10 hours ago, Lindsayt said:

And the pads looked a bit low at the back

Always seems to be the backs that go first; def read it on several threads over the years and mine were first to be advised on. Ironic but it is what it is.

I noticed this as well, and my theory is that they designed the system with a brake "bias" to load first and more the rear to minimize dive on braking, especially when ACC/PCC controls the car and applies brakes at its will.

Why I wouldn't say, but I suspect to minimize the terror in the passengers unaware of simple physics and vehicle dynamics and going at each time for the "Oh Jesus" handle which probably does not hold weight "like they used to" 😁

If you drive, even with ACC/PCC on, more "proactively", for example say you are coming up on the motorway to a bottleneck - typical HGVs passing each other with a 0.6km/h speed difference 😄 - lowering the target speed earlier I feel car uses only throttle closed/engine braking, and does not touch, or touches very lightly the brakes, and in that case I still suspect are only the rears.

It's no secret that when (p)ACC is active, the rear axle brakes more frequently for comfort reasons.

On 03/11/2025 at 06:26, leolito said:

Haven't done much except traveling, but I have noticed after almost 6k km that these pads do NOT dirty the rims so much as the previous mounted ones, that were some TRW.

Amazing amazing difference! Just by the effort in cleaning up the darn rims - will see after the ceramic coating how it will go - is sufficient to justify the price difference ...

Once again kudos to @travs for his great advice.

In time, I'll do the fronts ...

Time to tell you I switched away from them? 🤐

Not for any reason by the way - I had just had enough of the grooved discs and they were ok/cheap and cheerful. Changed the discs (see project thread) and thought I'd change the pads too while I was there. Only done a few hundred miles bedding in and can definitely tell a difference already though. Back to cleaning wheels!

Just installed a 12v USB C and A socket replacing the 12v Cig lighter socket.

Was able to reuse the connections to the car, removing the existing and then soldering the new wires from the adaptor and making good. Just tested and all works fine, had to trim a little the back of the unit where the new socket went as the lock ring catch along with trimming down the lock ring also.

Also didn't destroy the old one getting it out, there are 2 tabs which you need to press in to get the inner metal socket out from the plastic surround and then you can remove the plastic surround, as this is held in by the metal socket.

The Superb had an oil & inspection service plus pollen filter this morning at the local Skoda dealer, just on 109,000 miles now and running as good as new.

Just washed it. What helps is the Raceglaze water filter which means zero water marks, although I do towel most of it off. It really needs a whole day spent on it but I just don’t have the time at the moment.

Major service, DSG service and brake fluid change completed yesterday.

The main dealer hadn’t done the DSG service at 40k, so it was 12k overdue, and I reported a whining noise while crawling in traffic in 1st and 2nd gears.

The oil was bit dark, as they said they expect with an overdue service, but importantly there was no metal in it.

They could hear the whine on the road test, but not when up on the ramps, and couldn’t hear anything untoward when listening to the ‘box with a stethoscope, so can’t report anything else, as it drives fine.

Apart from a leaking front shock, which they’re pricing up options for, as I’ll do all four, it was given a clean bill of health!

Long absent from these pages, finally I had time yesterday to fit the winter wheels/tires, as these protrude OK on the sides I decided not to put the spacers - will see next spring!

Before fitting, I have coated the rims with this Carbon Ceramic product, nothing to "shine" like to make photos, but time will tell how they resist road grime!

Checked the front brakes and soon will be time for them as I did the rears, pads have OE/VW markings on them, so if swapped, at least +20k km .... as I have lost the way from my mentor 😁 will continue with the ATE Ceramic as I like how they go!

I forgot to do this before - at least at each season change, ideally - so I checked the space saver tire and it was less than half of the recommended tire pressure... easy to forget, bad thing.

I also noticed the "normal sized" tires do not fit the wheel well because of the plastic lip, which I will trim but will have to wait when I start to insulate the boot, soon I hope.

Tonight I got DSG fluid replacement, its first! Will see how it goes!

Edit: next should be Haldex and diff ....

Edited 18 November, 202518 Nov by leolito

MOT passed with no advisories.

I'm delighted. The Greenline's 9 years old with 167,000 miles.

Also took delivery of 2 Mahle oil filters plus some cable ties today. Ready for an oil change this week-end, if it's not too wet.

This will be the 3rd oil change I've done on this car since buying it in March. I've been working my way through a 20 litre cannister of Mannol VW 507 00 oil.

That is impressive!! 🫡

15 hours ago, leolito said:

Long absent from these pages, finally I had time yesterday to fit the winter wheels/tires, as these protrude OK on the sides I decided not to put the spacers - will see next spring!

Before fitting, I have coated the rims with this Carbon Ceramic product, nothing to "shine" like to make photos, but time will tell how they resist road grime!

