Towelie

Update today... I took the car to BTG Performance in Newcastle to get its alignment done and more interestingly to complete a rolling road session to check how it was truly performing with a DTUK tuning box fitted. I had always fitted the box as a sort of stop gap when I first picked up the car and I have never been satisfied with how it has performed. There's always felt like a flat spot or a dip mid-RPM and its constantly done my head in. The car ran four runs on the dyno with tuning box and the results came back as expected - it was nowhere near the acclaimed figures, putting down 209bhp and 490NM; the torque figure to be fair is close to quoted peak DTUK quote. So tuning box is out! and... Revo stage 1 installed. I'm surprised with how well the car actually took to the tune 231bhp / 516Nm on the dyno. Here's an overlay comparing the power curve of both the tuning box and Revo. (Just to point out I never expected the tuning box to peak at the figure quoted online, however its putting out less that their multimap power box (225ps) let alone their ultimate (240ps)...) I haven't driven the car much so my review of the new tune will be brief. It is night and day ! Pick up is much quicker and from third gear the car pulls and pulls strong and consistent, the main thing is that where the tuning box would feel like it's run out of steam the car now just keeps going much further into towards the top end. Just a final one to say how good BTG were, their service was spot on!

Just to pick this back up, my feeling that the box wasn't doing what DTUK say it should be doing were confirmed today via rolling road test. 209bhp from a product that claims much higher results. I know they use the terminolgy of "up to 240ps" but the result on rolling road speaks for itself. Had the box removed there and then at the end of the dyno run review - the car is now tuned with Revo stage 1 software with rolling road results and overlay to compare the tuning box vs Revo. The difference is night and day and I wish I hadn't bothered with DTUK - waste of money.

And? The lad asked if they PS4 were any good compared to PS4S I answered his question based on my experience of having driven with both types of tyre. Note that the test was done on a Ford Mustang with 265/35 R20 tyres fitted, not a front wheel drive euro hatchback. Not to discredit the review, clearly the bridgestone is a cracking tyre if you drive a mustang

I had PS4 on my fiesta ST and they were still a brilliant tyre in the dry and the wet. If I couldn’t get PS4S they’d be my next choice.

Update on the Anti-Roll Bar: It's definitely made a big difference to the handling characteristics of the car. Now that roads have dried off a bit - had a chance to test it out. Car feels so much flatter through the bends and that whollowing feeling (if it could be described as that) is reduced massively. Well worth the money and reasonably cost effective. Car had a good clean and detail a couple of weekends ago with some Dodo Juice Orange Crush applied, gave the paint quite a bit of pop! Here some shots of the motor with its skirts, diffuser and new wheels on show. At the moment not sure what else to really do to it, would love to put black and blue badges and the red and black VRS badges on from Superskoda, but cant justify the price (40Euros for a badge is a bit excessive like) Currently weighing up on whether or not to ditch the OEM shocks and H&R springs for BC Racing Coilovers to get the heights exactly how I really would like it to be. H&R Springs are fantastic but don't give the drop I would really like - which is only a little lower that what it is currently. Still on the fence to take the plunge back into the coilover world

Mate those brakes took this up to another level! Looks class! 👍

Rolling up masking tape to a fine point I’ve found works a treat, and you won’t need much paint with this so less likely to get blobs of it forming.

Michelin’s PS4S’s all the way; had them on past three cars not just the VR and for me they’re the best road tyre for UK driving.

Yeah it definitely works on the pre FL, should have the little green light on the dash when it activates, goes amber when indicating to lane change.

Yeah it’s sitting back up on the rear now, but still running spacers on the rear, blooming Pre-FL and its narrow rear track! One of Southparks finest - Maybe if I just get a little high I’ll remember

Likely the four heavy 19” extremes in the boot weighing it down!

You don’t miss a trick DC, got it in one . Cheers. Just on the H&R springs at the moment.

Fitted at the weekend: 8.5Jx19 225/35’s

I'll just leave this here...

Update on the car, no photos though. Over the course of the summer last year I fitted Maxton Side Skirts. Think the overall aesthetics really set off by the front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser combination. Bit of LED interior lighting was completed as well which smartens the cabin up nicely So first update for 2021, fitted a Whiteline Rear Anti Roll Bar today, turn in is feeling neater / tighter and that rear end isn't wallowing about. Shame the weather isn't really up to testing the improvement in handling but once its dried out I'll do another review. But so far so good, very impressed with how the car feels with the stiffer rear bar. Next, is likely to be poly bushes and uprated dogbone mount, also thinking about wheels... but we'll see. With working from home for a year now the cars barely getting used, wishing I could swap the engine for a 245.

Whiteline RARB fitted today, could say its amazing weather to be testing the limits of grip First impression even in these wintery conditions is that the rear definitely feels tighter and that wallowing feeling the standard setup has is not there, noticeably turn in feels that little bit sharper/ responsive. Once the roads dry out... should be able to give it a proper test. Thanks to all for the advice by the way, much appreciated

No difference just an extension piece for the exhaust

312mm confirmed on 66plate. Would need new carriers and possibly calipers I'm guessing to make it work...

Ok cheers mate, I best get the old measurement stick out and check the diameter! Mines a 66 plate registered car but not sure on its actual build.

Thinking on doing this for my vrs tdi, would be keen to know if the CS discs fit straight onto it without any extras?

Don't bother with a cone filter, all it will do is soak up the heat. Stick with OEM box and do the cheap mods mentioned by James above. AKS provide the blanking plate for around £16. Brakes; look at Clubsport Gti setup or something from the VAG parts bin. But I think its best to be careful on not over doing the braking balance. Golf GTi PP setup maybe... Exhaust, you're limited by the DPF so really it is pointless doing much with the exhaust system other than a catback and it won't sound all that good. Best thing to do is remap, and work on handling mods such as rear ARB, lighter control arms. Check out AKS tuning, Darkside Dev or Awesome GTi.

The standard speakers are by no means shocking. They're not bad at all. Yes there are better systems out there, but the sound quality is by no means offensive. Set the specific settings up right and it works well, clear tones and good bass, I'd say the problem with the Octavia is lack of sound proofing making the cabin boomier in turn effecting how well you can hear the speakers.

Ok, have you had cambelt and waterpump replaced? As these would be what I'd be checking before putting the engine under additional load. The clutch is ok on the CR manual engine, I had a revo map on an mk7 GTD which required no additional hardware and no issues. My current VR doesn't experience (touch some wood) any issues either with a tuning box fitted although I am still thinking on making a move to a Darkside Development remap or Revo. This fella you have doing the remap, has he said what he expects to achieve from the software change? Do you know how the power will be delivered i.e. is it being brought in earlier in one big lump of boost which is going to likely shorten clutch life or is it a mid range increase in power and torque which is more suited for the diesel? Those are the questions I'd be asking him, if in doubt try stick with reputable tuning companies such as Revo or Darkside who have plenty development experience with these cars and have the software designed to be in the boundaries of hardware safety and longevity of components.

Hello! How many miles on the car currently?

They can be adjusted, dealer has the capability. Mine (pre FL xenons) was pointing at the floor after lowering, dealer put it on learning and now they are brilliant, can see right down country lanes, they did it for free during MOT.