I've just picked up a new Octavia 1.6 diesel DSG having traded in the old 2013 model and can't help noticing a few 'differences' in the cars, the new one whilst being a bit quieter than the old 55k miler is also not quite as responsive, the DSG box isn't quite as tight feeling as the older one and the car has a disconcerting habit of cutting out  (stop/start) just before coming to a standstill, unlike the old one which didn't stop until it was completely stationary. This also means that for a second or two, the power steering stops working whilst the car is still moving , not a good feel ! has anyone else noticed any differences? I was wondering if the new one has been remapped as a result of the 'emissions cheat software' being re-written? if that is the case could it be re-mapped to the original specs?

any ideas ?

or is it just my imagination???

Edited 5 December, 20169 yr by colfair

It could be that the sharpness that you were experiencing compared to the new model is a run-in DSG vs brand new. It takes some time for everything to loosen up a bit.

18 days in and this isn't looking good, the auto stop/start issue is really a pain in the backside , cant see me living with it for 3 years, the engine sounds like an old Peugeot on tickover and very flatulent on acceleration, and the auto gearbox is no way as responsive as the old one, going in to the dealer on Monday to book it in for a look see but will probably be after Christmas now. also, now have a sound just like heavy rain on the windscreen coming from under the dash top at about 35 mph on moderate acceleration. Cant help but think that some of these problems have arisen as a result of VAG being caught out over the emissions cheat software, If so, I much preferred the original 'cheat' version as MPG also seems down too , my wifes return Liverpool journey  of 130 miles used to get just over 60mpg average on the trip computer, when she went this week, it showed 50mpg! I realise that the engine is bedding in but that's a BIG drop to attribute to a tight engine?

Edited 17 December, 20169 yr by colfair

I've just picked up a new Octavia 1.6 diesel DSG having traded in the old 2013 model and can't help noticing a few 'differences' in the cars, the new one whilst being a bit quieter than the old 55k miler is also not quite as responsive, the DSG box isn't quite as tight feeling as the older one and the car has a disconcerting habit of cutting out  (stop/start) just before coming to a standstill, unlike the old one which didn't stop until it was completely stationary. This also means that for a second or two, the power steering stops working whilst the car is still moving , not a good feel ! has anyone else noticed any differences? I was wondering if the new one has been remapped as a result of the 'emissions cheat software' being re-written? if that is the case could it be re-mapped to the original specs?

any ideas ?

or is it just my imagination???

I dislike that aspect of the stop- start also. Losing the power assistance before you stop is not good and alarming. Should not kick in until the car is truly stationary.

Exactly my point , we'll see what is said on Monday !

Well, it's taken a while to get the car in to a dealer but it went in today and I just experienced a new level of B/S from them !

Upon picking the car up, the service reception guy said "there's nothing wrong with the car, its the way you have it set up?  There's a setting marked eco normal and sport, (like I didn't know) and if you use it in eco mode, the car senses that you are stopping and the engine cuts out early" when I pointed out (again) that my previous car was the same model (1.6 diesel DSG) and it didn't do that, he said that it was a 'new feature' that Skoda has added !!

his advice was use it in eco mode and get used to the engine and power steering dying prematurely or use it in normal mode and take the hit on the fuel economy !! The car now has 2600 miles on the clock  and is averaging 51 mpg long term and to top it all, the Dunlop tyres are as noisy as hell compared to the Continentals on the 2013 model,  Also, and unrelated to Skoda per se , in the gale before Christmas, a slate blew off a nearby property and hit the roof, an insurance claim that they estimated at £1000 for one hit, they said that I was lucky, had the slate landed edge on and punctured the roof , they would have written the car off after only 2 weeks use as they cannot repair body damage only replace with OEM parts ! Beginning to think that may have been the better option !

I came from a mk3 fabia 1.4tdi dsg to the octavia 1.6 tdi dsg, I really don't mind the car cutting out just before you come to a stop, if you really don't like that feature are you sure you could not just put the car in normal mode, many others on here struggle to find any difference in economy using either of the 3 modes. I only use eco mode when I know there are a good few downhill coasting spots, so it's 90% normal mode 10% eco. How many miles are you getting out of a tank? I average 535 miles, but this tank full (my 4th fill) I am leaving it permanently in eco to see if it really does make a difference. I am only 100 miles in so will report back in several days time. If there is no difference I will happily keep doing what I am and keeping it in normal 90% of the time.

