Baillie's Race Blue MK3 VRS

[Baillie]

The 600 mile oil change alert came up on my car last week, so took some time today to do an oil change. Had done this on my last car and found it a bit fiddly but on the Octavia it's super easy!

 

*I'm not a mechanic by any means, this is how I do my oil changes- sorry if it isn't by the book!

 

Tools needed;

Ramps or jack with axle stands
32mm socket
Sump removal piece (eBay link) - Flathead screwdriver may also do the trick
New sump plug (Part number: 06L103801)
Something to catch the old oil when draining
New oil filter and O ring (Part number: 06L 115 562)
New oil (I had 6 litres of Castrol LongLife III 5W-30 and used most of it)
Rags to clean up any oil
Time- around 2 hours to do it comfortably

 

First off, jack the car up or get it onto ramps and secure with bricks or stoppers at the back wheels.  I let my car cool down for a short while so I don't end up burning myself..

 

 

Open the bonnet, remove the engine cover and use the 32mm socket to remove the oil filter housing. Be careful and have a rag ready to catch any oil dropping from the filter.

 

 

 

 

 

Move over to your catch can and remove the filter simply by pulling. Remove the old O ring from around the housing (I used a flathead to prize it off) 

 

 

Put your new O ring on and slide the new filter inside. Place back inside and tighten with the 32mm socket.

 

 

 

Undo the oil filler cap on the engine and place your catch can below the car where the oil will come out from. Undo the sump plug, let it fall into your pan and wait for it to drain (I allowed 1 hour).

 

 

Sump plug

 

 

Removal piece

 

 

 

 

One the dripping has stopped or is at a minimum, wipe clear any oil around the plug area and pop your new sump plug in. It'll lock in place once it's screwed in (it isn't designed to keep turning until tight). Again, wipe away any oil left over.

 

Have a funnel ready and start topping up your oil. Mine took around 5.5 litres- I like to fill it with a couple litres, wait 2 minutes and repeat while checking the dip stick along the way.  Once you're happy with the level, switch the car on and look for any oil lights. Switch it off, leave a couple minutes and switch it back on again. Have another look underneath and check the oil filter housing for any leaks.

 

To clear the oil change alert, have the ignition off and hold down the 0.0/SET button on your dash.  Turn on the ignition and keep the 0.0/SET button held down.  A confirmation will appear to clear the message- let go of 0.0/SET and press once.  Switch the ignition off and switch it back on.  The alert should now be gone

 

Job done!

Edited 30 August, 2018 by Baillie

[Baillie]

The bug has slowly returned, so done a bit of shopping on Super Skoda! Got some wind deflectors, coloured Skoda badges and the new style VRS logo with the red inlay and black RS. Will debadge the letters on the back (maybe later replace with black lettering) Looking forward to getting those on and tidying her up a bit.. Booked in to have some body repairs done and will get the exhaust tips finished in gloss black! 

[Baillie]

The front bumper has been in a bit of a sorry state since I'd bought it but didn't want to fix it up until I ran it for a while to make sure all was well.  Had a chunk missing above the number plate, marks from being swiped by someone reversing and multiple stone chips.. All repaired as if brand new thanks to Touch Ups in Glasgow.  Highly recommended.

 

One thing that's bugging me now is how the bumper is swirl-free but the rest of the car is covered in them... Think it's time to get my hands on a DA polisher

 

Some pics of before;

 

 

 

Pic of after repair;

 

[Baillie]

Made a start on fitting some parts (only small) that arrived on my days off.  Started with replacing the wheel center caps as they'd corroded (think this is a common VAG problem).  I'd ordered 4 assuming they were sold individually but turns out they sent 4 packs with 4 caps in each... At least I'm covered for a little while if they do start to peel away again!

 

[Baillie]

After a bit of reading up about what to replace the number plate lights with, found it was recommended somewhere on here to use the Skoda part that comes with the Rapid.  Be careful when ordering these as I'd paid around £20 from one site for them to only send one of the lights.  I later found another website that sold the exact same part for £5.  Can confirm these need coding- the error will only appear when the lights come on but they still work.

