So my 2016 vRS is coming up for replacement.

 

I would consider the MkIV as it is better equipped, better looking, slightly faster etc than my existing car, but the biggest issue I have with mine is the roadnoise on coarse-chip road, of which there is an abundance here in NZ.

 

Does the newer model make any significant strides forward here against the Mk3?

I don't know about the comparison with the Mk3 but with my Mk4 VRS the noise is noticeable on coarser surfaces such as are often found on our freeways.

I do not suppose it is much worse than a lot of cars but it is noticeable. Probably not helped by the low-profile 19 inch wheels/tires.

 

In theory MK4 has better sound insulation, but it's still in budget class. If you look at ADAC tests it's in the same league as VW Golf, Mercedes A class, A3. If you want better you need to step up to a more expensive car.

For me who changed my old MK3 to MK4 earlier this year it is significant lower soundlevel, however, went from estate to a hatch which could have an impact.

Test drove both an 18" and a 19" equipped vRS Wagon on urban and rural roads and the road noise from the 19" car is more noticeable.

 

As to whether this is worse than your Mk3 Octy is a guess as I have no experience with that model.

 

Compared to my current ride, road noise on the 18" wheel/tyre combo is more pronounced but not significant enough to be a deal breaker.

 

However, the software glitches and prolonged build time both are, so no dhoby mark on the dotted line from me just yet.

Comparing my Mk 4 VRS wagon to our 2015 Golf Alltrack - same VAG platform but 17 inch wheels - my impression is that in the Alltrack the engine noise is more noticeable and the tyre noise is less noticeable.

It would be interesting to try smaller, standard profile wheel/tyre combos on the Octavia. I certainly would not have chosen these wheels if they were  an option. There is nothing wrong with the look or performance of the VW's wheels (see below), in my opinion.

 

 

Edited 23 September, 20214 yr by DaveFromSydney

Newer cars generally tend to be less noisy. 
Sometimes tyre choice can make a difference, some tyres, even premium ones, can be noisier than others. 
Big one is wheel size, or more appropriately tyre sidewall ratio, is going to make a massive difference. Going from a more standard 50 ratio tyre to a 40 or less is always going to be noisier, the vibrations aren’t masked by tyre volume as much and the suspension will have to work harder too. 
I was going to go with 18s on my SEL but with the roads in West Yorks as they are I stuck with some optional design 17s as they will probably handle just as well on bad roads and be quieter and comfier too. And be less prone to damage. 

39 minutes ago, MiniNinjaRob said:

Newer cars generally tend to be less noisy. 
Sometimes tyre choice can make a difference, some tyres, even premium ones, can be noisier than others. 
Big one is wheel size, or more appropriately tyre sidewall ratio, is going to make a massive difference. Going from a more standard 50 ratio tyre to a 40 or less is always going to be noisier, the vibrations aren’t masked by tyre volume as much and the suspension will have to work harder too. 
I was going to go with 18s on my SEL but with the roads in West Yorks as they are I stuck with some optional design 17s as they will probably handle just as well on bad roads and be quieter and comfier too. And be less prone to damage. 

17 is also narrower which helps with noise some.

I changed from MK3 hatch SE to MK4 hatch SE, both with the 1.5 petrol engine. The MK4 is very much quieter than the 3 and a better ride as well. I do not look for ultimate grip and performance and I am happy with the original setup of tyres etc. However, I thought the MK3 was exceptionally noisy with a horrible cabin resonance over certain common road surfaces like the roughened surfaces as you approach a roundabout. It was very noisy with the back seats tipped down and it was the sort of noise that gets inside your head. That has been fixed in the MK4, it is so quiet now you can hear the gear box whine in 2nd which isn't unpleasant. 

Thanks all - sounds promising from that aspect then! I do have the 19” currently as well which I wouldn’t bother with again.

 

That said, I am thinking now of bumping up to a 206kw Superb…or maybe even stretching to a Cupra Leon Sportstourer.

 

Hmmm….

I don't have any experience with the MK4, I'm currently in the process of switching out from a 2018 Astra / 2020 Swift. With both of them the first thing I did was lift the carpet and fit 3M sound proofing sheets in the boot, which made a massive difference to road noise on them. Not sure how feasible this is in the Octavia, if there is a spare wheel space that is where I would start.

Regardless of soundproofing, low profile tyres simply transmit more noise. After 2 VRS with 18” and then an even noisier Golf GTI on 19” all on 40 profile wheels, I find that 235 x 45 x 18” tyres on the Superb  are much quieter and overall more relaxing to drive. 

1 hour ago, Redboy said:

Regardless of soundproofing, low profile tyres simply transmit more noise. After 2 VRS with 18” and then an even noisier Golf GTI on 19” all on 40 profile wheels, I find that 235 x 45 x 18” tyres on the Superb  are much quieter and overall more relaxing to drive. 

New Octavia is on 225x45x18, so even fatter and narrower. But it also depends on the actual thread.

 

23 minutes ago, zetzet said:

New Octavia is on 225x45x18 …. But it also depends on the actual thread.

 

Yes,  the tread makes a difference, just as a hard wearing compound versus a softer compound  but the low porofile summer tyre treads seem fairly similar, hence the additional road noise is the price  paid for having them on the car.