I think Lexus had the right idea when they designed my Lexus LS 400 in the late 80s / 90s. They put 60 engineers working full time on NVH (noise, vibration, harshness. At 18 years old it still has no squeaks, rattle etc. and is as quiet as most electric cars. It was, though,  a no expense spared exercise as Toyota tied to make the best car in the world (and possibly succeeded)

23 hours ago, WillM82 said:

I don't really want to be adjusting the hinge, the bootlid is quite a large piece of bodywork, don't want to damage anything!

Sure, don't touch hinges- just an idea what must be done with other parts

I'm amazed at this saga and glad I've not got it. I've owned many VWs and two Skodas. Had only the odd creak from the hatches which was easily sorted with slight buffer adjustment. A steady booming sounds like a repetive motion is originating it. Or as said a slighty open window (somehow) or some other entirely different issue. Many other forum threads exist re vibration or droning. Sorry to butt in with an unwanted opinion.:>[

Hi gregoir,

 

I've checked all the windows are tightly up, I've adjusted the boot stops as suggested (sides on highest, rubber stops until the boot won't close then back a notch) and the bootlid vibrates.

Going over a bumpy road (they all seem to be!) earlier in 40mph traffic it caught a resonance and was doing that air buffeting vibration again.

 

One thing I did notice is that my bootlid seems to sit a little proud of the lights horizontally - ie. it sticks out a little (couple millimetres) at the rear, but not vertically upwards. Not sure how I can describe it.

 

I wouldn't know how to start adjusting hinges, they seem to be fairly well hidden under the top of the bootlid.

If driving with the tailgate lid slightly ajar cures the issue, then surely the booming comes from the tailgate resonating and raising the stoppers on the underside would make this worse, mine are now set to just touch the bodywork when closed and the booming seems far better. The side ones seem to need to be set to get the same gap left and right IMO, this could result in the buffers being different heights on either side. Tyre pressures do make a slight difference also I have gone from eco pressures to the 3 person setting and all is a little quieter.

 

So a quick update on everything I've tried:

 

- Stoppers - raising and lowering stoppers left, right of tailgate and rubber end stoppers, never made any difference

- Seats up/down - no difference

- Parcel shelf - no difference

- Removing the flimsy wood folding boot floor - no difference

- Wrapping a bit of electrical tape around the bootlid 'D ring' to try and get a tighter close - no difference

- The same but this time the 'D rings' where the rear seats click into place - no difference

- Putting padding tape behind the numberplate to make sure there is absolutely no flex whatsoever - no difference

 

When it happens, lowering the rear window slightly actually makes it worse.

 

I haven't tried replacing dampers, nor have I yet bought a spare wheel (that's on the todo, I hate being left with the foam stuff). I might take the polystyrene block out but can't see that making a difference.

 

When the tyres are due replacing I'll get them balanced and aligned.

 

It is a great car but this noise is now driving me to distraction.

 

Someone had mentioned some vent at the side of the bootlid that may stick, a bit like a kitchen extractor fan vent, - how do I access this? When I try and search for vents or cabin airflow vents it just comes up with front/rear interior vents rather than the 'pressure release' vent.

On ‎17‎/‎02‎/‎2017 at 19:33, harrylime said:

I think Lexus had the right idea when they designed my Lexus LS 400 in the late 80s / 90s. They put 60 engineers working full time on NVH (noise, vibration, harshness. At 18 years old it still has no squeaks, rattle etc. and is as quiet as most electric cars. It was, though,  a no expense spared exercise as Toyota tied to make the best car in the world (and possibly succeeded)

 

You definitely need to go for an Audi over another Skoda Harry, when you get around to swapping, or you will be forever disappointed I think.

 

I'm hoping to swap mine very soon and want the practicality of the Octavia combined with the quality and quietness of the A4.

I do find the noise in my Skoda only a little more bearable than driving a noisy van, although a good bit more comfortable and the DSG (lack of left leg use) enables me to get a better seat position.

 

When I asked a customer of mine a few years back what they thought about their new Skoda Octavia the one thing the lady said was that it was noisier than they both had expected.

