Im strongly considering ordering an octavia 1.8tsi estate, but would like some octavia owners opinion on a few things.

- Dynamick Pack seats.. How do they wear? I have a feeling the fabric will get worn early making them ugly. Also, getting in and out of the car is a bit more cumbersome due to the lumbar support i feel. Anyone have experience with the seats?

- Tow bar. Can i fit it myself if i order tow bar prep, or do i need vcds to unlock something after install? I wont be ordering rear parking camera or sensors.

- Sport suspension. Is it worth it? Why not lower it myself and install shocks? The sport suspension only lowers the car 15mm which is not quite enough i feel. Too much space between wheels and fender

- Driving mode selector. Do you ever use it? I feel like it's a gimmick as it only changes throttle response and steering feel. Is it worth it?

- Aluminum wheels. Which size offers the best compromise between ride and handling? Future mods would include VRS brakes front and back which means i need at least 17inch wheels.

Thanks in advance

-Wheels

Driving mode selector is more of a gimmick.

It can be ok to have with a Dsg, but if you go for a manual its no point imo.

It only makes the steering heavier, so no point there.

Edited 22 April, 201610 yr by Gromle

Thanks.

Anyone else have something to add perhaps?

Options are a personal choice. If you want something then get it. People worry too much about end value etc and for some reason would rather spend 3 years driving a compromised car than have what they want for fear of depreciation or resale value. Actually mine is outside depreciating as I type this, I'm beside myself.

I don't know much about the 1.8tsi. But Ive had the selector thing on my 1.4 Leon and on my tsi VRS. I like it, the throttle can be snatchy in sport mode, dull in eco and well, normal in normal. However it allows me to set the car to what is best for me (individual mode) and also to make it will as dishwater for the Mrs to drive, this saving the clutch.

Just think about what you want, you are spending your own money on one of life's biggest expenses so you may as well be happy about it!!

Edited 22 April, 201610 yr by ExSEAT

Thanks for the advice.

Im not concerned with depreciation though. I want to be sure i make the right decision because this car will stay with me until it no longer pays off to keep it running.

Thats why i want to know about the dynamick pack interior from someone who has it. How does it wear? I'd hate to have my 2 year old car with 30k on the odomoter look like it's been abused inside. The car will be parked in a heated garage/shop every day and night unless im at work. So the exterior should hold up well!

So.. Do anyone have experience with thr dynamic pack interior?

How about lowering it myself and installing shocks - do you recomend a new alignment afterwards?

And on the towbar thing. Do i need vcds to install a towbar if i order an estate with towbar prep? Or do i even need towbar prep if only haul a small trailer once a week?

Please. Feel free to chime in whereever you can those of you who know this. I will appreciate it.

Edited 22 April, 201610 yr by Juhl

Getting in and out of the dynamic pack seats is probably my biggest worry. Are they awkward in daily use and do they wear out fast?

Edited 22 April, 201610 yr by Juhl

Driving mode selector is more of a gimmick.

It can be ok to have with a Dsg, but if you go for a manual its no point imo.

It only makes the steering heavier, so no point there.

I would disagree there. I don't have mode selector and would prefer a slightly heavier steering weight especially in strong cross winds.

From what I have read many vRS drivers prefer the heavier sport mode for steering.

I do have 17 inch wheels which seem a good compromise for our indifferent roads but the OEM offerings do seem rather heavy when you weigh them.

My 1.4 is cheap car with few options so the torsion bar rear suspension is acceptable for me but I would resent spending a lot more on a bigger engine and options without going to multi-link

Edited 22 April, 201610 yr by Gerrycan

I would disagree there. I don't have mode selector and would prefer a slightly heavier steering weight especially in strong cross winds.

From what I have read many vRS drivers prefer the heavier sport mode for steering.

I do have 17 inch wheels which seem a good compromise for our indifferent roads but the OEM offerings do seem rather heavy when you weigh them.

My 1.4 is cheap car with few options so the torsion bar rear suspension is acceptable for me but I would resent spending a lot more on a bigger engine and options without going to multi-link

But the vrs Boys has the variable steeringrate. It might be different on those. Non-vrs only makes it heavier.

And I really dont see how the car would be more stable in wind with a heavier steering. It only makes it harder to counter the wind.

But the vrs Boys has the variable steeringrate. It might be different on those. Non-vrs only makes it heavier.

And I really dont see how the car would be more stable in wind with a heavier steering. It only makes it harder to counter the wind.

You are probably right, perhaps the non vrs members with mode option could comment.

Probably just wishful thinking on my part as the much lighter petrol mk3 Ambition model does not steer as well as my previous diesel mk2 Ambition. The mk2 had a heavier feel which was just about perfect for me both in a straight line and cornering.

I have the mode selection in my 1.4 TSI. I found my preferred settings when I got the car and have never changed them since, so if they can be configured using VCDS instead, that would have been sufficient for me (I don't know if it is the case?!)

I have the Sports Package dynamic seats and they are IMHO very good, and look fine after 60000km.

I also have the factory fitted tow bar, and I like the detachable tow bar plus the cut out in the trunk for it.

In fact, I also have the sports suspension and the car looks better. You can argue if 15mm is enough, but since this is a company car I don't have the option of changing the springs to an aftermarket alternative. I run 18" in the summer and 16" in the winter. In retrospect I would have selected 16" or 17" all-season.

Great advice. Really.

The 1.8tsi is multulink. Thats part og the reason for choosing it. The multilink rear and 1.8tsi makes it feel a little bit sporty. Thats why i considered a sporty interior, lowering and the driving mode selector.

Great help guys. I'll order with the dynamick pack interior as it looks really good. And probably with the detachable towbar as well. And 17inch wheels. Im not decided on the sportsuspension yet but i think i'll go for the driving mode selector even though it's more of a gimmick.

You are probably right, perhaps the non vrs members with mode option could comment.

Probably just wishful thinking on my part as the much lighter petrol mk3 Ambition model does not steer as well as my previous diesel mk2 Ambition. The mk2 had a heavier feel which was just about perfect for me both in a straight line and cornering.

The mk2 probably had an old school servo? The mk3 has the electric type doesnt it? It takes away some of feel.

I think the sport mode only makes the car feel like it has a broken servosteering. Just akward. And I dont have a vRS, 1.8tsi was my weapon of choice.

I like the heavier steering of Sports Mode, car requires more input therefore, making it less figity on the road, which inspires more confidence.

The sharper throttle response is nice considering the mk3 fly by wires throttle ain't inspiring

The mk2 probably had an old school servo? The mk3 has the electric type doesnt it? It takes away some of feel.

I think the sport mode only makes the car feel like it has a broken servosteering. Just akward. And I dont have a vRS, 1.8tsi was my weapon of choice.

Pretty sure my Mk2 had electric power steering like the Mk3.

Pretty sure my Mk2 had electric power steering like the Mk3.

I dont know. I was only guessing. Never had a mk2