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VegasPhil's 2011 FL Octavia VRS


Vegasphil

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Here's my latest car. I spotted it in the Pistonheads Classifieds, turns out it was around 25 miles away from where I live. It was a bit of a bargain saving probably £2k on what the dealers are selling similar cars for. The seller was trying to make a bit more on his PX price from Audi, so I was more than happy to help and take it off his hands! The second car I have bought on Pistonheads :lol:

octavia_2.jpg

Bought on 47k miles with full Skoda MD history - It was a demo car originally and I am it's 3rd owner. Usual VRS spec with some nice extras - Xenons, Onyx Leather interior, Heated Seats, Storage Pack, Winter Pack, Auto Lights/Wipers and Front and Rear sensors. The extras are a little tricky to find from looking at a few cars. I'm feeling quite smug at the moment...

"New car day" was slightly ruined by the fact the guy didn't clean the car before giving it to me and I managed to pick up a puncture on the first day too :lol: All easily sorted by visiting the foreign car cleaners for an inside and out and a swift puncture repair!

My little lad loves it - He has his own door, an electric window and an arm rest that splits open so he can fill it with Lego :lol:

Plans will include getting the cambelt and water pump etc changed as it's due in March. I think I will get the windows tinted and I need to get a scuff on the back bumper sorted. I'm thinking about getting the grille colour coded but have not made my mind up yet!

More pics to follow of the Octy once I get decent enough weather to wash/polish/wax and take some!

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Some plans:

Here's a pic of another VRS with light tints from the pillar back. I'm quite cautious about it as I don't like them to be too dark! This sort of level would look nice on my car I think...

6d97d881-7c65-850d.jpg

Here's an estate with a colour coded grille.

IMG_0414.jpg

There are a few horror stories about paint chipping etc so I will need to think carefully about it.

Other thing on my mind is a remap. A well regarded place called JKM is only over in Portsmouth - Not far to go at all.....

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Some progress - Nothing with pictures yet though!

I have a nail in the rear tyre so that needs replacing. Asda Tyres were cheapest for a new Eagle F1 at £87.......

Tints quoted at £180 - Just need them to pick up the phone so that I can sort a day!

Paint work for the Bumper scuff, flat back and re lacquer the passenger wing (fisheyes) and colour code the Grill is all booked in. Will post pictures once done on the 30-Nov.

Cambelt and Water Pump being done at Skoda on the 1-Dec! Thanks to those on here helping with the pricing.

Weather has been so crap I haven't even cleaned it myself yet! Hopefully tomorrow will be decent.

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Tints done today! Hooray!

 

I wanted as close to the original sunset glass look as possible. The guys seemed really surprised that I wanted the "light" 35% shade rather than 20%. But by the end of it they were really impressed with the look. They actually were laughing about it saying they can't remember the last car that wanted light only - And they get a lot of cars through lol. 

 

Stopped for a quick "before pic" on the way earlier:

 

img_0750.jpg

 

I had the tints done today going for a subtle 35% (light) film on the rear windows. I have some pics of it being done but none of the finished article yet as it was dark when I left.

 

These guys are quite well regarded locally and from the way they worked on the car I can see why!

 

img_0745.jpg

 

During - If you look through the car you can see the level of tint on the rear window compared to the standard rear quarterlight glass!

 

img_0748.jpg

 

A quick after shot before I drove off...

 

img_0749.jpg

 

 

A "new" VRS grille turned up today (from ebay) for me to pick apart ready for the painter. The more I look at the car the more I think that the chrome on the front is a complete monstrosity. I can't wait for the paint guy to sort it out as they look a hundred times better colour coded IMO

 

New tyre being fitted on Saturday... 

 

Then I think it will be how I want it externally, unless I decide to lower it 30mm on Eibach Pro springs :D

 

Better pics to come once this ****e weather goes away!

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Some pictures of the tints in daylight here: 

 

image2.jpg

 

image3.jpg

 

image1.jpg

 

I'm made up with them - a nice subtle factory look. Didn't want the bin liner appearance!

 

Grill arrived - Came from Just German Parts on ebay, posted quickly and wrapped well!

