Octavia 3 wagon manual 103TSI Ambition ownership

[brenno]

My rear shocks are part number 5QO 512 013 FQ. Apparently they are associated by some on Briskoda with a rear rumble but since I played around with packing around my spare wheel I am not really aware of any major rumbling problem at any speed or rough surface.

Thanks. I checked and mine are the same model number. Since reading your post I packed the spare wheel well with a rug and it does make a noticeable difference. Next step is to apply dynamat.

It doesn't fix the woeful ride though. Next week I'm doing a Sydney to Brisbane run and have decided to take my 20 year old euro wagon instead due to the Octavia being uncomfortable.

[Gerrycan]

There must be something wrong for you to find your ride so bad.
South Australian country roads are not well maintained and both my wife and I commented on how well our Octavia 3 travelled on them just last weekend.
If I was you I would contact your dealer to at least request a drive in a similar configured Octavia, then at least you will know if the problem is specific to your vehicle (and fixable) or generic to the type (what next?)
A previous post by GTR27 raised the possibility that the shipping suspension packs may have not been removed during the pre-delivery inspection. Your complaints are very similar to those in the UK that have experienced this problem.
More details in Briskoda topic: www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/315987-heads-up-for-new-cars-something-to-look-for/

[GTR27]

The test drive I did was over quite rough roads (like truly horrible) and although the ride was 'firm' I wouldn't call it harsh. Most euros tend to have quite firm rides. The one I tested had 18s too (torsion beam elegance). Although if you're used to something like a base model falcon with its soft, floaty soggy suspension, then it would feel very firm indeed.

What 20yo euro are you comparing it too?

[brenno]

I don't mind firm if it is well damped, and this is where the problem is - the damping.

To compare the ride to my Xantia would be quite unfair. A more appropriate comparison would be between my old Fabia MC, or the Mk7/Mk6/Mk5 Golfs currently in the family.

The dealer I purchased the car from is 120km away and my local (300m away) dealer just closed so I don't really have the luxury of comparing with other vehicles. We've just completed 2000 kms in four months of ownership so I can only hope more mileage will loosen it up a bit.

[Gerrycan]

Comparison with the Citroen Xantia with hydro-pneumatic suspension would be very unfair!
My recent comparisons were with Korean SUVs and believe me there is no comparison
My only other question would be what wheel/tyre combinations and tyre pressures you are running but then I am out of suggestions.

[Gerrycan]

A couple of weeks ago I reported in another thread the car had a developed a hesitancy/judder/bunny hop during the initial few hundred metres from a cold (single figures) morning start.
It was not a big problem as it was ok when warmed up and for the rest of the day. However it was intermittently very bad so I contacted Skoda service who encouraged me to bring it in. The first booking available was in early October and in the meantime followed their recommendation and upgraded from 95 to 98 octane. There was a slight improvement but could equally been due to the weather warming up.
I dropped the car in overnight and they drove it first thing the following morning and said they did not encounter my issues.
This did not surprise me as it is warmer and the road where they tested was quite bumpy which would have disguised a less pronounced jerkiness.
When I went in for the pick up I had a test drive with the workshop foreman and being later in the day it was fine.
I was curious why they were so keen to book me in, seems they thought I had a DSG so there are either issues there or they are hyper reactive to any DSG reference
They did not upgrade the software as that is only done if it corrects a known problem.
So I have to live with the admittedly minor problem and hope it goes away, or gets worse so they have something to address. Seeing as how it is summer it probably won't be a major issue until next year.
Oh well, they cleaned the car for me and I got a couple of good bike rides during drop off and pick up.

[woofy]

Give it a few tanks worth of 98, I'm betting that was the issue. 98 is pretty common these days, it was a bit harder to find in 2008 when we got ours but Caltex rolled it out at all servos soon after and Shell Vpower has always been 98. Best to run it on that as it's tuned for it.

