The Cumbrian

Agreed, looking at that video. It had grey seats and pretty sure those alloys. The logos look much more similar than on the mk 7s!

Was at Lookers Carlisle to pick up my van today and hiding round the back was an 8R estate in black. Now I have a 7.5R estate in black but this one looked very disappointing. I thought I might be confusing it with an R-Line but it definitely had R seats and an R badge on the side, nothing on the boot. Very underwhelming set of alloys that do little to fill the arches and it does look ungainly.

So had a failure on the other key battery which was changed but lasted about 3 months before failing again. Took both keys into the dealer stating something must be wrong. Both replaced with no issue as under warranty. Described as faulty but what this meant wasn't explained.

Current hearse isn't going anywhere just yet. It is the best all-rounder i've owned, fast, practical, can entertain and just waft along. So will be difficult to replace. Two problems with the Seat/Cupra, never liked the two creases along the waist line. They converge awkwardly around the rear door and just looks odd. And the copper trim bits...different, but too different for me. Though the ABT 350 tune seems a good idea. Hopefully VAG will replace elsewhere, maybe the Octavia? Not a fan of SUVs, and from a sporting perspective, anything that sits higher must be firmer sprung to offset and thus ride worse.

Everything I read about the Mk8 states there won't be an estate version due to cost savings. As a 7.5 R hearse owner I struggle to see what else could realistically replace it when the time comes. I don't want a bigger estate, the Golf is as big as I need or really want on our small country roads. We could get away with the hatch but the ability to easily put a bike in, wheels on with seats down is a winner. Anybody else thinking about this forthcoming dilemma?

Thanks SpursMadDave for the advice. Useful info on Adrian Flux.

Thanks for the insurance advice so far. We're with Admiral presently, a previous vehicle was a Fiesta ST with the Mountune 215 kit. There was no charge for that as it was less than 10% power increase. LV and Adrian Flux are also reputable providers so would be happy to try them too. So any advice on brake and suspension mods for the hearse to match a circa 350 horse tune? I was reading about the Mountune52 kit and like the sound of it.

Looking for people's experience of this mod including suspension and brakes. Including typically how you approached insurance; did you need to change provider and/or what was the cost increase.

I would try replacing the battery in the key fob

If they'd been cheap cells I'd have agreed but they weren't, one was a Duracell. I also didn't get any battery warnings 😉

Quick visit to the dealer today and sorted...with a battery change 🤔 It had a Panasonic battery, the new "VW battery" is unbranded! I tried two from different packets from different suppliers, neither brand new but both in date and neither worked.

Yeah. I think it's FUBAR. Didn't get any warnings from the car about battery levels. Not intending to be paying for a new key as the car is still in warranty. I had a look inside and there's no obvious signs of moisture ingress but a possibility.

Thought about that but not going to risk the good key! Booked in at dealers on Weds. Apparently they'd had issues with "non-VW batteries being fitted causing problems". A good battery is a good battery...sometimes I feel like I should've started conversations with "I'm an Engineer and a qualified electrician please do not try and bullshit me"

Tried two new batteries from different packets and still not working. Definitely fitting them correctly.

Second key is working fine luckily. I wondered if some pairing may be required but the red LED isn't working despite a 'new' battery.