[dkaile]

Let me begin writing once again by paying homage to our dear SAM KAPASI. Even though I had not met the gentleman personally, his threads were a instant joy. His YetiBlogs would go in the annuls of Tbhp as one of the finer written topics. His humour was addictive and viral at the same time leaving no one unaffected. His topic on his ownership of the Superb (http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...da-superb.html ) was one of the instrumental ones to motivate many persons (including me). May his soul rest in peace. My heartfelt condolences to his wife and family in this sad hour.

I am dedicating the following technical post to our dear friend and his hunger to learn something new always, as he showed with his child like anxiety for knowledge on 4x4 driving on getting a 4x4 Land Rover Discovery.

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Superb's 1.8 TSI engine. It was in fact developed by Audi and not VW as I presumed, which I came to know recently.

Sporty Dynamism, Superb Comfort: The Audi 1.8 TFSI
Source: Audi AG

TFSI technology underwent its baptism of fire in the victories at Le Mans, the toughest endurance race in the world. The superiority of this combination of petrol direct injection and turbocharging has now been demonstrated on ordinary roads in the 2.0 TFSI, which has been available since September 2004. Audi is now stepping up its campaign with the successful TFSI concept: the new high-tech 1.8 TFSI engine combines sporty dynamism with outstanding smoothness, and blends a spontaneous power characteristic with ample refinement.
The new engine generation bears the project number EA888 and follows in the footsteps of the already legendary 827 series, one of the most successful families of engines in automotive history. This compact, high-performance, economical four-cylinder version made its debut back in 1972 in the Audi 80. In the intervening years it has been fitted over 40 million times as the power unit for countless Audi models and various other vehicles of Volkswagen group brands. It has been steadily refined over the years, always remaining at the cutting edge of technology.

Pioneering achievement by Audi
The latest evolutionary stage of this engine range is the much-acclaimed 2.0 TFSI. At Audi, it is being used in the A3, A4 and A6, in three different performance versions ranging from 170 to 220 bhp. The 2.0 TFSI has most latterly demonstrated its special potential in the new Audi S3, with an output of 265 bhp and peak torque of 350 Nm.
This engine is yet another pioneering achievement, because Audi has once again become the first manufacturer in the world to combine petrol direct injection with turbocharging in volume production. The result is an engine that is not only very popular with customers for its power characteristic and propulsion, but has also garnered the approval of the experts: a jury of 56 leading journalists from 26 different countries awarded the 2.0 TFSI the title of "Engine of the Year" for two years in succession (2005 and 2006).
This was therefore an ideal basis for developing the next logical stage. Audi's engineers had drawn up a long list of tasks for the new project. Right at the top – as is always the case at Audi – was maximum driving fun, as the result of high responsiveness, performance and torque even at low engine speeds. The engine was simultaneously to be quiet, smooth and low on vibrations, suitably reflecting the standards of comfort expected of a sporty premium car. The essential requirements of course included reduced fuel consumption, as well as the potential to keep meeting the toughest emission limits in the world, on a wide range of fuel grades. Finally, the new family of engines is to serve as a genuinely universal engine for use on all five continents.

Ultra-fine fuel jets, precisely distributed
Audi regards FSI technology with turbocharging, now systematically refined for the new engine, as the best way to achieve all these objectives. With FSI technology, fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber. The new 1.8 TFSI does this at a maximum pressure that has been increased to 150 bar. Together with the new six-hole injectors and air movement in the combustion chamber controlled by charge movement flaps, it guarantees highly homogeneous mixture preparation and very efficient combustion. This supports the engine's agile characteristics and spontaneous power output, as well as its very low fuel consumption in practice.
A new type of high-pressure pump supplies this injection pressure. The pump is driven by a four-fold cam on the exhaust camshaft. This reduces the operating forces required and boosts precision, thus improving the emissions. The high-pressure lines through which the fuel reaches the injectors at maximum pressure are made entirely from stainless steel. The new six-hole nozzles distribute the ultra-fine fuel jets with precision inside the combustion chamber. Dual injection – the distribution of the fuel quantity between the admission stroke and the compression stroke – brings further advantages for the homogenisation of the mixture and heating of the catalytic converters after a cold start.

