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Hi @roadarman - are you sure it doesn't have an electronic LSD? I too have a VRS230 (2016) and mine does have one - for which I did get the oil changed 2yrs / 16k miles ago. The 230 back in the day was still the 'premium' model, before the facelifted 245 (which also got the eLSD by default). Despite the build specs coming from Skoda, I don't always trust what they include / exclude as 'important'. Like the fact all 230s were meant to get black spoilers etc. 😅. Either way, the non-dealer tuning garage I use (QS Tuning) also recommend changing per 3 years where possible, so worthwhile doing.

Likewise, keen to hear how people get on with this change. I'm on ~78k miles atm, looking to do in the next year or so, though experiencing no issues with it as yet (*touches wood 🪵). One thing I'm interested in doing next time I get it serviced is perhaps some poly inserts into the linkage (not short-shift), improving the feel. It's still fairly slick for a 9.5yr old car, but always chasing the niceties 😉

I've never seen hardware available for this before (which makes the AI / 'child's hand' image a little more suspect 😅) but I'm sure there is something out there which can fit the bill, even if it's niche. Will follow this thread to see if you get any luck, though for now I'm just using a Anker 320 dual USB charger in the 12V port on centre console.

+1 on 'normal'. I switched to VBT discs after the the rim on both front and rear brakes got too much, but that was after 5+ years' daily use.

Welcome back 😉 - seen your H&R lowering comment, but only gone Eibach Sport (30mm drop) years ago so sadly can't contribute to advice - am sure someone will pick it up for you though.

I, myself, hate almost everything about the less-than-optimal way these 'aids' supposedly assist drivers. Not least their clunky implementation (across not just the Euro/VAG marques, others too), their common errors in the real world (i.e., sign recognition - and now the 'mandatory' speed bonging), but also the tangible laziness that it's promoting in most of the driver-drones out on the roads today. Same as @Gammyleg , I switch everything off as soon as I get into a new vehicle for the very reason it's weakening my control of the car. That said, you may be the first person I've ever heard state this opinion 😅 (and I commend you for it, btw! 👍) - each to their own etc. Does the adapted data set make a significant difference, then?

@zebthecat - shot in the dark as it's a little way from you, but I highly recommend QS Tuning in Haywards Heath that I use for all my RS needs. Kim (he/him) there is awesome, and will definitely provide good information around what they may be able to do to support you in a rebuild, or - if not - I'm sure he will be able to recommend good companies or people who can help you with it. QST are long-term VAG specialists and part of the larger custom / engineering network, so I'm sure they know of a few people if they can't do it themselves. Best of luck with it too! 🤞

Morning 🫡 - presuming that the replacement project went alright, @BluevRS245? I'm also investigating replacing the boot struts for my 2016 230 hatch. I already did the gas bonnet strut update years ago, and used Febi Bilstein equivalents (unless OEM is also the same...?) which worked brilliantly. Anyone aware of part numbers - or Febi B equivalents - for the boot struts for the 2016 hatch? 👍 Not sure if the 2020 model is the same as 2016, though likely might be...

As another option (since I have similar setup to OP), I got Ferodo DS2500 pads and VBT Grooved Discs (though forget the exact diameter - but whatever OEM pre-FL VRS 230s had 👍), both front & rear, with braided lines fitted whilst they were at it. Tangible improvement to braking, and slight reduction in brake dust too - which was a welcome surprise. Highly recommend!

Tends to increase Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH) very slightly, but it's pretty minimal and would get used to it pretty quickly. As it's the lower engine mount, you'd feel very slightly more vibration through your feet within front seats - doubt anything in the back, and minimal increase in noise. It's also totally replaceable, so if you don't get on with it, you can fit the old one back in (with a brand new bolt).

Absolutely +1 on this, even by stock standards, the original setup tramps considerably 😬😬😬. For the sake of variety, I went with the offering from 034 Motorsport of Upper & Lower (make sure you check which factory version of lower mount you have before ordering - versions 1 or 2).

