Sat Nav screen a little vague and cannot work out how to put a postcode into it (I know you can as the salesman entered my address into it when I picked it up using this method) but all may be revealed when I get the Infotianment Manual that was missing from the folder! also might then be able to work out how to get the mp3 player to play on random.

SatNav Postcodes: Choose "New Destination" then tap the "City" entry. This brings up the keyboard and bottom left is the Postcode button. I haven't found this mentioned anywhere in the manual! Nor have I found a way to do this using just voice command.

MP3 random play: It may depend on the type of mp3 player you're using, but normally with the Media screen active and an audio file playing, use the voice command "Mix" or use the repeat/previous/play/next/random buttons below the name/artist. In Setup (the cog wheel) you can choose if random/mix plays from the current folder only or includes sub-folders.

 

If you have an Android or iOS device, you can get the free Škoda Manuals app from the relevant app store, which then lets you choose any of the interactive manuals,  vehicle owner and/or infotainment system.

Thanks billyjim, found the postcode entry, Infotainment manual is being sent to me by the dealers, I do have it on the phone but easier to read a book!

I'm using a memory stick in the usb socket for the mp3s, will have another look to see if I can find the random setting.

 

Forgot to say earlier, the sound the car makes is addictive, especially after ten years of diesels, reminds me of the Mitsubishi VR4 I had, but the four is a little harsher than the sweet V6 of the Mitsubishi. Can't wait till it's run in and I can use the full rev range!

Found the random setting, not sure how! but it works.

Can't wait till it's run in and I can use the full rev range!

Now that my mileage is well into four figures... 

I've used kickdown at speeds of around 50 mph when getting in the quick overtakes and it's impressive.

Last night, however, I was in a 30 mph limit and the only car on the road until someone came from behind at high speed and rather than overtake it decided to sit dangerously close behind me - I couldn't even see their headlights.

As I approached the derestriction sign I did a kickdown from 30 for the first time.

I was forcibly, and violently, pushed into the back of my seat and was glad I'd set my headrest correctly when the back of my head hit it.

Within seconds it reached 3 figures.

I've driven some very fast cars, mostly "works vehicles" related to my previous job, but I didn't anticipate that from a Superb, considering I was in Normal driving mode and D, so none of the "Sport" modes were enabled.

 

The tailgater? Never saw him (or her) again.

 

God, I love my 280 - I want to have its babies.

Yea, that's what my old Mitsubishi VRS used to be like, I had many a biker scratching their heads wondering why they couldn't shake me off, hoping the 280 is the same!

I've had a play with the driving modes. Running normal but with sport steering. Makes a big difference. Should have tried it weeks ago !

The sport steering setting is also perfect for me, I have the gears set on normal and have realised that you can quickly change to sport just by flicking the gear stick so this is also perfect for me, only tried the suspension in comfort so far it's so comfy I don't wanna try anything else!

Now that my mileage is well into four figures... 

I've used kickdown at speeds of around 50 mph when getting in the quick overtakes and it's impressive.

Last night, however, I was in a 30 mph limit and the only car on the road until someone came from behind at high speed and rather than overtake it decided to sit dangerously close behind me - I couldn't even see their headlights.

As I approached the derestriction sign I did a kickdown from 30 for the first time.

I was forcibly, and violently, pushed into the back of my seat and was glad I'd set my headrest correctly when the back of my head hit it.

Within seconds it reached 3 figures.

I've driven some very fast cars, mostly "works vehicles" related to my previous job, but I didn't anticipate that from a Superb, considering I was in Normal driving mode and D, so none of the "Sport" modes were enabled.

 

The tailgater? Never saw him (or her) again.

 

God, I love my 280 - I want to have its babies.

I've not used kickdown yet, used "S" to scoot away from traffic lights 3/4 times but that's all.

 

I'll have to experiment, with "only" 251 ps & fwd it might be dramatic, but much slower than yours................

 

Q? I suspect hat at 30 mph the transmission would drop back to 2nd rather than 1st, did you manage to notice what was going on? 

 

Keep enjoying your Super B,

 

DC.

Q? I suspect hat at 30 mph the transmission would drop back to 2nd rather than 1st, did you manage to notice what was going on? 

Sorry, DC. It was something that I normally wouldn't do. The way the car responded took me completely by surprise, probably as much as the a-hole behind me! It was a soiled pants moment - and I don't mean poo-poo!! I don't think the stupid "Clarkson Grin" left my face until long after I got home.

