2010 vRS petrol estate, 20 k miles, second service tomorrow.

I have driven 4000 of the 20000 in the last 6 weeks as we're house hunting in the Bristol area.

Car has been amazing over that period - it seems to be getting quicker as it gets older.

Fantastic cruising on the motorway, solid and comfortable. Using the torque to overtake on A roads is very impressive and makes me wonder whether this car is already fast enough for British roads.

It's equally impressive on the smaller country roads, especially in sport or on the paddles.

Then today I did 197 miles from Chester to Hendon at an indicated (maxidot) 39.6 mpg! And I wasn't fuel-saving, just keeping a fairly steady speed.

The 2 litre petrol is an amazing all rounder.

So, the question is, is there any real need to modify the car any further?

Thoughts boys and girls?

Cheers,

Dunc

Yes absolutely necessary, felt underpowered for me. Mine is circa 260bhp and I can still get 38mpg on a run if need be and it's only a second slower in 4th 40-100 than a stage 1 Golf R. That's pretty impressive all round.

Also with regards to suspension the standard setup is not great; bit jittery. Easily sorted though for £700 - £800.

Edited 28 May, 201214 yr by Guest

(Self-portrait Babs? :p :p )

You can never have too much, the problem with modifying is that other bits need doing too ideally, so...

Remap: £400

Better Pads or Big Brake Conversion, say £350

Better Shocks, the standard ones don't damp enough and lower springs to help with the body roll. £700 (with fitting)

Anti Lift Kit (WALK) £200 (with fitting)

Rear anti roll bar £200 (with fitting)

Uprated front bushes, the standard ones flex a huge amount giving some very vague feedback at times £200 (with fitting)

Decent tyres £500

Wheel alignment £80

But once this is done then you will have a totally transformed car, which can handle the power upgrade.

Thanks all.

Obviously with money to play with, lots more pace & handling can be achieved.

But, isn't 200bhp & 207 lb ft enough for UK roads in this day & age (weary cameras etc etc) ??

I think it all depends what you want, expect and are used to. A standard vRS is an excellent machine, but it is a heavy vehicle with significant front and rear overhangs, so the present set up has to be a compromise with economy and comfort. If you are interested in exploring improved driving response and dynamics, then like others have said, it's a great base to start from that only gets better.

I'm old school, so I'll always improve brakes, and suspension first. They may be all you want to give greater feel & confidence. If you choose to go further and increase horse power, they will serve you well also. The TFSI and TSI are very tuneable lumps!

But if you are happy enough with what you've got, save the money as it can become an expensive route to go down!

Save the money and get a super TV/Home theater/Comfy bed/power shower for your new home.

Thanks all.

Obviously with money to play with, lots more pace & handling can be achieved.

But, isn't 200bhp & 207 lb ft enough for UK roads in this day & age (weary cameras etc etc) ??

207 lb ft :( does the Vrs diesel not have 258 lb ft? Taught the petrol was more than 207 tho

Mine has 220 (220.1 in fact so I should say OVER 220 lol) and whilst it's enough, of course I'd like more - I just wouldn't be prepared to pay a great deal towards it.

To be perfectly honest, as much as I love my VRS rather than pour thousands into 'improvements' I'd just use te cash as part of my

Initial budget and get something 'better' to start with. Whether that means a newer VRS or whether it means a different car would depend on exactly how big my budget was.

Edit: in fact, far from increasing my BHP I'm looking to drop 50 by trading the TFSi against a CR derv. I'm gonna miss lots about the petrol, but am fed up of feeling raped at the pumps.......

Edited 28 May, 201214 yr by mr_awol

207 lb ft :( does the Vrs diesel not have 258 lb ft? Taught the petrol was more than 207

The petrol produces its 207lb ft from 1700-5000rpm

The Vrs CR produces its peak torque of 258lb ft between 1750-2500rpm :( :(

207 lb ft :( does the Vrs diesel not have 258 lb ft? Taught the petrol was more than 207 tho

In standard form the torque has been restricted and spoils the driving experience IMO.

Stage 1 gives the TSI - 325lb and that is the best part of a remap on this engine. Effortless.

Save the money and get a super TV/Home theater/Comfy bed/power shower for your new home.

Ha ha! Not a bad idea. Don't tell SWMBO!

I'm bored with 210 - 225 bhp.

No matter how much power you have, there will always be something you seen along the journey with more power haha.

Octavia's are great all rounders. I've considered a MK2, but for the extra ££££, its just pointless.

The stock vRS is a lovely car, no question. 200bhp and 207 lb/f is perfectly adequate for a family wagon.

Is it better with mild chassis tweaks and a remap? Absolutely yes. Is it worth the additional incremental £? Again - yes absolutely no question!

Save the money and get a super TV/Home theater/Comfy bed/power shower for your new home.

My thoughts exactly. 200bhp is more than enough.

The thing is, 170bhp in the CR is nowhere near enough, and as has been stated the modest amount of torque it has is in such a narrow power band I'm not sure it's worthy of any sporting status. It's just too big and heavy with that kind of power output.

£400 transforms it into something that's still comfortable, not bad on fuel etc but also can put a smile on your face when you want it to. I found myself constantly having to rag it pre-remap as getting up to motorway speeds/ swapping lanes etc found the car lacking in torque.

Would I go any further? No. The map alone made the car more than enjoyable enough and now all my cash goes on the house.

Don't confuse those that are mad for modifications (and who keep doing them in the quest for more power/ handling/ braking etc) with those that find the standard car a tad too sedate and want something like what the VRS badge suggests.

I have 320bhp and I'd say that wasn't enough

I've never driven a car or bike where I've thought "I've too much power".

Octy is so competent that 200hp really feels like nothing. Not scary enough.

The other way to go is to lose weight. Power : weight is the real issue. Modern cars are fat lardy ******s.

Considering the Cupra R is 265, the VRS is a poor choice on the power front.

I have 320bhp and I'd say that wasn't enough

Yeah more is certainly better.

How much torque are you pulling Harry? I'm contemplating a 3" system to go with the 3" DP but didn't want to compromise on the torque due to bigger bore system.

340lbft IIRC.

JKM have just converted a k04 Octavia vRS into a GT3071R monster though...

340lbft IIRC.

JKM have just converted a k04 Octavia vRS into a GT3071R monster though...

It doesn't lose much torque at all then lol.

I hope they have upgraded the bottom end, you wouldn't want much more torque than 350ftlb through a stock engine :S

Hmmh. Cheapish fastish family car that swallows returning offspring's belongings from uni effortlessly. Returns 37-40 on the motorway at more than the legal limit with quiet effortless acceleration. It is not a track day car, Ferrari, Lotus. It does what it's supposed to do and better than my 5 series or Mondeo TDCI. It puts many cars toshame. 200bhp more than enough for most. In 20 years time even if there's petrol will they still give you as much bang for buck or will it be Kilowatt for a euro. (joking about the Euro obviously)

It doesn't lose much torque at all then lol.

I hope they have upgraded the bottom end, you wouldn't want much more torque than 350ftlb through a stock engine :S

It's not my car I'm talking about to be clear. I have an ED30 engine in mine (identical to the S3 variant pretty much) but the car in question has had an S3 engine fitted (I think his original engine failed, like mine). It's making 415bhp with a GT3071R turbo.