mikerajjers

The bloke restoring my Skoda 1201 Sedan had this in his workshop. Its an Octavia from the 1960s - not and bolt rebuild and it looks absolutely gorgeous in the flesh!

I've been to two dealers and same experience. I've even written to the Skoda importer for my country (only on facebook) and they have at least replied. They have told me they will check what is going on and I will get a statement next week. I took the Facebook route as I know companies hate negative comments. I've been fair to them for now by not whacking it up on the public thread. I've been polite but quite firm. And have told them this will be my last Skoda. I don't want any apologies, or compensation or anything like that, all I want is 1. fix my car as soon as possible (quicker than 1 week) 2. provide a courtesy car free of charge whilst mine is unroadworthy - after all it cost over 30K EUR, which I didn't may to have it parked at work and use another car 3. i'd be happy with a basic spec Citigo for the week...at least I'd see what its about. 4. and wash the damn thing as a nice gesture, because lets face it, sorting faults and not having use of car is inconvenient (and washing it costs about a fiver)

Judging by what others have written at least I know my experience is not an anomaly, or me being picky and unreasonable. My car has been sat at work now since Wednesday gathering dust. I have use of another car, but there are plenty of families with just the one.

I have a black hatch 230 with dsg. Was delivered 22.12.2015.

I was told by the dealer it doesnt have insulation in order to improve cooling

Are all the files in the same format?

I was looking at getting a SEAT cupra but it made more sense getting the octavia. They seem nice cars though! I've had very good experience with local Citroen dealer where we get our vans from. They were always willing to check out any issue right away.

My brother has a Dacia Duster and it is not great. Loud, uncomfortable, uneconomical (the 1.5 dci less economical than my dad's 3.0TDI Q7, not even cheap and an absolute fortune to fix when it goes wrong...which it does.

Thing is I have kind of grown up around Skodas (being from Slovakia - former Czechoslovakia) where they are made). My grandad had a 100, then a 120L, dad's first car was a 125 (i think), then a favorit, then an octavia Mk1, then my brother had an octavia Mk1, sister had two Mk 1s, other brother has a Mk2 fabia, i had a Mk2 octy, then superb Mk2 and now an octavia Mk3, I also had a classic 1100mb and am currently restoring a 1200 sedan from 1955. I'm only 28 but there have been so many cars of various brands in the family and in the company that i have always liked Skodas. I've been 'loyal' and loved them when Skodas were the underdog and the laughing stock. Now they've become all fancy with glam showrooms, fabulous sales figures and think they're the dog's *******s. That's what annoys me the most...it has become one massive conglomerate where the be all and end all are the figures....sell sell sell but the customer service has gone down the pan and so has the quality. No focus on brand loyalty whatsoever, just quick sales. They've grown too big for their boots. When a company starts to show those signs the success can quickly turn...and it will. KIA was a joke only 10 years ago...where are they now? Eating at Skodas sales percentage over here in Slovakia and Czech Republic...not nibbling, munching at it!! I don't think Skoda can have more loyal customers than those similar to me...and I've now had enough. Skoda should focus long term, but there is nobody there to make a decision...nobody who actually 'owns' Skoda that cares or gives a s*** beyond their pay check or career or share return/dividends. Skoda has become a commodity and not a passion like some other brands (land rover, aston martin, mini). I also have a Land Rover Series 3 109 FFR...I tinker with it in the evening, don't care if something brakes...in fact welcome it as its part of the car's 'personality'. Would never do that with a Skoda.

The DSG box is very nice (though I'm unsure if yours is identical to mine) The 230RS has a 6 speed box where the oil can be changed...I think others are non-maintenance long life oil (or so I was told). The most reliable car I have ever had funnily enough is a Peugeot 206

I don't have experience of the 1.0TSI but would personally opt for the bigger 1.4TSI engine. The 1.0 is a three cylinder and I don't believe real-world economy figures would be massively better than a 1.4TSI. The smaller any engine, the higher it has to rev for power and the turbo has to take a huge amount of strain which may be a reliability issue long term. The torque I understand is also much lower. Downsizing is great in many respects, but 1.0TSI is probably quite extreme for an Octavia. I'd rather a bigger engine (which, incidentally I have).

