I have been toying around with selling my trusty 4x4 Octavia Elegance estate due to the higher ride and it having as much cornering ability as a Bread van. However I understand that it can be transformed with good effect? And with a bit of persistence a remap some suspension upgrades, VRS brakes, ARB and Audi TT wishbones I think it could be a very different story all together.

I wondered if you could perhaps start me off based on some of your improvements?

I've modified no end of Golfs in my day but I want to keep it simple starting with ARB's, suspension possibly a teeny bit lower and a bit less wobbly, a nice remap- nothing too hefty, probably a custom and not generic.

I don't want to go through the roof with mods as I can't afford it and really don't have the time but if I could make it all a bit more flowing and fun then I think I'd enjoy myself a lot more on those country lanes.

TIA

So you want to do it cheap

Step 1: R32 ARB's front and back - the horrific wobbly body roll be reduced

Step 2: Suspension ~ wouldn't know what cheap stuff to recommend tbh, I can only say that my KW v3 where worth every single penny.

Step 3: Brakes 312mm discs + DS2500 pads up front

Step 4: 256mm vented rears + decents on the rear

Step 5: Remap - Stage 1 - 200~210bhp

Step 6: S3 upper and lower Strut braces

Edited 18 November, 201114 yr by snow_muncher

A full set of superpro polyurethane bushes will tighten things up nicely too!

Ideally some vRS 17" alloys with good 225/45zr17 tyres, rather than the OEM Elegance rims/tyres.

Steve:)

A full set of superpro polyurethane bushes will tighten things up nicely too!

Ideally some vRS 17" alloys with good 225/45zr17 tyres, rather than the OEM Elegance rims/tyres.

Steve:)

Quality replies cheers gents, I will get 'sourcing' and sending my list to Santa!

Loads to go on there and exactly what I wanted, :thumbup:

TT front subframe bushes as they are more solid than the 4x4 ones, some people have used bars to brace the subframe as well. (On my to do list)

TT front wishbone rear bushes are a good change too. (On my to do list)

One of the best ways to improve cornering ability is to ditch the elegance seats as they let you slide about way too much, a set of Golf GT TDI ones can be had with lumbar and side airbags for under £100(post 2001 are much better) (already done)

17" rims do make a big difference but at the cost of ride comfort. (already done)

225 tyres don't make that big a difference but they are cheaper than the 205's as there is a lot more cars with that size out there. the biggest thing is to get the best tyres you can afford. I had loads of fun with Hankook Evo 12's and they didn't squeal like the conti's that I have on the front at the moment (already done)

instead of paying out for poly the dog bone mount can be tightened by adding some washers to effectively shorten the bolt. (already done)

Arch vent mod is worthwhile as is taking the hacksaw to the front vent which is more restrictive than it needs to be. (already done)

extra check valves in the vac system can stop boost leaks and only cost a couple of quid (get the alloy ones though) When I went through the Boost and Vac system on mine my vac went from 18 at idle to a solid 25 with 30 on the overrun. boost peaks at around 20PSI as well.

downpipe and decat can be had for <£250 from a custom Stainless fabricator like Pro-Speed in Cardiff (On my to do list)

Another nice mod that is cheap is a Proper leather steering wheel cover (the kind that you have to stitch on properly) makes it much nicer to drive and costs <£10 (already done)

bolt down coil packs stopped a lot of misfiring issues for me too.

Edited 19 November, 201114 yr by karlbar2k

When you start searching for suspension etc, you won't find alot listed directly for the Octavia 4x4. Instead search for Golf mk.4 R32 stuff. Direct fit onto Octy 4x4.

R32OC.COM might be useful place to search on spring/shock/coilover options.

Also forgot to add adjustable rear tie bars to the list.

Forge and Compbrake do these.

These are required to keep the camber of the rear tyres correct when lowered.

They are also stronger than OEM ones, which can fail.

When you start searching for suspension etc, you won't find alot listed directly for the Octavia 4x4. Instead search for Golf mk.4 R32 stuff. Direct fit onto Octy 4x4.

R32OC.COM might be useful place to search on spring/shock/coilover options.

Also forgot to add adjustable rear tie bars to the list.

Forge and Compbrake do these.

These are required to keep the camber of the rear tyres correct when lowered.

