Hello to the forum. I am in the process of selling my old and much loved Subaru Impreza Turbo Prodrive (1999 model) and buying a 2007 Octavia TFSI vRS estate with under 20k miles on the clock. I think I'm doing the sensible thing and I'm HOPING it will also be a fun thing. I have a few questions that I'm hoping that forum members might be able to help me with.

1. A few weeks ago I ordered winter tyres on steel wheels for my Impreza. At the time I was thinking I might change car at some point to a vRS so I had a look at the specs for vRS wheels and I thought that I was going to be able to get away with the same wheels and tyres on my Subaru as on a potential vRS, so I boldly went ahead and ordered a set. To cut a long story short, I think I may have messed up my research. The wheels and tyres that I have coming (some time this week) are:

Continental WinterContact TS 830P 205/55 R16 91H M0, BSW tyres on steel wheels which are described as 16 inch 5 x 100.00 x 56.00 ET: 55.00

I'm no expert - sadly - but I'm now a bit worried that I need a different wheel, even if the actual tyre is OK. I ordered from mytyres.co.uk which seems respectable and seems to get its stock from Germany. The wheels and tyres are on the way here...

2. Is it worthwhile chipping/ remapping the ECU on the petrol vRS? I've seen stuff on the diesels, which are usually good for remapping but not much on the petrols.

Thanks

Andrew

Hello to the forum. I am in the process of selling my old and much loved Subaru Impreza Turbo Prodrive (1999 model) and buying a 2007 Octavia TFSI vRS estate with under 20k miles on the clock. I think I'm doing the sensible thing and I'm HOPING it will also be a fun thing. I have a few questions that I'm hoping that forum members might be able to help me with.

1. A few weeks ago I ordered winter tyres on steel wheels for my Impreza. At the time I was thinking I might change car at some point to a vRS so I had a look at the specs for vRS wheels and I thought that I was going to be able to get away with the same wheels and tyres on my Subaru as on a potential vRS, so I boldly went ahead and ordered a set. To cut a long story short, I think I may have messed up my research. The wheels and tyres that I have coming (some time this week) are:

Continental WinterContact TS 830P 205/55 R16 91H M0, BSW tyres on steel wheels which are described as 16 inch 5 x 100.00 x 56.00 ET: 55.00

I'm no expert - sadly - but I'm now a bit worried that I need a different wheel, even if the actual tyre is OK. I ordered from mytyres.co.uk which seems respectable and seems to get its stock from Germany. The wheels and tyres are on the way here...

2. Is it worthwhile chipping/ remapping the ECU on the petrol vRS? I've seen stuff on the diesels, which are usually good for remapping but not much on the petrols.

Thanks

Andrew

Well coming from an Impreza to a vRS I can see you wanting to get a remap.

If you go and see somebody like Shark Performance they will take your stock 200bhp and give you around 240bhp - and that is through software alone.

I've not had my 2011 vRS mapped yet - but I keep on getting told that both the older TFSI (in the 2007 model) and the newer TSI petrol engines map extremely well and it's really worth doing.

Hello to the forum. I am in the process of selling my old and much loved Subaru Impreza Turbo Prodrive (1999 model) and buying a 2007 Octavia TFSI vRS estate with under 20k miles on the clock. I think I'm doing the sensible thing and I'm HOPING it will also be a fun thing. I have a few questions that I'm hoping that forum members might be able to help me with.

1. A few weeks ago I ordered winter tyres on steel wheels for my Impreza. At the time I was thinking I might change car at some point to a vRS so I had a look at the specs for vRS wheels and I thought that I was going to be able to get away with the same wheels and tyres on my Subaru as on a potential vRS, so I boldly went ahead and ordered a set. To cut a long story short, I think I may have messed up my research. The wheels and tyres that I have coming (some time this week) are:

Continental WinterContact TS 830P 205/55 R16 91H M0, BSW tyres on steel wheels which are described as 16 inch 5 x 100.00 x 56.00 ET: 55.00

I'm no expert - sadly - but I'm now a bit worried that I need a different wheel, even if the actual tyre is OK. I ordered from mytyres.co.uk which seems respectable and seems to get its stock from Germany. The wheels and tyres are on the way here...

2. Is it worthwhile chipping/ remapping the ECU on the petrol vRS? I've seen stuff on the diesels, which are usually good for remapping but not much on the petrols.

