Are they all noisy in cabin?

[KBPhoto]

I've got a brand new Mk3 Octavia 1.6 CR hatch on loan while my Yeti is being resprayed. Only 37 miles o the clock when they gave me the keys!

 

The first thing that hit me (apart from the roof as it is so much lower than the Yeti and seems lower than the Octavia Mk2) was how much noise there is in the cabin.

 

Not engine noise or wind noise, but a very low pitched thrumming that is very similar to tyre noise. Not sure if it is, but it would put me off buying one as it ruins what is otherwise a pretty decent car.

 

Anyone else experienced this? Or is it a weird one that I should tell them about when I take it back next week?

[JoseDB]

Mine is one of the quietist cars I've been in (including my Dad's Jag XF, it's probably equal with that).

[Gabbo]

I think this may be the well known but long drawn-out issue here:
http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/294540-low-frequency-boom-in-cabin/

 

It seems there are updated parts to correct the problem but many "new" Octavias are still arriving with this issue.

Probably worth mentioning to the dealer but I doubt they will do anything before they sell it on.

[London Les]

My experience is that the VRS road noise is very sensitive to the road surfacing, varying between whisper quiet to annoyingly loud on rough concrete or broken/repaired tarmac surfaces. I've also found my winter tyres (Goodyear Ultragrip 8) to be quieter than the summer Conti Sportcontact2s which suggest the Continentals are a fairly loud tyre - worth considering a quieter summer tyre next time around. Overall happy with the noise level though - much better than my previous Octavia Scout largely down to engine noise.

[Hairball]

I just moved from a Yeti 170 Elegance to a Octy III vRS hatch petrol DSG, there is definitely more road noise than the Yeti but I do not get the 'boom' that some have experienced. I put it down to the low profile rubber and lower stiffer suspension. It's not loud by any means though. I'm also running the Conti rubber same as London Les and these can be very quiet on good.roads but a little noisy on bad surfaces.

 

You don't mention which trim spec you have so maybe some have more sound insulation than others also there may be differences between the oil burners and petrol versions.

[KBPhoto]

I think this may be the well known but long drawn-out issue here:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/294540-low-frequency-boom-in-cabin/

 

It seems there are updated parts to correct the problem but many "new" Octavias are still arriving with this issue.

Probably worth mentioning to the dealer but I doubt they will do anything before they sell it on.

 

 

I've just had a read of that thread. Thank you.

 

It sound like what I am experiencing, except for the bit about going over bumps triggering it.

 

It's pretty much there all the time and feels like someone has 'turned up the base' on the amp. It's not especially loud (but louder than my 2007 Octavia Mk2 and a lot louder than the 2010 Yeti) but that it feels like pressure waves bombarding your eardrums.

 

Definitely enough to put me off what is otherwise a very good looking car (on the outside) and one that is generally very nice to drive. Although lacking in headroom and I'm only 6' 2".

[KBPhoto]

I just moved from a Yeti 170 Elegance to a Octy III vRS hatch petrol DSG, there is definitely more road noise than the Yeti but I do not get the 'boom' that some have experienced. I put it down to the low profile rubber and lower stiffer suspension. It's not loud by any means though. I'm also running the Conti rubber same as London Les and these can be very quiet on good.roads but a little noisy on bad surfaces.

 

You don't mention which trim spec you have so maybe some have more sound insulation than others also there may be differences between the oil burners and petrol versions.

 

I can't recall what tyres were on them - but they were not one of the top three or four leading brands. I know these can make quite a difference, but I don't think this is all down to the tyres.

 

The dealer told me it was a 'Blackline', but I though those were the run out spec of the old Mk2 FL. It certainly has black alloys and a white body and is quite poor spec (apart from having a MIB columbus and a 'Mode' button).

[Toxicvrs]

I can't recall what tyres were on them - but they were not one of the top three or four leading brands. I know these can make quite a difference, but I don't think this is all down to the tyres.