Sounds like your having fun in your "non-sporty" car

Having made the 'sensible choice' for my S3 I have been getting a bit nostalgic about petrol driven horses under the bonnet. So.......

 

I just had to take SWMBO's 240 V6 horses for a ride this afternoon. (Jag 3.0 s type). I feel a bit better now and think I will be able to keep reading this topic for a while longer

 

I think the S3 is a great car, diesel or petrol, but I do miss that purr all too often. Enjoy your cars guys; I am not really all that jealous. Well maybe just a touch

Well, it’s nice to know that media predictions of zero 280 sales were not quite correct. Mind you, are the owners posting on here perhaps the sum total UK customer base?

 

Not to worry; mine arrives late January (I’m temporarily driving a 190 PS – also estate, L&K and 4x4).

 

It’s the 280’s stealthiness that attracted me: plenty of go without showing off about it. I get my motorsport on race circuits and do not believe there is any such thing as a 'sports car' – no matter what shape or specification – unless it's used for actual sport on tracks. So why pretend?

 

Report to follow; especially also on the many miles (kilometres) I cover on German autobahns – that’ll probably suck the tank dry in less than 200 miles.

 

After 17 years of diesel – from the rather dismal ones way back then to the very good ones these days – it was time for a change, and if you’re going to go petrol you might as well go all the way.

On the subject of the SatNav and post codes: unlike the previous-generation Columbus system, this new one is annoyingly geared to the (very weak) German postal code system. So you have to select ‘city’, then ‘postcode’ and then switch from numeric (German system) to ‘ABC’.

 

Where’s the progress here? – but it’s a minor nuisance…

 

Also, for a swift traffic-light getaway I would certainly recommend ‘sport’ mode. Even the 190 – no slouch either – then bogs down / lifts its nose quite a lot and generally feels rather wallowing in normal mode.

I know of two other people who have ordered the 280,so i think sales are better than they thought they would be,was originally forecast to sell around 100 a year my dealer told me,he said 4 sold from their dealership allready! Couple of points to make,i use the car on alternate days,use a mini clubvan as well,46 miles each way,35 of them motorway,set cruise control to 70 mph on the 280,allways ave around 33mpg for the complete journey,if i set the cruise to 75 mph,it allways ave around 35mpg,bizzare,must be the optimum cruise speed.(mini averages 53mpg hence alternate days usage!) Loving the stealth machine,except for the poor side wind stability,its the worst car ive had in this respect for many a car,early ford sierra being the worst,other than that,well pleased.just wish you could buy a chrome strip for the bottom of the tailgate like i bought for my octavia 111,think it really needs it.kevin.

P.s fuel a pound a litre by christmas,wasnt such a bad decision buying a 280 was it,for now anyway!

Getting 33mpg at 70mph today as well, I'll try it at 75 next time!

I know of two other people who have ordered the 280,so i think sales are better than they thought they would be,was originally forecast to sell around 100 a year my dealer told me,he said 4 sold from their dealership allready! Couple of points to make,i use the car on alternate days,use a mini clubvan as well,46 miles each way,35 of them motorway,set cruise control to 70 mph on the 280,allways ave around 33mpg for the complete journey,if i set the cruise to 75 mph,it allways ave around 35mpg,bizzare,must be the optimum cruise speed.(mini averages 53mpg hence alternate days usage!) Loving the stealth machine,except for the poor side wind stability,its the worst car ive had in this respect for many a car,early ford sierra being the worst,other than that,well pleased.just wish you could buy a chrome strip for the bottom of the tailgate like i bought for my octavia 111,think it really needs it.kevin.

 

You can buy a strip ! I have one in the gararge !

Q? I suspect hat at 30 mph the transmission would drop back to 2nd rather than 1st, did you manage to notice what was going on? 

Just for the hell of it, I gave it another go. At 30mph it drops from 5th to 2nd then red-lines it all the way up. Considerable nose lift but no lightening of the steering and absolutely zero torque steer, steady as a rock. You can feel the majority of the power is being delivered to the rear. Steady as a rock.

It's not so much fun when you already know how it's going to respond! More of a "let's go, baby" feeling than a "holy crap".

Nor is it as sweet a sound as some of the V6, V8, straight six and T-5s I've driven, but considering it's giving a similar punch (and in some cases more) from just 2 litres I can forgive that.

 

So now I've got that out of the way it's back to being Mr Sensible - at least until next week when I get to play on the Autobahn! 

Nor is it as sweet a sound as some of the V6, V8, straight six and T-5s I've driven, but considering it's giving a similar punch (and in some cases more) from just 2 litres I can forgive that.

