Laura - Completed 100,000 KM on 15th May 2012

vipul_bscity · 12th June 2012, 13:29

It has been exactly 4 years and 4 months, I was returning back from a meeting and cruising along the Dirubhai Ambani Knowledge city, near Vashi, New Mumbai. It was around 6 45 evening and I saw 99,999 on my Odo, slowed down, pulled on curb. As soon as I stopped it happened !! 100,000 KM with my this red beauty.

Laura - Completed 100,000 KM on 15th May 2012-20120515-20.58.46.jpg

Laura - Completed 100,000 KM on 15th May 2012-20120515-20.58.27.jpg

I have driving this Car day in - day out, City, highways, country sides, broken roads, all across India. I must say that Skoda certainly make some of the great cars we have been seeing around here lately.

Although I had my share of problem with *** etc. The AC has konked off when I was at 44,000KM and little over 2 years of ownership. Had a hard time literally with Asset Auto and further with Warranty guys at Aurangabad. With few little twist here and there, the Compressor and condenser has been approved under warranty and got replaced.

No other surprises till now. I must share few encouraging facts during my ownership till now;

1) Had run on stock Dunlop Sport till 74,000KM. Changed to Yoko decible which has clocked some 30,000KM odd on it.
2) this 100,000 Km has been completed on stock clutch and flywheel. Although the DMF was quite noisy after 85K KM.
3) Got the Clutch kit replaced just after completing 100,000 KM
4) Still running on 2nd set of brakes (First set replaced at 45,000 KM) and I am NOT a sedate driver

5) Timing kit replaced at 100,000 KM (Although should have done it at 90K as per recommendations).
6) OEM battery worked till 4 years 2 months. Got it replaced with Amaron.
7) All through this 100,000 KM journey, always seens a fuel consumption figure no more than 5.5/5.8 lt per 100 KM. In most of my highway drives its less than or equal to 5.0 lt per 100 KM. Its a Manual Laura. Many a times it returned 4.4 lt per 100 KM when doing Pune Mumbai Pune.

After clutch and timing renewing, the car is as new as it was and ready for another 100,000 it seems. Time will only tell. Recently completed 4000+ KM drive from Pune - Patna and back. She has 105000 +KM on odo now.

Few latest pics of the beauty after a nice self waxing.

Laura - Completed 100,000 KM on 15th May 2012-20120526-09.50.35.jpg

Laura - Completed 100,000 KM on 15th May 2012-20120526-09.51.15.jpg

Laura - Completed 100,000 KM on 15th May 2012-20120526-09.51.43.jpg

Laura - Completed 100,000 KM on 15th May 2012-20120526-09.55.03.jpg

Laura - Completed 100,000 KM on 15th May 2012-20120526-09.55.19.jpg

Wonderful car to own. Need to change the lower arm bushes now. One low beam headlamp (Halogen projector) has been fused during the current trip. Need to replace it.

So, all in all its a wonderful experience owning and driven it in all terrains. Numerous extra long drives with family (I have two infants who always sleep peacefully in the boot bed, after folding the 60% of rear seat and enjoy it sooo much. The space is getting less day by day as the kids are growing. I need to think of a bigger alternative

Friends, please bless.

Regards,
Vipul

flipsyde · 12th June 2012, 13:37

Congratulations! It must certainly be a proud moment having spent a lakh kms with your car. Hope you do many more happy miles on it.

Mods, I think this should be a sticky. Its rare to find a ownership thread about a Skoda especially the Laura that has a happy ending to it.

Maverick5490 · 12th June 2012, 13:47

For a car of that age and that many miles she is really well kept. Congratulations on the milestone and wishing many more ahead!

.anshuman · 12th June 2012, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by flipsyde

Mods, I think this should be a sticky. Its rare to find a ownership thread about a Skoda especially the Laura that has a happy ending to it.

mobike008 · 12th June 2012, 14:04

Congratulations on completing 1 lakh kms. Iam sure it must have been indeed a proud moment. Doing that much distance in little over 4 years means you have been literally driving this vehicle most of the time

Wonderful to know the almost painless ownership experience. For benefit of others, it would be great if you can document the expenses and niggles at respective odometer mileage?

