Hi there i currently have a mk 2 fl vrs and have just been to look at a mk4 pre fl with 40000 miles on for 21k, could any owners tell me if thats good value and also how I can tell what spec it has? Thanks for any help in advance

12 minutes ago, Catzeye said:

Hi there i currently have a mk 2 fl vrs and have just been to look at a mk4 pre fl with 40000 miles on for 21k, could any owners tell me if thats good value and also how I can tell what spec it has? Thanks for any help in advance

I just bought a brand new vRS for just under £35k. £21k is 60% of that, which at 3 years old seems normal, especially considering the current crazy used car market. I would make sure it's been properly serviced and has 12 months MOT without advisories.

There's a seller on eBay who can provide you the full spec from the VIN for €3. You can also use the PR code sticker near the spare wheel if this car has it (my 4.5 does not).

22 minutes ago, davegr said:

I just bought a brand new vRS for just under £35k. £21k is 60% of that, which at 3 years old seems normal, especially considering the current crazy used car market. I would make sure it's been properly serviced and has 12 months MOT without advisories.

There's a seller on eBay who can provide you the full spec from the VIN for €3. You can also use the PR code sticker near the spare wheel if this car has it (my 4.5 does not).

Hi davegr, thanks for the reply, cars lovley ad seens mint, no marks on wheels and body work that o coukd see, just wanted to check prices, has full main dealer history from a main dealer that is literally 5 miles from me so I'm thinking of ringing up and seeing if they would release any history of the car, and its spec! Its a Manuel one which I believe is quite rare! Are the infotainments as bad as im reading? Thanks for any help again

57 minutes ago, Catzeye said:

Hi davegr, thanks for the reply, cars lovley ad seens mint, no marks on wheels and body work that o coukd see, just wanted to check prices, has full main dealer history from a main dealer that is literally 5 miles from me so I'm thinking of ringing up and seeing if they would release any history of the car, and its spec! Its a Manuel one which I believe is quite rare! Are the infotainments as bad as im reading? Thanks for any help again

I can’t say much about the infotainment. My 4.5 seems fine but I think earlier had some issues which required updates.

9 hours ago, Catzeye said:

Are the infotainments as bad as im reading?

Early pre-FL cars suffered with significant infotainment system issues as well as some other modules (eg SOS unit). S/ware updates and some component replacements have sorted them.

If the car is a Škoda approved used vehicle then all software updates should be applied - insist that they are and ask for proof they have been done.

6 hours ago, SteveTheElder said:

Early pre-FL cars suffered with significant infotainment system issues as well as some other modules (eg SOS unit). S/ware updates and some component replacements have sorted them.

If the car is a Škoda approved used vehicle then all software updates should be applied - insist that they are and ask for proof they have been done.

Thanks for this, ibe spoke to skoda dealer this morning we're it came from and they have confirmed there are no outstanding recals but also that its over due diff service spark plugs and brake fluid change which is a bit of a red flag to me. Do you know if the clutches are still weak on the manual versions as this is a manual, yeah im aware of the software issues ect hopefully the recal would habe had them sorted, thanks for the help

1 minute ago, Catzeye said:

Thanks for this, ibe spoke to skoda dealer this morning we're it came from and they have confirmed there are no outstanding recals but also that its over due diff service spark plugs and brake fluid change which is a bit of a red flag to me. Do you know if the clutches are still weak on the manual versions as this is a manual, yeah im aware of the software issues ect hopefully the recal would habe had them sorted, thanks for the help

Doesn't Skoda say the diff is "lifetime"? In any case, 40k miles isn't terribly high. I intend to do mine around 30k. Brake fluid is due at 3 years, so only just due. Spark plugs are due at 40k, so again only just due.

Is this a private sale or a dealer? If private, use these things to haggle the price down an appropriate amount. If a dealer, either do the same or ask them to include these things in the sale.

1 hour ago, davegr said:

Doesn't Skoda say the diff is "lifetime"? In any case, 40k miles isn't terribly high. I intend to do mine around 30k. Brake fluid is due at 3 years, so only just due. Spark plugs are due at 40k, so again only just due.

Is this a private sale or a dealer? If private, use these things to haggle the price down an appropriate amount. If a dealer, either do the same or ask them to include these things in the sale.

Thanks for the reply, those were the items that were listed by the main dealer it was serviced at , yeah the garge rang me back just now and ive suggested the work be done b4 I buy the car thanks for the help yous, as previously stated ive currently got a mk2fl and have used briskoda alot for its ownership and here I am again excited to buy a mk4!! BTW any info on the reliability of the clutch on the mk4 manual?

