I hope you & your families are safe and well. I'm working from home and we're all good here 👍

Update on my Superb whilst it's resting on the driveway until (insert coronavirus end date here).

 

As you may know I had a REVO stage 1 applied about 2 years ago now, which brought the 220 up to "300+" according to REVO, but it's never been rolling road tested. It accelerates much faster and has better overtaking power, etc etc. No official figures so I'm not claiming anything 🙂 

 

Eventually I familiarised myself with the new characteristics, but lost confidence in the brakes so I fitted OE replacement brembo drilled discs and their brembo max pads (or something). These are much, much better with no corrosion. Did the same on the back, not drilled. Much more brake dust unfortunately, but at least I won't die.

 

I replaced the elbow air inlet with a smooth metal one from MTC along with the silicone hose. This made a surprisingly huge difference, so I got carried away and replaced the airbox with a Pipercross Viper intake.....

 

Earlier last year the car was going very well indeed, until in the word of Richard Hammond, "it developed a misfire" and I took it to ADS in Preston, where the REVO map was done.

Turned out to be self-inflicted. The chavvy Viper intake was just too open I think. It was filtered but in-line and the airflow was causing issues, with standard turbo/exhaust etc.

 

ADS replaced the spark plugs with "RS7" ones, and replaced the PCV - some breather/egr thing on top of the engine as there was a newer version. They also changed the oil/filter.

I replaced the stupid intake with standard airbox, with snow guard out and a Ramair panel filter.

 

Since ownership I've had Dunlop SportMaxx RT2, Michelin PS4S, and now Michelin PS4 fitted. PS4S are the best, but PS4 are a good balance with comfort for the Superb.

 

More recently I've had a few issues...

A chipped NS headlight led to it filling with moisture. Skoda extended warranty did not cover it or help at all, fair enough...
I bought a "like-new" replacement from eBay and had the local garage (Volkservice, Blackpool) fit it for £80.

 

Whilst in with Volkservice, they showed me that both of my front shocks are leaking - he said eventually it'll fail MOT and his quote was £750 😒

They also found the leak, which was coming from the coolant regulator pump, I asked them to replace it which cost £610 😒

 

The coolant regulator pump was a surprise - I didn't know the Superb had no "water pump" driven by the cambelt like usual. Saved me some money I guess as my car's around 65k miles now.

 

I've neglected the car a bit for the past year or so as I had "head problems" due to a big change in circumstances.

I'm getting there and the car is healthy so I'm going to use all this time self-isolating at home to give it a proper detail.

When I've got the money I'll get the front shocks replaced and then hopefully nothing else will pop up 🙂

 

Stay safe everyone and thanks to anyone who's working in the NHS / volunteering orgs

Interesting you mention the Brembo’s as I’m thinking of ordering a set. Do you find the Brembo Xtra pads and discs noticeably better than stock? 

 

Are you using their standard ‘high carbon’ disc at the rear? 

 

I cant seem to find the 340mm Xtra disc anywhere but I can easily get hold of the regular discs and Xtra pads for front and rears. 

 

Pagids/Textar are another OE spec option but...rust! 

 

Would you recommend them? 

29 minutes ago, penguin17 said:

Interesting you mention the Brembo’s as I’m thinking of ordering a set. Do you find the Brembo Xtra pads and discs noticeably better than stock? 

 

Are you using their standard ‘high carbon’ disc at the rear? 

 

I cant seem to find the 340mm Xtra disc anywhere but I can easily get hold of the regular discs and Xtra pads for front and rears. 

 

Pagids/Textar are another OE spec option but...rust! 

 

Would you recommend them? 

 

Yes, Brembo Xtra pads and drilled discs are much better than stock. They are much more powerful, less fade and they make the car look even more of a sleeper lol

I am using the standard high carbon rear discs yes, I couldn't find the drilled discs for the rear, but I got everything I needed from Autodoc - it seems really cheap there.

I've only had Skoda OE and now these Brembos, and it's a massive improvement. There might be even better available out there but I'm not sure.

 

Hilariously, REVO do a "big brake kit" which is about £2000. The calipers and discs are huge, and insurance would increase, but for that price I'd probs just save up and change my car...

https://www.onlyrevo.com/product-details/brakes/mqb-chassis-big-brake-kit-mono-6

5 minutes ago, drewellis said:

 

Yes, Brembo Xtra pads and drilled discs are much better than stock. They are much more powerful, less fade and they make the car look even more of a sleeper lol

I am using the standard high carbon rear discs yes, I couldn't find the drilled discs for the rear, but I got everything I needed from Autodoc - it seems really cheap there.

