Hey everyone!

I am staring a thread here, to list annoying things about the mk4. So hopefully this thread will be helpfull to someone

 

1) No physical buttons for the HVAC

- I hate this. I live in a hot climate, and everytime I start the car I have to pre-set the air flow speed to my liking. Sure there are automatic options, but I like to set it manually.

- I hate the new turn-on/turn-off the vent thing. Turn it to the right to shut it off, ...so un-intuitive. A slider in the middle or to the side would be wonderful.

 

2) First edition gremlins.

Yeah, I was ready for this before I even got the car. I know that you should never buy a new model, and wait for the facelift, but I really like this car and design.

- Start/Stop failed in the first couple of hundred kilometres. Well, not failed, but it needed reprogramming by the dealer. It works fine now. Knock on wood. I think they have reported this to Skoda.

- DRL lights showed up an error. It turns out they lost a connection for a split of a second. They are fine. The issue was reported to Skoda.

 

3) The rear-view mirror is bloody small. 

 

4) Often you hit your knee in the vent. But I reckon you guys (RHD) will not have this problem

 

5) So many shiny bits of plastic in the interior, sometimes a wild glare will popup, but nothing worrying. Luckily I have my door trims in black (and in my view look way cooler than chrome).

 

6) Even though the Bolero looks better and has a lot more options, I believe the 8,5' screen gives you all you need. And I hate that stupid slider for a volume control - you have the physical knobs on the 8.5' 

 

7) I HATE that tablet holder for the kids in the back. When I am putting my kid in the back, and try to lock him, I always hit my head in that plastic thing. I have to take it out. Sure it is maybe practical but...I hate it.

 

8 ) I really miss the Passat's straps for organizing my boot space, and stopping things rolling around. I have those plastic pieces that you put in on the carpet, but I have mine on the rubber side, to protect the boot from any dirty bicycle tyres and now I am left with no alternative. I hate nets. I miss the straps.   Yeah I have the hooks but you can put two/three things on them. 

 

9) No cig-ligther in the front. I want to charge things up using an old fashion cigarette lighter pod. Just two USB-C in the front, and nothing in the back seats. I know that comes an optional extra, but come on Skoda. Be simply clever

 

10) The Cruise control activation - I HATE IT. You have a small piece of plastic on top of your indicators. If you click on it you might turn on the turn signals. Well maybe this is a VAG thing, but ...come one. 

Edited 29 July, 20205 yr by OctaviaMK4

On 29/07/2020 at 22:55, OctaviaMK4 said:

 

10) The Cruise control activation - I HATE IT. You have a small piece of plastic on top of your indicators. If you click on it you might turn on the turn signals. Well maybe this is a VAG thing, but ...come one. 

 

the only thing i miss from my insignia is the cruise control being on the steering wheel, with speed adjustment by rolling a wheel switch. instant response instead of the push buttons and wait on the "standard vag" indicator stalk type on my mk2 octy.

 

 

thanks for the above, be a couple of yrs before i can contemplate a mk4 tbh, but still nice to know some of the likely annoyances and minor issues.

On 30/07/2020 at 00:55, OctaviaMK4 said:

- I hate the new turn-on/turn-off the vent thing. Turn it to the right to shut it off, ...so un-intuitive. A slider in the middle or to the side would be wonderful.

 

Wow, I haven't noticed it before, You can't shut it off without changing the direction setting, am i right? If this is the case, so cheap design. I think they forgot about the functionality while trying to make a minimalist design.

Yup you have to turn it to side to shut it off. Annoying.

On 29/07/2020 at 22:55, OctaviaMK4 said:

3) The rear-view mirror is bloody small.

Having driven one for a few days recently, I'd agree. And not only is it too small, but because it narrows slightly from top to bottom, but the rear window seems to broaden slightly from top to bottom, I kept getting the feeling that the mirror was upside down! But yes the top to bottom height of the mirror is so small that even the slightest movement of my head forward meant that all of a sudden a significant part of my view in the mirror was of the headlining of the car, rather than out the rear window.

