5 minutes ago, Aarond said:

Space wise in this vehicle class, it's hard to beat. I know Mercedes E class estate is a bigger load lugger, but this is a class above the Octavia (and reflected in price), and if it's pops and bangs you want you'd probably have to get one of the older AMG versions (E43/63). Yes it doesn't sound like a boxster, V6 or V12 when you rev it, but it does I think have enough character when comparing to others similar cars

One of the issues is vehicle size. My wife wanted a smaller car (our other car is a Polo GTI) so the Octavia was as big as wanted to go anyway. 

Gotcha! My partner drives a mini and is fine with the size of the Octavia 

No further problems with the screen and now closing in on the 1000 mile mark. My last two cars were Mk8 Golf GTi’s, so I know how frustrating and annoying software issues can be!
The first impression of the Octavia is that the throttle response is sharper than the Golf and it rides better. Yes, there’s a pay off for the ride in that the Octavia isn’t as chuckable or weildy but the handling is still spot on and puts a grin on your face. The Octavia isn’t a hot hatch and I find it’s blend of pace and refinement just right.

Like the GTi it’s really well specced as standard so my only extras were a rear wash/wipe and the Canton sound system. Somewhere between the dealers and the factory the order for the rear wash/wipe got missed and the car was delivered without one. Having always had that feature on many cars, it’s a bit odd but the design of the car means that road dirt doesn’t splash up onto the rear screen. I’m guessing because of that, Skoda feel they can omit the feature to save a few Euros. The Canton is a definite improvement over the standard system in my Golfs, which were both bought new from stock so I wasn’t able to try the Harmon Kardon system fitted as an option. The Canton isn’t perhaps the last word in car hi-fi, but now it’s run in I’d definitely order it again.

I love the ease which you can disable the speed warning and lane assist and the interior quality is definitely a step up from the Golf, despite a little bit of penny pinching. No LED lights in the rear doors, no 12v socket in the front of the car for example. However, overall the cabin’s a great place to be and the seats are comfortable. I wish I’d specced the heated steering wheel though. Didn’t think I’d miss it, having been standard on the Golf, but I do!

The matrix lights are brilliant (in every sense of the word) and it’s interesting that headlamp washers are standard. They were on my Mk7 Golf, but not on the Mk8 which had the matrix lights as standard. I appreciate the wash for the rear camera too.

I’ve mentioned the ride and it is good considering the car is running on 19 inch wheels. Not sure about the aero inserts though. Not sure why they are standard, so might look at removing them at some stage. 
To sum up, a great car. No regrets on purchasing the vRS (provided the software behaves) and prefer it to my GTi. I’ve seen it described as a “gentleman’s express” and apart from the fact that I’m sure it will suit women drivers just as much, the phrase kind of sums up the car.
 

On 16/10/2024 at 06:38, Hairy_Joe said:

The lack of keyless entry on the rear doors would rightly cheese me off. I used it all the time when going up to the car to put the work laptop bag on the back seat or the laptop itself in the rear pocket of the front seat.

 

The sister has an ID4 that doesn't have keyless on the rear doors and she hates it as the kids (being kids) always run up to the car to be first in and then they can't open the door.

This is related to the spec each market decides on. I’ve just taken delivery of my 4.5 and it has keyless entry on all 4 doors but I tend to use the proximity auto lock / unlock anyway. 

a

 

Edited 18 February, 20251 yr by whippersnapper
accidental repost

Finally, after a 6 month wait, yesterday the big day arrived.

I collected my new Race Blue Hatchback in the sunshine.

I've taken off the Aero Covers as I prefer the look without.

 

Quick question how do i get the Oil Dip Stick out to check the oil level.I don't want to break it but it seems held on by some clips and won't release.

 

 

Congratulations! Enjoy! Deffo worth the wait.

The reason why the dipstick doesn't come out is because it doesn't have one. I looked on mine and realised it wasn't yellow like they usually are. I did pull it out but it's a blanking cap. You have to check the oil on the infotainment screen. Turns out most VW engines are like this! I'm not a massive fan of this but thats what it is. Just be careful topping up because it says to leave the ignition on for 2 mins to cycle the oil around the engine. Plus probably best to check when cold. I have only topped mine up 100ml during break in period.

2 hours ago, GrumpyOldGit said:

Finally, after a 6 month wait, yesterday the big day arrived.

I collected my new Race Blue Hatchback in the sunshine.

I've taken off the Aero Covers as I prefer the look without.

 

Quick question how do i get the Oil Dip Stick out to check the oil level.I don't want to break it but it seems held on by some clips and won't release.

 

 

Congrats buddy. I’ve had my race blue combi for 3 weeks and I’m loving it. 

@JGee

 

Thanks for the info, not mentioned in the manual that i could see and a change from my earlier MK4 as well.

Also noticed the Front Tyre (19in) recommended pressure (normal load) is now 2.7bar (39psi) up from 2.5bar (36psi) previously.

 

Only done 40 miles but definitely impressed with the updated model

You're welcome! Yeah mine all had 36 in them I wondered if they had checked them at the skoda dealer or not. I always was led to believe they over inflated them for transport.  I have put 39 psi in them but there is people putting 38 to cushion the ride a bit but I haven't tried this myself yet.

Yeah it is definitely a step up from the previous gen which is good. Some manufacturers make cars worse when they update them. The exhaust and infotainment system are a million times better!

Thanks for whoever mentioned that some cars still have a Skoda badge on the steering wheel instead of SKODA spelt out. Hadn’t noticed before but mine has the old badge. Hardly that big of a deal but I prefer a logo to the words

In case anyone was wondering what it looks like. I prefer the badged logo personally.

