12 hours ago, tombee said:

I have just coated mine in Fusso 12 month Wax, have to say it’s pretty good so far.

I did the whole, wash, iron fall out, clay bar and polish before applying the wax. Doing detailing on the side it’s worth the money over a ceramic but time will tell

I bought the same wax and will do the same prep whenever it stops raining

Looks good

13 hours ago, tombee said:

I have just coated mine in Fusso 12 month Wax, have to say it’s pretty good so far.

I'm using the same stuff - twice twice an year. I haven't used clay bars so far, but I may consider using it before next waxing I usually do before the summer.

7 minutes ago, fr1nklyn said:

I'm using the same stuff - twice twice an year. I haven't used clay bars so far, but I may consider using it before next waxing I usually do before the summer.

I think the clay bar and polishing afterwards has made the most difference.

22 minutes ago, Danoid said:

I bought the same wax and will do the same prep whenever it stops raining

Looks good

Was lucky last month with one day of sunshine and got to work haha

18 hours ago, Colin170CR said:

Been thinking about getting mine pro cleaned, detailed & ceramic coated. Always cleaned my own cars but older age & mobility issues are making it more difficult to get on my hands & knees to get stuff done. Hopefully with a ceramic coating (or similar) it should just need a foam, pressure wash & rinse with pure water to keep it looking it's best.

I'll say the same thing as I always do - research on IDA and PVD websites for someone near you; at least there is an amount of training/validation given there is a variety of skills/abilities in an unregulated industry.

PVD (Professional Detailers and Valeters) requires detailers to:

1. Get the majority of their income from Detailing

2. Have been in business at least 12 months

3. sufficient insurance for PL insurance (including vehicle under charge)

4. Pass an entry test to prove capability.

I was IDA (International Detailing Association) certified and validated which needs to be done by an IDA-trainer. Not quite so stringent on some of the business aspects. But this sort of training gives people the understanding of what they're doing and why etc. It sets a standard baseline.

Just be aware, claying the car is damaging to the paint - it pulls out contaminants that chemicals don't remove, but it will introduce marring/swirlmarks into the paint. Polishing gets rid of these but you are limited with hand polishing, and many hand polishing products like SRP (Autoglym Super Resin Polish) does abrade some clearcoat, but it also has fillers and gloss enhancers that give a look of polished paint without the actual result. You'll only get a perfect look with a machine and proper polishing compound that removes the damaged layer; but its about not letting the perfect be the enemy of the good. Go with what you want whilst being informed.

Waxes are a protective layer - their primary objective is to reduce UV damage and chemical attack from birdbombs, waterspot etching, sap/bug-guts and road chemicals. There are better protection products out there (Ceramics coatings being the ultimate chemical if not going down the PPF route) but Fusso is generally thought to be pretty much the best - just a bit of a pain to work with than others.

Just ordered a 16" steel wheel with tyre, Jack, 17mm deep socket and breaker bar to set myself up with spare wheel kit. I also ordered the big plastic screw to secure the spare wheel.

I havent bothered ordering the OEM toolkit as I dont see the need when all the bits can go isnide the bag for the Jack.

Will take some pics when its all arrived.

Also picked up a leather DSG gaiter from @tombee who it turns out lives just 20 mins from me! Will try fitting it at the weekend.

23 hours ago, Binx1310 said:

Just ordered a 16" steel wheel with tyre, Jack, 17mm deep socket and breaker bar to set myself up with spare wheel kit. I also ordered the big plastic screw to secure the spare wheel.

I havent bothered ordering the OEM toolkit as I dont see the need when all the bits can go isnide the bag for the Jack.

Will take some pics when its all arrived.

Also picked up a leather DSG gaiter from @tombee who it turns out lives just 20 mins from me! Will try fitting it at the weekend.

Was great to meet you!!

Good luck for the gaiter change

Changed the gaiter today. Old one was starting to peel on the corners. Got a nice black leather mk7 golf one from @tombee

Dismantling from car was pretty straight forward. Taking the knob off the top of the gaiter was challenging. A couple of screwdrivers prying key parts and some swearing was required.

Also managed to push the button in when doing it which the manual says is a no no and you need a special tool to reset it. Turns out you can flip the top off and reach in with a screwdriver to reset it.

