Been searching around on sites and on this forum but cannot see any definitive answers for this so sorry if it seems a bit repetitive.

I am currently looking to get some coilovers for my Skoda Octavia Vrs but am unsure as to what to go for.

I want a nice stance nothing too low and some improved handling (I am also getting a RARB before anybody suggests that )

I'm not made of money but don't want to buy the cheapest set out there and end up with problem after problem. Probably looking around £500 max really but could stretch it a bit more for the right set.

Also what other parts are recommended to be replaced when fitting coilovers?

Any advise would be much appreciated

Look for a company called DPM performance bloke called Damien he will point you in the right direction, and I'm sure he is even on here

And with regards to what needs replaced some might say the hub bolts, top mounts to polly bush ones and new bearings but if you go too low, you will have problems with your arb and driveshafts getting munched

I got some ap coilovers. Cost around £400 from dpm. I also replaced the bearings, top mounts upgraded to lcr ones and new stretch bolts. The ap coilovers look good quality I however haven't drove on them yet because shes off the road.

Thanks for the advice chaps much appreciated

I've just this week used DPM, I have a set of prosports and a whiteline RARB ready to fit tomorrow.

I've already got Powerflex top mounts and rear axle bushes, so should be nice and firm

Damian @DPM Is sound

Your only real question to answer bud is

How much do u want to spend ?

Fk do a stainless silverline kit for 460 iirc

Will Drop low if u want or its things like

Ap

Weitec ( which i believe is renamed st or such )

Or kw

All 3 of the above are made by kw also

Just read ur budget

Here u go

http://www.dpmperformance.co.uk/car-parts/skoda/octavia/fk-silverline-coilover-suspension-kit-octavia-1u-vrs-18t-0698

Then just new top mounts and bearing while off

Weitec Hicon Gt`s, job done.

Weitec dont exsist anymore it is now called st and the prices have risen as well. 

I've been going through the same thing myself... currently waiting on a set of APs because as far as I can tell they are the best for the ~£400 mark and I could not get any KWs in time for this Thursday when I need to do the job.

 

When spoke to Damian he suggested that the ST Xs are better than the old Heicon GTs, having closer internals to the v1s (a bit like the old galvanised v1 basics), but I haven't tried either so I can't guarantee the extra money is worth it! Not sure I have heard of anyone running them yet. But for £45-60 might as well go for the v1s in my view....

 

For fitting and parts required, check out this post http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/183280-octavia-mk1-vrs-coilover-fitting-guide/?hl=%2Bcoilover+%2Bguide#entry2202955 . Part numbers have changed a little (the last number is the revision number I think), this is updated as of this year from Bowders1's post (apart from a few I bought last year).

 

Front Suspension

Outer Top nut, self-locking 21mm x2 N 903 536 04
Lower strut mounting bolt 18mm x2 N 102 078 04
Lower strut mounting nut 18mm x2 N 101 064 02
Inner front strut nuts 18mm x2 1H0412365A
Strut Top Bearing x2 1J0-412-249 (GSF P/N 45737A)

Hub Strut Spreader X1 3424

Rear Suspension
Upper shock mounting bolt 16mm x4 N90 648 402
Lower shock bolt 16mm x2 N90 517 304
Lower shock nut 16mm x2 N10 286 110


Front Suspension (although there are other options, LCR or powerflex or the 10mm dropping pollybush)

Strut Top Mount x2 1J0-412-331C (GSF P/N 45736)

 

If you look at the fitting guide in the post above some tools are recommended. I intend to use an injector socket for tightening the nut but also have a deep offset spanner to help loosen. I bought these which appear to fit (only just on the spanner due to the depth of the nut), but I haven't tried the job yet. My top nut is 21mm but the nut on the coilovers can vary apparently if they supply one.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003TNW864/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181439658296?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190731119927?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2648

 

Not sure if the last one will be strong enough for undoing the nut if it is seized, or if the 12 point openings are ideal but we'll see.

Edited 26 July, 201411 yr by Powell2.0

Im in the same boat, the standard vrs suspension is toilet, i like the look of the kit that was posted above, might look st them, how much do you think fitting might be?

Fitting is free if you do it yourself buddy. Honestly its easy to do. You can buy the tools needed and still save money you'd pay a garage and youve got them to use again.

Know any decent guides? I normally dont mind gettung stuck in having fitted new dics and pads yesteday and installing forge fmic but the suspension scares me a bit what if somethibg goes wrong and im stuck :0

Have a look on youtube. But type in mk4 golf there is loads on there. Its basically the same car. Tbh there isnt a lot that can go wrong. The rear is easy half hour top. The front drivers side I found harder to do due to the fact you cant get the hub down quite far enough to remove the strut so it needs the spring compressors on. Iirc the passenger side dropped straight out. Just wd40 everything a day before itll be no bother. Dont forget the hub splitter tool though it will make your life so much easier.

Just to add to the above, when I did mine I couldnt get the anti roll bar links off due to the nuts on the struts being seized. As I was replacing the shocks anyway I just cut them off. New drop links werent expensive so you might be better buying two new ones just in case!

Awesome cheers mate, ill have a look today, id like to do it my self even if only for the ense of self achievemnt lol. Pkus ive got stage 2 booked and i think suspension is a must or my csr will look like a boat going heqd on with a tsunami, all nose up in yje air ready for take off

A good way to get the front struts out is with a scissor jack. Search it on youtube. 1 side took me like 30mins to get out then the other I used a jack and done it in under 5. Deffo buy new mounts and bearings. My bearings were knackered.

Youll wonder what all the fuss was about once youve done it!

Sorry for my typos, on me mobile! Found a in depth guide, might order from dpm next week!

I fitted my prosports today, they're not as bad as people suggest. Nice and firm, but sticks to the road. Also fitted a whiteline rarb, can feel the difference!

And with regards to what needs replaced some might say the hub bolts, top mounts to polly bush ones and new bearings but if you go too low, you will have problems with your arb and driveshafts getting munched

 

Don't have the trouble with ARB and drive shafts issue on VRS. That issue is only on Golf's and Skoda Octavia platform that do not have ARB bolts from strut to ARB like the VRS does.

 

VRS shares same set up as Audi TT/S3 Golf R32 and Seat LCR so you can go very low on these, although crazy low and general handing is not good.

 

A sub £500 coilover is not going to be great wound down too low anyway 

 

To OP Weitec's have been superseded now by ST's which share some parts fro KW and built in same factory which is why slightly higher priced now but great coilover.

Fitting is very basic TBH. Number of guides if you look at the Golf platform guides as these are the same,

 

Additional parts to replace / buy  are covered in a few threads and mentioned above too, My original thread is a bit dated and part number revisions have changed a little but even if you still quote old part number the dealer will be able to quote latest part  

Thanks all for your help on this tricky decision. Looks like I'm going to be ordering some FK Silverlines from DPM Performance soon roll on payday haha

And the list of parts to replace is great thanks. More things to order

Thanks again guys