After searching for a VRS, I've finally bought one but have mixed feelings after a couple of day's driving.

Torque steer (car not mapped) from the front wheels under moderate acceleration and the ride is slightly harsh over uneven road surfaces.

Suspension, tyres are all good but I'm used to a RWD BMW. Are they all like this.

Your console bushes will need changing on the fromt wishbone

Fit some solid ibiza cupra mounts

its a sporty vrs mate ride not gunna be a merc s class haha :giggle:

nice looking motor i have a black one trust me the back of them a nightmare to keep clean

bus as above bushes will fix that

Nice clean Vrs, great find!

Wouldn't the Cupra ones make the comfort worse on a diesel? A fair few people at least complain of added cabin noise with the solid bushes. The two other options are Powerflex (which can rotate freely) or softer still the OEM 'X' bushes which supersede the rubbishy 'I' ones.

Kimbo I think it's solely down to the fact it's a big torquey diesel lump in a small fwd car, that's quite a change from the BM. I reckon you'll get used to it soon and love it! One of the best buck-for-buck mods you can get to improve handling is a rear anti roll bar, since it doesn't have one.

Edited 6 February, 201313 yr by Ben90

Thanks for replies, I definitely do NOT want the ride any harder/firmer/stiffer as I've been down that route with another car, spent loads of money and was never happy even tough it cornered on rails.

Maybe I do need an S-class - ha! Maybe I'm not used to it. The Polo GTi did torque steer too, but wasn't as fast or heavy in the front.

poor quality tyres also make the car understeer like mad

Ibiza cupra console bushes do not add any extra vibration / noise!

I've gone from a 530d so know what you mean. I think the torque steer is just a FWD thing though, also it's a fairly basic VW group car after all. It is fun rather than super sophisticated. I enjoy mine.

The harsh suspension must be down to the tyres, mine is very good at hiding bumps with 185/60 r14 tyres. I experimented with adjusting the tyre pressures up and down. It is a good way of tuning the ride, i actually made my tyres harder in the end but my wheels are smaller than the VRS.

My SE doesn't torque steer or have a harsh ride.

I have Uniroyal Rainsport 2 fitted. My Old Corsa Sri CDTi used to steer all over the place so considering the VRS has 30% more power she drives fine.

Have a look at your tyres, maybe check the pressures/tracking etc??

coming from a 530d is it any wonder, thats a comfy cruiser, the fabia vrs is definately not

tbh the tyres look quite low profile mate

16"s chunky tyres on the cards lol

/\ no to this

use 205/45/16 tires only, will be sluggish with bigger tires, worse fuel economy, will look odd and will knock your speedo waaaay out!

Thanks for all replies. Tyres are Goodyear Eagle and Pirelli P Zero Nero 205/45/16, which are the right ones for the car but a low profile, and I don't particularly like the ride they give on any car. Pressures are fine, tracking and bushes all good. The previous owner kept on top of the car before I bought it.

I think this sums it up:

I've gone from a 530d so know what you mean. I think the torque steer is just a FWD thing though, also it's a fairly basic VW group car after all. It is fun rather than super sophisticated.

It's a fairly basic VW group car rather than a 3-series BMW or Audi etc, which is what I was expecting I think. I'll certainly admit it's fun though. Maybe just not for me.

Edited 7 February, 201313 yr by 993kimbo

Tyres are Goodyear Eagle and Pirelli P Zero Nero

Having different tyres front and rear may upset the balance a bit, which you ought to be able to feel if you've been driving a 993.

I don't particularly like the ride they give on any car

That's the trouble with small cars that have 'sporty' appeal, they tend to be over-tyre'd, especially for the British market. If it were mine I'd be tempted to try smaller wheels, probably 195/55R15 or maybe the winter tyre size recommended by Skoda, which I think is 185/55R15.

I'd also be aiming to change to Koni FSD dampers at some point since they'd give the car a nicer feel, (although some here don't like them).

I'll certainly admit it's fun though. Maybe just not for me.

You might need to give it some time to get used to the different feel. One point relating to the torque steer is that the engine characteristics mean that you need to be initially light and very controlled with the throttle in a way that just isn't necessary in a BMW (3 or) 5 series. Some people just floor the throttle then hit the (relatively) enormous wall of torque at 1900 rpm - that's always going upset the steering. What I do in our car with the same engine is keep the throttle light until about 2000 rpm then I'm free to really give it beans.

Thanks Gareth, that makes a lot of sense. I think maybe I'll try and get used to its characteristics rather than chucking a load of money at it on dampers and wheels and tyres. I did that with a Polo GTi I had, and I was never 100% satisfied. Ended up losing quite a chunk when I sold it. Having said that, my friend has a Fabia Comfort on 15" wheels and the ride is...comfortable. But I think he also has softer springs than the VRS.