The dealer told me it was a 'Blackline', but I though those were the run out spec of the old Mk2 FL. It certainly has black alloys and a white body and is quite poor spec (apart from having a MIB columbus and a 'Mode' button).

Can't be as bad as the kings way tŷres we've used, so so much road noise it's surprising

[OverTheHill]

I have the vRS estate and have to say I am unimpressed with the road noise. The hatch I tried on the test drive was quieter, although admittedly my Mk II FL estate was noisier than the Mk III estate, so at least a little progress...

I suspect the Bridgestone tyres aren't the quietest. I am already looking forward to replacing them with Michelin Sport Pilots which I used to good effect on the MkII vRS (quieter, good wet weather grip & some protection for the rims).

Although not an answer to the noise issue, I do believe the rubber boot lining has helped in a small way in taking the edge off the noise. The next project is to delve behind the load bay trim and look for opportunities to slap in some self adhesive sound proofing.

[JungleJames]

 

 

Definitely enough to put me off what is otherwise a very good looking car (on the outside) and one that is generally very nice to drive. Although lacking in headroom and I'm only 6' 2".

I'm 6'3 and the Octy is brilliant headroom wise. Seat at its highest, and I have loads of headroom. Perhaps I have very long legs and a stubby tummy

[daesimps]

The first thing the wife pointed out within 10 minutes of collecting the O3 Elegance estate is that it's a lot noisier than her Fiesta. I don't suffer from the booming issue, it's just loud.

I think most of it is tyres, Dunlop Sportmaxx, but the diesel engine is far from quiet compared to the Kia it replaced.

[airscool]

I replaced the wheels and tyres before I had driven any real distance and didn't notice the boom before. Certainly not there now, but car was lowered, bigger wheels and Goodyear EffiecientGrip Performance tyres with a profile of 225/40 R18 fitted (noise rated 'A'). The car is a June 2014 build so whether the issue had been resolved by then or a combination of the tyre and/or profile has limited/removed the issue I don't know.

 

When did Skoda suggest the issue had been resolved?

[ajw1100]

......... I do believe the rubber boot lining has helped in a small way in taking the edge off the noise. The next project is to delve behind the load bay trim and look for opportunities to slap in some self adhesive sound proofing.

 

Well. OTH, if you find out how to do get them out please let me know! I would also like to add some sound proofing but mainly to enable me to fit the rear 'side boards' from the SE into my Elegance.

 

When my car arrives next month the dealer has agreed to a PDI test drive to see if the car suffers from the Boom problem, if it does I will not have to accept the car until it is sorted.Hopefully I will not have that problem.

[KBPhoto]

Although not an answer to the noise issue, I do believe the rubber boot lining has helped in a small way in taking the edge off the noise.

 

This one does have a rubber boot liner in it!

 

I'm 6'3 and the Octy is brilliant headroom wise. Seat at its highest, and I have loads of headroom. Perhaps I have very long legs and a stubby tummy

 

If I put the seat at the highest, I have to crane my neck as it is pressed against the roof. At the lowest position I still feel claustrophobic although I do have about 1-2 cm between my head and the roof lining and a not really big enough gap to the side of my head.

 

Tyres are Bridgestone Potenza 18" if that helps anyone.

[octavianestate]

My octavia estate doesn't appear to be that noisy or suffer the booming noise some (majority) owners mention. My car is in for a load of work at the dealer now (2000miles on the odo) and the courtesy car i have for the next 2 weeks has the booming noise. Sounds like vibration resonating through the cabin. Not that I care as the car is on loan. Not sure what model exact but it is a 2.0 tdi Dsg hatch, maybe S trim (its uber basic inside).

[Matt Pez]

...but car was lowered...

I'm thinking of ditching the standard springs and dampers but not sure whether to lower or on Eibach or H&R 30-40mm or perhaps OEM sports springs 15mm coupled with Bilstein B4 dampers. Any thoughts or advice greatfully received...

