Hi Guys!

 

               As you may be able to gather from my username, me and SEAT need to make a clean break from each other. This is for many reasons, I wont bore you with them all but the headlines are inept dealers & nasty build quality.

 

Anyway, I have my heart set on a brand new VRS (the 220 one), Ive got some offers and picked my specs and even been on a test drive. Theres some details to iron out but it looks like its 99% a definite transaction but theres that 1% at the back of my mind. 

 

I know no-one wants to bad mouth their pride and joy but I'd like to know if the interior build quality is up to scratch, i.e. will it rattle and groan as much as my Seat Leon currently does? Ive taken the time and read about the issues you all have had (foggy headlights etc) and those I can live with. Nothing Ive seen from you guys has given me too much cause for concern.

 

The VRS appears to be missing some of the spec my Leon has, for example it doesnt seem to have automatic lights as standard. Would I be correct in this assumption?

 

Lastly, is the 'Smart Link' worth the money? Im thinking I can use it as an alternative to a £1k upgrade to the head unit. Is this something I can realistically achieve with the android app? I have worked out that the car cts out all other apps when it moves, which is a bit of a pain to be honest so if the android app doesnt work I might take it off the sheet (at a cost of around £3 a month lol).

 

For the record, I have requested the heated front seats (deal breaker, I live in Cumbria its freezing here all year!), the electric lights pack, the smart link, a space saver spare and some kind of storage accessory that was only £25.

 

Is there anything you couldnt live without that I wont be getting?

 

Lastly, thanks for taking the time to read this for me. I understand its  a bit cheeky for a first post but Im about to push the button on this one and need your valuable feedback and experience!!

 

All the Best

 

Peter

I have only had a brief ride in a friends Leon FR but Id say the Octavia and Leon are on a reasonable par in terms of quality.

There is heavy parts sharing between the VAG siblings but comparing it to my Octavia Elegance Id say some of the core cabin materials whilst they might not actually be on the Octavia they do look and feel that touch more expensive.....drop below the dash though and its cheap shiney plastics abound.

I have a Mk7 Golf GTD as well....Ive had a few problems with that ironically where as I havent with the Octavia but in its defense it feels quite a step up in quality and particularly refinement compared to the Octavia. My main complaint with the Octavia is that its not a particularly quiet car and suffers a bit from road noise from the engine and outside and also wind roar.....is definitely not as well sound deadened as the Golf

The vRS in the UK comes with auto lights, wipers and an auto dip rear mirror so no worries there. Smartlink is OK if you actively plan to make use of Android Auto or Apple Carplay functionality...but bare in mind the UK spec vRS now comes with the Amundsen sat nav which is pretty good...if you were planning to use Smartlink as a substiute to sat nav given the car already has it perhaps its surplus to requirement?

Edited 18 January, 201610 yr by pipsypreturns

Hi Peter.

Have to say I do get the odd creak and rattle from my vRS which may not appear too good to you but in all honesty, it doesn't make any more interior noises than my 2012 Scirocco.

Generally I think VW is a step up but that doesn't mean the Octy is scabby, I think it's fine

It might be in part down to the fairly hard ride. As mentioned above, they do suffer from road noise.

Can't comment on Smartlink as mine was one of the early ones.

I thought Auto lights are standard? they are on my 'old' one.

I traded in a year old FR and you're not going to notice much of a difference in terms of build. Different materials yes (no better or worse tbh on the whole) but I would say they are equally well screwed together. I'm guessing you've got the door card and door seal issues with the Leon?

Smartlink is worth it if you're not getting nav, bargain for the functionality.

Edited 18 January, 201610 yr by EoinM

Octavia and Leon will be fairly similar in build as they use a lot of the same parts and the MQB chassis.

Sure you would be better going Japanese for build quality.

I know its Swindon built but how about a Type R?

Hi Guys and thanks for the warm reception. Just had 3 hours of trying to unbrick my phone!

 

Where to start!? I have been through the brochure and I thought I had my head around it. I will double check the Nav but it looked like an option as I couldnt see it mentioned except as an extra, same for the auto lights. I'd be much happier if that was the case though!

