Had it a couple of months now

Tried to be fancy.. just ended up with a big lump of gate post

Two previous owners, 58k Miles, FSH. Body work is pretty much immaculate as is the interior. Was quite pleased when i went to see it and saw a Forge Intercooler on it. Got it home and also found a Forge 007P (Recirc Valve) and a couple of silicone hoses too.

Not much in the way of plans. Would like a new exhaust and then a remap. Possibly new wheels (although may just refurb these, undecided yet) and some decent lowering springs/shocks.

Ok, been a bit busy over the last couple of weeks.

I've purchased new numberplates and stuck them on rather than screwed (looks neater) with GB Logo but no border.

I have two kids and my previous car (Mondeo) had the windows tinted as i hate sun blinds. I've now had the windows in the Octavia tinted (Dark Smoke) on the rear 3 windows.

You may notice in the pictures an eBay special CAI. I still have the supplied air filter fitted to it so need to upgrade that to something a bit more reputable (Probably K&N). I also decided to complete the N249 bypass so this is now done (with Black silicone hose to look as factory as possible).

The wheels were suffering quite severely with corrosion. Last week i suffered two flats (one tyre binned) because the bead was broken due to the flakey paint. I really wanted some BBS CH replicas but i decided to stick as close to original as possible. They've now been powdercoated in "Course Metallic Silver", basically silver with LOADS of metallic flakes. Whilst they were being done i gave the beige/cream wheel nut covers a few coats of gloss black. Need to replace the centre caps and have ordered some replacement ones (Alloy, not Gel).

I've also fitted some "Ice White" Front Sidelights (basically blue when off, nice and white when lit). I could have had LED's but they are a bit too close to the headlight bulbs for my liking and i won't be fitting HID's so wanted them to match nicely.

On the subject of LED's i have fitted some white LED's to my rear number plate lights and the interior light, freshens it up a bit and the seats looks lovely at night when lit up by them.

Lovely car mate.......but MY03 in Rally Red???

Apparantly so, verified when i bought a touch up stick!

Lovely. Looks beautiful. My favourite colour too. Nice to see a straight one!

that's one very clean Octy Philip, and colour is gorgeous .. congrats.

That is very clean, wish mine was that shiny

New Centre Caps..

And with the now black wheel caps...

Out of interest Philip, where did you get the LED Bulbs for the rear number plate lights? I've been considering getting some, but my mate has a similarly aged Audi A3 and had a load of issues with the CANBUS causing them to blow because it didnt like the voltage.

Cheers

I often see this on the car park at work, looks great in the flesh too

Damn those wheels are clean!

Damn those wheels are clean!

The pictures in my first post are before they were refurbished, the only pic so far of after is the one just above with the centre cap and bolt caps

Damn those wheels are clean!

A massive +1!

Ok, after a quick thread on here regarding Thermostats and CTS's, i decided to first try replacing the thermostat to see if that cured my temperature problem (running at 75-80 instead of 90).

Getting to the thermostat wasn't too bad, i removed the upper and lower engine covers and loosened/moved the plate holding the N249 etc out of the way. Once that was done i removed the hose from the thermostat housing. This is where it got tricky. I got the top 10mm bolt out no problem at all, the bottom one proved to be a little more difficult. After much fiddling and swearing i managed to get the lower bolt loose (and then drop it - doh!). Once that was done i replaced the thermostat and seal, put the housing back on and replaced everything in reverse order.

A quick top up with some fresh Anti-freeze and water and a good run and all is well again. Temp is holding at 90 exactly.

Certainly a job i would do again

Quick wash and wipe down with Astonish Spray N Shine...

Yes.. the front tyres are cheap chinese rubbish and yes... they will be replaced with *proper* tyres when they wear out

Next job to do is to re-paint the faded/chipped brake calipers

Nice car mate. You have been lucky to get the weather to clean it! I've managed 3 times this year n that's it.

Which bulbs did you fit? Im after some and want error free ones

I've not managed to wash mine at all!

It should look similar to this one, under the dirt

I've not managed to wash mine at all!

It should look similar to this one, under the dirt

im waiting for a day to clay bar it. takes about 10 hours start to finish

Yup! They look lovely after it though

Which bulbs did you fit? Im after some and want error free ones

They were just cheap 5 LED clusters from ebay, about £4 a pair i think. Doesn't throw up any codes on VCDS either.

been searching bulbs but the 501 w5w that i believe you need for the number plates and interior lights all seem to look different and not a festoon type.

you got the link? pretty please

I second RickVRS, post a link please, as im after a set myself but dont want to waste money on bulbs that will blow in three days!

Cheers

Hi,

I bought these ones... i did have one fail but i emailed them and they sent a replacement out within a couple of days!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-Xenon-5-LED-SMD-Car-Side-Light-Sidelight-White-Lamp-Bulbs-T10-W5W-501-168-/270880388170?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f11bab44a

Update:

Old Exhaust centre section bracket has snapped (common thing?!). I was deliberating whether to have it welded up, replace just the centre section or buy a whole new system.

A recent thread on here (Cheers Nutter244) lead me to an exhaust which had been discontinued and the remaining systems being sold off cheap. It was originally £150, i was hesitant and the price went up to £165. I decided £165 for a Cat-Back exhaust system was a bit of a no-brainer really, even if it was for re-sale at a higher price.

Looking Good Phil, cant wait to see it on and hear the change :)

RockyVRS