When I got the car back in November I was trading in a 21 Plate Fabia wanting an upgrade in terms of spec and size. I had previously had a 150PS TDI Superb 3 so knew thats what I wanted again. It had 123,000 miles and a few age related tatty marks and body marks. Most of the interior lights had been changed to White LED, AdBlue had been coded out and it had some hideous quilted floor mats. The wheels had been refurbed in dark metallic grey and the calipers painted red. The reversing sensors were not working and the dealer fixed those before collection. It also had a glow plug fail which was replaced under warranty.

As the list on my phone of minor changes is getting longer and longer I thought its about time I started a thread on the projects page. Nothing major, just tarting up and simple improvements. Most of these things are well documented here already by others but I'll provide links for those wanting to do similar changes.

Gear selector switch - To fix intermittent "Return to workshop" error

www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009808126126.html

Number plates and frameless holders - Existing ones were faded and I hate screws through number plates

https://mr-plates.co.uk/

Floor Mats - To replace the hideous quilted ones it came with

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FP5WPKVL

Bumper protector trim - To cover some scratches and cracks on top of the bumper, and to protect from future ones

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374297644198

Stop start memory module - I've never had an issue with start/stop previously but on this DSG version it seemed to be quite agressive and stop the car too much for my liking.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009424334938.html

DSG lever top chrome - Original had chips in the chrome

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008748111292.html

Reversing camera - Not something I particularly needed but for the price and ease of install felt like a nice addition

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000230897829.html

Front speakers and fittings - Originals had the issue with the magnets falling off and there was a severe lack of bass!

Speakers - https://incartec.co.uk/product/pioneer-ts-g1710f-6-5-g-series-dual-cone-car-speakers-280w

Fitting kit - https://caraudiocentre.co.uk/products/blam-sfku-sko01-165-front-or-rear-door-speaker-upgrade-fitting-kit-for-skoda-165mm-6-5-inch

Foam rings - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007457007431.html (To direct sound through door card and mimic the OEM speakers)

Superb puddle lights - Because why not!

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009118825485.html

LED tailgate lights - It already had LED bulbs in the original holders but these are significantly brighter and really light up the whole boot area.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006419747360.html

While fitting the rear camera I managed to break a wire for the interior lights where it goes through the rubber gaiter to the tailgate, and everytime the tailgate opened to full height all the interior lights would flicker and go off. So, the next task was to replace this cable. I pulled in a new 22AWG cable and connected it into the wire close to the plug within the tailgate, and the other end at the plug just below the D pillar. Lights all working again and no further issues.

Washer bottle funnel lid - I really like the one we have on our Kpdiaq so this is a nice addition

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009730287325.html

Boot torch batteries - Original removable torch was working in when in situ but didnt work when out of the car. Please to find they are 3x standard AAA rechargeable batteries.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HZV9XKU

Wireless CarPlay adaptor - I love the wireless carplay in our Kodiaq. Its so handy when jumping in the car quickly and not needing to plug the cable in. I was sceptical of such a cheap unit but I have to say it has been flawless. A slight lag between changes on the screen and changes in audio, but no worse lag than the OEM wireless in the Kodiaq. It is also small enough to allow the cover to be closed with it in situ.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010493905846.html

Route usb from rear charging port to armrest - as the front port is occupied with the wireless dongle, and to have the wire coming out in the armrest and allows the rear ashtray to be closed with it in situ - Based on the solution by @JR RS

Slimline 12v to USB adaptor - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007463964127.html

90 degree USB C to Lightning flat cable - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009346861759.html (I also bought the USB C version in anticipation of the next phone upgrade being USB C not lightning)

Parking ticket clip - Its amazing how I didn't notice this was missing until I went to put a parking ticket in it. Having had Skodas for the last 6 years it was such a natural thing to stick the ticket into it. Had to go OEM for this one. I am sure I could have got it cheaper from a local dealer, but for the convenience I ordered from Skoda Parts.

https://www.skoda-parts.com/spare-part/3v0867333-parking-ticket-holder-skoda-15521.html

Wheel nut caps - There were none on the car when I got it and they just looked a bit shabby. I haven't fitted these yet as the ones for the locking bolt are a bit tight and need the ridges sanding off fromthe inside.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007215903363.html

Mud flaps - I fit these to all the cars I have. UK countryside roads make for a very dirty car and I feel they save the sills a lot of grime. These ones are significantly cheaper than OEM and not a perfect fit, but good enough.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001393849257.html

Not sure on the limit for length and photos for a single post, so will continue with a part 2.