 

The Leon I have is truly awful. I know there is a lot of shared parts and the MQB platform but if I quickly list the issues I have see if you think its unreasonable to expect better from the 'octy'

 

1. Rattling door cards, been back in twice for that

2. Rattle above the binnacle, from day one, been back in twice for that too

3. Rattle in the centre console, recent addition

4. Clunk from the rear suspension, appears to have gone since I removed the wheels at the weekend

5. Locking up entertainment unit

6. Headlights that fail to level, end up with one light level and the other pointing at the floor

7. Squeeky door seal just appeared on rear drivers side

8. Creaky window on the drivers side

9. Boot gas strutts no longer able to lift the tailgate

 

Thats off the top of my head, there may be more. Like I say I'm sick of it!

 

Thanks again guys

To save you some disappointment I wouldnt buy an Octavia, or Golf for that matter guaranteeing it to be entirely rattle free.

My Octavia rattles a bit as does my 3 month old GTD.

The infotainment on both cars plays up now and again, the Golf with the latest 6.5" nav system arguably is less stable than the Octavia with the older 5.8 MIB1 version....but then I do spend far more time in the Golf now.

I gather the Octavia suffers from droopy Bi-xenons...its something to do with the car switching from city to highway mode and flattening the beams...a bug I think but even the lastest cars do it....though i believe you can do something with coding to stop it happening (andyvee will know).....not noticed this on my Golf though.

Suspension noise isnt unheard of, though nearly every VAG car Ive had had exhibited some level of suspension noise...my Mk5 and Mk6 Golfs both had creeky front shocks from memory but there wasnt anything technically wrong with the cars.

These cars share alot of DNA so consequently suffer a number of the same issues. Ive had an Octavia and 2 x GTD's and none of them have been absolutely perfect in this regard but I am to speak frankly not overly bothered about the odd noise or rattle here and there as I dont think ive owned a car for years that hasnt rattled to at least a v minor degree.

I am quite OCD about these things too...

but I think it is quite easy to get bogged down with looking for issues...admit the gas strut issue really isnt too clever though!

Fairly new but 9 months down the line (new 3rd April 15) and 7k miles the only squeak I've had was from the sunroof (quickly sorted under warranty, they even collected and delivered the car from home), other than that no problems at all.

 

The headlamps on the VRS are bi-xenon and active as standard, and you have the option of auto or manual operation.

 

Instead of just the heated seats I would opt for the "winter pack", it adds the heated screen and washer jets and are worth every penny for not a huge amount more.

 

Something that I couldn't live without now I have them is the auto dipping and folding mirrors (well maybe the folding bit), the auto dip on the external mirrors is fantastic, especially on an unlit motorways. 

Hi Guys and thanks for the warm reception. Just had 3 hours of trying to unbrick my phone!

Where to start!? I have been through the brochure and I thought I had my head around it. I will double check the Nav but it looked like an option as I couldnt see it mentioned except as an extra, same for the auto lights. I'd be much happier if that was the case though!

The Leon I have is truly awful. I know there is a lot of shared parts and the MQB platform but if I quickly list the issues I have see if you think its unreasonable to expect better from the 'octy'

1. Rattling door cards, been back in twice for that

2. Rattle above the binnacle, from day one, been back in twice for that too

3. Rattle in the centre console, recent addition

4. Clunk from the rear suspension, appears to have gone since I removed the wheels at the weekend

5. Locking up entertainment unit

6. Headlights that fail to level, end up with one light level and the other pointing at the floor

7. Squeeky door seal just appeared on rear drivers side

8. Creaky window on the drivers side

9. Boot gas strutts no longer able to lift the tailgate

Thats off the top of my head, there may be more. Like I say I'm sick of it!

Thanks again guys

My opinion...

1. Nowhere near as bad...if I'm honest there's a buzz from my drivers side one on rough surfaces. Did the dealer apply the fix?

2. Nothing yet, can't see why it wouldnt happen as its the same part.

3. A VAG favourite. Didn't have it and don't in the current one.

4. As the brakes wear I find hill hold does this.

5. I've found MIB2 more buggy than the MIB1 in the Leon, once ever I had it freeze. Firmware upgrade maybe?

6. Never had it, should be fixable.

7. Seems to be common on MQB cars, gummi pfledge is your friend here.

8. As above.

9. Is this in the cold weather or all the time? If all the time get them replaced.

I did 60k km on the FR184 in the year I had it, only have 13k on the VRS. I don't think there is a noticable gap in build. I'd wager some of the above will happen with the Skoda too.

