Hi,

I've had my new octy for 3 weeks now, and I'm very (VERY) happy with it. I drove somewhat over 1500 miles already. It's a 1.9TDI ambiente, with the stream audio. Now, I'm not to happy with the radio-quality of that stream-thingy. The reception is very poor, in comparison to the other (quality) car-radio's I've had untill now. I drive the same road everyday, and pass some tunnels. In these tunnels, I get almost no reception with my stream-radio, but my pioneer does it perfectly, same station, same frequency. And on some other times, it's cracking in open air too, the sound is not good at all then. But overall, it's ok, when the reception is good.

Anyone had similar problems, or tips?

Thank you.

The rest of the problems didnt occur yet. I don't have this wind-noise, or extreme engine noise from the 1.9, actually, I think it's very silent & fluently, and it's actually powerfull enough for this car. I'm not regretting having bought the 1.9 in stead of the 2.0 (yet ) (taxes for the 2.0 are more than double than for the 1.9 here in belgium.)

I too find the Stream radio RF performance is not very good.

Compared to the Grundig unit in my previous Ocky it is abysmal.

I am on my second radio, the first would not tune into Jazz FM which has a rather poor signal in this area. At least the replacement does get Jazz FM.

The audio quality is superb, far better than the Grundig.

So it's not an issue with my radio alone. That's sad actually, knowing that the "stream" radio costs 400 euro here in belgium (it's an option on the ambiente).

400 euro is a lot of money, you can get pretty high-end material for that kind of money... I'm not thinking of replacing it (yet) tho, it's fine most of the time. But it can bother me sometimes, the reception drops & it's not that good

Well, as long as that's the only issue with the car, I'm happy. Sort of.

what has your dealer said about it? If its's a fault, surely it is a warrenty claim?

(Damn...I just typed a long answer to you and my computer jammed. Well, another try: )

The problems you describe are well known. Since this week every Skoda dealer can get new software for the Stream. Not all dealers know that, by the way...

Also since this week, all Octi's that are ordered with Streams, will have a new type of Stream-radio.

I assume that the software-update for the older ones makes the older Streams about the same as the new factory ones.

By the way Magnum, as I assume you can read Dutch, take a look at www.skodaforum.nl

Bye,

Paul-Ivo

Yes,

I'm not impressed with the radio in my 1.9 Octavia Ambient either. It often "crackles" when the car goes over a slight bump - it does this every time that I back into my driveway. I was suspecting a loose connection and was intending to report it when the car goes in for it's first service - they will probably tell me to go forwards into my driveway!

Aside from that the sound quality is not as good as that from my wife's Ford Fusion and does not seem to be as good as the radio in my Astra (previous car). I also miss the radio controls not being on the steering wheel.

My friend had issues with his new Octavia and his stream radio on FM. He went into his local dealer and they told him of a new bulletin on a problem with the headunits and that Skoda have issued a couple of CD's to flash program the stereo. Not sure what they do but i'd certainly have a word with your dealer.

Thank you all, I'll talk to my dealer about it then

Magnum_, there's a huge thread regarding these problems over at the German Octavia Forum: http://www.octavia-forum.de/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7141 it seems the only solution was replacement of the unit with a newer version; if you can't read German babelfish.altavista.com translates reasonably well.

edit: corrected link

My dealer is having problems getting hold of "Fix it" the CDs.

Has anyone actually seen them?

Nope, I'm still waiting for news :(

Ive seen them, we got them in the post a few months ago.