Checked the front brakes and soon will be time for them as I did the rears, pads have OE/VW markings on them, so if swapped, at least +20k km .... as I have lost the way from my mentor 😁 will continue with the ATE Ceramic as I like how they go!

I forgot to do this before - at least at each season change, ideally - so I checked the space saver tire and it was less than half of the recommended tire pressure... easy to forget, bad thing.

I also noticed the "normal sized" tires do not fit the wheel well because of the plastic lip, which I will trim but will have to wait when I start to insulate the boot, soon I hope.

Tonight I got DSG fluid replacement, its first! Will see how it goes!

Edit: next should be Haldex and diff ....

Ha - it’s a good reminder though; I’ll need to get my winters out very soon. I have some Carpro CQuartz leftover so probably worth me doing that before they go on the car.

1 hour ago, travs said:

I have some Carpro CQuartz leftover so probably worth me doing that before they go on the car.

It will definitely be a good thing. Your rims will be much easier to clean, when you remove them at the next swap.

DSG oil replacement made, I took it to a service that works only on these things and recommended by reliable sources, according to them it was in good condition and good for the driven 60k km .... they said according to them no adaptation was needed, that sometimes would work worse when done if no component was replaced.

This is new territory for me so no idea on that.

For now, it works well so do not risk breaking what is not broken ...

PS: the bill came close to 500 euro ... original VW oil used (seen in action) ... oh well. It makes around 1 eurocent per km traveled 🙃

Edited 20 November, 202520 Nov by leolito

Not yet but I shall buy the 2 year service plan on offer until 2 December. 468quid for the Plus package which has 2MOTs, pollen filter, air filter and spark plugs (probably mileage dependent).

That's stonking I think...If you trust the main dealer lol

3 hours ago, KeteCantek said:

Not yet but I shall buy the 2 year service plan on offer until 2 December. 468quid for the Plus package which has 2MOTs, pollen filter, air filter and spark plugs (probably mileage dependent).

That's stonking I think...If you trust the main dealer lol

That is a good deal.. is that being offered by the dealer direct or something? VWFS still has it for £708.

6 hours ago, 337 said:

That is a good deal.. is that being offered by the dealer direct or something? VWFS still has it for £708.

It is VWFS.

6 hours ago, 337 said:

16 hours ago, KeteCantek said:

It is VWFS.

£50 more because mines an iV??

Seems like it. Not sure why, odd. Mine is just an old 280 4x4 petrol....

But wait till you see Audi prices for basically the same drivetrain. E.g. A3 vs Golf/Octavia. They pay so much more😂😂

Radar recalibrated to restore front assist and ACC functions, and MOT passed with no advisories today.

MoT due on my 280 next Monday.🤞 Should be OK. Only a few thousand miles since the last one. I'll do the usual checks this weekend but not expecting any surprises.

The Greenline was white with frost this morning. Got the slightest glimmer of the engine turning over slowly before getting just clicks.

Tried jump starting it from the BMW, with no luck.

The battery had been showing signs it was getting old, with the stop-start cutting in less and less.

So I bought an AGM 096 battery that my local GSF had in stock for £138.37.

Swapping batteries was pleasantly easy. 10mm nuts on the terminals, plus a 13mm bolt on the clamping bracket next to the air filter housing, reachable with the longer extension bar from my socket set. And the battery heat insulation blanket to pull out by hand.

I used my Launch 919 tablet to tell the car it had a new battery. At first I couldn't figure out which category of battery to put as there were no "AGM" nor "Fleece" options. After a bit of googling I realised that "Fibreglass" was probably the appropriate battery type (part of the joy of using an unofficial diagnostics tablet, with iffy translations).

I ended up hitting the road two and half hours later than expected.

On 25/11/2025 at 22:51, 337 said:

£50 more because mines an iV??

And no MOTs - presume on age but still more for less. get a 280 and save yourself money 😁

Winter wheels coated with Carpro CQuartz and left to cure in the shed pending switchover this weekend.

Not fussed about the job but anything that makes them easier to keep clean is good by me.

Now to dig out time to polish the whole thing and get some on the paint.

Just 3 days in to owning my old but gold (65 plate, 123,000miles) Superb having had a Fabia for the last 4 years.

Replaced number plates today as they were a bit faded. Looks much smarter now.

Also ordered a new DSG shift knob top as the chrome is peeling. And a start stop memory module. Both off Ali express.

Will install DSG selector switch at the same time as installing these when they arrive. Only seen the fault pop up once but not since, but will fit the switch anyway.

Future plans is a bumper protector from kopacek to cover up some damaged paintwork, and also need to refit my dashcam. Otherwise plan is the keep it as is, change fluids regularly and see how many miles I can put on her.