Who or what is the biggest threat to SKODA?

[wellsy1]

11 minutes ago, Doug1 said:

As long as it works I am not overly fussy.  Also I do not think the twin lights look particularly good 

I don’t mind the look to be fair . I do like the look of the mark 4, however the issues I’ve just had with a 4 1/2 year old car with just of 40k on it I’m questioning Skoda/VW build quality. 
cost to repair stuff seems high. While it’s being repaired I’ve put my wife’s 2009 fiesta back on the road. Things bullet proof. 

[Benjum]

48 minutes ago, wellsy1 said:

I do think it’s hard to find a good dealer for most brands. With all the cars I’ve owned I’ve always used main dealer ( more fool me I guess, I pay a lot more for servicing but I felt comfortable expecting a bit of loyalty) 

Loyalty is missing from lots of companies now. 
I also think the online service records Are naughty . Ok I like the idea but they will only record services processed at a skoda dealer. You can purchase a skoda service book to collect stamps but to move over to online system and only allow dealers to record is naughty. 
 

Just had mine  serviced with a full inspection by the garage who serviced my previous car (Passat) for the last 10 years. Stuff Truscotts! The oil filter the dealership fitted on the last service was loose and leaking down onto the splash guard - Lucky it didn't blow off! The splash guard fixings had previously been well over tightened and threads stripped. Why go to the dealership ever again. Truscotts refused to service it but only after I'd paid for it, only told this on collection day. I get a full report each time, Truscotts wouldn't even switch the service interval to the longer interval for me.... All done now though  Sod 'em I say.

[wellsy1]

1 hour ago, Benjum said:

Just had mine  serviced with a full inspection by the garage who serviced my previous car (Passat) for the last 10 years. Stuff Truscotts! The oil filter the dealership fitted on the last service was loose and leaking down onto the splash guard - Lucky it didn't blow off! The splash guard fixings had previously been well over tightened and threads stripped. Why go to the dealership ever again. Truscotts refused to service it but only after I'd paid for it, only told this on collection day. I get a full report each time, Truscotts wouldn't even switch the service interval to the longer interval for me.... All done now though  Sod 'em I say.

Fair play, I don’t blame you. Mines on a long life service, however the change oil came on after 7000miles and 16 months . Dealers answer, if it comes on it needs doing again so another £240. Then like I previously said thry recommend engine coolant flush due to contamination ( from there silica bag!) cheapest quote so far £680! Now I think egr valve needs replacing which is £500/£600 . Doing some research, I’m told these cars have 2 and one is a massive job near back of engine so can cost About £900 . 
skoda tell me small number of complaints so not enough to do a recall on the silica bags. However, my skoda dealer once I mentioned it they said yeah that’s probably the cause. Plus vw , seat and Audi forum sites all mention them splitting And people just taking them out before hand . 
maybe I’ve been lucky till now, but never had these type of repair bills on such a new low mileage car from other brands . 

[Noms]

On 27/03/2021 at 08:55, wellsy1 said:

Good morning , 

yes you would be right. However all dealers are quoting the same ( I would say, they do replace 1 thing, coolant reservoir  Which costs£30 ) They say it will takes at least 5 hours on the computer to make sure all contaminates are out of the system. ( from talking to the last dealer I believe there could be a service bulletin from skoda /VW regarding doing this process) 
If you check out vw engine silica bag In engine coolant reservoir you will find the cause of the issue .
ive spoken to 4 Skoda dealers now and all say the same.  
ive even spoken to Skoda direct, complaining this must be a design issue. The silica bag was to help reduce the need to replace engine coolant however there are many reports on the net of the bags splitting and these deposits cause discolouration. 
So yep, normally a simple job however VW turn it into a massive repair bill for the dealers . 

So now knowing this, I have 2 questions:

1. How do I know if my Octavia has a silica bag in the coolant reservoir?

2. If there is one, can it be removed and then just change coolant yearly/ with oil change?

 

Thanks

[Noms]

5 hours ago, wellsy1 said:

Is it the new one, Mark 4 or make 3 Octavia ? 
lots of people say the Octavia petrols are quiet so I think it’s just the diesel one. The thing I found strange, sometimes it seems quiet,, but then certain roads just drive me mad 😡. Then the combination of engine, wind and road noise can boom the cab. I think the push to reduce weight means sound proofing have been sacrificed. 

I'm not sure about Petrol models being quieter than Diesels!

My petrol VRS still has cabin boom, and road noise, so the vehicles could definitely benefit from some more insulation!