22 minutes ago, Dean said:

In case anyone was wondering what it looks like. I prefer the badged logo personally.

I wonder if it’s a choice of market thing. My car was delivered a few weeks ago in NZ, hard to imagine they are still making it with a Skoda logo after all this time. The 4.5 has been available in other markets for quite awhile 

Collected my new 4.5 RS Wagon in a few days ago and still figuring a few things out that I'm hoping someone maybe able to help me out with.

In the infotainment profile it shows the name Nick.....but that is not me! I have read up and it appears that you need to do this through the Skoda app but being in Australia we do not have access to it (something about VAG locally not investing in the required infrastructure???). It is not generally a problem, but it makes me unsure as to what else has been set up in the profile and maybe affecting the car????? For instance, the driving mode always starts in Normal mode even though I last used it in Individual. I've done a factory reset on the infotainment unit, but Nick is still there. I've got the dealer on to it, but just trying to sort it for my own knowledge. @whippersnapper did you have any issues like this in NZ and do you have app access?

Otherwise, liking the car so far and looking forward to when the engine has been "run in", and would have preferred the lettered style airbag but it has the emblem.

Edited 30 March, 20251 yr by Watermead

No app access in NZ so driver profiles aren’t supported unfortunately as my wife drives the car too. At least you can set the seat and mirrors to the memory on the seats. It is normal for the car to start in the normal profile regardless of what it was last used in

Thanks for that @whippersnapper ....from what I have read there maybe some progress as the Enyaq and VW ID electric models need some kind of app support for some functions and VAG locally are aware of this. Seems a bit wrong that they sell a car where parts of it require an app to set a few things up, but can't support it.

I had a 2018 Superb for a few years, but the technology has moved on a bit since then, so still getting my head round some of the set up and functions.

According to my dealer the app is coming but it won’t be retroactive, ie won’t work on my car. To be honest having the car set up perfectly for each driver would be a bonus but I’m mostly going to drive it and my wife isn’t that tech savvy so I’m the one who adjusts and fiddles with everything 😀

Just saw Matt Watson review on the facelift, he did sub 6 seconds to 60 on a really crappy road, so Skoda being relaxex with their figures again...

10 minutes ago, Gingernick70 said:

Just saw Matt Watson review on the facelift, he did sub 6 seconds to 60 on a really crappy road, so Skoda being relaxex with their figures again...

I saw that too, was impressed considering the road surface!

Autocar did a test with great results considering it was damp and cold!

Yes you just have to look ate 8 to 8.5 delta in claimed times for the Golf GTI with same exact engines as 4 to 4.5 Octavia RS to see that it was going to be quicker than the claim. Driving mine it may be no faster 0-100km/h than my 13 year old Subaru but once it’s rolling it’s a pretty brisk car

Had my Mk4.5 vRS since last Friday. Got the Estate in Race Blue. Couple of school runs and shopping on Friday but just back from a 2 night trip to the Lake District from Southport which is about 150 mile round trip.

Pretty happy so far, handles well with plenty of power when you need it. Hard to actually objectively review it having spent the last 3 years in a 22 plate Cupra Ateca so feel I'm just comparing against what I had before it all the time so at the moment I'm either "This feature is better than the Cupra" or "That feature was better in the Cupra" etc.

Can't decide whether to remove the aero covers off the wheels but may well do.

Up to about 1,500km in my race blue combi now so almost time to give launch control a test although launching a FWD car is always a lesson in futility.

Absolutely loving the car every time I get in it and the few friends who have been in it have all been amazed at the interior quality, styling and how it drives. Like most people, Skoda is not really a brand you think of much and few have any better than a neutral impression of it until they see for themselves.

I have found, even though you can cycle through the drive modes easily enough with the button, that putting the drive mode option permanently on the screen is quite helpful as I often change it preferring normal most of the time in the city, comfort for a bumpy road, sport or individual when having a play and eco when just sitting on a motorway letting the car mostly drive itself.

The canton stereo wasn’t that impressive to me at first but a combo of breaking it in and adjusting it to use less of the immersive sound shows it is actually pretty good with a good sound stage. It reminds me of the best stereo I’ve had previously which was the Harmon Kardon upgrade in an E90 BMW. Infiniti Bose and Subaru Mcintosh were nowhere near as good despite supposedly impressive stats on paper.

I continue to love the Race blue, just so nice to have a car in an actual colour which is so rare today outside of sports cars and Supercars.

Nice posts. I have the same 4.5 car. I was looking for a way to have a larger Speedo at the bottom and the gear selection at the top as they had previously. Do you know if that’s configurable in the settings or using OBD?

On 03/03/2025 at 19:24, Dean said:

In case anyone was wondering what it looks like. I prefer the badged logo personally.

I prefer the new look personally. Nice discovery.

5 hours ago, Steveh3 said:

Nice posts. I have the same 4.5 car. I was looking for a way to have a larger Speedo at the bottom and the gear selection at the top as they had previously. Do you know if that’s configurable in the settings or using OBD?

Don’t think so. Obviously with the different screen options you can have one with a larger Speedo number and larger gear selection but the speed is at the top which presumably makes more sense as it should be at the top rather than the bottom for visibility. I would have specced the HUD personally but I ended up just getting a car from stock that pretty much had what I wanted without a 5 month wait. I was so over the car researching and buying process by then I just wanted it done!

Edited 23 April, 20251 yr by whippersnapper