I don't mind the car having problems as such, it happens and I understand it. Its the lack of decent after sales customer service that can and should in my opinion be much better. I contacted two dealers (one of which is apparently amongst the largest in central Europe and another big but more local). The approach was much the same so it appears Skoda policy rather than having bad luck and finding a technician that may be having a bad day. As for the Skoda Superb gearbox...it is a known fault but has been 'hushed up' and no recalls issued. There was a production fault with a batch of Sachs clutch pressure plates which caused damage to clutches and gearboxes. The technician showed me photos from Skoda including a fault guide thing on screen but refused to provide any written or printed proof.

Had my 230RS since December 2015 (i.e. 6 months). 10,000km on the clock and fault with the lambda sensor. Took it in to dealer, all they did was a system flush (i.e. nothing). Nonetheless went to collect it after not getting the promised phone call that its ready (had to phone myself). Arrived at 1pm as pre-agreed, only to find out service technician was on lunch break. The fault re-appeared in the evening. Booked it in for repair (needs a new lambda sensor apparently) and soonest slot was Wednesday (I booked it yesterday) so just under a week. I asked for a courtesy car. Didn't get one. Why? Apparently courtesy cars are only offered if car is 'undriveable'. I asked the obvious question: "can I drive it?". Reply: "you shouldn't". I am yet to discover what the definition of 'undriveable' is...perhaps 'totally f****d'. Maybe its just this one car that has caused a bit of bother and soon it will be solved? if only. Had a 2011 Skoda Superb 2.0TDI. At 110,000km the entire gearbox and clutch system needed to be replaced under warranty. Didn't have it for 1 whole month and...didn't get a courtesy car either! Maybe its just these two cars that have caused bother? Again, if only! Had a 2008 VRS TFSI... albeit second hand this time. Total pile of sh**e. I don't mean to sound bitter (though I am), but seriously, if anyone is thinking about buying a Skoda, please understand the quality has really gone down hill and the after sales customer service is incredibly poor. The nice new gleaming showrooms are fabulous, but there is no substance beyond that. If you are in the market for a hot-hatch (like I was), please consider alternatives....there are lots! If you are after a reliable family car... look at the Mazda 6. If you do buy a Skoda, ask them for a complimentary bus pass. If you are after an overpriced hot-hatch with plenty of problems and lots of gadgets that do almost nothing...drop me a PM, might have the car just for you The car is foreign, so is my dealer, but as each one comes off the same production line, yours will be much the same.

In all honesty, how many people actually buy a car on emissions or let the figures play any role in their choice? Only to the extent that lower emissions = lower tax and 'probably' better fuel economy. The whole emissions thing is such a hot potato and all the Euro emissions legislations have killed great engines.

When I collected mine it was in a separate room divided from the showroom by glass. The whole handover experience was too long and took the best part of two hours. Clearly the salesman enjoyed it more than me. We did the paperwork first, he explained which brochure/manual was for what, did a slow flick through, showed me the key, explained how it works. Took forever! Then we got to the car, looked around (surprise surprise it was the car I ordered) got inside, explained everything (or tried to as he didn't really know what CarPlay was) which I really didn't need as I've had a MK2 Superb and they are all the same in layout (pretty much). Then he insisted we go on a test drive...took forever as well! The ideal handover for me would have been: 1. arrive at showroom 2. sign paperwork (car had already been paid for in full by bank transfer) 3. be given key 4. drive away No need for it to take more than 5 minutes If anything doesn't work I'd just go back, leave the key on the table and they'd fix it. I also needed to catch a flight in the evening When my mum went to collect her BMW back in 2010 they had all the bells and whistles...video was project on all of the walls, music...I hated it. Funnily enough I was also getting a flight that day and mum was driving me. On a separate note....has anyone ever read the manual? I mean properly, page by page? There is probably a lot I've missed over the years, but I never read the manual for anything

Photos attached The last two are the most recent, about 15minutes since I took them. At least you can see what an RS230 looks like outside of the showroom I washed it last weekend, but the roads over here are covered in muck during winter because of all the salts and snow. Its also not very pleasant washing anything in minus C temperatures so it will have to wait

