SUK really have earned their name

Question for The Plumber: do you have reliable contact details for the SUK boss (for an approach re the 16" wheels)? I would certainly downgrade from 17" if it were possible.

Does anybody know what the RRP actually involves, and is it worthwhile? I did a Google Translate from the Czech website's description. This was ok, but I'd be happier with native English knowledge.

Question for The Plumber: do you have reliable contact details for the SUK boss (for an approach re the 16" wheels)? I would certainly downgrade from 17" if it were possible.

See post 31 of this thread;

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/255522-uk-16-special-build-club-membership-closed/page__st__30

TP

Does anybody know what the RRP actually involves, and is it worthwhile? I did a Google Translate from the Czech website's description. This was ok, but I'd be happier with native English knowledge.

Rough Road Package

The "bespoke springs and shock absorbers" result in an increase in ground clearance of approx 15mm, improved ride/handling over uneven surfaces but an increase in roll on normal surfaces. (The Octavia II 4x4, which came with the Rough Road Package as standard, while having greater ground clearance than a standard Octavia was still aboout 3mm lower than the Scout due to the Scout's larger wheel/tyre combination).

As for "worthwhile", depends on where you anticipate driving.

I have heard claims that the 4x4 (not Scout) Octavia estate, although it is slightly higher than the "ordinary" FWD Octavia, actually has slightly less ground clearance, not more, and that this is because the exhaust pipe runs underneath the propshaft down the centre of the car. If that is true, I presume the slighly raised overall height of the 4x4 is a compromise to partially compensate for this.

Can anyone confirm whether this is true or not, please?

Edited 5 June, 201313 yr by Stuarted

Certainly not the case for the Mk II Octavia - IIRC is 163mm clearance for the 4x4 and 179mm for the Scout. There plenty of room in the transmission tunnel for the exhaust and prop shaft.

Thanks to TP for the link re 16-inchers. I'll see what progress I can make.

Re RRP

Well, we do occasionally park up rough-ish tracks in Cumbria & the Western Isles & Highlands, but certainly not Off-Road in its true sense. I would consider adding the RRP just from the point of view of extra protection for the underbody and brake/fuel lines over time - because I plan keeping this car until EOL (mine or its). 15mm height increase is negligible, but is the extra roll noticeable? Has anybody experiences these special springs and shocks?

For the Octavia II the RRP increased ground clearance on the 4x4 by 163mm, and on the Scout, with larger wheel/tyre combo, by 179mm.

If you've just spent 6 months in a vRS and then cross over into a 4x4/Scout then I suppose you might notice the "roll", but I seriously doubt you would if you hadn't.

The Octavia II 4x4 (mine) came with the RRP already fitted as standard. Never having owned an Octavia prior to this I can't compare it to one without the RRP, but using it in similar circumstances to yourself, had I paid for it as an extra I wouldn't now consider it to have been money wasted.

For the Octavia II the RRP increased ground clearance on the 4x4 by 163mm, and on the Scout, with larger wheel/tyre combo, by 179mm.

Sorry, that should've read "the RRP increased ground clearance on the 4x4 to 163mm, and on the Scout, with larger wheel/tyre combo, to 179mm". (The ground clearance without the RRP is 140mm).

Be aware that this is the effect of the RRP on the Octavia II. I've not seen figures which relate to the Octavia III in this respect.

Having MAD Helper Springs fitted may also have boosted the rear of mine by an additional couple of mm, but with the Mk III having a longer wheel base than the Mk II, the rear-axle/boot-overhang issue, which resulted in the nose pointing skywards under load, shouldn't be a feature of the Mk III.

Edited 6 June, 201313 yr by Rab-k

Re RRP

Well, we do occasionally park up rough-ish tracks in Cumbria & the Western Isles & Highlands, but certainly not Off-Road in its true sense. I would consider adding the RRP just from the point of view of extra protection for the underbody and brake/fuel lines over time - because I plan keeping this car until EOL (mine or its). 15mm height increase is negligible, but is the extra roll noticeable? Has anybody experiences these special springs and shocks?

