Sorry if this is a silly question...

Has anyone bought a L&K and made it a bit more like a vRS? I know it sounds silly but I like the leather and gadgets of the L&K, but would also like it to be a bit more like a vRS. I also like the petrol DSG L&K which seems to be more economical than the vRS petrol but quicker/more refined than the vRS diesel (?).

So is there anything that can be done to make the L&K look/feel/drive better? Springs, remap, grill, etc, any thoughts?

I've got the 1.8TSi L&K estate (manual). So far I've had it remapped (Revo as that is what my local independent garage Volkscraft deals in & I'm the wrong end of the country for Shark). Next on the list is Eibach lowering springs and Koni FSD shocks, along with a WALK and uprated rear anti-roll bar. Waiting delivery on the FSDs so I'll be able to report back after having all that fitted. Still debating whether to go with spacers for the rear wheels or not.

The remap has made a massive difference to the 1.8TSi, pulls much better from lower down the range - it is now a brilliant car for overtaking those lines of folk who refuse to overtake caravans but won't leave a safe distance for people to pull in between them and the car in front - the whole queue is normally dispatched in one go now! The engine is still smooth and the power feeds in progressively, though there seems to be a bit of a stutter passing 2000 rpm sometimes, wonder if a valve is sticking or if it is something to do with the turbo starting to spool up. Real world economy is still in the high 30's on mixed driving and low 40's on a motorway run.

The 1.8 DSG is a turbo, which iirc developes 160 bhp, this can be remapped to approx' 200bhp. You could add eibach springs or similar or even coilovers. I would colour code the grill and maybe fit vRS front and rear bumpers and zeniths/neptunes......

The alternative is buy a vRS CR, get it remapped and fit a leather interior, Columbus HU and maxidot!

Hi

I have a 1.8 TSI L&K and have previously owned a BMW 325ti Sport and driven a diesel VRS. Trying to get this closer to the others I guess would require :-

1. Remap

2. Upgraded brakes..they are OK, but not enough bite and feel for my liking and the pedal travel is quite long.

3. Rear anti roll bar (to limit under steer).

Doing this would certainly make the insurance companies nervous. So why not think about what you are missing on the VRS that the L&K has and try and fit the essentials.

1. Xenon's? - Upgraded bulbs would give you 80% of the effect.

2. Leather - You can have it as an option.

3. Multi-function wheel - I think this can be retrofitted or comes with DSG.

4. Black gloss trim - OK this is nice and I guess a little hard to fit.

Simon

.....Awaiting lol's comments. He apparently has made his look like a VRS by putting a spoiler on the boot

You can get the leather and all the gadgets in the VRS? Only thing you can't get is the electric seats and fold in mirrors (mirrors in an annoyance but how often do you adjust your seat!).

If you want a car to look like a VRS and go like a VRS then buy a VRS! You would probably end up paying more insurance for the mods than you would on a standard VRS anyway.

1. Xenon's? - Upgraded bulbs would give you 80% of the effect.

2. Leather - You can have it as an option.

3. Multi-function wheel - I think this can be retrofitted or comes with DSG.

4. Black gloss trim - OK this is nice and I guess a little hard to fit.

Simon

You can also have xenon's as an option on the VRS (a worthy option i would say). I would say that the standard VRS seats do look better than the leather VRS seats but personal preference and ease of cleaning i suppose.

MFSW can be retrofitted fairly cheap if iirc. (I have DSG and bluetooth so already have it!)

brushed aluminium trim looks good on the VRS and is a good contrast to the dark interior (the VRS has black headlining).

VRS also has sports suspension, different front and rear bumpers, different fog lights, 18 inch wheels, 312mm brakes, sports suspension over the L&K.

Columbus is a no no off the options list as you can retro fit for a 1/4 of the price afterwards.

Just do what i did. Spec a vRS with every option ticked and then you have near enough the same car just with all the vRS extra's you wan't

I had a Pre-FL vRS and an L&K and i think the only things my vRS hasn't got that my L&K did is Puddle lights and electric seats. But my L&K never had

OEM Bluetooth (I fitted a Fiscon)

Cornering Xenon's

MFSW with Paddles

Voice Control

200bhp

Optical Front & Rear Parking Sensors (Only had rears)

Lowered Sports Suspension (vRS is 12mm lower OEM)

312mm front brakes

18" Wheels

I had a Pre-FL vRS and an L&K and i think the only things my vRS hasn't got that my L&K did is Puddle lights and electric seats.