Turbocharger with improved aerodynamics
The watercooled turbocharger K03, from Borg Warner, maintains optimum cylinder filling. An optimised turbine wheel improves the aerodynamics inside the charger, as a result of which responsiveness lower down the engine range is further enhanced. In the intake system, the redesigned charge movement flap reduces flow losses and simultaneously assures a very homogeneous distribution of the mixture.
The result is an exceptionally spontaneous engine response to the accelerator at all engine speeds: at just 1,000 rpm, the new 1.8 TFSI develops a torque of 165 Nm, with maximum torque available very early on and across the extremely broad range of 1,500 to 4,200 rpm. The peak output of 160 bhp is likewise maintained across an extremely broad plateau of 5,000 to 6,200 rpm. This permits economical gearing that is nevertheless of a sporty character. With a compression ratio of 9.6:1, the engine is designed to run on premium-grade fuel (95 RON). In the A3 with manual gearbox, the combined-cycle fuel consumption is consequently a modest 7.3 l per 100 km.

Excellent refinement
The TFSI concept is underpinned by the entirely new basic engine. In essence, the only thing its engine block has in common with its precursors is the cylinder spacing of 88 millimetres. Audi's engineers chose this dimension because it keeps the dimensions very compact and allows the engine to be installed either longitudinally or transversely in the engine compartment. Two counter-rotating balancing shafts are integrated into the crankcase. They are driven by the crankshaft via a toothed chain, and completely suppress the free inertial forces of the second degree that are inherent to this design. Low-frequency humming and vibration are consequently eliminated very effectively.
The development engineers were especially eager to achieve very good acoustic behaviour and smoothness. After all, the new TFSI power units were meant to be exceptionally refined, not just very powerful. Grey cast iron was chosen as the material for the engine block in view of its better acoustic properties. With a finished weight of 33 kilograms, the engine block nevertheless genuinely merits being described as a lightweight design.
The extra-rigid basic structure of the block, acoustically optimised add-on parts and acoustically isolated covers reflect how much fine-tuning went on at the design computers and test benches. The crankshaft is instrumental in determining how smoothly an engine runs: what matters are not just the eight counterweights; its optimised rigidity, underpinned by large main bearings with a diameter of 58 millimetres, is really the determining factor. The result is that even at full load, the 1.8 TFSI is a smooth-running, acoustically restrained, spontaneous engine.

High tech in every detail
As Audi's first four-cylinder engine, the 1.8 TFSI is equipped with a toothed chain to drive the valve gear. The compact chain does not need changing. There are, to be more precise, three chains: the long one to drive the camshafts, and two short ones for the oil-pump and balancing-shaft drives. The use of special toothed chains known as "silent chains" adds further to the outstandingly restrained sound of the new engine. The continuous adjusting mechanism of the intake camshaft has been reengineered; this vane-type system now responds much more swiftly than previous concepts. It promotes a spontaneous response from the engine even starting at low engine speeds.
The engineers also paid attention to keeping the design compact. This led to innovative solutions such as the highly ingenious auxiliaries rack. As well as performing its traditional function, it incorporates the oil cooler, oil filter and oil pressure switch. The formerly basic rack has consequently become the veritable turntable of the oil and water circuits. The integration of the water pump, thermostat and temperature sensor into a single housing also saves space. The turbocharger forms an integral module together with the exhaust manifold. This allows the positioning of the ceramic primary catalytic converter particularly close to the engine, promoting rapid heating-up and, in conjunction with the ceramic close-coupled catalytic converter, keeping emissions low.

Career plan as a universal engine
With these genes, the new 1.8 TFSI has the potential to keep on satisfying the toughest emission limits in the world. After all, it is destined for a career as a true "universal engine". The highly promising new engine that offers ample scope for further development will be going into production simultaneously at Audi's engines plant in Gyцr, Hungary, and in Dalian, China, in autumn 2006, when it will become the first petrol direct-injection engine on the Chinese market. The TFSI concept is likewise ideally equipped for use in the USA and South America, where fuel grades to some extent vary considerably.