They are also stronger than OEM ones, which can fail.

Am liking these posts!! I think its time to transform it!! So are there any before and after, how to build ups like on ukmkivs type of thing?

Well I got about 1hr spare at the weekend and got some stg2 sofware put on and makes the car a lot nicer to drive. Has further highlighted ALL the things listed here that really should also be upgrades - brakes, suspension bits etc etc

Resisting the urge to spend and real money on the car atm (plan to drop the tfsi S3 lump in)but have considered puttting the k04 on for a bit. Think I will start to save up all the bits to sort the handling out and seats etc aqnd get through winter as is - not sure what the power is but enough to work the rears abit more

DG

They are also stronger than OEM ones, which can fail.

Hi Graham, what are the symptoms of these failing? tyre scrubbing from outside to inside?

tbh I've never experrienced a failure. Just been told they can.

When I lowered my car, after a couple of months I noticed I'd scrubbed the inside edged off the rear tyres.

If you're getting scrubbing going the other way, scrubbing the outside first sound like somethings too short.

I have been trying to isolate whether it is bushes, bars or wheel bearing

Can you hear/feel movement/knocking etc, or that you've got scrubbing and not sure how ?

got scrubbing and no noises, all the noise was from the front end, but mostly fixed

there's lots and lots of bushes and bars on the back end of a 4x4

If the scrubbing is consistent across the camber then I guess it could be cancelled out by adjustment of the lower tie bar. but that could be hiding a dying bush...

Did you get round to changing the rears when you tried that 4mo stuff ?

If so, could something have got out of alignment then

My order:

APR Remap

tough choice but R32 ARBs before

312mm brakes

then you should defnitely get the TDI/GTI seats

I'd love KWs and a throaty exhaust...maybe next year....

enjoy

When you start searching for suspension etc, you won't find alot listed directly for the Octavia 4x4. Instead search for Golf mk.4 R32 stuff. Direct fit onto Octy 4x4.

R32OC.COM might be useful place to search on spring/shock/coilover options.

Also forgot to add adjustable rear tie bars to the list.

Forge and Compbrake do these.

These are required to keep the camber of the rear tyres correct when lowered.

They are also stronger than OEM ones, which can fail.

Hi all, I have started snooping around on ebay and have found these..Will they all fit my Octavia 4x4? What else will I need, how difficult to fit? And how much only Santa is about to receive a car list!!

VRS Shocks

312mm brake caliper set

(I assume I will need 17" wheels for these? Probably will go OEM Skoda Spider wheels?

Strut Brace A3

Or R32 Suspension?

R32 Front ARB

R32 rear ARB

I think that and a remap?

vrs shocks

312 brakes

strut brace

R32 suspension - possiblely ~ think someone gave it go ?

R32 ARB's

vrs shocks

312 brakes

strut brace

R32 suspension - possiblely ~ think someone gave it go ?

R32 ARB's

Cheers SM, will check out if Santa feels I've been a good boy

I have the R32 shocks and springs if your interested as I have had to prioritise other things before suspension. like 10 year old bushes and scrubbing tyres

Edited 28 November, 201114 yr by karlbar2k

Well other than the lack of cash and time may take the R32 stuff off you, pm sent

Need tyres quite bad and need to do that and overlooking the fact my clutch cant take the stg2 software lol - Will put 6 speed box in when it gets to bad (have one spare)

Towing to donny on sat so that will be a test

I had an issue the other week with knocking and grinding noise and after looknig was a loose driveshaft bolt all fixed now

DG

dont forget when you do the box you also need:

Drive Shaft - think its the passenger side one

Drive shaft cover is different and needs to be cut unless you relocate the boost pipes

Front half of Prop is different but the back is the same so either just the front half or all needs to be changed depends on condition of existing one. Make sure you get the front donut as well.

Make sure you have the selector mech as they dont transfer. I ended up with an R32 one which is a shorter throw.

you also need the Flywheel and clutch.

some of the bolts are different as well just cant remember which ones

I remeber its the ones for the selector cable bracket

Its better to have all the bits before you start otherwise its just delay after delay after delay :(

Guys, thank you so much for this thread. I myself have a 4x4 1.8T octy and i was searching for adjustable rear camber for months. Czech forums suck. You guys rule.