If the noise is really extreme it's possible your rear tyres are sawtoothing - a common Octavia problem fixed with a 4 wheel alignment.

 

Do a search on here and you'll get masses of info - see also Aspman's post in this thread.

Hi just bought an octavia vrs 61 reg. Only had it a couple of days and the noise is really starting to get to me!

It's bearable with two passengers but now with 4 in the noise is absolutely shocking!

Even with abit of shopping in the back makes it worse.

The front two tyres are Dunlop sport maxx rt

And the rears are Dunlop sp sport maxx gt

I'm not really a car person guys so any help would be hugely grateful!!

Thanks

The Dunlops are very susceptable to sawtoothing if the alignment is out.

 

Get the alignment done.

rotate the tyres - if they aren't directional then X rotate them

have a fiddle with the tyre pressures.  Run at least 34psi and even have a try with 38-40psi (factory spec is something stupid like 30psi).

 

If all else fails put the noisy tyres on the front & go & do some burnouts

Had mine a few weeks and never had an issue with road noise, it's louder than my previous car but that was a massive wafty French barge. But it's no louder than cars like the Golf or a3, it's perfectly tolerable.

The guy I bought it from was very particular about it being "right" mechanically, don't know what might make a difference but it has Dunlop SP sport maxx RT on the rear (pilot sport 3s on the front) which show no sign of uneven or weird wear. It had a hunter 4 wheel alignment recently and has Bilstein shocks all round (not lowered or anything)

Some tyres will sawtooth even with the right alignment. I read something about tyres with large tread blocks being more selectable but I can't back that up with any evidence.

 

Sawtoothing can be hard to spot you need to get right down under the car or take the wheel off. It's a very odd jagged wear on thr inner edge. It's easier to spot if you've just driven over a dusty surface.

 

I had Maxxis tyres on the car which were good cheap tyre but they were noisy and would sawtooth even after alignment.

It's looking like I'm going to need a 4 wheel alignment on my vrs as the rears are "sawtoothing" (new only done 2.5k) is it advisable to change the tyres as well?

It's looking like I'm going to need a 4 wheel alignment on my vrs as the rears are "sawtoothing" (new only done 2.5k) is it advisable to change the tyres as well?

 

Better do the alignment first. You'll be able to change your tyres anytime.

update .  put a set of Goodyear Eagle F1s on the car ( coming off crappy Federals ). Huge huge difference. Much quieter, more comfortable and lots more grip

I have only just bought my VRS and I must say, it is very quiet. Maybe I am used to my previous car, a Mazda 2.0 petrol sport as that was rather noisy. The VRS has 4 brand new Victra Maxxis Z3 tyres, a make I had never heard of before I found them on this car. It does have a fitted rubber mat in the boot over the original carpet, could that be cutting back the noise? So many of you guys complain about the noise, there must be something in it. Maybe my car is so quiet because the tyres have not worn enough to sawtooth yet. I remember the humming sound from the sawtooth effect, as in the past I had a Civic Type R and the rears were renown for uneven wear on the inside. I put it down to the camber setting, which was correct, but must be set to get you faster round corners. Have to keep an eye on rear wear on the VRS.

 It does have a fitted rubber mat in the boot over the original carpet, could that be cutting back the noise?

 

I find it hard to believe because I got one in my car and it's useful only for keeping the car clean.

The Dunlop's are extremely bad for noise when sawtoothed. I have tried Uniroyal Rainsport 2's and had the alignment done. Much better but still sawtoothing. Got a Hunter alignment done and swapped wheels back to front. Droning from front end now but as miles went on it has been reducing. Also tried raising pressures 2psi to 34psi front and 32psi rear and it seems to be quieter too. It's reasonably quiet now especially cruising on a decent road surface. Have used Uniroyal Rainsport 3's on our other vehicles and they are good so will get a set for the VRS when the RS2's need replaced.