From Wikipedia about this engine

Four cylinder EA888 petrols

This latest EA888 family of internal combustion engines is anticipated to be an eventual complete replacement of the EA113 range. It was wholly designed and developed by AUDI AG. The only common feature with its predecessors is the sharing of the same 88 millimetres (3.46 in) cylinder spacing - which keeps the engine length relatively short, meaning it can be installed either transversely or longitudinally. Grey cast iron (GJL 250) remains the choice material for the cylinder block and crankcase, due to its inherent good acoustic dampening properties. This all-new EA888 range is notable for utilising simplex roller chains to drive the two overhead camshafts, instead of the former engines' toothed-rubber timing belt. Like the final developments of the former EA113 engine generation, all EA888s only use the Audi-created Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) direct injection. Furthermore, EA888 engines are also able to utilise the Audi-developed 'valvelift' technology, which complements the existing variable valve timing. This new family of engines is scheduled to be universally available for all markets on five continents, within all marques of the Volkswagen Group. The former EA113 range still remains in production.

1.8 R4 16v TSI/TFSI 88-125kW (EA888)

identificationparts code prefix: 06H, 06J; ID codes: BYJ

engine displacement & engine configuration
1,798 cubic centimetres (109.7 cu in) EA888 inline-four engine (R4/I4); bore x stroke: 82.5 by 84.1 millimetres (3.25 in × 3.31 in), stroke ratio: 0.98:1 - 'square engine', 449.6 cc per cylinder; compression ratio: 9.6:1, 88 millimetres (3.46 in) cylinder spacing

cylinder block & crankcase
GJL 250 grey cast iron; 33 kg (73 lb), die-forged steel crankshaft with five 58 mm (2.28 in) diameter main bearings, two toothed chain-driven counter-rotating balance shafts suppressing second degree free inertial forces and oil pump, horizontal-baffled oil sump

cylinder head & valvetrain
cast aluminium alloy; four valves per cylinder, 16 valves total, low-friction roller finger cam followers with automatic hydraulic valve clearance compensation, toothed chain-driven double overhead camshaft (DOHC), continuous vane-adjustable variable intake valve timing

aspiration
hot-film air mass meter, cast alloy throttle body with electronically controlled Bosch E-Gas 'drive by wire' throttle butterfly valve, plastic variable length controlled intake manifold with charge movement flaps controlling combustion chamber air movement, BorgWarner K03 water-cooled turbocharger incorporated into cast iron exhaust manifold, sandwiched central front-mounted intercooler (FMIC)

fuel system
fully demand-controlled and returnless; - fuel tank–mounted low-pressure fuel pump; Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI): single-piston high-pressure injection pump driven by a four-lobe cam on the exhaust camshaft supplying up to 150 bars (2,180 psi) fuel pressure in the stainless steel common rail fuel rail, four combustion chamber sited direct injection sequential solenoid-controlled six-hole fuel injectors, air-guided combustion process, multi-pulse dual-stage injection during the induction and compression stroke with homogeneous mixing, stratified lean-burn operation with excess air at part load, 95 RON unleaded ultra-low sulphur petrol

ignition system & engine management
centrally positioned longlife spark plugs, mapped direct ignition with four individual direct-acting single spark coils; Bosch Motronic MED electronic engine control unit (ECU), cylinder-selective knock control via two knock sensors, permanent lambda control

exhaust system
cast iron exhaust manifold (with integrated turbocharger), close-coupled and main catalytic converters - both ceramic

DIN-rated motive power & torque outputs, ID codes
88 kilowatts (120 PS; 118 bhp) @ 4,000-6,200 rpm; 230 newton metres (170 lbf·ft) @ 1,500-3,650rpm — Audi A4 (B8), SEAT Exeo
118 kilowatts (160 PS; 158 bhp) @ 4,500-6,200 rpm; 250 newton metres (180 lbf·ft) @ 1,500-4,500 rpm, 165 N·m (122 lbf·ft) from 1,000 rpm — CDAA Škoda Yeti
112 kilowatts (152 PS; 150 bhp) @ 4,300-6,200 rpm; 250 newton metres (180 lbf·ft) @ 1,500-4,200 rpm, 165 N·m (122 lbf·ft) from 1,000 rpm — CDAB Škoda Yeti
118 kilowatts (160 PS; 158 bhp) @ 4,500-6,200 rpm; 250 newton metres (180 lbf·ft) @ 1,500-4,500 rpm — Audi A4 (B8), Audi A3 Mk2 (8P), Audi TT Mk2 (8J), SEAT Exeo
125 kilowatts (170 PS; 168 bhp) @ 4,800-6,200 rpm; 250 newton metres (180 lbf·ft) @ 1,500-4,800 rpm — Audi A5125 kilowatts (170 PS; 168 bhp) @ 3,800-6,200 rpm; 320 newton metres (240 lbf·ft) @ 1,400-3,700 rpm — Audi A4 (B8) (2012-), Audi A5