[brad]

Give it a few tanks worth of 98, I'm betting that was the issue. 98 is pretty common these days, it was a bit harder to find in 2008 when we got ours but Caltex rolled it out at all servos soon after and Shell Vpower has always been 98. Best to run it on that as it's tuned for it.

his is 103tsi i think. Should be fine on 95

[GTR27]

For 4-6cpl it's worth doing 98. Well in the hot qld weather for me it is.

[Gerrycan]

There is no discernible difference for power, economy or cold start behavior between 95 and 98 octane on my 103 tsi but I will continue for a couple more tanks at least.
Lamda control was mentioned a couple of times by the foreman but obviously they did not try to tap into the Oxygen sensor to see if there were any aberrant readings.

[GTR27]

Do you have a obd2 scanner? Can pick them up for $15 or so and use your phone to view the data. Maybe scan/check when it's doing it? Sounds odd for sure. Any help on briskoda?

[Gerrycan]

No one else seems to be having the problem and the weather can be a lot cooler there, so my problem is a one-off.
The obd2 scanner sounds a good idea (and a good price).

Little story that may pique your interest as your car nears:
I made a mistake the other day and stuck my nose too far out of a side turning in the path of an approaching car that did not look as though it was going to slow. Having committed myself I put my foot down and a apart from a slight chirp from one tyre the car just swung easily onto the correct heading and shot up the road and did not even get flashed from behind.
Big deal you might say but I was impressed by the lack of torque steer, impressive acceleration and the overall lack of drama in putting the power down.
I once tried the same manoeuvre in a Santa Fe R to enter a busy road. Why not? 145kw/450nm diesel, even with 1850kg should have some go. Well it was a disaster, jerk forward into the traffic, then one wheel broke traction, electronic nannies cut in and we slow down while they discussed whether I should have any power and whether the rear wheels could contribute to the event. After what seemed an eternity the power came back on and then it was a short wrestling match with the steering wheel up the road. The acceleration from then on was good but hardly shattering and the driver behind was understandably very upset as was I.
It's funny but you never read a review of a Santa Fe that ever mentions this and I did see another person have the same problem. He was the Hyundai salesman taking a prospective buyer off the forecourt into busy traffic, I wonder if he eventually bought it?

Point I am trying to make is that while it may not be a VRS, it is nicely balanced, and does go ridiculously well for the price.

[GTR27]

From the test drive I had, the 103 does seem 'spritely'. I think the low weight of the car really helps (and vag underrate their engines output).

Interesting you feel the traction control is good. In my mk2 rs, I felt it cut in far too early (I went from a v8 ve Calais v before that which has excellent traction/stability control, and was really disappointed with the Skoda's one. Hope the new one is an improvement!

[daMama]

I was filling up my MkV TDI Golf the other day and thought I'd check out the price of 98RON. I was taken back that its 10c a L more than diesel! (could be a canberra thing of being over priced?).
Gerry, having gone from diesel to petrol, can you tell me how much more you are spending on fuel, if at all? I mainly do local driving and fill up once every 4-6wks. Both cars are auto too.
Tks

[brad]

I was filling up my MkV TDI Golf the other day and thought I'd check out the price of 98RON. I was taken back that its 10c a L more than diesel! (could be a canberra thing of being over priced?).
Gerry, having gone from diesel to petrol, can you tell me how much more you are spending on fuel, if at all? I mainly do local driving and fill up once every 4-6wks. Both cars are auto too.
Tks

In Sydney, diesel sfairly constant in price. Petrol (any flavour) has a price cycle where it varies by 20-25c / Litre. I'm not sure if they have the same pricing stupidity in the ACT.

This FY, the most I've paid for 98ron is $1.66 & the least $1.47. I think the dearest I've seen it was $1.77.

I have the 1.8tsi with a few engine mods & it averages 6.7L/100km. On a 55L tank I can get up to 850km but mostly I refill around 600km for 40L of fuel.

I think the MK3 is a 50L tank but I think your mileage will be equal or better than mine. I do 25,000km pa and cost of fuel isn't a huge part of my overall running costs.