octavianestate

Good points. A pattern clear to see is the hit or miss level of skoda quality. By that I don't just refer to parts quality but also assembly quality.

The halogen headlights dont suffer like the xenon ones. No condensation at all here. Without doubt my headlamps are not Friday afternoon ones.

They are skodas. Basic budget transport what are you expecting. You want 'soul'? Buy a car that is not generic and doesn't have a low powered turbo 4cyl petrol engine. :-P

Remove the Headlight and pop in a silica bag then refir light. It will look odd but the silica will absorb moisture.

Start the top of the range model L&K owners list too? That could be very exclusive.

It's all subjective though. In my opinion If a driver wanted a comfy seat they should have driven a saab. I get back ache too - mostly due to the little ones - but my elegance trim seats dont aggravate. For anyone who suffers from back ache consider the heated seat option. The constant heat from them really does sooth any aches.

Car does the job - big boot transports family no bother. But in the case of things like seat leather wearing quickly and such like I would not be foolish to buy one of these outright. Kias and hyundais wear better these days.

I think it's just something you will have to live with. My leather seat base area looks like a car that's 10+ years old and not 2. Looks ****e but im not one of those who can float onto or off the seat to avoid wear and tear. Quote dealer 'its just fair wear and tear' when I asked them if it was normal. Its just a car, and no doubt you will buy another at some point in the future so I wouldn't worry yourself greatly. The brake discs will probably be rotten in another 15K so brace yourself for that one ;-)

I think your cars have faults. I have no excess wind noises unless the car is travelling at speeds in excess of 60mph, but at that speed the tyre noise tends to become more intrusive. Low speeds I have no wind whistle. I'm sure my doors have two seals also one inner and one outer (I think this causes the water retention in the doors).

6 paint repairs. Factory paint job was bad

I think you are even beating me with the amount of bodywork repairs to your company's car.

Agreed. I think to much is read into the badge of this brand. Keep it simple and keep it honest. It will always be the brand that receives hand me downs from those higher up the VAG brand line or receives the older tech as Audi and VW develop newer equipment. Skoda don't even get the more powerful engine models. Sure the Superb and Kodiaq will push the quality image up but there is still the glass ceiling In the way. The passat and the A4/6 are still the aspirational carrots on a stick for those chasing the company car way of life. The Octavia and superb barely feature In the white collar society. I would have chosen the Golf r. A lot more desirable.

Sure they play on the simply clever buzz words but unless I count the parking ticket clip on the windscreen there is nothing In the car that suggests a higher level of design or ergonomics. Its basic transport. Hence the petrolhead would take the Golf r and forsake logical reasoning like 'boot space' for a more powerful car and albeit subjective, better handling. Skoda need to concentrate on their remit within the VAG. Keep offering basic transport at affordable prices.

Any reports on the Kodiaq real world mpg figures for both petrol and diesel? I'm historically a low mileage user (current octavia 10K miles in 2 years) so I'm thinking petrol engine now and a low mileage lease?

But then it would be inevitable by adding better quality interiors etc the budget branded skoda would no longer be in that category, therefore the car would be more costly, which sort of goes against why people buy them in the first place. The owner that is a petrolhead will buy the Golf R and won't think otherwise. The owner that is more frugal with money would take the skoda....typically.

Blame the badge on the front. Buy cheap don't expect them to hold much in way of second hand values.

Is it anything to do with the climate fan? Switch the fan on - is there a whistle noise which seems to be near the door? I once had a loaner skoda rapid, this had a quite pronounced whistle noise when the climate fan was running. Fan off and no noise. From what I noticed was that with the fan on the internal cabin pressure rose slightly (I also felt the pressure increase In my ears) and the air was escaping via the drivers door seal area. Maybe you have something similar?

I'm no octavia fan but credit where credits due. despite the initial grief with my car and the persistent minor niggles which I overlook now on the whole it's been good at lugging around the family on holidays but that is all. The car is going though next year before its warranty expires. So options to consider: (lease only) Kia optima sportwagon Hyundai santa fe Skoda Kodiaq... New Ford kuga The skoda Kodiaq looks interesting but I'm concerned with the build quality if my car is anything to go by. Kia seem to be as well built as any budget car thesedays. A friends new GT line sportage makes my elegance spec look drab. Anyone know of any good lease deals for the above?

You get used to it. Maybe some skoda owners over analyse some details.

What? Attempting to reject a car due to rattles and vibrations. Granted the touchscreen problem is a real issue but rattles and vibrations. Is your car a diesel? As I have mentioned before about skoda rejection policy they don't just hand out replacement cars. Annoying as it is for the owner of a 'problem' car or a 'lemon' for minor issues you cannot simply discard the car when it suits.

Totally true. I also think that with how cars are suspended now to a more firm ride coupled with poor Road surfaces rattles etc will manifest early on. You are correct that this is not an isolated skoda problem, but, never before have I owned a car (from new) which has so many niggles. Like you I got tired of arranging dealer checks etc so i rather just allow them to add up and get them checked at service time. This car has really eaten up a lot of my spare time. Not exactly 'trouble free motoring'. Id rather have a kia now.

Consumer rights only go so far otherwise we would all be rejecting cars as soon as there was a nuisance 'noise' or a whatever. I'm sure engine and or gearbox failures are grounds for car rejection

You will be entitled to a lions share of so called 'goodwill' for your inconvenience. Be persistent and belligerent. In total with other visits my car probably did spend 2 months at the dealer and the dealers paintshop therefore like you early on in ownership I was without what I was paying for. On the plus side with the cash I received back for my inconvenience (cited as, time lost In dealing with the issue, phone calls, letters, lack of faith In product etc) this had ensured that next to no profit has been made on my vehicle. Gratis payments of almost £2000 to me and the repair Bill for the dealer/SUK was over £2500. I do not understand SUK policy and procedure. As in your case they seem to waste time and resources and mis-manage problems with the net result of customers losing faith In the product / brand. A good dealer is not measured on the car purchase experience or if your car was washed after a routine service. They earn their merit if they can effectively deal with real problems post car sale.

Unfortunately the owner will have to allow the dealer to correct the fault. One simply cannot walk away and expect full refund. I have personal experience with VWFS with car 'rejection' and the criteria used to fulfill a rejection. Are you paying for a hire car? If so why? In total my car spent over 6 weeks at my dealer and I had a courtesy car from them gratis for the duration. Good luck with the rejection. SUK or VWFS don't just hand out replacement cars.

Don't click on the 'umpteenth' post then. Instead Read the umpteenth post about: Booming Rattles Overheating Transport blocks Real world mpg Mk3 facelift There are many topics repeated om here. Search and you will find.