Carlston

Bilstein list both the Bilstein B4 22-131614 and the Bilstein B4 22-139191 front shock absorbers in their online catalogue http://web1.carparts-cat.com/default.aspx?34=0,100011,100121&240=0&32=26623&230=29&1271=48&1272=8973a092-71b4-460d-bca3-49d36fbca2c8&1273=1&10=81E0E77E2399416EBBB40354B6A14873018004&14=4&12=130

I can't see any Bilstein B4 shock absorbers with part number 22-132614 Do you mean 22-131614 ? https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/shock-absorber-10221/skoda/octavia/octavia-1z3/26623-2-0-tdi-rs?supplier[0]=16&criteria[100]=VA What is the diameter of the original shock absorber rod that fits into the top mount? And what is the diameter of the Bilstein B4 shock absorber rod that fits into the top mount? It maybe that they are the same, but that the original shock absorber rod is a bigger diameter that the B4 replacement shock absorbers. Take a look at the photos of the B6 shock absorbers in the above link. You will see that the B6 has a larger rod diameter than the B4, except at the top where the B6 has a step down to fit into the top mount.

The standard 19" rims on the Octavia MK3 are 7.5Jx19 ET51. The outside edge of the rim on 9Jx19 ET33 rims would be about 37mm further out on each side of the car. That's 74mm or almost 3" wider. It might be difficult getting through 2metre width restrictions without kerbing the rims. The edge of the 225/35R19 tyres will stick out 18mm more, so might stick out of the wheelarches. 9J is stretching the 225/35R19 tyres to the max...although maybe that's the point. 235/35R19 tyres will give a far harder ride on 9J rims than on 7.5J rims. The rims will be very exposed to kerbing damage.

There are two space saver spare wheels shown. 125/70R18 and 215/60R16. You can select the variable boot floor with the 125/70R18 space saver spare wheel, but not the 215/60R16 space saver spare wheel. If you had four 215/60R16 tyres on the vehicle, then the 215/60R16 spare wheel wouldn't be a space saver (it would be a full size spare wheel) and the 50mph top speed limit would not apply.

Your suspension looks quite high. Does it have the +15mm off-road suspension option? This might be a standard option for cars sold in the Caribbean, due to poor roads.

They are sand cast aluminium, like most alloy rims. They are not magnesium. Magnesium would corrode (rust) easily, and are more suited to racing cars than road cars as they are not durable enough for road use. Expensive cars like Ferraris and Porsches, will use forged aluminium which is stronger and lighter than sand cast aluminium but much more expensive.

The 14" version is 6Y0601025 7ZS

It's cast into the back of the alloy rim. It will be either 6Y0601025 7ZS or 6Y0601025E 7ZS 6Y0601025 is the 14" version. 6Y0601025E is the 15" version. 7ZS is the colour code, ie. chrome coloured metallic.

6Jx14 ET43 1 6Y0601025 aluminium rim 6 JX14 ET43 6Y0601025 7ZS chrome coloured metallic Period: 0899 - 0704 (1) 6Y0601025E aluminium rim 6 JX15 ET43 6Y0601025E 7ZS chrome coloured metallic Period: 0801 - 0704 http://www.oemepc.com/skoda/part_single/catalog/sk/markt/CZ/modell/FAB/year/2002/drive_standart/225/hg_ug/601/subcategory/601050/part_id/2543668/lang/e 185/60R14 and 185/65R14 is ok for a 6J rim. 185/70R14 would be better fitted to a narrower 5J rim. The latest VW Polo uses 185/70R14 on 5Jx14 ET38 rims, although that car's gearing is correct for this larger outside diameter.

What size rims have you got? The 165/70R14 probably came on 5Jx14 ET35 rims. For steel rims, you can see this information stamped on the outside of the rim near the wheel bolts. The lettering is small, so you might need a magnifying glass to see clearly. 185/70R14 is a more expensive size than 185/60R14 or 185/65R14. On 5J rims, changing from 165/70R14 to 175/65R14 is a popular choice. Like 165/70R14, 175/65R14 is one of the cheaper tyre sizes. 175/65R14 is also fitted to the Skoda Citigo as it's entry level tyre. 175/70R14 is the entry level size for the Fabia MK3, but tends to be more expensive than 165/70R14 and 175/65R14. You may find the top gear too high using 185/70R14, which could increase fuel consumption. Driving style is by far the biggest factor in reducing fuel consumption.