The golf gaiter is bigger than the superb one so had to cut it down a bit. And the original is stapled on to the frame. I doubt it would have taken more staples as it seems a bit brittle. And I don’t have a stapler.

So superglue and some pegs to hold it all in place was the method I went for.

Had to pleat in some corners but kept that to the front so it can’t be seen in the car.

Then made the schoolboy error of not putting the metal ring on before the knob. Doh.

All in all wasn’t too bad and really pleased with the look. A note for those with the new P switch on top of the gearbox. If your gaiter is a bit baggy as mine is now, it can get trapped between the shaft and the switch and make it so the switch doesn’t press and you can’t get the key out the ignition. Some careful positioning of the gaiter and it seems to be all Good.

On 05/02/2026 at 20:53, Colin170CR said:

Been thinking about getting mine pro cleaned, detailed & ceramic coated.

Beyond looks, it makes wonders to keep the vehicle in order. I am a 'converted, as I have seen that a good coating protects the skin of the car much more than just "shine"*

Unfortunately I do not have the tools of place where to do this myself, but I was lucky to find very good professionals at this, and they do not overcharge me as I also give them some work from third parties ...

* to give you an idea, years ago I had to "resuscitate" a W126 which had been sleeping for years in a enclosed are where they were also doing paint and metal work ... paint, but also glass and chrome had all a "crusty" feel, like sandpaper.

Luckily no stain or damage to the finish, but horrible to see and touch.

My man looked at it, frowned a little (always does it!), said "I will need a couple days more than the usual", and returned the Merc looking like it came out of the showroom ... marvelous.

Yes, I believe in good detail and proper "waxwork" 😁

Cambelt and water pump replaced this week. I know they've got rid of the time limit, but at 5 years and 3 months and 116,700 miles I decided I didn't want to risk it much longer. Motor factors sent the earlier water pump, so had to wait a day to complete the job. Alternator belt changed too. Running much quieter now as the belt had been squeaky for a good while.

Now all set up with a spare.

I got this wheel: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364188522719

This Jack: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08FTH8N1T

This breaker bar and socket: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/403816977765

and this mounting screw: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FP91RLPK

I know its a budget tyre but its a cost effective way of having a full size spare. If I were to get a flat on th front I would put swap an alloy from the back to front and then put the spare on the rear.

It just its in wheel well without needing to trim any plastic away. And the breaker bar tucks in under the plastic trim before the wheel goes in. Im thinking it may rattle a bit in that position so will put some foam or sound deadening between it and the metal. Floor is flat over the top of the wheel too.

Annoyinly the jack is about 10mm too long to fit inside the wheel for the floor to sit flat, but it does fit in the side cubby along with my fire extinguisher, and then the first aid and emergency kit fit in the wheel. Happy with that.

The floor does feel a bit soft over the centre of the wheel, and I assume the OEM foam insert goes some way to supporting the floor. May make up a circle of Plywood to fit in the wheel to help support the floor.

Also does anyone want the standard foam nonspare wheel insert before I take it to the dump? Is it worth trying to sell?

@Binx1310 Just a quick observation: are you 100% certain that that spare wheel will fit your Superb? The seller only quotes it as being compatible with the Karoq?

2 minutes ago, Graham Butcher said:

@Binx1310 Just a quick observation: are you 100% certain that that spare wheel will fit your Superb? The seller only quotes it as being compatible with the Karoq?

Hope so! I bought it based on another post on the forum. It’s the right pcd and offset different by 2mm. But half an inch narrower to fit under the floor. Rolling diameter is less than 0.5% different from current wheels.

Going to do a test fit later in the week.

Just ordered the final bits

• White led vanity mirror lights

• Parking brake switch (chrome chipped on my one)

• Rubber boot liner

• windscreen mount DAB aerial

Final for now anyway. I keep browsing the forum and seeing ideas for things that take my fancy!

Next up will be full service, dsg service and rear brakes in about 3000 miles or so.

3 hours ago, Binx1310 said:

Hope so! I bought it based on another post on the forum. It’s the right pcd and offset different by 2mm. But half an inch narrower to fit under the floor. Rolling diameter is less than 0.5% different from current wheels.

Going to do a test fit later in the week.

Factory spare wheel for the mk3 Superb (non-272/280) is 6.5Jx16 205/55R16.

U've got a 6" wide wheel.......