Part 2

The car was originally supplied with a pump and goo repair kit. The goo was now out of date and I travel quite a bit for work so it makes me nervous not having a spare. I was keen on having a spare that was a close as possible to the rolling diameter of the existing wheels so it could be used without any speed or time restrictions, whilst also fitting under the boot floor. Following the advice shared from @Carlston on a few posts, I chose a 6Jx16 steel wheel with 215/60 R16 tyre which resulted in a less than 0.5% difference in rolling diameter. It fits in the wheel well really well, and fits perfectly on the car. Unfortunately the jack doesn't quite fit inside the wheel, but does fit in the side storage section.

Spare wheel - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364188522719

Breaker bar and socket - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/403816977765

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

Spare wheel fixing screw - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FP91RLPK

Gear gator leather - Thanks to @tombee for his cast off leather gaitor when he upgraded to alcantara. It was from a Mk7 golf so needed some fettling and gluing but is a great improvement on the previous which was damaged and cracked in a few places.

Vanity mirror lights - These were the only interior lights that weren't white LED. These ones from AliExpress are VERY bright and they may well prove to be too bright. I have kept the old bulb holders and may change them for standard fit LED bulbs rather than whole units.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006755056171.html

Parking brake switch - The OEM one the car came with had a chip in the chrome. 2nd hand spares were a similar price to AliExpress new, so I went with that. Perfect fit and a nice tidy up job.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006998838766.html

Rubber boot mat - My daughter is the goalkeeper for a local team. With that comes A LOT of mud. So I wanted something washable to line the boot. I went for the cheapest one I could find on Amazon and its proven to be a really nice fit.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B088FVXYC2

DAB aerial - This one is a bit of a pain. I dont use the radio much, but the DAB signal is terrible in this car. I know the local signal is ok as its fine in our Kodiaq. Following advice from @Cairus I bought the following, and unfortunately it hasn't improved things. I did notice the plug itself was loose when changing the connector so suspect there is something damaged inside the main unit. At some point I will take it out and take the case off and have a look inside.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09ZPHHBNL

AC vent covers - Advice from @travs to install these so kids detritus doesnt get lost into the AC vents. Now installed on this car and our Kodiaq.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32904629443.html

Clear plastic polish - The dash had a strange cloudy mark on it. From a tip from @Lee01 I tried the Meguiars Plast-RX and it worked wonders. Highly recommended for any clear plastic issues.

OBD reader - I had a cheap OBD reader using CarScanner app, and was keen to experiment with some coding which the cheap dongle couldnt support. Based on the advice on the CarScanner website I chose the following. It is brilliant and works seemelessly. Its a really cost effective way to achieve the basic coding tweaks. Allegedly can also do long coding but I haven't ventured into that realm just yet.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XGB4873

So far I have succesfully coded the following:

Teardrop wipe front and rear - I have noticed this only works in the dry, as any amount of moisture on the screen and the auto wiping seems to take over.

Curtosey indicator blinks from 3 to 5

Refuel level in Maxidot

Fog lights on with full beam and mainbeam flash

Blower power level showing in auto mode

Changed headlight washer interval to 20 from 10

Changed autohold and hill hold to "early". This has made a significant difference to the car, it was quite jerky when coming off autohold and its now silky smooth.

Wipers return to park when ignition turned off

Part 3 - Coming soon. All the below currently awaiting delivery.

Wireless charging pad - Keen to try to add a magsafe wireless pad to the slot next to the USB port. Hopefully won't generate too much heat.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DL6ZBC3F Planning on supplying it using this https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FP5FBTB7 connected to the back of the front 12v socket via a fused line. Parts should be coming today and will look to install tomorrow/this weekend. Will add some photos once I do.