applications
Audi TT Mk2 (8J), Audi 8P A3, Audi B7 A4, Audi A4 (B8), Audi A5, SEAT Leon Mk2 (1P), SEAT Altea XL, Škoda Yeti, Škoda Octavia Mk2 (1Z, Ming Rui), Škoda Superb Mk2 (3T), VW Jetta Mk5/Sagitar, VW Passat B6, VW Passat CC

references
of the German technical engine publication mtz, press release 11/2006: "Der neue Audi 1.8 TFSI-Motor"
"Sporty Dynamism, Superb Comfort: The Audi 1.8 TFSI". AudiWorld.com. AUDI AG - press release. 27 September 2006. Retrieved 4 September 2009.
"Audi TT Roadster slims down for Summer". Audi.co.uk. Audi UK. 23 March 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
"SEAT Exeo with new engines". Auto-motor-und-sport.de. 3 May 2008. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
"Audi Unveils New 1.8 TFSI: 170 HP, 41 MPG". www.motorauthority.com. 4 August 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2011.

RIP dear SAM...

[dkaile]

Finally got my bill for 1st Free Checkup after name correction. Skoda backed seems to be doing a fabulous job keeping customers happy. My mail to the MD was promptly answered back and so was this issue about name correction.

For any customer car issues, I recommend this person Mr. Rahul Kulkarni, who I think is their Customer Care Head and sits in Pune. He is solving all customer-care and after-sales issues quite promptly. His details are -

Rahul Kulkarni | Customer Care
Skoda Auto India Pvt. Ltd.,
A 605, ICC Towers, S B Road,Pune, India.
HQ- A1/1, Five Star MIDC, Shendra, Aurangabad 431201, India
020-30931113 E-Mail: rahul.kulkarni@skoda-auto.co.in www.skoda-auto.co.in
customerCare@skoda-auto.co.in

The bill for 70 rupees for the free checkup. Quite good for a Superb class vehicle, I would say...

[torque18]

^^ How is this SUMMER WAS supposed to be used? I bought a bottle from Skoda but i am not sure if its a concentrate or ready to use mixture. To put it differently, is it 1 litre of solution which need to be mixed with water or is it already mixed with water?

If it already mixed with water then we need 5 such bottles to fill the entire sprayer bottle otherwise this could just be mixed with 4 litres of water!

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by torque18

^^ How is this SUMMER WAS supposed to be used?

Usually such type of glass cleaners are used in a 50:50 ratio with demineralised/distilled/RO water. Rest, hit and trial can give you your preferable best combination. I for one just used one bottle to top-up and that is doing the job just fine with the rest being water. You can also substitute it with a litre of Colin and rest RO water which will also do the job equally well. Don't add normal tap water to any liquid in the car (coolant, battery, wiper fluid etc.) especially if the hardness levels in your area are above 150ppm (usually in most areas), as that will cause calcium deposits and clogging of various parts that come in contact with it.

Hope that helps.

[dkaile]

Superb vs Camry vs Sonata vs Accord Shootout in this month's Autocar India



After Overdrive magazine, its now the turn of Autocar India to give the same verdict. The last line is quite interesting and sums it all for me. It's Skoda's Tryst with Destiny -

No doubt Skoda has the right products and it's high time the company gives them the service support they deserve.

[dezrskb]

I got a small bottle of windshield wash concentrate free when I replaced my cracked windshield at Tafe Access Bangalore. It says 1:100 in the title. this may be the dilution needed.

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by dezrskb

I got a small bottle of windshield wash concentrate free when I replaced my cracked windshield at Tafe Access Bangalore. It says 1:100 in the title. this may be the dilution needed.

It may be some other product than the one we are discussing as many are available. They should be used as per instructions written (as in your case) or as we have discussed (if nothing is mentioned on the packaging)

[SmartCat]

Originally Posted by dkaile

No doubt Skoda has the right products and it's high time the company gives them the service support they deserve.-

If the magazine feels that Skoda's support (this means part reliability, service costs and overall service center experience) is below par, then they shouldn't be putting those "OUR CHOICE" buttons on Skoda cars.

I guess they are just reviewing/comparing the cars and ignoring the "ownership experience" part. The question is - would they put their hard earned money on a Skoda? Will they put their money where their mouth is? Especially since they know how many customers face issues with Skoda support?

