Good afternoon all

 

I hope you may be able to give me some advice, please.

 

I am currently driving an Octavia L&K Hatchback 2.0 tdi (2009 / manual ).

 

I have found the drivers seat too small - it may because of the electric seat making the seat smaller, but I find I that my right thigh is almost hanging over the edge (I am 6"2" tall).

 

The pedal position also seems to be a bit skewed and so I end up getting a numb backside after 90 mins driving and a sore right thigh / hip. The seat goes back far enough, but it just doesn't feel right overall.

 

Having sat in a couple of "new" Octavia's (SE and Elegance trim) at a dealer today, both driver's seat's are much broader at the front.

 

I also want to switch to automatic due to future long drives up and down the M6 / around M42 etc where stop/start traffic seems to be the norm these days.

 

Has anyone made a similar switch and found the new Octavia a much more comfortable car?

 

Is the 1.6tdi auto acceptable for power etc or would I find the change from the 2.0 tdi down to 1.6tdi giving me too little power / flexibility?

 

The MkIII does seem to be sturdier and more spacious than my MkII and perhaps the time has come to give in and trade up!

 

Thanks for any advice

 

 

 

The mk3 is definitely much more spacious and generally a really good thing whatever flavour you get, but I have not found the mk3 seats to be as good or as comfortable for me..

However seat comfort is such a personal thing I am not sure you will really benefit hearing from others experiences.

Do you have a wallet in your back pocket?

I have found that on a long journey leaving it in the pocket gives me a numb bumb and backache.

I swopped from a 2010 L&K 2.0 tdi manual to a 2014 L&K 2.0 tdi DSG.

 

Seats are much more comfortable and bigger (wider at least) than the leathers in the old L&K

 

DSG box is fine, I too do journeys on M42, also M6 and M1 frequently - DSG is good for tackling road works! Also great for stop go town driving..

 

I would not have gone for the 1.6 tdi, but I like lazy driving.

 

My overall mpg is high 50s, but car computer shows 62!

 

Good luck whatever you decide.

I am interested that the Mk III seats are that bit wider, the one issue my wife had with the Mk II which she loves otherwise was the narrow drivers seat. We sorted this by adding a padded wedge in the seat and an adjustable back support on the seat back, without it she found that after a short time in the car her thighs were uncomfortable, and no she is not overweight!!

 

It has worked well as when I drive we just move those over to the passenger seat and I do not have to make any other adjustments to the seat height.

 

We are considering switching to a Mk III in the next few months, but she has not yet had a test drive.

Thanks all for your feedback.

 

vegit8: When I sat in the first Octavia this morning at the dealer, I took my wallet and phone out of my pockets and by the time I sat in the next Octavia, I realised I had left them in the first car!

 

baxlobs: So I am not the only one finding the seat narrow! On a 250 mile journey (with a few stops)  from Hampshire to Lancs last month, my left buttock was so numb that I had to do all sorts of movements - even Olga Korbut would have been impressed..

 

rdb: I think the 2.0 litre engine will also give me that less stressed driving experience. I did have the Superb (VW Passat derivative with the 2.5 tdi) which was so relaxing to drive and nowadays the roads seem to be more stop/start so the manual is too tiring.

 

Gerrycan: I agree - it's a personal thing with seats. I take my own pillow to hotels in the UK, but I suppose fixing my favourite car seat into each car would be more difficult.

 

Looks like a spot of negotiating with a Skoda dealer is on the cards 

 

 

 

I am 6 2 as well, I find with my Mk2 my hips hurts after a long drive (i'm only 30!) I've ordered a mk3, one of the main reasons being the larger seats and longer leg support.  (plus a lot of extra gadgets)

I currently have a 1.6 in my Mk2 and find the power to be just enough with a bit of weight in, I have ordered the 2.0 this time as I felt it needed a little extra poke. 

We swapped from a Mk II to III and the difference in room is quite noticeable. I'm 6' 5" and 16 stone and have not a single complaint with our vRS estate, I can even set the front seat up and then get in behind it without any compromise in leg room.

Vegit8 is right about wallet in the back pocket though... 

Edited 31 July, 201510 yr by alis

OP a word of caution with "new" Octavia's (SE and Elegance trim), your L&K has IRS whereas both the O3 SE and Elegance trim have Rear Torture Beam Suspension !

 

I would strongly advise you to take an extended test drive with this suspension setup as you WILL find there is a great difference

Edited 31 July, 201510 yr by themanwithnoaim

As TMWNA says, beware the standard sprung O3s, SWMBOs O2 elegance rides much softer. O3 seats are much better though. As for general build quality, I have done over 50k now in 2 yrs and I would say our 6 yr old O2 has fewer rattles!