Just got a 4x4 saloon.

Traded in a Renault Clio 172 Sport which was a tremendous car. Nimble, aggresively quick, all mod cons. For a car like the Type-R to get away it would normally take a speed of triple figures....

So am I still upset or happy?

Well the Clio wasn't a family car. The Octavia seems a bit cramped in the back and the 4x4 bits eat up 20% of the boot. Still, it's pretty rooming with a big enough boot. Reversing needs practice and I need to get used to not seeing following traffic when going downhill. I may also invest in a dark tank-top for clearing the fast lane. Looks wise the car's really growing on me. It's like a plod car on stilts but is still quite imposing. It looks "capable".

The timing of the purchase couldn't be better. The Clio had a big engine in the front of a little car. Snow and ice were it's enemy. The Octavia laps it up - no tightening of the stomach as it copes with snow and ice admirably, although I think the 4x4 has only kicked in once. Slight slip then normal traction.

The stereo is ok but I've got to replace the 2 rear speakers which buzz away. It would be nice to have a CD slot up front but now I can get out all my old tapes.

The climate system seems really good, although I seem to have to regularly press auto to . The car generally seems solid, durable and good quality.

The drive. This is crucial. The clio had fantastic instant acceleration and no roll. I did test drive a VRS and I didn't think it electrifying at all. However the test drive for the 4x4 involved a great industrial estate where I got a better feel for the car. The gearbox is better that the Clio's although 1st seems very short. The steering feel is good. Acceleration isn't as ''on off'' as the Clio but it gathers pace quickly. I've always associated "wafting along" with Jaguars but that's how the Octavia feels. I've also noticed that I'm going around corners at a higher speed and staying in fifth gear.

I've got to get the hang of the trip computer. There must be a way to reset it to get MPG over a number of trips. Anyway I did 300 miles on $30 of Optimax - I worked that out to be 40MPG?!! When I arrive home or at work the computer normally reads 36MPG which is the same as the Clio which I always found awesome for a 2 litre sports car. The handbrakes great' but the driver's window rattles when down.

So far so good. I've got a really good feeling about the car. My dilemma at the moment is whether or not to stay with my current insurer 'til October or go straight to Chri Knott and get a Jabbasport upgrade and some H&R springs.

What do you think?

Also I did 4 months of research which included a VRS owner who loved his car and didn't know what could possibly replace it and also loads of time on the Briskoda forums. So many thanks to the site admins, Goochie, Eddy, Sarah, ColinD

I'm glad you like the car - the Clio and Octavia are really totally different cars so changing one for the other shouldnt' be too much of a heart ache.

I like your phrase "gathers pace", I know just what you mean and it will do so easily up to 100+mph.

The 4x4 gearbox ratios are different to the front wheel drive cars, 1st is very short (perhaps to assist towing horse boxes/BBQ's etc. over fields).

Before you get yourself down to the remapper have you considered the uprated haldex 4x4 controller?

I love my 4x4, but the gearbox does annoy me... 1st is far too short and 5th is not long enough, too noisy imo on the motorway.

Only other real annoyance is the genereal road noise, cured it a bit with new boots and when I next have the interior out I will be putting a big wedge of soundproofing on the floor and around the arches...

My FWD Octavia has a lot of road noise too :(

What tyres are you running that have reduced it a bit ?

continental sport contacts at the moment, but will be changing again ina few months as they have sod all grip!

I would love to put some bigger wheels on mine and lower it but reakon it woudl be even noiser so wont bother!

I've had Conti's on mine and found they have no grip. Best I've had so far are Dunlop SP Sport 01, Michelins on there at the moment have similar levels of grip to the Conti's but wear out faster.

Next time I think I'll go back to Dunlops.

There is a thread on here about non-VRS tyres.

Interesting. I have Dunlops and hate them. SP 5000 I think they are. I'm going to Michelin Pilot (XP or whatever their equivalent is) as soon as these things wear down. It's just way too easy to get the front sliding out on roundabouts. I've drifted the whole car out a few times with only part throttle, and although interesting to try, it just shows how poor the grip is.

I'll have a look and see which Michelins I have - I hate the things.

Having said that I have Dunlops on the rear so I may swap them front to back and see what happens.

I think used to have Michelin Pilot Primacy on my Audi A3 and found them very good - nice grip (for my needs anyway) and good lifetime as long as you don't lose the shoulders by ragging them around roundabouts.

Before them I had Dunlop SP 5000 and they seemed to have a lot less grip, especially on wet or greasy roads, and I'm seeing the same thing on the Octavia, but even worse because of the softer suspension.

I love my 4x4, but the gearbox does annoy me... 1st is far too short and 5th is not long enough, too noisy imo on the motorway.