Edited 3 February, 20179 yr by POWYSWALES

It cuts before coming to a stop in any mode, most noticeable downhill. It's something that changed around MY16. Mine cuts early in all modes and it drives me nuts. Best way is turn stop/start off completely.

12 hours ago, colfair said:

Well, it's taken a while to get the car in to a dealer but it went in today and I just experienced a new level of B/S from them !

Upon picking the car up, the service reception guy said "there's nothing wrong with the car, its the way you have it set up?  There's a setting marked eco normal and sport, (like I didn't know) and if you use it in eco mode, the car senses that you are stopping and the engine cuts out early" when I pointed out (again) that my previous car was the same model (1.6 diesel DSG) and it didn't do that, he said that it was a 'new feature' that Skoda has added !!

his advice was use it in eco mode and get used to the engine and power steering dying prematurely or use it in normal mode and take the hit on the fuel economy !! The car now has 2600 miles on the clock  and is averaging 51 mpg long term and to top it all, the Dunlop tyres are as noisy as hell compared to the Continentals on the 2013 model,  Also, and unrelated to Skoda per se , in the gale before Christmas, a slate blew off a nearby property and hit the roof, an insurance claim that they estimated at £1000 for one hit, they said that I was lucky, had the slate landed edge on and punctured the roof , they would have written the car off after only 2 weeks use as they cannot repair body damage only replace with OEM parts ! Beginning to think that may have been the better option 

 

cut your losses, i should of done this but dident.

Edited 4 February, 20179 yr by Alpha2110

My 1.4 SE Sport is also too quick to stop if stop/start has not been turned off. Lack of power steering very obvious if turning while coming to a halt.

 

Differences between your two cars:

There has of course been the change from Euro 5 to Euro 6 and there has been a slight reduction in CO2 g/km (although reduction appears to be less for DSG cars) 

I am not aware of any detailed information from VAG confirming exactly how this was achieved but it can not have been done without some changes to components and/or engine management.

 

Disappointing to hear about your experience, I jumped ship to petrol but it is far from being pure joy so would like to go back to diesel in a few years time.

 

Skoda dealers inability to find anything wrong with an in warranty car is sadly only to be expected ( It's a characteristic / they are all like that / under certain operating conditions / depending on your driving style / BS / BS / BS). Wouldn't expect much more joy from Skoda UK customer services, they appear to stick fairly closely to the script, but you could give it a go.

Few things........

 

Pretty much any VAG group car will have "characteristics"......you'd be dead lucky to get one that doesnt make any funny noises or rattle in some minor shape or form.  This is coming from someone who has had several new/nearly new VAG cars in recent years.

 

I had a Mk7 GTD that rattled from new, was mis-built and went wrong a fair bit too.

 

My Mk3 Octavia was among the most reliable VAG car I had but it wasnt rattle free, also had a v annoying buzz at certain RPMs eminating from behind the sat nav screen from practically new until the day I got rid.  I lived with it as I didnt want a dealer taking my dash apart and potentially making it worse.

 

I have a Polo GTI now, great little car but the speakers make the tops of the door trims vibrate when the music is turned up....also the MIB2 nav is quite buggy...but it was on my Mk7 too.  The soundaktor makes my sunvisors vibrate in Sport mode too but cest la vie.....its something ive come acustomed to with newer VAG vehicles.  Probably amongst the most solid VAG car ive had was a Mk6 Golf.....though VAG made huge efforts to improve the interior and perceived quality as it was never a strong point on the Mk5 (which ive also had).

 

Engine wise....sure the mapping may have changed a bit but its unlikely to be faulty.  My experience of VAG CR  diesels, even the latest gen ones (I've had 140, 170, 150 and 184 variants) need alot of miles to open up fully and become efficient.

 

I had a 19k mile Mk7 GTD briefly before getting a brand new one....went like a rocketship and was efficient....got the new one with 80 miles on the clock and it was dire.  10k miles later (and alot of enthusiastic driving) it was much like the previous car.

 

The start stop procedure on these has changed for some reason.  The engine dies before the car has actually stopped...god knows why.  But its normal.  Ive only ever had manual cars with stop start......I rarely stick in neutral and drop the clutch so it barely ever kicks in.