Am I Being Too Fussy About My Vrs

Flanno · 02-07-2003, 13:14

Have had my vRS for nearly 11 months now. Only done 6000 miles, but when I think about it I have had it back to the dealer maybe 6 times. Alot less then my Alfa, but it makes me wonder about the long term reliability of this car. Below are the list of issues I have had. Was wondering how this compares to other peoples experiences. My friends have told me I am just way too picky. What you reckon ?

Currently

- on roughish road surfaces loud vibration from back of car. Sounds like rear centre brake light surround is vibrating off window. Also, plastic door grip on drivers door still flexing when you open door and central locking pin noisy. Dealer taking a look next Wed.

Last month

- top of resistor on fuel gauge sensor cracked causing fuel gauge to read zero on full tank. Dealer broke seal under drivers seat and replaced sensor.

May

- tracking out, despite hitting no potholes
- right rear brakelight bulb went

March

- boot sensor light needed adjusting as boot light would go out straight away.

- light in glove compartment would stay on when closed. So sensor needed adjusting also.

- padding in base of drivers seat had to be replaced as it started to tear along the side of the seat, resulting in the metal frame pushing against the leather.

Feb

- drivers door grip started flexing again when you open door. Dealer refitted grip.

- Centre armrest noisy. Dealer inserted foam, but sometimes armrest still rattles on rough roads.

Nov.

- rattle in drivers door. Caused by cable vibrating against door lock. Dealer greased cable and inserted foam into door. But door grip now flexes when you open door. Dealer tightened it up.

**TaviaRS** · 02-07-2003, 13:19

OK, 20 months, 97,000 miles the odd one or 2 of which have been on track (about 8000 at the last count).

Mechanical problems to date:

5 coil pack failures
Water temp sender unit went AWOL
2 near side front wheel bearings replaced (that'll be the track use then)
Front, inside wishbone bushes cracked

And that's it

**JaneC** · 02-07-2003, 13:24

Hi,

Had mine almost a year - done 12,500 miles.

Only problem I've had is a brake light going (which I don't really see as a problem, nothing lasts for ever).

It's been back for a recall for the rear-wiper.

Not sure what you mean about the door grip flexing, will have a look next time I use the car.

On the whole I've had no problems at all, I usually have the CD player on so probably wouldn't hear any rattles though.

Sound like you have been a bit unlucky !

JAne

PS What armrest ????

Dutch4x4 · 02-07-2003, 13:36

Quote:

Originally posted by Flanno in this post
- light in glove compartment would stay on when closed. So sensor needed adjusting also.

I don't think there's anything wrong with your see-through-solid-materials sensor, though...

devonutopia · 02-07-2003, 13:37

Well - I'm probably the only one to have needed a spanking new turbo... Thats my only major problem with my car, but at least it gave me the chance to see what a 1.9 SDI would drive like, and it made me glad I have the TDI.

spc · 02-07-2003, 14:16

Quote:

Originally posted by Flanno in this post
Have had my vRS for nearly 11 months now. Only done 6000 miles, but when I think about it I have had it back to the dealer maybe 6 times.

...........May

- tracking out, despite hitting no potholes

..........

I've got an ongoing issue with a steering pull so.... Did the steering start to pull? How bad was it? What did they do? was the problem fully resolved?

No I don't think you are being fussy, I think these items can be very annoying, but there does seem to be inconsistency in how often cars suffer these problems. Is this a function of manufacturing quality control?

**robmawer** · 02-07-2003, 14:21

Had two rear brake light bulbs go, but they are "consumables".
Temperature gauge sender went as did Jon's, but that's fixed under warranty.

How did you know the light stayed on when the glovebox is closed? All a bit Shroedinger's Cat...

Rob.

Flanno · 02-07-2003, 14:30

According to Skoda the steering pull is a characteristic on all their Octavias. This is what the dealer told me and he showed me a letter to that effect. What happens on my vRS is that the car will start to drift to the left after 3-4 seconds. I have driven 2 other Octavias that have the same 'feature' and I know an Octavia and a Bora owner in work who have this as well.