 

 

Couldn’t agree more, except maybe that for really sweet sound none of the above can cut it in comparison with a ****el/rotary anyway (that’s what I use for my track fix ).

 

Be aware of this re driving in Germany this time of year: you’ll find many people driving their fast cars more slowly than they would at other times because they’re on speed-limited winter tyres (often on plain steel rims – not a nice sight). I understand that’s because, while not actually mandatory, winter tyres effectively are as not having them might well go against you if/when there's an insurance claim. Winter tyres are typically limited to 180 km/h, although you can buy ones that are rated up to 270 km/h – a tad ridiculous, in my view.

 

Furthermore, does the 280 supplied in the UK even come with summer tyres that are rated for the speed of which the car is capable - but which is of course not legally possible here. Do they make that saving because they can? I was meaning to ask the dealer. They would need to be at least ZR-rated.

 

Also for high-speed driving: make sure your tyre pressures are spot on, allowing for the fact that high speed will generate more heat/pressure. The good news is that the system provided for checking / changing tyre pressure at all service stations in Germany is simply brilliant (and many decades old).

Couldn’t agree more, except maybe that for really sweet sound none of the above can cut it in comparison with a ****el/rotary anyway (that’s what I use for my track fix ).

 

Be aware of this re driving in Germany this time of year: you’ll find many people driving their fast cars more slowly than they would at other times because they’re on speed-limited winter tyres (often on plain steel rims – not a nice sight). I understand that’s because, while not actually mandatory, winter tyres effectively are as not having them might well go against you if/when there's an insurance claim. Winter tyres are typically limited to 180 km/h, although you can buy ones that are rated up to 270 km/h – a tad ridiculous, in my view.

 

Furthermore, does the 280 supplied in the UK even come with summer tyres that are rated for the speed of which the car is capable - but which is of course not legally possible here. Do they make that saving because they can? I was meaning to ask the dealer. They would need to be at least ZR-rated.

 

Also for high-speed driving: make sure your tyre pressures are spot on, allowing for the fact that high speed will generate more heat/pressure. The good news is that the system provided for checking / changing tyre pressure at all service stations in Germany is simply brilliant (and many decades old).

Do you meant the portable compressed air tank? If so, I'd have to agree, no more fighting with a long air-line!

 

DC

Couldn’t agree more, except maybe that for really sweet sound none of the above can cut it in comparison with a ****el/rotary anyway (that’s what I use for my track fix ).

 

.

No. 2 step-son has an RX8, it does sound great, but his mother's 257 bhp Octy vRS can keep-up (in a straight line) & burns less fuel...

Said lady has also owned an RX8 but admits that her Skoda is much more usable, good power & good torque + DSG = lazy / quick motoring.

 

Grannies with lead boots, what's the world coming to.........

 

DC

Just for the hell of it, I gave it another go. At 30mph it drops from 5th to 2nd then red-lines it all the way up. Considerable nose lift but no lightening of the steering and absolutely zero torque steer, steady as a rock. You can feel the majority of the power is being delivered to the rear. Steady as a rock.

It's not so much fun when you already know how it's going to respond! More of a "let's go, baby" feeling than a "holy crap".

Nor is it as sweet a sound as some of the V6, V8, straight six and T-5s I've driven, but considering it's giving a similar punch (and in some cases more) from just 2 litres I can forgive that.

 

So now I've got that out of the way it's back to being Mr Sensible - at least until next week when I get to play on the Autobahn! 

Thanks BillyJim for experimenting............. I'd love AWD.

 

DC

Couldn’t agree more, except maybe that for really sweet sound none of the above can cut it in comparison with a ****el/rotary anyway (that’s what I use for my track fix ).

 

Be aware of this re driving in Germany this time of year: you’ll find many people driving their fast cars more slowly than they would at other times because they’re on speed-limited winter tyres (often on plain steel rims – not a nice sight). I understand that’s because, while not actually mandatory, winter tyres effectively are as not having them might well go against you if/when there's an insurance claim. Winter tyres are typically limited to 180 km/h, although you can buy ones that are rated up to 270 km/h – a tad ridiculous, in my view.

 

Furthermore, does the 280 supplied in the UK even come with summer tyres that are rated for the speed of which the car is capable - but which is of course not legally possible here. Do they make that saving because they can? I was meaning to ask the dealer. They would need to be at least ZR-rated.

