Having read up on all the woes over on the Mk4 forums with regards software issues and unnecessary complexity, are many MkIII owners going to stay with what they know, or looking at going elsewhere? 

 

My Octavia has proved extremely reliable so far and probably will keep for a good while yet. 

No rush to get rid of my Octavia which is still proving reliable and does everything I need. If I switch it will more likely be a Superb Sportline or a BMW 3/5 series touring.

My next car will either be the mk4 VRS, most likely the 2.0tsi and switch back to petrol. Or a Superb L&K 280 4x4. Not sure if I will go for the mk3 (used) or mk4?

However little gremlins wouldn't put me off from buying. The issue with cars nowadays is that they are very complicated and over software driven. You are bound to get issues but as long as Skoda pick up the repair bill I wouldnt worry about it.

A wise old sage once said to me...

 

'Never buy the newly released car, buy the last of the old model. All the gremlins have been dealt with!'

 

But that was in the "good" old days of 90s Rovers, Fords and Vauxhalls, where a new car could be delivered from the factory with some pre-wiped toilet roll tucked in the seat pocket. #Truestory

I always planned to keep my 2014 mk3 Octavia 1.4 tsi until it was 10 years old. I may actually keep it longer now. I very nearly traded it earlier this year for one of the last mk3 1.5 SE L estates but the stories of 1.5 issues put me off.
I certainly wouldn’t get a mk4 based on what I read on briskoda. I may be old fashioned but I don’t want to work everything from a touch screen, I also don’t want or need all of the connectivity garbage that’s on them and seems to be the cause of most trouble. 

Edited 30 April, 20215 yr by classic

3 hours ago, classic said:

I always planned to keep my 2014 mk3 Octavia 1.4 tsi until it was 10 years old. I may actually keep it longer now. I very nearly traded it earlier this year for one of the last mk3 1.5 SE L estates but the stories of 1.5 issues put me off.
I certainly wouldn’t get a mk4 based on what I read on briskoda. I may be old fashioned but I don’t want to work everything from a touch screen, I also don’t want or need all of the connectivity garbage that’s on them and seems to be the cause of most trouble. 

Couldn`t agree more! As I have got older, tech seems to be outpacing me and so much of what is happening to cars seems unnecessary. Why do I need to create an account on my car, I`m the only one who drives it! I dont need electric seats either. Why??

1 hour ago, threadbear said:

Couldn`t agree more! As I have got older, tech seems to be outpacing me and so much of what is happening to cars seems unnecessary. Why do I need to create an account on my car, I`m the only one who drives it! I dont need electric seats either. Why??

 

We arguably don't a lot of stuff on modern cars, but it helps make the overall experience better.

 

Just because you are the only person that drives your car, doesn't mean others don't have multiple family members driving theirs. Account settings can be saved and remembered for different users without having to change them and the main driver having to change them back.

 

Electric seats generally have greater levels of adjustment and you can have memory settings, different settings for different drivers and comfort access where the seat moves to make it easier to get in and out. Again not "needed" but nicer having it than not.

 

I'm sure folk thought at one point they didn't need anything more than their horse and cart.

 

 

 

Having just bought my Mk3, no, I’m not going to change for a mk4!

🙂

Not rushing to change here too. I am very pleased with my 2016 MK3 SEL TDI dsg and plan to keep it for as long as I can. 

 

For me this model has just the right tech.I don't have smart link (but could have if I paid for it). But Amazon music over Bluetooth is quite adequate. I get on quite happily with the Nav.

 

The infotainment has actual buttons for main user selections, not a touch screen 

 

Voice control works most of the time (or makes me laugh!) 

 

Friend has mark 4 and it's been back for several bugs in tech already in first three months. 

On 30/04/2021 at 20:10, paulski said:

I don't have smart link (but could have if I paid for it)

You can always upgrade it at any SKODA dealer - who will charge you for the enablement code (FeC) for your MIB system to give you SmartLink.

Voice Control on MK3 and MK4 cars is useless....don't use it.

Now these are the reasons why I'm made up getting my Mk3 when I had the chance to in 2016.

 

VRS TDI with a manual gearbox

Infotainment system separate from the HVAC system

The buttons on both the steering wheel and the side of the infotainment screen are physical buttons

£30 VED

0% finance

 

The equivalent Mk4 now.....

 

VRS TDI with a DSG 'box only. I don't mind autos, but I prefer manuals

An all in infotainment and HVAC screen. The ease of twisting a knob to turn the fan up / temperature up whilst keeping your eyes on the road

No physical buttons around the infotainment screen and touch buttons on the steering wheel. I wouldn't like the idea of having to constantly be taking my eyes off the road because I've pressed the wrong button on the steering wheel.

£490 VED because with all the options I've on my car, it just tips over the £40k threshold

4.1% finance

 

 

On 30/04/2021 at 10:56, ahenners said:

No rush to get rid of my Octavia which is still proving reliable and does everything I need. If I switch it will more likely be a Superb Sportline or a BMW 3/5 series touring.

 

I feel exactly the same with mine to be honest  As of when I feel the need to switch! I will look at a Superb Sportline estate or maybe a Golf R estate (7.5) Have looked around but not in a major rush.