Skoda Laura Ambiente TDI MT - Ownership Experience. EDIT: Now sold

Behemoth · 22nd January 2019, 09:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by arun_747

Another question: Do You think upgrading to Crateris 16" alloy wheels (from the L&K model) & better tires will improve the ride & handling. Or is it not recommended ?

No I dont recommend upgrading the alloy wheel size to 16 inchers as that will adversely affect the ride quality and make it even harsher due to the lower profile tyres. In India the roads are full of potholes and lower profile tyres are not good and also get damaged easily.
If you currently have 195 65 R15 tyres on your Laura you can upsize a bit to 205 65 R15 Michelin tyres (this is the old Innova size)
Michelin Energy XM2 205/65 R15 94V Tubeless Car Tyre (Home Shipment) http://www.amazon.in/dp/B01GJNAXDA/r..._mUPrCbYJTNFZ6

and you will get lesser road noise and increased comfort. Do check that the tyres do not touch anywhere though.

arun_747 · 22nd January 2019, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Behemoth

No I dont recommend upgrading the alloy wheel size to 16 inchers as that will adversely affect the ride quality and make it even harsher due to the lower profile tyres. In India the roads are full of potholes and lower profile tyres are not good and also get damaged easily.
If you currently have 195 65 R15 tyres on your Laura you can upsize a bit to 205 65 R15 Michelin tyres (this is the old Innova size)
Michelin Energy XM2 205/65 R15 94V Tubeless Car Tyre (Home Shipment) http://www.amazon.in/dp/B01GJNAXDA/r..._mUPrCbYJTNFZ6

and you will get lesser road noise and increased comfort. Do check that the tyres do not touch anywhere though.

Thank You Behemoth !

Will consider the tyre upgrade & thanks for providing the link !

keeru · 22nd January 2019, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by arun_747

Hi Behemoth,

OK, i'll need to check with Skoda Service if the software update is done. The RPM increase happens even after long drives.
Thanks for Your response !

Just change the battery, the problem will be resolved.

The alternator has to put more load on the engine to compensate the dying battery. That time, the RPM shoots up.
I had done enough research to resolve this issue on my Polo GT TDI (1.6)

Let me know once it get resolved.
Thanks,

keeru · 22nd January 2019, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Behemoth

My Skoda Laura (Feb 2012 purchased) run 46,000 kms only was given the EA189 Software update

How would someone do EA189 software update on EA188 motor??
If yours is 110 bhp, then it belongs to EA188 family and no fix required.

Also, how would you get to know that the water pump failed at 46000 kms?

Behemoth · 22nd January 2019, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by keeru

How would someone do EA189 software update on EA188 motor??
If yours is 110 bhp, then it belongs to EA188 family and no fix required.

Also, how would you get to know that the water pump failed at 46000 kms?

The update was not just for Ea189 engines and actually covers all Skoda, Vw and Audi engines and they did updates to all of them. Skoda even gave me a car care kit as a courtesy after they did the update as part of the recall.
The water pump replacement was done also during service as they found it to be leaking. The water pump replacement was charged to me as it was outside warranty and I paid for it so I know.

keeru · 22nd January 2019, 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Behemoth

The update was not just for Ea189 engines and actually covers all Skoda, Vw and Audi engines and they did updates to all of them. Skoda even gave me a car care kit as a courtesy after they did the update as part of the recall.
The water pump replacement was done also during service as they found it to be leaking. The water pump replacement was charged to me as it was outside warranty and I paid for it so I know.

Ok, I own a used 2.0 ambition 2012 MY and the previous owner said that there was no recall for this car.
BTW, on which year this fix was done in your car? Have you noticed any difference in the power delivery post the update?

keeru · 23rd January 2019, 01:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Behemoth

The update was not just for Ea189 engines and actually covers all Skoda, Vw and Audi engines and they did updates to all of them.

Can you enter your VIN and see if your vehicle is affected and let me know?
I believe yours is an ambient which means, the engine is 110ps.

vignesh.cv · 23rd January 2019, 08:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by arun_747

Another question: Do You think upgrading to Crateris 16" alloy wheels (from the L&K model) & better tires will improve the ride & handling. Or is it not recommended ?

I own a 2013 Skoda Laura which came with the vRS 16" alloys & 205/55 tyres as standard. I recently switched to 17" wheels and wider tyres and that has transformed the car completely. I drive around in Bangalore city.