I've only had Skoda OE and now these Brembos, and it's a massive improvement. There might be even better available out there but I'm not sure.

 

Hilariously, REVO do a "big brake kit" which is about £2000. The calipers and discs are huge, and insurance would increase, but for that price I'd probs just save up and change my car...

https://www.onlyrevo.com/product-details/brakes/mqb-chassis-big-brake-kit-mono-6

Thanks for the info.

 

I can find the 310mm Xtra rears but the 340mm fronts are out of stock everywhere.  Reading various forums it seems they may not have actually been available at all.  I'll likely stick with the standard/flat high carbon discs but go with the Xtra pads (F&R).  I don't want to declare any mods and with insurance costs sure to rise post Coronovirus I don't want to give them an excuse to hike up my premiums.  

On 31/03/2020 at 10:05, penguin17 said:

Thanks for the info.

 

I can find the 310mm Xtra rears but the 340mm fronts are out of stock everywhere.  Reading various forums it seems they may not have actually been available at all.  I'll likely stick with the standard/flat high carbon discs but go with the Xtra pads (F&R).  I don't want to declare any mods and with insurance costs sure to rise post Coronovirus I don't want to give them an excuse to hike up my premiums.  

Apologies for jumping in...you can get front rotors and pads off Golf GTI Clubsport S...they look stunning and straight replacement...

28 minutes ago, MarioVrs said:

Apologies for jumping in...you can get front rotors and pads off Golf GTI Clubsport S...they look stunning and straight replacement...

 

Yes, yes you can.  Which is exactly what I did at 0925 this morning 😀.  Clubsport front discs and pads bought from CLP automotive.  The calipers on the Clubsport are unchanged, the rear discs and pads are also just OE spec, e.g; Pagid or similar.  

 

 

Edited 1 April, 20206 yr by penguin17

On 31/03/2020 at 10:05, penguin17 said:

Thanks for the info.

 

I can find the 310mm Xtra rears but the 340mm fronts are out of stock everywhere.  Reading various forums it seems they may not have actually been available at all.  I'll likely stick with the standard/flat high carbon discs but go with the Xtra pads (F&R).  I don't want to declare any mods and with insurance costs sure to rise post Coronovirus I don't want to give them an excuse to hike up my premiums.  

First thing an insurance assessor does is look for undeclared mods...

24 minutes ago, penguin17 said:

Yes, yes you can.  Which is exactly what I did at 0925 this morning 😀.  Clubsport front discs and pads bought from CLP automotive.  The calipers on the Clubsport are unchanged, the rear discs and pads are also just OE spec, e.g; Pagid or similar.  

 

 

Got pics? How does it feel now? Noticed any difference?

2 minutes ago, MarioVrs said:

Got pics? How does it feel now? Noticed any difference?

Not even dispatched yet.  These aren't going on my Superb, they are going on a Golf R which I will be collecting whenever lockdown ceases and dealers reopen. 

8 minutes ago, penguin17 said:

Not even dispatched yet.  These aren't going on my Superb, they are going on a Golf R which I will be collecting whenever lockdown ceases and dealers reopen. 

I see...

4 minutes ago, NJRJ said:

First thing an insurance assessor does is look for undeclared mods...

Sorry, to be clear what I mean was....  If I fitted drilled/grooved/dimpled discs then I would be obliged to declare them as it's not an OE spec part (like for like replacement) and it would be obvious by visual inspection. Whereas with OE spec (flat/standard cast appearance) they don't need to be declared regardless of brand. 

 

I've now went and bought OE branded/spec discs and pads which are offered as an option so my insurance company are contacting the underwriters to clarify how they'll deal with it.  

On 01/04/2020 at 14:09, penguin17 said:

Sorry, to be clear what I mean was....  If I fitted drilled/grooved/dimpled discs then I would be obliged to declare them as it's not an OE spec part (like for like replacement) and it would be obvious by visual inspection. Whereas with OE spec (flat/standard cast appearance) they don't need to be declared regardless of brand. 

 

I've now went and bought OE branded/spec discs and pads which are offered as an option so my insurance company are contacting the underwriters to clarify how they'll deal with it.  

