Hi all,

First post on the forum apart from saying hello on the welcome thread.

Im picking up a march 2016 150bhp manual octavia scout on friday with 30k on the clock and wondered about what practical upgrades i should make.

 

I do a lot of hill/fell running so i chose the scout for its 4x4 , increased ground clearence and added scuff protection when parking at events - when a muddy farmers field or rough grass verge is all that is on offer.

 

As for mods im not that bothered about performance but more with practical things which would help with outdoor hobbies.

 

So far im thinking:

 

Scuff gaurd for top of bumper as thats where is sit to change my shoes - any recommendations ?

 

Full size spare wheel  - im going to use the old spare from my mk2 octy which is 205/60r16 on a 6.5jx16 ET50 rim .... i think that is within 1% of the rolling circ of the standard scout tyre so am i right in thinking that will be ok ?

 

Rubber mats- the dealer is giving me a set of the skoda moulded rubber ones along with a rubber boot liner - has anyone used these and are they any good ?

 

Seat covers - is the alcantra a pain to clean and will the aldi covers i have be ok on these seats?

 

Tyres - when i come to change would something like michelin crossclimate  be a good choice . Im not wanting a winter and summet set, just something that is a good all rounger and might be ok on wet grass.

 

Anything else - remember, its more about making the car practical rather than faster/ nicer looking, but if there is anything that you feel would be worthwhile then that might be foo for thought.

 

Thanks in advance everyone .

 

Cheers

Hi and welcome.

 

Not a runner of your class, I stick to running flats and downhills  Climbing mostly, so similar muddy/snow fields/laybys to think about. Also considering a scout, possibly an auto though. Or a van still juggling after 2 years of pontificating.

 

A mod/trick I discovered on the current volvo is very simple yet I use it a lot. They have a boot 'flap' A bit of tough material that straps to the rear two load lugs. When I open the boot I pull it out and it covers the whole bumper. I can put muddy boots/wet kit  on it, I can use it to seperate the wet kit from the dry in the boot. I mostly use it when I close the boot to 'wrap' the contents so it's not falling out.

 

Quite a handy bit of kit, they call it a dirt bumper cover, they want 70+ for it. I'm certain others make something similar. Link for ideas https://www.partsmonster.co.uk/genuine-volvo-s80--04-rear-bumper-dirt-cover-8096-p.asp

 

I'm pretty sure I can make one from an ikea bag, it will just be a bit noisy, but only cost a few quid at the most

 

Seat covers, I took mine off, just leave the passenger ones on for the odd damp squib hitchiker. I found them too sweaty and if I'm that dirty/muddy I should of packed spare kit  I didn't have an expensive set, that might make the difference. Allow for side airbags.

 

Crossclimates good from what I've heard. The scout won't be a 'performance' drivers car and it won't be too shabby either, my first octy was the old 4x4, once you got used to the roll in, it was fine.... I run a citigo on winters and it gets out of muddy spots quite well, if a little muddy afterwards ( no mud flaps, or anything underbody )

 

 

Edited 22 April, 20197 yr by ColinD

Get a hatch bag (or equivalent). Completely covers the rear load compartment in a dirt/water resistant liner. You can also spec it with a flap which can be unrolled over the rear bumper to protect it.

Another runner here!

 

If you dont already have it then the raised boot floor is to me the most practical and must have accessory for the Octavia Estate.

 

Expensive and hard to find but its very very easy to modify a MK1 one to fit, I kept mine from the MK1 and fitted it to the MK2, you would never know it had been done, my local breakers had loads of MK1's and all had the raised boot floors still in them.

 

I also like to hide my keys on the vehicle as I run without any belts, backpacks etc, I used to hide them on the front spring perch but it looked suspect and stood out when I did it, I have recentky disconnected the solenoid that unlocks the petrol filler flap, now I can stash the keys in there, it still opens and closes on the click latch as usual, I just dont have protection against siphoners but I believe there is something in the filler tube to stop that, in which case now the flap and lock etc wont get broken if anyone attempts it.

Hi folks

 

I like the idea of a bumper flap as that will also keep the dirt from the bumper off my legs , which is always a pain when you have just put your clean trousers on !

 

As for a raised boot floor - im going to look into that and see how much a scrap one costs. I could make one out of some plywood and cover it as an alternative so thats also an option.

 

Thanks

As I say the MK2 ones are thin on the ground and expensive, MK1 ones are numerous.

 

The rear profile will need reshaping if you are OCD like me and the side rails will need altering to add 1" extra depth at the front, I used tapered wedges, its unseen when the floor is in place, the extra 1" makes all the difference, yet another example of a tiny but significant improvement on the MK2.

Variable floor wise it’s easier to get everything out of a breaker Mk3 and put it all in. That’s what I did on my car and it’s the best option IMO as it’s totally OEM. Alternatively, find just a floor and build yourself a frame for it, or use wooden supports. Floors are about £50 or so used. I did the whole lot for £100.

I've thought about one of these, for the keyless days:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/4-Digit-Combination-Weatherproof-Storage-Portable/dp/B078Q55GQN/

 

Friend has one. He also has a boot lift extension, leaves the boot lockable but ajar by a few inches, ideal for dogs when he nips the the shop etc.

 

The combo lock, well I'm not sure leaving it in the open. Only four digits so does not take too long to test the possible combos. So I'd possibly use/leave under the car/suspension component. As I leave the car in remote places I struggle with the key in a bag. I'm not that good a runner so it's really just a quick walk

 

I've thought about a ply floor too. I was going down replacing the actual boot floor with a thicker ply and a hidden slot for valuable things like a phone/ipad etc. Given they are < 20mm, could fit nicely in a bit of routed 40mm ply. Enough to pass a quick rummage by an opportunist at least. 

 

 

@J.R. how sturdy is the vario floor? Could you crawl on it and sleep etc?  I was toying with a bigger volvo because that has a flat boot when the seats are down. These bootsteps play havoc with my back  SWMBO focus estate is about 2inches too short for me too :(

Edited 23 April, 20197 yr by ColinD

The OEM floor has a 75kg weight limit but you could always add support to it to use as a bed or sleep with your head on the rear seats, that way most of the weight isn’t on the floor.

I'm planning a divider build to go under my false floor to add strength.  I keep all sorts of stuff in there ( blanket, hi vis, travel high chair, etc) that lives in the boot.  Having a divider will provide the extra support needed for large loads while providing sectioning to stop it all flying around and mixing it together.  I will also add either D profile or foam rubber strip alone the top and bottom edge to take any shocks and maybe reduce some of the booming notorious with the mk3 rear end.

If you want to quieten it down a little more, get the sound deadening insert for the boot floor from a Golf Estate. Fits right in. It’s on my list