Octavia Mk4 1 year on…
Discussion
It’s been a year since we collected our new Octavia estate. It’s a 1.5 SEL manual and it’s possibly the most frustrating car I’ve ever owned!!
A brief run down of the daily ownership experience;
Get in car, message saying phone disconnected from CarPlay. Wait for a while for it to Establish connection, Spotify opens and the last song I was playing comes up on the screen. Except it won’t play, I have to exit out of CarPlay and put on the radio before going back into CarPlay. Songs will now play as they should.
Drive away and of course enjoy the car kangarooing down the road past the neighbours which is a ‘feature’ of this engine when cold.
Then a message appears saying changing user settings. Hit ok and everything stops, nav reloads and then it sorts itself out.
Realise that my preferred view on the virtual dashboard has been reset, so fiddle around until the correct screen shows.
After a while you’ll notice that the lane assist is getting confused as it thinks you are out of your lane. This results in much bonging and the steering wheel trying to correct you. This is triggered by changes in road surface, mud on the road etc.. the other day I had to move to the left to make room for an oncoming car overtaking a cyclist. The lane assist attempted to steer me back into the overtaking car. As a result the system gets switched off.
I like the steering wheel to feel a little heavier so I change the setting to ‘sport mode’ I’m also a little OCD about my aircon and I like to have both sides the same temperature so I go into the aircon menu, wave my hand around at the touch screen and set it to sync both sides.
The voice assistant “Laura” will at some point think I’m talking to her. I have never managed to get it to work so she gets switched off.
After realising that I’ve driven about 5 miles without once looking out of the window, I stop to refuel. Get back in car 5 minutes later to find all of the above has undone itself and I go through the same process again!
Sometimes CarPlay will resume the song/podcast I was listening to but often it doesn’t. I don't know why.
If I miss a call or need to redial, CarPlay often won’t allow. me to redial, switching to the cars Bluetooth is fiddly and distracting.
The ride is ridiculously bouncy. I wasn’t expecting a sports car but I at least hoped it would be a comfy mile muncher. It’s bounciness and vague steering make it feel distinctly unstable on the motorway on a breezy day. It’s not a pleasant or relaxing car to drive.
Certain user settings get saved to the key fob such as the ambient lighting colour or the screen background. Everything else that is actually important to the driving experience defaults back to standard when you turn off the engine.
The led headlights only light up about 3 car lengths when dipped which makes motorway driving a lottery. The collision alert is prone to panicking if a car in front dares to slow down and the brake pedal makes a scraping noise when it is released.
The car has been back to the dealer and all is normal apparently. As you can tell (if you are still reading) I’m not overjoyed with it. The problem is I don’t know what to do with it, there’s nothing in stock, lead times on new are crazy long. I think I’d prefer an older car without the shiny tech that just works.
I know a lot of the issues are related to the infotainment so I’d be interested to know if the VW or Seat equivalents were as infuriating to own.
A brief run down of the daily ownership experience;
Get in car, message saying phone disconnected from CarPlay. Wait for a while for it to Establish connection, Spotify opens and the last song I was playing comes up on the screen. Except it won’t play, I have to exit out of CarPlay and put on the radio before going back into CarPlay. Songs will now play as they should.
Drive away and of course enjoy the car kangarooing down the road past the neighbours which is a ‘feature’ of this engine when cold.
Then a message appears saying changing user settings. Hit ok and everything stops, nav reloads and then it sorts itself out.
Realise that my preferred view on the virtual dashboard has been reset, so fiddle around until the correct screen shows.
After a while you’ll notice that the lane assist is getting confused as it thinks you are out of your lane. This results in much bonging and the steering wheel trying to correct you. This is triggered by changes in road surface, mud on the road etc.. the other day I had to move to the left to make room for an oncoming car overtaking a cyclist. The lane assist attempted to steer me back into the overtaking car. As a result the system gets switched off.