On 29/07/2020 at 22:55, OctaviaMK4 said:

10) The Cruise control activation - I HATE IT. You have a small piece of plastic on top of your indicators. If you click on it you might turn on the turn signals. Well maybe this is a VAG thing, but ...come one. 

 

Is this different from the MK3?

 

5 hours ago, OldBoyScout said:

Is this different from the MK3?

Normal cruise control on the Mk3 was also on the top of the indicator stalk, but adaptive cruise control was a separate stalk.

I want to add the vibrations in the 2-cyl mode in the 1.5TSI. I still haven't reached the dealer, cause I haven't had time lately. I tried premium petrol - that didn't fix the issue ( I hoped better fuel would do a better combustion and hence lower the vibrations).

 

Reading the forum this is also an issue in the Mk3 as well. It is rather annoying.

 

Adding a bit of gas on a slight uphill or on a level road in 2 cyl around 1500-1600 rpm in any gear ... crikey! 

Just an update. I have read a lot of people complaining about the humming/vibrations in 2 cyl mode at 1400-1600 rpm especially with manual transmissions.

 

This issue is not being taken care off for years. People reported this with the 1.4 TSi ACT / COD engines back in 2013-2014.

 

It is rather annoying. I seriously think that at one point I will turn it off completely (reprogram the ECU). Too bad I have bought extended warranty for 5 years.

 

So, guys I would recommend to avoid the 1.5 TSi.

 

It is a lovely engine but the 2 cyl mode is annoying.

 

Some people will not hear those hummings and vibrations but most of us will hear it. 

 

The cure for now is to turn on the radio and enjoy the ride.

Connected Android Auto via USB C to USB C cable. It works great.

 

On Tuesday (22nd Sept) I am taking the car at the dealer for the 2 Cyl vibrations (1.5 TSI ACT)

 

Please note I will report this to Skoda if by chance you experience this they are aware of it

Update:

Went to the dealer. They hooked up the car. We went on a test ride. They logged everything, and they sent the report to Skoda.

Of course the 2 cyl vibrations were not that big when a VAG technician was in the car   but he said not to worry, he understands, and that they will notify Skoda.

They've checked all the other parameters and said everything is fine. They did a visual inspection of something being loose, but everything was fine.

 

So we will see. If other people will report this on the 1.5 TSI, VAG will have to react

 

He also mentioned that they are constantly sending out improvements to Skoda for the new Octavia, things they found out, so Skoda are getting a lot of feedback from the dealers. 

That is good to hear.

 

Happy motoring everyone.

 

Edited 22 September, 20205 yr by OctaviaMK4

On a SE level the rear lights don't go over the boot. Just the sides. Here is a photo from a dealer. 

 

What were they thinking

Picked up car today, very impressed having come from Golf mk 7.5 GTI and SEAT Leon.  A few annoying things though, all tech related. Lane assist reactivates every time ignition is turned on (I know it’s a safety feature but scope for too many false activations), gesture control is rubbish, and putting heating controls on touch screen is stupid. Then again, none of these criticisms are exclusive to the Octavia. 

Edited 1 October, 20205 yr by Pob17

And S K O D A across the back looks out of place and stupid too as we are at it.

Edited 5 October, 20205 yr by 26DIPP

13 hours ago, 26DIPP said:

And S K O D A across the back looks out of place and stupid too as we are at it.

i actually thought it looked smart, personal choice i guess 

I would prefer a nice, subtle, clean tailgate. The Skoda logo is quite o.k.

I know that Volvo are doing it and the new Golf logo is spread out.

On 01/10/2020 at 20:15, Pob17 said:

Picked up car today, very impressed having come from Golf mk 7.5 GTI and SEAT Leon.  A few annoying things though, all tech related. Lane assist reactivates every time ignition is turned on (I know it’s a safety feature but scope for too many false activations), gesture control is rubbish, and putting heating controls on touch screen is stupid. Then again, none of these criticisms are exclusive to the Octavia. 

 

Absolutely agree about the lane assist reactivation. Hopefully someone comes up with a software fix. Also noticed the SYNC option for heater controls keeps switching off. Voice activation keeps randomly switching on too.