What really amazes me is that you still on your 2nd set of brake pads. Just awesome

Finally, from the shine on your car there is no way to tell that it has just completed 100,000kms.

Thanks for sharing

shankar.balan · 12th June 2012, 14:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by vipul_bscity

It has been exactly 4 years and 4 months, I was returning back from a meeting and cruising along the Dirubhai Ambani Knowledge city, near Vashi, New Mumbai. It was around 6 45 evening and I saw 99,999 on my Odo, slowed down, pulled on curb. As soon as I stopped it happened !! 100,000 KM with my this red beauty.

So, all in all its a wonderful experience owning and driven it in all terrains. Numerous extra long drives with family (I have two infants who always sleep peacefully in the boot bed, after folding the 60% of rear seat and enjoy it sooo much. The space is getting less day by day as the kids are growing. I need to think of a bigger alternative

Friends, please bless.

Regards,
Vipul

So very very happy to read your thread!
It is extremely encouraging indeed. I ve always liked the older shape Laura/ Octavia. Beautiful vehicles.
Good luck for many more trouble free kms!

shashank.nk · 12th June 2012, 14:07

1 lakh kms is no easy task! Congrats on the milestone

hope the car serves you well for however long you want to keep it. Your car is very well kept, hard to say its 4 years old.

All the best!

iceman7 · 12th June 2012, 14:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

I ve always liked the older shape Laura/ Octavia. Beautiful vehicles.

+ 1 to that. I'll take a step ahead and say that the previous gen Superb looked much better than the current version.

@ Vipul - Congrats. Looking at the way it under the sun, it's hard to say the car has 100k on the odo.

I have always had a soft spot for Red Laura's

shankar.balan · 12th June 2012, 14:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman7

. I'll take a step ahead and say that the previous gen Superb looked much better than the current version.

Thats funny you should say that because I have always felt the 2009 Superb was too much of a Blingy Exec Wagon and the older, more rounded shape of the earlier gen Superb had a certain controlled aggression and solid, purposefulness about it that the new one lacks!

jeeva · 12th June 2012, 14:43

Congrats and that's a very well maintained car.
How much did it cost for the DMF and the clutch assembly?

mayankjha1806 · 12th June 2012, 14:53

This is encouraging, the most loved car (by in some ways by most hated manufacturer) showing no signs of falling apart at 1L Kms speaks volumes about the build quality.

If you could upload bigger pictures, and some interior pictures as well it will be awesome.

Congratulations on completing this feat. Come to think of it, we have never had the honor of owning any of our past cars past 1L Kms, and this after over 25 years of owning cars.

prateekm · 12th June 2012, 15:00

Congrats on completing the milestone! Did you have any DSG failures or such? What is the average cost you spend on servicing every year?

P.S: I've spotted your car quite a few times around Chembur in the morning and posted in the sticker spotting thread

vipul_bscity · 12th June 2012, 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by prateekm

Congrats on completing the milestone! Did you have any DSG failures or such? What is the average cost you spend on servicing every year?

Thanks. I am running a Manual. A details cost service / year wise will be coming soon. I am puling out all my service bills.

Quote:

P.S: I've spotted your car quite a few times around Chembur in the morning and posted in the sticker spotting thread

It must been around 815 - 8 30 AM every Monday.
Its me. so I was being spotted

I have one on the rear right bumper. One on the bottom of rear windscreen and one on each side of front door. Just along the black trim.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayankjha1806

If you could upload bigger pictures, and some interior pictures as well it will be awesome.

Will certainly post some interior pics and some large pics with door open. I must also post a pic of Engine compartment. Keep checking..

RS_DEL · 12th June 2012, 15:28

Congratulations indeed! Hopefully the vehicle will serve you as well in the times to come.