Stainless pedals and footrest - I had been searching AliExpress for some RHD pedals for some time. Thanks to @JR RS for pointing me in the right direction.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005130384423.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.23.23f6180240IXhV

LED rear indicator bulbs

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005102438682.html

LED reversing bulbs

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006067983978.html

LED fog light bulbs

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010051387090.html

So today after much deliberation over how/where to install the wireless magsafe charger I have settled on a location and wiring solution. My phone was just a bit too big to fit in front of the gearstick in the cubby, and it wouldnt have sat flat on the bottom so I would have had to build up the underside of the wireless charger to make it fit. I did consider putting it inside the arm rest but it just felt a bit too awkward getting it in and out. In the end I settled on putting it on the left side of the centre console. 99% of the time I am in the car on my own, and even with a passenger in situ it isnt really in the way. Its nice and easy to put down and pick up from the driving position and you can move the passenger seat all the way forwards without it fouling the charger, although you wouldnt be able to have a phone on it at the time (and these cars are so huge why would you want to move the front seat all the way forwards anyway!

I wasn't overly keen on chopping in to the OEM wiring to connect it, so I opted for the same solution as I used to get the charging cable into the armrest. Slimline USB adaptor in the 12v socket and flat 90 degree USB C to USB C cable. It routed nicely to the side trim of the centre console and emerges just below the charger for a neat finish. I had to trim the edge of the cubby under the 12v socket ever so slightly but its well hidden by the USB/12v panel. and the cubby cover can still close over the top of it for a nice clean look.

All in all really pleased with the solution, and its easily removable/upgradeable, shouldn't generate any heat problems being out in the open, and I still have the wire in the centre console if I want to plug it in rather than charge wirelessly at all. I shall ask my wife nicely to borrow her phone later to take a picture of my phone in situ.

Wireless charger https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DL6ZBC3F

USB adaptor https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007174454597.html

USB Cable https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009553372728.html

I also installed the underseat vent grills to prevent items getting lost into the ventilation. A nice easy fit and suits the job perfectly.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32904629443.html

Whilst in the back fitting these I noticed the rear AC vents had lost the clip part from the adjusters. I will go fishing for the bits inside the ducting, if I can't find them I will order the Mercedes replacement parts as recommended by @zedman

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005874666828.html

Also continued playing about with a few bits of coding with CarScanner

-Undertaking prevention turned off

-Unlocking of doors when shifting to P

-Throttle pedal algorithm changed to "Direct" - I assume this is similar setting to changing it to "Audi" with VCDS. This has made such a difference to the driving feel of the car. Now feels like the accelerator pedal is actually attached to the engine!

Inspired by a very very minor part of the epic @ApertureS thread, I have installed self adhesive felt inside the sunglasses holder. I was hoping for black or light grey but they only have Red, Pink or white on the shelf, so went with the white. Doesnt look too bad and is nice and smooth for my sunglasses!

Felt was from Hobbycraft: https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/white-self-adhesive-felt-sheet-a4/5728371002.html

LED fog lights arrived today but I'm not sure when I will get an opportunity to install them.

LED indicator bulbs have arrived but the reversing bulbs were the wrong ones, so waiting on delivery of those.

Fitted the LED fog lights today. Nice easy install and a much better colour.

Auxito LED reversing and indicator bulbs now installed. Much brighter and clearer. Another simple but effective upgrade. Difficult to photograph but hopefully the difference is visible. It certainly is in person.

Also to mention on here, I have now solved the DAB issue. I reconnected the OEM aerial and found that when my phone was charging, the DAB didnt work, but with it disconnected, it did work. Traced the issue to the cheap USB adaptors from AliExpress.

Replaced them both with these from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BS3TPC6B

DAB now working fully. They are not quite as low profile as the previous ones but the rear ashtray and the front sliding cover still just about close without issue.

Repaired the rear vent sliders today using parts from AliExpress.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_Ez54g1O

Slightly more brushed than bright chrome surround but they don’t look too out of place and work well. You have to fully dismantle the unit to be able to slot everything in. All done in about 10 minutes.

Nice work. Rear seat heating is still missing.

5 hours ago, Cairus said:

Nice work. Rear seat heating is still missing.