What was interesting is that when I brought it to one Tyre 'specialist' they told me the tracking was out. The car was 2 days old at this stage and I didn't want to drive 50 miles back to the dealer. I then brought it to another 'specialist' who told me the tracking was fine, but the camber was out. I subsequently found out the settings both 'specialist' were using to check wheel alignment were way off. One guy was using the settings off an Octavia 1.9TDi, the other a 1.6 petrol. None of them had the program for vRS. When I brought it to my dealer he used a local tyre specialist who actually had a Skoda tech. manual which he used to reference what reading he was getting. Turns out my wheel alignment was perfect. And the camber apparenly is non adjustable. So I have got used to the slight 'pull' to the left now. Don't even notice it anymore.

Flanno · 02-07-2003, 14:36

It was actually a passenger that noticed it. Apparently driving at night the light was sort of shining out through a vent in the passenger footwell.

Personally I count myself lucky as the problems I have had are cosmetic. Every car except the Skoda has been a nightmare. My last was an Alfa 156. Bought from new. 0 miles. Showroom car. Turns out it must have fallen off a lorry literally as another Alfa dealer noticed filler on the roof, and the boot and drivers door weren't alligned properly. Plus I must have been back a dozen times with every electrical problem in the book. Italian cars are a pile of sh*te.

devonutopia · 02-07-2003, 14:37

Quote:

Originally posted by Flanno in this post
It was actually a passenger that noticed it. Apparently driving at night the light was sort of shining out through a vent in the passenger footwell.

Personally I count myself lucky as the problems I have had are cosmetic. Every car except the Skoda has been a nightmare. My last was an Alfa 156. Bought from new. 0 miles. Showroom car. Turns out it must have fallen off a lorry literally as another Alfa dealer noticed filler on the roof, and the boot and drivers door weren't alligned properly. Plus I must have been back a dozen times with every electrical problem in the book. Italian cars are a pile of sh*te.

There are a few people in here who will happily s1ag off FIAT... Me included.

Flanno · 02-07-2003, 14:50

Yeah...I had 'em for years. Since '96 I've had a

Punto SX
Punto HGT 1.8
Bravo 1.4
Bravo 1.6 GT
Alfa 147 1.6
Alfa 156

The Alfa's gave me the most trouble would you believe.

devonutopia · 02-07-2003, 14:53

I do believe. I have no trouble with that. Dad had a company Fiat TD runabout, and the engine ate itself spectaclarly & totally at 30000 miles (and at 80mph too!) Needed a 100% rebuild.

I see Fiat advertising their Stilo's in Exeter for stupid prices, and I just think, "yeah! RIGHT!" Will last about 6 months if you're lucky.

ZootyRS · 02-07-2003, 15:05

Quote:

Originally posted by Flanno in this post
Yeah...I had 'em for years. Since '96 I've had a

Punto SX
Punto HGT 1.8
Bravo 1.4
Bravo 1.6 GT
Alfa 147 1.6
Alfa 156

The Alfa's gave me the most trouble would you believe.

At which point did you realise "Italian cars are a pile of sh*te." ?!

KentStu · 02-07-2003, 15:24

Flanno - had same problem with the glove compartment light - dealer sorted it last weekend at its service. Must admit I wasn't that bothered about it - as you say a cosmetic (probably contact) issue so easily sorted and doesn't really effect use of the car.

KentStu · 02-07-2003, 15:32

... in defence of (old) Alfas our family had 4 Suds and a Sprint one after the other and had almost no problems in that time. Admit that we did look after them and get them properly waxoyled & serviced etc but 3 of the Suds & the Sprint were when we lived in Kenya and they survived the cr*p roads quite happily and the seaside around Mombasa. :p

Will always love Alfas and am currently negotiating buying a concours condition Sud so i can enjoy the rasp of the engine again. Mug? maybe - but if you accept their faults and ensure you deal with the weaknesses before they arrive they are brilliant fun. Also, the Sud was is a style breaker in that it popularised the hatchback and was a seriosuly radical style for the time.