[wellsy1]

9 hours ago, Noms said:

So now knowing this, I have 2 questions:

1. How do I know if my Octavia has a silica bag in the coolant reservoir?

2. If there is one, can it be removed and then just change coolant yearly/ with oil change?

 

Thanks

Morning , 

I think you can see them floating in  tank, however I’m not sure sorry. Plus without checking with a mechanic I wouldn’t mess, last thing you want would be to find a bag and damage it.. I think there are lots of forums on here talking  about it. I’ve found a couple below. One says new tanks do not have a bag so fingers crossed you are lucky. I’m talking to  Skoda Direct ( dealer so far haven’t offered to talk to them ) strange how the ones I’ve found are all just out of warranty and around 40/ 50 k miles like mine . 

. 

 

[wellsy1]

9 hours ago, Noms said:

I'm not sure about Petrol models being quieter than Diesels!

My petrol VRS still has cabin boom, and road noise, so the vehicles could definitely benefit from some more insulation!

Thanks for the heads up. Shame. To be honest due to practically of the car and reports the mark 4 had better refinement I was just looking at a New petrol mark 4 estate. However, with these repair bills and more negative reports on Mark 4 issues and refinement I’m seriously questioning looking at them . 

[PetrolDave]

16 hours ago, Noms said:

I'm not sure about Petrol models being quieter than Diesels!

My petrol VRS still has cabin boom, and road noise, so the vehicles could definitely benefit from some more insulation!

You need to separate the causes of noise:

1) petrol engines create less vibration and noise than diesel engines so create less engine related boom, BUT...

2) road and wind noise are not dependent on the engine type so when road and/or wind generated noise are at least 3dB louder than engine induced noise the engine type is irrelevant.

[Ootohere]

Sadly rust is still an issue with pretty new vehicles from Skoda 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/480016-rust

Mk4 Skoda Fabia now launched or revealed but by the 3rd Generation Skoda had not managed to address a long term issue with corrosion in the same position as there has been for decades on various models.

Hopefully with the new cars including the Enyaq they have sorted out water traps, and sorted out Main Dealerships understanding of the need to check and identify issues ASAP and make sure the Skoda Factories, Engineers & Designers are made aware. Also Customer Services in every country where Skoda's are sold.

[marcusthehat]

"Who or what is the biggest threat to Skoda"

Excremental design and engineering quality, would be the main issue.

Our Sept 2010 1.6TDI DQ200 DSG equipped Octavia being a perfect/impefect example.

After the protracted and ineffectual warrenty repairs to the DSG(with Skoda attempting to mechanically fix a cunning "workaround" VAG software "fix"), then expensive EGR remedial work, then the even more expensive Mechatronic replacement work, then Seimens injectors needing replaced, and now failed clutch pack(s).

Which to my mind render the vehicle "beyond economic repair"

All this with the background of going on 11 years of uphill reversing(and sometimes when proceeding forward) tempremental DSG DQ200 histronics!

Despite not being abused and only sub 140,000 miles on.

And the MkIV appears to be no better?

signed

Disgusted of Dervock.

 

Edited 28 May, 2021 by marcusthehat

[Warrior193]

On 29/03/2021 at 09:19, wellsy1 said:

Morning , 

I think you can see them floating in  tank, however I’m not sure sorry. Plus without checking with a mechanic I wouldn’t mess, last thing you want would be to find a bag and damage it.. I think there are lots of forums on here talking  about it. I’ve found a couple below. One says new tanks do not have a bag so fingers crossed you are lucky. I’m talking to  Skoda Direct ( dealer so far haven’t offered to talk to them ) strange how the ones I’ve found are all just out of warranty and around 40/ 50 k miles like mine . 

. 

 

By far the easiest way is to simply replace the coolant expansion tank before there's any chance of the silica bag breaking down - quick, clean and easy job to do yourself. Tools required - new OEM expansion tank (make sure 'without silicat'), turkey baster to empty tank, suitable hose clip pliers (available online) approx. 500mls G13 or G12++ coolant to refill tank.  

[Octy0GG]

On 28/03/2021 at 14:07, Doug1 said:

Don’t know about a threat!  I traded in my mk 2 Octavia for a Volvo S60.  What a mistake! Missed the practicality of the Octavia.  Also the Volvo is noisier and not as smooth being quite choppy over uneven roads.  However the seats are very comfortable and I will miss them, because the seats in the Škoda are no way near as good.  So if anyone is looking for a replacement for an Octavia please do not swap it for a 2017 style S60.  You will be disappointed.  I am just about to go back to an Octavia 1.5 petrol.