[] Your maintenance outlay relative to the usage is confidence inspiring indeed.

[] A couple of weeks back tired of the messed up Delhi traffic I was wondering if I should look at a used Skoda automatic. Since your usage experience is MT based atleast this much is confirmed Skoda vehicles can last a fair bit in the Mt avatar for sure. Hopefully there will be some replication of your usage experience in AT versions by other members. That will provide the conclusive input to base a decision on.

Once again all the best in your usage experience for as long as you choose to retain this vehicle.

vipul_bscity · 12th June 2012, 15:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeeva

Congrats and that's a very well maintained car.
How much did it cost for the DMF and the clutch assembly?

The Clutch kits is a full ready and replaceable unit. Clutch plus DMF. The total cost is around 55K (Part +Labour).

It can be a 2 hrs job OR it can be a 4 hrs job depending upon the situation of the flywheel. In certain (read most) of the case including mine where the clutch is utilized almost the full life, the positioning of the flywheel moved a bit around the center, so the bolts which needs to be removed can not be accessible. In this case we need a grinder / cutter, to cut some of the metal in the housing to gain access to 6 bolts. If this happens, the total time is 4 hrs.

If not and if the bolts are directly accessible, its 2 yrs job. What they do it, remove and dismantle the gear box.Lower down the engine a bit by slightly pushing the engine from the mounting holder support it form the buttom and then open up the Clutch assembly.

12th June 2012, 13:29	#1
vipul_bscity BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 85 Thanked: 36 Times	Laura - Completed 100,000 KM on 15th May 2012 It has been exactly 4 years and 4 months, I was returning back from a meeting and cruising along the Dirubhai Ambani Knowledge city, near Vashi, New Mumbai. It was around 6 45 evening and I saw 99,999 on my Odo, slowed down, pulled on curb. As soon as I stopped it happened !! 100,000 KM with my this red beauty. I have driving this Car day in - day out, City, highways, country sides, broken roads, all across India. I must say that Skoda certainly make some of the great cars we have been seeing around here lately. Although I had my share of problem with *** etc. The AC has konked off when I was at 44,000KM and little over 2 years of ownership. Had a hard time literally with Asset Auto and further with Warranty guys at Aurangabad. With few little twist here and there, the Compressor and condenser has been approved under warranty and got replaced. No other surprises till now. I must share few encouraging facts during my ownership till now; 1) Had run on stock Dunlop Sport till 74,000KM. Changed to Yoko decible which has clocked some 30,000KM odd on it. 2) this 100,000 Km has been completed on stock clutch and flywheel. Although the DMF was quite noisy after 85K KM. 3) Got the Clutch kit replaced just after completing 100,000 KM 4) Still running on 2nd set of brakes (First set replaced at 45,000 KM) and I am NOT a sedate driver 5) Timing kit replaced at 100,000 KM (Although should have done it at 90K as per recommendations). 6) OEM battery worked till 4 years 2 months. Got it replaced with Amaron. 7) All through this 100,000 KM journey, always seens a fuel consumption figure no more than 5.5/5.8 lt per 100 KM. In most of my highway drives its less than or equal to 5.0 lt per 100 KM. Its a Manual Laura. Many a times it returned 4.4 lt per 100 KM when doing Pune Mumbai Pune. After clutch and timing renewing, the car is as new as it was and ready for another 100,000 it seems. Time will only tell. Recently completed 4000+ KM drive from Pune - Patna and back. She has 105000 +KM on odo now. Few latest pics of the beauty after a nice self waxing. Wonderful car to own. Need to change the lower arm bushes now. One low beam headlamp (Halogen projector) has been fused during the current trip. Need to replace it. So, all in all its a wonderful experience owning and driven it in all terrains. Numerous extra long drives with family (I have two infants who always sleep peacefully in the boot bed, after folding the 60% of rear seat and enjoy it sooo much. The space is getting less day by day as the kids are growing. I need to think of a bigger alternative Friends, please bless. Regards, Vipul
	(12) Thanks

