I have ordered an Octavia mk4 hatchback SE First Edition 1.5 Tsi. To get the offered discounts I accepted a pre-ordered specimen which comes in petrol blue with a spare wheel and I wanted the 1.5. (I trust they have got the hesitation on pulling away sorted out by now). I am trading in a Mk3 Octavia with the 1.5 engine and that engine was a P.I.T.A.  but less difficult to drive after the software updates.  When I have looked through the spec. it seems that the Mk4 hatch comes without a rear screen wiper unless it is specifically requested (at no charge).  I guess that if that is the case, the car will come without a rear wiper. The only problem I had with the Mk3, apart from the hesitancy, was the rear wiper washer used to get blocked and I had to take the cover off and clear the jets, but I was never able to re-align the jets properly. So I am asking Mk4 drivers, is the default build no rear wiper and if so, does the rear screen keep clear when it rains? Another question: does the 1.5 petrol engine in the SE have Eco mode, where two of the cylinders are turned off when the car is cruising? How does the Mk4 compare with the Mk3, it gets very good reviews everywhere. and looks classy

Hi there, I have the Mk iv SE Technology 1.5 and it has the cylinder deactivation. I have experienced the slight 'kangarooing' when it's cold but to be honest it's not that bad and a minute or less later after it's warmed up slightly it's gone. I have the estate so can't comment on the rear wiper I'm afraid.

Enjoy your new car when it arrives.

 

I will collect my new Octavia hatchback on Monday and I had a look at it today. It has no rear wiper, I suppose they know what they are doing. I had an unexpected surprise when I eventually got through to my insurance supplier to notify them of the change of car. The current insurance runs out at the end of December and to change the car now costs me about £5 less than the Octavia mk3 that I had previously insured, but there was a fee to make the change. I am not complaining about that.

Got the car today, petrol blue SE hatch 1.5 manual. No rear wiper. Classy exterior, nice comfortable interior. Very refined ride. I need to read through the manual before I start pressing any of the buttons especially the one marked SOS The steering is exceptionally light and the engine only just audible around town. the car is very easy to drive, everything comes naturally to hand. I traded in my Mk3 Octavia and the interior and refinement is a big step forward. A useful thing to know: I had Skoda rubber mats and the big rubber boot mat in the Mk3 and I transferred these without any trimming into the Mk4. I don't think the door sill protectors are available yet. The fist thing I want to get is LED boot lights, the supplied lights are just feeble orange glow worms. Every time I stop I reach for the handbrake lever which has been replaced with an electronic switch. I do not trust it yet, but then when I started driving you could never trust the handbrake.

3 hours ago, SoupDragon said:

Got the car today, petrol blue SE hatch 1.5 manual. No rear wiper. Classy exterior, nice comfortable interior. Very refined ride. I need to read through the manual before I start pressing any of the buttons especially the one marked SOS The steering is exceptionally light and the engine only just audible around town. the car is very easy to drive, everything comes naturally to hand. I traded in my Mk3 Octavia and the interior and refinement is a big step forward. A useful thing to know: I had Skoda rubber mats and the big rubber boot mat in the Mk3 and I transferred these without any trimming into the Mk4. I don't think the door sill protectors are available yet. The fist thing I want to get is LED boot lights, the supplied lights are just feeble orange glow worms. Every time I stop I reach for the handbrake lever which has been replaced with an electronic switch. I do not trust it yet, but then when I started driving you could never trust the handbrake.

Glad you're enjoying the car. I have to say that the electronic handbrake, or more specifically, the Auto Hold function is something that I'm beginning to appreciate more and more since getting mine, it's one of my favourite features.

Thanks Fishcann, its all very Playstation generation. I wanted to sit in the car this evening and find out more about its controls. It took me nearly an hour to find out how to turn on the interior lights. With the contactless key there is no 'ignition on' position.  I feel so dinosaur. Just three years since my Octavia 3 which was ordinary and now I am past my sell by date. Still like the car.

19 hours ago, SoupDragon said:

Thanks Fishcann, its all very Playstation generation. I wanted to sit in the car this evening and find out more about its controls. It took me nearly an hour to find out how to turn on the interior lights. With the contactless key there is no 'ignition on' position.  I feel so dinosaur. Just three years since my Octavia 3 which was ordinary and now I am past my sell by date. Still like the car.

 

You can have the ignition on without starting the car by keeping your feet off the pedals and pressing the start button, then you can play with all the other settings.