I moved from an Octavia 2 (1.9 PD) to an Octavia 3 (1.4 TSI) The change from Octavia 2 to 3 is largely a cost saving downgrade for Skoda. Even before I made the move I was aware of the rear suspension downgrade (but probably underestimated its significance). I have since become aware of many other cost saving downgrades - less significant but annoying all the same. My message would be - don't buy a new Octavia assuming it will be equal to or an upgrade on your old one in all respects. Having said that I am very glad to have the 1.4 TSI rather than the 1.5 TSI

[marcusthehat]

I was lusting after a Kodiaq as our next car, and still get a small pang on seeing one,  a lovely thing to sit in, but I never even asked for a test drive, simply because I had a complete bellyful of VAG's corporate behavouir, their "dodgy" cost driven engineering decisions, nevermind  the several examples of downright decietful behavouir by 2 out of 3 of our N.I.  dealerships during our 10+ years of ownership.

So we took delivery of a Toyota Rav4 about 10 days ago, largely on the back of our daughters absolutely faultless 10 years and 150,000 mile ownership of a diesel Yaris.

I intend to keep this car for 12 to 15 years btw.

There were a couple of niggles during the sales experience, but we were both impressed by the responses when we escaleted our concerns.

I am also aware that we are tied in to dealership servicing costs with the hybrid driveline,

BUT, Lord God, the driving experience likely makes this a worthwhile cost.

By that I mean the sublime low speed effortless intuitive control finesse afforded by the hybrid transmission,

which is quite unaffected by slopes or inclines and the associated software glitches/fixes of that should-have-been-aborted example of misengineering that VAG's DQ200 DSG was !!!.

A Honda CRV was also considered, but no spare wheel and far-away dealerships were factors that helped rule it out.

A Citroen C5 Aircross with the EAT8transmission was also a strong contender, but diesel head that I am, I have grown somewhat leery of the overweeningly complex  diesel emissions technology, regardless of the manufacturer.

We both REALLY REALLY liked the  local Citroen dealership, being Hallidays of Bushmills, so friendly and helpful, even after we revealed we would likely not be buying a Citroen, what a car dealership should be like.

The other local, and still family owned dealership, JKC cars of Coleraine also scored highly in our limited dealership experience.

Regards,

Marcus

 

Edited 9 July, 2021 by marcusthehat

[Ootohere]

Anyone's doubts on buy a Skoda and it being less than perfect should be a thing of the past if this video is to be believed.

 

No dodgy vehicles of poor quality should be reaching customers and if there happens to be any then Skoda are there to be right onto it.

Investigating and dealing with issues. 

 

No need for Skoda UK to be telling a car owner that their car is being used as a Test Case in the UK and the Factory are working on a fix, like with Software / Hardware.

As in examples in the Mk4 Octavia section of Briskoda.

 

 

 

 

 

[KenONeill]

Skoda UK and Skoda main stealers, based on the contents of this site

[marcusthehat]

We purchased a Rav4 and took delivery just a year ago. I am very pleased with it, especially the effortless low speed finesse possible, and Indeed the bulletproof nature of the transmission.

However, more pertinently I was speaking to a VERY decent and long established VAG Indy specialist, who "went off on one" in his soft spoken way, berating crap VAG engineering and production values that leave rueful owners with humengeous repair bills, once barely  out of warranty.

Indicating a collection of cars and their eye watering repair costs.

He genuinely feels bad for the poor, and soon to be much poorer owners.

So yes Skodas biggest problem is being part of VAG.

Marcus

[Breezy]

On 23/06/2022 at 10:56, marcusthehat said:

We purchased a Rav4 and took delivery just a year ago. I am very pleased with it, especially the effortless low speed finesse possible, and Indeed the bulletproof nature of the transmission.

However, more pertinently I was speaking to a VERY decent and long established VAG Indy specialist, who "went off on one" in his soft spoken way, berating crap VAG engineering and production values that leave rueful owners with humengeous repair bills, once barely  out of warranty.

Indicating a collection of cars and their eye watering repair costs.

He genuinely feels bad for the poor, and soon to be much poorer owners.

So yes Skodas biggest problem is being part of VAG.

Marcus

Interesting, thats not backed up by motoring press. We can always fins someone to tell us what we want to hear.

[marcusthehat]

Breezy,

I have never found any particular reason to trust the motoring press.

