Hi folks

This has been bugging me for a little while, thought I'd throw it out there and see what opinions the knowlegeable briskoda community might hold...

Currently I have a 52-plate vRS on 39k. It's great and I love it, but a lot of London driving means I keep noticing the fact that I'm on 17s. Was thinking to swap to 16s, maybe Koni FSDs to improve things but keep a nice ride. Also keep getting tempted by the remap option... Also fancy putting in an armrest. And, as it's in Corrida Red, I often feel like a bloke in a big shiny red sportscar. Obviously, I bought it so maybe that's what I am, but around town I quite like the idea of motoring around in a sleeper, so was thinking to take off spoiler, badges and maybe even swap front bumper for the standard item. If I did all this, I'm thinking I'd basically be in an elegance 150 but with lower suspension and an interior that's harder to clean. And as I do bumps and potholes on a daily basis, would I be better off in a mapped 1.8T with 312s, FSDs and a few other items on the stock springs? More discreet, just as much power and more comfortable. I don't do trackdays or really push the car to it's limit, so I doubt I'd need the lower springs. Help! Any contributions/experiences gratefully received...

Cheers everyone

Fit coilovers to your vrs for a couple of weeks and then swap back - you will never grumble about the harsh ride ever again!

The Vrs is far far away from a red sprots car - it is nothing of the kind - more like a slightly sporty rep mobile. Don't ruin it making it what it is not. The make of tyres you fit on the standard 17inch rims can make a huge difference in ride comfort - you want something with soft tyre walls.

Thanks, just looking for a few opinions to end my wonderings one way or the other... I appreciate the ride is smooth compared to cars with stiffer setups, probably being a bit unfair on it as the roads I have to deal with are some of the worst around. I don't want to ruin the car, kind of why I'm musing about swapping then building up an elegance 150 or similar to get what I'm looking for. I also appreciate that it's not just a red sports car, partly why I bought one in the first place, but am aware of how a car with spoilers, badges and large alloys is perceived sometimes - more so when I'm coming back from a gig driving through East London at 2 in the morning. Anyway, thanks for the input

I think you might benefit from a nice remapped L&K 1.8T from what you've described

I had a look at a dirt cheap one before buying the vRS but my main problem with the car was summed up by the current owner... a very nice chap in his mid 60's...

Still if your trying to avoid the vRS image a nice high spec one with the maxidot dash etc. would be a nice place to whittle away the daily grind.

That's kind of what I was thinking... I suppose a full leather interior and all the toys doesn't hurt every now and then

I knew I was old beyond my years, but maybe I'm beginning to drive like an old man! :eek: Seriously though, for what I do, I'm pretty sure I could add on enough driveability (i.e uprated dampers, brakes etc.) to still have some fun - maybe it won't hold it's line so well cornering at autobahn speeds, but...

Seems to me quite a few on here have been down this route, nice to know what people have considered/opted for and why.

Thanks for the input, much appreciated

How about just going for the FSDs and maybe some Eibach springs - you'd be suprised at the improvement I think, much more "supple" rather than crashy.

How about just going for the FSDs and maybe some Eibach springs - you'd be suprised at the improvement I think, much more "supple" rather than crashy.

yep, whilst I realise it's a totally different car, fitting Eibach springs to my Focus gave a much more supple ride than standard

Thanks guys, I was under the impression that the Eibachs' primary function was to improve handling, wouldn't expect them to smooth out the ride too. Aren't they lowering springs, or do they offer a kind of uprated OEM spring too? Sounds interesting, not sure I can afford that kind of outlay right now though - just had 40k service, cambelt+pump, rear brakes, tax and ins...:thumbdwn: Need more gigs! (Or a slow car :eek:)

Jassbass they don't make Eibachs specifically for the 1.8 VRS and although these might be good for other Octavia models, they are not good for the VRS. The VRS is different poundage to any other Octavia. I tried Eibachs with Koni FSD's and the comfort and handling was terrible. A number of guys on here will also tell you that. Look up Eibachs in the search forum. I have yet to see anyone advertising them specifically for the VRS MK 1.

I went with Koni FSD's with standard springs which was a very comfortable ride. I then replaced the springs with H&R 20mm lower ones, which again are a very good combination. H&R are one of very few springs actually available specifically for the VRS. The comfort is good on these too. I have just replaced these less than a year old FSD's with Weitec Coilovers as I wanted better adjustability for track days etc. Boy do you feel the difference when coilovers are fitted. A lot more firmer ride and you feel more road imperfections. No good if you are going over uneven roads all the time. They suit me because I have always had cars that have stiff suspension. Not everyones cup of tea though.

Edited 22 October, 200817 yr by RobClubley
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The suspension on Elegance and L&K Octy MK I is woefully soft and IMHO you would be better off looking to source some decent suspension (FSD on standard springs) and if that isn't enough then make a move to 16" VRS alloys.

I'm sure a fabia VRS owner would do a swap on 16" for 17" wheels, and then it would just be a case of getting suitable new tyres.

Many thanks people

From reading around, I was thinking that FSDs on stock springs would help, they seem a bit pricey but I'm of the school of thought that you get what you pay for... (Btw how many miles did you do on your FSDs before changing? Erm, don't suppose you've still got them lying around and fancy selling them to a fellow Briskodian? )

And was also contemplating a swap with a Furby owner for the 16s, though thanks to previous owners (and myself occasionally - damn unpredictable London paving and tight parking spaces) they're really quite scratched up. May have to just ebay them for whatever I can get and shell out for some decent 16s, unless there's someone out there who can do their own wheel refurbishment. Or a Furby owner who's not fussy... Mind you the spare's in perfect nick!

I think the Eibachs are great for the Octavia, but you MUST use them with uprated dampers. Uprated springs on OEM dampers will be dreadful.

I agree, was thinking of replacing dampers rather than springs anyway - it seems a lot of people think that the octavia is under-damped, 2 years of crashing around at seemingly generously low speeds over bumps and potholes leads me to concur!