I like the steering wheel to feel a little heavier so I change the setting to ‘sport mode’ I’m also a little OCD about my aircon and I like to have both sides the same temperature so I go into the aircon menu, wave my hand around at the touch screen and set it to sync both sides.
The voice assistant “Laura” will at some point think I’m talking to her. I have never managed to get it to work so she gets switched off.
After realising that I’ve driven about 5 miles without once looking out of the window, I stop to refuel. Get back in car 5 minutes later to find all of the above has undone itself and I go through the same process again!
Sometimes CarPlay will resume the song/podcast I was listening to but often it doesn’t. I don't know why.
If I miss a call or need to redial, CarPlay often won’t allow. me to redial, switching to the cars Bluetooth is fiddly and distracting.
The ride is ridiculously bouncy. I wasn’t expecting a sports car but I at least hoped it would be a comfy mile muncher. It’s bounciness and vague steering make it feel distinctly unstable on the motorway on a breezy day. It’s not a pleasant or relaxing car to drive.
Certain user settings get saved to the key fob such as the ambient lighting colour or the screen background. Everything else that is actually important to the driving experience defaults back to standard when you turn off the engine.
The led headlights only light up about 3 car lengths when dipped which makes motorway driving a lottery. The collision alert is prone to panicking if a car in front dares to slow down and the brake pedal makes a scraping noise when it is released.
The car has been back to the dealer and all is normal apparently. As you can tell (if you are still reading) I’m not overjoyed with it. The problem is I don’t know what to do with it, there’s nothing in stock, lead times on new are crazy long. I think I’d prefer an older car without the shiny tech that just works.
I know a lot of the issues are related to the infotainment so I’d be interested to know if the VW or Seat equivalents were as infuriating to own.
I've heard similar issues with the radio/engine not too sure if I read it online or heard it from my work colleagues.
I also had the option of getting both the previous gen and the latest one as my car was due replacement during that switch over period.
Personally after test driving the previous gen I decided not to my main reasoning was handling any weight in the boot, caused the front end lift which was horrible at 60/70.
As the latest gen has been extended further over the rear wheels I imagine this issue has gotten worse?
I also had the option of getting both the previous gen and the latest one as my car was due replacement during that switch over period.
Personally after test driving the previous gen I decided not to my main reasoning was handling any weight in the boot, caused the front end lift which was horrible at 60/70.
As the latest gen has been extended further over the rear wheels I imagine this issue has gotten worse?
24lemons said:
It’s been a year since we collected our new Octavia estate. It’s a 1.5 SEL manual and it’s possibly the most frustrating car I’ve ever owned!!
...
The ride is ridiculously bouncy. I wasn’t expecting a sports car but I at least hoped it would be a comfy mile muncher. It’s bounciness and vague steering make it feel distinctly unstable on the motorway on a breezy day. It’s not a pleasant or relaxing car to drive.
I had the Mk3 1.4 SEL estate....
The ride is ridiculously bouncy. I wasn’t expecting a sports car but I at least hoped it would be a comfy mile muncher. It’s bounciness and vague steering make it feel distinctly unstable on the motorway on a breezy day. It’s not a pleasant or relaxing car to drive.
The 1.4 engine was excellent. The rest of the car was a disppointment.
The ride was terrible almost everywhere, the steering vague, the handling poor and the traction very poor. The brakes faded in enthusiastic, hilly driving like cars used to. The sat nav was rubbish too.
The booming/resonance drove me mad (The hatchback doesn't have these issues)
Well done for keeping it so long. I really disliked my car.
I'm not sure how they sell so many.
Edited by MC Bodge on Monday 7th March 10:40
MC Bodge said:
24lemons said:
It’s been a year since we collected our new Octavia estate. It’s a 1.5 SEL manual and it’s possibly the most frustrating car I’ve ever owned!!
...
The ride is ridiculously bouncy. I wasn’t expecting a sports car but I at least hoped it would be a comfy mile muncher. It’s bounciness and vague steering make it feel distinctly unstable on the motorway on a breezy day. It’s not a pleasant or relaxing car to drive.
