[Akshay89]

Hi Adi, I have a couple of questions if u can help me out. Am not really a mod guy, like to keep my cars in stock condition. I was just going through your thread and the mods you have got for your car and suddenly this idea of modification popped up. I am thinking of getting the flat bottom steering too, but mine is a 2.0 TDI & so what do you think of the following factors:
1) Compatibility to diesel car in terms of ease of handling
2) Enjoyment Levels
3) Any other issue you think may crop up in the long run

I am also thing of getting the rear bumper with metallic diffuser and mirror covers(brushed metal) all of it from the same store you have suggested in your earlier posts. Here is the link to that http://skodadop.com/en/octavia-iii-/...l-matovye.html

And what is the kind of duty that I will have to pay to get these imported any idea?

[adi_petrolhead]

Originally Posted by Akshay89

Hi Adi, I have a couple of questions if u can help me out. Am not really a mod guy, like to keep my cars in stock condition. I was just going through your thread and the mods you have got for your car and suddenly this idea of modification popped up. I am thinking of getting the flat bottom steering too, but mine is a 2.0 TDI & so what do you think of the following factors:

1) Compatibility to diesel car in terms of ease of handling

2) Enjoyment Levels

3) Any other issue you think may crop up in the long run





And what is the kind of duty that I will have to pay to get these imported any idea?

Hi Akshay
I am not sure you have a DSG variant or a manual. Either ways it's a great add on. Functional upgrade if you have DSG and an aesthetic upgrade if you have a manual tranny.
Enjoyment levels can mean you get the freedom to choose the gear without actually lifting your hands from the steering. It makes for a great feeling when you're cornering, and for a quick overtake.
No issues till now, have been running it for almost 5K Kms.

I personally don't like the aftermarket diffuser. Would go for a proper VRS diffuser and modify the exhaust can to fit the trapezoidal exhaust muffler tips. That would be uplifting the sporty character couple of notches.

I did not have to pay any duties luckily. Th Czech post was very detailed in its tracking and the post man hand delivered it to me in Ahmedabad. Fellow bhpian Kapil had to pay little bit to get his shipment with the steering released. If you stay put, don't show any interest for a couple of days after it has arrived at the sub foreign post office in your city, I think you'll be off without having to pay anything.

[sunny310c]

Hey Adi, quick update on my quest to get the flat bottom steering wheel. Managed to convince the wife within a couple of days (which was a huge surprise). The secret to doing it was to first tell her the price that Vagtune was asking for it, which she obviously laughed off, and then after a while, suggest the cheaper alternative from skodadop. That did the trick. So I ordered the steering wheel and just like in your case, the product arrived at my doorstep within 10 days without me having to pay an extra penny.

Booked an appointment for last Saturday with the Skoda service centre and got the job done. It only took around 10 minutes. A quick test drive to confirm everything was working and I was on my way.

Now to the driving experience with the new steering, it definitely feels sporty. It's chunky and nice to hold. The quality of the stitching is extremely good and overall, the steering just feels better to hold than the original steering. As for the paddle shifts, I think the car just comes into its own when driving with them. Have not had the chance to drive on the highway yet but have used it on a couple of twisty roads around my home and it is very addictive. Looking forward to using it on my next highway run.

You've been a great help in this whole process and I would just like to thank you for taking the time to share your experience.

[muke31]

Good mod Sunny, can you please post some pics and does it come with airbag?

-Mukesh

[sunny310c]

Originally Posted by muke31

Good mod Sunny, can you please post some pics and does it come with airbag?

-Mukesh

The steering doesn't come with an airbag. The airbag from the existing steering needs to be placed in the new one. Please refer to the below link for pics of the steering and how it is being fitted. This is from bhpian abhinav.gupta88's ownership thread.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...ml#post3437084

As for the pics, well, it isn't any different from what Adi has already shared in this thread.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...ml#post3704664

[adi_petrolhead]

Originally Posted by sunny310c

Now to the driving experience with the new steering, it definitely feels sporty. It's chunky and nice to hold. The quality of the stitching is extremely good and overall, the steering just feels better to hold than the original steering. As for the paddle shifts, I think the car just comes into its own when driving with them. Have not had the chance to drive on the highway yet but have used it on a couple of twisty roads around my home and it is very addictive. Looking forward to using it on my next highway run.

You're always welcome. Do you notice any difference in the driving experience with the AC on and with the AC off?

[sunny310c]

Originally Posted by adi_petrolhead

You're always welcome. Do you notice any difference in the driving experience with the AC on and with the AC off?

Haven't really driven the car without the AC at all. Come to think of it, never even thought of trying that. I guess with the weather now a lot cooler in this part of the world, I could give that a shot. Have you noticed any difference?

[YCJ]

Hey currently what's the fuel consumption of your car?

[adi_petrolhead]

Originally Posted by YCJ

Hey currently what's the fuel consumption of your car?

YCJ will try to answer,

1) 100% highway = 16-17 km/l with Avg. Speed 65-70 km/h

2) 100% city = 9-10 km/l

3) Mixed usage = 13-14 km/l

All using regular unleaded petrol. Never used premium brands or Speed 97. It also depends on how one drives and in what conditions.