 

image4.jpg

 

Need to figure out how to separate the chrome next! Lots of clips on the back...

 

image6.jpg

 

A couple of these mounting clip things were missing. I found a part number on them 893867290 and ordered some new ones for £2.75 on ebay. 

 

image5.jpg

 

 

Tyre fitted via Asda Tyres and a Halfords Autocentre today - Was a great service and very easy.
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Seperated the grill ready for painting. I took my time and managed to do it without breaking anything in about half an hour.

First I started at the bottom loosening each of these clips:

www.corsasport.co.uk/carimages/6221/image8.jpg

Worked along and loosed each one until separate:

www.corsasport.co.uk/carimages/6221/image9.jpg

Next I loosened the sides using the screwdriver and a gentle twist motion to lever the plastic over the chrome:

www.corsasport.co.uk/carimages/6221/image10.jpg

There are two large clips in the badge area and a few either side that need to be loosened.

www.corsasport.co.uk/carimages/6221/image11.jpg

Finally, once everything is loose you can "tilt" the black plastic so that it comes out of the chrome plastic at the top. Don't force it as the clips seem delicate!

www.corsasport.co.uk/carimages/6221/image12.jpg

Ordered a new Badge part number 3U0853621B for when it's finished too. The one that came with the grille was in poor condition really.

Edited by Vegasphil
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Separated the grill ready for painting. I took my time and managed to do it without breaking anything in about half an hour. 

 

First I started at the bottom loosening each of these clips:

 

image8.jpg

 

Worked along and loosed each one until separate:

 

image9.jpg

 

Next I loosened the sides using the screwdriver and a gentle twist motion to lever the plastic over the chrome:

 

image10.jpg

 

There are two large clips in the badge area and a few either side that need to be loosened. 

 

image11.jpg

 

Finally, once everything is loose you can "tilt" the black plastic so that it comes out of the chrome plastic at the top. Don't force it as the clips seem delicate! 

 

image12.jpg

 

 

Ordered a new Badge part number 3U0853621B for when it's finished too. The one that came with the grille was in poor condition really.

 

 

Also had a bit of a problem with the tyre fitting place. The machine made a mark on the wheel probably 20cm long!! Only apparent once I had cleaned all the tyre spunk off. I went back up there expecting a fight and they couldn't have been more helpful. They are taking the wheel off for The Wheel Specialist in Fareham to sort out on Monday! No quibble.

 

Result.
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  • 2 weeks later...
A little more progress made.

 

The car went along to the bodyshop. As it was bought privately it has missed all of the dealer prep that would have been done if I had bought it off a forcourt. Off it went to have a bumper corner painted, a few bits of fine sanding etc to remove some marks and a dent pulled out of the edge of the roof. They also flatted back and relacquered the front wing as it was covered in fish eyes and bothering me. 

 

A pic of it in the oven. I didn't realise how hot they got - 70c apparently! 

 

image14.jpg

 

Next day it went to Sparshatts in Botley for a Cambelt and Water Pump Change. The dealership was absoloutley spot on. Took the car and had it done ahead of schedule by early afternoon. Not due until 5 years old, but I thought that I would rather get it done early. 

 

Got given this little thing to bomb about in. 

 

img_0829.jpg

 

Next up I fitted my private plates - Process very simple on the DVLA website. 

 

image13.jpg

 

Final job was to get my wheel back. Refurbished and brand new looking by The Wheel Specialist in Fareham. Halfords couldn't have been more helpful with this, admitting it was their fault straight away and making all of the arrangements to change the wheel/tyre over to keep me mobile. Accidents happen eh! 

 

I've had loads of tyres changed over time on allsorts of wheels and have never had a problem.

 

img_0863.jpg

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clocks.jpg

 

Picked up this - It's got a maxidot display in the middle. God knows (with the car being so well specced), why this wasn't chosen when new. I can only assume that the brochure didn't go into too much detail about it.

 

Hopefully will sort something to get it fitted in the near future.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Following this with interest! I'm very local and have had the same sort of ideas as you, since I have the same car in the same colour of the same age :)

 

Already had the remap done (Revo @ JKM) and that is something I highly, highly recommend! JKM were superb as always.