Eh? I fitted the brembo drilled discs to my Superb, they’re listed as OE equivalent. 
I haven’t told my insurers about them, should I? I’ve got Michelin PS4S tyres, they’re not manufacturer spec but I haven’t declared them either. Windscreen wipers, oil, etc etc the insurer can’t dictate what brands of consumable part we use surely

The can’t dictate no, but they can refuse a claim if you’ve fitted something that isn’t “original factory-build-and-fitted specification”; in other words, anything non OE. They’ve even been known to refuse a non-fault claim for an undeclared OE retrofitted manufacturers rear spoiler!

So yes, you have to tell them of ANY changes you make to your vehicle.... Oh, in case you’re wondering yes, that includes interior lighting.... yes, I am being serious, I saw interior lighting listed as a declared change today on Aviva’s quote system.

This is a relatively new measure to try, yet again, to absolve themselves from paying out, which all started about 15 years ago with the “non-fault increased risk”, well, “scam”. This is where they load your premium for being in a “non fault incident” so being hit, or the car being damaged, even when stationary because, in some strange parallel insurers world, you suddenly have, through no fault of your own, now become a “higher insured risk”, which is utterly ridiculous of course. Insurers will use ANY excuse not to pay a claim and up your premium. 

On 02/06/2020 at 02:54, numskull said:

The can’t dictate no, but they can refuse a claim if you’ve fitted something that isn’t “original factory-build-and-fitted specification”; in other words, anything non OE. They’ve even been known to refuse a non-fault claim for an undeclared OE retrofitted manufacturers rear spoiler!

So yes, you have to tell them of ANY changes you make to your vehicle.... Oh, in case you’re wondering yes, that includes interior lighting.... yes, I am being serious, I saw interior lighting listed as a declared change today on Aviva’s quote system.

This is a relatively new measure to try, yet again, to absolve themselves from paying out, which all started about 15 years ago with the “non-fault increased risk”, well, “scam”. This is where they load your premium for being in a “non fault incident” so being hit, or the car being damaged, even when stationary because, in some strange parallel insurers world, you suddenly have, through no fault of your own, now become a “higher insured risk”, which is utterly ridiculous of course. Insurers will use ANY excuse not to pay a claim and up your premium. 

 

This so very true. I'm am going to get a REVO stage 1 Re-map soon & started investigating insurance premiums on my car. It seems that my current insurer will not insure me with this mod. They had a section on their online quote system for modifications that's as long as your arm covering, engine remap, engine re-bore, dash cam (reduces premium?) engine blueprinted, engine - different, brakes, wheels, bodywork, exhaust, interior etc etc. In the the re-map engine section you have to pick what level of bhp increase you have added.  If I recall there were 3 or 4 option levels. They obviously didn't like the +80bhp of the REVO re-map (+30 increase) so I had to look at other insurers most of which thankfully have less complicated modification declaration sections on their website quote systems. Looks like I can get a insured with LV with the stage 1 remap for about the same as I am currently paying which is a bit of a result. This is really quite ironic because I left LV last year for the reason stated below.

Problem is that like all insurance companies they will probably hike up the premium next year forcing me to search for another alternative. This seems to be the norm for most insurance companies who entice you to use them with a cheap 1st year premium & then they stick it to you with hefty increases in years 2/3, for what is a depreciating asset 😠,  forcing you to do the annual re-insurance dance! One of my pet hates in life. 

Haven’t looked at this for a while...

 

Brembo drilled discs are OE equivalent parts just like buying Bosch windscreen wipers instead of the **** Skoda ones. You do not need to tell your insurer unless you’re changing the callipers/disc size. 
 

In 2011 someone pulled out across the road in front of us, resulting in a bad crash in my Peugeot 207, it had big chunky LED running lights at the front, a non-standard stereo and an exhaust tip that frankly looked ridiculous. I never told my insurance about these parts and when it went in for repair they just said they wouldn’t replace them (the stereo was fine and was left in). They also helped me recover from my injuries and paid for all my physio.

 

Maybe I got lucky but I maintain my argument about consumer parts - my Superb came from the factory with Pirelli P7 tyres which are amongst the worst tyres in production. I’ve never had them again since and I don’t ring my insurer twice a year to tell them which tyres I’ve put on. Same for wipers, fluids etc.

 

Remember, our insurers are happy to replace windscreens with crap aftermarket non-manufacturer ones, I had an absolute NIGHTMARE getting Aviva to fit a proper Renault windscreen to my Megane, they wanted to fit a cheap Autoglass screen that was not acoustic like the original

 

Insurance people deserve a place in hell

I always tell my insurer when I fill up with fuel as it only came with half a tank of (Texaco, I think) and always brim it with Tesco or Shell.  Apparently "it's not necessary to declare that sir" but I'm taking no chances 😆