Hello everyone,

Hooray finally got it a big thumbs up to Simpson SKODA, Colne. Wayne dealt with the sale he is a real gentleman was very helpful. I was very impressed with the service I recieved very helpful and not pushy at all when I went to view it last Sunday, let me have a test drive on my own! and gave me a bit of a discount.

Skoda Octavia 1.8T 4x4 Elegance Estate Eucalyptus (Metallic) 2002 model with 41,000 miles on the clock. Tinted windows (factory), Cruise Control, 40,000 mile service, MOT 12 months and Road Tax until April 2006. The only thing that will take a bit of getting used to is the 'Walnut' inserts on the dash the wife likes them so who cares.

Took the train from Manchester to Colne Wayne picked me up from the station (I thought that was a nice touch). Signed two documents, showed everything on the car, one 'Switch' transaction and drove the car away. I was really impressed with the service everyone was nice and polite which makes a nice change. I will definetly be driving there for all my servicing and maintenance work. Try them out...

Drove home very responsive and solid...great to be in an Octy again...wife was happy, son was going mad with excitement.

Getting Goodyear Eagle F1's fitted tommorow (hopefully) and will be fitting the Philips Vision Plus headlights with the 'Blue' sidelights. Filled it up with BP Ultimate (EVO Magazine stated it gave the best performance). Getting Body and upholstery 'coated' with 'Autoglym' coatings by my local Valeter once I have booked it in.

Does anyone have any suggestions for tyre pressure that will suit a 'softer' compound tyre that would benefit 'enthusiastic' driving? Are the headlight bulbs easy to change? Why is the bulb that funny shape and is it better than the normal H4 Philips Vision Plus bulb?

Aaquil.

Tyres fitted today at 'Event Tyres' in Old Trafford. Nice bunch of guys efficient and use a torque wrench for the wheels that makes a nice change. Soon to be booked in for the coatings.

The wooden (walnut) insert around my CD player is peeling off at the top! Does anyone know a place I can get it properly and professionally fixed back on?

Bulbs to go on next...

Sounds nice, get some pics up

What did you pay for the Eagles? Not heard of that place, and I'm not far from there either.

Steve

well done, that's the one you beat me to! Useful to know about the dealer so I'll move faster if I see another 4x4 estate! Will follow any further postings on your experience with it.

I bought my '02 4x4 estate from Simpsons of Colne as well - I paid over the phone not even having seen the car and they delivered it 2 days later!

And it's almost the dog's...

All i need is to get it chipped - any suggestions for a tuner near South Shropshire?

Excellent news Aaquil.

I'm sure this one will be better than the last one you had.

I paid £304 for tyres, balancing, old tyre disposal and tracking check (which was spot on apparently). I also got a drivers pack from Goodyear (Booster cable - cig lighter to cig lighter, ice scraper, screen wash, deicer, work gloves in a blue case okay for free!). The service there is excellent they have a mobile service as well. Tell them the asian guy with the beard recommended them as I've been there 4 times recently (Eagle f1s for the first Octy, replacement punctured tyre, Continental EcoContacts for the wifes Punto - they gave my son a Continental drinking mug that changed colour when it gets hot that time he was really chuffed!and this time round).

Guys put Simpsons at Colne on your list for sales defo I'll see how servicing sessions go and let you all know. At least its a way of learning knowledge from experience about different dealers.

I would like to get the car remapped but warranty and high Insurance costs will not allow at the moment. Actually I have quite a long mod list but SWMBO will not allow (well as long as I don't tell her...).

Dr thanks for that I hope it is a much better car than the last one. I will put some pics up once (if) I get my camera pics. The Eucalyptus looks quite nice actually.

Fitted new wiper blades today from Halfrauds. Bosch ones I was going to do the headlight bulbs but ran out of time as SWMBO Punto took absolutely ages to fit. Had to pull the whole headlight unit out on the passenger side to allow the casing to be removed and fit them!

The weird walnut finish is nasty sticky back plastic stuff. My son (5 and a half years old) said: "Aaquil the wooden stuff moved near the door handle!" I looked at it and Lo and Behold it had moved forward eqasily peeled off leaving very littler residue. Should I pull them all off some look a bit better stuck on than others. Its all over the dash. I suppose I could get used to it.