Fabpreza · 02-07-2003, 16:31

Quote:

Originally posted by KentStu in this post
[BWill always love Alfas and am currently negotiating buying a concours condition Sud so i can enjoy the rasp of the engine again. Mug? maybe - but if you accept their faults and ensure you deal with the weaknesses before they arrive they are brilliant fun. Also, the Sud was is a style breaker in that it popularised the hatchback and was a seriosuly radical style for the time.

[/b]

As someone brought up with Flat Four Suds I can also appreciate why they lasted much better in Kenya's weather. Superb cars but always remember the look of horror on my Dad's face when he fancied trading in our year old 1.5 Super for a used Audi. The depreciation worked out at 70% in one year.

I presume that you are buying a Ti ? I have a number of Sud articles if you want me to dig them out ?

KLB · 02-07-2003, 17:03

Ah yes! Fiat's (lack of) build quality goes back a long way.

I still have fond memories of my 1975 Fiat 124 Sport. It had a lovely free-revving 1800 twin cam engine. The progressive twin-choke carb was great - it felt a bit like a turbo spooling up as the second barrel opened up.

I could cope with the clouds of rust particles it left in its wake, but when bits started falling off I decided it had to go

KentStu · 02-07-2003, 17:24

Fabpreza - actually not a Ti - a late model Green Cloverleaf (has the 1.5 veloce engine). My mum had one of these in Britain and it was great fun until my younger brother wrote it off.

PLD - vRS · 05-07-2003, 01:15

I had a 1.5 Ti Green Cloverleaf – it fell to pieces and the electrics were a nightmare, I’ve also run a Piaggio Scooter for three years – no end of problems. The vRS is fine so far, there is a bit of torque steer on hard acceleration but you can drive through it. This is not the same a the tracking being out. I my experience if you think your tracking is out go out late at night onto a motorway or good duel carriageway, drive in lane 1 and steer towards the central reservation, then let go. If the car goes hard to the left you have a problem if it just drifts toward the centre and slightly left with the camber then I would suggest you have nothing to worry about,

FightingDiva · 06-07-2003, 21:12

My earlier cars wher all japonese, 3 Mazda's and 1 Honda. The Honda had more problems then my Mazda's in general.
My first european car is my car at present and it's a Skoda Octavia vRS -02, been driving around with a huge grin on my face for about 15 months now, and I still haven't gone to my dealer.

I'm very happy with the vRS and hope to be so for as long as I want/need the car.

Cheers,

FD

02-07-2003, 13:14	#1
Flanno Briskodian Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 251 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Am I Being Too Fussy About My Vrs Have had my vRS for nearly 11 months now. Only done 6000 miles, but when I think about it I have had it back to the dealer maybe 6 times. Alot less then my Alfa, but it makes me wonder about the long term reliability of this car. Below are the list of issues I have had. Was wondering how this compares to other peoples experiences. My friends have told me I am just way too picky. What you reckon ? Currently - on roughish road surfaces loud vibration from back of car. Sounds like rear centre brake light surround is vibrating off window. Also, plastic door grip on drivers door still flexing when you open door and central locking pin noisy. Dealer taking a look next Wed. Last month - top of resistor on fuel gauge sensor cracked causing fuel gauge to read zero on full tank. Dealer broke seal under drivers seat and replaced sensor. May - tracking out, despite hitting no potholes - right rear brakelight bulb went March - boot sensor light needed adjusting as boot light would go out straight away. - light in glove compartment would stay on when closed. So sensor needed adjusting also. - padding in base of drivers seat had to be replaced as it started to tear along the side of the seat, resulting in the metal frame pushing against the leather. Feb - drivers door grip started flexing again when you open door. Dealer refitted grip. - Centre armrest noisy. Dealer inserted foam, but sometimes armrest still rattles on rough roads. Nov. - rattle in drivers door. Caused by cable vibrating against door lock. Dealer greased cable and inserted foam into door. But door grip now flexes when you open door. Dealer tightened it up.

