2020 1.5 TSi - some gripes/worries

[gm73]

I've had my '20 1.5 TSI since May when it replaced a '15 1.6 CR TDI. I acquired it with 9k miles, it's now on 29k. I've had several Octavias, dating back to a '05 plate 1.9 PD which did 410k without being annoying.

 

I'm not sure I'm enjoying the ownership experience of this car however.

 

So if other owners can confirm the below is normal, I'd be grateful...

 

- acceleration out of 1st gear isn't quick, how they get the 0-60 time is beyond me, it only starts to motor in 3rd gear but by then you don't need the power. For a car with 150bhp (more power than an RS Turbo) it's pretty slow. I own a 27 year old Ford Escort that has a more consistent drive.

 

- It's noisy above 70mph, I think thge 139mph top speed is optimistic.

 

- Power steering is really loud when nearing full lock, much louder than any car I've ever owned.

 

- the engine note is always changing - there's sometimes a loud buzzing in the cab at idle and it can sometimes be as loud as a diesel on tickover but sometimes you can't even hear it. 

 

- clutch sometimes judders in quick first gear pull aways.

 

- It's really lumpy on cold mornings.

 

- I've got brand new Pirelli Cinturato P7s on it, yet it can wheelspin in the dry.

 

- you can't use OEM brake pads on it as they clunk, you need VAG original parts.

 

- oil is super expensive

 

- front suspension is creaking at low speed manoeuvres.

 

- fuel consumption is atrocious, the ACT is pointless.

 

- Front assist is very erratic and the auto wipers choose when to work.

 

Apart from that I like the interior and the spec, not sure I can live with it for another 3 years. Kinda wishing I'd just bought a Mondeo now.

Edited 8 November, 2021 by gm73

[KenONeill]

37 minutes ago, gm73 said:

1. - It's noisy above 70mph, I think thge 139mph top speed is optimistic.
2. - Power steering is really loud when nearing full lock, much louder than any car I've ever owned
3. - clutch sometimes judders in quick first gear pull aways.
4. - I've got brand new Pirelli Cinturato P7s on it, yet it can wheelspin in the dry.

OK. 1 - Question. What revolutions does the engine have at 60 to 70 mph?

2 - You shouldn't actually use full lock, back the steering off maybe 10 degrees and see if the PAS quietens.

1, 3 and 4 - Is the clutch slipping? You've given me an impression that it may be from these.

4 - If you're actually getting tyre slip, there's something badly wrong with the traction control.

[Ootohere]

TC / ASR   so Traction Control / Anti Slip Regulation does not operate untill the wheels do spin. 

Then the XDS / XDS+ can nip the brake or cut the power.   That is how it works. 

It is not Derren Brown so knows the tyres will spin before they do.  The system does not even know what tyres are fitted, at what pressure or if the driver is away to floor the accelerator when dry, on gravel, at a junction with lock on or in the wet, cold, ice or snow.

Edited 8 November, 2021 by roottoot

[gm73]

On 08/11/2021 at 10:30, KenONeill said:

OK. 1 - Question. What revolutions does the engine have at 60 to 70 mph?

2 - You shouldn't actually use full lock, back the steering off maybe 10 degrees and see if the PAS quietens.

1, 3 and 4 - Is the clutch slipping? You've given me an impression that it may be from these.

4 - If you're actually getting tyre slip, there's something badly wrong with the traction control.

I don’t use full lock, I can only compare it to my previous Octavia and the power steering was quiet on that. 
 

It’s possible the clutch is slipping, but after 9k miles?

 

I think the engine is just really unrefined. I can’t believe Audi owners put up with it for the extra you pay for one. 
 

All In all I’m just really disappointed in this car after 15 years of buying Skodas. The paint finish is poor in places as well and the car is really jerky when it’s cold. 

[Gerrycan]

I'm not a 1.5tsi owner just a 1.4tsi but you probably need to provide more details about the issues and if you have reported them to Skoda while it is still under warranty.

 

Is it manual or DSG? The inference in your post is that it is manual, but best to clarify.

When you say it is noisy >70mph is that the engine, wind noise or something else? 

What gear were you in when attempting  139mph? The top two (or three gears if DSG) are overdrive ratios for better fuel economy, not really suitable for top speed attempts and not recommended on public roads anyway 😉.

Can you be more specific about the intermittent buzzing at idle? Does it seem to be from within the cabin, or from the engine itself? Is the noisy idle (engine?) apparent inside and/or out of the car?

I am a bit confused that despite the apparent lack of power, and the clutch judders during a rapid first gear pull-away, that you can also experience wheelspin in dry conditions. Are you sure you are not confusing the clutch judders with axle-tramp? Octavias seem to prefer either Michelin PS or Goodyear asymmetric for traction according to others. 

The clutch could also be playing up of course, rare but not unknown. According to one saga in this forum, Skoda are not good at acknowledging potential clutch manufacturing issues preferring to blame the driver for abusing it. From memory, the complainant of the slipping clutch got the parts examined by an independent expert and took Skoda to court and won the day.

My tyres are less premium and it certainly possible to wheelspin in first gear as there is not that much weight over the front tyres (compared to heavier diesel engines)and it all gets a bit jerky as the nannies cut in.

ACT only works over 1500 rpm and when less than 25% torque is required, in other words light cruising. Does it work in those conditions and what sort of instant consumption does it display in those conditions? You know , flat road, top gear at say 60 to 70 mph it should be showing (way) better than 50mpg.

 

The steering definitely 'sounds' to have issues. I have experienced noise with hydraulic power assist systems near full lock but never with electric power assist.

My 1.4tsi is, and always has been, a bit jerky, especially in first gear, when cold and puttering along the drive in first gear to the road but once on the public road and using more throttle and other gears it resolves within a 200 metres, so I can live with it. If it is a cold start thing it is difficult to demonstrate to dealers unless worse than I described and would have to be left with them overnight. When I left mine with them they said they did not experience it, possible as their exit was down hill, but it was all too hard after that and not a big enough deal.

 

What have Skoda dealers said when you have reported the problems?

 

Edited 9 November, 2021 by Gerrycan