 

Coloured front grill I keep thinking of and then changing my mind. I'll watch for updates here with keen interest! The pic you posted of the estate doesn't really do it for me, I don't love it. But then I see other pics and other colours and love it. 

 

I had tints done by South Coast Tints on an old car years ago so may well copy you there too! It's something I've had in mind since I got The Octavia two years ago.

 

I think we're on similar paths here, so I'll let you go first ;)

 

(p.s. awesome choice of backdrop for the tints 'before' photo!)

Edited by RobM
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Following this with interest! I'm very local and have had the same sort of ideas as you, since I have the same car in the same colour of the same age :)

 

Already had the remap done (Revo @ JKM) and that is something I highly, highly recommend! JKM were superb as always.

 

Coloured front grill I keep thinking of and then changing my mind. I'll watch for updates here with keen interest! The pic you posted of the estate doesn't really do it for me, I don't love it. But then I see other pics and other colours and love it. 

 

I had tints done by South Coast Tints on an old car years ago so may well copy you there too! It's something I've had in mind since I got The Octavia two years ago.

 

I think we're on similar paths here, so I'll let you go first ;)

 

(p.s. awesome choice of backdrop for the tints 'before' photo!)

Thanks mate. Much appreciate the feedback!

Where are you located? I'm close to J9 of the M27. SCT really were great for the window tints I fully recommend them. If you look on their websites they run money off promos in the winter months when they aren't as busy. Yes, the backdrop is a good one.

What did the remap cost? Did you get any discount off the website prices? I'm holding back on that because of the supposed recall work they want to do in light of the emissions scandal.

Do you have VCDS?

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I'm on the edge of the New Forest, so just south of you really.

 

I paid full price for the remap sadly, JKM weren't able to do anything and I missed the special offers that pop up. It's worth it at full price though! IMO, having it remapped makes any recall work redundant, since the recall for the CR VRS is likely going to be a reflash of an updated OEM map. I'm watching things unfold, but I doubt I'll be taking my car in. It's out of warranty and running a treat and there's no other downside to not taking it in for the recall as far as I can tell.

 

Cheers, for the money off tip at SCT!

 

And no, sadly I don't have VCDS. It's something I keep thinking of buying, so I'll let you know if I get it and you'd be welcome to use it.

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  • 1 month later...

Looking good! Will be getting some tints done myself, seems like the only spec they left off other than the Multi Function Steering Wheel, which I can live without. 

More Saints fans then? Noticed St Marys in the background.

 

P.S. Full heated leather? Nice!!

Edited by S41NT
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  • 2 weeks later...
Well... 
 
The grill STILL isn't back. I gave it to the guy in November. Every time I go down there he is snowed with work and it's still hung up. He has promised (again) to get it done shortly. Sadly experience should have told me NEVER to leave parts with a bodyshop but hindsight is a wonderful thing. I remember having issues like this years ago with my old cars and bodyshops :D
 
MOT done and PASSED with no advisories. Here is my review I wrote for the excellent Skoda Dealer Sparshatts of Botley who carried out the work: 
 
Went back today for my MOT. 

Slight hiccup to start - They lost my original booking for last Friday in the Skoda online booking system. Manager called me back and handled it personally to make sure that it was booked in for a while you wait slot today (Monday). 

Dropped it off and it was straight in the workshop. I kicked back and had a hot chocolate and a look around the showroom. They called me over after 45 minutes and said it had passed. I thought they would try and quote for a pair of tyres but everything was green on the health check report and no MOT advisories. 

They even offered to wash it, which I was surprised about, but I declined as I was pushed for time!

Fully recommended. I have been pleasantly surprised with my Skoda MD experience at Sparshatts. Will be back there for a service when it hits 58k. 

The cost of the MOT was £39 there. 
 
Quick picture of it in the workshop through the showroom window:
 
octy_mot.jpg
 
Usually I wouldn't bother posting an update about the car having an MOT but they parked it here before I drove off, so thought i'd get a picture as it looked pretty cool :)
 
octy_skoda.jpg 
 
 
Fingers crossed Maxidot will be fitted over the next couple of weeks!
 