The facelift (well mine has anyway) has got puddle lights.

I had my L&K remapped by Shark which, according to Ben, gives +40 bhp and +65 lb ft of torque. This gives huge performance over standard. I have all the gadgets of the L&K but the performance of the vRS. I dont have sports suspension but I like the softer ride as I don't hoon it about all the time. The engine is so flexible it's a joy to drive. Recommended.

Thanks guys. I am looking for used/nearly new. The L&K that I had my eye on is now sold and the only other one reasonably near to me is an ex-demo and up for £20k... I'll have another look for a vRS with more options than the norm.

Thanks guys. I am looking for used/nearly new. The L&K that I had my eye on is now sold and the only other one reasonably near to me is an ex-demo and up for £20k... I'll have another look for a vRS with more options than the norm.

If the no VAT offer is still on you could get a new vRS spec'd up for about 20k.......I think. :S

I've just bought a 2011 CR 170 VRS in race blue with DSG and rear sensors for ........£17,695!!

Happy? You Bet!

They are out there!

Good stuff, what kind of discount are dealers accepting?

The facelift (well mine has anyway) has got puddle lights.

Did you have to activate them? or where they an option? I do not have them on mine I do not think but would be great if I could turn them on.

You can also have xenon's as an option on the VRS (a worthy option i would say). I would say that the standard VRS seats do look better than the leather VRS seats but personal preference and ease of cleaning i suppose.

MFSW can be retrofitted fairly cheap if iirc. (I have DSG and bluetooth so already have it!)

brushed aluminium trim looks good on the VRS and is a good contrast to the dark interior (the VRS has black headlining).

VRS also has sports suspension, different front and rear bumpers, different fog lights, 18 inch wheels, 312mm brakes, sports suspension over the L&K.

Columbus is a no no off the options list as you can retro fit for a 1/4 of the price afterwards.

Correction - the Columbus is only a "no no on the option list" if you really don't care where your retro-fitted unit comes from or just who lost one out of their pride and joy.

If you actually want a legitmate unit that hasn't been stolen and recoded and gets a 3yr warrant then go for the factory option. If you're happy to buy off "Dave down the pub" then go for your EBay option.

Sorry if this is a silly question...

Has anyone bought a L&K and made it a bit more like a vRS? I know it sounds silly but I like the leather and gadgets of the L&K, but would also like it to be a bit more like a vRS. I also like the petrol DSG L&K which seems to be more economical than the vRS petrol but quicker/more refined than the vRS diesel (?). So is there anything that can be done to make the L&K look/feel/drive better? Springs, remap, grill, etc, any thoughts?

We have both a TSI VRS and 1.8 TSI L&K DSG. Both black, both with the tail fins on, Alcantara finish in the L&K.

Pretty much everything said is spot on above. Thing to remember is the 7 speed DSG you get with the DSG should be limited to 250 NM if you remap although some have put up to 380 Nm through it but this would probably shorten the life below its 400,000 Km prediction. Because max power occurs at a lowly 4500 rpm and the engine revs to 6600/7000 rpm the torque can be kept aroung 250 Nm but power allowed to rise to 200-215 hp appareently before the turbo can give no more but still stay within the torque limit.

Suspension markedly softer, I forget sometime I am in the L&K when chucking it round a roundabout thinking I am only going to get the body roll of the VRS but it has not comprimised its grip. Bought one spare Neptune for the VRS and considered buying another 3 to see what they look like on the L&K.

The remapping does sound worth it eventually, I like the VRS boot spoiler so had the put on from new and debadged mine with some dental floss. Not sure I would do any other changes as as I do 1K miles a week in the L&K it needs to be comfortable.

Spookily I do find the TSI VRS low geared, not sure if the CR VRS is the same. In 6th on the VRS I am hunting for a higher gear, 6th and 7th is taller, 26 and 29 mph/1000 rpm respectively, ie more relaxed in the L&K DSG and the rev limiter cuts in quite early on the TSI VRS manual as the EA888 engine is the 1.8 TSI is allowed to rev 500 rpm higher.