The £1k upgrade for head unit(satnav) is for the Columbus unit. (£1050)

VRS now comes as standard with Amundsen sat nav since Oct 15

IMO the Columbus is not worth another £1000 having had it on my previous Superb

Great info thanks everyone. Its great to see people being honest about their cars, I didnt see that when looking for my Leon and a lot of people didnt like issues being brought up.

Pipsy, thanks for all the advice and honesty. I think I need to wager the chances of it being the same or worse or better based on your experience.

Butchvrs, if I could have that experience I would be a happy man! I looked at the winter pack, if I knock the link on the head I might go for that instead, mind you the heated jets are awful on the leon!

EoinM, 1. Yes, twice and no better, just smelled like silicone 2nd time round. 4. It was more of a popping clunk on rough ground but agreed the brakes have started to groan on the hill hold! 6. Seat wont admit theres a problem, found 15 other owners with the same issue and we have videos of it. 9. Only just started but even when the cars warm it still happens.

I forgot to mention a couple of other things, the groaning suspension when people get in or out (no matter if they are fat or not lol) and the doors\boot letting rain run off the roof into the car when they are opened. Really annoying!

Ive got a lot to think about, I found out the Leon has lost 43% of its value in the last 17 months, including a grand since beginning of december so the numbers have changed. I think my mental health needs me to get out of the seat and the vrs is my most viable option for the finance, spec and performance.

I just dont know! Thanks again for everything, great honest bunch on here

All the best

Peter

Great info thanks everyone. Its great to see people being honest about their cars, I didnt see that when looking for my Leon and a lot of people didnt like issues being brought up.

Pipsy, thanks for all the advice and honesty. I think I need to wager the chances of it being the same or worse or better based on your experience.

Butchvrs, if I could have that experience I would be a happy man! I looked at the winter pack, if I knock the link on the head I might go for that instead, mind you the heated jets are awful on the leon!

EoinM, 1. Yes, twice and no better, just smelled like silicone 2nd time round. 4. It was more of a popping clunk on rough ground but agreed the brakes have started to groan on the hill hold! 6. Seat wont admit theres a problem, found 15 other owners with the same issue and we have videos of it. 9. Only just started but even when the cars warm it still happens.

I forgot to mention a couple of other things, the groaning suspension when people get in or out (no matter if they are fat or not lol) and the doors\boot letting rain run off the roof into the car when they are opened. Really annoying!

Ive got a lot to think about, I found out the Leon has lost 43% of its value in the last 17 months, including a grand since beginning of december so the numbers have changed. I think my mental health needs me to get out of the seat and the vrs is my most viable option for the finance, spec and performance.

I just dont know! Thanks again for everything, great honest bunch on here

All the best

Peter

Welcome on previous advice Peter no problem. Only other point I would make is that the Mk3 currently at least suffers from terrible used residuals.

My £23k 150 TDI Elegance estate is now likely worth sub £13k at less than 2 years old; has placed me in a pretty nasty neg equity position too rather forcing me to keep the car rather than (as would be the preference) moving it on. The situation is that bad I am now rather doubting the car will be worth trade anywhere near its PCP GFV. Just dont expect the Octavia to fare any bettet than the Leon is all I would say.

Shame as they are excellent cars.

Hi again! Im feeling you on the residuals, like I said above Ive lost 43% in 17 months and 12k miles. Depreciation is something I can live with to a reasonable degree but what the future holds noone knows. Its a gamble I guess.

Ive been going over my deal, perspective has changed with the value of my car. I had the option of a dealer in Edinburgh or one here in Cumbria, I think Im going to go local due to their willingness to help me out with my car value, the proximity and the help on tap. The skoda dealer are open until 6pm through the week and 5pm at weekends. The seat lot are 5pm and 12pm respectively. Thats got to be a bonus.

Decision will be made by 6pm tonight. Thanks again for everyones input and giving me the info I need to go into it with my head up.

All the best

Peter

If you are very sensitive to rattles or vibrations in the interior trim & noises from the chassis I doubt anything other than a premium brand will be good enough for you.

