I know this is an old thread but I’m guessing new entries might still get looked at(?)
I was massively reassured reading this thread back in April when I bought my 2019 Caravelle 199. I didn’t notice anything untoward on what was admittedly a very brief test drive as I was a bit overexcited at the chance of getting one. The garage (a very good Skoda main dealer) were happy to do the cambelt/water pump and DSG services I’d read so much about online.
Getting the van home I really noticed what I thought was mega turbo-lag getting out of junctions and onto roundabouts: car coming is miles away; press accelerator; nothing happens, so press a bit harder; oooh it’s a bit close now so I’ll lift off and take the next gap oh shit I can’t as the van is launching into the road.
As
@Epic-Rob said in the original post, it’s borderline dangerous; I’ve been stuck on one roundabout in the middle of a will it / won’t it throttle response. If anyone knows Newcastle, the Blue House Roundabout is a bloody nightmare. Car parks on any form of slope also make you look like a right muppet trying to get moving.
It’s been back into the Skoda dealer who have a former VW Commercial technician there; he came out with me while I explained the situation and demonstrated the lag, even as I’m better at driving around it now. He acknowledged the lag but said it was probably within limits, and after the service manager drove it they said it was within limits. The only proposal they had was sending it back to VW who could reset the computers which apparently learned how the original owner drove (I’m guessing like a psychopath, or on roads where no-one ever goes) and reteach the computers by driving it up to 120 miles, with the proviso it may have absolutely no impact.
I can only push back so far as I have PTSD and get very anxious with complaints or this type of thing.
It seems like it’s not an uncommon problem given the mentions in this forum and when you speak to other garages. I’ve spoken to Swift Engineering in Newcastle who were recommended on here and seem brilliant; they immediately knew what I was talking about and recommended a remap of engine and DSG with Pendle Performance. Speaking to HR Auto Specialists, my local Pendle agent, they’ve just done an S4 Audi with the exact same problem.
Despite this costing nearly 650 quid I’m happy to do it to make the van safer, but I’m now into the realms of having to get specialist insurance because of the modification, and the only options on the specialist insurance websites is to say the van is chipped, which it isn’t going to be, it’s going to be remapped, to make it safer. It’s bonkers, and it’s driving me mad!
Has anyone else gone through this process and got any advice?
Thank you,
James and Bonsly
it just that initial take off when you need to pull out of a junction quickly, i might have my foot planted to the mat but its just gutless i swear i could pull away quicker on my push bike....