Quick update driving today Did a 250km motorway (80%) run at 130-140kmh on the speedo and a little extra-urban (20%) without paying too much attention to fuel...and got 8.5l/100km which I'm very happy with considering temperature was -8C to -3C. Other than that, I've been testing the onboard Amundsen sat-nav. Its good, though not excellent. The best sat nav I've come across so far is Sygic on my phone but for some reason it doesn't come up on my CarPlay (it may just need an update). The Amundsen sat-nav is graphically very nice, very quick, and the information is clear. My complaint would be that it is not as up-to-date as other satnavs and sometimes the instructions are unclear and I took the wrong turn a few times. It would be nice if it did a road-view at junctions as you get with some satnavs. I haven't played with all the settings as I didn't want to fiddle with it whilst driving. The instructions which appear on the Maxidot display are very useful and a nice touch. I've also been playing about with CarPlay or Smartlink. I was told I'd get mirror link so I'm very pleased I got this. I haven't used an original apple cable and it disconnects sometimes when the phone moves. I'll need to get a different cable. I think Smartlink is really more for the passenger as I don't like fiddling with it too much when driving. For any driver operations you can do most essential things from the steering wheel. One thing I've noticed is that the spoiler on the boot has a very practical function (at least I think so). My car is totally covered in muck, but the rear window is relatively clean. I didn't spec a rear wiper, so its good I can see through it. I'll try and load some photos

You are absolutely right. I was relating the 230hp to the Octavia, as with it you'd never get the same handling as say in a Ferrari where 500hp is a necessity (subjective of course). As lovely as a 230RS is, you'd never thrash it like a sports car and therefore wouldn't really need more that 230hp. The octavia RS is underneath still a family hatch and is a practical alternative to a thoroughbred sports car, where I believe you can find a lot of the same excitement yet have an extremely practical car at the same time. The diff is excellent, though I need the roads to dry up and weather to warm up before I try it a little more. I had a MK2 VRS and the 230 is a lot sharper.

I've just come home from a 850km business trip and I filled up with a different brand of fuel (though still not a premium fuel like VPower) and I have average 7.4l/100km, which is not bad going at all. I think I could have improved on this as the conditions were far from ideal. Ambient temperature was mostly -8C to -5C and didn't creep over -3C once. At least 400km of those were on snow/ice so had to go very slowly at times. Average speed was only 60kmh, though thats also because I drove through some towns. I think the fuel economy could possibly reach 6.5-7l quite easily in Spring - petrol stations will have switched away from their winter mix, I'll have my summer tyres on and the temperature will be lower. I have been playing about with the light assist and I have realised it tends to be more responsive when driving over 60kmh, but this may be just an incorrect observation. Dad's Merc seems better at differentiating between car headlights/taillights and other light sources, I have no idea why, perhaps it is more sensitive to different wavelengths of lights and colours. Regarding the ACC I had it switched to the lowest distance setting. I will have to try it in VRS mode as I think you are probably right that it will have an effect. I've only tried it in eco mode and driving mode thus far. Regarding eco-mode and driving mode, I find I get better fuel consumption in driving mode when travelling anywhere else than in the city. For the city eco-mode seems best. I don't have any 'proof' but its just what I seem to get.

Yes, the DSG is a love-hate thing for me. I wouldn't want to go back to a manual in terms of comfort and easiness, but the manual makes me feel more in control. But well spotted! And the DSG is more expensive...so if I was to leave out many options I'd probably give the DSG a miss too.

It may be a fail, but many people coast when approaching roundabouts, etc. Perhaps its not by the book, but does that matter? I had a driving instructor when I was doing my B+E and he was of the same opinion as me. I don't know of anybody to have had their brakes fail on a modern car. Anyway, the eco-mode on the DSG does exactly the same thing.