The torque steer as you say, comes in right at the beginning, so I'll back off a bit. I also notice it when going up b-road hills around bends, the car sort of scrabbles for grip. As mentioned, I think it's a fwd thing.

/\ no to this

use 205/45/16 tires only, will be sluggish with bigger tires, worse fuel economy, will look odd and will knock your speedo waaaay out!

Sorry but I disagree,

I run 205/50/16 on my daily wheels and can't fault them. They give a far better ride over poor road surfaces, less of a chance of scuffing your alloys and make the car feel 'bigger' if you know what I mean. As for the downside it might take the edge off acceleration but hardly noticeable, fuel economy stays the same and according to GPS measurements the speedo is out by 1 mph at 70.

As for looks not that much different and something I can live with, though some youngsters would disagree lol !

205/50/16 Daily use

205/45/16 Track Day use

I'm running on my winter wheels at the moment which are 205/55/16, great for this time of the year, but make the car look like a jeep and does impact the performance, handling and economy.

To the op yes torque steer is a bit of a problem but is something you will get used to and control with time.

Karl

Thanks Karl for the info and pics. Wicked car you've got there. I much prefer the look of the higher profile rubber, probably because I'm over 25 too. I'm not sure going up just to a 50 from 45 would improve things that much though? Maybe they do.

I've actually noticed this morning that my front tyres have Extra Load stamped on them, which I believe is a tougher less compliant sidewall? Pressures are 30 front, 28 back.

Edited 7 February, 201313 yr by 993kimbo

Thanks 993kimgo,

The 5% does make a difference, it increases the diameter by about 10mm and they also has more give in the sidewall as its not such a low profile. It does not give a super comfy ride, but it will stop your teeth crunching LOL. Extra Load tyres are able to carry heavier loads at higher psi, the ones you have most probably have a load rating of 87 but a load rating of 83 will do. As such they most probably have a thicker sidewall which is not helping. Your tyre pressures are a bit low, should be 33 psi front and 32 psi back for that size of tyre. I get away with 30 - 28 with my 50 profile tyres which gives better ride comfort. Don't run them that low as it makes it easier to damage the alloys. As a rule of thumb the lower the profile the higher the psi needed.

Hope this helps

Karl

PS

Also check with your insurance Company before changing you tyres sizes as some company's are fussy about it !

Thanks Karl, I'll put the pressures up.

Took a drive out today and I think I've mastered how to control the torque steer - once you know it's there and it's going to happen, you just have to drive a bit slower.

I can't imagine what's it's like with a map - must be wriggling all over the place in first and second gear?

I'm lucky/unlucky in that I don't have a remap - just a switchable digital tuning box which does give more power but exaggerates the torque spike ! Can make pulling out quickly from junctions rather embarrassing with about 280 ft lb at 1800 rpm especially in the wet. That said I normally run with the chip off - only switching it on when needed.

A good remap can be beneficial however, if done properly it will give you more power but smoothing out the torque spike and moving maximum torque further up the rev range making it more drivable. You never do know perhaps yours has already been remapped as a number of VRS's have done but not declared when sold as not to put people off buying them.

Possibly a visit to a dyno or a friendly run with a local member who has a remapped car.

Karl

I had terrible torque steer when I first bought mine. Soon replaced the front tyres, no more torque steer. Also, i know you said you don't want to change suspension at all, but adding a rarb or coilovers will get rid of the understeer. Best thing ive done to the car, holds so well on corners now. you do lose the tiny bit of comfort you get though ahah.

Came from a w reg fiat punto so vrs is still luxury to me! Even a year and a half later!

Thanks Karl, I'll put the pressures up.

Took a drive out today and I think I've mastered how to control the torque steer - once you know it's there and it's going to happen, you just have to drive a bit slower.

I can't imagine what's it's like with a map - must be wriggling all over the place in first and second gear?

You should try over 200bhp and over 300lb-ft then

/\ no to this

use 205/45/16 tires only, will be sluggish with bigger tires, worse fuel economy, will look odd and will knock your speedo waaaay out!

it was a joke hence the lol

Thanks Karl, I'll put the pressures up.

Took a drive out today and I think I've mastered how to control the torque steer - once you know it's there and it's going to happen, you just have to drive a bit slower.

I can't imagine what's it's like with a map - must be wriggling all over the place in first and second gear?

Using more of the rev range helps as it doesn't sit below/around 2k.

Like you say it's no bmw comfort/handling but there's this rawness in power which is very entertaining. Not hugely quick on climbing the numbers but the way it does it ie, kick up the backside when shifting from gear to gear is what's most enjoyable about the vrs.

You'll soon realise your favourite gears are 3rd and 4th lol.

Noticed your from East Sussex. I linger around there often so ill try keep an eye out for you. welcome to the forums btw.

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Ibiza cupra console bushes do not add any extra vibration / noise!

yes they do