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.

Went for a run tonight and left my key with some other car keys. Came back, tried opening with usual keyless technique with no luck, then with the button, no luck and noticed the red LED wasn't working. Used the key proper (if you've never done this before I suggest trying on your drive in daylight rather than the side of a busy road in the dark) so I got in the car ok. Worked out how to switch the alarm off and started the car ok. Got home and changed the battery and it's still not working. Any one else had this problem?

If there's more unburnt fuel in the exhaust there must be less power?

Or the Mk6 16" standard Monza?

Our previous T5 used to sit around a bit when we had 2 cars too. Used to get moss growing in the window surrounds and had issues with sticking brake callers, one of which needed replacing. We went back home car and bought the R estate and then changed the van. I don't think it's great for vehicles sitting outside and not getting used.

I tw*tted my front near side Cadiz a month ago, tyre blebbed too. After much googling I got a refurbed OEM from Alloyhub. New tyre fitted and tracking sorted via Blackcircles at the local BMW dealer. Seems ok now. Claim for £600 now with the council. I reported the fault which was a low gully grate and received a reply which stated action was required...as much of an admission of liability as I could hope for!

Would've been quite happy with cloth but the car we bought had the Vienna leather. There's better ways IMO to spend that cash on options. Now the heatwave has passed I can live with it again. 😡 One thing I would say is the smell inside a car with leather is pleasant! Hadn't been in ours for a week but today really noticed it.

No kids in our household but we went for the estate. With seats down it's easy to put a bike in with both wheels on which probably happens twice a week for us. Boot swallows whatever you seem to throw at it. Have left the floor higher as it is easier with the bike. The estate is also more of a sleeper and surprises people. Colour and alloy choice key though.

Damaged a Cadiz and tyre last week. 748-775 quotes for the wheel. I've gone for a refurbed item at 450. I couldn't bring myself to fork out that much and I didn't like the look of a lot of the second hand items on eBay. Will start the claim battle this week. Though on inspection it was a grate not a pothole. About 4" deep have the photos to prove.

Belted front passenger side alloy last night on a pothole. Wheel and tyre both need replaced. I've had a ridiculous quote from the local main dealer, which I would take if I was confident that the council will pay up. So I'm looking for a single excellent condition wheel or maybe two. Any body help or provide some advice on where they've sourced from? I was planning to get a set of 19" for next summer and put winter tyres on the Cadiz later this year.

Nice part of the world @ringy