My Scout is running an extra 10mm higher i.e.189mm nominal with negligible handling issues. One of the reasons I chose larger 18" wheels was to use a specific tyre which was not a available in smaller sizes (there's your answer Dougal :-) ). It also looks better in my opinion. Not all patterns are available in all sizes, and I've retained my original wheels for all-season tyres on a low-slung sportier car in winter.

I guess that in line with other VAG products, the hub diameter has been increased from 57.1mm (to 66.5mm?) so some of my wheel options wouldn't fit on my next Octavia. Thankfully some aftermarket wheels I have use spigot rings to adapt to the hub size and so could be transferred to the new car for about £10 for a new set of spigot rings.

Ian - If you get stuck in your quest to swap to 16" wheels, I would probably (car not ordered yet) be interested in your 17" wheels for use with winter tyres, so please bear this in mind.

Sorry Iain for misspelling your name. Could have sworn I did it right, but Android can be a bit overzealous at times. Just noticed after posting and couldn't edit. Gieves.

Gieves - Wheel swop (possible) offer noted. Thank you. I'll see how I get on. And you're not so far away. Better than Essex, say.

More RRP information from Skoda UK today by e-m. RRP available as £150 Option on Octavia S and SE. But not on Elegance. ???

More RRP information from Skoda UK today by e-m. RRP available as £150 Option on Octavia S and SE. But not on Elegance. ???

Where have you seen this?

Did your SUK e-m detail the increase in ground clearance the RRP gives over the standard model?

Did your SUK e-m detail the increase in ground clearance the RRP gives over the standard model?

From the Norwegian brochure:

Normal ground clearance: 140mm

Sport suspension: 125mm

Bad road: (RRP) 155mm

Tak!

Therefore for the Octavia II:

Standard: 140

4x4: 163

Scout: 179

For the Octavia III

Standard: 140

4x4: 155

Scout?: 171?

Therefore the Octavia III 4x4/Scout is nearly 1cm lower than the Octavia II equivalent.

Progress?

Replying to Huskoda above:

I sent an e-m to Skoda UK to ask for information re the RRP on the Octy III. Jane Townsley e-m'd back with the S/SE - Elegance difference to which I referred. On Friday (yesterday) my dealer confirmed this from Skoda's update messaging to dealers everywhere. I didn't ask about clearance; I don't think a few mm are significant, and, because I've ordered an Elegance and am seemingly therefore barred from the package, there wasn't any point in quizzing her further. Although I did send her a reply to ask if she could give me a reason for the Elegance being excluded. However, in the same e-m, she stated that the Chrome Surrounds are available for order for the Elegance only (even tho' they can't be selected through the dealer's configurator). But that is another thread . . .

No RRP for Elegance?

Keeping their powder dry for the Scout?.......

Niall

My Scout is running an extra 10mm higher i.e.189mm nominal with negligible handling issues. One of the reasons I chose larger 18" wheels was to use a specific tyre which was not a available in smaller sizes (there's your answer Dougal :-) ). It also looks better in my opinion. Not all patterns are available in all sizes, and I've retained my original wheels for all-season tyres on a low-slung sportier car in winter.

You would be the exception to that rule. It does appear that 195/70R15 is a common rally size and similar OD to the 225/50R17's. Worth considering for some.

I was reminded plenty last week how ribbed van tyres (look like aircraft tyres) work surprisingly well in mud despite having no shoulder blocks. Had 80mm of rain in 11 hours and then had to follow a D8R and haul trucks around a mine site. Didn't get stuck.

RRP is now on the UK configurator, £150 like IainC said.

And, indeed, only for S & SE Models. Skoda UK telephoned me today to confirm this, but didn't have any explanation as to why the Elegance is excluded. Hey Ho.

Probably because you cant get RRP and 17" wheels, which the Elegance comes with by default.

Also, anyone able to find out if the new 4x4 has the low ranged first gear that the Octy II does?