Had similar feelings & after the IHI conversion was carried out I was hitting the limiter in top toooooooooooooo often but there is a solution. Jabba sourced a low mileage s/hand RS box for me & they had the internals fitted into the 4x4 box, the diff was also strengthened at the same time. It now means according to my calcs should I hit the limiter which is at 7800 now I will be doing 189.2 mph so somewhat unlikely.

Its a definate improvement though when cruising on the motorway, It almost feels like 4th now is where 5th used to be.

Mackdaddy, The Jabba map totally transforms the std car, thats the first thing I did to mine & that was the start of the slippery slope !! If you think its fun now you will soon have a few more :) :)

Just checked my tyres, the useless ones are Michelin Pilot Premacy

Glad you like it too, I also went from the Clio 1.6l wich was not too bad either, just seemed to scream for mercy at anything over 70mph. love my 4 x 4.

whats this about uprated haldex controller rarther than a re-map? whats it do?

I too am considering a re-map.

Cheers

I think the Haldex upgrade is a Haldex Pre-X - here's a link;

http://www.streetgeektuning.com/00_global/04_prod/haldex/index.php

I think it means you can take corners and pull away faster. Normally the Haldex will use the rear wheels when the front slips. This replacement system makes the decision to use the rears faster and operates faster/more efficiently.

Thats the one, if I'd known it would turn the 4x4 into an almost "propper" 4x4 I would have waited a bit longer 'till I found a nice one (I was impatient so bought the FWD)

VTS to 4x4 me, it seems to be quite a trend going from didy hot hatch to Octavia 4x4!

Welcome to Briskoda from a fellow 4X4 owner! There are 2 trip memories: Single trip memory - 1 and Total trip memory - 2. The former resets 2 hours after the ignition is switched off whereas the latter collates trip data up to 100 hours travel time/10,000 km distance and 1,000 litres of fuel. To change between trip memories press the reset button under the windscreen wiper stalk briefly. To erase either memory, press the reset button for at least 1 second.

The price of an uprated Haldex controller would almost certainly pay for a Jabba custom remap plus variable boost controller - assuming that you join a Briskoda Jabba Group Buy which gives you a 10% discount. I would have those ahead of any other mods - in fact I have them.

hmmm....

Cheers DGW I've now sussed the trip computer, but GULP!

Actual mpg for 330 miles was 26.7!

Mind you, that included caning it during an extended test drive.

One week on - I realy like it. Comfortable, effortless but certainly 'pushes on' if you're in the mood and you've taken mpg off the display!

VTS to 4x4 me, it seems to be quite a trend going from didy hot hatch to Octavia 4x4!

Octavia 4x4 to Fiesta ST in a few weeks, so going against the grain there!

But the Octy will be kept in the family, so to speak, so I'm sure we will do a fair bit of car-swapping...

if you want to see what others have done with 4x4's then you need to get along to some UK meets, along with a couple others i have done a few things to my 4x4 with more planned

Dutch4x4...

Our other car's a Fiesta 1.4 Zetec.

Great car, just runs out of puff!

The ST will be a great drive.

Hey Mate

Good choice of car.

I am looking at a new car on Saturday.

Yes will be ANOTHER Skoda.

This would be my 4th.

I LOVE the brand and will stick with it.

I am looking at a Fabia so am working my way up.

The 4X4 is a lovely car has a lorge boot and mods lovely.

I am glad that I have managed to help you , have I spoke to you?

Your ok I am getting old you know.

But you will find that this is a fantastic forum for help and advice but even better for helping you to spend your money

If I can help you even more just give me a shout.

Did you get the hatch or estate?

I have just done a bit of research in to the suspension for the hatch and managed to get a nice set up.

Hopefully will find out soon as I just did supply.

Oh them cars mod lovely

Sarah

Hey Mate

Good choice of car.

I am looking at a new car on Saturday.

Yes will be ANOTHER Skoda.

This would be my 4th.

I LOVE the brand and will stick with it.

I am looking at a Fabia so am working my way up.

The 4X4 is a lovely car has a lorge boot and mods lovely.

I am glad that I have managed to help you ' date=' have I spoke to you?

Your ok I am getting old you know.

But you will find that this is a fantastic forum for help and advice but even better for helping you to spend your money

If I can help you even more just give me a shout.

Did you get the hatch or estate?

I have just done a bit of research in to the suspension for the hatch and managed to get a nice set up.

Hopefully will find out soon as I just did supply.

Oh them cars mod lovely

Sarah[/quote']

Can I have some of whatever your on please !!

Can I have some of whatever your on please !!

Tea 1 sugar.

Is that what you mean?

Sarah

The drive. This is crucial. The clio had fantastic instant acceleration and no roll. I did test drive a VRS and I didn't think it electrifying at all.

Glad you are pleased with the car:thumbup:

Surprised about the quote though.I thought standard 4x4 was 1.8T with 150 bhp?

Tea 1 sugar.

Is that what you mean?

Sarah

Not exactly but talking of Tea I trust its Earl Grey, always better though Black with a slice of Lemon