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by smartcat

then they shouldn't be putting those "OUR CHOICE" buttons on Skoda cars.

Skoda after-sales has improved greatly in the past few months. I, for one, am testament to that fact. My service experience in a small city like Meerut, was at par with the best available here (including Toyota). Their MD (Mr. Sudhir Rao) is taking pro-active interest in after-sales and service related matters as I found out recently on emailing to him. Therefore, as one cannot live on past glories always, one should too not dwell on past miseries forever.

That is what the magazine understood correctly and they are fully justified in putting their "OUR CHOICE". Skoda has some great products which are at par if not better than their VW counterparts. And they are offered at a great price. If you have visited a Skoda showroom recently for after-sales support, you will understand what I am saying. So why then should they not deserve to be OUR CHOICE. I have put my money where my mouth is and have been ratified in my decision.

[dezrskb]

I agree with you dkaile,
I replaced my cracked windshield recently at Tafe Access Bangalore. I was really pleasantly surprised by the speed and professionalism with which they handled the problem and to my satisfaction. They gave a free body exterior wash, did interior cleaning and leather upholstery polishing at my request and within 24 hours, they claimed the insurance, got it approved, and my car was ready for delivery. I feel if they maintain similar attitude and approach, they are real value for money.

[dkaile]

POLICE SIREN!!!

Superb Faces 1st Issue - Fails to crank

So yesterday night (10.30pm), I thought to take the Superb for a spin as it had not been driven for a few days. Car was in my driveway. It opened promptly by remote. Interior Lights went on but seemed a little dim. Put key in ignition. Waited for all warning lights to go off as usual. Cranked... No crank!! Then some errors started coming on MID. "Error: stabilisation control (ESC)". So my Skoda woes had started, I presumed. Never in all the cars I had owned, that a car failed to crank or battery failed in 6 months of ownership, and that too of a lightly driven car. So much for praising Skoda Reliability!! 5940 on ODO. 6 months 5 days into ownership. All hell foreseen.

11 pm : Called Skoda Roadside Assistance on 1800 209 4646. Didn't expect anyone to pickup phone at this time of the night. Surprise, Surprise. Phone picked up on 1st ring of choosing Roadside Assistance option (press 3).
"Yes Sir, how may I help you" - Your Skoda gone kaput, I said. Not starting.
"Give me details, VIN etc." - Given
"Are you stranded?" - No, I am at my home.
What if I was stranded?, I asked. "We would have reached you in 15 minutes based on the location you have given". I didn't believe them.
Send someone in the morning 10 am please. "Yes Sir"

02-10-2012 (National Holiday, Gandhi Jayanti) - I thought no one's gonna come today as all commercial establishments and local dealer is closed. Woke up early. Opened bonnet. RAT POO on top of engine!! All hell broke loose in my mind. The bloody buggers must have chewed all wires. I am a goner now! No way can they repair wiring properly without a big expenses on my side. Checked for visible wire cuts. Could find none. Prayed and then cleaned the bay so as to leave no evidence for them... lolz. Battery had some juice but no crank, still.

8.30 am - I get call from Skoda Assistance. "Sir, you complained yesterday. Can we send a person?" Why not.
8.45 am - Repeat Call from Skoda assistaance (it was a Mumbai no. 022-61543400). "Sir, the Road Assistant is on conference. Kindly explain him your location". Turns out he was just outside my house and I guided him to the residence.
8.50 am - Skoda Assistant on my doorstep. Seemed like a normal Electrician. Came in a dilapidated Esteem. Are you from C&T Motors (the local Meerut dealership)? I asked him. "No Sir, We are independent of them". I was surprised. As I knew for certain that C&T Motors was closed today. He takes out his battery from the esteem (a new Amaron) in a jiffy. Tells me to crank and show him the issue. Takes out jump start cables. Opens bonnet and attaches wires directly to his removed battery. Positive to positive and negative to negative. I tell him to attach negative to earth point on car chassis, as I had read it in the manual. He says no need. I crank. And its back to life.