Thanks

Andrew

Wheels on the Octy 2 are 5 x 112 I think. Mytyres used to be pretty good at taking returns, maybe worth having a look at their policy.

As above, the wheels won't fit. I too came from a remapped Impreza WRX, initially to a PD vRS then to a TSI vRS in 2009. The only thing I miss is the traction off the line. My current vRS is better in every other department IMO.

Welcome to the forum mate, as has already been mentioned the wheels will not fit, the mk2 Octavia is indeed 5 x 112 and the centre bore is 57.1 so 56 is also to small.

Regarding a remap, I can highly recommend it. The only problem is it won't be enough, my advice would be to get the necessary hardware and go directly to stage 2, the only requirement other that the software will be a hi-flow down pipe and sport or decat.

If you want further info specifically relating to the Tfsi engine and mk5 chassis would also advise you join this forum, as it's far more dedicated to modifications.

In a way i Really miss my Impreza mine was a 1996 uk car never let me down and that sound and the 4 wheel drive Wow what a car but on the negative side hideous fuel consumption , maintenence , insurance etc and the unwanted attention they get, The Octavia vRS is a great car well built, nice spec, ubelievable economy for the performance, reasonable insurance premiums and a cave for a boot, mine is standard Tfsi petrol and well happy can't imagine how good they must be when mapped hope this helps a bit

Hello AndrewB and welcome to Briski, I came from a Subaru Forester turbo to my current vRS CR and, as has been said the only thing I miss is the traction off the line. Everything else is a plus with the exception of a really annoying issue I have with my front parking sensors and the fact that the windows mist up so easily, however the fact that I can now afford to run the a/c has the latter issue sorted in a jiffy

Alas the wheels are not going to fit but you should be able to sell them on.

Although I haven't done it yet, I'm told that a remap has a dramatic effect not only on performance but also improves fuel economy

hello mate.I have a 57 vrs petrol remapped and all I can say is worth every penny.When I first got the car earlier this year it was a let down in performance for me,much better after the map but traction in first and second is poor.once the cars on the move its good with lots of low down and mid grunt for such a barge of a car.If you go stage 2 you will have to do the brake and suspension as the standard kits not going to be up to the job

Mytyres are good about returns as long as they are unused. All you need is different wheels as those tyres will be fine on an Octy. They might be able to sort you out with different wheels and then you can sort out the changeover and ship the Impreza wheels back to them. Got to be worth asking.

If youw ere closer I have 4 x steelies for my old Octy sitting in my garage :wonder:

Thanks for all the replies - very useful. I may have a go at the remapping once the one year warranty from the dealer is up. Who did you guys use for the remapping?

I've told mytyres that I don't want the wheels delivered but they are threatening to charge me £100 for the return, even though their own terms and conditions say that if you revoke the contract in the first 14 days you only need to pay the cost of return.

Will probably get some alternative tyres and alloys from road and race, as they are here in Kent and supplied a nice set for my wife's S-Max.

Thanks for all the replies - very useful. I may have a go at the remapping once the one year warranty from the dealer is up. Who did you guys use for the remapping?

I've told mytyres that I don't want the wheels delivered but they are threatening to charge me £100 for the return, even though their own terms and conditions say that if you revoke the contract in the first 14 days you only need to pay the cost of return.

Will probably get some alternative tyres and alloys from road and race, as they are here in Kent and supplied a nice set for my wife's S-Max.

Can you not get wheels for the Octavia from them instead?

I contemplated buying a wrx sti my11 - even test drove a r205 import. To be honest once your moving or on a dry stretch of Tarmac the performance (or perceived performance) doesn't feel that big of a gulf.

Can you not get wheels for the Octavia from them instead?

By the time I've paid a garage to remove the tyres from the wheels and bought new wheels it will work out the same and be more hassle. I have equipment at home (trolley jack, torque wrrench etc) to remove and fit wheels but I can't do tyres, so I would have to pay someone for that if I get separate wheels.

I contemplated buying a wrx sti my11 - even test drove a r205 import. To be honest once your moving or on a dry stretch of Tarmac the performance (or perceived performance) doesn't feel that big of a gulf.

Until recently I had a 2011 wrx sti type uk 4 door so I got to drive that back to back with my 2010 vRS TSI (stage 1 on weitecs). The subaru is a much quicker car.

Don't misunderstand me, I'm a BIG fan of the vRS and I think its performance/spec/space/mpg/value balance is unmatched by any other car on sale right now.. BUT the latest WRX STI is a much, much quicker car in any conditions.