Even then, our 320d with 1/3 of the miles of the Octavia rattles worse from the drivers door than any of them combined from the O3.

 

These kinds of problems are always difficult to correct without causing additional problems as most of the interior parts are fitted with plastic clips which are damaged on removal & make it difficult to fit them back with the same quality as before.

They are also difficult for the dealer to diagnose & rectify & claim back under warrenty so its often difficult to convince the dealer to fix it.

 

My Octavia has several small rattles from the A-pillar, B-pillar, dash & air vents.

Nothing major for me, but would probably drive someone with a sensitive ear mad. I tend to listen to music fairly loud anyway.

I'm sure most peoples will be the same even if they don't notice it.

 

 

In terms of the overall reliability, the Octavia 3 seems very good so far with no major concerns & only some more simple common faults (like boost pressure sensor on the diesel).

However, as the O3 is in the same price bracket as Seat I doubt there iwll be any amazing difference in build quality.

Just to add my bits to this:-

 

I've owned a Passat, Leon, Touran, Yeti & Octavia from the VW group.

Of those the Leon was the worst for cabin crash/rattle, followed by the Touran.

 

I think in my case, the Leon suffered due to large alloys, low profile tyres and general shoddiness of the roads around here rather than anything particularly bad in quality (it took about 6 to 8 months to start to rattle).

 

The Passat (4 years), Yeti (3+ years), and so far at least the Octavia, have been relatively rattle free.

 

My recent experience away from VAG (Nissan Qashqai) was pretty awful in terms of rattles.

Door cards and "dash" flex were particular issues from about week 2 and still persisted after a dozen dealer visits (+ other odd and end faults).

 

Someone i know had the exact same car, built within 2 weeks of each other, and his was fine.

Even the dealers many months old "loan car" was whisper quiet.

 

Sometimes you just get a badly built car and when it comes to rattles, at least in my experience, the more you take it apart and try to get it fixed the worse it gets.

 

The reason i have the Octy is literally due to the cabin quality on the Nissan driving me and the good lady mad.

If i'd had my friends i'd still be in a QQ.

Edited 19 January, 201610 yr by AlleyCat`

Thanks for the views gents. I agree Gabbo and i dont expect a whisper quiet car, just a reasonable level of comfort and a decent attemp at rectification by the dealer. Only truly quiet car Ive ever been in was an Audi A8, but thats where your 70k is going!

In my personal experience Ive had some awful cars but never one as rattly as the Leon. These include a 16 year old BMW and a 9 year old nissan!

Keep us informed Peter, all the best for this evening...

For what it's worth our Oct. 2015 L&K estate is whisper-quiet apart from tyre roar (inevitable with low-profile 18" wheels - why not 17" with higher profile tyres?) and not a squeak or rattle anywhere. And everything just works. We have a 1.8 TSi, which is obviously going to be quieter than any diesel, but I wonder if the L&K gets extra soundproofing? As for build quality - impeccable.

Peter

 

Skodas are built as a Value at a cost type of car whereas Seats are built as a Style at a cost type of car.

 

Sounds like you've got to a breaking point, I think you'd probably more likely find what you're after in a three old E350 CDI but, the vRS might have enough Value at the cost to appease you although, with any new car the depreication is gonna hurt, Fn hurt.

 

Regards

T

 

Well after negotiating with the dealer and a lot of agonising on my part today I went back tonight and looked at the deal again with my ideal price in my head and the extras I wanted. So eventually...

Ive signed up!!!! I feel like a weight has lifted off me and I can say goodbye to seat in 16ish weeks!

Went for a 2.0TSI manual, in candy white, red trim, heated front seats, electric mirrors, spare wheel and the screen upgrade to colour.

So thanks again for everyone who has contributed to my decision! I will be hanging around here reading up and keeping track until I get my 'octy' I look forward to being an active fully fledged owner soon!

All the best

Peter

Nice one Peter, welcome aboard!

Octavia and Leon will be fairly similar in build as they use a lot of the same parts and the MQB chassis.

Sure you would be better going Japanese for build quality.

I know its Swindon built but how about a Type R?

I have just come from a mazda 6 sport diesel top of range and can assure you the build quality and plastics are far more solid in the skoda than they are in the mazda! I also had a Honda accord cdti and that too was built by Fisher price!