My Elegance has been very reliable. I think the Mk3 Octavia is as good as any new car will be for reliability. You can always rely on the internet to turn a few unfortunate issues into epidemics, but as that isn't happening here, I think that is a pretty good endorsement.

 

On the spec - I would say think very, very carefully about the Nav and Canton if you think you might like them. In terms of aftermarket Nav, you can't just pull the headunit any more and fit an aftermarket one - it's fully integrated into the car. And for £500, you wont get close to the Canton. I've not heard the Canton, but it gives you an amp with DSP, centre speaker, sub, and upgraded speakers all round - I'm sure it sounds pretty decent. I have done the whole aftermarket stereo thing. Even DIY, the components alone to make a remotely impressive sound would be £1000 - £250 amp, £250 front speakers, £250 DSP, £250 sub - plus cutting up your car and running wires. It might sound better - if you really know what you're doing - but it is not difficult to spend a packet and make it worse!!!

Edited 26 January, 201511 yr by SpyingScotsman

My Elegance has been very reliable. I think the Mk3 Octavia is as good as any new car will be for reliability. You can always rely on the internet to turn a few unfortunate issues into epidemics, but as that isn't happening here, I think that is a pretty good endorsement.

 

On the spec - I would say think very, very carefully about the Nav and Canton if you think you might like them. In terms of aftermarket Nav, you can't just pull the headunit any more and fit an aftermarket one - it's fully integrated into the car. And for £500, you wont get close to the Canton. I've not heard the Canton, but it gives you an amp with DSP, centre speaker, sub, and upgraded speakers all round - I'm sure it sounds pretty decent. I have done the whole aftermarket stereo thing. Even DIY, the components alone to make a remotely impressive sound would be £1000 - £250 amp, £250 front speakers, £250 DSP, £250 sub - plus cutting up your car and running wires. It might sound better - if you really know what you're doing - but it is not difficult to spend a packet and make it worse!!!

 

mm good point well presented!

In answer to the original question - common problems - I've only had my vRS tdi DSG for a month now but already over 2500 miles so you could say its now run in enough.

 

2 faults so far ...

 

1) pulling away up to around 20mph in drive mode-hit around 2-2500 rpm and it 'misses' - you get the slight stuttering effect, almost feels like you're lifting foot off pedal for a split second - car is booked in for diagnostic check on Monday next week so I will try and remember to post results.

2) My drive is slight downhill (barely noticeable) and I park facing down it-  after any rain, open either(both) front doors and a gush of water wooshes out (technical term that!) - just bad design on the drainage points I suppose, would be a bit concerning after years if any potential for rust.

 

anyone else experienced the same things?

 

Oh and not a fault or problem but good god the windows don't half get dirty quickly - motorway/dual carriageways in damp or wet conditions and spray on front and rears are worst than any car I've ever driven - filled washer bottle 3 times already in 4 weeks!

2) My drive is slight downhill (barely noticeable) and I park facing down it-  after any rain, open either(both) front doors and a gush of water wooshes out (technical term that!) - just bad design on the drainage points I suppose, would be a bit concerning after years if any potential for rust.

I remember reading that someone had mended this by making a strategically placed cut in the lower rubber seal. Anyone else try this?

I remember reading that someone had mended this by making a strategically placed cut in the lower rubber seal. Anyone else try this?

I'm not overly bothered about it as mines a company car and I only keep for 2 years so it will be Skoda's problem to sort by the time it is an issue to the car,

Probably not really worth them doing a recall as its early days with the Mk3, although they could roll out new seals if they come up with a solution.

i would get the VRS TSI , heated seats are a must , im not happy with the fact that the bonnet release is in the passenger footwell , not on the drivers side as it was in my series 2 VRS , the handbrake lever being on the paasenger side can get awkward sometimes , also i miss the RHS footrest on the series 2 , since they changed the pedal box .

Going to Faintree Skoda in Telford today to place my order     

Problems with the VRS, well after 25k miles in mine I have to say it's too quick (especially with remap), proving too economical with the power it has (regularly achieve 43mpg on my long runs), well built (no rattles or problems) and fits everyone in with plenty of room to spare - come on Skoda, my cars better than advertised, surely there must be something wrong with it     

 

In all seriousness, the TSI VRS is a peach of an engine, even better once mapped, got for it.

I currently have a Mk1 Vrs that has a full stage 2 set-up on it (Revo map), and that still returns 40+ on a run.

 

She's just starting to show her age now (2003), got 133k miles and still drives fantastic/fun, it's just silly things like trim rattles and squeaks, a bit more wind noise where things aren't as tight as before etc.

A couple of weeks ago I had to replace the original battery, then this week and for the first time in 11 years she broke down (reliability is just not good enough!!), because the starter motor failed.

 

Yes the TSI is a given, along with heated seats and a few other goodies!

 

Got to go now as I have an appointment with Skoda at 12. 

I currently have a Mk1 Vrs that has a full stage 2 set-up on it (Revo map), and that still returns 40+ on a run.

