I have a petrol 2007 Octavia vRS which I am thinking about a remap.

I know that whoever I choose to go with will give me extra power and torque but I am interested to know how the car will drive and feel during normal driving rather then just acceleration.

A lot of people have posted comments that it transforms the car but how exactly.

Sorry, but never had a car mapped before

The best way I can describe it is this... After the remap it feels like the car is just waiting for you to stamp on the loud pedal all the time. And when you do it kicks you in the arse. Its like a pet tiger pretending to be all loveable and cuddly until you step on its tail.

Other than acceleration there isnt that much to really notice since the car will sit at whatever speed you set it at*. But the car feels far more urgent and will happily shoot away at almost any revs above 2k. It can feel almost too much when you are pootling around town at 30ish mph.

Cruising on the Motorway you have to be just as careful. At 70 mph in 6th put your foot down and you will be doing 100 far too quickly... make sure to set your overspeed warning.

Its hard to convey just how much it tranforms the car. Best way is to try it. I guarantee that once you do you wont want to be "un mapped"

*Actually there are three other things you will notice:

1) You'll need new tyres more often

2) Your fuel bill will be higher

3) You will grin far more when driving.

3 being a direct result of 1 and 2

Oh and 4) BMW and Audi drivers will be cross with you for making their expensive cars look slow

And 5) If you have a DSG box Sport Mode will become redundant. If you have a manual you may as well never bother with 1st gear.

Edited 10 March, 201214 yr by boozyfloosy

If you search you will see that I was unhappy with the standard car. I felt it did not live up to it's gti/vrs guise. I felt it was a little slow on pick up and did not feel like 197bhp and similar torque.

I have owned a std imprezza with 215 bhp and similar torque. It probably put out more though. It was much much faster if a little nothing until 2750 rpm.

Post remap the vrs is more flexible, greater torque lower down makes puTzing easier.

It is more economical in daily driving and on a cruise at legal limits. If I press on then yes it does use more fuel. Am I happy post remap - absolutely.

Not noticed any increase in Tyre wear we have just taken our winter tyres off with negligible wear.

Brakes well we have had car for 30,000 miles and still on same front brake pads and discs. Not sure when previous owner changed then so may be original if so that's 45,000 miles. Not bad and car is regularly serviced.

Depending on where you are based I am sure a member would take you out so you can see what you think. As a passenger I can confirm the shove in the back is fantastic. I am based in Surrey a bit of drive from Watford. Used to work for Aci in Clarendon Road 10 years ago.

If you are ever out Guildford way drop me a line

Edited 11 March, 201214 yr by solwood

Normal driving, pootling around and cruising you'll notice no difference at all. There's no noticeable loss of bottom end at all. (Shark st1)

Agree, well almost I think the shark stage 1 adds torque lower in the rev range so if anything it's better as a daily driver.

Just have to remember to be gentle on the accelerator as it will pick up speed much quicker now.

Oh just to add if it had come out of the factory like this I would not have had a remap.

Edited 12 March, 201214 yr by solwood

much better car after a remap but on the down side it takes a lot to stop her,the standard brakes really struggle and you notice how bad the handling is when she is pushed hard.worth every penny for me, the the car did not feel that quick with 197bhp and the remap fixed that problem

much better car after a remap but on the down side it takes a lot to stop her,the standard brakes really struggle and you notice how bad the handling is when she is pushed hard.worth every penny for me, the the car did not feel that quick with 197bhp and the remap fixed that problem

brakes not a major issue for me but from experience of two previous vrs's I knew the handling would need doing so did springs and shocks together with remap on the day after I picked it up from new

all down to pound notes or lack of them,as for the brakes,good bet got cheapo pads in as they were fit by the last owner

Used to work for Aci in Clarendon Road 10 years ago.

Small world, I used to work for Norwich Union in Clarendon Road about 12 years ago

Thanks for all your replies - I think that I am going to go for it !!

Also thinking about a Whiteline rear ARB to help the handling - good idea?

If you saw a silver scooby estate that was probably me

Edited 13 March, 201214 yr by solwood