 

Also for high-speed driving: make sure your tyre pressures are spot on, allowing for the fact that high speed will generate more heat/pressure. The good news is that the system provided for checking / changing tyre pressure at all service stations in Germany is simply brilliant (and many decades old).

 

Thanks for the advice and I appreciate the intention, but I'm actually far from being a newbie when it comes to continental motoring or driving performance cars. I have been doing anything from 3 to 10 road trips a year to Germany for the last 35 years and I always spend Christmas there. Over the years I've encountered most of the worst conditions - snow blizzard (so heavy that I had to hole up in a hotel until it passed), freezing fog (I had to stop in every rest area to remove ice from the front of the car), and worst of all, ice-rain.

After 25 years of having been a class-1 police traffic officer (I do usually try to keep that quiet!), a collision investigator and a casualty reduction officer,  I'm fairly well versed in handling high performance road vehicles (actually a VVankel* is about the only engine type I've never had the opportunity to drive - hey, Felix, you were a German, as were your mate's Rudolph Diesel and Nikolaus Otto). I know some of my posts may make me sound like I'm a little gung-ho but they're meant to be light-hearted tongue-in-cheek and safety is always my top priority. (Oh, and just to really make it sound like I'm bragging, I've done Brands and Silverstone too).

 

The 280 is speed-limited to 155mph (250km/h) and comes with W rated tyres (168mph 270km/h) - at least I'm pretty certain that's what they were, but they're now hibernating in their tyre blankets until next year.

I've also gone for the "tad ridiculous" W rated winter tyres based simply on my not wishing to tyre-restrict the car's performance. I've always tried to go for winter tyres rated above the vehicle's top speed.

 

In regards to the law on winter tyres in Germany, you're required to have tyres fitted that are suitable to the prevailing conditions. So if there's snow, sleet, hail or ice you must have winter tyres and without them can be subject to a spot fine, penalty points, and may even have a prohibition of movement issued and have your car removed at your expense. If you're involved in any kind of incident that causes inconvenience to other road users as a result of not having the correct tyres, all penalties are automatically doubled.

 

As for high speed driving on the Autobahn, there are now so many speed limits in force, never mind the number of Baustelle - wir Bauen für Sie, that the opportunity to really open her up is becoming more restrictive each passing year.

And for non-German readers, that translates as "Roadworks - we're building for you".

Personally, the greater driving enjoyment in Germany comes not on the Autobahn, but rather the high quality rural roads which really do put this country's roads to shame.

 

Edit: (* Ha, that'll teach the spellchecker! Trying to replace a highly respected German name with a load of asterisks)

Edited 10 December, 201510 yr by BillyJim

Ah, then do please pardon my assumption, which would probably match most people. I did consider adding a disclaimer like “just in case you didn’t know that already”.

 

Very true about roadworks and other restrictions on autobahns, and the unlimited thing is usually a real pain, actually. As you will know only too well, the inside lane(s) are full of trucks most of the time, so to ‘keep your place’ in the outside lane and not be blocked in between trucks and other ‘slow’ traffic you have to play this accordion game: hit the throttle hard as soon as the road ahead clears a bit and then slam on the brakes again a few moments later; again, and again, and again. It’s a complete nonsense. Having no limit makes it impossible for traffic to flow nicely.

 

I just love the new adaptive cruise when travelling and am not quite sure why I ordered the 280 now... It must be these winter months away from the track.

 

VVankel – that’s good! Or how about UUankel? I've been totally hooked on them ever since my first drive decades ago. They’re the most addictive engines! And my present toy (very much track only) is far, far more ‘hard-core’ than an RX8. Pat Symonds once came up to me, looked at the engine and said: "Why have all those bits bashing up and down when you don’t have to.”

 

Yes, I meant the portable compressed air tanks.

Edited 10 December, 201510 yr by eurotraveller

Quite windy again today,changed adaptive damping to normal for the motorway part of my journey,much better in the wind than the comfort setting,was like being in a rocking chair before,its all about getting used to the car and the settings.comfort mode on the back roads,normal setting on major roads/motorways from now on.also for the first time let the car find an available parking spot,and then got it to do the parking,amazing watching the steering wheel twirl about in front of me,parked inch perfect,god you could pass youre driving test first time in one of these babies with all those driving aid's.lastly,took dad to pick up his new fabia monte carlo 1.2tsi 110 dsg,i drove it home for him,what a bloody lovely little motor,he is as pleased as punch.i know its on the wrong forum,have posted a pic in case the missis needs a car to fit in the same stable!! Kevin.