Carlston

In general, the higher the sidewall the more comfortable the ride...so in general, the ride is softest on the 16" rims and hardest on the 19" rims. If you like big wheels, one non-standard option is 245/45R18 8Jx18 ET45. Steel rims from the Skoda Enyaq are available in this specification...which are going to be considerably cheaper than alloys. The matching wheel trims are quite smart...as shown in the photo below. Karoq front wheel drive wheel sizes 215/60R16 6Jx16 ET43 215/55R17 7Jx17 ET45 215/50R18 7Jx18 ET45 225/40R19 8Jx19 ET45 Alcar 9383 8Jx18 ET45 5/112 57.1 steel rim 13.26kg (from Skoda Enyaq) https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=1313955427855111280&rimCode=ALCAR9383 Wheel trims to fit 8Jx18 ET45 steel rims 5LA601147 Z31 (from Skoda Enyaq) https://www.skoda-parts.com/spare-part/5la601147z31-wheel-cover-18-skoda-48660.html

The Superb MK3 parts catalogue lists ten standard ride height rear springs for the FWD (Front Wheel Drive) car, as shown below. The springs are listed in order from softest to stiffest. Standard ride height rear springs (Superb MK3 FWD) 3Q0511115AH (Length 363mm, Wire diameter 11.25mm) 3Q0511115AJ (Length 361mm, Wire diameter 11.75mm) 3Q0511115AK (Length 364mm, Wire diameter 12.25mm) 3Q0511115AL (Length 359mm, Wire diameter 12.5mm) 3Q0511115M (Length 360mm, Wire diameter 12.75mm) 3Q0511115N (Length 361mm, Wire diameter 13.25mm) 3Q0511115P (Length 361mm, Wire diameter 13.5mm) 3Q0511115Q 3Q0511115R (Not available aftermarket) 3Q0511115BC (Not available aftermarket) Kilen 65125 (matches 3Q0511115AL) (£55.49 for two, on ebay) https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/3q0511115al?supplier%5B%5D=246 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/352663645780 Kilen 65126 (matches 3Q0511115M) (£55.49 for two, on ebay) https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/3q0511115m?supplier%5B%5D=246 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/352663645884 Bilstein 36-301942 (matches 3Q0511115N) https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/3q0511115n?supplier%5B%5D=16 According to the Kilen online spring catalogue the Superb MK3 1.5TSI estate FWD with standard ride height has the third in the list, ie. 3Q0511115AK. However, according to the gknautomotive online spring catalogue the Superb MK3 1.5TSI estate FWD with standard ride height has the fourth in the list, ie. 3Q0511115AL. One way to find out what the factory fitted rear springs are is to open an account on "skoda parts com" and put the car in their online garage with its VIN number. Then when the rear springs are searched for, only the factory fitted ones will be shown...which enables the original OEM part number to be found.

Carrying a full load in the car doesn't increase the tyre pressures...even on a temporary basis while the load is being carried. For example, the spare tyre will have the same tyre pressure whether it's off the car or fitted to the car carrying the weight of the car. If the car's tyres are inflated when they are hot, simply add 3psi to the normal pressures and check again (adjusting the pressures if necessary) in the evening or after dark when the sun isn't heating the air in the tyres. Air expands by about 10% when the temperature increases from 20 degrees Centigrade to 50 degrees Centigrade...so you might find that the tyre pressures increases by about 10% when they are measured at 50C compared to when they are measured at 20C...or about 3psi.

So the pattern appears to be... Octavia MK3 uses 50mm struts (and 80mm wheel bearings) with 276x25mm and 288x25mm front brake discs. Octavia MK3 uses 55mm struts (and 85mm wheel bearings) with 312x25mm and 340x30mm front brake discs.

