Update:
Have been quite busy with work and driving cycle has reduced a fair bit. Also I had switched to my Vento for about 3 weeks because there was road work going on in the colony.
So two months to go for three year milestone, so many events that I have listed here:
1) fuel pump failure
2) 3 batteries
3) front suspension noise not corrected till date
4) first mechatronic failure (fire)
5) clutch slipping issue (multi clutch replaced)
6) noise during up shift after clutch change, gruff feel while driving, poor fuel economy. Now this problem was the biggest of all. They had absolutely no clue about the solution, however it was evident that it needs a new gearbox. They updated 3-4 different(or same) versions of the DSG software. Then changed the clutch 2 times. Tried all different sizes of shims, Tried to make adjustments in the Mechatronic unit. Note that all this work, needs the gearbox to be removed from the vehicle completely. So they removed and re-installed the gearbox in my car at least 5 times in one month. Opening the gearbox ruins the bolts, pin bearing, damages the flywheel, because until now the flywheel was fine! But they ruined it too, and mind you removing the gearbox means you must remove battery, remove the air intake, remove the starter, remove the passenger side front wheel, suspension, and then you can access the gearbox. Finally after a lot of trouble and haggling with Skoda, they changed the gearbox and the flywheel.
As expected, the car started running like silk. For only about two weeks. Again came a problem of the Engine Malfunction Light(EML) showing up on the dashboard. On investigation, it shows fault in Transmission Control Unit(TCM) and the gear selector lever positioning.
It simply means that now due to constant opening and closing of components inside the engine bay, I can assume that they have left something loose, and didn't bother to check before handing over the car to me. There is a mechanical sticking of the gear shift locking pin which is quite evident, and after that happens, I turn off the car, restart it, and there is the error. Once the error comes, sometimes the performance dips a little bit. Also randomly, the gearbox won't auto-blip in manual mode downshift. The gear would change down but in a lazy manner. I have spoken to Skoda tech head in the factory and he refuses to accept that the gearbox has/had an auto-blip feature. They're yet to fix this issue, because I refuse to give the car to them unless they gave me a replacement loaner Octavia or any other DSG car which is in the same showroom condition as I have kept my Octy. I am a very busy guy, and handle plenty of phone calls over Bluetooth during my 7-8 hours of commute in the whole week. I drive on the highway so I need a mechanically sound car, with good tyre life and brakes, and good headlights. The dealer never understands that. I asked the dealer specifically to give me a new gear shift selector, and a new software update for the gearbox, and my problems will be sorted, but they cannot do anything on my car since the case is too elevated now and now the factory foreman only will open a bolt on my car.
The service history till now includes the brake pads changed at 42K kms after I started feeling vibrations on speeds over 100 km/h. They're holding up good as of now, but I feel about 20% dip in braking performance.
Brake fluid was changed during last service, which was at 57K kms.
Now when I asked the dealer to give me new spark plugs, he refused saying the schedule doesn't mention the change. Even when I insisted, he didn't budge and advised not to get new spark plugs now. I think he didn't want to create a new problem with ill-figment of new plugs and a misfiring engine. However he mentioned that the plugs are scheduled at 90K kms. I shall get it changed when the car goes for the gearbox issue correction.
Tyres are holding up really well. I just love the grip from these Michelin 225/50/16 PS3. Best part is grip in the wet, the more I try to test the limits of the traction control, more the tyre sticks to the road! And that's after 25K kms on them and only one tyre rotation. I usually drive very very sedated way, and that's why I didn't opt for rotation of tyres plus among all the other problems on the car, I was just happy to have my car back after two months so never got the time. Only issue with the tyres, they're a size too big for the rim size. It badly needs 7.0j rims. I am looking for a good upgrade on the rims either 16" Borbet or 17" momo. But with Momo I am thinking that I would actually be down grading on quality from the current original alloys.
I plan to keep this car for at least 125K kms, or 5-6 years whichever comes earlier. It ill be out of warranty in any case in 2017, so it all depends on how the gearbox is holding up, cos I would not get a 2 lakh repair job on the box after a couple of years. The interiors are holding up really well. No rattles, no squeaks, well, there's one ! The seat belt latch. When ever I adjust my seat up or down, the seat belt latch rubs against the leather seat and makes a very disgusting (farting like) sound. I am on the hunt to replace these latches with the ones in Jetta because they're felt lined from the outside to prevent rattles and such 'rubbing' noises.
This is the kind of fuel efficiency it is returning after all this use, I am not happy but the traffic conditions here are not consistent to give a good FE.
This is my usual commute report every week, my actual work place and my weekend home, usually I complete this journey in 2:15 hrs, and the FE then increases to about 14.5-15 km/l. Three years back I would get around 16-17 km/l on the same route, because of less traffic. In the last three years the traffic on the route has quadrupled I think, and hence my low FE due to constant braking, long waits at toll booth, but since our Ex-CM has passed the decision on no tolls for LMV from 15th August onwards, I think I will not only save about 7-8 mins on the journey, but also increase the FE. Trust me if you can find an empty patch of road on an expressway and slot it in Cruise control at about 100 km/h, this car will return 19-20 km/l.
It goes down to about 7-8 km/l in the city and when I use all 180 horses in 7 seconds if you know what I mean. I still am addicted to listening those revs post 3000 rpm all the way to 6500 rpm. That's in fact the only thing that's kept me interested in the car, that engine, oh that engine. Cheers!