Hello all

I'm on the lookout for an Octavia VRS, for me it's the perfect balance of performance, fun, practicallity and value for money!

I've driven one now and really enjoyed it and I know I can afford to buy one so now it's on to the matter of finding the right one for me!

What I was wondering is though, is there a buying guide on the forum and also a modding guide? I've looked but can't find anything?

£4-5k should get me a decent one shouldn't it?

I can see me becoming a regular in JKM... Fingers crossed it won't take me long to find a decent one.

Anyway, if anyone can help me with any guides or tips it would be much appreciated!

Tom

I have had mine for 4 years from new and I agree with the "the perfect balance of performance, fun, practicallity and value for money!" comment. Make sure you get a good one and if it was me the best mod is to leave it alone!

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your new car (there is a garage near me that sells ex police cars I think I have seen a white one)

Do an advanced search in Mk1 octy section, something like "buying guide" or "buying tips"

As this question has been asked twice last week to my knowledge.

You will find loads !!!

if your thinking of modding dont rule out the 4x4. as it remaps to the same as the VRS does

£5k will get you a cracking low mileage example...

Brilliant thanks everyone, I'm gonna try and find that buying guide now! Must look harder!!!

I'll have to have it re-mapped, it'd be rude not too, otherwise though it'll stay fairly standard

I wish now I had looked at the 4x4 as well the VRS!

Something seems quite appealing consider once remapped it would be the same power as the VRS and would be quite a sleeper.

I just love the interior and look of the VRS, I've gotta have one!

Doing some digging I've found some faults, the main ones listed as -

Coil packs

Central locking issues

Door seals letting in moisture

Rear washer pipe popping off and flooding boot

N75 valve issues (more common on cars that have been modified)

Throttle body / MAF needs cleaning or replacing

Boost / vacuum leaks in hoses in the engine bay

Secondary air pump loose

Rear brake mooing

Gives me plenty to look for!

Anything else?

Thanks, Tom

Well I recently got one and found there are a few other bits that seem to be common.

Seats -

- Seats lumber support seems to break (had exactly the same thing on a few thousand mile old MK5 golf, so seems to be a VAG issue).

- Seats fray between the leather and cloth inserts.

Dash -

Vents are really weak and break easily.

Rust -

Between rear boot handle and panel, no idea why other than it must rub!

Other than that after a remap they really fly, definately worth the money!

Brilliant thanks Jon!

I see you have the forge diverter valve fitted, this seems to be the most common fitment on the VAG engines, is it the one to go for?

I wish now I had looked at the 4x4 as well the VRS!

Something seems quite appealing consider once remapped it would be the same power as the VRS and would be quite a sleeper.

Have yet to see one match the Vrs like for like with just a remap plus you ain't got nice styling .

Yes if you are going big turbo.

I see you have the forge diverter valve fitted, this seems to be the most common fitment on the VAG engines, is it the one to go for?

Certainly from what I read before buying the Forge, it seemed to be the best and so far I cannot fault it, nice build quality and should be easy to service to keep it running well, at the end of the day though I guess any of the re-circ types would be OK.

Thanks again Jon

I'd like to go with tried and tested parts, so it looks like that'll be going on the shopping list!

I thought buying a mildly quick performance family orientated car like the VRS would stop me modding the car. Oh how wrong i was. It is like a bug. As stated a 4-5k will get you a top notch one. You will also be able to get a well modded one if that is your choice. Although I like the personal choice of modding how i wanted it to be.

When checking the car out pay attention to all the body panels that they line up as expected and are the same colour, I know a number of folks bought cheaper ones that have been in accidents or had repair work done. Mechanically they are sound with the already mentioned things to check for.

With the money you are going to spend, you will probably get cruise control. Some also have a few other optional extras like Zenon lights and Factory Sat Nav sytems.

Good luck

Another option is buy an already modded example. I'm sure if you look in the for sale section there will be one in there.

Bowders, cheers mate. My Mrs. thinks I'm hinting at starting a family... I am most definately not!!! It will get modified though, no question there Zenons would be nice, not really thought about them...

John, I might find a nice modded one, worth thinking about!

That sort of budget would even get you a low mileage one from an official Skoda dealer, with a limited warranty.

If buying modded don't forget some of the budget will be needed to cover the increase in insurance :(

I saw a black one last summer for 5k in a dealership on the south coast, had sunroof and sat-nav as well :drool:

A dealer car would be nice, I'd love a black one but i'd never keep it looking nice :(

Mine cost me £4995 (with 3 month warranty) for a black 58K 2003 VRS.

My one seemed to be tidy with clean interior and some kerbing to the wheels it also had some extras such as a sunroof, and parking sensors.

Seemed to be good value at the time, where I am there seemed to be little choice and I needed to trade my old car in. Maybe milage and price was a bit high for the amount they wanted but had a full dealer service history and no modifications (read - probably not had too hard a life)

As for adding mods, well it started as purely replacing the DV but also the 20% Revo discount didn't help and really gets you thinking what else should I do, but when buying a used car mods would probably put me off.

You are right really, i'd prefer a standard car to be honest.

whats next on your list of mods to do?