Hi

 

I am currently driving an old Ford Mondeo and for the annual holiday we have an Halfords roofbox with Thule square bars etc.  Now the current car is not the sprightliest thing in the world, so speed limits etc have not been a concern. 

 

Now that I am upgrading to the L&K 220hp Petrol we obviously need new feet for the bars etc but are thinking that it would also be a good time to upgrade the box so we can where possible pick the speed up a bit on the motorways of Europe.  Also the current box only opens on one side and trying to fix the box etc on the opposite side is a great balancing act whilst standing on the door sill of the car.

 

Does anyone have any recommendations?

 

Have spoke to the dealer and they have offered a 380L box at £318 which they say is basically a Thule box and also the bars and feet at £168 which again he said were Thule.  I forgot to ask if they were the square or the aerodynamic ones.  So looking here at £486 assuming the bars are the aero ones.

 

Thanks

 

Paul

Get the part numbers from the accessory cataloge then call up your local Trades Parts Specialists (Google VAG TPS).

TPS is VAG trade arm and supply nearly all the dealers with parts, spares and accessories.

They will get you the same box and bars the stealers would have, but for about £50+ less. All they require is your VIN #and you are sorted.

Get the part numbers from the accessory cataloge then call up your local Trades Parts Specialists (Google VAG TPS).

TPS is VAG trade arm and supply nearly all the dealers with parts, spares and accessories.

They will get you the same box and bars the stealers would have, but for about £50+ less. All they require is your VIN #and you are sorted.

 

How is this possible if you arent in the trade?

How is this possible if you arent in the trade?

All money is the same. I just emailed my local TPS, they gave me 8% off. Great service, next day availability on anything with a VAG part number.

You can buy absolutly anything in/on your car from them. I once broke the on off rocker switch in my Golfs roof lights in the front when I caught it by accident putting something in the car.

I visited them, they took my VIN and brought my car up on screen in its built configuration. Selected the part, I paid for it and said it would be there in stock in around 3days.

£2.77 it cost and when it arrived the salesman even came out n showed me the little clips to undo which would make fitting it so much easier.

I also call them up, give VIN over the phone and order a service kit (all bits n filters etc) just in time for my cars service. Then all I have to do is negotiate the cost of labour with the garage which again saves me a fortune.

To give you an idea of the savings, VW charged me £56 for my 4.3ltrs of oil at my first service. The same 5ltr jug of oil they used cost me £22 from TPS the next time after some haggling (shoulda been £28). Total savings on parts, probs £50ish maybe some more. A service for £45 and that's all in £60 per service, & a good saving over 5 years.

That expensive Skoda umbrella that comes with the Superb, not so expensive from TPS. All you need is a part number n bobs ur uncle. Give them a go for absolutely anything, example fitting LED number plate lights from an Audi A6 to your skoda, they will tell you if it will fit or not and how much it is. They didn't fit mine but that saved me buying some and finding out afterwards.

Ps: Some of the TPS around UK can be difficult to deal with. Some may not trade with you at all however most I have visited have been as good as gold, and correct everytime unlike Halfords.

2nd: Real savings can be made if your turbo (example only) goes and your car is out of warranty. SKODA dealer says it will cost £1200, TPS £980 etc etc.

Chassis number and a couple of packets of biscuts (to get the independent garage "Trade" price. A real saving to your pocket can be made just as a passing shopper.

Why more on this forum and other forums do not scream this from the rooftops I do not know! Never complain about expensive mudflaps, pay 2/3rd at TPS.

Simples.

Thanks for the replies, apologies for the delay in replying but I have been away for a few days.

 

I will get the codes from the dealer when I speak with them next.

I'm not sure if you are going for the hatchback or the estate but I've just found the official Skoda S3 Estate bars listed here:

http://www.theskodashop.co.uk/product/Roof_Bars_-_Estate_3V9071151

 

With 10% off they are still expensive at £216. It may be cheaper to buy Thule own brand ones that can fit your car.

 

I already have a Thule roof box (a Touring 100) and the instructions advise speeds should not exceed 80mph (130kph) with the roof box fitted.

Looking at alternatives there are cheaper options out there for the bars.

 

e.g. for Superb Estate - http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel3.php?query=7757&emulate=roofbar&vptype=423553

 

I quite like the look of the Atera SIGNO RT aluminium bars reasonably priced at £135.

I'm not sure if you are going for the hatchback or the estate but I've just found the official Skoda S3 Estate bars listed here:

http://www.theskodashop.co.uk/product/Roof_Bars_-_Estate_3V9071151

 

With 10% off they are still expensive at £216. It may be cheaper to buy Thule own brand ones that can fit your car.

 

I already have a Thule roof box (a Touring 100) and the instructions advise speeds should not exceed 80mph (130kph) with the roof box fitted.

 

Thanks, it is the hatch that I am going for.

 

I am certainly looking at the Thule products as I think that they are good quality and it seems silly to spend a fortune on a great car and then skimp on the extras.

 

The website you link to is my local dealer and where I am getting my car from, the parts team that gave me the prices said that Skoda's products are just Thule products.