[apachelongbow]

bumping up this old post, but going by the experiences (read horrors) of Skoda, I can't help but compare Skoda to Tata pre 2010. Similar workshop experiences and similar quality issues. Tata has managed to improve but Skoda remains the same.
I believe the rot starts from the top (Skoda India), and unless the top lot is cleaned up, the issues will continue to remain and multiply. They may make good cars, but with fidgety electronics and parts, plus shoddy after sales its not surprising they are where they are...

[jinu_joseph]

Hi folks

Updating after a long time. I still have this car and its nearing 71,000Km. Some of the things that happened since the last update is as follows:

- May 2016 - Battery failed after 3 years and had to be replaced. Fortunately there was no inconvenience caused by this, as it failed in the morning when i was about to start the car. Last time I had insisted that the battery be replaced at the Skoda workshop itself thinking that the battery would be a german quality product, but now realize that not to be so. So this time replaced it with and Amaron FLO battery for about Rs. 4800. But interestingly the person who came to replace the battery said that there should be a latch which holds the battery in place which is missing. I have no clue as to how just that piece went missing. One reason the person said could be that the nut that holds the latch could have got corroded and fallen off along with the latch. Called skoda service centre and they said that part is not available anywhere and it will take a long time to get.

- May 2016 - The covering of the inner door handles is made of some very soft material. On all doors except the drivers side the same started getting sticky and peeling off. So much so that the white plastic underneath became visible. IT was like as tough it was melting. The rear doors were the worst. I was planning to replace all of them, but after hearing the replacement cost(Rs. 2500 per handle) , decided to do only the back doors. The drivers door handle was replaced for the same reason sometime last year. SA at the skoda service centre said that it could be because of the heat as the car is left in open parking.

- May 2016 - The AC started misbehaving. After starting the car noticed that air coming from the vents was not cooling. It would take some time for the air to start cooling, as days went by the time taken for cooling would increase, till finally it started becoming an issue rather than an annoyance. It would take upto 15 minutes into the journey for the AC to start cooling. So took it to the Skoda service centre and they concluded that the Compressor was dying and needed to be replaced. The cost for the same would be about 80K. But since the AC was working, although with a time delay i asked if it was necessary to replace/repair. SA said that there was a discount scheme going on for certain parts including AC compressor as part of their monsoon check-up campaign and i would get a 65% discount on the parts. So knowing that it was only a matter of time before the compressor failed completely decided to take the offer and replace the compressor at the discounted price. Totally cost me about 35K

One thing that i have started noticing now is that the engine noise level inside the car cabin is higher that i remember it earlier. Again this could be just my mind playing tricks, but then a colleague of mine also asked if something had changed as he also can hear the same in the cabin. Only thing i can think of is that probably the insulation has come off from somewhere. Will take it up with the service centre the next time i visit.

But inspite of all the complaints driving the skoda superb is amazing and I have been spoilt by the features provided in the car. They have set a benchmark on feature set that cannot be met by any other manufacturer at that price point. I simply cant find a replacement that provides a similar set of security/safety and convenience features.

To the question would i buy the new skoda superb ? I would say yes but if and only if Skoda offers extended warranty like Toyota and Honda (for atlesast 7 years).

[jinu_joseph]

Hi Folks

Updating after a long time. I still have this car and its nearing 93,000Km. I continue to patronize JMD Skoda for my service and complaints. Some of the things that happened since the last update is as follows:

7-Nov-2016 - My annual Service was delayed by over a month, thanks to the ABS sensor part not being available. It took over 2 months to come. The service and related activities cost me 38K. In addition to the ABS sensor also did a polishing, handle replacement on the passenger side as it had gotten very dirty. SA tells me that it is because the rubber on the door handle melts and becomes soft on account of Mumbai heat.

27-May-2017 - Replaced my tyres with GoodYear Earth 1 after 2 of the 4 existing tyres were converted to tube instead of tubless on account of bad punctures at different points in time.

03-Jun-2017 - Replaced the Wiper water pump as the same was spoilt and water was not coming out - Cost me 3000

28-Oct-2017 - For some reason and i have no clue, why within a span of one month both the covers of my headlight washers dropped off and soon after that the wiper fluid error lamp also came on. Went for annual service with these problems as usual no parts available so asked me to come later. I also asked them to change one number plate as the original number plate was fading and the numbers were no longer clear. They did the regular service which took 2 days. When i get the car back i realise the following:
- The inside roof of the car near the sunroof has black finger marks like someone touched the same with greasy hands. It looked horrible
- The new number plate that they had installed had one alphabet already peeling off.
- The window glass and mirror button on the door panel is no longer working, this was working and was checked by the SA before taking the car.
Spoke to the SA and he said he would remedy everything when i come next to install the parts that need replacement.