 

 

 

[Baillie]

Got myself some coloured Skoda badges from SuperSkoda (Race Blue/F5W).  To save any confusion, both the front and rear badges are the exact same size.

If you've never removed badges from a car before, it's pretty simple.  Heat up the badge with a hair dryer to soften the glue behind (don't hold it too close or in the same spot for too long), use tooth floss in a saw-like motion to start cutting through the glue.  Repeat the process all around the badge until you need to slowly peel the rest off where the locating dimples sit.  Clean the left over glue off (I used Sticky Stuff Remover from Halfrauds), clean it up with a surface cleaner so the new badge will stick well and pop it on.

 

[Baillie]

Rear badge fitted and removed the lettering for a cleaner look.  Might pop black letters on at a later date but happy with it for now!  Still need to get the exhaust tips finished black (not paying £100+ per tip from SuperSkoda).  Debadge process was the same as above, only much quicker as there isn't much contact from the letters

 

The VRS badges front and back will be replaced when I next get some time (over the next few days)

 

I was a little worried with the age of the car that there might be some letter shadows and there was but a lick of compound, polish and wax solved that problem.

 

Edited 17 May, 2019 by Baillie

[Baillie]

Last update for now- full set of Heko wind deflectors installed.  Had these on my Corsa and missed them- super handy for having the windows down while it's raining or even for some fresh air on the motorway.  Reduces the "buffer" noise!

 

[Baillie]

Fitted the two VRS badges front and back today! Super happy with how they look (new style that comes with the new Kodiaq VRS but these are also finished in black) 

 

Bought all the badges from Superskoda but something worth noting if you're looking to do the same- the front VRS badge they'd sent with screws and a backing plate to clamp onto the grill but the VRS badge at the front has a backing plate moulded in place. Thought about drilling holes through but didn't fancy it, so took the backing plate off the new badge, filed down the locator pins and used double sided tape to mount. Job done! 

 

New badge with the backing plate and glue removed, you can see the locator pins. Filed those down so it'd sit flush against the backing plate on the grill. 

 

Pins filed down flush

 

Backing plate that's left on the grill after removing the original badge. The original is held on with glue but did need to prize it off with a flathead as well as there's also small clips that hold it. 

 

Double sided foam-like tape fixed to the back, trimmed around the letters and put in place. 

 

Rear badge I'd masked using thin tape to make sure I get it back on straight.

 

Badge and left over glue removed.

 

New badge on!

[Baillie]

I've been quiet on here mainly because there hasn't been much going on with the car, however a couple things recently..

 

Car went through its first major service for reaching almost 60k miles- sparks etc all changed.  Happy to have received a report full of green ticks from their checks!  Still driving beautifully with no issues whatsoever.

 

As a treat for her (and myself... ) I bought an induction system to fit!  I'd been looking around for a while and couldn't decide who to go with.. RacingLine have been around a long time but wanted something different from the crowd.. APR have fancy carbon but are extortionate.. Same applies to some other manufacturers out there.  So, recently I discovered the Ford tuners, Mountune, have dipped their feet in the VAG scene with their brand Mountune52 (AKA M52).  Their system is a little more expensive than the R600 and that's the reason I hadn't ordered it sooner.  The battle of deciding if you pay more for a less known product, or pay less for a product you know has been out for longer and has a better test of time.  M52 are in the middle of a 12 days of Christmas run of deals at the moment and the X3 was listed on day 1, making it cheaper than the R600.. So I bit the bullet and ordered the X3.

 

General rundown of the X3- my honest opinion

 

Intake was received very quickly from the guys down at Essex and was very well protected in its packaging.. Initial impressions were the finish and quality of the items are definitely on a higher end.

