Ive had my Octavia now for a few months and the only negative (apart from poor MW/LW reception) has been a lack of grip from the front tyres. I can spin the front tyres and set the ASR "banging away" without really trying. The car is an 08 plate 1.8 TSi Ambiente (160 BHP) and has covered 9K miles. The tyres currently fitted are Dunlop SP Sport 01 (205/60/15 91V) and are evenly worn with >5 mm tread remaining. My last 2 Octavia's (Mk1 vRS's) had Continental sportcontact 2's fitted (205/50/17) and seemed much grippier than these Dunlops.

I have 2 thoughts in mind:

• a new set of tyres (I would appreciate any suggestions as to which brand to improve grip).
  
• Alternatively would a larger set of wheels/tyres from another Octavia offer more grip? I'm thinking along the lines of 17's from a Mk II vRS of even 16's from an Elegance. I appreciate this will have implications for insurance etc.
  

I have been very impressed with the new 1.8 TSi engine. It pulls from 2K revs and really flies between 4.5K-6K revs. I've averaged 30 mpg in mostly urban use, but have seen over 40 mpg cruising on the motorway.

Sorry, just realised !!!

I've reposted in the appropriate model are

Edited 30 November, 200817 yr by pinkpanther

My Octy II has the Syrius 16" alloy wheels. From new, it was supplied on Bridgestone Turanza's, however, come the first pair of new tyres to wear out I chanaged to Michelin Primacy's. The Michelin's last longer than the Turanza's and have slightly more grip.

Later in the cars life the leasing company would not authorise a pair of Primacy's, forcing the supplier to fit a pair of Dunlop SP01's. These were OK in the dry, but awful in damp/wet conditions. Fortunately, one of these needed replacing due to pothole damage, replaced with a Michelin Primacy. Last week, I got the remaining Dunlop tyre replaced with a new Primacy. The car now has matching tyres on both axles!

I also suggest periodically swapping tyres from the front to rear axles and vice versa. On a front wheel drive car, the best pair of tyre (greatest tread depth) should be on the REAR axle, according to Michelin.