Ha ha, 99% of the time I am in the car on my own so not really required. Might be nice to look at doing once the kids are out of child seats.

I Drive To 90% allone, but i have one in my Car Retrofitet

49 minutes ago, Cairus said:

I Drive To 90% allone, but i have one in my Car Retrofitet

One for the long list maybe.

Coded tailgate opening and closing for the key and inside button using CarScanner App.

Also fitted the new pedals. Link further up this thread.

Next month, Rear brake discs and pads and full service.

Last two orders is some long nose pliers and a genuine Skoda Torx screwdriver for the tool kit. Then that’s it and time to just enjoy the car. Probably…

Edited 4 March4 Mar by Binx1310

Fitted the wheel nut caps today and looks much smarter.

I feel a bit lost without pending deliveries and parts to fit. Roll on payday to order the brakes. Also need to change the rear pads on my wife’s Kodiaq.

Fate had me spending more money than expected this month.

Broken spring and top mount, and misting shock so those all changed on OSF.

I also appear to have misplaced the locking wheel bolt adaptor. The garage managed to extract the one needed for the work by welding on a bolt to the head of the locking bolt.

But for the others I was able to match a picture online with the pattern in the locking bolt and order a new adaptor from Amazon. I undid the three remaining lockers and cleaned up and returned the adaptor for a full refund! Now replaced with standard bolts.

New nut caps ordered to have a matched set in grey.

Black and white logo badges, black SUPERB badge, Black Skoda valve caps orderd too. I shall also order some "Chrome Delete" film to start the blackout project as per @Kosin inspirational photo.

Full service Friday, and hopefully if they have time a brake fluid change and DSG service to bring it all up to speed.

Rear brakes will have to wait until next month!

Edited 25 March25 Mar by Binx1310

Full service completed and no issues raised.

They didn’t have time to do DSG service and brake fluid change so that is booked in for a couple of months time.

Fitted LED headlight bulbs as recommended by @AL2772.

https://ebay.us/m/GEjuI6

Definitely not an easy fit and don’t even bother trying to do them without taking the arch liner out. But once it is out it’s not too bad a job. Had one fault come up when first installed but cleared the code and now all good. Much brighter and clearer than the previous bulbs.

Also updated the MIB software following @JR RS brilliant guide

Replaced the broken sun visor with a second hand one from eBay. Most are listed at around £40 but I stumbled across one listed at £25. A quick going over with Dr Beckmann carpet cleaner and it was as good as new.

Removing the old one was awkward but refit was simple.

All parts for dechrome have been ordered now including sportline roof rails. Will post links once I install them.

A couple of very minor bits completed.

Chrome key bottom

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EGD5wPe

New plastic cap on rear wiper to replace the sun damaged old one.

Not quite as nice a fit so I may try to revive the old one.

Replaced missing caps on front wiper bolts.

Why Not all New Key Cover?

I saw the chrome part come up on suggestions on Ali express. Not searched for a whole key cover. Might have to look now…

Rear pads and discs changed. This seems to have cured the rumble under braking when on ACC.

Cleaned the drivers side seatbelt as it was slow to roll back in. Two sponges and some hot soapy water to clean with a going over with clean water afterwards. Juding by the colour of the rinse water it was desperately needed!

@leolito Recommended a quick spray and wipe with silicone spray to help lubricate them too. I didn't have any so used GT85 PTFE spray which worked wonders, although now my seatbelt smells like GT85! Luckily I like the smell of it but I might go over with some isoprpyl alchool to take a bit off as it does get a bit overpowering after an hour or so of driving!

"New car smell for cyclists"

I now have nearly all the parts for the chrome delete project. Just need to find the time to fit them all!

Grill Surround

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/177879476697

Lower Grill parts

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/177879048390

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/157695824834

Radar Cover

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305273235761

Black/White badges

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009424974993.html

Black Superb Badge

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003980570506.html

Black Bumper protector

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/377061941246

Roof rails were from an autosalvage on eBay

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267450005368

Chrome Delete tape for Window surrounds and grill bars

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005051534918.html

Black Wheel centre caps (Awaiting delivery)

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009034228022.html