spacenase

I've finally got round to looking at the front shocks and got a new one from a Skoda dealer for my Octavia, and one from a VW dealer for a 2.0TDI SE Golf. They're both the same part number (5Q0413023FK), but different to the ones fitted to my car (5Q0412014JQ). I'm going to get them swapped next week and see if they make any difference to the ride. If they do I wonder if Skoda are trying to responding to the ride criticisms or whether it's just VW Group part standardisation?

You could try fitting VW Golf shocks? I've fitted them to my Elegance and they don't do anything for the noise, but they make a world of difference to the ride. Cheaper than the Octavia shocks too.

I've not found it too bad for directions to places I don't know, but a sat nav will never beat local knowledge. My main complaint with it is the dire TMC traffic. The quality of the traffic reports are not Skoda's fault, but the choice of system is theirs. I'd recommend you ensure you have the latest maps, it can help a lot. You'll need to give it about 90 mins to update.

I'm with you on this. I can position the car straight between the white lines using the mirrors down and the side of the car, get out and find it sitting at an angle. I'm usually okay between 2 parked cars, but not when I'm just using the white lines. I haven't worked put why yet, maybe I should start relying on the Park Assist.

Just check that it's the same part number for the estate as I've got the hatchback. In the UK, I presume you'd be looking for the part number for a Golf 1.6TDI estate.

Having driven it for a couple of days now, I can honestly say that it has transformed the ride for me. Previously when on the motorway it never settled down and felt like it bumped over everything and anything. Now, whilst it can't be described as smooth, it feels a lot more settled and the key for me is that I no longer see it as a harsh ride. It is still firm because I presume the front shocks are as hard as the originals on the rear, but because the rear is smoother the whole car no longer jars and shudders over bumps. Around town, the difference is less noticeable, but it's still better. I'd say there is a little more lean on a fast corner, but not enough to bother me. I don't think it makes a difference to the noise coming through from the suspension, but I wasn't really expecting it to do this. For info, the shocks I've taken off are 5Q0 512 013 FQ and you can really tell the difference between these and the Golf ones if you try to compress them by hand. The Golf's are easy to compress, the Octavia's are much more difficult as you'd expect. I'd highly recommend this to anyone who finds the ride too harsh and if anyone is around Coventry and wants to try my car to see the difference, let me know. I will also look at the front shocks in a few weeks time when I get a bit of time. The information I've seen so far suggests the different part numbers are primarily based around the weight so I think the questions are simple, do the Golf 2.0TDI shocks fit the Octavia and are they different part numbers. I suspect getting the answers will be a bit more difficult... I don't suppose anyone has got one of each so I can get a direct comparison? :think:

I thought you've been dancing away since I got the wrong shocks. They are definitely the shocks for the 1.6TDI, but I suspect it's the same shocks for all of the torsion beam models.

You'll have to persuade your dealer.

I think you need a specific firmware version or higher for this to work. Search the threads for DAB logos, there is definitely some information on the forum. With the SDCard and USB key, ensure you have formatted it correctly. I think it needs to be FAT32.

Yes, a full postcode will get you to a defined area in a town or city. It's generally the properties on one side of a road or on one side of part of a road depending on how long the road is. The postcode plus a house number will get you directly to a property and is easier to enter than a city and road name.

No problem.

I'll have to run it for a bit longer to be able to tell that. I'll get back to you.

It's perhaps rolling on a fast turn a little more than it was, but not enough to concern me.

I've had the 5Q0513049CQ shocks fitted today and they have made a real difference. The ride is noticeably smoother and a lot of the small irregularities are smoothed out, it feels like someone has taken the rear end off my car and fitted a different one! I'd recommend this to anyone who finds the normal ride too firm. The next question is whether it's worth doing the same with front shocks?

I believe there is a postcode search, look for a Postcde button in the bottom left after you've clicked Town/City.

How about the Jaguar Octavia? The initials might be seen as a bit dodgy...

Anyone can make a mistake, as the dalek said climbing off the dustbin. And I'm making them so you don't have to! :p

You can usually bring it back to life by holding the power knob in for about 10 seconds. It forces the system to do a full reboot, like a computer. If it happens again, film it on your phone before you reset it, it'll help you get some assistance from your dealer and Skoda.

Good point! You don't generally get OEM shocks if you get them replaced outside of the dealer network, so there's no real difference.

You'll probably have trouble with that too because of the new MQB platform that's only been around a couple of years. The list of cars with the platform is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Group_MQB_platform. Doesn't mean you won't be able to do it, but it's unlikely.

Probably on both counts, but it would rely on people cross-checking the part numbers.

One interesting thing I found out, I was quoted £96 for the Octavia shocks and £73 for the Golf ones. Also, VW dealers do not like giving out part numbers over the phone, "not company policy" apparently. The parts guys did seem embarrassed to say it, especially when I said it's stupid. It seems they are trade secrets!

Agreed. I doubt there are enough Octavia's in scrap yards to get a cheap interior yet, A re-trim is probably your best bet.

It looks like the part number tamir0 had is the correct one for the 2.0TDI as well. The replacements are on order, I'll check them when I pick them up.

I think I've found the problem. The 2.0TDI Golf has multi-link rear suspension, I should have double-checked. I'll need the shocks for the 1.6TDI Golf which has the torsion beam. I'll see if I can get them exchanged.