Got my Octavia 1.9TD Elegance last week and love it. However, there are a few things that I have noticed that although are not particularly annoying or serious, I wish it wouldn't do...

When you squirt windscreen the wipers will clear the screen pretty well, but then wait about 3 seconds then wipe once more which smears the screen.

The stereo is very 'directional', I have to offset the balance to the passengers side by loads, otherwise it's really loud in my right ear. I then have to set it back to the middle when I have a passenger otherwise they get deafend.

The center 'box' obstructs the handbrake too much, even when slid all the way back.

The CD changer takes ages to switch between CDs, and I wish you could have FM and AM presets on the radio LCD at the same time (Radio 5 listener).

...I'm probably being far too picky, and I wouldn't change the car for anything (well maybe the 2.0TD version ). Does anyone else have any niggles that they want to get off their chests?

I also have an elegance, and agree the 'extra wipe' is a pain, why??? I haven't noticed the offset problem with the stereo though.

Its a pity that water still runs in the boot when the hatch is opened if its been raining.

But as you said, its still a great car, easily the best i have owned anyway

Oh yeah, and it does take ages for the cd's to change.

Well it must be the same CD multi changer that's in the old Octavias then! 'Cos mine takes ages aswell.

SR

When you squirt windscreen the wipers will clear the screen pretty well, but then wait about 3 seconds then wipe once more which smears the screen.

Standard thing, not sure if it can be surned off by the dealer.

The stereo is very 'directional', I have to offset the balance to the passengers side by loads, otherwise it's really loud in my right ear. I then have to set it back to the middle when I have a passenger otherwise they get deafend.

I've got the treble turned right down on mine and it seems OK now.

The center 'box' obstructs the handbrake too much, even when slid all the way back.

Yep, just annoying, i have the lid open when in traffic.

The CD changer takes ages to switch between CDs, and I wish you could have FM and AM presets on the radio LCD at the same time (Radio 5 listener).

Yep, takes bloody ages to change CDs, cheap designed changed from old Golf. It's small so it meant to fit in a standard radio sized space, so something had to give.

Does anyone else have any niggles that they want to get off their chests?

The way the seat runners don't line up so that when you pull the release the seat moves, so it's really difficult to move just one click.

The heater keeps chucking ****e out all over the inside of the screen too.

Got my Octavia 1.9TD Elegance last week and love it. However' date=' there are a few things that I have noticed that although are not particularly annoying or serious, I wish it wouldn't do...

When you squirt windscreen the wipers will clear the screen pretty well, but then wait about 3 seconds then wipe once more which smears the screen.

The stereo is very 'directional', I have to offset the balance to the passengers side by loads, otherwise it's really loud in my right ear. I then have to set it back to the middle when I have a passenger otherwise they get deafend.

The center 'box' obstructs the handbrake too much, even when slid all the way back.

The CD changer takes ages to switch between CDs, and I wish you could have FM and AM presets on the radio LCD at the same time (Radio 5 listener).

...I'm probably being far too picky, and I wouldn't change the car for anything (well maybe the 2.0TD version ). Does anyone else have any niggles that they want to get off their chests?[/quote']

many of those were present in the golf I had before

But to be honest I look at it this way with my vRS - there are little things like that but the price of a car with similar performance without the niggles would be way over my budget so when I look at it that way i find them less annoying

When you squirt windscreen the wipers will clear the screen pretty well' date=' but then wait about 3 seconds then wipe once more which smears the screen.[/quote']

Agreed and even more annoying is that on auto wipe they can really smear the screen in very light rain conditions. OK I just switch off and use the single wipe switch.

The stereo is very 'directional', I have to offset the balance to the passengers side by loads, otherwise it's really loud in my right ear. I then have to set it back to the middle when I have a passenger otherwise they get deafend.

Not noticed this. Have had the radio changed cos of another problem both fine. Also no problem in a loan Ocky 2.

The center 'box' obstructs the handbrake too much, even when slid all the way back.

I don't find this a problem.

The CD changer takes ages to switch between CDs, and I wish you could have FM and AM presets on the radio LCD at the same time (Radio 5 listener).

CD Changer speed is a pain.

The radio remembers its last station on each band. As the only station I use on AM is Radio 5 I just cchnge bands between AM and FM, a single button press.

...I wouldn't change the car for anything (well maybe the 2.0TD version ). Does anyone else have any niggles that they want to get off their chests?

Agreed on the wouldn't change the car. Far too many plus points.

The issue of thw wipers i've already raised.... perhaps we should campaign?

I've got the speaker upgrade with the Audience and have it balanced 2 to the left. However it's annoying me now because there's so much bass from the low range speakers, it's rattling the door panels.

I've not has water poor into the boot but I also have the rear window rain-x'd which reduces the amount of water that stands on it.

I dont have a problem with the centre box but i did find that it's very dependant on the height and position of the drivers seat

The radio remembers its last station on each band. As the only station I use on AM is Radio 5 I just cchnge bands between AM and FM, a single button press.

The simple slutions are always the best. Now why didn't I think of that.

...I'm probably being far too picky, and I wouldn't change the car for anything (well maybe the 2.0TD version ). Does anyone else have any niggles that they want to get off their chests?

You should buy a Ford, then you would have not end of reasons to complain.

You should buy a Ford, then you would have not end of reasons to complain.