What was the reason? I ask him. "Sir, you seem to drive your car less?" Yes. "Sir, this needs to driven frequently" "Saar, all systems very electrical. Even locked, consumes more power than normal cars as it has surveillance system inside". I am not fully convinced. The ESC error messages was still coming on MID. Also TPM and ESP lights were on. "It will disappear once you drive it Sir. Otherwise take it tomorrow to the dealer and get it removed by computer. Also get your battery gravity checked". OK, will do tomorrow. I also remember having read on Hayek's thread http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-t...ml#post2589763 that such errors on MID come due to low battery not providing enough current to various electronics. "Keep car started for 15 minutes to give the battery some juice". I ask him, what would have happened had I been stranded somewhere in the city at 11pm yesterday night. "I would have been there in 15 minutes, Saar". Now I believe him. And more importantly, no issues due to any RATS, luckily. All wiring is intact afaict.

I thank him and he leaves. NO CHARGES. All on the house. I take his direct number but he tells me to direct calls through Mumbai Road Assistance for better service.

I call C&T Motors, Meerut service advisor. He picks his cell promptly and informs me it is a holiday today. I brief him about the situation. He informs me to come tomorrow for gravity check of battery and also informs me that they have new batteries in ready stock and will be replaced immediately if issue is found, under warranty. But he tells me same thing that it is less driving issue. Skoda cars consume more electrical power on standstill and needed to be cranked optimally every second day. Hmmmm.

After 15 minutes. I shut down car. Give it another crank. It's up and running immediately. Error messages still on. So I decide to take it for a spin. Immediately on my reversing out of driveway, all error messages DISAPPEAR. Hmmmm.

Give it a nice 5-6 km spin on empty cantonment roads in Meerut. The car's BACK. Same dreamy drive. All error messages gone. I shut down the car and start again. Half crank start. NO ERROR messages. Seems battery is now OK. Only needed some juice that went missing due to lack of spin.

Will take it to the dealership soon to rule out battery issue. BUT, out of all this I have learnt some lessons. Skoda does not have the shut it and forget it reliability of the Japs due to its more complicated and burdening electronics, which I knew off course. This is the price to be paid for the extra luxury. You need to get accustomed to handle a European sedan differently from the Japs. Hmmmm.

Overall, highly satisfied with the Road Side Assistance of Skoda. They require to give this in India more than any other manufacturer because their cars are more complicated than them anyways.

Will update on future battery issue after checkup.

[dezrskb]

dkaiile,
Thats exactly what I was thinking regarding the battery. If you read my Skoda Laura initial ownership thread, I have exactly voiced my concern regarding this and I expect Superb too to be similar as far as presence of complicated electronic gadgets are concerned. Front door (door panel) warning light, and puddle lamp on the undersurface of both OVRMs too stay on for too long. I guess if you want to fold both the mirrors electronically after switching off the engine and open the boot, both of these actions too are drain on battery. Tell me one thing, your car is not driven daily? I drive my car daily but say about 10 kms daily. Only when I go out of station leaving my car behind, then it might not run for couple of days. Also I feel each and every driver should know how to jump start a car and should have a jump start cable in boot as everybody may not have luxury of having Skoda Roadside assistance so promptly in all parts of country.

[.anshuman]

ESP warning + No crank in Superb means Battery dead. Get the battery checked, most probably it will be some dead cell.

Though keep your fingers crossed for rat damage! That is absolutely the worst thing that can happen to such a complex automobile.

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by .anshuman

ESP warning + No crank in Superb means Battery dead. Get the battery checked, most probably it will be some dead cell.

Though keep your fingers crossed for rat damage! That is absolutely the worst thing that can happen to such a complex automobile.

I have driven the car twice since morning and its cranking immediately and driving absolutely normally. Will get the battery checked asap. I do not feel any case of rat damage here.

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Received this reply from the MD of Skoda India, Mr. Sudhir Rao -



This was in response to this letter I had sent him earlier -

To
Sh. Sudhir Rao (Managing Director)
SKODA Auto India Private Limited
A-1 / 1, M.I.D.C.,
Five Star Industrial Area, Shendra,
Aurangabad - 431 201
Tel: +91 240 6631 111 / 222 / 333,
Fax: +91 240 6631299, 6631199
24 hour helpline: 1800 209 4646 &
1800 102 6464
Dated: 14-09-2012

(I would request the Customer Care personnel to kindly forward this email to Shri Rao personally, as it is of important concern)

Dear Mr. Rao,

I was and am a die hard Toyota fan for the sheer bullet proof reliability and go anywhere attitude of their vehicles. They lacked in many luxury feature but out lasted all my other vehicles due to their fantastic built coupled by excellent after-sales-service. I have owned a Corolla (my long term ownership thread is here - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-t...55-000-km.html (Toyota Corolla 2004 - Long Term Ownership Report 55,000 KM) ) and recently I also bought a Fortuner (ownership thread is here - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...uilt-last.html (The Millennium Falcon - Toyota Fortuner - The Raptor that is built to last) ).