18 minutes ago, Tilt said:

 

You definitely need to go for an Audi over another Skoda Harry, when you get around to swapping, or you will be forever disappointed I think.

 

I'm hoping to swap mine very soon and want the practicality of the Octavia combined with the quality and quietness of the A4.

I do find the noise in my Skoda only a little more bearable than driving a noisy van, although a good bit more comfortable and the DSG (lack of left leg use) enables me to get a better seat position.

 

When I asked a customer of mine a few years back what they thought about their new Skoda Octavia the one thing the lady said was that it was noisier than they both had expected.

Definitely useful to hear that perspective, thank you for that. I was tempted this week by an octavia sport 66 reg reduced from 17.5 to 15K, a more realistic price I think, but when I recall my petrol scout, sold very quickly because of the noise, I had second thoughts. I drove a basic 1.6 golf 300 miles to pick up my new 1.8 scout , and the golf trounced it. I was gutted. I still have a feeling the issue has not been resolved in the mk 3 due to cost cutting, such a shame to spoil a great car like the octavia with lack of insulation etc. It's not a problem with my 1.9, because it's mainly local knocking about, but my new car is likely to be used for holidays etc as well. There are some decent a5 avants about at the moment, I'm awaiting a test drive. The big question now is 1.4 or 2.o tfsi? Devouring as many road test reports as I can at the moment. No doubt the a4 1.4 engine will be replaced b y a 1.5 as well, which must be a good thing as it is likely to be a bit less stressed

8 minutes ago, harrylime said:

Definitely useful to hear that perspective, thank you for that. I was tempted this week by an octavia sport 66 reg reduced from 17.5 to 15K, a more realistic price I think, but when I recall my petrol scout, sold very quickly because of the noise, I had second thoughts. I drove a basic 1.6 golf 300 miles to pick up my new 1.8 scout , and the golf trounced it. I was gutted. I still have a feeling the issue has not been resolved in the mk 3 due to cost cutting, such a shame to spoil a great car like the octavia with lack of insulation etc. It's not a problem with my 1.9, because it's mainly local knocking about, but my new car is likely to be used for holidays etc as well. There are some decent a5 avants about at the moment, I'm awaiting a test drive. The big question now is 1.4 or 2.o tfsi? Devouring as many road test reports as I can at the moment. No doubt the a4 1.4 engine will be replaced b y a 1.5 as well, which must be a good thing as it is likely to be a bit less stressed

 

My A4, as you see in my profile is 2.0Tfsi and although now 11 years old (I have had it for 8 years) it is totally rattle free, although a fairly easy life. sorn at present.

What power is the 1.4??? I would suspect a tad under powered for a pretty big car.

 

On a longish journey in the Audi I will arrive feeling fine. In the Skoda my head needs an hour or two to settle.

I've gone from a B7 Audi A4 Avant to my MK3 Octavia estate, and the increase in available space is massive - not only is the boot much larger but there is also much more rear leg room. So I would suggest you check that an A4 Avant actually has the space you need both for luggage and people.

The Octavia is huge in terms of bootspace, that was one of the criteria - a friend with a family suggested that a saloon car (Saab 93) wasn't the most practical for the equipment needed to transport a young one around.

 

I briefly considered a 5 door A5, but they hold their used value a lot better (ie. expensive used buys).

 

Don't get me wrong, other wise I do like the Octavia, the diesel rumble to me is old school (the old fella used to drive diesel Citroens), and the van-like doors at least feel solid.

 

If I could nail down this constant vibration-buffeting-rattle noise I'd be a happy camper.

(I almost nearly went for a SEAT Toledo aka Skoda Rapid - which by all accounts is even noisier...!)

I guess the exit for the ventilation is under the rear "bumper", as it was in the Mk2. No idea really though if that is the problem- but it could be a source of pressure changes.

3 hours ago, Tilt said:

 

My A4, as you see in my profile is 2.0Tfsi and although now 11 years old (I have had it for 8 years) it is totally rattle free, although a fairly easy life. sorn at present.

What power is the 1.4??? I would suspect a tad under powered for a pretty big car.

 

On a longish journey in the Audi I will arrive feeling fine. In the Skoda my head needs an hour or two to settle.

