I love my VRS in all aspects apart from the transmission. I do need the 4x4 for when the weather gets bad where I live, but Skoda never released a manual 4x4 option. I'm not really an automatic fan. I can put up with it, but would far prefer manual. Does anyone know of anyone that has done a conversion on one? Obviously it needs to retain 4x4, so wondering if the likes of a manual VW 4motion setup would fit? 

Pretty sure there have been manual 4x4 Octavias recently so possible but probably prohibitively expensive?

 

Edited 30 October, 20187 yr by juan27

Would be very expensive indeed.

Welcome.

Seeing as the DSG is an Automated Manual it is easy enough to move the shifter to the left & 1st Manual instead of the D or S and change the gears manually.

Select 'R' or 'P' when required and all that is missing is the need to use the left foot to operate the clutch.

There hasnt been the option for a manual 4x4 in the mk3 as far as i'm aware. 

 

I know that I can knock the lever left into sequential, or even use the paddles on the steering wheel, however I would still rather the clutch mechanism and manual shift. It provides a far greater driving experience imo, and for that preference, is why i'm enquiring asto whether anyone is aware of it having been done, or whether the likes of the VW 4motion or A3 quattro system is interchangable with the 4x4 DSG.

 

I'm fairly technically minded and can do the mechanical work myself to reduce costs. 

Edited 30 October, 20187 yr by Boardyvrs

The manual gearbox set up from a mk 7 Golf R may well fit although im not sure if your vrs is petrol or diesel? but the cost to do this could be a lot,if you go down this route then fit a uprated clutch as the standard clutch in the Golf R is rubbish & not up to the job,i had a manual golf R & now have a DSG & i find the DSG much better than the manual to drive to be fair. It may be a better & cheaper option for you to look for another car if you must have a manual.

9 hours ago, Boardyvrs said:

There hasnt been the option for a manual 4x4 in the mk3 as far as i'm aware. 

 

I know that I can knock the lever left into sequential, or even use the paddles on the steering wheel, however I would still rather the clutch mechanism and manual shift. It provides a far greater driving experience imo, and for that preference, is why i'm enquiring asto whether anyone is aware of it having been done, or whether the likes of the VW 4motion or A3 quattro system is interchangable with the 4x4 DSG.

 

I'm fairly technically minded and can do the mechanical work myself to reduce costs. 

 

Pretty sure there was a 150bhp manual Scout?

 

I have a 4x4 vRS and agree in general with your sentiments but have you thought about the electronics, e.g. TCU, gear shift indicator on dash, vRS mode profiles (which include gearbox settings) surplus steering wheel paddles etc? 

 

You'll also need the gear shifter and surround...

They did do a 2.0 TDi 150 4x4 and they did a 1.6 TDi 4x4 as well. Tbh this is not going to be worth the money if it’s possible. Anything is possible of course but a friend of mine tried this on his A3 going from DSG to manual after the mechatronics unit died. The car never ran again even when it was told it was a manual as it wouldn’t start because the ecu was waiting for the signal from the gearbox to tell it it was in Park or Neutral. The mechanical aspect isn’t the problem, it’s the electronics that will kill the project. Nothing is impossible, but I wouldn’t even try it, if a manual box and awd are key for you, have a look at a Leon Cupra, Golf R or S3.

I hadnt thought of the 150 models tbh (face palm!!), although i'd have to look into whether they would be adequate enough to cope with the torque of a mapped 184. I was expecting, box, clutch, flywheel, shifter & linkage and relevant centre console panels like the gear surround. Then I was under the impression it would need connecting up and changing various settings to configure it to manual transmission to satisfy components like the clocks that currently display the auto gear. The starting trigger for P/N will be tied into a selector position sensor that can be tricked. I wouldnt have thought the TCU should be much of an issue? The car would remain 4x4 and utilise the same haldex type unit with no change to wheel sensors. I can live with the DSG, and would do over just selling the car as otherwise, I really like it and it meets all needs I have from it. Being auto is the only real bane for me with it. I'm prepared to put money in to convert it if its reasonably possible. I'm not looking to sell it up yet, but when it comes to that, a Golf R and Leon Cupra really wouldnt be on my shopping list lol. The S3 possibly. 

Edited 31 October, 20187 yr by Boardyvrs

It’s probably be easier to buy an ordinary 2wd manual vRS and retrofit a driven rear axle, prop and centre diff tbh if you are that keen to do it to a vRS but I guess your motivation is to keep the existing car. It’s an interesting project and it’s horses for courses and all that but if I have the money to spend on this I would rather save that and put it toward a replacement that was suitable from day 1 as this would be a very involved retrofit.

On 31/10/2018 at 08:14, pist0nbr0ke said:

 

Pretty sure there was a 150bhp manual Scout?

 

 

There is, as I've got a Mk3 FL Scout 4x4 150 manual.