The Octavia MK3 uses two different front strut diameters...50mm and 55mm The diameter of the front struts depends on what size front brake discs are fitted. The smallest 276x24mm front brake discs use the 50mm struts, whereas the other front brake discs (ie. 288x25mm, 312x25mm, 340x30mm) use the 55mm struts.

To find the OEM part numbers of parts like the shock absorbers, the website "skoda parts com" can be used. This Czech website lets you add one Skoda to your online garage free of charge, and then parts that you search for on this website can be matched against the car's VIN number. Once you have the car's OEM part numbers, it's easier to search for aftermarket parts elsewhere. It's best to search for aftermarket parts using the car's OEM part numbers, rather than simply relying on a description of the car's model, etc.

Some aftermarket 17" alloy rims won't clear the 340x30mm front brake discs, but most 17" VAG rims will. The owner's manual doesn't list anything bigger than 17" rims for use with snow chains...so if 18" rims really were needed, Octavia MK4 owners would have to park their car on the drive and take the train everytime it snowed.

Sachs 318 202 rear shock absorbers are sold to replace all three of the OEM part numbers that are listed in the Superb MK3 parts catalogue for the front wheel drive cars without DCC (electronic damping control)...including 3Q0513049FP. Sachs 318 202 is an aftermarket rear shock absorber and is sold (like most aftermarket shock absorbers) to cover a large range of OEM part numbers. It won't be the same as the original Skoda 3Q0513049FP rear shock absorbers...even if the original rear shock absorbers were also branded Sachs. Sachs 318 202 rear shock absorbers 3Q0513049FN 3Q0513049FP 3Q0513049FT https://www.autodoc.co.uk/sachs/14922297

It's sold for all three ride heights, ie. standard ride height, lowered ride height, and increased ride height. It might be better to go for genuine Skoda shock absorbers...then they should work just like the factory ones did when new. One problem with aftermarket shock absorbers is that they are usually sold to cover a large range of OEM part numbers...so won't always be a close match to the originals.

Although not listed against 3Q0513049FP, Bilstein B4 19-232362 rear shock absorbers will probably fit because it's listed against 3Q0513049FN and 3Q0513049FT. Notice that the Bilstein B4 19-232362 is sold for cars with standard ride height, lowered ride height, and increased ride height. Superb MK3 parts catalogue (rear shock absorbers for Front Wheel Drive) 3Q0513049FN (build code 1JA or 1JC) 3Q0513049FP (build code 1JA or 1JC) 3Q0513049FT (build code UC7) https://www.lllparts.co.uk/ VW codes decoder 1JA=standard ride height 1JC=lowered ride height UC7=increased ride height https://igorweb.org/equidec.aspx Bilstein B4 rear shock absorber 19-232362 3Q0513049FN 3Q0513049FT https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bilstein/9129438