 

3 hours ago, SWBoy said:

I've gone from a B7 Audi A4 Avant to my MK3 Octavia estate, and the increase in available space is massive - not only is the boot much larger but there is also much more rear leg room. So I would suggest you check that an A4 Avant actually has the space you need both for luggage and people.

The 1.4 tsi is around 150 bhp, and is good for 0 to 60 in around 8 secs, the audi tfsi has the same power, 0 to 60 in around 9.5 secs. I'm not really bothered, as I have no  plans to go around the Nurburgring. I do want enough power to make quick progress if I need to, I have had a couple of under powered cars and they can be frustrating at times. The Golf 1.4 is around 120 bhp, which does not sound like enough for me. Space wise, the A4 Avant is at least fairly versatile, although I may occasionally miss the space in the Octavia, which is spot on. In terms of legroom in the rear, I was under the impression that later models of A4 were improved

17 minutes ago, harrylime said:

 

The 1.4 tsi is around 150 bhp, and is good for 0 to 60 in around 8 secs, the audi tfsi has the same power, 0 to 60 in around 9.5 secs.

 

^^^ That is better than I would have thought, but it would have to have good torque figures to go with it. If it does then this sounds a reasonable compromise to me.

 

I can only comment on my 2.0Tfsi with 200ps. Probably average 35mpg. It has similar torque figures as a similar sized diesel engine so plenty of pull in all gears even at low speeds. I guess??? it is similar to vrs???

Edited 10 March, 20179 yr by Tilt

not sure on the figures. Bit concerned about turbo lag etc, so will be depending on a thorough road test before making up my mind

Someone mentioned that the exhaust brackets seemed very solid, might it be exhaust resonance? Did the rubber exhaust hangers change in later models?

Turbo lag is not noticeable on mine at 1500rpm up.. I've been used to a turbo diesel for a few years now so maybe that influences me.. The only cars I've had with any performance "lag " have been several non -turbo petrol engined slugs.

Enjoy the test drive.

16 hours ago, harrylime said:

not sure on the figures. Bit concerned about turbo lag etc, so will be depending on a thorough road test before making up my mind

 

16 hours ago, gregoir said:

Turbo lag is not noticeable on mine at 1500rpm up.. I've been used to a turbo diesel for a few years now so maybe that influences me.. The only cars I've had with any performance "lag " have been several non -turbo petrol engined slugs.

Enjoy the test drive.

 

I don't notice any at all, Harry, in the 2.0T at least. The 1.4 sounds reasonable from what Gregoir states above, too.

Some Cayman drivers - the coupe Boxster with the big fastback hatch - have been experiencing similar, resolved by placing felt around the hatchback

 

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/boxster-cayman/284054-solution-cayman-cabin-buffeting-pressure-modulation-sonic-boom-problem.html

 

Not sure what they bought, no home depot here. I do have some padded strip that goes around doorframes to stop draughts that I might try.

Noticed that the rear interior trim has a bit of play in it, of you push it in it gives off a bit of a rattle.

 

Padded with felt pads but made little difference.

 

From driving it sounds like the whole bootlid if vibrating

From the driver's seat it does sound like it is coming from rear left though

 

Unfortunately I couldn't find a Haynes manual in Halfords to see about trim removal

Edited 15 March, 20179 yr by WillM82

Nooooo...!!

 

Thanks to another poster pointing out this thread.

 

I've been ok so far on long trips to work.. but in town yesterday I experienced this problem. I got earache and I'm sure it travelled to my teeth (!) as those also hurt. It was unbearable and such a shame as otherwise a fantastic car. I only got it about two weeks ago so I'm even now considering if I can hand it back and go for a Honda instead, but somehow I think I'll be stuck with the car. Honestly it's a massive put-off and would stop me buying Skoda again. Everything else is great, too. Grr. 

I will try to read all 41 pages but is there a summary of the issue(s) and fixes? So far I've read it might be the suspension and then the boot itself acting like a speaker cone.

I'd rather do cheap fixes than have to hand this back to the garage. If this issue isn't sorted in future I finally wouldn't buy again.

I like this solution if it really fixes the problem. If the shelf is what is reverberating then dampen it.