Until recently I had a 2011 wrx sti type uk 4 door so I got to drive that back to back with my 2010 vRS TSI (stage 1 on weitecs). The subaru is a much quicker car.

Don't misunderstand me, I'm a BIG fan of the vRS and I think its performance/spec/space/mpg/value balance is unmatched by any other car on sale right now.. BUT the latest WRX STI is a much, much quicker car in any conditions.

Do you think so? I wasn't too convinced it was much faster - or lets say felt much faster. Maybe bad examples I drove? Low miles demo and 2.0 tst import (possibly on a jap fuel map)

Obviously it was faster but in real world (opposed to track) it really didn't 'imprezz' me. Yes quick but numb - just as numb as the vrs really.

V8 esprit! Tidy! Proper fun motor for the brave. Looked at one as well as a cerbera and 993 3.8 several years ago. The 993 won but I soon realised that running costs were way beyond me... 3 hydraulic tappets... £800! Doh! Rear tyres £350 each... Sold a year later for a profit though

Do you think so? I wasn't too convinced it was much faster - or lets say felt much faster. Maybe bad examples I drove? Low miles demo and 2.0 tst import (possibly on a jap fuel map)

Obviously it was faster but in real world (opposed to track) it really didn't 'imprezz' me. Yes quick but numb - just as numb as the vrs really.

Maybe there is a difference uk vs. jap spec? .. or just a variance in individual cars :-/

V8 esprit! Tidy! Proper fun motor for the brave. Looked at one as well as a cerbera and 993 3.8 several years ago. The 993 won but I soon realised that running costs were way beyond me...

I can win any conversation about running costs, believe me..!

:p

I have a set of 16" Audi Rims 5x112 that will fit the Octavia, £100 if that helps! They've got Michelin tyres at the moment but I was intending to put a set of winters on them myself...

It's obviously up to you anyway but that's probably the cheapest option for you, you could always get a set of hub adapters but they'll be over £100 anyway...

We have a CR VRS and an STI Impreza. They are 2 very different beasts. The impreza is allot faster and much more involving to drive as there is no nanny state ESP system just lots of traction from the AWD system. But the VRS is much more relaxed and cruises better.

Great cars mate. Went from a Mk1 vRS to Evo's (400bhp) and now back to a vRS. Diesel this time though. I love it and rate it way above my E90 330d that i had for while.

Maybe there is a difference uk vs. jap spec? .. or just a variance in individual cars :-/

I can win any conversation about running costs, believe me..!

:p

£1.09 a mile, tasty! I wonder what my vrs costs me?

Hi AndrewB W8 performance are in Kent and are an authorised Shark tuner using the sts system. They have a 2.0 TFSI estate with a Shark map on which I'm sure they will be happy to take you out for a run.

I am also driving a 2003 turbocharged Subaru forester. The fun is always there when you are driving a AWD. But I think the vRS combi will be able to achieve my needs in fun and more imptly the boot space I need. But I'm still waiting for the price to drop a little

I too came from a prodrive Imprezza WRXS and have had legacy's also and have gone for a VRS diesel hatch. The main thing I miss is the traction off the line in damp conditions but its a case of moddifying your driving style. Appart from that I feel that I have made the right choice and I am very please with the VRS. Its good value for money, well built, feels good on the road, firm suspension but not uncomfortable and the boot space is huge. Being the diesel I'm not visiting the petrol stations every 250 - 300 miles.

For fuel consumption it is easy to get 600 miles out of a tank of diesel in the VRS than 300 miles out of a tank of v power in the STI. In fact it has only managed 300 miles once. It normally does between 200 to 270 miles were as the VRS is an auto estate which will do between 550 and 650 to a tank. I love both cars but the VRS is easy to drive and has neutral handling were as you have to drive the STI and is much more rewarding and has much more traction but the power to still make it slide.

Seems quite a few of us came from subaru to vrs,not sure what the connection is but a few things i do miss about the impreza is 4WD,sound of that boxer engine etc,the usual things ex impreza owners would miss.

Don't think you will be disappointed in the vrs,in some ways i think i actually like driving it more than the STI i had.Its one of those things i can't quite understand why i like the vrs better sometimes and other times i think about going back to an impreza, :wonder: it would have to be a classic or hawkeye though,never liked the new age impreza.