So I currently have a Vrs hatch, standard with about 125000 miles on it. Have a few plans for this when funds allow, mainly stage 1 and handling. BUT for the cost of the vrs and going stage 1 - £2300ish, could I get a 4x4 estate, get a BAM 225 fitted, arbs and a few bits for same cost? That is whether engine swap is the best option compared to modding the 150bhp to get a similar power. 

 

Thoughts, ideas, wouldn't be for a few months if at all, just toying with the idea and all cost dependent too. 

thanks for your inputs in advance!

The 150 1.8T engine in the 4x4 is the same as the engine in the vrs but with a different map.

 

Both map to the same power stage 1

isnt the 150bhp Octavia the AUM engine which is cable not fly by wire? not really much of a problem.

 

You could keep your VRS and use it as a doner, but a silver 4x4 octy and transfer the bodykit over, wheels, brakes, etc etc. then stick the bam in.

 

You will need a custom downpipe for the KO4 (I think) and a K04 map putting onto it.

Would need to sell the vrs to fund it. Just thought could pick up a average 4x4 for about £1200, maybe just modify the 150 engine and sort the haldex out. Wouldn't do the body kit swap, keep it sleeper. Just ideas, I have too many of them and not enough time or money to see em through!!

So I currently have a Vrs hatch, standard with about 125000 miles on it. Have a few plans for this when funds allow, mainly stage 1 and handling. BUT for the cost of the vrs and going stage 1 - £2300ish, could I get a 4x4 estate, get a BAM 225 fitted, arbs and a few bits for same cost? That is whether engine swap is the best option compared to modding the 150bhp to get a similar power. 

 

Thoughts, ideas, wouldn't be for a few months if at all, just toying with the idea and all cost dependent too. 

thanks for your inputs in advance!

 

This really is a personal choice buddy  as you will get a lot of mixed responses for and against.

 

You probably could get a 4x4 and a BAM engine for same cost and maybe get mapped included(BAM engines are still a bit pricey)

Also the cost is dependent on you doing the work. To get a garage to do it no chance you will be in same budget.

 

Also if the car is to be sold to get the other 4x4 and BAM engine you will need to factor in being without a car for a period,

 

Plus if fitting a BAM engine  a 4x4 you really need to beef up brakes and probably chassis(shock springs etc)

 

As you would of sold your VRS you won't be able to donate any parts likes the VRS bigger brakes , bumper wheels, and better interior)

 

So in my mind you would be left with a quicker car but maybe not a better looking one.

 

It is like apples and pears buddy , they are both fruits but give a different taste and feel... and some prefer one over the other...

 

good luck on what you choose

BAM's a waste of effort imho

Better/cheaper to get similar power

Get a 4x4 and tune the engine its got, as said it'll map to the same levels

put some decent coilovers, tie bars, brakes and a stage 1 map on and you'll car that's on par with a 200hp scooby

but without the image

ps

if you did transfer bits on the 4x4, you could put the other bits back onto the vrs

The resulting car might be a odd though - eg one butt ugly vrs mongrel lol

Fair point about the suspension and brakes, hadn't factored in that they won't be the vrs parts. Not bothered about looks, would have it stealth. I believe a different haldex controller can transform the way they drive too... So sounds like best value for money is not going BAM, and spending that grand on mods for the standard car.

Or keep my vrs.

uprated haldex controllers do, but only after suspension

eg I'd not take any money anyway from my suspension budget to uprate the haldex unit

The good thing about the 4x4 (octy 1) is it uses the k03s so will map to the same as the vrs. Most 150 lumps only have the k03

The engine in the 4x4 is great but the box not so much when you start upping the power.

The engine code is ARX and it's drive by wire same as the VRS

As already stated it maps the same so it's a very noticeable jump from 150 (popular with old sensible types unlike the VRS) to 210-215 stage 1 £99 I paid for mine

you can buy them a lot cheaper than a VRS and they tend not to have been abused in standard form as they are not that quick.

The seats are cr4p and will need to be replaced especially if you are tuning as they provide no sideways support at all.

Haldex is nice but not at the start, I am 6 years in and still standard.

Suspension is firmer than a standard octavia as the springs are heavy duty but the shocks are poo. Replace with Bilstein b6's to keep the ride height or go for something like kw1's if going coil over and lowering.

Standard brakes are bearable unless you are taking it on track, then you will want to change them.

200bhp scooby is maybe slightly under par depending on the map and how good all the boost pipe work is as they are prone to decay. If the scooby driver is not great then a 300 can be left behind as well if your in the right rev range

Its the sleeper / 'Q-car' bit that has always appealed to me about the 4x4 - as snow muncher says it depends what you want.

 

Had one 10 years ago which was Jabba'd to 223bhp with no other mods and ran brilliantly for 3 years before selling for a diesel Audi.

Have bought another one recently as a dog wagon / family car and plan do something similar later in the year.

 

The vRS is a great car. With the 4x4 I always loved the ability to get all the power down all the time and shock people away from the line. Also its shorter geared in 5th so it would leave people for dead in the outside lane of the motorway when the traffic cleared.

 

Also coped surprisingly well with a couple of track days - never spun, but with standard brakes and suspension, you do adapt your driving style to slow in fast out though.

Edited 8 March, 201412 yr by Fabpreza

Interesting stuff, thanks! Sounds like keeping the engine is the answer, didn't know it was the same turbo so getting around 220bhp shouldn't much of a challenge, certainly cheaper than an engine swap. just need to work out if its what I want, plus can't find any reasonable examples at the moment!

There was a silver estate with vRS - looking  wheels on Autotrader the other day that looked tidy.

Bit of a poor selection of autotrader at the mo

 

If you want ultra low key, then there's this slate grey estate

 

Couldn't help noticing how reasonable mk.2 diesel 4x4's are

 

Maybe time to change the diesel daily :think:

Edited 8 March, 201412 yr by snow_muncher

Wanting lower miles than tht, probably no more than 120,000 really. Don't really want to swap back to diesel either! I'll keep on the look out and see what happens! 

This one ?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skoda-Octavia-1-8L-Turbo-4x4-Elegance-5-Door-Manual-Estate-2001-51-Silver-/121287566423?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1c3d4d6457