The suspension settings do make a difference but I'm on 19 inch wheels with a 35 profile run flats so nothing much in the way of cushioning from the tyres. 

I'll have to update everyone how I get on with it when it lands at some point next week. Thank you for all the comments and discussion. I do wish VW/Skoda as a whole would be more open to retrofitting equipment. I would say that BMW as an example do allow customisation after purchase and seems to earn a pretty penny from this market. 

On 28/07/2017 at 01:12, CWARD said:

I bought an Octavia VRS DSG last June and sold it again in January this year. I had previously had an old MK3 Mondeo that I'd kept for 10 years but age and mileage had taken their toll on the car so after much praise for the Octavia I bought one. The boot space was very impressive and the gearbox was nice too after having driven manual for so long. These were the only good things on the car as comfort was not as good as the Mondeo and long trips were very tiresome in it. MPG and build quality was very poor as was wind and road noise. As you already know the Bolero radio is a let down. Crappy dealers were the last stray and the Octavia was part ex'd at my loss but I was just glad to rid and it was the least amount time I've owned a car. 

I bought a BMW 320D M Sport running on 19 inch wheels. The ride quality and handling are in a different league to the Octavia, more precise and much more comfortable. The suspension works a treat and I found, even with the lower profile tyres, it is much better over pot holed roads and I'm no spring chicken either. The interior is much better place to be and long trips are no longer dreaded again. I've no idea what BMW you've driven but far from my actual experience.

I will give the Octavia merit for the size of the boot as it was actually bigger to the top of the seats than the previous Mondeo estate but that is it as the ZF 8spd autobox on the BMW is an absolute joy.

 

As an Aussie bloke who has owned a few Euro cars, I'm curious that Skoda and BMW are even mentioned in the same sentence let alone considered as comparable cars. BMW is sold as a premium car in Australia and expectations are ostensibly commensurate.

I've also had a drive of a mates Ford Mondeo and assume that Australia gets the Euro spec versions rather than the US one. Can't say it was particularly memorable except for the hideous dashboard and lots of shiny plastic, although I do like the hatch body shape. Based on what we see on the roads most Aussies think the same- they're rarely seen.   

 

Skoda, on the other hand, is marketing Octavia as the "VW you buy when you can't afford a VW" or "the Golf you buy when you want a ginormous hatch". The price difference between brands is significant enough to warrant the marketing hype. The Octavia VRS wagon has to be the most popular iteration followed by the Superb. 

I currently own an MY08 Audi A4 Quattro V6 in New zealand and a MY15.5 Skoda Octavia Ambition Plus 1.4L turbo 4 in Australia. I don't even pretend to compare their driving characteristics let alone any other VAG connection they may have. The Audi, despite it's age is an awesome drive. That being said, Skoda have done an admirable job of picking through the VAG parts bin and assembling a car that ticks many shopping list items for a low cost but "Euro quality" criteria.

 

 

 

You need to read the OP post. There is no comparison as you've stated as did I.