I've owned my Mk3 Estate for a year now and overall I'm very pleased with it. It's comfortable, practical and cheap to run.  I've owned VWs, Audis, Renaults and a Saab - this is better than all of them.  Also as it's the Elegance model it's got the heated seats and other bells & whistles.  The only change I've made is to the wheels - The elegance comes with 17" alloys and I've changed them for 3rd party 16"ones, coupled with Michelin Cross-Climate tyres. The reason being that I found that driving over  pot-holed roads near where I live really jarred inside the cabin. Changing the wheels has made a dramatic difference and the ride quality is now much better (and pot holes are much less noticeable).   If you're having the same problems I can strongly recommend this solution.    However I just wondered if anyone has gone any further, e.g. Updating the suspension / sound deadening.   If so what was cost/benefit and would you recommend?

 

Any information appreciated!

I have looked into replacment rear dampers, however i cant find anything. Bilstine only do the mk2 octavia, and i cant find any mqb platform cars on there site. Its not as you could bolt on the audi parts, the only thing that comes close is a 1.6 golf diesel!

 

I did sound proof the boot to be honest it made little improvment, i think in hindsight its because i had a spare wheel and thick boot mat. I have read lots opinions on the subject all of them contradictory! My opinion is its a number of things however its easyer to get shot of the car.

 

What tyres do you have on?

Quite a few have installed soundproofing for various reasons but with the exception of the audiophiles I cannot recall anyone saying it was the best thing they had done to the car.... which sort of surprised me because it was not cheap or easy to do properly.

Best coming from those who have done it of course so I will be interested in their responses.

Edited 9 July, 20179 yr by Gerrycan

One interesting post i read was some one said there was two codes in the octavia build number, one with sound proofing and one without. It may be interesting to find out what this refers to.

I found these on demon tweeks

 

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/performance/shock-absorbers/car/skoda/octavia-13-on-5e-mqb/bilstein-b4-gas-shock-absorber-rear

 

However there not on bilsteins website.

 

I think there worth a shot, 

Edited 9 July, 20179 yr by Alpha2110

Also these air suspension , its steep

 

https://www.null-bar.de/luftfahrwerke.html

The tyres are Michelin Cross Climates - I'm pleased with them, but I haven't had a chance to test them on ice/snow yet.

 

Thanks for the info, the ones on demon tweeks look reasonable. I'm sure the air suspension would be great, but yes, a little out of my budget.

 

James

I've retained my 17" size but lost 2kg per alloy compared to the OEM factory VW Dijon's. Much better in potholes etc as less weight etc. I personally would not recommend downsizing from a 17" to a 16" for all year use as you have way less width of tyre on the road!

 

The 17" & 18" sizes are 225mm wide your 16" is 205mm wide

 

Therefore you have lost 50mm (2") of width on each axle compared to the standard spec for your car.

 

As too sound deadening, I retro fitted all the aero & skid tray to my car, there similar for the Octavia...

I find the 16s are great, they are very complient however sidewall flex can be disturbing at times, the front end can wiggle around abit.

 

One thing about the bilstien b4s thay seem to fit the golf gti to, this is putting me off until i speak to somone who knows about rear shocks. If it reduces or eliminates to noise 120 quit is worth it.