Took delivery of the a new Octavia Mk3 in August. Run out model and received a very good deal. The review on the Octavia are generally really good. There are two things with the car which I am disappointed with:

1. Wind Noise

• Extremely high wind noise level around the front doors, particularly the B pillars, at any speed over 80kmph. It seems to be worse on the left side (passenger). Initially, I thought the window wasn't fully closed. Passengers have also commented on the constant wind noise.

2. Rattles, creaks, poor build quality.

• The right side rear door or door area rattles and creaks if I'm driving slowly on a poor surface, going over a ramp in a car park or turning sharply. It seems to vary depending on the temperature. 
• The infotainment system buzzes intermittently - again it seems to depends on the temperature.
• The stitching is coming loose on the leather steering after 4,000 kms.

 

I don't understand why these cars get such glowing reviews. Aside from the price and space, it's an average car to drive and below average in some areas, like the general build quality.  It's also noisy as hell and the 1.6TDi engine is cumbersome.  If these issues exist after 4,000 km, what will the car be like with higher kms?

 

Are these "features" commonplace with the Octavia or was I just unlucky to get a badly made car?

Missus has a 192 Soleil and yes wind noise is an issue, seems a common enough complaint, there are threads here where people have added extra rubber around the doors to reduce the wind and road noise.

 

As for the door rattle, not had that in our car, maybe you can adjust that metal ring part on the car body that the door latches to, maybe moving it up or down a few mm might make a better contact ? either that or perhaps it's the leather part of the back seats rubbing off interior trim somewhere back there.

Not had any issues with the infotainment, she has the Bolero system.

No issues with stitching on the steering wheel either and it's done 17k kilometers at this point.

Yes, the wind noise is really bad, in my opinion. The noise is actually coming from the glass in the rear door. Booked in for a fix.