[dkaile]

Removing The Skoda Bolero Headunit from a 2012 Skoda Superb

The audio goes bad in the video after sometime though but you get a fair idea what to do. Quite simple overall -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE_CVUl6NaE

[dkaile]

Toyota Camry Vs Skoda Superb - Autocar Web Exclusive 7th Nov 2012 - http://www.autocarindia.com/Feature/...da-superb.aspx

[ac-cobra]

In a bit of a dilemma here. Being offered new December 2011 manufactured Superb Elegance models at a good discount. The cars look OK to the eye, but have been sitting in the dealer stockyard for 5 months now, before which they have been sitting at the Skoda factory for 5 months.The cars look completely fresh with the plastic covers on the seats as well as a vinyl wrapping on the bonnet, with no signs of use or wear. My only concern is the cars being used as test drive ones and then the Odometers being re-clocked by the dealers. Most people say that it is impossible/too much hassle for dealers to do that on cars like the Superb.

Should I go for it or buy a 2012 Ambition model for a little cheaper?

I realise there might be some biased reactions to this post because its about Skoda, but some objective thoughts would be great!

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by ac-cobra

Should I go for it or buy a 2012 Ambition model for a little cheaper?

Mine too is a Dec 2011 manufactured Elegance trim vehicle (registered as 2012 Model). Get VIN details and detailed report by requesting Wildon on his thread. Do a thorough checkup of the vehicle inside out. If everything looks ok then I see no reason for not picking it up. Test drive vehicles are easily detected. Look under the carpets for dust etc. Also the leather seats will show sign of use/grumpiness if its a test drive vehicle. Build quality of late 2011 Superb's is great. I don't have a single squeak till date and the AC is a chiller.

And elegance gives so much more than the Ambition trim that in this class of vehicles you would regret later for foregoing -
* Touchscreen ICE with SD Card support (replaces USB functionality which is a must in today's day and age)
* Bluetooth controls for phone and audio streaming (I just enjoy that)
* Steering mounted controls
* Sun/Moon roof (additional cost not less than half a lac)
* Xenon Headlights (alone costs about a lac)
* Hill hold control
* Electronic Differential lock
* Electronic Stability Program (a boon in tyre burst situation - refer to GTO's incredible thread on that)
* Tyre Pressure Monitoring (has helped me twice)
* Parktronic Sensors in Front (absolute must for me due my living in a narrow lane)
* More advanced MFD settings so you have full control on car's functionality etc.

So you get so much more value from a Elegance trim. Please avoid the 7DSG model. My pick is the 6 Speed Manual transmission Petrol variant. An absolute rocket with least DSG hassles.

Best of luck on Superb hunting.

[ac-cobra]

Originally Posted by dkaile

Mine too is a Dec 2011 manufactured Elegance trim vehicle (registered as 2012 Model). Get VIN details and detailed report by requesting Wildon on his thread. Do a thorough checkup of the vehicle inside out. If everything looks ok then I see no reason for not picking it up. Test drive vehicles are easily detected. Look under the carpets for dust etc. Also the leather seats will show sign of use/grumpiness if its a test drive vehicle. Build quality of late 2011 Superb's is great. I don't have a single squeak till date and the AC is a chiller.

And elegance gives so much more than the Ambition trim that in this class of vehicles you would regret later for foregoing -
* Touchscreen ICE with SD Card support (replaces USB functionality which is a must in today's day and age)
* Bluetooth controls for phone and audio streaming (I just enjoy that)
* Steering mounted controls
* Sun/Moon roof (additional cost not less than half a lac)
* Xenon Headlights (alone costs about a lac)
* Hill hold control
* Electronic Differential lock
* Electronic Stability Program (a boon in tyre burst situation - refer to GTO's incredible thread on that)
* Tyre Pressure Monitoring (has helped me twice)
* Parktronic Sensors in Front (absolute must for me due my living in a narrow lane)
* More advanced MFD settings so you have full control on car's functionality etc.

So you get so much more value from a Elegance trim. Please avoid the 7DSG model. My pick is the 6 Speed Manual transmission Petrol variant. An absolute rocket with least DSG hassles.

Best of luck on Superb hunting.

Thanks for the reply! I agree that the Elegance offers much much more.

The one being offered is an automatic transmission. The car looks fine and doesnt seem to have any wear apart from pretty dirty front seats and a small scuff on one of the alloys. Since I am not an expert, I doubt I will be able to notice any more imperfections, if any.

My concern is reclocking of the odometer, and was wondering if this is something that is possible, and if it is likely that something fishy could have happened to the car. At the moment the car has about 60km on the odo.

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by ac-cobra

apart from pretty dirty front seats and a small scuff on one of the alloys.

