Help and advice please

2003 mark 1 octavia tdi 1.9

I now want to lower it and suspension it. I initially thought I would just buy mark 1 vrs suspension. I am not looking to lower too much , just to sport up and firm up the ride.

I understand vrs struts and springs may not be suitable as the TdI front end is a bit heavier than the petrol vrs mark 1 . I have also managed to confuse myself on these very forums with chat about 50 and 55 mm struts ( or something that vrs may not fit). so I am guessing vrs mark 1 struts and springs may not be the answer for a tdi.

Will struts from a mark 2 2.0 vrs diesel fit the mark 1 tdi car ? Are the struts the same and the spring rates about the same ? I do not have a fortune to spend and want the car to look relatatively standard. I do have coil overs but am reluctant to fit them due to bad reports on ride quality. Advice regarding the above please - has anyone lowered a tdi mark 1 with vrs suspension from a mark 1 or 2 ? I understand diesel Vrs were introduced only in mark 2 cars.

Any help appreciated before I buy the wrong things ! Plenty of vrs bits are available but I am unsure I will get what I want without the advice of this forum !

Your best bet is to buy springs/shocks made for your tdi,anything else will make it ride like a sack of spuds

Hi Mate, I just bought some Koni Sports with matching 35mm lowering springs for my TDI elegance. They are £250 on Larkspeed at the moment and I'm super impressed by them. Fitting front drivers side was an unbelievable pain though...Have some strong spring compressors and an assistant at the ready. I can find a picture of the drop if you like...car is mega dirty atm though :(

Yeah fair enough - that's about the spend I planned, At that money it's pretty good, That's prob the best option. Only looking for a slight drop but stiffer ride. Gmax any good ? Thanks

I would recommend the Konis any day. The ride is stiffer than stock but not uncomfortable. The difference in handling through corners is amazing.

 

Heres mine with 35mm drop on 55 tyres. After 1-2 days.

 

After 1 week.

 

I fitted vRS springs with factory sports spec. Bilstein shocks alround on my Elegance TDI. I thought gave a good compromise on ride and handling for the price, despite what everyone else says. I ran mine like that for around 3 years until I sold the car.

If you go down that route, remember to fit vRS bump stops too as they are shorter than the standard ones and will probably affect ride comfort.