Got one of them flashy air freshner 'Poppy Coral' Lemon Zest fitted it on the dash looks nice and smells quite good as well.

I will probably fit the Philip headlights/ sidelights on Tuesday will let you know how they go. The car is pulling really well and feels tight, solid and handles sooo good. I think the Eagle F1's will suit it good.

You can get replacement trim kits for the dash but they're really expensive - over 150 quid if I recall correctly.

Might be worth trying to find a written off car at a scrappers and nicking the trim from that.

Thanks mate but I am considering ripping it all off!!!

Fitted the Philips Vision Plus yesterday - Headlights and sidelights. Beam seems a lot brighter, whiter and crisper. Better when driving as well. the originals looked yellow and the glass of the old sidelight bulbs had blackened. I would defo recommend them. The Eagle F1's seem to be bedding in well. Taking the car to local Valeters today to get Upholstery cleaned and washed then protective coatings applied. Outside valet and coating tommorow. Will let you know how it goes.

Sounds like you are doing well with your car!

On the topic of trim, mine had the walnut trim on, which really didn't work with the red paint job and grey interior - the dealer removed it before I picked it up, and there is no sign of any stick residue. I don't know how they did it, but perhaps heating it up with a hairdryer to loosen the adhesive might be a good starting point?

33.5 front, 35 rear

Glad you like your car

Thanks a lot for the advice guys...There is a slight glitch. I will let you know in a while. Something to do with paintwork!!!

Right... Got the car 'Lifeshined' today by my Local Valeter its a Autoglym product. The car is valeted and all the upholstery, carpets etc. are washed then a protective coating placed on them. I went to pick up the car. Apparently the whole driver side of the car has been resprayed!!! I could not tell but the next door 'bodywork' guy spotted it straight away. There is a small area of rust just on the inside section of the rear driver door and what looks like a rust bubble under the paintwork just under the rear window of the boot hatch!!! I spoke to Wayne at Skoda and he said take it straight in on Saturday and they will assess it then speak to Skoda. When I spoke to him I asked as I did before was it HPI clear and he reassured me that it defo was.

Honeymoon period over...?

Boo hoo is that bad news would warranty cover this?

Aaquil.

HPI checks will only show if it has been written off.

The car could have been in a hefty accident and still show clear.

I'd be back at the dealers getting the car checke over thoroughly and any rust made good

Thanks for that...I am going on Saturday I will mention that I want them to confirm it has not been in an accident.

33.5 front' date=' 35 rear

Glad you like your car [/quote']

I thought front and rear were supposed to be the same on the 4x4?

I run 32psi all round running 225/45/18 F1's.

Eddy

Mine are standard 16 invh alloys so what pressure then?!!

Eddy

Mine are standard 16 invh alloys so what pressure then?!!

The ones printed under the fuel filler cap are a good starting point but there's nothing wrong with experimenting to get something you're happy with.

Thanks for that...thicko or what?!!

Got a call from Wayne today. he asked if I could e-mail him pictures of the rust spots on the car as he did not want me to travel all the way to 'Simpson' and the head of the service department is not working tommorow. So I will send them and let you know what happens.

Sent the pictures by e-mail today. Will wait for the call this week and will let you know. Funny on the 'Multi-point check list' it states in one section:

CHECK BODY FOR DAMAGE AND SIGNS OF APPARENT REPAIRS. CHECK PAINTWORK FOR BLEMISHES AND CORROSION

There is a big fat tick next to it in the box labelled 'Approved'. Should I start worrying now or later?!!!

I took it down to Colne today. Spoke to Wayne who said that the previous owner was contacted and apparently the side of the car that was resprayed had a big scratch put across it hence the respray. He guaranteed that the car had not be crash damaged. Anyway another guys Keith I think who would be dealing with all bodywork, technical problems looked at the problems with myself and Wayne. Agreed with the rust bubble on the back but was being a bit funny with the pain flaking and exposing rust in the front of the back door. He did say that they would sort it out. The 'airbag' light was a faulty sensor and the ssqueaky sound from the wheels when reversing he could not hear (?). The last thing was the lack of tuning into medium wave on the radio I can't get 'Five Live' (909)!!!

I will let you know how it goes they are going to get back in touch.

I had some problems with the paint on the tailgate. Was sorted quickly under warranty.