Good project which I well might do some aspects of, particularly the remap but within the 250 Nm torque limit.

Edited 31 July, 201114 yr by lol

Correction - the Columbus is only a "no no on the option list" if you really don't care where your retro-fitted unit comes from or just who lost one out of their pride and joy.

If you actually want a legitmate unit that hasn't been stolen and recoded and gets a 3yr warrant then go for the factory option. If you're happy to buy off "Dave down the pub" then go for your EBay option.

Sorry I forgot everything 2nd hand is stolen.

Did you have to activate them? or where they an option? I do not have them on mine I do not think but would be great if I could turn them on.

Perhaps I'm crossing a wire here. I am on about the lights in the door card and not in the wing mirror, I realise now that if you have the folding mirrors you get extra puddle lights?

Correction - the Columbus is only a "no no on the option list" if you really don't care where your retro-fitted unit comes from or just who lost one out of their pride and joy.

If you actually want a legitmate unit that hasn't been stolen and recoded and gets a 3yr warrant then go for the factory option. If you're happy to buy off "Dave down the pub" then go for your EBay option.

You really are deluded aren't you.

I think you should take a time out from the forum and do some research on where units come from. Granted yes some are stolen but some are also factory refurbs, from written off vehicles etc.

Stop jumping on your high horse all the time as not everything in life that is cheaper than what the manufacturer charges is stolen. As i say to people like you in work - It's better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and confirm it!

Perhaps I'm crossing a wire here. I am on about the lights in the door card and not in the wing mirror, I realise now that if you have the folding mirrors you get extra puddle lights?

Puddle lights are the lights that are under the wing mirror that come on when you lock the car or open the door to get out.

As far as I'm aware no vRS comes with them unless someone has retro fitted them. I even got skoda to try and force the order through with Puddle lights on my new vRS but i got told that it wasn't possible to spec the vRS with puddle lights.

The lights in the door cards are mainly door open warning lights for traffic. :yes:

Puddle lights are the lights that are under the wing mirror that come on when you lock the car or open the door to get out.

As far as I'm aware no vRS comes with them unless someone has retro fitted them. I even got skoda to try and force the order through with Puddle lights on my new vRS but i got told that it wasn't possible to spec the vRS with puddle lights.

The lights in the door cards are mainly door open warning lights for traffic. :yes:

They are still classed as puddle lights as they have dual optics in them. Top is red for traffic and bottom clear and angled down. they are called puddle lights on the bora and presume they would on the octy. Totally forgot about the mirror lights though!

And of course there are no written off skodas in Europe with sat nav, and the faulty ones taken out also go into a black hole.

oemretrofits sell them so shouldn't they be reported for handling stolen goods?

The recent group buy feeler from a main dealer for around £700 is indicative that they are making a healthy profit on them. The only people robbing you are skoda!

Edited 31 July, 201114 yr by jrw

.... of course there are no written off skodas in Europe with sat nav, and the faulty ones taken out also go into a black hole.

oemretrofits sell them so shouldn't they be reported for handling stolen goods?

The recent group buy feeler from a main dealer for around £700 is indicative that they are making a healthy profit on them. The only people robbing you are skoda!

They are still classed as puddle lights as they have dual optics in them. Top is red for traffic and bottom clear and angled down. they are called puddle lights on the bora and presume they would on the octy. Totally forgot about the mirror lights though!

I prefer to call them p00 lights - I park against a grass verge that is the local dog lavatory and the street is frequently used by horses from the local riding school! My house is about as far as you can get from the rather sparse street lights so those p00 lights sure are useful :-)

The ones in the door card are for when you are getting out; the ones in the mirror for when you are approaching the car.

BTW JRW - be sure to wear oven mits when operating your Columbus.

Correction - the Columbus is only a "no no on the option list" if you really don't care where your retro-fitted unit comes from or just who lost one out of their pride and joy.

If you actually want a legitmate unit that hasn't been stolen and recoded and gets a 3yr warrant then go for the factory option. If you're happy to buy off "Dave down the pub" then go for your EBay option.

And you can prove this how? :wonder:

BTW JRW - be sure to wear oven mits when operating your Columbus.

Good job I have a mfsw. Saves on burnt fingers