Hello there, just made my first foray into VAG ownership with an 02 plate Octavia vRS. I went down to the local dealer with a mate who has a Fabia, just to "have a look" at Octavias and see if they were big enough, and quick enough for my needs. After a test drive, a few phone calls to the bank and many many cups of tea, I walked out 4 hours later having paid a deposit on this:

It's the first "modern" car I have ever owned really, my previous newest being an M reg Fiat Cinquecento Sporting. The Octavia is the first car I have ever owned with a safety feature! After years of owning retro cars, I really needed something reliable for work, but was still quick and fun to drive. I think this fulfills all those criteria, looking forward to picking it up on Thursday once they've replaced all the badges for me and put some tax on it so I can drive it away. 60,000 miles, one previous owner, full Skoda service history, plenty of toys (ABS, ASR, the other TLA that I can't remember the name of. The salesman said it individually brakes each wheel, like a form of stability control, climate control, parking sensors etc. etc.) it also has a keyfob that goes "plip" to lock the car. I've never had a car that's done that before. It's like I'm living in the future.

First thing I need for it is some roof bars. It has the little slots in the rails, so I presume there's an official Skoda one I can buy? If so, anyone know of a second hand one anywhere?

Secondly I'll be looking at a remap/chip - not entirely sure what is best here, so hopefully someone on here can help me out. From a quick Google is seems over 200bhp is fairly achievable with just a remap of the standard ECU? I'd rather keep most stuff under the bonnet standard so I can sell the car easily if I ever need to.

Other cars in my current fleet include:

1991 Mazda Eunos Roadster (MX-5) V-Spec. That's the one with the tan leather, green paint, wooden Nardi steering wheel and gearknob, and the all important limited slip differential. Not quite as quick as I'd like it to be, but still brilliant fun, and great for the summer.

1988 Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI - The car I wanted since I sat in one at a Peugeot dealer when I was 5 years old. My Dad had a 205 SR at the time, and was buying some parts, the salesman sat me in the car watching a video of the latest Group B action on the telly, and I fell in love. My car has only 1 previous owner who was a doctor from Maidenhead. Unfortunately it was parked up for over a year after failing an MOT, so I rescued it, and have spent the last five years restoring it. Last year it was exhibited at Goodwood Breakfast Club, but after developing yet another problem with oil hoses it's currently in bits in my garage awaiting some Samco replacements. My proudest achievement was sneaking in a sub 10 minute lap of the Nurburgring back in 2008, just after the engine was rebuilt. I won't go about it, as I could talk all day about it, love it to bits.

1994 Peugeot 205 1.8 Diesel Rallye Replica - I bought this to be my reliable everyday car. The previous owner had kept it in great condition, and added some choice stickers to make it look like a Rallye. I appreciate "misbadging" probably isn't to everyone's taste, but I do love how it looks. It has the interior and wheels from a 1.6 GTI. Plan was to drop the 1.9 D Turbo engine in from a 306 I bought for scrap, but that never happened, and as the 205 is just too slow for my commute (there are a few very short slip roads) I'm going to have to let it go.

So, well done if you read all of this. Pics of the others will be up soon if you want them, and pics of the Octavia when I take delivery.

1. Welcome to Briskoda

2. Have a look in the 'Car parts for sale' section for roof bars

3. IIRC you'll not get 200bhp from "just" a remap. DV, Filter & Zorst also reqd from memory

4. Have a look at www.jkm.org.uk for some really good options relatively local to you

5. Enjoy the car

Edited 25 July, 201015 yr by Jonny5ive

1. Welcome to Briskoda

2. Have a look in the 'Car parts for sale' section for roof bars

3. IIRC you'll not get 200bhp from "just" a remap. DV, Filter & Zorst also reqd from memory

4. Have a look at www.jkm.org.uk for some really good options relatively local to you

5. Enjoy the car

Cheers for that. Judging by this link: http://www.superchips.co.uk/search?make=33&fueltype=3&model=142&variant=640 that I clicked through to from yours, 218 bhp is possible with just a remap?

Hi and welcome aboard.

Indeed, you'll find lots and lots of claimed figures on manufacturers websites. It's worth remembering that these are usually peak figures that may have been achieved as a 'one off'.

There are lots of other variables

1. Rolling Road accuracy

2. Type of fuel e.g. 95/98/102ron

3. Ambient air Temp

4. what the car is putting out as standard (my 130bhp fabia put out 145bhp in standard guise).

Anyone feel free to correct me as I'm not a specialist on the 1.8T lump but having read the forums for some time, I'm sure you'll find many posts on here about how these figures are not able to be replicated though

Edited 25 July, 201015 yr by Jonny5ive

Hello there, just made my first foray into VAG ownership with an 02 plate Octavia vRS. I went down to the local dealer with a mate who has a Fabia, just to "have a look" at Octavias...

alright there benji! Glad to see you made it on. You do realise J will be trying to claim he converted you - he did the same with me, even though he had nothing to do with it.