What size tyres do you have at the moment? What makes a small difference is tyre width. So if you had 205/45R16 and changed to 185/65R14 you might get about 3% better fuel economy. There are also differences in each tyre size, as some have less rolling resistance than others. Do you get Euro labels in the Caribbean stuck on new tyres like in Europe?

Skoda Roomster 2006, floating caliper brake brake caliper housing brake carrier with pad retaining pin brake disc (vented) front LUCAS/TRW 288X25MM 15" PR-1LN,1ZH http://www.oemepc.com/skoda/part_single/catalog/sk/markt/CZ/modell/RO/year/2006/drive_standart/481/hg_ug/615/subcategory/615025/part_id/0/lang/e Skoda Roomster 2011, floating caliper brake brake caliper housing calliper carrier brake disc (vented) front ATE 288X25MM PR-1ZC http://www.oemepc.com/skoda/part_single/catalog/sk/markt/CZ/modell/RO/year/2011/drive_standart/699/hg_ug/615/subcategory/615025/part_id/0/lang/e It looks like there are two different types of calipers fitted to the 288mm front discs. The early one (2006 to 2010) used a Lucas/TRW calipers and the later one (2011 TO 2015) used ATE calipers. It looks like brake pads for the later one might not be available without a wear indicator. Build code 1LN or 1ZH means it's the Lucas/TRW caliper, build code 1ZC means it's the ATE caliper.

Front brake pads "not prepared for wear indicator, excl. wear warning contact". https://www.autodoc.co.uk/ate/956196 https://www.autodoc.co.uk/ate/955506

Make sure you've got a voltmeter to plug into the cigarette lighter socket. This way, you can keep a check on the battery voltage. It should read 14.0V to 14.4V when the engine is running, and probably at least 12.3V when the engine is not running and after the engine hasn't been run for at least 12 hours. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gesh-Digital-Cigarette-Lighter-Voltmeter/dp/B08XXG4NMV/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=led+voltmeter+cigarette+lighter+socket&qid=1615574766&sr=8-1 There's always lots of these listed on ebay by various sellers.

You do need the right tools. Make sure you support the front of the car on axle stands, and have a trolley jack with a 75mm x 25mm rubber pad (adult hockey puck). https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ice-Hockey-Puck-Black/353257872037?epid=1133780485&hash=item523fcf5aa5:g:c4AAAOSwZH1dlitl The junior hockey pucks are smaller than the adult hockey pucks at 60mm x 20mm. There's also a tiny 38mm x 13mm (1.5" x 0.5") version. I've got all three sizes, which come in handy for use with the trolley jack to protect the car. Other tools you will need include a coil spring compressor. These two are quite good, as they both have an acme thread, so are both durable. Coil spring compressors that use an ordinary thread don't last long as the thread tends to chew themselves up and self destruck. Sealey AK3841 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-Car-Van-Coil-Spring-Suspension-Manual-Compressors-Clamps-230mm-AK3841/310869699519?epid=1840770360&hash=item4861472bbf:g:du8AAOSwVChgHZrh Draper 14173 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-14173-Coil-Spring-Comssors/dp/B0001K9Q2W/ref=sr_1_1?crid=A1X73NISN4YS&dchild=1&keywords=draper+coil+spring+compressor&qid=1615404511&sprefix=draper+coil%2Caps%2C158&sr=8-1 There are also other tools that you will need specific to the job. I haven't changed front springs on the Fabia, so for more specific advice you will need to ask someone else.

On the 1.0TSI, the turbo doesn't really come in until 2,000rpm. Below that and the engine will feel like a 1 litre engine. Above and it will feel like a 2 litre engine. With the previous 1.2TSI the power would come in at a much lower 1,600rpm. The benefit of the 1.0TSI over the previous 1.2TSI is economy. Enjoy the improved economy of the 1.0TSI over the previous 1.2TSI, but you just have to live with the lack of bottom end power. I would prefer the 1.0TSI to have a smaller turbo with peak torque produced from 1,600rpm like the previous 1.2TSI. However, many people would then be unhappy with the reduced top end performance. Rather than 115HP, you might only get 85HP with the smaller turbo. It would be nice if Skoda introduced a small turbo version with decent amounts of power from low down in the rev range, ie. from 1,600rpm.