[YCJ]

That's really good mileage for such a powerful petrol car. I was biased towards buying the diesel version but this has made me rethink. Also the difference between petrol and diesel elegance version is too much!

[adi_petrolhead]

Sad to announce I had a little incident with my car yesterday. Had just got it from service and was heading home which is 125 kms from the showroom/service center. Mid - way I see that ESC error message has popped up on the MFD. Also a second later, TPMS error message pops up. Next, transmission has lost drive, power going to the engine fully, but no drive.

I stopped and tried to be silly by switching off the engine and trying to see if I can reset the error, but as I am doing so, I see smoke from the bonnet. I quickly get out and pop the hood open, throwing myself in danger and I see flames under the engine. Unfortunately I do not keep a compact fire extinguisher in the car which I deeply regret. Thankfully another car saw my peril and came to aid, told me not to worry as it just seems a wire short accident and indeed it was. After we poured a bit of water on the flames, it quickly extinguished.

Now to disconnect the battery to prevent further damage, I needed a spanner which was not available in the car. Finally I gathered the calm to call up my service manager and he promptly arranged assistance in form of a flat bed and it arrived only after 2.5 hrs. The incident happened at about 9.30 pm and I left the spot after loading the car and disconnecting the battery around 12.00 am. Thankfully excessive damage was evaded.

I took lots of pictures and preliminary verification points towards the main wiring harness that goes in to the transmission box was the one on fire and that's why the transmission lost all power. Had to pry open the gear lever to put the car in Neutral to assist towing. Car has reached the showroom/service center and I will come to know of more details later today. Fortunately the ECU and BCM is safe and all electrically I did not see any other fault. I am pretty sure the mechatronic unit would have faced damage.

[rutvij]

Originally Posted by adi_petrolhead

Sad to announce I had a little incident with my car yesterday. Had just got it from service and was heading home which is 125 kms from the showroom/service center. Mid - way I see that ESC error message has popped up on the MFD. Also a second later, TPMS error message pops up. Next, transmission has lost drive, power going to the engine fully, but no drive. I stopped and tried to be silly by switching off the engine and trying to see if I can reset the error, but as I am doing so, I see smoke from the bonnet. I quickly get out and pop the hood open, throwing myself in danger and I see flames under the engine. Unfortunately I do not keep a compact fire extinguisher in the car which I deeply regret. Thankfully another car saw my peril and came to aid, told me not to worry as it just seems a wire short accident and indeed it was. After we poured a bit of water on the flames, it quickly extinguished. Now to disconnect the battery to prevent further damage, I needed a spanner which was not available in the car. Finally I gathered the calm to call up my service manager and he promptly arranged assistance in form of a flat bed and it arrived only after 2.5 hrs. The incident happened at about 9.30 pm and I left the spot after loading the car and disconnecting the battery around 12.00 am. Thankfully excessive damage was evaded. I took lots of pictures and preliminary verification points towards the main wiring harness that goes in to the transmission box was the one on fire and that's why the transmission lost all power. Had to pry open the gear lever to put the car in Neutral to assist towing. Car has reached the showroom/service center and I will come to know of more details later today. Fortunately the ECU and BCM is safe and all electrically I did not see any other fault. I am pretty sure the mechatronic unit would have faced damage.

I just saw a black octavia with vrs badge and Team bhp sticker being pushed into the service station and instantly knew that it has to be your car. It is very unfortunate and I hope there is no major problem and your car is back and running.

I have given my car for 6 months check up and also for changing broken tail lamp. Thankfully they have it in stock.

[adi_petrolhead]

Originally Posted by rutvij

I just saw a black octavia with vrs badge and Team bhp sticker being pushed into the service station and instantly knew that it has to be your car. It is very unfortunate and I hope there is no major problem and your car is back and running.

I have given my car for 6 months check up and also for changing broken tail lamp. Thankfully they have it in stock.

Feel free to nose around and try to look what they are doing with my car as I won't be visiting the service centre anytime soon.

[rutvij]

Originally Posted by adi_petrolhead

Feel free to nose around and try to look what they are doing with my car as I won't be visiting the service centre anytime soon.

I did ask my service adviser about your car. He was aware of it and told me that there was some issue due to modifications made in steering wheel.

[pedrolourenco]

Originally Posted by adi_petrolhead

Sad to announce I had a little incident with my car yesterday.

Sorry to hear that.

I stopped and tried to be silly by switching off the engine and trying to see if I can reset the error,

What's silly about that. That's actually smart. If you can't figure out what's wrong, shut down everything.

I quickly get out and pop the hood open, throwing myself in danger and I see flames under the engine.

Time for you to do a bit of reading on fire fighting.

Unfortunately I do not keep a compact fire extinguisher in the car which I deeply regret.

Remember a fire extinguisher requires yearly servicing / inspection to ensure it will work when required.

After we poured a bit of water on the flames, it quickly extinguished.

Two fundamental mistakes here:
1. Electrical fire: Never use water.
2. Oil Fire: Never use water.

Now to disconnect the battery to prevent further damage,

Wise decision. Probably saved you a lot of money.

Fortunately the ECU and BCM is safe and all electrically I did not see any other fault.

Probably because of your above action.