New Octavia ....when? How Much?

[Dzl_Dubba]

Which trim did you order?

RS Wagon, TSI and DSG.

[K4neX]

I took ours for a run down to Kiama yesterday since I had not driven it after we picked it up from the dealer.

Things I like - Engine and manual gearbox. This is really a standout for me. I'm no stranger to TSI engines but this new one is significantly better than anything I've used before. Lag is noticeably less than the 1.2 TSI I had before. The torque available at under 1500rpm is staggering for the size of engine. Economy is a standout too - 5.4/100 down and 6.1/100 on the way back with a detour via the RNP. I also like how I can leave the headlights switched on and they turn off when removing the key - great, I can leave the lights permanently on now.

Things I don't like - The ride. It's surprisingly poor. I didn't expect this and it's so bad it had me checking to see if the transport chocks were left in. It jiggles and bobs around like you wouldn't expect for a car of this type. After being impressed by a Mk7 Golf, the Octavia is not on the same level. I don't think it is due to the rear suspension. The choice of 17 inch wheels is at odds with the intended use of the car, so I might change them for the 16s the Ambition should come with or even 15s the Golf has. It's pretty stupid that if you want a comfortable long-distance tourer you would no doubt choose the travel pack with cruise control but in doing so you get bone-jarring 17s in the same pack. Another example of Skoda Australia's marketing fail. A few other small things; The USB port is so useless it has me wondering whether it can be removed. The Hill Hold Control can't be disabled. No one expects loud rattles and resonances from a new car but I have one from just behind the instrument binnacle. Great.

Your opinion on the ride is quite interesting, I have an Ambition Plus Wagon coming in August, before deciding on the Octavia, My wift and I test drove the Golf Comfortline Wagon and Octavia Elegance Wagon back to back at the dealer. My wife hated the ride on the golf wagon, she said that the 16" wheel with fatter tyres made the car swayed and roll during turns and on the freeway, she said it was liking riding a boat. Whereas while the Elegance's 18" was noise and a bit stiff, she said she felt the car was more like planted on the road and the 17" on the Ambition Plus would be a compromise between comfort and stability.

Personally, I am driving a hot hatch with 18" wheels and sport suspension (came std with the car), on the same freeway, the Elegance was heaps better and I could imagine the 17" on the Ambition Plus would be even better.

[Antiplastix]

Things I don't like - The ride. It's surprisingly poor. I didn't expect this and it's so bad it had me checking to see if the transport chocks were left in. It jiggles and bobs around like you wouldn't expect for a car of this type. After being impressed by a Mk7 Golf, the Octavia is not on the same level. I don't think it is due to the rear suspension. The choice of 17 inch wheels is at odds with the intended use of the car, so I might change them for the 16s the Ambition should come with or even 15s the Golf has. It's pretty stupid that if you want a comfortable long-distance tourer you would no doubt choose the travel pack with cruise control but in doing so you get bone-jarring 17s in the same pack. Another example of Skoda Australia's marketing fail. A few other small things; The USB port is so useless it has me wondering whether it can be removed. The Hill Hold Control can't be disabled. No one expects loud rattles and resonances from a new car but I have one from just behind the instrument binnacle. Great.

I agree, I also went the first decent run in my new Elegance. The ride is very choppy compared to my MY10 RS. It feels overdamped and undersprung. Hoping it improves with a few kms. The seats however seem more comfy. I can feel the motor loosening up and it returned 5.5l/100 even with the DSG left in sports mode and avoiding 6th gear.

[GTR27]

Ambition and ambition plus both have torsion beam rear suspension, elegance has multilink and rides much better. I made sure to get a ride in an ambition first to see if it was acceptable. Was definitely firm but seemed OK.

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[Smart1]

I think you will find that it is only the 132 TSI Elegance which has the multi-link rear end, the 103 TSI and 110 TDI are both torsion beam and would ride like the Ambition but for the lower profile rubber.

[GTR27]

Tbh I didn't notice much difference driving around town..... Even tried one with 18s and didn't find it too harsh, which is good as I optioned 18s...

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[brad]

I have read on briskoda that the ride does settle down a bit with a few ks on it. If its too harsh for the wife I'll get eibachs and shocks done. More expensive dampers and a better spring rate would make a decent difference. It's a hard car to know what to expect. On one hand it's loaded with kit, but it is a cheap car.......

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What tyre pressures are you running? What make/model tyres are they?

your comments on ride surprise me. Usually the Octavias are fairly plush & the dampers are good for at least 50k. Not sure how going to a higher spring rate would soften out the ride

[GTR27]

Haven't got the car yet, hence why I said if it's too harsh. The demo I drive was firm, but seemed OK in the 20 mins we drove around for. Just commenting after the people on here saying it's harsh. I guess it depends on your reference point as to what harsh is.

I think dampers would make the biggest difference as that's generally where manufacturers save money.

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[brad]

Haven't got the car yet, hence why I said if it's too harsh. The demo I drive was firm, but seemed OK in the 20 mins we drove around for. Just commenting after the people on here saying it's harsh. I guess it depends on your reference point as to what harsh is.

I think dampers would make the biggest difference as that's generally where manufacturers save money.

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Sorry, thought you were the person with the harsh ride.

brenno - what say you regarding tyre make/model/pressure

[brenno]

Ambition with 225/45R17 Pirelli P7 Cinturato. First thing I did was drop the pressures to recommended pressure instead of the 40+ the dealer set it to. 32 all round from memory.

Previous iterations of the Octavia are noticeably more comfortable.