The standard 16" and 17" wheel sizes for the Superb MK4 are as shown in the chart below. 215/55R17 7Jx17 ET45 (from Karoq) is very close to 215/55R17 7Jx17 ET43 (from Superb MK4), ie. only 2mm difference in the offset. The Superb MK4 will drive fine with these Karoq wheels. 215/55R17 7J wheels are going to be noticeably more comfortable than 235/45R18 8J wheels. For 215/55R17 tyres, my preference would be narrower 6.5J rims because narrower rims provide better protection from kerbing damage (because the sidewalls bulge out more). 16" wheels will also fit the Superb MK4 1.5TSI, ie. clear the brake calipers. So 215/60R16 is also an option. Notice below, that a 6Jx16 ET43 steel rim weighs about 7.60kg, whereas a 6Jx16 ET43 alloy rim weighs about 10kg...ie. the steel rim weighs about 2.4kg less...multiple that weight saving by four (or five if including a spare wheel) and that's 9.6kg or 12kg less weight. 18" and 19" alloy rims weigh a lot more than 16" alloy rims at about 14kg each. Some owners say that you must stick to Skoda approved wheel sizes or you could invalidate your insurance. Standard 16" and 17" wheel sizes (Superb MK4) 215/60R16 7Jx16 ET43 215/55R17 7Jx17 ET43 215/55R17 7.5Jx17 ET41 Some non-standard 16" and 17" rim sizes for Superb MK4 6Jx16 ET43 (Karoq) 6.5Jx16 ET41 (Superb MK3) 6.5Jx17 ET41 (Superb MK3) 6.5Jx17 ET38 (Kodiaq MK1) 6Jx16 ET43 5/112 57.1 alloy rim (Karoq) (10kg) https://www.skoda-parts.com/catalog/karoq/spare-parts/accessories/wheels-steel-aluminium/aluminium-wheel/16-889.html Alcar 6665 6Jx16 ET43 5/112 57.1 steel rim (Karoq) (7.60kg) https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=1284041564754023536&rimCode=ALCAR6665 6.5Jx16 ET41 5/112 57.1 alloy rim (Superb MK3) (9.9kg) https://www.skoda-parts.com/catalog/superb-3/spare-parts/accessories/wheels-steel-aluminium/aluminium-wheel/16-889.html Alcar 8426 6.5Jx16 ET41 5/112 57.1 steel rim (Superb MK3) (8.47kg) https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=182143996746511472&rimCode=ALCAR8426 6.5Jx17 ET41 5/112 57.1 alloy rim (Superb MK3) (11.7kg) https://www.skoda-parts.com/catalog/superb-3/spare-parts/accessories/wheels-steel-aluminium/aluminium-wheel/17-895.html 6.5Jx17 ET38 5/112 57.1 alloy rim (Kodiaq MK1) (11.5kg) https://www.skoda-parts.com/catalog/kodiaq/spare-parts/accessories/wheels-steel-aluminium/aluminium-wheel/17-895.html Alcar 9021 6.5Jx17 ET38 5/112 57.1 steel rim (Kodiaq MK1) (11.58kg) https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=639488607098246256&rimCode=ALCAR9021

The Superb MK2 with standard ride height suspension uses 70mm front shock absorber buffers and 133mm rear shock absorber buffers. The Superb MK2 with lowered ride height suspension uses 55mm front shock absorber buffers and 118mm rear shock absorber buffers. So if changing from standard ride height springs to lowered ride height springs, the buffers need to be changed to 15mm shorter ones. This keeps the amount of suspension travel about the same as before, ie. you don't lose suspension travel. Lowered ride height can be just as comfortable as standard ride height if you choose springs that have the same stiffness, ie. the same wire diameter. 55mm front buffers 1K0412303F (Superb MK2) (lowered ride height) https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/1k0412303f?supplier%5B%5D=10249 118mm rear buffers 3C0511359B (Superb MK2) (lowered ride height) https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/3c0511359b?supplier%5B%5D=10249

I suggest you first purchase the genuine Skoda spare wheel kit (ie. foam and jack kit) without the spare wheel. This will allow you to try one of the 19" wheels to see if it fits without lifting the carpet, etc. Skoda sell two different foam and jack kits for the Karoq. One if for the Karoq Front Wheel Drive Karoq, the other is for the Karoq 4x4. Because of the 4x4 system, I suspect the Karoq 4x4 spare wheel well is shallower than the Karoq FWD wheel well...so there might only be room for a skinny space saver with the Karoq 4x4, eg. 125/70R18 3.5Jx18 ET25.5 5/112 57.1 However, with the Karoq FWD I there might be room for any of the standard wheel sizes. The foam and jack kit for the Karoq FWD can be ordered from any VAG parts department by quoting OEM part number 57A093860B. The Czech price is about £89 but the UK price can sometimes be a little more...perhaps around 20% more. An 8Jx19 ET45 5/112 57.1 steel rim is available which would be an ideal spare. This was originally sold for cars like the VW iD.3...but the specification of this rim is identical to Karoq's 19" rim. This steel rim weighs 14kg, which is about the same weight as an equivalent specification alloy rim...so there's no weight penalty of going for a steel rim for the spare. Bear in mind that the alloy rims and steel rims both use the same wheel bolts. Karoq FWD wheel sizes 215/60R16 6Jx16 ET43 215/55R17 7Jx17 ET45 215/50R18 7Jx18 ET45 225/40R19 8Jx19 ET45 Foam and jack kit for the Karoq FWD (not Karoq 4x4) (everything except for the actual spare wheel 57A093860B Sada pro výměnu rezervního kola 18Určeno pro: Karoq.Alcar 9393 8Jx19 ET45 5/112 57.1 steel rim (14.00kg) https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=1313955427855111280&rimCode=ALCAR9393

