Sir_Ron_Norris

Simon - like you I started with Skoda some years ago (2002) and am now on my third Octavia Estate (iV). Suits us very well. I didn't fancy the Enyaq, and the Superb doesn't fit in my garage. I was impressed by the Superb when a chauffeur collected Lady Norris and me from a hotel in Wellington (NZ). Anyway, you could do worse than read this thread about the Octavia iV - https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/494326-the-good-the-not-so-bad-and-definitely-not-ugly-octavia-iv-estate/?tab=comments#comment-5552259

Well said! The car needs praising. Had my iV Estate now for three months and I'm very pleased with it. Bought my first Octavia Estate in 2002, then another in 2009 - and now this one. I, too, have belonged to other fora (Lotus 7 Club, then Morgan) and it is easy to become intimidated by the problems other people encounter. Even found myself falling into the trap of heeding "this is a common problem and you will need x to remedy it". Then I buy x and found I never used it! I've just sold a lot of Morgan-related stuff I bought and never needed . But back to the iV (the dealer made a point to me that it is "iV" and not MkIV). It is refreshing to read your positive review. The car does lots of clever stuff and I'm still discovering its features. I'll concede that the Infotainment system seems to be unnecessarily complicated and definitely not to be manipulated on the move. It is best to bear in mind that it is a car first and foremost and not a rolling computer. Lady Norris and I have agreed it is best to let the car do what it is designed to do - and the result is a very smooth and comfortable ride. Whoever knew that we needed ambient lighting and "Skoda" projected onto the floor when the front doors are opened...? .

You think you've got problems! My daughter-in-law's name is Laura and she will be in the car with us for the first time this coming weekend. So I think it will be the Menu - Settings - Voice Control option for me.

Many thanks.

According to the Infotainment screen the system had an update a couple of days ago, but I can't see what was affected. I saw once that my SW version is 1788, but can I find that screen again? Not likely! Will some kind person remind me how to access it, please?

Can you place it on here, please - or provide a link to it? I think many of us would find that useful, if only for academic interest.

Ha! Tell me about it (dealer knowledge, that is). I was surprised how little they appeared to know, as I have posted elsewhere in these forums. You will see my car in the panel on the left and I did exactly as you were instructed by the dealer - make sure it's on Hybrid, drive, and let the car do what it is designed to do. So far I have been impressed with the drive, the range (32 miles from a 5-hour full home charge) and the regen capability. I don't want to know how it works, just happy that it does work. But the infotainment system - that's something else!

The manual says this - "The 12-volt vehicle battery is automatically charged when the high-voltage battery is charged". Or am I being dense (which sometimes is highly likely)?

There is always a pedant somewhere and today it is me (it is I). Correct spelling is Laurin & Klement. There is a brief history here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurin_%26_Klement . My 2009 2.0TDI L&K had 225/45 R17 91W Pirelli Cinturatos at each corner. I have the same tyres (although slightly different spec) on my new Octavia iV.

Keep your eye on the red Fabia at the extreme RH edge of the frame. That belonged to my son. Thank goodness he (or anyone else) was not standing by the boot - and thank goodness for a neighbour's CCTV. What a stupid, inattentive, negligent truck driver. Fabia death_c.mp4

G'day to you, too, mate. Glad to hear you're happy with the car. I've had Skodas since 2002 (3 Octavia Estates and 1 Fabia). Remarkable value for money and, as you say, very practical.

Ha - love it ! My thoughts precisely. Remember when cars were simple to live with? Is this truly progress?

Good advice. Use engine braking - which will avoid hot brakes and also cool the engine.

Good; thanks for letting me know. It seems that when I click on it in my own post it doesn't do that.

I have just sold my 2009 Octavia 2.0TDI. All the time I had it I was advised to have both the timing belt and water pump changed together every 30,000mls or 3 years - so I did. As a low mileage driver I thought this was a bit OTT, but I was advised the belt is not only mileage-dependent but age-dependent too. If you follow Honest John - https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/ - you will see that he also advises change at these intervals. Can someone tell me why the link I have inserted here does not go directly to the site? There is a link sub-window that I don't understand - I don't know what it is trying to tell me.

Sorry; it wasn't clear. I thought you wanted Infotainment to work from your USB stick. No idea about Images to Infotainment permanently. If it is possible no doubt some techie will be along shortly to explain how.

No, no - so far very happy with mine, but I've cut and pasted the replies just in case I need the info in future and will put them in my motoring "Know Your Rights" file. I bought a new Octavia L&K estate in 2002 and a 2.0TDI estate in 2009 - and now this iV. I wanted a PHEV as a stepping stone to a full EV in probably 3-5 years time. After 2 months of ownership the negative I have to report is that it is over-featured. The Infotainment system is a nightmare of complexity, so I have learnt to ignore most of it and just let the car do what it wants to do. SatNav is not good and I will revert to my Garmin. However, the ride and comfort are both excellent. Charging time has reduced now to 5 hours from empty. Fuel costs as follows : Electricity Full charge = 5 hours Smart meter showed 37p/hr during this time 5 hours x 37p = £1.85 to charge car Full charge gives c.30 miles £1.85 ÷ 30 = 6.2p per mile Petrol On April 26 a litre of Premium = £1.24 1.24 x 4.54 (litres in a gallon) = £5.63 per gallon Consumption during 77ml trip = 50.4mpg 563p ÷ 50.4mpg = 11.2p per mile Of course these figures will change over time, but I hope all this is helpful to you.

Thanks, chaps - very helpful.

Is your USB stick the USB-A version? If so, you need an adaptor (or cable) to convert from the car's USB-C socket to your USB-A stick. I did this with an adaptor and it works fine. I bought two adaptors from http://skoda-acc.com/Skoda-Adapter-USB-C-to-USB-A-30-000051443J .

All this seems a lot of faffing about. I can't even see if my Infotainment system is Bolero, Columbus or Amundsen (2021 Octavia Estate iV). How do I tell - is there an "About" screen-tap somewhere giving the name and version? I think I'll revert to my windscreen mounted Garmin; using GPS coordinates it is quick, easy and precise - and I can do it all before I get in the car.

Yes, it's high time I joined this community. In 1998 I took a holiday in Prague and at the airport was a display of the (then) new Octavia. I was impressed! So four years later when company cars were becoming too expensive from a tax point of view I bought my first Octavia Estate. I am now on my fourth - a brand new iV. Love it!

Will do! Thanks.