 

She's just starting to show her age now (2003), got 133k miles and still drives fantastic/fun, it's just silly things like trim rattles and squeaks, a bit more wind noise where things aren't as tight as before etc.

A couple of weeks ago I had to replace the original battery, then this week and for the first time in 11 years she broke down (reliability is just not good enough!!), because the starter motor failed.

 

Yes the TSI is a given, along with heated seats and a few other goodies!

 

Got to go now as I have an appointment with Skoda at 12. 

 

Having said that, whilst my car was being developed by Superchips, the boss let me drive his brand new Audi A6 3.0 ti allroad, only had a 1,500 miles on the clock and that had a really annoying rattle from the B pillar!! Wonder how much he paid to have that added as an option 

 

133k on yours though ad you're still enjoying it sounds like a good result so far although let's hope the car behaves for you!!

 

Mines on 25k and still holding strong in the rattle department,...

I've had the sticky right-hand MFSW button - but that's the only issue on your list.  Admittedly I don't use BT audio often and don't have the powered boot though....

 

For the stop-start, it could just be a language issue.  The message "Engine needs to be running" seems to mean "Start-Stop can't operate right now because the computer has decided that the engine needs to be running to charge the battery / heat the cabin / do a re-gen etc., and so won't let it stop"  See this thread.

Leaky water pump and rattly sound generator are quite common. I have suffered both.

Not sure if they are common...

I've had my Vrs Estate for a 3 weeks now, 63 plate and covered 13k miles. Already I've had the steering wheel buttons replaced due to the right set getting stuck under the chrome trim. The Bi-Xenons needed readjusting as the right headlight was a few degrees too high. Headlight washer jet covers were not retracting fully into the bumper and sticking out by 2-3mm.

Current problems which are to be investigated:

Boot rattle which I believe are from the power boot struts. Hearing something in that area after sitting in the back the while the mrs drove. and reading the forum of possible causes.

N/S rear parking sensor constantly warning that something is extremely close when nothing is near the car when in reverse.

Start/Stop doesnt activate with a warning stating that the car's engine isnt on (while the car is actually running)

Finally, Audio over bluetooth seems to skip more than a scratched CD using the Columbus system.

Has anyone else had the above?

I have found in mine that the Bluetooth audio skips if the phone is in the storage box in front of the gear lever. If I put it in the dash mount or the cup holder it doesn't skip.

Where is your phone when it occurs?

I have just clicked past 19k, that has been done over a 15 month period and it has not missed a beat, good car just bored of it now anybody else feel the same or are you all still infatuated with it.

Just 12k on mine in the past year and all good so far.

Back then there was a batch of noisy fuel pumps doing the rounds, mine was swapped without question.

As for extras, I love my sun roof and my power boot (Combi only).

My 63 plate VRS TSI DSG hatch is now on 28k miles, it replaced a 2.0 bi turbo diesel insignia.

 

Suffice to say I'm really pleased with mine, it's not missed a beat, no rattles or squeaks and just keeps going.

 

Mines mapped to over 330bhp so it adds to the fun, car feels planted and as new as the day I drove it off the Skoda forecourt.

 

I use mine for work and average about 25k miles per annum and do a fair mix of driving.

 

Best return has ben 50.3mpg, yep you read that right over 50mpg from the TSI!!! (that was pre remap)

 

Best return post remap has been 47.4mpg although this is really hard to achieve as all that extra power makes you want to use it    , having said that on longer journeys even if thrashed I seem to be able to achieve around 34mpg (brim to brim).

 

I'm hoping to keep mine for 5 years and have the canton, black pack and tow bar prep as extras, that's it.

 

All I can say is there's not too many cars that can tick so many boxes as the VRS.

I haven't updated for a while.

 

Well I took the plunge on Jan 31st and ordered a 2.0 TFSI hatch

 

 

race blue

standard anthracite alloys 

Manual

sun roof 

black package

space saver spare wheel

folding door mirrors

boot net program

colour maxi dot

winter pack (heated screen, seats and washer jets)

grey stitching.

And after a bit of thinking (plus advice from fellow Forumers) the canton sound system.

 

I'm also having the remainder of the roof behind the sunroof wrapped black to match the sunroof surround.

 

I've also bought a private No plate to go on, I'm not really into that sort of thing but when I checked DVLA and it was available I had to have it, starts BR15K??

 

Confirmed as build week 11 (w/c 16th March), so hopefully collect 1st-2nd week of April.

 

I'm like a kid before Christmas and it's still weeks away!

 

Andy.

Telboy5,

 

I've promised swmbo the first "road trip" in the new car will be to see an old school friend who lives in Bournemouth, maybe meet up?

Telboy5,

 

I've promised swmbo the first "road trip" in the new car will be to see an old school friend who lives in Bournemouth, maybe meet up?

Well up for that, you'll be able to see what 28k miles will do to your car,..must make sure I clean it soon