Hi friends, I picked up my first Skoda last week, a brand new Octavia RS Wagon with all the bells and whistles including the Dynamic Chassis Control suspension. I took delivery from a dealer 45mins away from my work but by the time I made it back, I knew something was wrong. The suspension was far too unsettled and bumpy at suburban speeds around 60kmh (very jittery), and then on the highway it turned into more of a shake throughout the car. Unfortunately I was due back in the office for a meeting and deadlines for the rest of the week so i have to wait until next week until the Skoda dealer can inspect it. I had test driven the same model a few days prior and recall how smooth and even it was, which is what sealed the deal for me. Ive researched here and can confirm there are no suspension chocks in place, and have cycled through the DCC modes with little difference to the jitteriness but can indeed feel the difference to damping control. I wanted to see if anyone else has had issues with faulty dampers? I've had some electronic gremlins too and wanted to know if there was a way to "reset" the control module in case it's perhaps stuck in some error mode. No lights on dash. Thanks all!

Probably your dealership forgot to remove transport blocks during pre-sales maintenance.

Check if you can see some rubber blocks in your coils.

2 hours ago, dtdin92 said:

Ive researched here and can confirm there are no suspension chocks in place,

 

You can confirm yourself using your own eyes or is that what the dealer has said?

 

Some people on here endured 18 months of discomfort and danger because they believed the Bravo Sugar from the incompetent selling dealer.

Hi @J.R.and @Felix2021, Yup I sure did. I jacked the fronts up so I could lift up the boot and confirmed they're clear. The rear shocks don't seem to have any way to get to the metal rod itself so doesn't seem like they would come with it? I have a strong feeling it's a weak strut somewhere, likely the rear... There's too much jittery bounce as opposed to rock hard as if the chocks were still in place. When bouncing the rear using my 85kg weight onto the boot lip, it jumps more than I'd imagine for a sports tuned lowered suspension. Any other RS owners able to comment on how much they can bounce the rear? Barely any movement or still quite soft?

I should mention Ive ruled out tyres, having had all 4 corners balanced by two different reuptable shops at my own expense - in the hopes of quickly solving it even if it would've been a warrantable item... I want to love this car so much but the ride is just awful right now. 

Does the roadworthy test whatever its called in OZ (WOF - Warrant of Fitness?) have a dynamic shock absorber test with an oscillating wheel platform and a graph drawn of the spring mass reaction?

 

If so bung a tester a few dollars to check the condition of your dampers.

I'm feeling for you mate, that is not a nice start to your new car experience. If it were mine I'd drive it straight onto the dealer's forecourt and hand over the keys. At less than a week old, and you've had the problem from day 1, I think you're justified. Then I'd be demanding a loan car until they can declare yours fit for purpose. 

 

I had a wheel wobble problem with a brand new Nissan many years ago and took the same action. Turned out to be a bent half shaft. Some scary things can occur during transportation, loading and unloading at the wharf etc...

@J.R. - sadly Australia doesn't have regular mandatory inspections. In the state of Victoria, we have Roadworthy Certificates which you only get when selling your car, but it's really just a safety check and doesn't include anything like that. I'll just have to wait for the dealer. 

 

@SouthernComfort - thanks for your sympathy, mate! Yeah it's turned me into a Debbie Downer when I should've been enjoying driving it on the twisties this long weekend! I might call them first thing on Tuesday if I can bring it in immediately rather than wait for Thursday as previously booked. Hmmmm I did wonder if it could've been CV axles, Ive had a Saab 9-3 combi with a worn joint but that wobble was more side to side whilst this feels more up and down. I guess all I can do, as you say, is bring it in and rely on Skoda doing the right thing! Here's hoping my loan car will be another RS!! 🤞

When you do finally get on the twisties, you'll be pleased with your choice for sure! Good luck with it and do let us know the outcome...

Problem solved. After some time with the dealer to troubleshoot, it's been determined all 4 tyres likely have subtle flat spots so at certain speeds they'd create a resonant vibration. Swapped out for fresh new tyres and back to a smooth ride - very happy with the RS now! 

Ah, good outcome, now you can enjoy! Who'd have thought it though - dicky tyres on a new car?