46 minutes ago, roottoot said:

^^^ Very true.

People think that the survey that is not contributed to by many means something and they even pay attention to it.

 

The Media will not stop Manufacturers turning out cars with faulty Software and in some cases not fit for purpose because the manufacturers have not bothered as long as they get them sold and can maybe fix later will continue.

The resale  values will not be affected because of the media and the used car sales industry.

 

A sales person ignores faults that are common knowledge because they can not say that a car is '****e' so offer a low purchase / trade in price and then tell a buyer it is a scarce as hens teeth in this spec and in high demand and you have to pay a premium to buy it.

 

Haymarket Media Group that Lord Michael Hesletine owns has What Car / Autocar and they are not going to bad mouth the VW Group who are a major customer.

 

Then Hey Car is owned by VW & Daimler and Hey Car owns 'Honest John'. 

 

Even Sponsored  Vids should mention 'Glitches' or issues that owners might be having.

But then will a publisher risk the Goose that lays the golden eggs'. 

 

 

Independent reviewers do a good job offering their views and opinions.

 

40,000 miles on the Haldex, so you need to remember that vloggers / reviewers can talk nonsense. 

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah, and all those vloggers, bloggers and ‘independent’ YouTube reviews need a level of transparency rarely seen, as should any ‘formal’ reviewer. They should (non-exhaustive list)…

• be specific about the date of car being reviewed
• the exact versions of the vehicle components they refer to (e.g. we do NOT need infotainment s/w 189x in the Octy 4 to work properly; my 1668 is fine)
• is it a widespread fault? Model specific? …
• any past experiences they’ve experienced which can lead to a bias (for example, I had a bad experience with a Ford dealer in the 1980s. Haven’t bought a Ford since. Is that fair? Probably not).
• etc
• etc

Bit like any review of anything - they need to be taken with a precautionary pinch (bucket) of salt!

 

———

EDIT : going off topic there, sorry.

 

What a Mk4, buy one. They’re great. Just be careful to check out the common faults, just like anything really.

Edited 9 June, 20223 yr by sneal

A Briskoda member and Skoda driver. 

I like to support him and maybe others can subscribe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 9 June, 20223 yr by roottoot

On 30/05/2022 at 13:30, GWoodhouse said:

The car I'm looking at is a 21 plate so might be a slightly later build. Might just take my time and try to get a later version. Shame really as there's not much else that takes my fancy, maybe an A4....

I came from a 67 A4 Avant V6 Quattro into a new MY21 245 vRS Manual (both wagons). I’ve had minor software issues, but I can live with it. Audi quality a little higher, but then price was a lot more.

 

Octy MUCH bigger inside than A4 which was a dealbreaker for me. Also, Garlands Skoda incomparably better dealer than any Audi garage I ever used. I ordered in July 21 & took delivery in Dec 21 (pano roof, Canton & wireless) so got very, very lucky on delivery times, largely due to great advice and support from Garlands...just wish it was orange!). 

On 29/05/2022 at 19:11, KenONeill said:

Just look at the number of software problems with MkIV reported in this forum!

Oh yes.

We run two Mk IV's in our works fleet. They've been the worst Skoda's we've ever had for issues and all to do with the software.

 

SOS system alerts on a regular basis with messages such as SOS system fault return to dealer
Main console screen display changes to words like “ loading settings” with a rotating icon and hangs up
Entertainment system went off and Bluetooth stopped working, the main console screen still showed reversing sensor information when parking and loss of all screen controls
When started display shows “loading settings”, no radio, no Bluetooth.  It stayed like this for a 50 minute journey.
Front assist system regulary reports sensor impaired
SOS system activates on "obstacles" such as speed humps
Lane assist tries to run you into parked cars when driving on a narrow road over the white centre lines

 

My own Superb Hybrid Estate on the other had has been faultless.

 

The lesson here is never to be the first to own a new model. You are a driving test bed to iron out all the faults they didn't get around to fixing before launch.

 

If it was me, I'd wait another year before deciding.

 

VW aren't the only ones though. My last car was a Volvo V90 but I waitied until the 2017 build because the 2016 build was a software nightmare. That said, my V90 was off the road for 6  weeks getting fixed due to hardware issues...

On 29/05/2022 at 19:11, KenONeill said:

Just look at the number of software problems with MkIV reported in this forum!

Oh yes.

We run two Mk IV's in our works fleet. They've been the worst Skoda's we've ever had for issues and all to do with the software.

