hi all, I have just purchased a 2nd hand 199 Octavia estate 1.8t. Great car for the money! One thing I have noticed is that the front suspension seems quite soft or I may have a problem???????

Symptoms: over big speed humps at moderate speed the front end really juts up in the air and then seems to crash right down when over the hump. Basicly a two stage front end bounce (for want of a better description!!).

Also on a really bumpy roads at speed I can feel the front end bobbing quite disconcertingly over the bumps.

My questions: are the Octavia Estates all like this? or does this indicate a potential problem with the front suspension/shocks etc (i have a very limited mechanical knowledge I am afraid!)

I have had the car inspected by a local garage (but they didn't road test it) and the conclusion was the suspension all 'seemed fine' and the octavia has just passed it's MOT to.

Any help much appreiated regards,

fraz

P.S how easy is it to extract more power (without affecting reliability!) from this 1.8T engine. What's the cheapest bangs for my bucks????

What mileage has it done? Could need new front shocks or springs if it's over 60k.

As for tuning, try Jabbasport about £400 for some decent power. As to longevity, my old one did 148k miles and this one has done 87k miles.

Sounds like you need new front shocks. My 80k mile Elegance estate is still on the originals though these are soon to be replaced (dust covers are split)

I do notice you have to be super careful on speed humps as the front end does tned to dip a little more than my last cars (Integra Type R, Astra SRi) but this is what I would call normal - obviously cant comment on your car though.

Cheapest bang for bucks is a simple generic remap. You should see around 209-212 bhp easily. This is a HUGE jump from the standard 150 and drives like a dream.

thanks all. Mileage is 92k.

How much are new front shocks likely to cost, I have a good mechanic friend to fit but where would be the best/cheapest place to purchase other than main dealer?

how much as a ballpark figure will a generic re-map set me back also?

thansks again

fraz

I use www.cafco.co.uk

Generic map will be around £300+ (I think)

thx goochie..anyone else replaced the front shocks on an Octavia????? i'm looking for a ballpark figure for the repair please

My 2000 Octavia 1.8T SLX have done that since day 1 (bought it new).

Several years ago I asked the same question and some suggested that I needed new front shocks. I went to the garage and all was ok.

But the problem is that the suspension, for this model, is very soft. Some problems because of the softness are:

1. Rather small bumps would dive all the car down and then all the way up.

2. Very high roll.

3. Under heavy acceleration the tires would loose the grip very easy and begin to hop (no ASR to help control this problem on my car).

Solution:

1. Replace the shocks with higher damping rate.

2. Normally you should replace your springs for stiffer ones to match the new shocks.

Have you thought about Anti-roll bar bushes.

Changed mine recently, this has removed the clunking about on uneven roads that you have experienced, also seem to ride the daily speed bump course much better now.

thanks kindly people. I will have to look into it. But it does appear they just softly sprung at the front.