Has anyone had to replace their grill in mark 3 Octavia? I noticed mine was damaged this morning when washing it. It looks as if someone in 4x4 with high bumpers has reversed into it and damaged the insert. Fortunately there doesn't appear to be any other parts that have been touched, so it could have been much worse. I can see four torx screws across the top with the bonnet open, but does anyone know what else needs to be undone?

Sorry to tell you but it's a bumper off job.

On the upside if you wanted the black grill surround you can fit it at the same time.

Try this?

Try this?

this the grill I've got to do but ain't had the time yet

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/313708-octavia-3-iii-vrs-front-bumper-removal-how-to/

Edited 22 January, 20179 yr by Croat

Thanks all for the update.  Looks a right pain in the ar$e to do.  I've been told by the local Skoda dealer that the grill is only supplied with the bumper, but I've managed to secure a grill on it's own (which may or may not be OE, but looks okay).  Is the original grill plastic welded to the bumper, or once the bumper is off, can the grill be replaced?  From the availability of a honeycomb insert from Superskoda, it seems that they should, but I am slightly concerned.

 

I can imagine some insurance companies won't be too wild about claims for a whole bumper/grill assembly when just the grill is required, as if I can't separate the two parts, it will probably have to go through the insurance.

It's plastic welded unfortunately. The joins need to be melted or cut, and the new grille plastic welded, or possibly bonded, back in. The links mentioned above should help explain.

Edited 24 January, 20179 yr by pist0nbr0ke
Bad speeelllling :o

I have a similarly damaged front grill, pigeon-damage from a year or two back. Just enough damage to mean a replacement.

 

I've bought just the grill and will be attempting the bumper-off fix should it arrive in time this weekend. I have bought some 'Tiger Seal' from amazon, and this stuff is supposedly use to fix spoilers etc. to vehicles so I'm hopeful this will be sufficient to replace the need to high-frequency weld the thing into place like they do at the factory (which means I would have to try the old hot-knife plastic fix on a rather large scale!). As you say, it is held in place at the top by a good spread of torx screws as well. I do know that another Briskodian member had a garage do something similar to replace his grill that had also been broken by low flying pigeons. He felt they had effected a good fix.

 

I do think this solution is rather forced on one, as having to replace a fully painted front bumper for what is a 30-40 pound part is somewhat extreme! No wonder insurance costs are high if motor manufacturers build-in nonsense like that (think of the labour and paint costs...). And who wants to ruin a NCB and have a nice juicy excess payment for something that should be easily swapped out, the rest of the front plastic grills are replaceable...Rant over.

 

If I'm successful, I'll report back on how the job went.

Thanks all for the replies.  As previously stated, I managed to secure a replacement grill from eBay which turned out to be genuine, but equipped with stickers that indicate that it was from a non UK car (not that that matters!!).  It even had the 'Black Pack' trim, to match my car!!

 

I went to see someone I know in Northampton who runs a motor body repair shop (specialising in 'smart' repairs) and he stripped the front bumper off and was amazed and disappointed to see that the grill was welded in.  Being extremely resourceful, he carefully cut the excess welds from the inside of the grill, leaving what was left of the positioning lugs on which to secure the new grill and with a gas soldering iron, spread the lugs back over the back of the grill to secure it.  Once done, the bumper was refitted to the car and it is now back to its previous pristine condition.

 

He estimated that to buy, paint and fit a new bumper (and grill), it would be circa £800 - £1000, but including the replacement grill and his time, I got away with it for about £200 - still enough, but a lot less than it could have been.

 

I am now in the process of writing a letter to Skoda expressing my concerns over the manufacturing process and potential repair costs that are now faced and asking for an explanation or justification of the same.  I will update with any positive progress.

 

Not holding my breath . . . . . . . . . . .

31 minutes ago, Mouldy said:

I am now in the process of writing a letter to Skoda expressing my concerns over the manufacturing process and potential repair costs that are now faced and asking for an explanation or justification of the same.  I will update with any positive progress.

 

Not holding my breath . . . . . . . . . . .

Cars are now designed for speed of production with little or no thought given to servicing, maintenance or repair issues.

 

Even replacing a front indicator bulb on an Octavia 3 with halogen headlamps (not sure about Xenons) is a bumper off job...how crazy is that 

On 29/01/2017 at 17:10, Mouldy said:

Thanks all for the replies.  As previously stated, I managed to secure a replacement grill from eBay which turned out to be genuine, but equipped with stickers that indicate that it was from a non UK car (not that that matters!!).  It even had the 'Black Pack' trim, to match my car!!

 

I went to see someone I know in Northampton who runs a motor body repair shop (specialising in 'smart' repairs) and he stripped the front bumper off and was amazed and disappointed to see that the grill was welded in.  Being extremely resourceful, he carefully cut the excess welds from the inside of the grill, leaving what was left of the positioning lugs on which to secure the new grill and with a gas soldering iron, spread the lugs back over the back of the grill to secure it.  Once done, the bumper was refitted to the car and it is now back to its previous pristine condition.

 

He estimated that to buy, paint and fit a new bumper (and grill), it would be circa £800 - £1000, but including the replacement grill and his time, I got away with it for about £200 - still enough, but a lot less than it could have been.

 

I am now in the process of writing a letter to Skoda expressing my concerns over the manufacturing process and potential repair costs that are now faced and asking for an explanation or justification of the same.  I will update with any positive progress.

 

Not holding my breath . . . . . . . . . . .

 

Hi Mouldy. I have a similar situation and don't want to pay £800. Could you tell me where you got the replacement part and where they did the work? I'm not that far from Northampton. 

57 minutes ago, Bungalows said:

 

Hi Mouldy. I have a similar situation and don't want to pay £800. Could you tell me where you got the replacement part and where they did the work? I'm not that far from Northampton. 

 

Grille for sale here if it helps:

 

On 18/05/2018 at 08:09, Bungalows said:

 

Hi Mouldy. I have a similar situation and don't want to pay £800. Could you tell me where you got the replacement part and where they did the work? I'm not that far from Northampton. 

 

I got lucky and managed to get a new grill from eBay, which was fitted by Gary at Cosmetic Autocare in Northampton.