As was said, JKM in boldre Close, Pompey are pretty good, they did my cam belt/waterpump at a reasonable rate, and also helped me with advice when I was planning my brake upgrade. I've also used Independent VW, Chandlers Ford and heard good things about Monks Auto

anyways, I look forward to seeing it in the flesh - we'll probably end up having our own mini-meet!

take it easy

Ian

PS your photo doesn't seem to have attached :(

PS your photo doesn't seem to have attached :(

Cheers mate, glad you pointed me here. Certainly seems like a good place for Skoda info.

Photo was there originally, but imageshack appear to have lost it, so have uploaded it again:

Hi benji

Don't spend much time over here.. (Octy II obviously for me).

Looking forward to seeing the car..

JKM are close to you i think - good reputation.

For the Mk2 vrs the Shark Performance remap gets a very good write up, plus good customer support etc. Shark_90 (ben) is a regular poster on here too.

cheers

Rob

Welcome to the forums, love the user name! :yes:

Post on the Octy I forums if you've got any questions about the VRS, there's a wealth of knowledge on there.

Before you spend money on a remap I would seriously consider getting things like suspension, brakes etc sorted out as it can be a very very quick and good handling car with those things upgraded and it will be much safer for when you do get a remap.

As far as figures go, assuming your car is healthy and putting out the book figures of 180bhp and 175 ft/lbs then most companies will be able to put that up to around 210bhp and 220-240 ft/lbs with a generic remap. You can get 220bhp or more with a custom map but need to do all sorts of other things first (exhaust, intercooler etc.).

Edited 26 July, 201015 yr by chicken_eyebrow

Welcome to the forums, love the user name! :yes:

Before you spend money on a remap I would seriously consider getting things like suspension, brakes etc sorted out as it can be a very very quick and good handling car with those things upgraded and it will be much safer for when you do get a remap.

Cheers, username was chosen as that's what I told the Skoda dealer when I was looking for one!

As for handling mods - I didn't buy it to handle. I have two cars which do that admirably already. What I want is for this to be comfortable, safe and quick on my commute - which is motorway and large A roads and dual carriageways. The brakes are good enough for me, although not quite as sharp as my 205 GTI (which has massively uprated brakes) these at least have ABS, so I feel quite confident. I'm not exactly going to be taking the Octavia on a trackday or anything, though I could be persuaded by a 'ring trip before the end of the summer...

Hello and welcome to the forum

Hello and welcome to Briskoda.

It's always nice to read a good introduction. Top marks.

Edited 26 July, 201015 yr by Robshaw

Hello there, just made my first foray into VAG ownership with an 02 plate Octavia vRS. I went down to the local dealer with a mate who has a Fabia, just to "have a look" at Octavias and see if they were big enough, and quick enough for my needs. After a test drive, a few phone calls to the bank and many many cups of tea, I walked out 4 hours later having paid a deposit on this:

Benji? I'm fairly sure I spoke to you and gave you that helping nudge on putting down that deposit? You bought from Sparshatts of Botley? Its Greg Tapley? I think I'm the one who converted you! I spoke to you when you were struggling with Pat a bit? How are you enjoying the car?? rather a lot I should hope after the deal we got you?! Its a small world hey?!

Greg T

big up the 205 gti massive!!!!!!

hearing your stories brings back memories of my beloved g plate 1.9 gti that i didn't stop playing with till it went from standard, to fast road 1.9 8v, to 2.0 16v s16 engine with bloody great weber carbs!

love the vrs too, was thinking of getting a black one but the silver looks ace, plus as you know, the traffic cops prowl the m27 in silver and black vrs's so we can wind boy racers up by playing wannabe undercover traffic cop tailgating!

Benji? I'm fairly sure I spoke to you and gave you that helping nudge on putting down that deposit? You bought from Sparshatts of Botley? Its Greg Tapley? I think I'm the one who converted you! I spoke to you when you were struggling with Pat a bit? How are you enjoying the car?? rather a lot I should hope after the deal we got you?! Its a small world hey?!

Greg T

Hey there, loving the car, just got back from a weekend in Devon in it. Plymouth to Southampton in 2 hours.

I think there may be a little problem with suspension bushings though, there is a definite knock coming from the front end if I go over a manhole cover or bump in the road. I'll bring it in to be looked at when my new Skoda badges arrive...

Hey there, loving the car, just got back from a weekend in Devon in it. Plymouth to Southampton in 2 hours.

I think there may be a little problem with suspension bushings though, there is a definite knock coming from the front end if I go over a manhole cover or bump in the road. I'll bring it in to be looked at when my new Skoda badges arrive...

2 hours?? lol Glad you like it. Pop it in and they shall have a peek!

Greg T

Looks very tidy. Well wear with it now chap!