24-Nov-2017 - The world famous Skoda-Service kicks it. Firstly it took over a month to get the parts, apprently the wiper fluid sensor which was causing the error is hard to get. Then when i give it for servicing i tell the SA that i need the car urgently by evening 4:00pm and if all the work cannot be done then i would prefer to do it another day. He assured me that all work would be done by 3:00pm and I could collect the same. I call at 3:00pm and find that work is still going on and I should come there by 4:00pm to collect the same. I reach the workshop at 4:00pm and the SA tells me the car is gone for washing. He assures me all work is done. I ask to see it and he takes me over to the washing area and demonstrates the headlight washer that had been replaced. I notice that one of the headlight washers is not retracting smoothly and seems to be hitting something when going back in. On questioning the SA on that, he goes to call someone and about 10 minutes later he comes back to tell me that a particular baracket on the inner side of the headlight is broken on account of which the retraction is not happening properly. When asked how it broke, he claims it was like that only before they opened it. When i check the rest of the car, i find the number peeling of the number plate has not been fixed, the finger marks on the roof have not been cleaned. When i ask him about it he quickly calls the cleaner who brings the foam can and spends 10 minutes cleaning the inside of the car, at one point the cleaner tells me he cant clean it anymore as the cloth covering will tear. The SA just tells him to continue cleaning the same, fortunately the cloth does not tear and he is able to clean it to some extent. He also does a quick patchwork of the number plate. Since i was in a hurry i took the car and left, hardly i had left the workshop i noticed the wiper fluid error light coming on again. I was pissed because that was the only major fault i had reported in the first place and that was the part that took one month to come. I call the SA and take the car back. He spends the next 10 minutes checking the tubing, filling water and refilling, pushing pulling etc. Finally as I was already an hour late, i told him to leave it and i would get the car back later. Once i get home i check the bill i realise two things, one they have not billed me for the Wiper fluid sensor which the part that took one month to arrive and secondly, i had taken an AMC which gives me a discount on parts and labour, this discount was not there in the present bill. I whatsapped the SA and enquired about and it and he confirmed that the part was not replaced and they would adjust the discount due in my next billing. The SA had no clue of the work that was done on my car nor had be checked if the work was done properly.

Every time i take the car to the workshop, i come out with atleast one additional problem that was not there before. I thought Skoda and their dealers would have improved. You wont beleive this but after nearly a year of complaint free running, i was actually considering another skoda for my next vehicle. But now again JMD and Skoda have convinced me to stay as far away from the Skoda brand as possible.

The only problem is that i want a diesel automatic and there is no good car + Service for that segement. I think it times to go back to petrol atleast i will have better options.

Anyway guys will continue to keep updating this thread.

[Jr Godzilla]

I appreciate your patience levels to visit the dealer for so many niggling issues.

I had a new 2010 Fiat Linea and did see many other users facing various kinds of issues on the Fiat Forum. Luckily I never faced any of those major and minor issues, had I, then I'd just dispose of the car.

I too love the Superb for its sleeper looks. However a car with so many issues would be a NO NO.

Continue updating the thread and enjoy your drive.

Cheers

[jinu_joseph]

I was called again to the Skoda service centre to fix the wiper fluid indicator issue. But to cut a long story short after making me wait for close to two hours, they told me that the sensor connector cable had broken and needs to be reconnected and they did not have the wires and would need to order it.

This really got me irritated so i left with the car. At home i pulled out the connector released the terminals, soldered the wire back to the connector and put it back and voila all problems solved and the sensor start working fine.

Self help is the best help.

[jinu_joseph]

Well its time for the last post in this thread from me. After 4.25 years of ownership and 94000 kms on the odometer i finally sold my Skoda Superb. Overall she is definitely the best car i have ever driven but also the most troubled service i have got from the service centre.

[rahulentp8]

I have had bad experience with Skoda Superb. Model Superb. Year 2012. Petrol.
Driven Kms 77629.

The car's engine failed at this Kms. Lucky that it was at a halt. Bad experience form dealership and the service head of Skoda. Don't know what to do as they have raised the Invoice of Rs 535000.00.

Please somebody guide me, as I am in total frustration.

[androdev]

Originally Posted by rahulentp8

I have had bad experience with Skoda Superb.

Sorry to hear about such a damage. Timing chain related damage? Are you the first owner? Do share more details. You need to make a case for Skoda to pay for it either fully or substantial portion of it. Spend some time in making a strong case. Some of the factors that help to make a good case:

Proof of adhering to service schedule
Having all servicing done at authorised dealer
Instances of similar failures to suggest a manufacturing problem
Loyalty aspects: buying multiple skoda cars, buying their warranty, insurance, etc.