 

SOS system alerts on a regular basis with messages such as SOS system fault return to dealer
Main console screen display changes to words like “ loading settings” with a rotating icon and hangs up
Entertainment system went off and Bluetooth stopped working, the main console screen still showed reversing sensor information when parking and loss of all screen controls
When started display shows “loading settings”, no radio, no Bluetooth.  It stayed like this for a 50 minute journey.
Front assist system regulary reports sensor impaired
SOS system activates on "obstacles" such as speed humps
Lane assist tries to run you into parked cars when driving on a narrow road over the white centre lines

 

My own Superb Hybrid Estate on the other had has been faultless.

 

The lesson here is never to be the first to own a new model. You are a driving test bed to iron out all the faults they didn't get around to fixing before launch.

 

If it was me, I'd wait another year before deciding.

 

VW aren't the only ones though. My last car was a Volvo V90 but I waitied until the 2017 build because the 2016 build was a software nightmare. That said, my V90 was off the road for 6  weeks getting fixed due to hardware issues...

I really like the look of the Mk4 vRS inside and out. The touch screen faf with the climate control (I appreciate this is a cost saving thing that all manufacturers are doing) and the numerous software issues are putting me off at the minute.

 

I’m also concerned that due to part supply issues across many manufacturers in the current climate I wouldn’t want to buy a car that’s under spec. For example; I recall a thread in which a buyer was no longer able to have a rear view camera despite it being listed as standard with the vehicle not discounted to suit. I appreciate that manufactures “reserve the right to change spec” but I’d be pee’d off if later models had these fitted for the same cost due to the parts having become available. Maybe something worth looking in to if you’re interested in a new Mk4.

 

Personally, I’d like to move away from diesel but can’t justify the cost of, or like, most electric/hybrid vehicles currently on the market.
 

The petrolhead in me is leaning towards a Hyundai i30n or BMW 128ti (Golf GTI and Audi S3 are too expensive) but I know the Mk4 245 Octavia vRS with all its software floors is ticking the boxes for cost, performance and practicality.
 

Continues to scratch head.

Edited 14 June, 20223 yr by CookieMonster87

13 hours ago, CookieMonster87 said:

I really like the look of the Mk4 vRS inside and out. The touch screen faf with the climate control (I appreciate this is a cost saving thing that all manufacturers are doing) and the numerous software issues are putting me off at the minute.

 

I’m also concerned that due to part supply issues across many manufacturers in the current climate I wouldn’t want to buy a car that’s under spec. For example; I recall a thread in which a buyer was no longer able to have a rear view camera despite it being listed as standard with the vehicle not discounted to suit. I appreciate that manufactures “reserve the right to change spec” but I’d be pee’d off if later models had these fitted for the same cost due to the parts having become available. Maybe something worth looking in to if you’re interested in a new Mk4.

 

Personally, I’d like to move away from diesel but can’t justify the cost of, or like, most electric/hybrid vehicles currently on the market.
 

The petrolhead in me is leaning towards a Hyundai i30n or BMW 128ti (Golf GTI and Audi S3 are too expensive) but I know the Mk4 245 Octavia vRS with all its software floors is ticking the boxes for cost, performance and practicality.
 

Continues to scratch head.

 

In exactly the same position, it's on order but if the waiting time becomes seriously excessive then I'll pull the plug on the order, still a few months to go yet, so not worried, because the situation is constantly changing. 

On 29/05/2022 at 19:02, GWoodhouse said:

I'm looking to replace my 2014 SE Elegance with a MkIV SE L, any advice generally about the MkIV and this spec appreciated (1.5 TSi petrol). I am buying 12-18 months old and appreciate I will be paying a premium at the moment, but I'm due to swap and I can't see lead times coming down or used prices falling any time in the next 12 - 18 months. I'm fortunate in that I already have a private buyer for my MkIII

 

I've done my research and the spec level on the MkIV looks to be a step up, one question I have is that I understand it supports Apple and Android, but does it still come with an 'old fashioned' SD card or USB for playing music?

 

Thanks

May I make a suggestion?

Would it be possible to take out a short term lease?

If you sell your 2014 car now, you will be able to take advantage of the current inflated prices, and if you lease, you will have plenty of time to find out whether you are entirely happy with the MkIV Octavia.

Then if you like it, you can buy a similar car (I've heard it's not easy to buy a car you've leased, for some reason) or you can modify your choice of vehicle accordingly.

It might be that there was an option/spec you felt you wouldn't like, but on reflection feel it would actually be very desirable. Or perhaps you have a feature that you're not keen on. (Wheel size giving too hard a ride, for example.)

Whatever, it would give you a 2nd chance to perfect your buying decision. (I'm assuming you normally keep your cars for a few years.)

It wouldn't be the cheapest way to change cars, but it might not be a waste of money, either.