02-07-2003, 13:19	#2
TaviaRS Dinosaur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North of the Watford Gap Posts: 14,918 Thanks: 19 Thanked 42 Times in 38 Posts	OK, 20 months, 97,000 miles the odd one or 2 of which have been on track (about 8000 at the last count). Mechanical problems to date: 5 coil pack failures Water temp sender unit went AWOL 2 near side front wheel bearings replaced (that'll be the track use then) Front, inside wishbone bushes cracked And that's it __________________ A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast. Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

02-07-2003, 13:24	#3
JaneC Beeming Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: North Essex Posts: 3,274 Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 15 Posts	Hi, Had mine almost a year - done 12,500 miles. Only problem I've had is a brake light going (which I don't really see as a problem, nothing lasts for ever). It's been back for a recall for the rear-wiper. Not sure what you mean about the door grip flexing, will have a look next time I use the car. On the whole I've had no problems at all, I usually have the CD player on so probably wouldn't hear any rattles though. Sound like you have been a bit unlucky ! JAne PS What armrest ???? __________________ Jane.

02-07-2003, 13:37	#5
devonutopia Mongreller Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ooo-ar, Oi be from Devonshire Posts: 29,221 Thanks: 60 Thanked 288 Times in 234 Posts	Well - I'm probably the only one to have needed a spanking new turbo... Thats my only major problem with my car, but at least it gave me the chance to see what a 1.9 SDI would drive like, and it made me glad I have the TDI. __________________ Jason - Mongrel owner! WOOOOF! Grrrrr Custom Fabia Bonnet Lifter Kits - £45! Click Me. See the mongrel's 260bhp Dyno Video!

02-07-2003, 14:21	#7
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,390 Thanks: 2 Thanked 65 Times in 58 Posts	Had two rear brake light bulbs go, but they are "consumables". Temperature gauge sender went as did Jon's, but that's fixed under warranty. How did you know the light stayed on when the glovebox is closed? All a bit Shroedinger's Cat... Rob. __________________

02-07-2003, 14:30	#8
Flanno Briskodian Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 251 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	According to Skoda the steering pull is a characteristic on all their Octavias. This is what the dealer told me and he showed me a letter to that effect. What happens on my vRS is that the car will start to drift to the left after 3-4 seconds. I have driven 2 other Octavias that have the same 'feature' and I know an Octavia and a Bora owner in work who have this as well. What was interesting is that when I brought it to one Tyre 'specialist' they told me the tracking was out. The car was 2 days old at this stage and I didn't want to drive 50 miles back to the dealer. I then brought it to another 'specialist' who told me the tracking was fine, but the camber was out. I subsequently found out the settings both 'specialist' were using to check wheel alignment were way off. One guy was using the settings off an Octavia 1.9TDi, the other a 1.6 petrol. None of them had the program for vRS. When I brought it to my dealer he used a local tyre specialist who actually had a Skoda tech. manual which he used to reference what reading he was getting. Turns out my wheel alignment was perfect. And the camber apparenly is non adjustable. So I have got used to the slight 'pull' to the left now. Don't even notice it anymore.

02-07-2003, 14:36	#9
Flanno Briskodian Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 251 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	It was actually a passenger that noticed it. Apparently driving at night the light was sort of shining out through a vent in the passenger footwell. Personally I count myself lucky as the problems I have had are cosmetic. Every car except the Skoda has been a nightmare. My last was an Alfa 156. Bought from new. 0 miles. Showroom car. Turns out it must have fallen off a lorry literally as another Alfa dealer noticed filler on the roof, and the boot and drivers door weren't alligned properly. Plus I must have been back a dozen times with every electrical problem in the book. Italian cars are a pile of sh*te.

02-07-2003, 14:50	#11
Flanno Briskodian Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 251 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Yeah...I had 'em for years. Since '96 I've had a Punto SX Punto HGT 1.8 Bravo 1.4 Bravo 1.6 GT Alfa 147 1.6 Alfa 156 The Alfa's gave me the most trouble would you believe.