I had the Mk3 1.4 SEL estate....
The ride is ridiculously bouncy. I wasn’t expecting a sports car but I at least hoped it would be a comfy mile muncher. It’s bounciness and vague steering make it feel distinctly unstable on the motorway on a breezy day. It’s not a pleasant or relaxing car to drive.
The 1.4 engine was excellent. The rest of the car was a disppointment.
The ride was terrible almost everywhere, the steering vague, the handling poor and the traction very poor. The brakes faded in enthusiastic, hilly driving like cars used to. The sat nav was rubbish too.
The booming/resonance drove me mad.
Well done for keeping it so long. I really disliked my car.
I'm not sure how they sell so many.
We have a 2018 Octavia 1.5 tsi SE L and love it. Does everything really well for us. We have the cold stutter and emergency phone false alarm but apart from those all good.
We had thought about changing it before ICE production ceases though looks like some thorough research needed. I guess as we approach 2030 we’ll get more facelift models rather than new so hopefully the problems usually associated with new models will have been ironed out.
We had thought about changing it before ICE production ceases though looks like some thorough research needed. I guess as we approach 2030 we’ll get more facelift models rather than new so hopefully the problems usually associated with new models will have been ironed out.
I have a Cupra Formentor and it is equally as annoying. The Octavia and Golf were both on my list of cars when I was looking for a cheap lease and this just happened to be the one that I went with.
Kit levels are great on the car but the tech is rubbish. I wont be having another VAG motor until they listen to customers and start fixing the issues.
Kit levels are great on the car but the tech is rubbish. I wont be having another VAG motor until they listen to customers and start fixing the issues.
24lemons said:
I was originally going to buy a used Mk3 but when I saw the Mk4 it looked light years ahead in terms of tech and shiny things. It also didn’t cost much more to lease a new one than a second hand one would have been so I went for it.
As you've discovered, tech and shiny things can be a bit over-rated, though, even if tempting.We still have an old 56 reg Fiesta -that we had before and after- the Mk3 Octavia. A much better car all-round.
I have an MK4 vRS and experience the same frustration. Really slow infotainment boot up which means that I usually drive away before switching stop/start off and setting it to sport mode. Even if I set it to Eco it reverts to Normal at the next start so it is complete nonsense that you can't force it to remember these settings!
The biggest problem I have is the emergency SOS system. This seems to be complete borked by the local Metrolink system and/or a nearby phone mast. Regularly, when I drive away from home I get a big electronic "click" and a warning that the SOS call has been activated. Every now and again this also throws the GPS out of skew. Anecdotally I'm not alone in having this issue. Lots of similar reports on Briskoda. This problem *never* manifests itself away from home.
It's such a shame as otherwise, it is an excellent car. It is also my second vRS in the last few years but I'll hesitate to get another.
The biggest problem I have is the emergency SOS system. This seems to be complete borked by the local Metrolink system and/or a nearby phone mast. Regularly, when I drive away from home I get a big electronic "click" and a warning that the SOS call has been activated. Every now and again this also throws the GPS out of skew. Anecdotally I'm not alone in having this issue. Lots of similar reports on Briskoda. This problem *never* manifests itself away from home.
It's such a shame as otherwise, it is an excellent car. It is also my second vRS in the last few years but I'll hesitate to get another.
Edited by selwonk on Monday 7th March 11:09
Edited by selwonk on Monday 7th March 11:09
selwonk said:
I have an MK4 vRS and experience the same frustration. Really slow infotainment boot up which means that I usually drive away before switching stop/start off and setting it to sport mode. Even if I set it to Eco it reverts to Normal at the next start so it is complete nonsense that you can't force it to remember these settings!
