Hi folks

Heard about this site as a result of a reply to a question I posed to an ebay member, regarding re-mapping, which he thoroughly recommended.

I have owned from new a '03 black Octavia vRS estate-what advice would members give on re-mapping and associated "issues"! Also why do we estate owners have to put up with the piddly wee 16" wheels instead of the hatch's 17"-ers?

Favourite vRS motoring moment:

It was not long after getting the car, long line of cars toodlin' along the A75 (SW Scotland) me in rear except for small-penised BMW 7-series driver behind, all over my back end like a bad suit, weaving about-car body language reading:" I'm first out as soon as there is an overtaking oppo"! WRONG ! What unbridlled joy to see him desperately trying to keep up with the 'budget-buy' in front! He must have been pushing it too, cos I was doing 130 before I had to lift off for the looming roundabout! Woo-hoo! My next car is a vRS!

Welcome to Briskoda. There are plenty of options for remapping, each with its fans - I went the tried and tested Jabba route. All the Octavia Estates lack the extra boot bracing which the vRS Hatch has and so suffer from more body flex. 17" wheels would aggravate matters. That said, some members have opted for 17" wheels on their Estates and I can't recall any reporting problems having done so.

PS: I've just remembered that EddyH has 18" alloys on his Estate.

Hi and welcome, regarding size of wheels, I thinkl it may also have something to do with the fact that the larger wheel and hence narrower side wall has less load rating than a "balloon" tyre. So if your fully loaded and pulling a caravan for instance, you'll be exceeding the tyre load rating on 17" wheels, and I guess estate owners may be more inclined to do this sort of thing

Lee

Stick with the 16s. They look fine on the car. I am really not a fan of putting big wheels on a car. I neither think they are good for the handling or look good. Someone on here has a black Octy vRS with enormous Audi wheels. Didn't look good in my humble opinion.

Jimmy has RS6 rep's on his RS hearse, can't recall if they are 17 or 18, but they do look nice.

Stick with the 16s. They look fine on the car. I am really not a fan of putting big wheels on a car. I neither think they are good for the handling or look good.

Does that mean you would be happy to swop the 17" wheels on your car for 16" wheels then, William?

Does that mean you would be happy to swop the 17" wheels on your car for 16" wheels then, William?

No, but if the car had been an Irish spec vRS with 16s, I wouldn't have wanted to go out and buy 17s.

Welcome and a quality choice of vehicle even if I do say so myself

I agree the 16's look a bit pants on the estate. I chucked mine in the bin and stuck a set of 18's on (Piccies in my gallery if you're interested). 13k miles later and my bodyshell hasn't flexxed itself to bits yet... I think Leeboy is right about the tyre load rating which would only be a problem if you participtaed in socially unacceptable activities like dragging caravans along behind you.

Hello and Welcome Nurse.Jenkins.

Thanks for all the replies, guys. I had to replace all the rubber recently and I guess my wallet was better off by quite a bit having only the 16" boots-my gripe is not so much the looks but the grip advantage of the 17"/lower profile set-up. Has anyone done a back to back twisty trial betwixt hatch & estate? I chose the estate for its extra heedroom in the back and for lugging a dog(not a bleedin' caravan...honestly!). I also think it has a more Q-car appeal than the hatch but ultimately not as handsome! I hope they dont keep us waiting too long for the new vRS

Welcome to Briskoda. :wave: