Hi folks, I am new to this site after a recommendation from a mate who is a bit of a petrolhead (he said everyone on this forum is friendly and helpful). I am a former Fabia owner and have always been a fan of Skodas. My Mrs was saved from serious injury in an accident a few years back when she was t-boned and our brand new Fabia went on it's side. Car written off but drivers space entirely intact I couldn't believe she walked away from it.

I am currently in the process of buying a 54 plate silver Octavia 1.6 Ambiente hatch from a local garage as a second car - as a runabout /commuter. The car is in pretty good nick only 28k mileage, but has a few things I want to get sorted with the car, to improve it's looks without spending too much money. The car is sound but fairly basic. The advice I am seeking is as follows:

1. Wheels. Being one of the first of the "new" style Octavias it came with steel wheels only. I would like to fit some alloys, my mate has provided some sound advice in that I would need wheels with a 5 x 112mm PCD so any wheels from a Mk5/Mk6 Golf, 2nd Gen Audi A3, or 2nd Gen SEAT Leon will fit, but to avoid the Halfords type alloys. Any further advice re this, and specifically how big is too big, i was thinking about perhaps 17" alloys.

2. Spoiler. I was thinking about fitting a subtle boot spoiler. Again the best way to go about it.

3. Interior trim. A few bits need tidying up. The little cubby lid thing at top centre of dash has scratches and the chrome strip has peeled off. The front drivers door internal silverish decor strip is scratched. I have emailed my local dealer re replacement parts (are these easy to remove/fit?) but was also thinking about spraying them. Good idea or just best to replace or source from elsewhere?

4. The Skoda badge on the rear is tarnished. Easy to replace?

5. Sound system. There is a hatch in the boot with a single CD player thing but empty slots. All as it should be?

5. Lastly any tips and ideas about what I should do with a car this age based upon previous experience in respects of maintenence, replacements either mechanical or decorative suggestions (no furry dice!). My automotive maintenence ability could be described as "biff" but I am pretty capable at household DIY and have an extensive arsenal of tools. Mechanics, other than anything basic is outwith my comfort zone. I cannot really justify spending more than £750 on the car to do all of the above. I am in the North East of Scotland (Aberdeen).

Many thanks!

Not being funny but should'nt you have got a vRS if you wanted all that kit??

Im no expert, but for a start - all co,mments in red

Hi folks, I am new to this site after a recommendation from a mate who is a bit of a petrolhead (he said everyone on this forum is friendly and helpful). I am a former Fabia owner and have always been a fan of Skodas. My Mrs was saved from serious injury in an accident a few years back when she was t-boned and our brand new Fabia went on it's side. Car written off but drivers space entirely intact I couldn't believe she walked away from it.

I am currently in the process of buying a 54 plate silver Octavia 1.6 Ambiente hatch from a local garage as a second car - as a runabout /commuter. The car is in pretty good nick only 28k mileage, but has a few things I want to get sorted with the car, to improve it's looks without spending too much money. The car is sound but fairly basic. The advice I am seeking is as follows:

1. Wheels. Being one of the first of the "new" style Octavias it came with steel wheels only. I would like to fit some alloys, my mate has provided some sound advice in that I would need wheels with a 5 x 112mm PCD so any wheels from a Mk5/Mk6 Golf, 2nd Gen Audi A3, or 2nd Gen SEAT Leon will fit, but to avoid the Halfords type alloys. Any further advice re this, and specifically how big is too big, i was thinking about perhaps 17" alloys. Pretty sue CD is 5x100 for Mk1 octavia. Alsxo I would go further than 17's for many reasons - main being the brakes would look silly behind bigger and the ride would suffer badly.

2. Spoiler. I was thinking about fitting a subtle boot spoiler. Again the best way to go about it. http://www.superskoda.com/octavia-i/wings/ is a good place to get ideas, though not cheap. How about a breakers yard for a spoiler?

3. Interior trim. A few bits need tidying up. The little cubby lid thing at top centre of dash has scratches and the chrome strip has peeled off. The front drivers door internal silverish decor strip is scratched. I have emailed my local dealer re replacement parts (are these easy to remove/fit?) but was also thinking about spraying them. Good idea or just best to replace or source from elsewhere? Id replce - again you'd find lots of these perhaps on ebay/breakers or even someone on here. Sraying something like that in easy eyesight would be hard to get really good finish

4. The Skoda badge on the rear is tarnished. Easy to replace? Yes, but use something plastic to prize off as you dont want to chip paint.

5. Sound system. There is a hatch in the boot with a single CD player thing but empty slots. All as it should be? pass

5. Lastly any tips and ideas about what I should do with a car this age based upon previous experience in respects of maintenence, replacements either mechanical or decorative suggestions (no furry dice!). My automotive maintenence ability could be described as "biff" but I am pretty capable at household DIY and have an extensive arsenal of tools. Mechanics, other than anything basic is outwith my comfort zone. I cannot really justify spending more than £750 on the car to do all of the above. I am in the North East of Scotland (Aberdeen).

Id leave alone, a DTM racer it will not become so use it for what it was meant for...

Many thanks!

5. Sound system. There is a hatch in the boot with a single CD player thing but empty slots. All as it should be?

That sounds like mine and others I have seen - A 6 CD CD changer in the boot rack occupying one of the three available slots. Note, the cd player in the dash is probably too old to play .mp3 Cds but even if it does (it is written on the facia if it does) the 6 CD changer only ever plays normal CDs.

Not being funny but should'nt you have got a vRS if you wanted all that kit??

just what i was going to say, but you beat me to it !

As I have previously owned a 1.6 Octavia, I would suggest alloys up to 16". Tyre width (as a consequence of bigger wheels) would be quite noticeable on a 1.6 engine, which is not a "jewel" regarding the performance. Been there, done that... Octavia I needs 5x100, Octavia II needs 5x112.

Spoiler - I've got the "duck tail" from Milotec. No drilling as it is glued onto the boot door. No problems with it.

Otherwise it seems quite a "damaged" car (lots of scratches) to me. I would also look for Elegance trim, if your budget allows it.

Edited 20 November, 201015 yr by slick123

Thanks everyone, some sound advice there: Replace interior bits, carefully replace rear badge, 16 alloys at most and do not bolt any spoiler on if at all. Don't overdo it. Got it!!

get a vRS :p