Dirty seats is a bad sign and if you are not an expert to judge a car's imperfections, I would rather you stay away from it.

[ac-cobra]

Originally Posted by dkaile

Dirty seats is a bad sign and if you are not an expert to judge a car's imperfections, I would rather you stay away from it.

Yes, common sense tells me to walk away. However, most of the other new cars that are in the stockyard also have more or less similar grime on the driver's and passenger's seat, so maybe thats a normal phenomenon that takes place during the handling process.

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by ac-cobra

...My concern is reclocking of the odometer, and was wondering if this is something that is possible...

I would believe that this is definitely possible (and I am referring to the digital ones). This is very easy in the cars which have less electronics. There are specialists who can do this even in the most sophisticated high-end cars which are filled with advanced electronics.

So, if you are looking to buy a used car...please do not use the odometer reading to judge the age of the car. You should be able to make a fair judgement of the age of the car from the sound of the engine, from the way the car handles/moves, and from various other observations (wear-and-tear of seats/gearknobs/steering-wheel/tyres). If you are not able to do that, maybe you shouldn't be looking for a used car. I say this, as I have seen 'active' (as a prospective buyer) in the used car market for some time now, and I know that almost all the cars that I have been interested in, have had the odo tampered with.

[ac-cobra]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

I would believe that this is definitely possible (and I am referring to the digital ones). This is very easy in the cars which have less electronics. There are specialists who can do this even in the most sophisticated high-end cars which are filled with advanced electronics.

So, if you are looking to buy a used car...please do not use the odometer reading to judge the age of the car. You should be able to make a fair judgement of the age of the car from the sound of the engine, from the way the car handles/moves, and from various other observations (wear-and-tear of seats/gearknobs/steering-wheel/tyres). If you are not able to do that, maybe you shouldn't be looking for a used car. I say this, as I have seen 'active' (as a prospective buyer) in the used car market for some time now, and I know that almost all the cars that I have been interested in, have had the odo tampered with.

Actually this is a brand new car from the dealer with 4 years warranty.

[VW2010]

The car sitting idle is not a problem and has driven 60km. The process to tamper the odo is very tedious and requires specific keys to enter those modules. As blue thuder said an expert would definitely do that.

Few things to check if its an old car tampered with. Check under hood and mostly dust is the only thing that should be collected. They do not spray clean the engine bay of these cars due to scare of screwing up the electronics.

All said and done the radiotor will collect a lot of debri if it has run a lot.

Would check few things to see if its actually run only 60K.

- Radiator grill
- Tyres
- Under body
- Engine bay for rust etc.
- Open engine cover and check the engine. Should look and smell fresh
- Dust inside the bay close to the panels. This can come only in the long term running.
- Kind of dust that settles down between the body and the frond wind shield. Stationary car and car that ran sometime shows different settlement of dust.
- Bumper scratches .
- Dust and dirt in the joints/suspension and under body
- Ask them to hoist and check the complete car from below.
- If possible ask them to open the tray below the engine to check the engine bay.

Pretty much this can give you an idea. Not a confirmed answer but just an idea.

The vin can give some good details and you can ask for viewing the vin records for the car in their system.

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by ac-cobra

Actually this is a brand new car from the dealer with 4 years warranty.

Oops ...didnt read your earlier posts...just replied to the odometer clocking part, assuming you were referring to a used car.

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by ac-cobra

so maybe thats a normal phenomenon that takes place during the handling process.

I don't think so. But you can be the best judge. Also VW2010 has given some good pointers to check whether the car is unused. Also, importantly, go for such a old car ONLY if you are getting a good discount on the price at that time (i.e. in 2011). Minimum 2.5 to 3L discount should be expected by you to motivate you to pick a 2011 build car in nearly the end of 2012.

[ac-cobra]

Thanks for the detailed reply VW2010 and dkaile!!

I think I need to inspect the car as per VW2010's list. Price is something I need to still figure out and negotiate.

HOWEVER, something inside tells me to stay away and take the safer route with a fresh Ambition model. Afterall, peace of mind is probably more valuable than those additional features, especially considering its a Skoda.

[dkaile]

7 and a half months to the dot. 7000km mark achieved today on 11-11-2012.

No issues to report. Car driving as smooth as silk. Average FE in the last 1k kms is 9kmpl in the city and 11kmpl on the highway.

[dkaile]

I have received 2 calls from Skoda in the last 2-3 days. One, from Skoda Mumbai and second, from their local Meerut dealer today regarding follow-up of the 'running repair' my car underwent a few days back and also to wish me Happy Diwali.

I marked them 3 out of 5 for their job although I had no issues and they were quite worried about the 'low' marks. I told them there is still 'scope for improvement' seeing their past history. But it was nice to see the pro-activeness especially from HQ level.