12th June 2012, 13:37	#2
flipsyde BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 644 Thanked: 84 Times	Re: Laura - Completed 100,000 KM on 15th May 2012 Congratulations! It must certainly be a proud moment having spent a lakh kms with your car. Hope you do many more happy miles on it. Mods, I think this should be a sticky. Its rare to find a ownership thread about a Skoda especially the Laura that has a happy ending to it.
	() Thanks

12th June 2012, 13:47	#3
Maverick5490 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Thane Posts: 1,457 Thanked: 1,777 Times View My Garage	Re: Laura - Completed 100,000 KM on 15th May 2012 For a car of that age and that many miles she is really well kept. Congratulations on the milestone and wishing many more ahead!
	() Thanks

12th June 2012, 14:04	#5
mobike008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 11,473 Thanked: 13,143 Times View My Garage	Re: Laura - Completed 100,000 KM on 15th May 2012 Congratulations on completing 1 lakh kms. Iam sure it must have been indeed a proud moment. Doing that much distance in little over 4 years means you have been literally driving this vehicle most of the time Wonderful to know the almost painless ownership experience. For benefit of others, it would be great if you can document the expenses and niggles at respective odometer mileage? What really amazes me is that you still on your 2nd set of brake pads. Just awesome Finally, from the shine on your car there is no way to tell that it has just completed 100,000kms. Thanks for sharing
	() Thanks

12th June 2012, 14:07	#7
shashank.nk Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,685 Thanked: 1,028 Times	Re: Laura - Completed 100,000 KM on 15th May 2012 1 lakh kms is no easy task! Congrats on the milestone hope the car serves you well for however long you want to keep it. Your car is very well kept, hard to say its 4 years old. All the best!
	() Thanks

12th June 2012, 14:43	#10
jeeva BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Nilgiris Posts: 755 Thanked: 1,140 Times View My Garage	Re: Laura - Completed 100,000 KM on 15th May 2012 Congrats and that's a very well maintained car. How much did it cost for the DMF and the clutch assembly? Last edited by jeeva : 12th June 2012 at 14:45.
	(1) Thanks

12th June 2012, 14:53	#11
mayankjha1806 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,159 Thanked: 977 Times View My Garage	Re: Laura - Completed 100,000 KM on 15th May 2012 This is encouraging, the most loved car (by in some ways by most hated manufacturer) showing no signs of falling apart at 1L Kms speaks volumes about the build quality. If you could upload bigger pictures, and some interior pictures as well it will be awesome. Congratulations on completing this feat. Come to think of it, we have never had the honor of owning any of our past cars past 1L Kms, and this after over 25 years of owning cars. Last edited by mayankjha1806 : 12th June 2012 at 14:54.
	() Thanks

12th June 2012, 15:00	#12
prateekm BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mumbai & BLR Posts: 790 Thanked: 552 Times	Re: Laura - Completed 100,000 KM on 15th May 2012 Congrats on completing the milestone! Did you have any DSG failures or such? What is the average cost you spend on servicing every year? P.S: I've spotted your car quite a few times around Chembur in the morning and posted in the sticker spotting thread
	() Thanks

12th June 2012, 15:28	#14
RS_DEL BHPian Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: N Delhi Posts: 407 Thanked: 201 Times	Re: Laura - Completed 100,000 KM on 15th May 2012 Congratulations indeed! Hopefully the vehicle will serve you as well in the times to come. [] Your maintenance outlay relative to the usage is confidence inspiring indeed. [] A couple of weeks back tired of the messed up Delhi traffic I was wondering if I should look at a used Skoda automatic. Since your usage experience is MT based atleast this much is confirmed Skoda vehicles can last a fair bit in the Mt avatar for sure. Hopefully there will be some replication of your usage experience in AT versions by other members. That will provide the conclusive input to base a decision on. Once again all the best in your usage experience for as long as you choose to retain this vehicle.
	() Thanks

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