According to dtintecno in Germany, their remap takes the Yeti 2.0TDI 150PS/320Nm engine up to 195PS/430Nm. This isn't a recommendation for dtintecno, but their claims seem reasonable and is my go to site when I want to see what an engine can be remapped to.

One Superb MK3 owner found that fitting slightly stiffer rear springs (two up in the hierarchy which is about 10% stiffer) helped improve the car's handling.

Here's a couple of ET45 options, although they're far more expensive than the ET50 option previously linked to. To help fill the wheelarches, perhaps use 6.5Jx16 ET50 rims with slightly wider non-standard 215/55R16 tyres...although that non-standard tyre size could also be used with the 7J rims...which would fill the wheelarches even more. Bear in mind, that some Skoda owners don't mind having wheels that don't quite "fill the arches". Fabia MK1 with wheels that don't quite "fill the arches" (185/60R14 6Jx14 ET43) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%A0koda_Fabia#/media/File:2004_Skoda_Fabia_Comfort_16V_Estate_1.4_Rear.jpg 7Jx16 ET45 5/112 57.1 alloy rim MOON 3T0601025N 7ZS https://www.skoda-parts.com/spare-part/3t0601025n7zs-aluminium-rim-16-moon-skoda-23312.html 7Jx16 ET45 5/112 57.1 alloy rim SPEKTRUM 3T0601025 7ZS https://www.skoda-parts.com/spare-part/3t06010257zs-aluminium-wheel-spektrum-skoda-17952.html Vredestein Ultrac+ 215/55R16 93V (Euro label B A 69dB) https://www.camskill.co.uk/m62b0s292p227322/Vredestein_Tyres_Car_Vredestein_Ultrac%2B_215_55_R16_93V_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_B_Wet_Grip%3A_A_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_69dB

205/55R16 would be a sensible option for the Superb MK2. One non-standard rim specification is 6.5Jx16 ET50 (Octavia MK2). It's the same as the Superb MK2 16" winter rim specification (ie. suitable for snow chains), except for the 0.5" difference in rim width. The advantages of these alloy rims are that they are cheap at about £108.82 each including UK VAT plus shipping from Czech (see the link below), and coming from the Octavia MK2 they are the same generation as the Superb MK2 and therefore match cosmetically. 205/55R16 is Europe's most common car tyre size, so there's lots of choice and lower prices than many other car tyre sizes. Standard 16" wheel sizes (Superb MK2) 205/55R16 7Jx16 ET45 5/112 57.1 205/55R16 6Jx16 ET50 5/112 57.1 (winter wheel size, ie. suitable for snow chains) The car's CoC (Certificate of Conformity) lists what wheel sizes Skoda has approved for any particular car, so that takes precedence to any general guide found on the internet...including here. 6.5Jx16 ET50 5/112 57.1 alloy rim CRATERIS 1Z0601025T 7ZS (Octavia MK2) https://www.skoda-parts.com/spare-part/1z0601025t7zs-aluminium-rim-crateris-16-skoda-43736.html