Just now, 5koda51mon said:

 

Absolutely agree about the lane assist reactivation. Hopefully someone comes up with a software fix. Also noticed the SYNC option for heater controls keeps switching off. Voice activation keeps randomly switching on too.

Yep forgot about sync switching off every time too. I get very upset if the numbers don’t match 😂

23 minutes ago, Pob17 said:

Yep forgot about sync switching off every time too. I get very upset if the numbers don’t match 😂

so glad im not the only one 😂😂😂😂

1 hour ago, 5koda51mon said:

 

Absolutely agree about the lane assist reactivation. Hopefully someone comes up with a software fix. Also noticed the SYNC option for heater controls keeps switching off. Voice activation keeps randomly switching on too.

I think the voice activation gets turned on if there's a software update. It's happened twice on mine so far.

11 hours ago, fox2319 said:

I think the voice activation gets turned on if there's a software update. It's happened twice on mine so far.

nope voice activation does randomly come on at least 2-3 times per day, Ive turned my voice activation off and just use the button when i need it to do something

So after 500 miles I don’t think I’m going to get on with this car. Actually the car itself is fine, the tech however is irritating and distracting. I may get used to it but at the moment I’m glad it’s only on a 2 year lease. The biggest annoyance is the lane assist which is so intrusive, switches on every time the engine is started, and I’m constantly having to fight if left active. It really is ridiculous and nowhere near as good as the system in a Ford (as a comparison with my other car). Other tech niggles are the SYNC option resetting every time the car is started on the aircon, the stupid climate controls, the daft volume slider which gets activated if you place your hand in the wrong place to keep steady when trying to use the screen when moving, the useless gesture control, the radio controls which default to favourites rather than showing the screen of which station you are actually listening to (I know you can just use the Home Screen but it doesn’t show the full radio text). Just overall too many swipes required. Negative post I know, and this will apply to all VAG software now I suspect, but how car companies get away with such distracting software is amazing. Ford don’t escape criticism either, when I turn that car on I have to press ok to get rid of silly disclaimers before I can see things like the digital speedo etc, but overall it’s nowhere near as annoying as the Skoda. Bit of a rant sorry, but unless there are some software updates pretty quick to sort this stuff out I’ll be glad when it goes back. The team who designed / tested this system clearly have no idea of real world driving.

Believe or not that was one of the main reasons why I opted for the smaller screen. I have physical buttons and touch at the same time.

Navigation? Nothing beats Google Maps hence Android Auto.

 

The things that start to annoy me with the car is purely mechanical. The engineering on the Tsi. It is a great engine, but you feel it that it has been rushed to production. They haven't tested it properly.

 

I know it is a quick fix for Dieselgate, and a response to Toyotas Hybrid system, but I read tons and tons of annoying things and I experience them first hand, and they are so obvious but you get the feeling that they were just brushed aside.

 

The worrying part is that, there are no updates on the complaints.

 

Skoda is aware of what we talk here.

 

I even instructed Skoda UK to follow this forum and this thread.

I’m ok with the 1.5. I’m used to the 1.4 version in my previous car and this one seems very similar (minus the kangaroo jumping of the 1.4) and a bit more economical. The car does feel like it hasn’t been tested properly though, too many software bugs. In two weeks since getting it I’ve already had front assist and park assist warning messages and other minor gremlins. Been running VAG cars since 2003 with A3s, Golfs, a Scirocco and a Leon and the first two weeks of having this one has seen far more issues / annoyances than I’m used to. God knows how Skoda get so highly scored in owner surveys, I suspect they’ll see a big drop this year. Agree with the third party nav etc solutions, I use CarPlay and it’s the best bit of the tech, especially being wireless now.

Much of the software is shared with the Golf 8 - which was delayed for several months whilst VAG tried (in vain it seems) to sort out the software problems.

 

Add to the problems discussed here the fact that VAG have introduced a Diagnostic Gateway which means that only dealers with access to the VW servers can make setup changes to many of the electronic modules in this generation of cars then IMHO I'm not going to be buying another new VAG car (and I've owned them continuously since 1999 so that's a long term loyal customer they've lost).