Edited 10 February10 Feb by JR RS

31 minutes ago, JR RS said:

Factory spare wheel for the mk3 Superb (non-272/280) is 6.5Jx16 205/55R16.

U've got a 6" wide wheel.......

My purchase was based on the info in this post. Hopefully will be ok. There are posts of people putting karoq alloys on Superbs too. Will do some careful test fitting on Friday.

1 hour ago, JR RS said:

Factory spare wheel for the mk3 Superb (non-272/280) is 6.5Jx16 205/55R16.

U've got a 6" wide wheel.......

At that tyre width and sidewall of the standard spare, it’s 6% smaller circumference. On the tyre size I have it’s less than 0.5%. Granted the rim is 0.5” narrower but the tyre is wider and taller and more similar to the alloys and tyres I have. For the rare occasion it will be used for relatively short duration I’m sure it will be fine.

3 minutes ago, Binx1310 said:

At that tyre width and sidewall of the standard spare, it’s 6% smaller circumference. On the tyre size I have it’s less than 0.5%. Granted the rim is 0.5” narrower but the tyre is wider and taller and more similar to the alloys and tyres I have. For the rare occasion it will be used for relatively short duration I’m sure it will be fine.

Not debating the overall tyre size - just stating wat is factory fitted spare tyre.

I myself have a full size 19" tyre.

7 minutes ago, JR RS said:

Not debating the overall tyre size - just stating wat is factory fitted spare tyre.

I myself have a full size 19" tyre.

Yea was looking at getting a kerb damaged version of the 18s I have but it would lift the floor by quite a bit and it’s a tight squeeze in the well. Happy with what I have. Will do a test fit Friday and make sure.

10 minutes ago, Binx1310 said:

At that tyre width and sidewall of the standard spare, it’s 6% smaller circumference. On the tyre size I have it’s less than 0.5%. Granted the rim is 0.5” narrower but the tyre is wider and taller and more similar to the alloys and tyres I have. For the rare occasion it will be used for relatively short duration I’m sure it will be fine.

If the circumference is smaller, then it will certainly keep flagging a warning about low tyre pressure, as the wheel will be rotating at a different speed to the others. That system relies on the fact that a deflated tyre will make that wheel rotate faster than the others, and the system will flag a warning.

1 minute ago, Graham Butcher said:

If the circumference is smaller, then it will certainly keep flagging a warning about low tyre pressure, as the wheel will be rotating at a different speed to the others. That system relies on the fact that a deflated tyre will make that wheel rotate faster than the others, and the system will flag a warning.

Yes. Went for as close a size to my alloys as I could get for that reason

How do they get over this with the official spare as it’s quite a bit different?

1 minute ago, Binx1310 said:

Yes. Went for as close a size to my alloys as I could get for that reason

How do they get over this with the official spare as it’s quite a bit different?

Do they? Is the official spare smaller in diameter? I think they might only be smaller in width, load and speed rating.

That said, I have always had mine supplied from the factory with a full size tyre on a steel space saver rim.

2 minutes ago, Graham Butcher said:

Do they? Is the official spare smaller in diameter? I think they might only be smaller in width, load and speed rating.

That said, I have always had mine supplied from the factory with a full size tyre on a steel space saver rim.

The size JR RS mentioned above is nearly 6% smaller in circumference.

5 minutes ago, Binx1310 said:

The size JR RS mentioned above is nearly 6% smaller in circumference.

True, but my cars came with 19" rims, but also don't forget that the dia quoted is the rim size, not actual tyre diameter which should in an ideal world match that of the standard normal running wheels.

3 hours ago, Graham Butcher said:

True, but my cars came with 19" rims, but also don't forget that the dia quoted is the rim size, not actual tyre diameter which should in an ideal world match that of the standard normal running wheels.

my 220 came with 19x8" ET44 235/40R19 from factory.

factory spare was 16x6.5" ET45 205/55R16 from factory. it's a full-size steel rim, not the crapy bicycle tyre!!

yes, i did get a TPMS warning whenever the spare tyre was on, which would in turn disable ACC and Front Assist.

i've had 3x punctures in the first couple of years of ownership.

super annoying.
hence why i got a full sized 19" tyre as a spare now.

original factory spare....

comparison between 16" spare and full size 19".......

with 19" spare in the boot....

Edited 11 February11 Feb by JR RS