Jurid on autodoc lists the Octavia MK2 1.9TDI FWD (Front Wheel Drive) as having 253x10mm rear brakes (build code 1KD). Some sellers list the 253x10mm rear discs as 255x10mm rear discs, but they are the same rear discs. The Octavia MK2 parts catalogue lists them as 253x10mm rear discs. The TRW listings on autodoc for the brake calipers for these 253x10mm rear brake discs have some good photos...see the two links below. Left rear brake caliper 253x10mm (build code 1KD) (38mm piston diameter) (TRW brake system) 1K0615423J https://www.autodoc.co.uk/trw/2183914#oem Right rear brake caliper 253x10mm (build code 1KD) (38mm piston diameter) (TRW brake system) 1K0615424J https://www.autodoc.co.uk/trw/2183915

The Kilen/Lesjofors online spring catalogues list the following increased ride height springs for the Octavia MK2 1.9TDI estate FWD. Increased ride height front springs (Octavia MK2 1.9TDI estate FWD) 1K0411105DL Length 358mm Wire Diameter 13.25mm Number of coil turns 5.75 https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/1k0411105dl Increased ride height rear springs (Octavia MK2 1.9TDI estate FWD) 1K0511115CR Length 380mm Wire diameter 12.5mm Number of coil turns 8.35 https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/1k0511115cr Increased ride height rear springs (Reinforced version) (Octavia MK2 1.9TDI estate FWD) 1K0511115CS Length 382mm Wire diameter 12.75mm Number of coil turns 8.45 https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/1k0511115cs

Assuming it's Octavia MK2 1.9TDI estate FWD (Front Wheel Drive) and not 4x4, gknautomotive lists 1K0511115BF rear springs for the standard ride height car without towbar and 1K0511115BG rear springs for the standard ride height car with towbar. For most owners, it's better to have standard ride height rather than increased ride height. Increased ride height increases the car's centre of gravity which adversely affects handling and stability. Most aftermarket shock absorbers are aimed at standard ride height, so that's another good reason to have standard ride height. Standard ride height rear springs (Octavia MK2 1.9TDI FWD estate with towbar) 1K0511115BG KYB RH6788 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/317811708893

The VAG codes decoder shows that 2UA is standard ride height, not sports suspension (sports suspension = lowered ride height). The Octavia MK2 parts catalogue shows that one white dot and two yellow dots is a 1K0511115BE rear spring. For the Octavia MK2 cars manufactured up to and including 5th March 2006, build codes 1JA+0YE corresponds to 1K0511115BG rear springs. For the Octavia MK2 cars manufactured on or after 6th March 2006, build codes 1JA+0YE corresponds to 1K0511115BE rear springs. So what Skoda did from 06.03.2006 was to start fitting the Octavia MK2 cars with softer rear springs that were two lower in the stiffness hierarchy. The Octavia MK2 parts catalogue lists the following twelve standard ride height rear springs. These form a hierarchy, going from the softest standard ride height rear spring (1K0511115FT) to the stiffest standard ride height rear spring (1K0511115BM). The online spring catalogues from Kilen/Lesjofors and KYB appear to be trying to match the stiffer rear springs that were fitted in the factory to the earlier Octavia MK2 cars. Hence, when you go down to your local motor factors and the guy behind the counter looks up what rear springs Kilen/Lesjofors and/or KYB think your rear springs should be...the guy behind the counter might start scratching his head because the later cars use softer rear springs than what's shown in those online spring catalogues. The guy behind the counter might say something like, "your car uses unusually soft rear springs"...when in fact those catalogues simply don't reflect the softer rear springs that were fitted in the factory to the later Octavia MK2 cars. Standard ride height rear springs (Octavia MK2) 1K0511115FT 1K0511115GA 1K0511115BC 1K0511115BD 1K0511115BE 1K0511115BF 1K0511115BG 1K0511115BH 1K0511115DE 1K0511115DF 1K0511115BL 1K0511115BM Rear coil springs (Octavia MK2) 1K0511115BG 1 white dot, 1 orange dot. 1JA+0YE (for cars manufactured up to 05.03.2006) 1K0511115BE 1 white dot, 2 yellow dots. 1JA+0YE (for cars manufactured from 06.03.2006)

