Hi guys,

I just bought an Octavia Elegance 4x4. It's the 1.8T, a 2004 models and only has 42,000 miles on it. As you'd expect, it's pretty mint and in general I am really pleased with it, it's quiet, smooth and comfortable and I prefer the aesthetics of it to the later ones. Coming from a 1999 Felicia it is something of a revelation to me!

I do have a couple of observations though, and would like some input from those of you that know these cars well. Firstly, the engine. It is quiet and pulls pretty well, it isn't eyebrow raisingly quick, but certainly peppy enough for what I want. I have noticed a strange sort of lurchiness about the way it drives though. To explain, if I am trundling along through town, and accelerate, oftentimes it doesn't really go, and then it kind of catches up with itself and whooshes forward. I'm wondering if this is some kind of turbo lag effect?

The other thing regards the handling. Again, in general I really like the way it drives it is comfortable and yet taut feeling - exactly how I like a car to be. But this feeling dissolves a little if you decide to press on a bit, and I've noticed when cornering on bumpy roads, or if cornering from side to side like you do in a roundabout for instance, that the body control is quite poor and it feels almost as if the shocks are completely goosed. I don't think they are though as it isn't bouncy in a straight line. So I'm wondering if the 4x4 is higher than the standard car is, and maybe this polite waywardness is a symptom of that?

Neither of these are complaints by any means, but if they are things that are easily remedied at some point in the future then I can look towards doing so.

Thanks in advance for your wisdoms

Jen.

Hello buddy your first issue with the hesitation could me a few things first of all the maf sensor being duff the best way to check is to get the car scanned for fault codes.

WIth you saying the car doesn't appear quick have a look into getting the car mapped you can do silly things to the 1.8t engine have a look through the project journals other members have done I'm quite envious of them

Welcome

The 4x4 is higher so will lean more in corners, the remedy is to fit thicker anti roll bars, or even just one at the back, this will involve some modification to the spare wheel well using a sledgehammer lol.

It will also be worth checking the breather pipes on the engine as they are prone to splitting, might be worth replacing them in any case with silicone ones as they will split and give running problems.

I was thinking about getting a 4x4 but chose the vrs thinking that I wouldn't splash out on tweaking the suspension, rarb, polybushes, and coilovers later and I think that's it lol

Sent from my Galaxy S3, not a Crapple!

Your observations are spot on.

I can't directly comment on the 4x4 suspension not having owned one but I do know that they take well to uprated anti roll bars to level things out in the corners. Regarding the sort of jumpiness, That's quite common too and can be a lot of things. try a throttle body clean if it doesn't fix it, it will definitely help make things smoother.

nothing to worry about from your original comments

you can mod if you would like to "correct" these observations

Thanks for the replies gents, and so prompt!

I should have mentioned that it's an estate, which will doubtless exacerbate the roly poly-ness. I was thinking about getting the engine treated with the Terraclean process, as low mileage doesn't necessarily mean it's clean inside. I'll have a good poke around and check the hoses too.

I was considering buying a Vag Com reader as I also own a T4 van, but can't stomach the cost right now. I might contact one of the local owners from your map for now, as my ESP warning light has come on a few times as well. Is there a more general type of fault code reader that would work?

As far as the suspension goes, I've noticed from some of the threads I've seen here (loving the project threads forum) that all sorts of bits and pieces are interchangeable. So if I wanted to uprate the anti roll bar, or fit a rear, which ones should I look out for?

Cheers,

Jen.

don't use any additives

if you are worried take it for an absolute caning to get oil nice and hot and then take it easy for a few miles to cool turbo, then drop the engine oil out of it.

replace with nice vw504/507 spec oil and a new filter

there are some alternative code readers out there - well worth it

as for susp it has been done before - search is your friend

Terra clean not needed these 1.8t don't coke up like alot of the newer cars !!

Vcds lite is good for codes

Sent from my Galaxy S3, not a Crapple!

Remap it!

150bhp to 210bhp is a no brainer

I can't deny that I'm tempted to remap, I like horsepowers

I've found some R32 roll bars on e bay though, and I need a few other little bits and pieces. I don't think the exhaust is long for this world, and I'll fit a K&N because I always do. So a re map isn't a priority for now............ they all say that don't they

Jen.

Ebay cai, k&n and a compbrake or forge dump valve, makes it sounds nice lol

Sent from my Galaxy S3, not a Crapple!

I can't deny that I'm tempted to remap, I like horsepowers

I've found some R32 roll bars on e bay though, and I need a few other little bits and pieces. I don't think the exhaust is long for this world, and I'll fit a K&N because I always do. So a re map isn't a priority for now............ they all say that don't they

Jen.

If fitting new ARBs' you need a both front and rear - unlike the 2WD drives cars, the 4WD should have a thicker front ARB than rear

You'll also need the R32 rear tie bars to matched the lowered ride and give correct camber to the rear wheels

Personally I'd look to replace the springs and shocks ASAP too, the OEM dampening rates will be very soft with stiffer ARB's

Yeah, I found a pair. They are advertised as being from an A3 (A3 8P Quattro 1KO 511 305 CP) but will fit the R32, I did surmise that I'd need drop links too. Would R32 suspension units be a good bet?

I must admit I quite like how comfy it is all high up, easy to get in and out of too

Jen.

Edited 9 April, 201313 yr by desmojen

You specifically want the R32 ARB's

Shouldn't need droplinks

A3 Quattro might have a different front ARB setup, not sure.