For 14" wheels to fit, the OP would need to check that the diameter of the front brake discs is 256mm and not 288mm. I would guess the 1.2TSI 63kW/86PS version would have the 256mm front discs, and the 1.2TDI 77kW/105PS version would have the 288mm front discs...but that is just a guess...so do check. If you know the build codes, then both 1ZE and 1ZG have 256mm front discs, and 1ZC and 1ZD have 288mm front discs. Some of the build codes are on a white label stuck under the carpet in the boot area.

Just change the tyres and rims to a comfortable size and the problem will be solved. From the photo on your other thread, it looks like you have 205/40R17 tyres. Take a look at these Fabia MK2 alloy rims on "eshop skoda cz" https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/cs_CZ/hlinikove-disky/c/alloyWheels?q=%3AscoreDesc%3AcarType%3AFabia%2BII%2B%282010-2014%29 6Jx14 ET37 Alloy Rim (2659CZK is about £87) https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/cs_CZ/kolo-z-lehke-slitiny-shell-14-pro-roomster-fabia-ii/p/5J0071494C+7ZS

Sidewall construction is another variable. Other variables includes tyre pressure and rim width. To maximise comfort from a tyre you optimise all four variables.

You're only saying that because you don't understand the maths and physics behind what makes one tyre size more comfortable than another. If I wasn't sure about one tyre size being more comfortable than another tyre size I wouldn't say it. Here are two groups of tyres with the comfort level gradually getting worse from left to right. Load index 84 (500kg) 175/70R14, 185/60R15, 195/50R16 Load index 91 (615kg) 195/65R15, 205/55R16, 225/45R17 As you move from left to right in the two groups above, the contact area between the tyre and the road stays the same. This is because in each group the load index stays the same and therefore the tyre pressure stays the same. However, as you move from left to right in the two groups above, the shape of the contact patch changes. Do you know how the shaped of the contact patch changes? The answer to this question is fundamental in understanding what makes one tyre size more comfortable than another.

EBC DPX2127 174.9 x 69.4 x 20mm 10 8V0698151C 1 set: brake pads with wear indicator for disc brake 340X30MM http://www.oemepc.com/skoda/part_single/catalog/sk/markt/CZ/modell/OCT/year/2016/drive_standart/753/hg_ug/615/subcategory/615040/part_id/2561338/lang/e https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DPX2127-EBC-Ultimax-FRONT-Brake-Pads-fit-TT-TT-4wd-Alhambra-CC-Golf-Mk7-Passat/291600253779?epid=20029717853&hash=item43e4bac353:g:kEgAAOSwdNFZdISs

According to autodoc the Octavia MK2 1.6TDI came with either 280mm diameter front brake discs or 288mm diameter front brake discs. Which are fitted to your car? Build code 1ZF or 1ZM means that you have 280mm diameter front brake discs. Build code 1ZE means that you have 288mm diameter front brake discs. You will probably find these build codes on a white label that was stuck in your boot area under the carpet by the factory. Alternatively, you can measure the thickness of one of the front brake discs. The 280mm diameter front brake discs are 22mm thick when new, and the 288mm diameter front brake discs are 25mm thick when new. Or measure the diameter of one of the brake discs. Alternatively, what is the make and model number of the front brake pads that you have purchased?

205/50R16 on 6.5J rims will ride more comfortably than 215/45R16 on 7J rims. 205/50R16 is oversize for the Fabia, so the comfort comparison would be better against oversize 15" tyres such as 195/60R15 on 5.5J or 6J rims. 205/50R16 doesn't even have as high a load index as 195/60R15...87 (545kg) versus 88 (560kg). So the 15" tyre wins again.

It's not just that 14" wheels won't fit over the front brake calipers on the 110PS engined models, but 175/70R14 doesn't really have the performance to match the power of the engine. The tyre manufacturers tend to agree, because most of them don't make tyres in that size with a speed rating above 118mph.

It could be a debate that goes on and on...but as the Dragon's Den say...I'm out!