (no cost on hatchback, probs standard on estate), hidden tow bar, extra connected USB under armrest, probably paint (black magic pearl), can't think of anything else...Oh the rear seatback drop pulls in the boot were an option too but I don't have them.

3 hours ago, travs said:

Don't think reverse camera was an option. I have sunroof, (just sunroof, not pano being a hatchback) rear wiper (no cost on hatchback, probs standard on estate), hidden tow bar, extra connected USB under armrest, probably paint (black magic pearl), can't think of anything else...Oh the rear seatback drop pulls in the boot were an option too but I don't have them.

It’s got the reverse camera with lines. And traffic sign recognition. No seats down from the boot

Is there a variable boot floor available, on these?

Few things being sorted. New windscreen non genuine replaced and coded in. Paint touch ups. Wheels refurbed. Second umbrella supplied. Replaced drivers mat. Touch up pen supplied, wheel centre caps replaced.

2 year warranty's etc etc used approved extras with cancelable finance.

The stitching on the drivers leather needs attention they won’t do this. Need someone around the midlands to look at that

Was oil serviced. AC serviced/refreshed. Front disks and pads and 2 new rear tyres. Wipers replaced. Key fob batteries replaced. Brake fluid replaced. Have to wait to collect once ready price also reduced to 24k from 25k must be a timing thing.

Variable floor and rear-controlled seat drop from the cargo area were always options that I remember.

About the spark plugs, just keep in mind that when I tried to pull the coil, the rubber grommet remained glued "stuck" to the head, which means I am ordering replacement coils to avoid a long stop-time once I start to rip apart the grommet ...

Just for info, I have DNFE 2021 with 77k km, My throttle body just died. I found on the internet 3 cases the same modification of the engine EA888 gen4 with same problem. The car is in limp mode 1500rpm max. Errors are P2101 , P2100 and P0638. I`m waiting new throttle body to be delivered from the local VAG store is 568 euro, 20 euro gasket and four new bolts 1.5 Euro per bolt.

Edited 1 April1 Apr by NDW89

Good to know. I had an engine light the day before the first MOT. Car was fine but it turned out to be a throttle actuator needing resetting so good to know it could be something a little more permanent.

Good to know. Sorry for your woes ....

What’s the best mobile scanner and dongle for these cars as my VCDS seems to be not compatible with anything maybe later than 2019 me thinks as the person I bought it off told me. When I scanned the car at the dealership it did read some stuff but kept saying something about software or interface not compatible ?