Aaquil

Thank for the reply Andrew...she is not keen on the Zafira and we certainly need the 7 seats trust me...my wife takes turns on the school run with a family friend and they have two kids and they have two kids and soon we will need one more seat! Regards Aaquil

Hello all... I will be needing to get rid of the wifes Punto soon and get a 7 seater. The wife will be driving it and wants a MPV that is small as possible. When we are together I will be driving so i would like to get one that will handle okay and has the potential to be remapped? The wife does not want a Zafira and that is final... she does not like the look. My brother has got a VW Touran TDI and tested three mainly...the Toyota Verso, Vauxhall Zafira and VW Touran. He and the wife took all 3 for a couple of hours of test driving and came to the conclusion that: Touran was the best and handled like a car... as close to that anyway. Zafira handled very poorly and on the motorway did non inspire confidence. Verso was cheap and felt like it was going to fall apart. He has had the Touran a number of year (Bought it new) and is very happy with it. He did admit that the actual MPV he tested could have just been poor ones as he know someone who has a Zafira and has no problems with it. The wife wants the Renault Scenic but the 7 seater is quite long and she wants a small MPV (Easier to manoevure). So... Any advice? Comments? Should I go for private or stealership? By the way £5,000 max to spend and ideally a lot less! Regards Aaquil

But once you have modded a bit it gets very hard to resist doing more!!!

I have the 4x4 and I suppose its better in poor weather (4x4) but it looks like its on stilts and unless you remap the power can be a bit of a let down. I got the 4x4 intending on really modding it as I did with my Subaru Legacy Turbo but my 'priorities' have changed so the max. at the moment is the remap I have which has totally transformed the car...the quickshift and uprated panel filter are the only other mods. Don't forget 4x4 or VRS always get good quality tyres. Both are good cars in their own way...VRS have heated seats as well don't they and larger sportier alloys.

I use Silkolene Race spec oil for my 1.8T from Opie oils...I was told this is very good?

Awesome do the sachs clutches I thought that would be the best way to go after the standard goes. They are just uprated clutches as far as I know.

I think I will go for the Sachs clutch when this one goes...a stupid question I know but when will I know thw clutch has gone?

With a Skoda used car you get 1 year warranty...I did with my 1.8t 4x4 Estate. If in doubt take it back get it fixed. Bug them as much as you need to...you earned every penny you spent on it and probably paid a premium so get your monies worth. By the way Denis is stop on they are excellent cars...esp. the 4x4. Get it remapped even better! I got a remap from Awesome GTI...its sooooooooo much fun!!! All the best Aaquil

Anyone?

SORRY AGAIN!!! BILLY You don't by any change have the ebay guys details do you. Have you got any pics of the alloys on your car? Also, do you know if they are lighter than the usual standard Elegance 4X4 1.8T alloys?

Sorry for hijacking your thread! Billy the team dynamics alloys you have on your car are they the lightweight ones. I was thinking of getting some for my OCTAVIA 1.8t ESTATE. The alloys are 16 inch and I was thinking about 18 inch. Will they be a lot lighter as I do not want increased unsprung weight. Regards Aaquil

I was speaking to Howard at Awesome GTI the other day while he was having his Fabia looked at and I was having rear pads and geo set up. I mentioned it would be a good idea if the guys on this site put together an idiots guide to tuning including what specific tuners have to offer (ie Best tuning route to go down with each tuner and specific parts e.g AWESOME GTI, APR stuff or FORGE etc.) What to do in what order to get the best bang for budget (Engine, handling, brakes etc.). Where to possible get cheaper parts and the more obscure tuning uprated parts are they worth investing in. Insurance companies and how they will respond to what and how to inform them of mods made. Other things like the current best tyres from experience including sizes and what handling mods (I presume some tyres work better as 17 inch and some 16 inch are better without handling mods etc.). I usually go to AWESOME GTI because it is very close but how much you have to spend can be a limiting factor so you want to get the best for the money as it seems quite a minefield. Good idea, bad idea, already done? Anyone willing to start compiling if not already done? Regards Aaquil.

Thanks for the feedback and advice everyone. I am going to pop down tomorrow for geometry and brakes... will let you know how I get on. Regards Aaquil

Still haven't had full opportunity to test it out..but the small chances I have I am really impressed with.

Drove back from Awesome after remap, oil change, coolant temp sensor replacement. The car now really pulls well...I must get the coilovers done next. I was 'woo hooing' all the way back (even with the crappy rush hour traffic). Try it...its seriously fun Aaquil Back next week for full geometry and replace the rear brake pads.

Just had my 1.8T Octy Elegance remapped at Awesome GTI...the change is vast...I would defo recommend it. Awesome due a full diagnostic check before they do it... so any faults can be rectified. Have a chat with them...very professional and good. Aaquil

Got it booked in Awesome tomorrow...can't wait. Getting oil change as well with some fully synthetic ester based oil from opie oils. Will let you know how I get on.

How is the handling now and does the car look a lot better in the flesh? What is the damage with the Insurance company with the mod? They look really good in the pictures I have an Elegance estate as well...I am getting the remap on Friday at Awesome GTI...it could be very tempting!!!!

Thanks for that...you are the mackdaddy!

Wife gives me stick about anything to my car...getting it remapped she thinks its just a service otherwise I would be in trouble!!! I think I will have to trade her in for one of the 'more reasonable' models...the wife that is.

I have opted for remap and brake upgrade if needed...may get uprated DV as well...going in next Friday to good old AWESOME GTI....defo will leave with a smile and empty wallet!!!

They look MINT!

Your wife?...You lucky guy!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you mean Event tyres, Manchester? I fitted a few sets of tyres by them on my car and the wifes' always been fine. Mine an Octavia with Eagle F1's and hers a punto with Continentals ecocontacts...I find them to be spot on.

Thanks for the reply..so good idea?