Don't go hammer and tongs at them. They have a strong history of not being nice to customers. Always keep your cool and persuade them into a decent deal.

[ajmat]

Please tell us what failed

If it was timing belt, it should be changed around now. Unfortunately, most dealers try and push you to change around the 80K mark

If its petrol, I think it has a timing chain which should last as long as oil changes are performed regularly however, there have been issues with the 2.0 TSI and 1.4TSI timing chains. More here

[rahulentp8]

I am the 2nd owner. All showroom maintenance done. Vehicle Not starting, so checked for battery and was suggested to replace it, did it.

Still the vehicle couldn't start, towed to workshop. The advisor said there is a issue in Timing and asked that it has to be changed.
I okayed it, but got a reply that nothing is right.

Then a bomb was dropped on me, the Engine had to be opened for further diagnosis.
The bomb exploded as the message came that the Engine had failed due to stamping on it.

A superb engine fails at 77000 km's, a nightmare for me. Rude and very Commercial communication for replacing the engine at a cost of Rs 550000.
Communication done with regional service head of Skoda. He denied in 2 words. Strange.


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[ajmat]

There is an issue with some batches of timing chains. In a nutshell, the manufacturer did not renew the stamping dies for the timing chain links in view of the miserable prices VW were paying for the component.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/20.../timing-chain/
https://www.dubwerx.com/blog/audi-an...sioner-failure
https://www.carcomplaints.com/alerts...-lawsuit.shtml

[Santoshbhat]

Originally Posted by ajmat

There is an issue with some batches of timing chains. In a nutshell, the manufacturer did not renew the stamping dies for the timing chain links in view of the miserable prices VW were paying for the component.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/20.../timing-chain/
https://www.dubwerx.com/blog/audi-an...sioner-failure
https://www.carcomplaints.com/alerts...-lawsuit.shtml

Surprising why only the 2.0 TSI engines have this problem! This does not seem to affect the 1.8 TSI and such failures seem to be very rare. A few cases have been reported on Briskoda though not nearly as much as the failures on the 2.0 TSI.

These timing chains are supposed to work for life and the manual does not prescribe any change interval. I wanted to get the timing chain in my Laura 1.8 TSI replaced after it crossed 75k kms just to be safe , but Skoda refused to do it, saying that it is supposed to last the lifetime of the vehicle. What is the poor owner supposed to do now?

One thing I have seen is that most owners overlook the oil drinking issue. Some of the earlier batches of the 1.8 TSI were notorious oil drinkers and as a result the engines would run low on oil. That low oil sensor cannot be trusted always. I was so scared of this that I used to check the oil level practically every month and used to ensure that the oil level was always near the full mark.

[Ashokkp]

I have been driving around a used Skoda Octavia bought in 2013 and has now clocked 1.1lac kms and still going strong. Since I bought it, I have replaced the below;

1. Cam sensor- Rs 3000. A local auto electrician got me one from a scrapped vehicle.
2. Starter Motor- Rs 15000. Bought new.- Work done at independent garage .
3. Radiator fan, Ribbed belt, brake discs. - 40000. Work done @ Pinnacle Skoda, Trichur.
4. Brake pads, Turbo and Egr cleaning- 10000. Independent garage. This was preventive maintenance.

I have been servicing the A/c at Unicool at Ghatkopar, every year.- Rs 2500

Offcourse, annual services are done@ independent Garage. Approx - Rs 10000( inclusive of synthetic oil)

The “ unsolvable” issue I am a facing is water ingress into rear right passenger well, through the door. Have changed the rubber bushings too but if left in rains for few days, water creeps in. Any clues ?

Otherwise the car drives as good as new.

I guess the trick is to locate a good independent workshop to maintain these cars. I am now planning to upgrade to a used C 220/250. Yes, I know an independent garage which specialises in cars of this segment.

Regards

[pavi]

Originally Posted by Ashokkp

The “ unsolvable” issue I am a facing is water ingress into rear right passenger well, through the door. Have changed the rubber bushings too but if left in rains for few days, water creeps in. Any clues ?

Remove the door pads and check whether the vapour barrier is leaking. I had the issue in my Honda City, played with vapour barrier using adhesives and now the issue is fixed. Please find the video below which explains the root cause.

https://youtu.be/kmD59f6WBYk

[Ashokkp]

Hello Pavi

I have done that as well. JMD Skoda installed fresh vapor barriers on all doors, however the rear passenger door still leaks. Let me try again.

Regards