Edited 13 January, 2015 by Matt Pez

[JungleJames]

I'm thinking of ditching the standard springs and dampers but not sure whether to lower or on Eibach or H&R 30-40mm or perhaps OEM sports springs 15mm coupled with Bilstein B4 dampers. Any thoughts or advice greatfully received...

Ditch the car full stop for a Jag

 

Don't worry, I wont charge you for that bit of advice. That ones on the house

[AllanDJ]

My car is pretty noisy, that was one of the first things that I noticed about it when I first drove it, kind of a rumbly drone, not unlike having a window partly open, worse at lower speeds and harder to hear at faster speeds. You get used to it but it shouldn't be like that in my opinion between that and the excessive windscreen noise it does leave a lot to be desired in sound suppression. I'd be astonished to describe any Mk 3 Octavia as being one of the quietest cars that I'd ever driven! Being brutal, I'd say this is probably the noisiest car that I've ever owned, after seven previous cars, including Ford Escort and Orion's, Vauxhall Cavalier, Rover 400 mk 2, Peugeot 406 and a Ford Mondeo. I don't think that Skoda put much if any soundproofing into this car at all.

If they've fixed that on the newer built cars, they should be offering to sort that on the earlier models too. That's one aspect of the car which puts me off getting another Skoda after this one, if you're buying an Elegance spec car, you would reasonably expect it to have good soundproofing straight out of the factory.

[KBPhoto]

Listening beyond this thrumming noise and the road noise from the tyres, it is a quiet car. Little wind noise and a quiet engine.

If this was sorted and it had a bit more room in the driver's area id be tempted.

It's a great looker. Drives well. Feels a lot more responsive than the Mk2. But it isn't cheap!

[classic]

I've got the base model diesel (presumably the noiseiest in the range) and agree with Josedb that I think the O3 is a reasonably quiet car. They even have to fit a sound generator to the vRS to spice it up !

I worked on Cavaliers, Escorts and Orions etc when they were new, and there's no way they are quieter than modern cars. I've reshelled Cavaliers, xr3i's and RS Fords, and they had minimal sound proofing.

At the time they probably seemed quiet as they were such an advance on what they replaced.

Edited 14 January, 2015 by classic

[Genoa1893]

As someone else already pointed out, I'm pretty inclined to think that a large part of the disturbing (at least for me, at highway speeds) wind noise is gently provided by the styilish (but foolish) design of the side mirrors.

 

I'd think that perhaps superskoda or some other supplier might tame the issue with a more reasonably shaped aftermarket design.

[V6Jules]

I get a whistle from the mirrors occasionally but otherwise the car is not really any noisier than my Passat estate was although not quite as quiet as my e46 coupe was but mines a wagon so its bound to be louder

[Sak]

My car(Elegance Hatch) is surprisingly quiet. Can only hear the tyre roar and occasional wind noise on head winds. 

[Gerrycan]

My car(Elegance Hatch) is surprisingly quiet. Can only hear the tyre roar and occasional wind noise on head winds. 

I have a 1.4tsi wagon and I think it is a very quiet car even at our speed limit (110kph) on a course chip surface road.  Quieter than any comparable car I have driven recently (that excludes luxury brands like Lexus which really was impressively quiet)

When I get a bit of really smooth tarmac it is almost eerily quiet with just wind noise making itself known (similar to when I flew gliders, many years ago).

The exception was when I recently encountered very heavy rainfall for the first time and I could not believe the noise from the direct impact of the large raindrops and the water thrown up in the wheel arches. Fortunately not hail.

 

I know everyone's interpretation of what is quiet or noisy will vary, but the reported variation is almost impossible to reconcile unless the variance between individual cars is really that extreme.

Incidentally I have 17 inch Dunlops on my car which are not particularly renowned for being quiet although they have only done 6500km.

[KBPhoto]

The loan car I have is getting less 'boomy' inside now.

Only done 130 miles, but wondering if the tyres are 'bedding in' or whether having something in the boot made the difference.