I'm currently weighing up my choices for the next car. At the moment I have a mk1 elegance estate which is reaching the end of its useful life

My job involves long road journeys (usually 75ish miles a day) as well as a lot of farm tracks and driving over fields. I've had to do work on the mk1 suspension every 6 months or so with bushes/springs and bearings etc. The main problem is that it's just not strong enough for the work I put it to.

I'd love a scout but am finding it difficult to justify the extra £3k ish over an equivalent mileage 4x4 (not bothered by the extra toys). After looking at the 4x4 I then look at the standard estate and think I could save another £2k ish on these, (or even look at the vrs at a similar price to the 4x4)

So three main questions:

Is the suspension on the 4x4 and scouts strengthened as well as being raised?

Is the suspension on the standard mk2 tougher than the mk1?

Would it be ridiculous to consider a vrs with a sump guard (and all season tyres)?

Thanks for any advice or thoughts...

Edited 26 October, 201015 yr by lard-ajc

I've owned both a 4x4 and a SCOUT, and for UK cars, I think the Scout has strengthened suspension, whereas the 4x4 has the same as the standard cars. Checking the payload/towing weights in the brochure might give a clue, as might the load-rating of the standard fit tyres.

Again, for UK cars the 4x4 has raised suspension, and the SCOUT is raised further still. The 4x4 has a half-size plastic sump-guard. The SCOUT has a full-size steel one, and under-body protection for the brake pipes etc.

For non-UK cars I think the "rough road package" can be specified on 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive cars that aren't SCOUTs. Someone should know the 3-letter option code for it.

I think our old mk1 was generally tougher than the mk2; a bit of cost and weight saving I suspect!

Hope that helps!

That's some interesting information. I had been assuming that the newer car would naturally evolve into something stronger and better than its predecesor.

Presume the VRS is the same susp as normal but lowered?...

Presume the VRS is the same susp as normal but lowered?...

Yip, only change is the springs, shocks are same part #s as the normal car, so are the various bushes / ball joints / wishbone etc.

I've owned both a 4x4 and a SCOUT, and for UK cars, I think the Scout has strengthened suspension, whereas the 4x4 has the same as the standard cars. Checking the payload/towing weights in the brochure might give a clue, as might the load-rating of the standard fit tyres.

Again, for UK cars the 4x4 has raised suspension, and the SCOUT is raised further still. The 4x4 has a half-size plastic sump-guard. The SCOUT has a full-size steel one, and under-body protection for the brake pipes etc.

For non-UK cars I think the "rough road package" can be specified on 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive cars that aren't SCOUTs. Someone should know the 3-letter option code for it.

I think our old mk1 was generally tougher than the mk2; a bit of cost and weight saving I suspect!

Hope that helps!

I'm pretty certain that some of this also depends on whether its diesel or petrol as our diesel 4x4 has a metal sumpguard and underbody protection. The petrol has a plastic sumpguard, I think, due to under bonnet heat issues...

My sump guard is metal.

I have a 2007 4X4 2.0 TDi and do lots of hard miles every day; including building sites, tracks etc. and a full/heavy boot. DPF means a cleaner tailgate/bumper.

I paid for 5 of 16" alloys, cruise control, rear parking beeps (MUST HAVE!). I wish I had rear armrest too...

One problem is that full beams don't adjust with dip beam/load adjuster; and then zero light on the road but above it! The cure, from this forum, was to adjust the full beams and I also set them slightly different heights to allow for full-empty load. Safe again!

This version has metal underbody protection and enough height that no damage ever done...

It is excellent: durable, fast and comfortable.

I dislike Scout's trendy bits and even more height means even worse economy at speed and worse handling.

After 50 000 everything is good as new. One wheel/Tyre got bashed and so a new tyre plus 4 wheel alignment.

Handling is very good but for odd thumps on rebound (?) and sometimes, during a hard drive, the heavily loaded tail wags the dog a little. I'm planning on 4 of Bilstein B6 soon to get lots of enjoyable use from them, as factory warranty has recently ended.

Buy one in time for winter! BUT... 4X4 can inspire over confidence and you can't stop any better than a 2WD.

I've had a crawl about under my old 07 Octavia Elegance and my new 60 plate Scout (both 2.0TDI) and to me the suspension looks very similar except for the springs which are upgraded in the Scout to produce the higher ride height, although there are experts on this forum who I'm sure can add more detail.

My Scout has a heavy duty but plastic engine undertray (it looks like metal but isn't), upgraded underbody plastic trays, and protection to the rear suspension arms and springs (these are part of the Yeti offroad pack).

Here's some pics:

Edited 26 October, 201015 yr by London Les

having the standard 2 wd version that can scrape over speed bumps when carrying 4 passengers, could I fit scout springs???? to raise the ride height?? about 1 to 2 inches

I'd be surprised if there was any significant difference in the suspension between Scout and 4x4, height aside, simply because I'd expect Skoda to mention it if it meant a better chance of selling a Scout!

I'd be surprised if there was any significant difference in the suspension between Scout and 4x4, height aside, simply because I'd expect Skoda to mention it if it meant a better chance of selling a Scout!

Good point, however I can't find anywhere that 4x4s or scouts have strengthened suspension (not just raised) compared to standard cars...

Hi Guys,

Sorry to dig this up again.

I've been looking at 4x4s and Scouts but there are very few Scouts on the road here in Ireland.

So basically if one was to swap Scout springs into a 4x4 and add some underbody protection perhaps you have a Scout minus the aesthetic details?

Thanks,

Fionn.

I wish I had rear armrest too...

How can you not have a rear arm rest? :wonder:

I'd been told the scout had self levelling rear suspension as an option, but i've never seen it listed or mentioned anywhere.

Hi Guys,

Sorry to dig this up again.

I've been looking at 4x4s and Scouts but there are very few Scouts on the road here in Ireland.

So basically if one was to swap Scout springs into a 4x4 and add some underbody protection perhaps you have a Scout minus the aesthetic details?

Thanks,

Fionn.

No, not really. The Scout has some features such as hill-hold-control/cruise-control/parking-sensors that you'd still be missing!

But why ask the question? Why would you even consider putting Scout springs into a 4x4? Plus, you'd be getting into murky territory re: insurance...

I'd been told the scout had self levelling rear suspension as an option, but i've never seen it listed or mentioned anywhere.

Not in the UK.

There are a few non-UK Scout owners on here too and I've never heard it mentioned...?

If you want to change the ride height look at after market suspension as well, I raw KW' Variant 3 on my Mk1 4x4 to lower the car but they are fully adjustable & you may find they give quite a lot of upward adjustment. Depending on how many bits you have to buy from skoda it may be cheaper & you get a better product