I have a new Scout 1.8 TSI and overall I am very happy with it. However, One aspect that I'm a bit dissatisfied with is the choppy ride comfort on the awful road surfaces in South Yorkshire. I am no expert but it seems to be under damped.?Does anyone know whether i can replace the shock absorbers with something better? I cannot see this model listed in the Koni catalogue. I would not want to stiffen the suspension much, if at all, as for me it is all about ride comfort. i would be very grateful for any advice.

Edited 30 January, 201016 yr by harrylime

Ride is much better (softer but less fidgety on broken road surfaces) now I have 205/55/R16 winter tyres on 16" steel wheels.

Ride is much better (softer but less fidgety on broken road surfaces) now I have 205/55/R16 winter tyres on 16" steel wheels.

Agree, easy fix is to fit higher profile tyres or smaller wheels with higher profile tyres if you want to keep the radius the same. It's a well known fact that due to the vanity of British drivers and their desire for big alloys and low profiles that cars ride harshly on our poor quality roads. There is no need for such fat low profile tyres on everyday cars.

Many manufacturers use under damped suspension these days. If you want to improve comfort, ride and road holding, fitting quality shock-absorber/dampers such as KONI adjustable. I have used KONI of many years on lots of different vehicles and have always been pleased with the improvements. They can be adjusted either for effect or ware and can also be rebuilt if you need to. They offer several different types for most vehicles.

Thank you for those suggestions. I have looked in the Koni catalogue and can't see any shock absorbers listed for the Scout. Any improvements are likely to be expensive, but probably less so than changing such a new car. I'd welcome any more suggestions or experiences.

the FL Octavias are just stiffer i feel, the earlier octavia was just much smoother even on low profile tires..

Edited 31 January, 201016 yr by insane79

225/50R17 and 205/55/R16 have the same profile. no difference. So why should there be more comfort with the 205/55?

225/50R17 and 205/55/R16 have the same profile. no difference. So why should there be more comfort with the 205/55?

There is a slight difference in reality, but the main difference is in the driving... don't ask me why but it DOES ride better on broken roads with the 205/55/R16 tyres. The wider tyres probably trameline more easily.

It's difficult to justify new wheels and tyres, especially for unproven results. I would try winter wheels with smaller, higher profile tyres but not until next winter. I was hoping some experience with different shock absorbers as i would have thought they would make more difference than a slightly different tyre?

It's difficult to justify new wheels and tyres, especially for unproven results. I would try winter wheels with smaller, higher profile tyres but not until next winter. I was hoping some experience with different shock absorbers as i would have thought they would make more difference than a slightly different tyre?

If you are going to get winter tyres, sort them out by mid summer to save the difficulty of getting them when the weather turns

Many manufacturers use under damped suspension these days. If you want to improve comfort, ride and road holding, fitting quality shock-absorber/dampers such as KONI adjustable. I have used KONI of many years on lots of different vehicles and have always been pleased with the improvements. They can be adjusted either for effect or ware and can also be rebuilt if you need to. They offer several different types for most vehicles.

This is a good point. Most std shocks dont have a controlled rebound for the shocks (or just very slightly controlled). By using quality shocks rebound will also be controlled. This in combination with the (pretty) stiff works springs will give a considerably better ride. As bound and rebound are controlled the car will judder much less and will roll over bad surfaces better.

I noticed it myself after changing the VRS suspension to a H&R complete shock and spring set. Despite the uprated and lowered springs the car feels more secure on bad surfaces, sounds more solid. And despite it follows the undulations more (harder springs) it wont "bang" over these roads as before.

This is a good point. Most std shocks dont have a controlled rebound for the shocks (or just very slightly controlled). By using quality shocks rebound will also be controlled. This in combination with the (pretty) stiff works springs will give a considerably better ride. As bound and rebound are controlled the car will judder much less and will roll over bad surfaces better.

I noticed it myself after changing the VRS suspension to a H&R complete shock and spring set. Despite the uprated and lowered springs the car feels more secure on bad surfaces, sounds more solid. And despite it follows the undulations more (harder springs) it wont "bang" over these roads as before.

That is coinciding with my view that the deficiency appears to be the damping achieved by the shock absorbers. I actually think it has improved slightly over the last 100 miles or so (only around 700 miles in total so far). i am not that knowledgeable about suspension issues, but it feels as though the problem is under damping and the shockers are jiggling up and down on broken surfaces because the are not resisting the rebound effect. Given the long suspension travel it should be a magic carpet ride, as described by Clarkson. Perhaps it is on the billiard table smooth roads of Gloucestershire or Surrey or wherever the hell he lives. I will be trying to find out the exact dimensions of the shock absorbers to see whether I can get some Konis, which seem to be well regarded.

Incidentally, I have contacted Skoda Customer Services twice by email over the last week or so, requesting comments or suggestions for improving the situation and have not even had the courtesy of a response. That level of service is not going to encourage brand loyalty. My last two cars were a BMW 525d estate and a Jaguar XF. Believe it or not, I like my Scout a lot and if I can fettle the ride comfort I will be very happy with it. (and some additional sound insulation to compensate for Skoda's cynical cost cutting in that area. They need to realise that good value is not enough these days, people demand a level of refinement - I would happily have paid a bit more for decent sound insulation as it is more costly and difficult to add later on. Do they think that people will not notice things like a bare metal bonnet?

Thanks for your comments, keep them coming

Edited 12 February, 201016 yr by harrylime

225/50R17 and 205/55/R16 have the same profile. no difference. So why should there be more comfort with the 205/55?