I can’t really comment on the clutch in a manual VRS as mine is a 1.5tsi 150; so about 25% less powerful. For what it’s worth, mine is fine at ~74k miles.

Edited 11 May11 May by SteveTheElder
Typo

Hi I have a 73 plate VRS estate auto 20k miles.

I had the front diff carried out by a vag registered indy at 18k because skoda only change the oil in the diff , they do not clean the filter on the pump. Both were spotless, but done for peace of mind tho i dont really thrash the car.

Brake fluid is every 2 years(con in my eyes) , i had it done but when the next one comes round, it will be out of warranty and will goto an indy i know who will measure moisture content.

8 hours ago, davegr said:

Doesn't Skoda say the diff is "lifetime"? In any case, 40k miles isn't terribly high. I intend to do mine around 30k. Brake fluid is due at 3 years, so only just due. Spark plugs are due at 40k, so again only just due.

Is this a private sale or a dealer? If private, use these things to haggle the price down an appropriate amount. If a dealer, either do the same or ask them to include these things in the sale.

Absolutely not!!!

The VAQ diff needs to be done every 2 years, or 20,000 miles. The older Mk3 cars were 30k or 3 years, however I do mine every year around 10k miles. The fluid needs changing, and the pump screen needs cleaning. When was it actually done @Catzeye? FWIW, the VAQ LSD is a Haldex-derived system - it uses an electronically controlled, hydraulically actuated clutch pack. You don’t want that going wrong!

The DSG cars need the service at 40k, however that’s not an issue here. The manual vRS will have an MQ350 in it - absolutely fine, clutch wise. It’s the same box as in the manual Golf Rs and the like - no issues at all, so long as they’ve been driven properly.

40k is the major service, so I’d make sure that’s done before sale - it’ll be air filter, plugs and the usual.

14 hours ago, OccyVRS said:

Absolutely not!!!

The VAQ diff needs to be done every 2 years, or 20,000 miles.

What's the evidence for this? As the owner of a brand new Octavia 4.5 vRS, I want to know such details 🙂

2 hours ago, davegr said:

What's the evidence for this? As the owner of a brand new Octavia 4.5 vRS, I want to know such details 🙂

@Evolution13 will have something from VW. Just Google “VAQ service interval” and every single result will tell you to do it at a maximum of 30,000 miles, or 3 years. As usual, the Skoda dealer you bought the car from is useless.

It’s a standard interval for the diff, whether it’s in a vRS, a GTI, a Cupra or anything else. The interval used to be 30k/3 years and is now 20k/2 years for the MQB Evo.

Edited 12 May12 May by OccyVRS

1 minute ago, OccyVRS said:

@Evolution13 will have something from VW. Just Google “VAQ service interval” and every single result will tell you to do it at a maximum of 30,000 miles, or 3 years. As usual, the Skoda dealer you bought the car from is useless.

But all the sources I find are independent and have an interest in making money.

Who is the authority on this?

Just now, davegr said:

But all the sources I find are independent and have an interest in making money.

Who is the authority on this?

VWAG - SEAT, Škoda, CUPRA and VW UK.

Pick up the phone and give your local dealer a ring, or feel free to search this forum for the numerous posts about it.

The only thing VW aren’t really correct on is the DQ381 box - they say the interval is 80k but I don’t know anyone that waits that long.

6 minutes ago, OccyVRS said:

VWAG - SEAT, Škoda, CUPRA and VW UK.

Pick up the phone and give your local dealer a ring, or feel free to search this forum for the numerous posts about it.

The only thing VW aren’t really correct on is the DQ381 box - they say the interval is 80k but I don’t know anyone that waits that long.

I was under the impression that the dealers usually say it’s lifetime.

1 minute ago, davegr said:

I was under the impression that the dealers usually say it’s lifetime.

Again, absolutely not, under any circumstances - not even close.

The only “lifetime” thing from VW is the DQ200 box, and even that has two oils you want to be changing circa 100k.

Again, in the previous generation of cars, the VAQ wants doing at a maximum of 30,000 miles or 3 years. In MQB Evo models, this has been reduced to 20,000 miles or 2 years. It’s a similar interval for Haldex AWD systems. You will want the fluid changed, and the pump screen/gauze cleaned.

I do mine every year, and have just done the gearbox at 40k - 80k is no good. Ditto with the gearbox, there is a filter to change too, even if the dealer often doesn’t do it.