Might be missing something but her Mk3 is a TDI - is your Mk2 also a TDI, or is it a TSI? As a Mk3 VRS 230 (TSI) owner, not entirely familiar with the rollin' coal exhaust setups 😊 - but looks like the Miltek product above bypasses both rear silencers (assuming Mk3 TDI has them?), and adds an outlet to the right hand rear (fake) exhaust pipe. If it does bypass the rear silencers, I'd guess there'd be some increased noise (though obv resonated through middle silencer). Might be worthwhile just giving Miltek a call to see what they say - I've always found both them and Scorpion to give great advice over email or phone 👍

Slight revival of this post 12 months' on 🗓️ - had a new Sachs organic clutch fitted last week at local garage QST, and thanks kindly @roaddetective for highlighting the requirement for replacing seals, as it was the first thing I asked about. Reassuringly, they sort those out by default as part of the service (due to their experience of the same thing that has happened with other vehicles, and especially on this thread). However, I've referenced this thread itself as to 'why I asked', and if there is an issue with it in future that I'd refer to this 😅. I also had my water pump replaced at wondrous expense... Running in clutch for first 100ish miles has been issue-free (thus far). Standard effects felt re: heavier pedal, slight vibration on slow-speed manoeuvres, quicker engagement. Am looking forward to proper use post-350+ miles, though fingers crossed I don't have a similar issue as above 🤞

Definitely a weapon - if you're doing all of this (and you might have not noted it here), I'd highly recommend sorting out the lower engine mount with a billet steel or high-rated poly dogbone version to eliminate the horrible axle tramp you get with increasing power. Transformed the drive & gear changes on my 230 immediately.

Yeah, I didn't realise either until I spent a bit of time researching this morning. I'm more confident in the Darkside version, since it's a component add-on to the already alloy piece itself. To expand on my water pump issue, I've had absolutely minimal leakage over the last 2 months since diagnosis & have had zero overheating instances before - my presumption is that it's a preventative measure before the leak gets too bad and fries the PCB as you mentioned. But yes, could be parts failure or just wear & tear. I might discuss the above points with QST, and keep in touch during the day(s) it's in the garage with some hypothetical IF > THEN parts & costs to ensure it's covered off as best as possible. Either way, happy to be a guinea pig for the 'upgrades' and give feedback if/when fitted 👍

As one of the more recent threads on the EA888 water pump funtimes, I thought I might try my luck here with a query... My most recent (independent - QS Tuning, W.Sussex) service highlighted that mine now needs replacing. I guess I should consider myself lucky to have had no issues in last 6 years, 55k miles in! I know it's a hefty job - as shown by @TheClientabove, as well as mentioned by the techs at QST - so I may also put in for the new uprated clutch whilst they're at it, since they'll be under the car for a day+ with subframe off. Anyway - TL;DR - Has anyone got direct or even anecdotal experience of the cast aluminium water pump upgrades? (i.e., those from Underground Division / Darkside Developments - which are the only 2 I can find that I believe fit the 2016> EA888s). I'm not one to replace a known-faulty OEM part with another known-faulty OEM part, especially if it's a hefty investment each time. That said, I'm not sure whether the thermostat module also needs replacing at same time... (Thanks - this was useful btw - though I suspect I'll need to chat to QST in terms of their experience of replacements). Any thoughts welcome and appreciated.

I can't find my last posting which detailed my trials and tribulations about doing the same as you (i.e., (paraphrasing) 'improving on OEM exhaust note without the drone'), but basically it's the perfect level now. From buying the car, my intention was always to improve as much as I could - so I went for a full Scorpion turbo-back system. Originally, I went 'non-resonated' which was a bad idea - it was ridiculously loud with a heavy drone at all ranges, mainly due to empty rear boot space and lack of soundproofing. I contacted Scorpion to get the centre resonator and got it fitted a few months' later, and it solved all problems with drone and lowered the sound to a perfect level. Having had the car 6 years and the current exhaust setup for 4.5 years, I can honestly say it's one of the best modifications (aside from suspension & remap). It's loud enough on start-up to turn heads (if you're into that), those in-the-know will recognise it's modified at lower speeds, and under heavier acceleration you definitely know about it. Whilst it does increase NVH a little, I'd say it's comfortably within expectations of a modified system - not intrusive or droney, but perfect for a petrol-head to enjoy. One caveat - turbo-back vs. cat-back - the latter setup won't have the 3" downpipe and sports cat which is less restrictive and (marginally, under heavier load) louder. But in which case, cat-back might be perfect for your needs.

