Hi,

As title says really. Think one or both rear shocks are gone and maybe gonna replace them. Shocks alone are £40 each and could get these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Jamex-Coilovers-Kit-for-Skoda-Octavia-1Z-1-9-TDi-1-9TDi_W0QQitemZ320539826805QQcategoryZ40192QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D15%26pmod%3D320528988389%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D4849526417577567836

for £225.

Question is, I really want the hieght and ride to be similar to OEM. Am I on the right lines with these? Any suggestions on which to choose?

Cheers

Edited 10 November, 201015 yr by lumac999

If you want the ride quality to be similar to OEM then I'd say stick with a good quality springs and shocks kit.

Damian @ DPM Performance

Might I suggest, that since you don't have a VRS, it might be worth trying this setup first? They are slightly lower than standard and also slightly firmer but still comfortable.

It's only my opinion, but I have fitted Koni coilovers to my TDi and I find it a bit too hard for comfort on anything but the motorway. Maybe I have them set up wrong. I'm just saying if you want to stick close to OEM, then maybe just using uprated OEM parts might get the result you want. (Should be alot cheaper too if you go second hand!)

EDIT: Further more, those coilovers linked to are suitable for an A5 chassis. Aka a MK2 Octavia, not MK1.

Edited 10 November, 201015 yr by Jcb.

I changed my dampers and springs all round when i first got my TDi albeit its an estate, but they do it for the hatch im sure!

They are Spax VSX, i've had them on for for roughly 15,000 miles they are a little lower than standard but the right is still good, i.e. it takes the bumps comfortably but when you want to go quickly round a corner you dont get too much body roll or bouncing! The damping is actually very good and i would definately reccomend them as an option other than coilovers.

Thanks for the replies.

I was also thinking about ease of fitment (especially the front one) when considering coilovers. Also was considering cost as it seems you can get a set of coilovers for roughly half the price of separate shocks and springs.

Edited 10 November, 201015 yr by lumac999

Removed.

Edited 11 November, 201015 yr by Rennie

Also Audi TT 2wd coilovers fit the Octavia mk1, as I have these on my vRS made by Raceland and at £169 delievered you can't go wrong.

Got a link for those as I've searched and can't find them.

Thanks

i would be careful fitting really cheap coilovers, you get what you pay for....

Yeah you definately can go wrong with spending £169 on the wrong suspension for your car!

Make sure any suspension you buy specifically lists your car under applications. People have come a cropper with this before. For example a 2wd TT weighs 100kgs less than a vRS, and the weight distribution is different, so the springs are different.

Ask anyone that fitted the Octavia Eibach springs to a vRS!

yup bodge is 100% right, fitting the incorrect weighted springs is really not a good idea as can have a drastic effect on the handling.

also how long are they really gonna last!

Yeah you definately can go wrong with spending £169 on the wrong suspension for your car!

Make sure any suspension you buy specifically lists your car under applications. People have come a cropper with this before. For example a 2wd TT weighs 100kgs less than a vRS, and the weight distribution is different, so the springs are different.

Ask anyone that fitted the Octavia Eibach springs to a vRS!

Seem perfectly fine fitted too mine. And I know of another that's had them fitted for a good 4-5 months with no problems whatsoever. Although doesnt matter about mine as it's sold and getting standard suspension back on it.

Edited 11 November, 201015 yr by Rennie

seems fine doesnt mean under extreme driving the car wont do something unpredictable....i know seems drastic, but suspension is like tyres, not a good thing to get wrong!

How often is a car put under "extreme" driving??? I know mine isnt at any time. I don't go on track and I don't race round the streets like an ar*ehole. So the car is never under extreme limits at any time, plus as I've stated the new owner is taking them off and going onto his brother's TT at the weekend.

when someone brakes suddenly infront of you on a motorway

when you have to swerve to avoid something that runs out in front of you

when you lose control on black ice/oil and try to correct the car

Just a few examples......

Well as said they are coming off the car, just dont think its good advice telling people they cant go wrong fitting the wrong suspension to their car

Sound, Forget I mentioned it and I'll edit the post.

You get what you pay for.

Unless you want to lower your car, I advise you to get some quality shocks and springs as a direct replacement.

I also advise you to change the mountings and bump stops and think about changing the front wishbones too (easiest way of changing bushes).

And make sure that you budget for the fitting cost - even if you DIY you'll need spring compressors, penetrating oil, splitter for front shock/wishbone joint, flame thrower (aka blow lamp), axle stands, 18mm socket and spanner,.......... - and for the time involved (I don't want to embarrass myself by saying how long it took me to fit coilovers, but working on my own without a lift/ramp and garage tools I should have allowed at least 2 days!). Looking back, £200 from a garage seems a fair price to pay for the time and hassle saved.

And if you lower the car I recommend having a 4-wheel alignment done.

Oh, whilst I don't intend to fit a rear ARB until I've tried out my suspension properly, I should point out that many people here say that the first handling mod you should do is to fit one particularly as it's a lot cheaper and less hassle than fitting coilovers.

Good luck,

Ian