02-07-2003, 14:53	#12
devonutopia Mongreller Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ooo-ar, Oi be from Devonshire Posts: 29,221 Thanks: 60 Thanked 288 Times in 234 Posts	I do believe. I have no trouble with that. Dad had a company Fiat TD runabout, and the engine ate itself spectaclarly & totally at 30000 miles (and at 80mph too!) Needed a 100% rebuild. I see Fiat advertising their Stilo's in Exeter for stupid prices, and I just think, "yeah! RIGHT!" Will last about 6 months if you're lucky. __________________ Jason - Mongrel owner! WOOOOF! Grrrrr Custom Fabia Bonnet Lifter Kits - £45! Click Me. See the mongrel's 260bhp Dyno Video!

02-07-2003, 15:24	#14
KentStu Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Canterbury, Kent Posts: 1,884 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Flanno - had same problem with the glove compartment light - dealer sorted it last weekend at its service. Must admit I wasn't that bothered about it - as you say a cosmetic (probably contact) issue so easily sorted and doesn't really effect use of the car. __________________ Stu Yellow Octy RS & '58 Morris Minor Tourer Owner .......... not a hairdresser

02-07-2003, 15:32	#15
KentStu Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Canterbury, Kent Posts: 1,884 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	... in defence of (old) Alfas our family had 4 Suds and a Sprint one after the other and had almost no problems in that time. Admit that we did look after them and get them properly waxoyled & serviced etc but 3 of the Suds & the Sprint were when we lived in Kenya and they survived the cr*p roads quite happily and the seaside around Mombasa. :p Will always love Alfas and am currently negotiating buying a concours condition Sud so i can enjoy the rasp of the engine again. Mug? maybe - but if you accept their faults and ensure you deal with the weaknesses before they arrive they are brilliant fun. Also, the Sud was is a style breaker in that it popularised the hatchback and was a seriosuly radical style for the time. __________________ Stu Yellow Octy RS & '58 Morris Minor Tourer Owner .......... not a hairdresser

02-07-2003, 17:03	#17
KLB Discordian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Newport, Newport - so good the Post Office named it twice Posts: 1,962 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Ah yes! Fiat's (lack of) build quality goes back a long way. I still have fond memories of my 1975 Fiat 124 Sport. It had a lovely free-revving 1800 twin cam engine. The progressive twin-choke carb was great - it felt a bit like a turbo spooling up as the second barrel opened up. I could cope with the clouds of rust particles it left in its wake, but when bits started falling off I decided it had to go __________________ Mike

02-07-2003, 17:24	#18
KentStu Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Canterbury, Kent Posts: 1,884 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Fabpreza - actually not a Ti - a late model Green Cloverleaf (has the 1.5 veloce engine). My mum had one of these in Britain and it was great fun until my younger brother wrote it off. __________________ Stu Yellow Octy RS & '58 Morris Minor Tourer Owner .......... not a hairdresser

05-07-2003, 01:15	#19
PLD - vRS Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I had a 1.5 Ti Green Cloverleaf – it fell to pieces and the electrics were a nightmare, I’ve also run a Piaggio Scooter for three years – no end of problems. The vRS is fine so far, there is a bit of torque steer on hard acceleration but you can drive through it. This is not the same a the tracking being out. I my experience if you think your tracking is out go out late at night onto a motorway or good duel carriageway, drive in lane 1 and steer towards the central reservation, then let go. If the car goes hard to the left you have a problem if it just drifts toward the centre and slightly left with the camber then I would suggest you have nothing to worry about, __________________ PLD

06-07-2003, 21:12	#20
FightingDiva Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 224 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My earlier cars wher all japonese, 3 Mazda's and 1 Honda. The Honda had more problems then my Mazda's in general. My first european car is my car at present and it's a Skoda Octavia vRS -02, been driving around with a huge grin on my face for about 15 months now, and I still haven't gone to my dealer. I'm very happy with the vRS and hope to be so for as long as I want/need the car. Cheers, FD __________________ Regards, FightingDiva http://www.skodaklubben.com Member of the Skoda Club in Sweden

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