For the sake of variety, alternatives exist in Scorpion UK's offering(s) - like Milltek, they're also brilliant quality and their pre-/aftercare support is next-level 👍

Buy nice or buy twice I've been here before too, and always ended up going back to SuperSkoda / Kopacek to get the pricier ones as there's less headache around making crap ones fit properly, or watch them flake off after 3 weeks. Agree with @Dooge re: pointless spending money on alloys if you're going to ruin their look with cheap centre caps.

@MO230 I guess 'whether it's worth it' is based on what you are trying to achieve. A ) Do you just want more noise? - Cat-back exhaust would work fine B ) Do you just want more power? - Turbo-back system + remap C ) You want both? - Turbo-back system, induction kit, remap You might get minor gains in BHP with a cat-back, but since 2/3 of the system would still be OEM and 'constrained' - it wouldn't be that noticeable. You'd be better off getting the car on a dyno to understand its current output, then see if it changes if you take the plunge. I also have the pre-FL 230 (and if you've read all the exhaust posts already, you'll probably have seen what I've done), but my aim was to get both better power, noise, and free-er flowing system early in the car's life to make the remap worthwhile - hence going for option 3.

Having the same issue present itself around the (hatch) boot edges on my MY2016 - though that's unexpected for a 2019 car, well spotted. I am due to get the car in for a full 'stage 3 paint correction+' ceramic coating session soon, so I'm sure the fixes + coating is going to provide a hefty bill. Tend not to do many paint fixes myself, though have treated all gravel rash and the small rust areas I've found with the Turtle Wax Scratch Repair & Renew stuff (whether it does anything or not to protect it in the meantime 🙄). Do update if you get a quote for a fix.

Had this exact issue re: confusion around those clips, and after about 20 minutes of feeling stupid because I couldn't work it out, I caved and just 'resistance-fit' the tray in place with the addition of some duct tape to make it fit more snugly. It was an ugly 'solution' but it was in place for 3.5 years without issue, until I cracked the plastic tray putting a bike on it and as a result it started to buckle / bow in the middle and slip out of the slots both sides. You can keep them in place as standard but also 'reverse-wrap' some hooked bungies from the anchor points on the boot floor up and over each side of the tray, so that it's effectively pulled towards the rear seats for added security. Takes at least 80% less time to do that than the overly-complex solution Skoda have gone for as OEM 😅

Hi @Liteboy- I have one fitted but unfortunately was not present for the process as I got it from the garage, so can't reference ease-of-fit. What I would say is that when I called Scorpion up for product information beforehand (since I originally went unresonated, then backtracked to resonated after 3 months of drone), they were incredibly helpful with providing all requested information and gave good customer service, so they'd be my first port of call. They also have fitting guides on their website which are pretty comprehensive, if you've not looked through those already. Noticed in post that you reference the VRS TSI, though model in profile is a TDI... assuming that's deliberate but wasn't sure if you were looking for engine-specific fitting information etc.

Eesh, sorry to hear that! I'm not familiar with the 1.5 TSi's turbo itself, but hopefully it's cheaper than the IS20 unit in the 2.0 VRS... Glad fitted and hopefully will have no more issues with it going forward. Clutch is another story, but hopefully less than the VRS in parts.

@PaulJRowland SuperSkoda (Kopacek) has the best quality badges on the market for this, but they're a bit pricey (EUR 49.00, currently). However, as it's the part of the car you'd be seeing every day, I wouldn't scrimp on minor savings personally. They also have the black lettering which you can get separately 👍 If you've got a steady pair of hands, you won't have an issue fitting the lettering 😉 - they come as a pre-templated line of letters (i.e., all straight and in order). All you need to do is sort out aligning the line of letters to where you want to fit them on the car. For me, I stuck tape around the old lettering before taking it off, so I had a rough guide as to where to apply the new lettering. There are guides on YouTube how to do this too. My profile banner photo has the finished article as an example (though I've changed the layout slightly to just LHS: "Octavia" - RHS: "VRS")