The biggest problem I have is the emergency SOS system. This seems to be complete borked by the local Metrolink system and/or a nearby phone mast. Regularly, when I drive away from home I get a big electronic "click" and a warning that the SOS call has been activated. Every now and again this also throws the GPS out of skew. Anecdotally I'm not alone in having this issue. Lots of similar reports on Briskoda. This problem *never* manifests itself away from home.
It's such a shame as otherwise, it is an excellent car. It is also my second vRS in the last few years but I'll hesitate to get another.
I had the clicking/popping noise from the sos unit too. Dealer applied a software update last summer and it hasn’t happened again. The biggest problem I have is the emergency SOS system. This seems to be complete borked by the local Metrolink system and/or a nearby phone mast. Regularly, when I drive away from home I get a big electronic "click" and a warning that the SOS call has been activated. Every now and again this also throws the GPS out of skew. Anecdotally I'm not alone in having this issue. Lots of similar reports on Briskoda. This problem *never* manifests itself away from home.
It's such a shame as otherwise, it is an excellent car. It is also my second vRS in the last few years but I'll hesitate to get another.
Edited by selwonk on Monday 7th March 11:09
Edited by selwonk on Monday 7th March 11:09
24lemons said:
I had the clicking/popping noise from the sos unit too. Dealer applied a software update last summer and it hasn’t happened again.
Super! I'll get it booked in. I've been meaning to for ages but last time I looked at it the latest update wasn't fixing the problem. Sounds like it's worth getting it done. Ta!I collected my new manual petrol vRS wagon on NYE.... blooming love it. As long as I can always switch off the auto lane widget thingy from the steering wheel I can live all of the potential tech malarkey.
Mine’s been okay... had a couple of Apple CarPlay short outs, but they fixed themselves quickly. If it was rear wheel drive then it would be the perfect vehicle for me. I’ve come out of 30 years of company Germans and thin carpets aside (which is not too tough to live with given the £20k saving) it’s indistinguishable from them. I bought it to take me through the 2020’s and I think it’s going to be just grand!
Mine’s been okay... had a couple of Apple CarPlay short outs, but they fixed themselves quickly. If it was rear wheel drive then it would be the perfect vehicle for me. I’ve come out of 30 years of company Germans and thin carpets aside (which is not too tough to live with given the £20k saving) it’s indistinguishable from them. I bought it to take me through the 2020’s and I think it’s going to be just grand!
Zedboy said:
I collected my new manual petrol vRS wagon on NYE.... blooming love it. As long as I can always switch off the auto lane widget thingy from the steering wheel I can live all of the potential tech malarkey.
Mine’s been okay... had a couple of Apple CarPlay short outs, but they fixed themselves quickly. If it was rear wheel drive then it would be the perfect vehicle for me. I’ve come out of 30 years of company Germans and thin carpets aside (which is not too tough to live with given the £20k saving) it’s indistinguishable from them. I bought it to take me through the 2020’s and I think it’s going to be just grand!
I'm glad that you like yours. What does it handle and steer like?Mine’s been okay... had a couple of Apple CarPlay short outs, but they fixed themselves quickly. If it was rear wheel drive then it would be the perfect vehicle for me. I’ve come out of 30 years of company Germans and thin carpets aside (which is not too tough to live with given the £20k saving) it’s indistinguishable from them. I bought it to take me through the 2020’s and I think it’s going to be just grand!
I can't imagine that I will ever buy another Octavia.
Handling is great and I’m surprised how comfortable the ride is as I’m not one to play with settings every time. Spirited pulling away not great and I don’t see what the fabled LSD is actually doing, but I’ve learnt to drive around that problem. Overall I’m very happy, but I significantly downgraded from a posh Audi so was braced for much lower quality which hasn’t really materialised. All things in life are a compromise and so far I’m happy.
My MK4 Leon estate has much the same foibles, you get used to pressing the "assists" button on the steering wheel, clicking the right hand wheel to turn off lane assist, waiting 10 seconds for the message telling you you've turned it off to disappear, then click view 4 times to get back to a view with a useful display.
Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff