Someone in the family is interested in the new octavia and would like some thoughts compared to the FL model.

1. Is the steering feel lighter on the O3

2. Tire monitor system are the same or now you can get the real pressure on each wheel.

3. Quality ride compared, especially por the less hp models that don't have independent suspension at rear.

4. Interior Quality, doors, seats and carpet.

5. Driving position is it higher on the O3

6. Road noise, or overall noise

What would be the 1 disappointing thing

Edited 11 September, 201411 yr by alberg

What would be the 1 disappointing thing

 

Erm, the massive price rise?

Someone in the family is interested in the new octavia and would like some thoughts compared to the FL model.

1. Is the steering feel lighter on the O3

2. Tire monitor system are the same or now you can get the real pressure on each wheel.

3. Quality ride compared, especially por the less hp models that don't have independent suspension at rear.

4. Interior Quality, doors, seats and carpet.

5. Driving position is it higher on the O3

6. Road noise, or overall noise

What would be the 1 disappointing thing

 

I can only speak for the base model of each. O2 was a 1.9d manual wagon and O3 is a 1.4tsi (103kw) manual wagon.

1. Yes  and less involving (imo)

2. Yes - measures relative wheel rotations. Nothing registered on my O3 in 3000km so not a problem. Still rely on regular visual checks though.

4. Same - which is good as O2 was still looking good after 6 years

5. Not really discernable as seats are height adjustable

6. So far it has improved NVH but it will probably deteriorate as tyres wear and the blocks serrated

 

Disappointment - The old car had lumbar support on base version and the O3 base version doesn't and I suddenly find that this is a problem on long journeys.

 

Caveat - I am in Australia where the base version is called 'Ambition' and might have different specs to Europe.

Not sure what happened to my entry for question 3

 

I think the ride on normal roads is as good on the O3 as the O2 which is quite impressive when you think the old car only had 15 in wheels and my O3 has 17in.

The O2 with multi-link and 15in was better on Australian corrugated dirt roads.

The O2 seemed to corner better but that is subjective and just a reflection of the 'heavier' steering offering more feel? Others will probably disagree.

I don't push the car hard enough to comment on the relative merits of multi-link and torsion bar for more spirited driving.

 

re question 6 remember I went from a 1.9D (called 'Chuck' because of the chuckling sound of the engine) to a creamy smooth quiet petrol

Edited 11 September, 201411 yr by Gerrycan

I had a test drive in a Octavia 3 Vrs

 

It is nice and has got better than the mk2 FL

 

but the difference is not huge, to warrant spending the extra if buying new (like my car was £19500 and the one I configured was over £31500)

I went from a 2013 Mk2 vRS TDI Black line estate DSG to a MK3 2.0 TDI Elegance estate manual earlier this year.

The MK3 is an excellent car but just has less character and is less lovable as a result, probably down to it being a well spec's regular model and not a vRS I guess.

As to your questions:-

Steering is lighter on the O3...too light in my opinion and lacking feel. If you have performance mode selection putting the steering into Sport really helps.

Tyre monitor system is still ABS sensor based though it can now tell you which wheel/so have the problem and doesn't just tell you there's a problem leaving you to guess.

Ride quality still a bit firm but light years better than the Mk2 vRS which was overly firm and one of the reasons it got sold. Can't say I've noticed a huge difference going from independent to beam rear axle....worth it for the weight reduction alone I would suggest...even the O3 2.0 TDI estate dips under 1300kgs which is barmy for a car it's size.

Interior.....perceived quality is good and probably better than the MK3. ..better detailing for sure...actual quality by comparison....I'm not so sure. The hard lower dash/door plastics scratch so easily even my several month well looked after car is starting to look a little tatty on the front doors and glovebox lid. Also exhibiting a few more rattles than I'd expect at its age and mileage but nothing I wouldn't say was unusual and wouldn't live with.

Driving position v similar, reasonably high but not uncomfortably so.

Road noise....definitely better but I put that down to slightly better insulation, Greater suspension travel/better damping and higher profile tyres compared to the vRS.

Biggest disappointment.....I didn't hold out for a vRS. Elegance is v good indeed, the 150 TDI motor is superb but it's all a bit bland and soulless particularly if you really like driving. I know now I'd have been happier with a vRS TDI now despite the firmer ride.

Edited 11 September, 201411 yr by pipsyp

I'm new to skoda. Could anyone direct me to a price list of the last gen. It be really interesting to compare my spec. I have heard a lot of people moan about the price increase. To me being my second new car and first bought directly myself. It seems exceptional value compared to what else is avaible.

Trouble is when the people comparing the price of the O2 and O3 vrs is the O2 was heavily discounted for the last 12-18 months of it's life with offers like VAT free etc.....

The best thing IMO would be for your family member to test drive the model they are interested in in both the mk2 and mk3 as the individual differences between the mk2 and mk3 will be important to some people and not to others, depending on what they want from the car and how much they want to pay.

Trouble is when the people comparing the price of the O2 and O3 vrs is the O2 was heavily discounted for the last 12-18 months of it's life with offers like VAT free etc.....

Which will be reflected in the trade in values now.