I would recommend up sizing to the OEM 16" alloys with better tyres (205/55 size) to improve the ride and handling. The suspension and the tyre combo will be able to handle most of the potholed roads. While at it, also check the suspension bushes & dampers - given the car's age and usage, they would have taken some beating. Replacing them would give back that factory fresh ride quality and handling.

keeru · 23rd January 2019, 08:56

Hey Vignesh,
Was your car recalled as part of the diesel gate fix campaign?

vignesh.cv · 23rd January 2019, 16:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by keeru

Hey Vignesh,
Was your car recalled as part of the diesel gate fix campaign?

Yes it was recalled.

arun_747 · 24th January 2019, 13:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by keeru

Just change the battery, the problem will be resolved.

The alternator has to put more load on the engine to compensate the dying battery. That time, the RPM shoots up.
I had done enough research to resolve this issue on my Polo GT TDI (1.6)

Let me know once it get resolved.
Thanks,

Hi Keeru,
Thanks for Your response.

I will get the Battery checked and let You know the status.
Regards,
Arun

arun_747 · 24th January 2019, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by vignesh.cv

I own a 2013 Skoda Laura which came with the vRS 16" alloys & 205/55 tyres as standard. I recently switched to 17" wheels and wider tyres and that has transformed the car completely. I drive around in Bangalore city.

I would recommend up sizing to the OEM 16" alloys with better tyres (205/55 size) to improve the ride and handling. The suspension and the tyre combo will be able to handle most of the potholed roads. While at it, also check the suspension bushes & dampers - given the car's age and usage, they would have taken some beating. Replacing them would give back that factory fresh ride quality and handling.

Hi Vignesh,
Thanks for Your response !

Just wanted to know if You have sold the 16" OEM alloy wheels.
I would consider the 16" upgrade if i get any used set of OEM alloy wheels.
Regards,
Arun

vignesh.cv · 28th January 2019, 23:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by arun_747

Hi Vignesh,
Thanks for Your response !

Just wanted to know if You have sold the 16" OEM alloy wheels.
I would consider the 16" upgrade if i get any used set of OEM alloy wheels.
Regards,
Arun

Unfortunately, I've sold my OEM alloy wheels sometime back. Getting a used set of alloy wheels is always a tricky thing as you need to really know how well it was maintained. Having said that, keep an eye out as someone or the other would be swapping alloys.

arun_747 · 15th February 2019, 12:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by vignesh.cv

Unfortunately, I've sold my OEM alloy wheels sometime back. Getting a used set of alloy wheels is always a tricky thing as you need to really know how well it was maintained. Having said that, keep an eye out as someone or the other would be swapping alloys.

Thanks Vignesh, point noted.

(Sorry for the late reply)
Do You know any good FNG in Bangalore for Skoda Service. Kindly let me know. Thanks.

Behemoth · 26th October 2021, 11:14

After a long and happy 9 Years and 9 months of Ownership of our Skoda Laura TDI, we have sold our car to a friend of a BHPian based at Kerala - the car will now find a new home at Ernakulam. The new owner was quite happy with the condition and maintenance of the car.

This has been one of our best cars and had the 10 year rule not been in NCR for Diesel cars, we would have kept it for another 3-4 years.
This car was from the days when Skoda made very solid and reliable cars - both my Laura and Yeti were from that generation and served us well!
This car has left some really big shoes to fill and we still are struggling to find the right car - with today's cars, no car can offer the same level of boot space, comfort, mileage and solidity as this car.

Mods may please close this thread.

23rd January 2019, 08:56	#129
keeru BHPian Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Bangalore Posts: 87 Thanked: 37 Times	re: Skoda Laura Ambiente TDI MT - Ownership Experience. EDIT: Now sold Hey Vignesh, Was your car recalled as part of the diesel gate fix campaign? Last edited by keeru : 23rd January 2019 at 09:05.
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26th October 2021, 11:14	#135
Behemoth Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 2,109 Thanked: 5,867 Times View My Garage	re: Skoda Laura Ambiente TDI MT - Ownership Experience. EDIT: Now sold After a long and happy 9 Years and 9 months of Ownership of our Skoda Laura TDI, we have sold our car to a friend of a BHPian based at Kerala - the car will now find a new home at Ernakulam. The new owner was quite happy with the condition and maintenance of the car. This has been one of our best cars and had the 10 year rule not been in NCR for Diesel cars, we would have kept it for another 3-4 years. This car was from the days when Skoda made very solid and reliable cars - both my Laura and Yeti were from that generation and served us well! This car has left some really big shoes to fill and we still are struggling to find the right car - with today's cars, no car can offer the same level of boot space, comfort, mileage and solidity as this car. Mods may please close this thread.
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