smerko

Hi, I have just purchased a set of used Thule roof bars with 755 feet but with no instructions... I want to physically remove the feet from the square bars to install aero bars but can not seem to get them to move at all! I have keys etc - the locks are removed and the feet adjust ok with the rotating end cap. But how do I physically detach the feet from the bars - they appear to be fixed? Thanks in advance.

Hi, I would appreciate peoples opinions on how the Octavia vRS compares handling and performance wise to other hot hatches. I appreciate it is a slightly vague comparison but would people consider it fun to drive? I am seriously considering one, but do not really need the space, etc - just appreciate that it is probably the best value sporty 1.8t car in the VAG range. I think I could make a pretty nice one of these for not much over £5.5k if I get a tidy one and remap it, fit Weitec suspension or similar and some ARB's, but am concerned that at the end of the day it will still feel a bit lifeless and heavy. Maybe I should pay the extra for the Leon Cupra R or Civic Type R or look at an Ibiza 20vt or Clio? Any opinions appreciated.

Intresting post. I was EXTREMELY lucky to be covered under my dads company car insurance at 17 and I was given access to that car whenever I wanted more or less. The car in question being his new Octavia vRS at the time. I remember running quotes out of pure intrest - most would simply refuse cover with some quoting almost 5 figure sums... Passed my driving test in it too There is no golden rules to this (indeed, I managed to survice and so did the car). To me it can be determined by the persons personality and attitude to driving as to how things will turn out. Some people will just rag a car regardless of its power output, therefore they will probably crash anyways but the faster the car the greater the consequence... I could pretty much guarantee that some of my mates would have killed themselves or others if they had anything greater than the usual corsa, peugeot etc as they drove 'maximum attack' everywhere. It needs to be put across that there is a time and a place for a 'spirited drive', especially in a warm hatchback or similar and that driving a car such as an Octavia vRS (in my case) will put you well into licence loosing speeds by 3rd gear!

So basically it seems to come down to what I expected - vRS better quality, MG the better handler. MPG dosen't really bother me as I do very low mileage. Don't like the facelift ZS - would ideally be looking for a 2004 pre-facelift car. Can someone clarify the 'issue' with the mkiv Golf chassis - I believe the wishbones run negative all the time or something? I seem to recall that raising the rideheight (not that I would do this) improves handling (indeed there were kits for this).

You've hit the nail on the head but I didn't want that to alter opinions. Both the ZS 180 and Honda ATR are less than 5 co2's over the desirable 225 limit. To be fair they will be around £250 for the next year (if before 2005 reg I think) but there are no figures stating what will happen after that. The general opinion seems to be they will join the £400 gang which I simply cannot justify for both a cost and due to the low mileage I do. Also I think (especially with the MG) the cars will become almost unsellable due to their such low value. I would probably go for the MG if it were not for this tax 'problem' - fantastic value and have a bit of a soft spot for them. Hence the Skoda may now be in with a chance. I am just a bit scared it is a bit soft and would not want to spend a heap sorting it out due to insurance mainly. Sounds like polybushed suspension (do you get a kit for this car?), rear ARB of some sort and possibly the Audi upper and lower front braces may make for a fairly tidy handling car though?

Thanks so far. Basically I wouldn't want to modify the car much as my insurance will go though the roof (only 22)! But if a couple of basic mods will sort the handling out then I would be pretty tempted. Have any more people tracked a vRS on standard suspension - how was it? Cheers

Right here we go. I fancy a change of car this summer from my Suzuki Ignis Sport and have been keeping my options open and considering a vast range. I keep thinking an Octavia vRS would be a decent car to buy - especially from a price point of view where it is one of the cheapest sporty 1.8t cars VAG offers. My main criteria, as well as a bit of shove, is that the car handles well. I am fully aware of the modifications that can be done to the car - ARB's, etc, but what I want to know is how well the car actually drives at the end of it all. If I was to buy such a class of car I would also be considering the Honda Accord Type-R (maybe a bit unfair as this car is pretty 'hardcore') and the MG ZS 180 - both widely regarded to be fantastic handling cars, and with similar performance. Would the ZS still be the better steer after uprating the Skoda with an uprated rear ARB, polybush kit and (at a push) maybe a suspension kit of some sort? Opinions appreciated.

Better off trading up to a tdi.

from what i have been reading, one of the smoothest stage one maps is APR. Uses only 1bar of boost with no spikes.

If you could scan a copy up it would be MUCH appreciated

Just checked 'The Knowledge' and it's apparently issue 32. Driven test not group feature. edit: beaten to it! Somebody must have a scanned copy :confused:

Hi, Does anyone have an electronic copy of the review of the mk1 Octavia vRS (1.8T) by EVO Magazine? Have read the review by Autocar but cannot seem to find a copy of the EVO one online? Cheers

People on here used to swear by Ferodo DS2500 brake pads. Don't know if that is still the case but them (or similar) with a change of brake fluid should give you ample stopping power for the performance i'd have thought. How's the Remus exhaust?

Thanks for the reply - so all your dealers have the ability to do this? i.e. I could have it installed straight off with certain settings or would this require the purchase of a switch? Been on your site and the settings you have on the 1.8T are low boost 9, timing 4. What sort of boost level is 'low boost 9' (have just read this is also equal to high boost 6 or something). Also assuming I wanted to map the car for super unleaded i.e. 97/98ron, I should ask for timing 7 (or maybe 6 to be safe?). Most importantly what sort of characteristic of map would this give - don't want any spikes, just super smooth.

This might sound really pikey but assuming both springs have broken just at base maybe consider just getting the springs cut? I realise this brings horrible images to many and don't know if the springs are even coils or what but I read an article in PPC mag a while back (and just googled a bit now) stating this is not actually that bad if done properly and you do your maths. Might be worth looking into if you are on a budget though obviously would have to get fronts to match. Would be cheap and give you time to save for a kit... Alternatively buy a DECENT spring kit (search forum) such as Eibach or whatever that works with standard dampers and you can uprate the dampers to suit when the shocks eventually die. I'd say consider secondhand springs but that could just be false economy in the long run. Wouldn't recommend you change the back springs to different height/rating from front though - can't (don't want to) imagine how messy that would get if you crashed either insurance wise. Maybe just bite the bullet and get the OEM springs.