 

The main differences between the RL R600 and the M52 X3 as far as I can tell are;

 

Cotton gauze air filter (similar to what K&N use if you're familiar with them)

Triple air entry system (there's an extra two air scoops on top of the housing unit- the idea being you cut away a section of the rubber seal on your bonnet to increase direct air)

Includes an M52 branded silicone hose to re-route your coolant hose underneath the kit for a tidier finish (see pics)

I'm not sure on the RacingLine warranty details but M52 offer a 12 month / 12,000 mile warranty on their parts (doesn't keep manufacturers warranty as far as I'm aware)

 

M52 also provide fitting instructions or they can offer fitting for you if you live near their base in Essex.  It's worth noting that their fitting instructions are specific to the Golf Mk 7 but are generally the same with the MQB platform.. I noticed there were a couple screw holes covered by pieces from the front bumper I couldn't reach.  Not a big issue though- it's sealed and secured in place.

 

As with most induction upgrades, it feels like the car breathes much better and is more responsive- and gotta love the noise!  I'm super happy with the X3 and if I'd known it was this good I'd have ordered it sooner.  Be on the lookout on their social media pages for discount codes.. I've seen a few when keeping my eye on them.

 

I'm planning on getting some videos together and when I do, they'll be up here.

 

First look after opening the box;

 

The girth on that!

 

Before fitting...

 

After fitting (and a little clean!)

[Baillie]

Much delayed video of the Remus but popped out today to grab a few clips! Will try get more of the intake as well!

 

https://1drv.ms/v/s!AnwzThwAGP9YvULydJpCJIXO5zyt

Edited 23 January, 2020 by Baillie

[Led VRS]

Its nice to see another VRs with Pistorious alloys, are yours 18's and have you found a way to keep them clean ?

 

[Baillie]

4 hours ago, Led VRS said:

Its nice to see another VRs with Pistorious alloys, are yours 18's and have you found a way to keep them clean ?

 

I do quite like them but been toying with the idea of powder coating a darker shade (not full on black).. They're 18s on Eagle F1s

As for cleaning.. I never bother with using sealant products on the alloys.. Just the old method of a good scrub and fall out remover.  I use a pretty good alloy brush called EZ Detail and the fall out remover is Autoglym's Wheel Cleaning Mouse.

[Baillie]

Found a couple used RacingLine gibbons on Marketplace to add to the intake, so just fitted those in between the snow and rain today.. 

 

Things to come include turbo muffler delete, H&R springs and spacers, PD billet DSG paddles and then a remap in the summer time I think!

 

Edited 24 February, 2020 by Baillie

[dubDEAN]

love the intake

[Baillie]

13 hours ago, dubDEAN said:

love the intake

 

Thanks mate! Really wanted something different and perfectly happy with it.. Car feels noticeably more responsive and love the noise that comes with it!

[Baillie]

Just placed an order on Mountune52 for their turbo muffler delete.. hopefully that'll arrive this week if the post is still up to speed..

 

FYI- M52 have a 20% off code to use this weekend if you're thinking of picking anything up from them! Code is SINCE1980

[Baillie]

Was lucky to recieve the muffler delete on Monday! They have a fitting guide on their website, again specific to the golf but similar enough to the Skoda. Wasn't as hard as what I was expecting, just involved some awkward angles to get to some of the bolts, success all the same! 

 

It's definitely emphasised the sounds coming from the intake and feels more responsive again.. Very happy with it!

 

Now to decide what's next.. Springs with spacers or remap... Hmm

[BATVANVRS]

I'd remap next mate. You will enjoy the remap so much that you will be grinning from ear to ear. 😁

[Baillie]

48 minutes ago, BATVANVRS said:

I'd remap next mate. You will enjoy the remap so much that you will be grinning from ear to ear. 😁

 

I believe that! Was leaving the remap until I had all the hardware I wanted.. I'm there now, so remap may well be coming next! 

I've never had a car lowered but from what I've read elsewhere, lower springs can help keep the car level under acceleration and help traction a little.. Still expect tonnes of wheel spin regardless but anything helps I guess!