pcolbeck

I ordered a new Octavia SE-L diesel estate with a bunch of options last week. I was given a 6 month delivery estimate. Now it appears the facelift will launch in February. So will they still be building the current model in six months? Not sure what happens when you order just as they role over to a new model.

I'd be interested in knowing the exact Chotechcharger you bought as there are several. Thanks.

No rear window blinds on my SE L First Edition estate.

Your correct it doesn't come with wireless charging. I had a quick look at this for mine. There are various wireless pads available it would be a case of finding one that fits in the space. Might be a nice little earner for some company to do a custom one that fitted perfectly and had a neat connection one of the USB sockets it should be possible to knock out a decent one for <£100.

Not any softer than in the Mk III. Its not brilliant but it does its job, not too much roll in corners. The roads round here are shocking (rural North Yorkshire) and its not clattering too badly over the potholes. To be honest I prefer softer rather than stiffer these days for suspension due to the state of the roads and general comfort. If it was sports car then I would want stiffer suspension but it isn't so I will take comfort so long as the handling is OK at normal road speeds.

Titan blue with 18in Perseus Anthracite Alloys. It also has the panoramic sunroof, rear view camera, head up display and electrically operated boot and electric child locks (bit pointless that as my son is 24 and married :)). No wireless charging :(. I thought all SE-L first editions had that but checking the configurator it aint so but that's a very first world problem ...

So I got my Octavia SE-L First Edition 2.0 150 HP TDI estate today. It came a lot quicker than anticipated (about two weeks I bought one that was already pre specced and being built but the dealer thought it would be a month to six weeks). I previously had a 105 HP Mk III facelift DSG hatchback and before that a similar original MK III hatchback. I have only had a chance to drive it 20 miles so far as yesterday it was horrible howling with rain and I had other things to do as well but here are my first impressions. Whilst I would have bought a 105HP version if there had been one in the new line up as I had been satisfied with that engine in my previous Octavias the 150HP engine is definitely nicer from an acceleration point of view. Not blistering obviously (ah fond memories of my old Saab 9-5 Aero with 250HP on tap, that was fast) but definitely a more willing power plant. Should be much better for overtaking on motorways. It also seems quieter, in fact the cabin is quieter altogether I'm not sure if its just better sound proofing or a general improvement in aerodynamics that's reducing wind noise. New DSG switch thing instead of a normal gear stick took only a few seconds to get used to. It definitely frees up space. I didn't really use the old version much to change gear just let the autobox do its thing but I gave the flappy paddles a go in the new one and they are better than doing it the old way. Might be fun for occasional "spirited driving" but that's not really what you buy this kind of car for. The sound system sounds better than the old one at first listen. Haven't played with the adjustments yet but listening to DAB radio I tried speech (radio 4 ) and some music and it definitely sounded better. I have heard a lot better in some cars but this is fine. The new seats are great. Very comfy but will need a long trip to properly evaluate. The electrically operated drivers seat is easy to use and set the memory on. Rear view camera with overlay of where the car is going is well implemented especially if like me you're a bit rubbish at reversing. The HuD is brilliant all cars should have it. I just had it on default settings but having the speed floating in front of you is excellent. Its sharp and non distracting. The virtual cockpit is OK. I like that you can have the nav instead of the dials. Also the dials are clearer than on the MK III facelift which were a bit rubbish in daytime mode (fine on a night though) who thought whit numerals on a white background was a good idea ! I need to play with this and get it setup how I like it. The new nav/infotainment system is a lot more complex than the old one. Its big and its clear and very customizable. |Feels like it will be good but its one of those thing that needs living with and using a lot before a verdict can be reached. Lack of manual switches for heating etc. I though this would be more annoying than it is. I tend to just set the cabin temp and leave it at that so you might feel different. There are enough manual buttons below the screen fro the important stuff such as defogging the windows so n first impressions I think its going to be fine. I use the steering column mounted controls for stereo volume anyway. Speaking of buttons and switches the ones under the infotainment system mentioned do feel a tad plasticy and cheap. Skoda could have done a better job with these. All the other ones elsewhere seem good. The shiny fake chrome door furniture definitely does produce flashes out of the corner of your eye even on a dull day like yesterday. This may get annoying, lets see. The rest of the materials on the inside seem a bit of s step up from the previous model. I hope they wear as well. Other than that its like every other Octavia I have driven or been in. Its not a luxury car but a sensible one and well specced for it price and in general thoughtfully laid out, easy to use and comfy with an enormous boot. The new exterior styling make sit look smart as well.

Too late I've bought it, it's in the country and I get it next week Wireless Android Auto isn't a deal breaker for me I already have to do it via USB in my MK III hatchback so no difference if it's still wired. Wireless would be nice though so hopefully they fix it in a software update. There is no way I'm changing to an Apple phone just to get wireless mirroring in the car.

Smashing thanks. That will be excellent, no more cables !

Hi I've ordered a Octavia SE-L First Edition estate and these come with wireless charging for phones. Does anyone know if they can also do wireless Android Auto? It's very unclear from the Skoda marketing. Wireless Apple CarPlay looks like a yes but they seem to be fudging Android Auto information. Thanks

Just to update this it was the battery and after confirming this with loads of tests they replaced it under warranty with no charge for the battery or all the testing. It takes a lot of testing of everything else before Skoda will accept its a duff battery apparently. I didn't have to push them I just mentioned the Moll battery issue when I took it in and they said yes loads have been replaced. Skoda should have done a recall really.

I rang them and told them and they are looking at it as a warranty issue, Its off in for a major service a week tomorrow and they will do it then.

Yes still in warranty until August. I'll see what I can do with them.

Hi My Octavia IIi 1.6 105hp diesel has just started having some issues over the last couple of weeks. A few times the coil light cam on when I tried to start it. A couple of times the start stop said it couldn't function on start. Today the car wouldnt start at all (no turnover). I charged the battery for an hour and it started no problem. It does a 200 mile motorway journey once a week so should be charging OK. I dont have loads of stuff connected (phone only no dash cam etc) so there shouldn't be undue drain. I have read here that there have been issues with some Moll batteries from 2017 and my car is from August 2017 and does have a Moll battery. 2.5 years seems to me not to be a reasonable lifetime for a battery. Are Skoda replacing these FOC without prompting (its got to go in for a service in a week) or will I have to kick up a fuss ? Thanks

Turned out to be a double fault. Two USB cables that charged the phone OK didnt work well. Tried the one that came with the new phone and that was a lot better. Then I gave the prongs that hold the USB cable into the socket a little tweak with a toothpick and now connection is rock solid. The old cables still dont work though so they are getting binned. Thanks all.