Hi, I've got a 2001 Octavia VRS and I've recently found out that the rear spring needs to be replaced.

 

I like the stock ride height due to the amount of speed bumps I face, but I could lower it up to 20-30mm Maximum.

 

Does anyone have any recommendations for a suspension setup up to a maximum of £300?

Also can someone tell me the product number of the stock spring as this may be what I turn to.

 

Thank you.

Also can someone tell me if springs are the same for variants of the MK1 Octavia?

Springs are different due to axle weights and the vRS is lower than a standard car anyhow.

Eibach springs are a good choice, subtle drop. However given the age of the car it may be best to change the dampers too. This will probably exceed your budget.

I got new shocks all round for £160 so it is doable

 

Bilstein B4

 

22-145550  front

 

 

19-029177  rear

I was looking at the koni - ST set up, springs and dampers.... 20mm drop, and fixed rate koni dampers.... about £350 for the whole lot i think at demon tweaks...

here £302 .... http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/performance/suspension-kits/car/skoda/octavia-96-04-vrs/2001/koni-str-t-performance-suspension-kit-2

I was looking at the koni - ST set up, springs and dampers.... 20mm drop, and fixed rate koni dampers.... about £350 for the whole lot i think at demon tweaks...

This set up with h and r vrs specific springs (just about only ones that are) appears to be best value by far in that price range. 20mm drop stated here is 20mm drop for vrs whereas 30-40mm stated for other springs is the drop for a STANDARD octavia.

Thanks for the recommendations, Koni is the most appealing now due to the price, has anyone ever had any experience with Prosport suspension kits? 

 

They're around the £200 mark with dampers and springs. 

 

Also any opinions on JOM?

 

Cheers

Edited 6 May, 201610 yr by Martin191

Thanks for the recommendations, Koni is the most appealing now due to the price, has anyone ever had any experience with Prosport suspension kits? 

 

They're around the £200 mark with dampers and springs. 

 

Cheers

I haven't but if I remember rightly they were the preferred budget choice on this forum, I think you need Vito drop links for them on the vrs? Hit a Google search with Briskoda in the keywords and you should find some info.

If you can afford it though I'd go for the Konis

I haven't but if I remember rightly they were the preferred budget choice on this forum, I think you need Vito drop links for them on the vrs? Hit a Google search with Briskoda in the keywords and you should find some info.

If you can afford it though I'd go for the Konis

 

Adjustable drop links won't be needed for a 20mm drop will they?

Adjustable drop links won't be needed for a 20mm drop will they?

On the Konis I'm pretty sure you're fine with what's on there but regard the Prosport I'm sure I remember reading something about the Vito drop links being preferable for some reason. Sorry for being hazy on the detail it was a while ago I looked into it.

On the Konis I'm pretty sure you're fine with what's on there but regard the Prosport I'm sure I remember reading something about the Vito drop links being preferable for some reason. Sorry for being hazy on the detail it was a while ago I looked into it.

Sorry, yeah I overlooked that message, I had a look and you were right, I'd rather a hassle free swap If I'm honest though. Looking at it though, Koni's don't come any cheaper than £350 all in

Sorry, yeah I overlooked that message, I had a look and you were right, I'd rather a hassle free swap If I'm honest though. Looking at it though, Koni's don't come any cheaper than £350 all in

I reckon they're worth it, the h and r springs alone are widely regarded as excellent, perfect rate and drop for daily but more sporty vrs. And koni quality seems to be there throughout their range. If I'd kept my vrs I would have had these on.

I put prosport coilovers on mine after taking the airlift kit off.

At first I set them at a 'sensible height' and the ride quality was surprisingly good, miles better than I was expecting in fact.

Unfortunately I can't leave anything alone so I've now wound them down quite bit, which has made the ride considerably more harsh,(car looks a million times better though) although I wouldn't say it was horrific by any means.

I bought the coilovers, merc drop links and new top mounts and the total came to less than £250.

Interesting thread as I might be looking at new springs due to the LCR topmounts which seem to be making the nose about 2 cm higher. To level it I would need a keilform kit with about standard ride height at the rear and an extra 20 mm drop at the front. Or a cheap but decent coilover kit as I guess that after about nearly 135 miles the dampers could be better...

Word to the wise the standard dampers on the vrs are a bit soft and won't match too well with the inherently higher spring rate of lowering springs, the ride can be a bit over-sprung like a pogo stick. Especially if your 12 year old plus octy is still on its original shocks.

Yeah, the Octavia VRS is a bit hard of potholes and stuff, but when changing direction it feels a bit soft and unstable. Wouldn't mind buying dampers to match. Preferable something that goes smooth over rough terrain but stable on highways and corners. Problem is that most kits have for the VRS have equal lowering all round, so in order to lower the front slightly more (to compensate for LCR topmounts), I am probably stuck to more expensive coilovers... Although some cheaper sets are available such as TA Technix (which a mate of my has on his Cadillac BLS)

Edited 6 May, 201610 yr by dcstuurman

Yeah, the Octavia VRS is a bit hard of potholes and stuff, but when changing direction it feels a bit soft and unstable. Wouldn't mind buying dampers to match. Preferable something that goes smooth over rough terrain but stable on highways and corners. Problem is that most kits have for the VRS have equal lowering all round, so in order to lower the front slightly more (to compensate for LCR topmounts), I am probably stuck to more expensive coilovers... Although some cheaper sets are available such as TA Technix (which a mate of my has on his Cadillac BLS)

Have read not great things about Technix but some good stuff on Prosport as described by Paul above

It's also worth mentioning that fitting a rear anti roll bar helps massively even on a standard set up. I had a Whiteline on mine on medium setting with front top and bottom braces (TT and S3) on standard shocks. Nice straight line comfort with decent handling.

It's also worth mentioning that fitting a rear anti roll bar helps massively even on a standard set up. I had a Whiteline on mine on medium setting with front top and bottom braces (TT and S3) on standard shocks. Nice straight line comfort with decent handling.

I have the TT top and bottom braces.... need a RARB my shocks feel a little tired though.... I will probably end up going for the Koni setup.....

Shorter drop links aren't required on the vRS as the ARB runs under the driveshafts.

Shorter drop links aren't required on the vRS as the ARB runs under the driveshafts.

They are if using prosports

If they are using any suspension. The more you lower it the further the driveshaft gets from the ARB.

Thanks for all the advice, I'm thinking I will go down the Koni route If I'm planning to keep this car long term.

It's also worth mentioning that fitting a rear anti roll bar helps massively even on a standard set up. I had a Whiteline on mine on medium setting with front top and bottom braces (TT and S3) on standard shocks. Nice straight line comfort with decent handling.

Oh no, I promised myself to keep myself out of the upgrade bug... ;-) I am little bit afraid that I end up with a compete LCR/R32 front suspension (and the bushes and (now LCR) topmounts have been replaced just 6 months ago).

The braces are not expensive it seems and so is Whiteline ARB...

Ps. Thanks for all your advice!