 
 
Having had the car for a few months now I have created a bit of a wish list for it. I'm a little cash strapped for car bits at the moment due to my fast approaching wedding in June. I'll see what I can get done out of the following:
 
Lowering - Bilstein B12 - These seem very popular, might look into seeing about gauging interest in a group buy in the near future!
Remap - Shark or JKM Stage 1
Whiteline ARB - I had one on an old car and it transformed it.
Audi Gearknob - I really am not liking the standard one
TTS Shifter - Sounds like a decent little mod for not much money!
Bluetooth Module - No rush, will look out for a bargain unit. I will get one eventually!
 
VCDS Wants:
Coming/Leaving home lights changed to fogs from xenons
Seat belt chime off
Oil temp - Once maxidot fitted
Digi MPH display - Once maxidot fitted
 
 
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  • 2 weeks later...

Another Update... 

 

Eddie-NL was kind enough to fit my maxidot cluster last weekend. He was in my area and although it was quite late when he got to me, he insisted that the job should go on. I'm not clued up on the ins and outs of it, but it looked like he was fearing the worst at one point, and then, when tested, the cluster worked with my key ok - A happy ending! Thanks again to Eddie. 

 

The display is absolutely spot on and i'm very happy with it - Love the coded digi mph speedo. I had this up for sale for a little while, so i'm now quite glad I kept hold of it! Also like the little convenience settings that are enabled also - rain closing windows etc.

 

skoda4.jpg

 

skoda5.jpg

 

Also gave the leather interior a clean up with Dr Leather  - Very nice and has transformed the leather to a beautiful original matt finish. Smells very good also! Worked wonders on the steering wheel and hand brake grip.

 

Drivers seat before

 

skodaseat.jpg

 

And after................

 

skodaseat2.jpg

 

A big improvement I think

 

Couple of interior shots as it's clean......

 

skoda.jpg

 

skoda3.jpg

 

skoda2.jpg

 

Off camping this weekend for Easter - Fill up that massive boot......

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Cool, I take it you need the plug in unit to set the MPH display like that?

Not tested the rain closing on mine yet, would that need to be driving + windows down + wiper stalk on auto = close? Or does it work when parked up? Would be handy if it closed the sunroof too...

Leather looks great, improvement on the original seats.

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lovely car very similar spec to mine.

i borrowed a vcds recently and enabled all those things you mentioned.

i also enabled the dimming of the drls when indicating too.

not sure what bluetooth module you are looking for but i did a little research before i purchased one and the much newer ones enable text messaging and wifi on the maxidot if you have an rsap phone and newer cars like ours enable voice control with no extra wiring with the columbus.

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Cool, I take it you need the plug in unit to set the MPH display like that?

 

Large MPH display is enabled by setting the country of the instrument clusters to Australia via VCDS iirc :)

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Well...

The grill STILL isn't back. I gave it to the guy in November. Every time I go down there he is snowed with work and it's still hung up. He has promised (again) to get it done shortly. Sadly experience should have told me NEVER to leave parts with a bodyshop but hindsight is a wonderful thing. I remember having issues like this years ago with my old cars and bodyshops :D

Looking forward to seeing the grille colour coded!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

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Sorry, a few replies in here that I haven't responded to. Thank you all for your comments!

Cool, I take it you need the plug in unit to set the MPH display like that?

Not tested the rain closing on mine yet, would that need to be driving + windows down + wiper stalk on auto = close? Or does it work when parked up? Would be handy if it closed the sunroof too...

Leather looks great, improvement on the original seats.

I just switched the car off and left the window open. Went out after a bit with a cup of water and poured over the rain sensor. Voila! The window closed!

lovely car very similar spec to mine.

i borrowed a vcds recently and enabled all those things you mentioned.

i also enabled the dimming of the drls when indicating too.

not sure what bluetooth module you are looking for but i did a little research before i purchased one and the much newer ones enable text messaging and wifi on the maxidot if you have an rsap phone and newer cars like ours enable voice control with no extra wiring with the columbus.

  

Do you know the part number of the module you have? Does it work with iPhone ok?

Looking forward to seeing the grille colour coded!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Me too! I chased him up but he is still too busy to finish it. At least I've missed one winter of stone chips! Will post pictures as soon as I have it.

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