VRS-Rog

Hi mate

I must say thankyou to the guys putting all the information in this thread I found it essential when I replaced my HCU today (refurbed unit from BBA reman) on my Octavia VRS (56 plate). Took around 3 hours with a helper, which you really do need (pedal man!). Completely worked too. My ESP light went out, the brakes felt so much better, the car feels better too! VCDS'd the car and cleared the codes and all is good! The only advice I would add is, I didn't have to unscrew the ABS bracket from the chassis leg. It lifts out of the bracket quite easily, (after a good tug!) it's just held in by rubber bungs. The connecting bracket is attached to the HCU. All in all the procedure was pretty painless (after following this thread), and I've never had to fit one of these before. So if your reasonable with some spanners, give it a go yourself and save a few hundred quid in labour costs! Rog

*Update* FL front and rear VRS badges added The (genuine) Octavia badge was off eBay, but the letters came separated, so I had to use tape to install it. It's still a bit untidy but it's not too bad! Took me ages to line them up (all guess work), the "t" is still a tiny bit out.....oh well! I'll live with it for now, or I may get a new one! I know peoples opinions are mixed with these badges on Pre FL car, but I think it freshens up the cars looks IMO Comments welcome Rog

Here's some sample pics of the initial Protection Detail I did the other week, 2 days after buying it.The aim was to assess the condition of the car and protect it from the elements, before giving it full (wheel off) correction detail. I hope you like Before: Not too bad from a distance, the bodywork was actually pretty clean, just the usual swirls and a couple of RDS's. Wheels first, attacked with Wolf's Decon Gel, left to dwell for 15-20 mins. Used various wheel/detail brushes and alot of effort. All the alloys had very bad road contamination on the inner rim, the faces weren't too bad. Really need to be removed and given a good polish to give them some life.(and a refurb, that will be later) Then Tardis'd. The lower panels and arches were treated to some TFR, then PW'd off. Then coated in Snow foam. The nooks/cranies and badges were then APC'd with a detailing brush whilst the foam was dwelling! Then PW'd and then the panels were washed using the 2BM. The car was PW'd again and then given a 2 stage decontamination, Tardis (lower areas) and then clayed. The car was dryed with a plush drying towel and treated to a coat of Chemical Guys M-Seal Nano Sealant via a DA polisher. This cleanses the paint again leaving a great finish, protection and masking a lot of the swirls.(for now) Here are some after shots. A couple of before and after shots. Engine bay, this was treated with non acidic wheel cleaner to remove the engine oil and grease and then PW'd off. I haven't dressed the plastics yet. Loads more photos on my FB page Not bad for approx 4 hours work (between the rain!). It's a good start, the real detail will come when the weather is a bit better. Thanks for looking, comments welcome Rog

Nice reply, cheers Hunty I wasn't trying to insult the previous owner, I'm sure he kept the car to the best of his ability. But, as you quite rightly say, it's all the little details, that gives you the bigger picture. I guess you have to be into detailing, really to appreciate the work that is needed to get a car upto standard. I feel like I've insulted your intelligence Hunty! Sorry if I did mate! You certainly look like you know what you are doing already, good to see your dedication to detailing. Looks like any advice will go both ways mate! I was a keen ameteur years ago, then decided to get a bit more serious. Started with a DA, same as you and got some nice results. But I wasn't comfortable using a rotary without tuition, after reading some horror stories (strike through and so on)!! So I got professionally trained by Tony Spears (ex Swissvax Instructor) and now detail on a weekend basis, just for my own enjoyment (and money of course!) My next training will be on PDR (paintless dent removal), so i can offer both car maintenance solutions. I have used cleanyourcar website, know it quite well, I'll check out your blog. I also like Polished Bliss site too, some sound advice on there too. I like detailing World, but tend to stick to the restoration projects forum, as there is some great work going on in there! I can find the other areas a bit confusing/samey and way too much banter about what the best products are to use (you can spend/waste some serious amount of money on that stuff!!). Don't get me wrong though, there is some seriously, unbelievable talent on DW! :yes: Yeah totally agree, Menzerna polishes are the bomb, but their pads aren't too great are they?! I'll check out Scholl Concepts, once I'm low on my existing polish. I've got some Wolf's Chemicals "Jeweller" polish, which I haven't used yet, it is supposed to be outstanding after FF, via DA. You can go on forever though can't you, I guess you have to just use what you are happy with. Nice to see you have some contacts, if you ever feel like passing some test samples on then i wouldn't say no! Good stuff mate, nice chatting to you Rog

Nice one mate, they look loads better! Mine also has some stobborn corrosion marks, but from a distance they look spot on! That is what happens when previous owners don't maintain their car to a Detailers standard. Sounds good, looks like you have some great detailing skills! I hope you know what you are doing with the rotary, as you don't want to make any mistakes! Could be costly! Do you have/use a PTG (Paint Thickness Guage)? If you don't, my advice is to go easy!! It's always best to air on the safe side! Sorry if I'm teaching your Grandmother to suck eggs I tend to use Menzerna Polishes, which are great for the VAG paint system. Plus they don't contain fillers, so the finish you see, is the finish you have! But i've heard and seen great things about the Scholl range too.The car should come up well using them. Keep us posted Hunty. If you need any Detailing help/advice let me know as, I am a trained Professional Detailer. Rog

Looks very nice mate, you done a great job Loving the alloy colour choice too, really suits it The exhaust should come up ok too, with the Autosol and wirewool combo! Mine looked exactly the same as yours. Now they look as they should, shiney! Rog

I do agree on this point :yes: Oh well, no-one does FB on here! It's not that bad is it? I only use it really for my Detailing work. Ok, I'll load some pics up on a new thread later. Rog

Thanks for the nice welcomes and comments I've just detailed the new car, so if you want to check it out please follow the link below. VRS Protection Detail Comments welcome Rog

Thanks for the welcome Fellas Yeah, the S4 was a monster, it past most things but a petrol station! The S4 is a great car, solid, great fun, mega power, but unfortunately, not practical enough for me. The Skoda fits my needs a lot better now. I Detail/Valet cars on a part-time/weekend basis and the Estate is so much roomier for the equipment I use. Plus I have a growing family The VRS is great to drive, feels very similar to the A3 (same engine) in terms of handling and speed. The VRS feels alot smaller than it is! I guess thats due to the fact they 're based on the same chassis. I can't wait to get outside and clean it up, the cold weather is doing my head in Rog

Hello everyone on Briskoda! I've just got myself a Octavia VRS TFSI Combi on thurs, so thought I'd join up and say hello. I've just come from an Audi and VW before that, so I'm keeping in the VAG family. Very happy with the car too, it's alot better quality made than I thought it would be plus it's nice and quick! :evil: Here's a few pics of my new ride (awaiting detailing, too cold at the moment!): Here's my previous cars: Audi S4 Audi A3 2.0 TFSI Q: VW Golf GTI 25th Anniversary 1.8T No 824: The Skoda needs a bit of loving, but for the price I paid it was the bargin of the century! I will do a progress build thread as I restore the paintwork and brake calipers etc. So watch this space. Check out my Facebook link in my signiture too Rog