I do however trust the very well informed opinion of a lifetime VAG mechanic who has run an independant VAG specialist garage most of his adult life, and whose son has followed him into the trade.

Two absolutely straight blokes who would be the last to say anything negative, unless it was glaringly obviously undeniably and unavoidably true, about their lifes passion.

So I will believe them.

Regards,

Marcus

[Breezy]

We believe who we like I suppose and anyone can have an opinion but “crap VAG engineering and production values that leave rueful owners with humengeous repair bills” ? Really?
 

[J.R.]

On 23/06/2022 at 11:56, marcusthehat said:

Skodas biggest problem is being part of VAG.

 

Darn right, think how successfull and profitable they would be today if they were still making the old rear engine models, not to mention having jokes written about them.

 

They sure have not been the same since VAG took over.

[Ootohere]

They are all going rear motor and rear wheel drive unless they also have a front motor and that is in the next 8 years. 

 

Lets hope the new cars going on the road now keep on trucking for over a decade. 

 

Back to the future. 

 'It is the Way of life.'

 

Maybe Skoda could be bothered sooner rather than later to get on and build a smaller cheaper electric car as not everyone needs big fat or fast accelerating lumps.

Personal transport that does not use loads of materials or style over function.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 23 October, 2022 by roottoot

[marcusthehat]

2 hours ago, J.R. said:

 

Darn right, think how successfull and profitable they would be today if they were still making the old rear engine models, not to mention having jokes written about them.

 

They sure have not been the same since VAG took over.

I rightly revered VAG's engineering prowess back in the 1990's and into the 2000's when they really really nailed the diesel tech.

And yes they made a success of Skoda, way back then  .  .  .

And perhaps some of the DPF/ERG et. al. modern ordure was forced apon them?

But I still firmly believe they choose to  cut too many corners to save engineering costs in recent years, and then blatently deny systemic failures.

Like the Gods cursed woeful DQ200 DSG.

Especially when its software was retrospectivelly engineered so as to disengage drive(with zero warning or notification) when it sensed a preset temperature being exceeded, to prevent the clutch packs from damage from overheating, instead of reengineering the clutch packs.

Btw.  I put 253,000 miles on a clutch on a 1998 110BHP TDI which incl mostly stop-start urban driving and some towing/heavy towing,

and the origonal/factory fitted clutch was still biting like new when she was parked up at 13 or 14 years old.

Which is to say I was not abusing the clutch packs, at all, in the DQ200. Cos I know how not to.

Said DQ200 had a list of expensive to fix failures over its short and reasonably untaxed 140,000 mile life.

Marcus

Edited 23 October, 2022 by marcusthehat

[Breezy]

Ah…..so you have had some expensive issues on your last car. Not everyone then.

Im pretty sure there are lots of people on every forum who have had expensive issues with every brand especially at higher mileages.

Im happy to stick with Skoda for now. I usually change every three or four years and Ive never in 50 yrs reached more than 55000 miles.

I did, in the seventies, buy a complete lemon from new but that was one of BMC’s awful heaps.

The Karoq Im part exchanging for my sportline has been faultless for nearly four years so I am happy to be getting another.

 

[J.R.]

For me 2003/4 was the zenith, all downhill since then.

 

I really wanted another MK1 Octavia but it was proving impossible to find one good enough with moderate mileage that would see me through another 325K miles, the 2006 MK2 I bought was a bargain but not a patch on the MK1, a completely disconnected drive and full of temperemental electronics,  I had to do some major catch up, like 15 years worth! The only fault the MK1 had was being too reliable and hence me no longer keeping my hand and eye in.

 

The Yeti is just more of the same.

 

I remain through familiarity and loyalty, they are still quite good vehicles but I still yearn for an older simpler one, a Roomster is an itch that wont go away.

 

If I change manufacturer it will be to Japanese or Korean but would then rue the price and availability of parts, that is something firmly in Skodas favour, the benefit of a shared VAG platform.

Edited 24 October, 2022 by J.R.

[AnnoyingPentium]

Ever since the discontinuation of the Fabia estate, it'll be this Mk1 Fabia as my last Skoda unless a mint Mk1 estate pops up or similar. Dacia keep cropping up as a cheap way into a more modern car, but I need to wait and see longevity of these cars as the early Sanderos and Dusters (RUSTERS!) don't seem to be holding up too grand. Otherwise, Nissan or Toyota have my vote for spec, reliability, and price (especially second hand).