 

14 hours ago, CookieMonster87 said:

I really like the look of the Mk4 vRS inside and out. The touch screen faf with the climate control (I appreciate this is a cost saving thing that all manufacturers are doing) and the numerous software issues are putting me off at the minute.

 

I’m also concerned that due to part supply issues across many manufacturers in the current climate I wouldn’t want to buy a car that’s under spec. For example; I recall a thread in which a buyer was no longer able to have a rear view camera despite it being listed as standard with the vehicle not discounted to suit. I appreciate that manufactures “reserve the right to change spec” but I’d be pee’d off if later models had these fitted for the same cost due to the parts having become available. Maybe something worth looking in to if you’re interested in a new Mk4.

 

Personally, I’d like to move away from diesel but can’t justify the cost of, or like, most electric/hybrid vehicles currently on the market.
 

The petrolhead in me is leaning towards a Hyundai i30n or BMW 128ti (Golf GTI and Audi S3 are too expensive) but I know the Mk4 245 Octavia vRS with all its software floors is ticking the boxes for cost, performance and practicality.
 

Continues to scratch head.

I am in complete agreement with your comments and observations.  My choice is rather limited as there are few proper estate car options now offered in NZ - the market has gone ute/pickup, crossover and SUV crazy!

 

I almost signed on the dotted line in mid 2021 for a vRS petrol Estate (would have preferred a Diesel but these are not offered here) but cooled upon reading about the multitude of software glitches and decided to wait.

 

Currently, delivery times for this model are best guesses with estimates running from 1 year upwards.

 

Like you, I also find the touchscreen HVAC controls off-putting, along with the hard rear door trims and the absence of sill kick plates for the rear door openings.

 

I am hoping that these issues will be resolved by the facelift, which should come about for MY24 but don't seem possible as re-engineering for proper buttons for the HVAC functions will cost mega-bucks.  The rear door sill plates can be retro-fitted, so that leaves me with whether I can live with the hard material used for the rear door trims.

 

If you value interior room and space, the Hyundai and BMW options you are considering do not come close to the Octavia.  Styling is subjective but I also think the BMW is Fugly (and this coming from a long-time and current BMW owner).

 

 

Our Octavia iV estate is now almost perfect, except for the insulation required for the 400 volt battery to prevent a fire risk. It's the best car I've ever driven: the looks and performance are exceptional, the economy is superb (85mpg overall) and both my wife and I love it. It's been a long haul to get to this position (seven trips to the dealer for warranty work) so I assume that the latest Octavia hybrids will be fault-free. As for the touchscreen HVAC controls, the bottom right side of the screen just needs a quick tap to change the temperature for the driver, but not mentioned is the voice control. Just ask for the required temperature setting for which seat and it works perfectly. You can also use voice control for the satnav, such as the nearest fuel station or a named supermarket and again it's faultless. Also if you have a dog, the boot level is much lower than the other hybrids we looked at (Citroen and Peugeot) plus the boot is enormous. The build quality is excellent and the ride is superb, despite the low-profile tyres. I have just one criticism: I miss the reversing camera, which was fitted to our Karoq, but otherwise it is a brilliant car. It's a shame that Skoda/VW used early buyers to snag the software problems, but I'd certainly buy another one, because there is nothing to compare with the Octavia.

No mines now in for 4th time for software update and Airbag controller part delivery. 

Shocked how buggy this release has been ..

Had 67 plate superb since new and never missed a beat .

Finally bit the bullet! 21 plate SE L First Edition in Black with sunroof (which we only discovered when we went to test drive it!). Only 6000 on the clock. Hardware version H56 and SW version 1896, so hopefully no gremlins.

 

Lovely car, very similar to the MkIII, main difference I noticed was the slightly lighter steering.

 

Got to be honest, I don't feel like I got a great deal but nice to finally have placed an order. Pick it up on Monday.

Edited 26 August, 20223 yr by GWoodhouse

2 hours ago, GWoodhouse said:

Finally bit the bullet! 21 plate SE L First Edition in Black with sunroof (which we only discovered when we went to test drive it!). Only 6000 on the clock. Hardware version H56 and SW version 1896, so hopefully no gremlins.

 

Lovely car, very similar to the MkIII, main difference I noticed was the slightly lighter steering.

 

Got to be honest, I don't feel like I got a great deal but nice to finally have placed an order. Pick it up on Monday.

You can set the SEL FE into Sport mode which I find firms up the steering. I use this mostly for motorway driving to avoid having to make lots of little corrections.

 

You have to change the driving mode each time you turn on the ignition but the option is there if the light steering really bugs you.

 

With 1896 software the car is really performing well and has managed a trip through France (motorways with ACC), to the black forest in Germany (windy mountain roads), without fault.