The driver and passenger doors have a spot on the door handle which allows you to lock the car by simply placing your hand over the spot. There is no such spot on the boot whoch would allow you to lock it. Therefore, if you were getting something out of the boot, youd have to either return to the front door afterwards, or press the lock button on your key fob. I appreciate that using a key fob isnt a problem, but having picked Kessy, it would be a nice feature on the boot. Would be especially useful on ocasions when your hand are filled with shopping

I test drove the new superb and the driver aids in that work a lot better than the Octavia. I think the three years age difference in the models is the key factor and the engineers have obviously tweaked them. Appologies for the typos in original post...I'm using my phone and its a little cumbersome

I picked up my 230RS on 22nd December and thought I'd post my experiences of it as well as the options I ticked. Those contemplating buying one may find this useful and those that have one as well can share their experience. Fuel consumption and range. You will not get anywhere near the stated figures. My long term average is 9l/100km (31mpg) and on a good run I get 7l/100km (40mpg). So far 70% motorway (at 130-140km/h), 25% town, 5% extraurban. The ambiente temperature has been mostly -7C to +5C so I am hoping the poor results will improve in summer and the engine will be run in as well. The fuel tank is about 54 litres and you can fill up 41litres at the point the amber warning light comes on...so the tank is well and truly microscopic. My superb had a 65 litre tank and range of around 1000km. This has a range of around 550km...which is frankly s***. Handling - absolutely brilliant! Cronering is fabulous and the diff is excellent. Havent used it to full potential as roads are quite icy over here. Chassis and suspension - very hard, but not at all uncomfortable. I like it a lot Engine - wow!!! I was tempted by a Leon Cupra with 300hp, but why would anyone need it goodness knows. If anything even 230hp is too much. Interior - well made, no squeeks, no bangs....nice. Some cheap plastic, but overall a very nice place to be. Seats are comfy, back seems spacious though I haven't sat there yet Boot huge as always. DSG box - very good! I didnt think id like an auto, but now wouldnt go back to a manual. The flappy paddles are brilliant and thetr ate many settings you can play around with. You can flick the box into neutral when youre approaching roundabouts etc and flick back into drive again without having to press the brake pedal. I havent experienced that in any orher auto before. Options... Kessy...love hate relationship. Bad if you need to get out and open a gate for example...the car will turn off if you get out. You can open the boit keyless but cant close it keyless. Best part is when getting in and driving off...no faffing about with key, just open door, get in, press start and offyou go. Canton - absolutely awesome! I didnt plan on getting it but did and its probably the best option i ticked. Im not a massive music connoiseur, but i teslly fo appreciate it. Light assist - waste of money, bon't bother. The auto main beam works very poorly. Increfibly late response, often dazzles drivers, often switches off when no oncoming traffic. My dad has this in his 2011 e-class amd that works X times better! Lane assist - incredibly pointless! I havent worked out the point of this. I assumed its if you fall asleep at the wheel, but let me explain.If you let go of the wheel the assistant takes over for about 10 seconds. Then a very very quiet chime rings once and s messagr pops up on the display asking you to take hold of the wheel. If you dozed off there is no way you would hear tje chime and of course you wouldnt see the display. After these 'warnings' the lane assist switches off - and lets you crash. So there is no point of it whatsoever. Adaptive cruise - great in traffic jams, pain in the arse on motorways as it picks up cars far in front...and starts breaking far too soon in my opinion. Heatef seats - great! Skoda have done away with millions of heat settings and there are now 3. Heated front windscreen and washer jets - very useful especially if you live in a cold winter climate. The windscreen melts ice very quickly comapred with my Superb. Overall - very nice car and beautiful to drive. If I was to buy it again...would not tick many of the options and may possibly go back to manaul. All the driver aids are more party tricks than actually being of any use. I would possibly pick a diesel 4x4 because of fuel economy as i do a lot of motorway miles. Thankfully i dobt pay for my fuel (company does) but even so this bothers me). And whoevet thought a 50l tank is big enough should immediately get fired from Skoda. I have 5 year GAP insurance...os if someone steals it i'll get a diesel Heart says petrol, brain said diesel....the petrol engine is fabulous!!!! But id o mean fabulous!!! The power delivery, response, sound, lack of vibrtions....wow!!!

i've also read in a magazine that the Octavia RS si due to receive adaptive suspension in around May 2016. Whether that is true or not I don't know. They also pictured a 'prototype' of the facelift Octy 3...each light unit will become two...like the existing Mercedes E-class (pre-facelift). I have taken delivery of my new RS230 just before christmas...brilliant car, totally love it, but I think it will be my last Skoda. A 2011 Superb we have in the family had developed a fault in december and its been at the dealer ever since. Whole clutch system has been replaced, gearbox has been taken apart three times and still not working as it should. Thankfully its still in warranty, but the quality seems to be getting very shoddy.