For aftermarket springs matching 5Q0411105HN and 5Q0511121BD I would shortlist Kilen/Lesjofors and KYB. Kilen and Lesjofors are the same springs, just sold under two different brand names. They are made in a modern factory in Sweden, and are the biggest manufacturer of aftermarket car springs in Europe. KYB are from South Korea, and are also a very big player in the aftermarket car spring market. Kilen/Lesjofors and KYB have their own online spring catalogues, as shown in the links below. Kilen online spring catalogue https://web.tecalliance.net/kilen/en/home Lesjofors online spring catalogue https://web.tecalliance.net/lesjofors/en/home KYB online spring catalogue https://kyb-europe.com/catalogue/

All the Skoda approved wheel sizes are listed in the car's CoC (Certificate of Conformity). Superb MK2 wheel sizes 205/55R16 7Jx16 ET45 205/55R16 6Jx16 ET50 205/50R17 6Jx17 ET45 225/45R17 7Jx17 ET49 225/45R17 7.5Jx17 ET49 225/40R18 7.5Jx18 ET46

The best way to improve the ride is to use tyres with more sidewall height such as 195/65R15 and 205/55R16 instead of 225/45R17 and 225/40R18...rather than fitting springs that are too soft. Notice below, that the increased ride height springs are slightly stiffer than the standard ride height springs (ie. 0.25mm thicker wire diameter). This is to help compensate for the car's increased centre of gravity and associated tendency to roll more in corners. FRONT SPRINGS (for Octavia MK3 1.6TDI DSG estate FWD) Standard ride height front springs 5Q0411105GK Length 315mm Wire diameter 12.00mm Increased ride height front springs 5Q0411105HN Length 332mm Wire diameter 12.25mm REAR SPRINGS (for Octavia MK3 1.6TDI DSG estate FWD) Standard ride height rear springs 5Q0511121AD Length 348mm Wire diameter 10.75mm Increased ride height rear springs 5Q0511121BD Length 361mm Wire diameter 11.00mm Some increased ride height front springs (matching 5Q0411105HN) Kilen 23132 KYB RA1122 Lesjofors 4085733 https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/5q0411105hn?supplier%5B%5D=246&supplier%5B%5D=85&supplier%5B%5D=253 Some increased ride height rear springs (matching 5Q0511121BD) Kilen 63141 KYB RA7155 Lesjofors 4285742 https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/5q0511121bd?supplier%5B%5D=253&supplier%5B%5D=85&supplier%5B%5D=246

Octavia MK3 1.4TSI 150PS hatchback FWD gknautomotive lists 5Q0511121AD as the standard ride height rear spring without towbar gknautomotive lists 5Q0511121AF as the standard ride height rear spring with towbar Octavia MK3 rear springs (1JA=standard ride height) (0N1 = Standard rear axle) 1 5Q0511121AA Coil spring 2 PR:1JA+0YA 1 5Q0511121AB Coil spring 2 PR:1JA+0YB 1 5Q0511121AC Coil spring 2 PR:1JA+0YC 1 5Q0511121AD Coil spring 2 PR:1JA+0YD 1 5Q0511121AE Coil spring 2 PR:1JA+0YE 1 5Q0511121AF Coil spring 2 PR:1JA+0YF 1 5Q0511121AG Coil spring 2 PR:1JA+0YG 1 5Q0511121AH Coil spring 2 PR:1JA+0YH 1 5Q0511121AJ Coil spring 2 PR:1JA+0YJ https://www.lllparts.co.uk/catalogs/skoda/CZ/OCT/753/5 5Q0511121AF rear springs Sachs 994 923 https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/5q0511121af?supplier%5B%5D=32