50 series tyres have stiffer sidewalls than 55 series.. also 17" tyre has bigger diameter than 16" wheel, do remember that tyre size is just the ammount of rubber on top of wheel.. diameter + stiffer sides affect the comfort level.

Just my 2c,

Juha

That is coinciding with my view that the deficiency appears to be the damping achieved by the shock absorbers. I actually think it has improved slightly over the last 100 miles or so (only around 700 miles in total so far). i am not that knowledgeable about suspension issues, but it feels as though the problem is under damping and the shockers are jiggling up and down on broken surfaces because the are not resisting the rebound effect. Given the long suspension travel it should be a magic carpet ride, as described by Clarkson. Perhaps it is on the billiard table smooth roads of Gloucestershire or Surrey or wherever the hell he lives. I will be trying to find out the exact dimensions of the shock absorbers to see whether I can get some Konis, which seem to be well regarded.

Incidentally, I have contacted Skoda Customer Services twice by email over the last week or so, requesting comments or suggestions for improving the situation and have not even had the courtesy of a response. That level of service is not going to encourage brand loyalty. My last two cars were a BMW 525d estate and a Jaguar XF. Believe it or not, I like my Scout a lot and if I can fettle the ride comfort I will be very happy with it. (and some additional sound insulation to compensate for Skoda's cynical cost cutting in that area. They need to realise that good value is not enough these days, people demand a level of refinement - I would happily have paid a bit more for decent sound insulation as it is more costly and difficult to add later on. Do they think that people will not notice things like a bare metal bonnet?

Thanks for your comments, keep them coming

Did you have any luck ? I've just bought a 57 Elegance that had the factory sports suspension fitted , and the low speed ride is doing my head in ! Is it just as simple as changing the shocks and springs for some softer ones ?

Hi all,

It seems that many of octavias owners suffer from ride comfort. Actually, this forum has given me much useful information, thanks to the expert members.

If your scout has the 2UC suspension code; this means that yours is sport one. I prefer not to play with the suspension components since this will cost you a lot. my opinion is to switch to even smaller wheel (steel or alloy) standard diameter 15" with 195/65 R15.

If this gives an odd appearance then switch to 6.5Jx15" Pyxis alloys wheels with 205/60 R15, which is the standard equipment for 4x4 Elegance.

Edited 10 March, 201016 yr by Washaq

Well, my Scout has done 2000 miles now and the ride comfort has improved hugely, perhaps it just needed time to settle down. I am more than satisfied with comfort levels given the appalling roads in South Yorkshire (my last car was an XF) I am really starting to appreciate the qualities of this Scout. The 1.8 TSI engine is excellent, returning early thirties mpg on fairly local driving. It is very smooth and refined and the 4wd in winter was very reassuring, nice to know I would get home at the end of the day.

The fuel consumption would be better with a diesel but I have no concerns about hefty future bills because of potential DPF or Dual mass flywheel issues. The added refinement of the petrol engine is a real bonus, the only noise sometimes a slight whistling from the turbo under acceleration. I don't know whether this is normal but it is not obtrusive. last three cars, BMW 5, BMW 3, Jaguar XF. As an overall package the Scout competes on equal terms in most significant areas.

Well, my Scout has done 2000 miles now and the ride comfort has improved hugely, perhaps it just needed time to settle down. I am more than satisfied with comfort levels given the appalling roads in South Yorkshire (my last car was an XF) I am really starting to appreciate the qualities of this Scout. The 1.8 TSI engine is excellent, returning early thirties mpg on fairly local driving. It is very smooth and refined and the 4wd in winter was very reassuring, nice to know I would get home at the end of the day.

The fuel consumption would be better with a diesel but I have no concerns about hefty future bills because of potential DPF or Dual mass flywheel issues. The added refinement of the petrol engine is a real bonus, the only noise sometimes a slight whistling from the turbo under acceleration. I don't know whether this is normal but it is not obtrusive. last three cars, BMW 5, BMW 3, Jaguar XF. As an overall package the Scout competes on equal terms in most significant areas.

I've just taken delivery of a new scout diesel and have, so far, covered about 300 miles. I too was having reservations about the ride quality finding it extremely jiggley even on smooth main roads. I disagree with you however over the damping. I think it is over damped and reminded me of my old Mk2 Escort with Spax adjustable dampers over tightened on the rear axle (Arrhh... those were the days!). I am extremely relieved to hear that it has softened up with a few miles under its belt....I hope this is still the case.

I've just taken delivery of a new scout diesel and have, so far, covered about 300 miles. I too was having reservations about the ride quality finding it extremely jiggley even on smooth main roads. I disagree with you however over the damping. I think it is over damped and reminded me of my old Mk2 Escort with Spax adjustable dampers over tightened on the rear axle (Arrhh... those were the days!). I am extremely relieved to hear that it has softened up with a few miles under its belt....I hope this is still the case.

Sorry to say it never reached an acceptable standard. I sold it two weeks ago at one year old. The two over-riding reasons were unacceptable ride and unacceptable levels of refinement. Noisy car for a petrol, especially at speed. Motorway journeys were not great and I had to turn the radio right up to hear it (this after buying under bonnet sound insulation pad - not fitted to petrol models, and lining the boot area with Cloud 9 carpet underlay). As I've said before, Skoda spoilt this ship for a ha'porth of tar.

Only problem is what do I replace it with, I am currently running around in my old Mazda MX 5 summer toy while I decide (the mx5 rides more comfortably than the scout - I kid you not!