After a shade under 3 years and 57000 miles its time to hand back my VRS Tdi. As a long time member of this forum, it has been a fantastic source of advice and guidance. I have also enjoyed dreaming of the things I could have done if it wasn't on PCH -  Sadly the only option I ever fitted was a set of shades for the rear windows bought from another member of this forum. (They are looking for a new home so PM me if you are interested)

 

The car itself has been remarkable. Never put a foot wrong, and consistently returned 50MPG according to fuelly. In particular it has been confidence inspiring at speed, and has l flattered my driving. Most notably in the "Beast from the East" when it carried on while lots of others were stuck.

 

Servicing from Caffyns in Tunbridge Wells was never a problem and I cannot fault their service. New Tyres (GoodYears) were fitted at 37000 but probably had another 3000 miles in them. The new rubber was much quieter than the original (Bridgestone's ) and were worth the money. Black Circles supplier ATS fitted.

 

I am not leaving Skoda, and have taken delivery of a Karoq - which feels about 2 foot taller! Thanks to all on here - and who knows if may be back in another 3 years.

I am guessing you are a very steady driver for 37K on original tyres   My VRS 230 was and is crap in the snow even with the fancy diff. Worst car iv'e had for that. Guess the lardy diesel engine under the bonnet helps a bit.

Edited 10 March, 20197 yr by teescom09

1 hour ago, teescom09 said:

I am guessing you are a very steady driver for 37K on original tyres   My VRS 230 was and is crap in the snow even with the fancy diff. Worst car iv'e had for that. Guess the lardy diesel engine under the bonnet helps a bit.

 

You should've fitted winter tyres and then you'll get to see the difference!

1 hour ago, teescom09 said:

I am guessing you are a very steady driver for 37K on original tyres  

 

Steady and skilled, very different 

4 hours ago, silver1011 said:

 

Steady and skilled, very different 

Maybe, maybe not. Friction wears tyres.

4 hours ago, TheWanderer said:

 

You should've fitted winter tyres and then you'll get to see the difference!

None of my cars have ever had winter tyres but were mostly far better in snow. There was no such thing in this country not that long ago and we got 10x more snow than now.  But I now have Michelin Crossclimate + on my work Galaxy and its was quite impressive in that snow a few weeks ago. Certainly no where near getting stuck but don't know how much was tyres or better weight distribution tyre size etc. Not brilliant in very wet weather though B rated, that's the compromise with winter profiles and compounds and the crossclimates are one of the best for wet grip, noise and economy. 

Yikes, I regularly get 8-10k from fronts

 

This is my first winter with proper winter tyres and i think they are pretty good , continental winter contact ts850. I can get wheelspin inthird gear though 

Fair to say that I am not a street racer. Fastest take off from the lights was not what I needed - hence the diesel. Where it did get used was in fast A road overtaking where the mid range grunt was just what I wanted. Had the tyres swapped front to back with each service. As for the control and grip in snow. I am in the south of the country - we don't get a lot of snow and like a lot of others, lacking experience of snow driving,  I drove like a granny. Very gentle and smooth acceleration and braking and starting in 2nd seemed to do the trick.