So after 70,000 miles, endless engine trouble, a lot of wasted money, and a newly identified gearbox issue, the dying Octy VRS PD 170 is imminently being retired to the status of mixed memories, slash organ donor.

 

 

I'm replacing the old war horse with a black PD 140 4x4 estate. 

 

 

Went to see the car today. The asking price was £2350. A first glance at the exterior had me determined to walk away from anything over £1500. But after a more thorough look around, a long drive with a few power runs in third, and a full VCDS code scan, I was impressed enough to settle on £2000. To my way of thinking that's £1500 for the car, and another £500 for the 4x4 drivetrain. The only let-down was the surprise appearance of a DPF on the PD 140 (I was pretty sure that "privilege" had been reserved for the 170s only, but it looks like they made an exception for the 4x4).  But the car is solid, pulls beautifully, and has been owned by the same conservative couple from new (private seller, not trade).  My concerns about the possible implications of a "gently" driven diesel engine with 125K on teh clock and a DPF were allayed when the head of the household assured me they made a point of "giving the car a good workout now and then" for just those reasons (the most common journey they make is a 60 mile round trip up and down the A303).  

 

VCDS brought up two fault codes; a bad signal from the rear right door central locking mechanism and an implausible signal from the headlight washers (I presume because it doesn't have any!). A/C also works well. To someone who had been going around the bend with major oil consumption and over-fueling issues - not to mention a gearbox that is starting to sound like an electric motor - this was like music to my ears. The car also has new discs and pads on all four corners. 

 

The Plan:

 

Stage 1 - The Welcome Party

 

- Full inspection and service, including fuel and pollen filters.

- Cam belt, tensioner and water pump (it isn't quite time according to the service schedule, but I'll be sleeping better knowing they've been done correctly and with genuine parts).

- Any other minor issues found

 

Stage 2 - The Hook, the Rust, and the Bars. 

 

- Tow hook removed and new rear bumper. The owner freely admitted to being responsible for the disastrous repair attempt and respray following a parking accident. Currently scouting the market for a VRS bumper and will get this professionally sprayed before throwing it on. As for the hook; I don't tow. 

-  Deal with rust in the rear N/S wheel arch and below quarter window (pics to follow). Will have to take the window out as the bubbling begins beneath the rubber and repair. The rear panel will have to be resprayed from the arch to the window. 

-  Remove the Halfords branded roof bars and find some Swedish ones. 

 

Stage 3 - The Transplant 

 

There are a few interior components I would like to import from the VRS.

 

- VRS front and rear seats. Mine are in better condition and are much nicer. But will they fit into an estate? 

- Steering wheel. Neither wheel has any electric controls, so I'm hoping this will work. The only issue may be the airbags. Anyone know if this will be a simple case of plug-and-play?

- Door panels. The VRS panels are nicer, and I've sprayed all the silver trim to black on mine. 

- VRS pedals. This may turn out to be impractical, especially the accelerator if it means taking the whole box out. No idea if the VRS box is compatible with the ECU in the PD 140.

- Shift gator and knob. The gator in the VRS is a genuine leather one with red stitching. Too nice to leave behind. And the fading plate will have to make room for a new chrome one (with 4x4 logo, of course!).

- Sadly, the top half of the interior in the estate is white. The one in the VRS is black and in mint condition, but there's just not enough of it for an estate, is there? :-( Ebay?

- JBL speakers and Kenwood amp will have to be lifted, moved across and wired in. But the sub in the boot will not be making the trip. Will replace with an under-seat unit. The JVC head unit will also be left behind and replaced with a Sony XAV-AX100 (because it looks better and has Android Auto).  Luckily I already have the CAN-BUS. 

 

Stage 4 - Ride

 

- The 4x4 estate, although not a Scout, seems to be sitting on the same monster truck shocks and springs that the OEM VRS does. If I am correct, to achieve the result I got on the VRS with 20mm lowering springs, I would need to bump that number up to 30mm on the estate. This will need to be researched, but if it's true this kit seems like a good start. 

 

https://www.dcperformance.co.uk/cheap/1079308/skoda/st-suspension-kit/st23282021.html

 

 

- The 18" Zeniths on the VRS have been stripped and polished at considerable cost and will definitely be coming with me if possible. According to the literature the largest wheel/tire combination available for the 4x4 estate is a 225/45/R17. The Zeniths are 225/40/R18. The overall increase in diameter on the Zeniths is less than 5%, a figure that, if I've got this right, is going to have a negligible impact. Width and ET are the same at 225 and ET51 for both. Speed readings would be virtually unaffected. 

- Which brings me on to the disks and calipers. Are the ones on the VRS bigger? And, would it be a straight swap (at least on the front)?

- Also moving H&R spacers across. 20mm on front, 15mm on rear. 

 

Stage 5 - The Face

 

- I have the de-badged Superskoda grill on the VRS (see pic above) and this will definitely be ousting the lackluster OEM chrome. 

- Not having a VRS also presents an opportunity to do something quite different to the front of the car. Superskoda do this kit for 180.00 Euros.

 

 

The kit does not include the grill (which they don't seem to sell anymore) or the eyebrows (which they do), but I think the ducts and the spoiler look pretty good. Any opinions on this?

 

Stage 5 - The Power

 

- The 140 is no slouch, but you CAN tell it's not a 170.  The 4x4 drivetrain also takes its toll. Am I right in saying that the 140 can be remapped to make up this difference? If so, can anyone recommend a garage that actually knows what it's doing?

 

The Carcass 

 

Needless to say, the VRS will never be the same once I've gutted it, but I do plan to either sell what is left in a oner in a separate post (PM me if you are interested) or break it for parts. The 170 PD engine has had a fair amount of work done on it (new piston rings, new turbo, reconditioned head with all new valves and seals, etc). But it's still drinking oil and diesel in ridiculous amounts. The only explanation I can think of for the continued oil loss is that the cylinders are worn beyond redemption. As for the fuel consumption, I'd say either injectors or bad timing. Ironically, despite these things the car still goes like *&£% off a shovel. The head is as good as new and so is the turbo. Plenty of other parts too, including Eibach 20mm lowering springs and the new shocks I put in when I installed them (as well as top mounts). If there is something you really need PM me and we can lock in an agreement for when I take it off the road in the next couple of weeks. 

 

I also have a set of Thule roof bars on the VRS which I will sell. May also be selling the four bike racks I have for this if they don't fit the bars I'll be getting for the estate. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 22 July, 20187 yr by jronnquist
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I would recommend AmD in Essex, not too far from you, had six vehicles re-mapped by them. 2013 Octavia SE with the 2.0Tdi engine went from 147 to 186bhp (more than the current VRS diesel) and torque up from 246 to 317lb/ft (standard on that engine is supposed to be 236).On the 130 mile down to Essex my car averaged 71mpg and the return journey 70mpg, which illustrates you can enjoy all that extra power/torque without any fuel consumption increases. Top speed went from a decent 135mph to an amusing 150mph.