True, my boss bought a Mondeo as a company car and hates it, he ordered it after reading reviews (didn't even test drive it!). Before that he had a VW Passat which he really liked, he had a ride out in my Octy and offered to swap it for his Mondeo. No way

Hi: I find the final wash annoying to after the screenwash. The auto stop wipers are cool though!

I bought a Mondeo based on the good reviews, worst car I have owned. Everything about it was "cheap" and explains the heavy depreciation i.e. artificially high new car price.

Am I the only person who likes the extra wipe from the wipers? Doesnt seem to cause any smear, and catches the drips like it should!

Hi,

The extra wipe thing (or tear wipe, as I believe it's called), is configurable if you've got VAGCom or similar. I recently switched it off for a mate on a 54 plate Fabia vRS. There's a thread about it here:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/technical-guides/disabling-enabling-delayed-wiper-operation/71183/

Pete

When you squirt windscreen the wipers will clear the screen pretty well, but then wait about 3 seconds then wipe once more which smears the screen.

I will be getting this switched off when I get my hands on a VAGcom. Really annoying, particularly at this time of year.

The stereo is very 'directional', I have to offset the balance to the passengers side by loads, otherwise it's really loud in my right ear.

Agreed. The standard setting is rubbish.

The center 'box' obstructs the handbrake too much, even when slid all the way back.

Haven't noticed this.

The CD changer takes ages to switch between CDs.

There are worse things in life than that

The 'other' niggle I have is the beeping when you haven't got your seatbelt on. I always wear it, but I don't need reminding.

The 'other' niggle I have is the beeping when you haven't got your seatbelt on. I always wear it, but I don't need reminding.

Can also be done with VAGCOM

It says something about the car that these niggles are so small!

Here are mine

There are a few issues in the conversion from left to right hand drive that have not been properly addressed:

The windscreen demister favours the left hand side of the screen (at least it does on mine!)

The tell-tale light for the front fog lights is obscured by the steering wheel - why didn't they "mirror" the switch for rhd? or better - put the light in the dash.

The handbrake issue is made worse if you have the seat low and far back - imagine the handbrake was on the other side of the centre console and see how much easier it would be to operate even with the armrest slid fully forward!

Other stuff:

I have an 06 Elegance - at that spec it should have steering wheel controls for the stereo as standard.

The pop up cover on the centre dash storage tray drives me insane! Every time I wipe the windscreen, stick my SatNav to the screen or remove it I can't avoid catching the $$$$ing lid and up it pops. What use is this tray anyway - it is so small and so oddly shaped that it is useless and the lid just makes it worse 'cos nothing can stick out over the top. (I think you can tell this is my worst niggle!)

No tell-tale light for the cruise control even though there is a blank for it in the dash

No drinks holders in the back

Even with these niggles I just love it - best car I ever had and wouldn't swap it for any Mondeo, Passat, Vectra, ...

I read somewhere recently on a 9Seat) forum I think that the snag with the radio is the proximity of the tweeter in the rear door to the driver's ear; nothing more.

The solution is to muffle it with a carefully cut piece of gaffer/duck/tank tape!

That said not a problem for me; other than I found the stream unit pretty cack for sound. I switched to an Alpine unit (using OE speakers) and got a marked improvement.

Jumbo box/armrest; yes a bit of a nuisance getting at the handbrake but the benefit of the armrest is greater. I've learnt to rest my forearm on the rest and use wrist action for the handbrake.

It says something about the car that these niggles are so small!

Here are mine

There are a few issues in the conversion from left to right hand drive that have not been properly addressed:

The windscreen demister favours the left hand side of the screen (at least it does on mine!)

The tell-tale light for the front fog lights is obscured by the steering wheel - why didn't they "mirror" the switch for rhd? or better - put the light in the dash.

The handbrake issue is made worse if you have the seat low and far back - imagine the handbrake was on the other side of the centre console and see how much easier it would be to operate even with the armrest slid fully forward!

Other stuff:

I have an 06 Elegance - at that spec it should have steering wheel controls for the stereo as standard.

The pop up cover on the centre dash storage tray drives me insane! Every time I wipe the windscreen, stick my SatNav to the screen or remove it I can't avoid catching the $$$$ing lid and up it pops. What use is this tray anyway - it is so small and so oddly shaped that it is useless and the lid just makes it worse 'cos nothing can stick out over the top. (I think you can tell this is my worst niggle!)

No tell-tale light for the cruise control even though there is a blank for it in the dash

No drinks holders in the back

Even with these niggles I just love it - best car I ever had and wouldn't swap it for any Mondeo, Passat, Vectra, ...

All of the LHD/RHD based niggles are due to the UK being in a serious minority when it comes to driving on the left and the associated cost of converting the switch. Evidently we aren't worth it

There is a cruise control light but only on later models.

You can get a centre vent unit without the pop up lid, just a tray with a rubber mat in it. A scrap yard may yield some results there.

The fog light issue pees me off a bit but seeing as the fog lights are only used about a dozen times a year I can live with it.

A rear drinks holder can be obtained if it's a real issue.

And yes, there is a certain wrist action required when operating the handbrake. But seeing as I have hill hold control I don't need it as much as usual :P

Seat fraying or rather furring on the MKII Vrs black mesh annoys me. I also think it's a bit of a barsteward to reverse.

Apart from that I love the car to bits. had it over a year now. Just had a years collateral damage fixed. Small dents, etc and it's like new again