Hi guys

 

Picked up my 2013 1.4 TSI Elegance earlier in the week and it turns out it's got sports suspension, which I wasn't aware of at the time. I find the ride very firm and the Mrs isn't a fan at all.

 

I've jacked it up to check the shipping blocks were removed and it looks like they were, so I assume it's just the sports suspension making things firm.

 

Now I don't know the first thing about suspension but having had a read through this forum am I right in thinking I can (get a mechanic to) replace the shocks with something like Bilstein B4s? Is this likely to significantly soften the ride? I'm not fussed about handling, it's just a family car that won't be driven hard.

 

Do I also need to replace the springs or can I get away with just replacing the shocks? Which is it that affects the ride more?

What 'SKODA' call 'Sports Suspension' might just be springs bringing your car a few mm lower.

Springs will need replacing as well as dampers, the springs hold the car up.

 

How worn out is the suspension or how many miles has the car done, and do you know it is the Factory Fit items, 

what tyres / wheel size do you have, and have you tried changing tyre pressures within the range indicated for your vehicle?

Car has done 46k and as far as I know none of the suspension components have ever been replaced. It's on 17" wheels, which I guess doesn't help the ride as I believe the standard size is 16". The tyres are all fairly new and  are all at 32psi/2.2bar which is the recommended pressure for them.

So if I wanted to replace the current springs/dampers with say Bilstein B3 springs and Bilstein B4 shocks, can I use those? They website says they can be used for standard suspension but also for cars lowered by 40mm. As far as I know the sports suspension on the Octavia lowers the ride by 15mm?

 

Can anyone advise?

 

Thanks