That aside I was looking for something more as I moved up in life and wanted to taste some more luxury. So even after hearing many Skoda after-sales horror stories, I decided to put my money on a Skoda Superb Petrol MT a few months back. My ongoing detailed ownership thread of the said vehicle is here - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...t-destiny.html (Skoda Superb - A tryst with destiny) .

Now as will be clear with the 'tryst with destiny speech' analogy on my aforementioned thread, we (meaning me and many of my co-Skoda owners) are quite worried about the bad reputation that Skoda after sales has built for itself over the years. One clear case is of Mr. Harish which has gone awry (reference - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...d-4-years.html (Skoda dealer changes parts in my car = Consumer Court = Car not returned in 4 Years) ). There are several other threads especially on the concern for the "Ghost of Mechatronics" (http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...hatronics.html (Skoda Woes And The Ghost Of The Mechatronics!!) ) especially the 7 Speed DSG that you put in your Petrol Superb's which has got a very high failure rate in India (Thank God, I opted for a Manual transmission Superb). Also people even started topics on guidelines to buy cars like Skoda and what to expect (http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...opean-car.html (7 Simple Guidelines if you're buying a European car) ).

That is not to say that there are no satisfied Skoda owners in India. There are many including me (up to now). But the ghost of our predecessors still haunts us. Whether we will get Toyota levels of after sales service or not with Skoda? Whether my fine running car will be ruined at the hands of ill-trained technicians the moment it enters your workshop here in Meerut (U.P.)? Whether I will be fleeced with high cost of spare parts once parts like clutch etc. give way after a few years? These are questions which always create a doubt in our mind about Skoda ownership in India.

Now today morning I read an interesting article in the newspaper regarding "Skoda asking its senior officials to perform" (http://m.economictimes.com/news/news...w/16391807.cms ). Now this got me thinking, where has Skoda gone wrong that it has only 1% of market share even after being in the Indian market for 11 long years. It has solid products which are very luxurious and provide reasonable value for money (at least in the case of my Petrol Superb). As a recent Skoda owner I can tell you that you have to strengthen ONE THING and one thing ONLY. And that is your "AFTER-SALES-SERVICE", its quality and lowering its costs. This alone can allow you to garner the confidence back from existing and prospective Skoda owners. I visited your workshops/dealerships at Meerut and at Faridabad but NONE of them provided me the confidence that I (meaning me and my Skoda) will be well looked after once I need to go there, which is going to be soon in my case, as I am nearing 6 months of ownership (for the 6 month/7500km checkup).

I hope you will take this letter in the positive spirit that it is written by a Skoda owner (and now a converted fan from Toyota) and you will take immediate corrective steps in this regards.

Hoping to hear from you personally so that I can pass your point of view to the general public through forums like TeamBHP which will help in negating the bad image the company has built up over the years.

Warm Regards


DXXXXX KAILE
MEERUT - 250001 (U.P.)
Mobile: xxxxxxxxxx
Email: xxxxxxxxxx

As I mentioned on another thread on Skoda Reliability Poll, it is nice to see this pro-activeness. If Skoda remains on this path, it's happier days ahead for it and us customers....

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by dkaile

I have driven the car twice since morning and its cranking immediately and driving absolutely normally. Will get the battery checked asap. I do not feel any case of rat damage here.

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Received this reply from the MD of Skoda India, Mr. Sudhir Rao -

Attachment 994793

This was in response to this letter I had sent him earlier -


As I mentioned on another thread on Skoda Reliability Poll, it is nice to see this pro-activeness. If Skoda remains on this path, it's happier days ahead for it and us customers....

To hear directly from the MD is indeed satisfying! I must say its very kind of the MD himself to directly reply to a customers concerns.That said,its good to see the satisfying replies from him! If they can improve the Service in around 2 years then i am more than willing to put my money into a Skoda.

BTW, did you send a Email or did you write the letter personally and sent it to Mr.Sudhir?