43 minutes ago, davegr said:

I was under the impression that the dealers usually say it’s lifetime.

Under the impression? Usually?

Or told definitely by multiple dealers and Skoda UK?

Can't see anything that says they're lifetime on the internet.

Just now, travs said:

Under the impression? Usually?

Or told definitely by multiple dealers and Skoda UK?

Can't see anything that says they're lifetime on the internet.

Just what I read in multiple places while trying to figure out the service plan for my new car. As far as Skoda sources go, I haven’t found it mentioned

1 hour ago, travs said:

Under the impression? Usually?

Or told definitely by multiple dealers and Skoda UK?

Can't see anything that says they're lifetime on the internet.

I just noticed your signature. It must be a nightmare declaring all that to your insurance company?

The front diff i believe is the same as the golf gti. Skoda informed me that it requires a service every 2 years (though i had to ask!) However they were not prepared to remove pump and clean strainer, which was pointless in my estimation.

Just now, OccyVRS said:

VWAG - SEAT, Škoda, CUPRA and VW UK.

Pick up the phone and give your local dealer a ring, or feel free to search this forum for the numerous posts about it.

The only thing VW aren’t really correct on is the DQ381 box - they say the interval is 80k but I don’t know anyone that waits that long.

21 hours ago, OccyVRS said:

Absolutely not!!!

The VAQ diff needs to be done every 2 years, or 20,000 miles. The older Mk3 cars were 30k or 3 years, however I do mine every year around 10k miles. The fluid needs changing, and the pump screen needs cleaning. When was it actually done @Catzeye? FWIW, the VAQ LSD is a Haldex-derived system - it uses an electronically controlled, hydraulically actuated clutch pack. You don’t want that going wrong!

The DSG cars need the service at 40k, however that’s not an issue here. The manual vRS will have an MQ350 in it - absolutely fine, clutch wise. It’s the same box as in the manual Golf Rs and the like - no issues at all, so long as they’ve been driven properly.

40k is the major service, so I’d make sure that’s done before sale - it’ll be air filter, plugs and the usual.

It hsnt been done at all m8 thanks for the help by the way, so by the lolooks of things the car has literally only had two oil services with filters a pollen filter and one brake fluid change!! Not good imo

Just now, Catzeye said:

It hsnt been done at all m8 thanks for the help by the way, so by the lolooks of things the car has literally only had two oil services with filters a pollen filter and one brake fluid change!! Not good imo

The garge im potentially purchasing has suggested a 300 pound discount t but I'd be financing the car so would have to fork out for th servicing items straight off the bat

VAQ diff was @ 3 years / 30,000 miles and Awsome GTI and others recommended 2 years / 20,000 miles, then Skoda changed to 2 years / 20,000 miles with Mk4,s. As it is many a Dealers Service Desk person with no mechanical knowledge says 'Optional'. This is VAQ,s i am speaking of.

2 hours ago, davegr said:

I just noticed your signature. It must be a nightmare declaring all that to your insurance company?

Not really - it’s only an issue if you’re young like me. Not to mention that most of the modifications aren’t significant in affecting a premium - intercooler, etc. You also don’t have to declare absolutely everything… DS2500 pads, RS3 brake ducts and stuff come to mind.

1 hour ago, Weeguy said:

The front diff i believe is the same as the golf gti. Skoda informed me that it requires a service every 2 years (though i had to ask!) However they were not prepared to remove pump and clean strainer, which was pointless in my estimation.

This is absolutely correct. It’s the same diff as in the GTI PP and Cupra. It has a pump screen/gauze that must be cleaned. It’s the same story as the DSG - dealers don’t bother to replace the filter, which makes it pointless.

32 minutes ago, Catzeye said:

It hsnt been done at all m8 thanks for the help by the way, so by the lolooks of things the car has literally only had two oil services with filters a pollen filter and one brake fluid change!! Not good imo

40k on it and only oil changes? Run, run, run away! £300 is a joke. A major service will be £450+, along with £160 for the LSD and whatever else. You can expect to pay £1000+ for OE discs and pads too, which at that mileage may want doing (mine did at 29k).

There are plenty more fish in the sea - the oil changes aren’t the end of the world, but it’s indicative of a car that hasn’t been cared for the best. It’s also twice overdue an LSD service. If you’re on a forum admitting it’s “not good” then I think you have your answer! Shame. The manuals are very rare from the Mk3.5 onwards.