There's a full group test featuring the 130TDi L&K estate in this week's Auto Express against a Megane and a 307SW.

Comes second to the Megane but murders them both on ALL the performance stats, with near identical economy.

+ points: Huge Boot, strong engine, precise gearbox, generous kit.

- points: Soft suspension, body control, rear leg room, dated, high sill(!??)

And as I found out, the L&K does indeed have the chrome rings round the Speedo and Tacho - is there an Ekta part number anyone ?!

Rob

Rob,

As I pointed out in the other thread!

Anyway, a scan through ETKA has revealed that the instrument cluster appears to be listed as a single unit. For cars with the multi function indicator the part number is listed as 1U2 919 034, although this doesn't indicate if it has the chrome rings or not. I can't find a separate listing for these - sorry. (It could be there, but ETKA's a bit of a bu99er to navigate at times).

:cheers:

Rob, have you tried Milotec for the instrument panel rings?

They have them listed in their web site for the Octy.

Sorry Howard - I did have a look through the last day's posts first !

It performed well, but I don't get the 'high sill' but!

Matthew

I have thought about the Milotec ones - but there seem to be 2 different views on fitting - one person said 2 screws out, really quick; other said it takes an hour to take the dash pod apart. Butt's didn't reply so gave up!

I like the sound of the OEM ones, but as Howard said - seems to be whole pod?

Rob

i dont think that the octy did too bad considering that it is such an old car

High sill?? - not a problem with Eibach Prokit!

Also, agree on the soft suspension, not sure if it is just an L&K thing, but see above for the cure

John.

John

I know the 4x4 and L&K have different rear suspension, but do you find that the lowered springs cause some 'jiggliness' in the ride. I've only ever fitted springs alone once and they weren't very good (rapid high frequency bounciness in the ride) but can't afford KW expenses.

What do you think ?

ps Be a good chap and post me your silver tacho/speedo rims so that I can fit them to my car

I know the 4x4 and L&K have different rear suspension' date=' but do you find that the lowered springs cause some 'jiggliness' in the ride. I've only ever fitted springs alone once and they weren't very good (rapid high frequency bounciness in the ride) but can't afford KW expenses.

What do you think ?

[/quote']

Eibach + Koni seems to be a cheaper combined alternative to KW. FabiaTDi has this combo on his Furby I believe. Eibach also do their own shocks, but I'm not sure if these are available for either the Furby or the Octy. Jabba would know.

ps Be a good chap and post me your silver tacho/speedo rims so that I can fit them to my car

I do indeed have this suspension combo.

If I had an Octy 4x4 estate and wanted to keep a good ride quality, I would either go for the Eibach complete spring and damper kit or mix Eibach springs to Koni red dampers.

Jabba have the Eibach springs and dampers on their Golf TDi and Carol was saying what a good compromise between ride and handling there was with this.

Sorry Howard - I did have a look through the last day's posts first !

It performed well' date=' but I don't get the 'high sill' but!

Matthew

I have thought about the Milotec ones - but there seem to be 2 different views on fitting - one person said 2 screws out, really quick; other said it takes an hour to take the dash pod apart. Butt's didn't reply so gave up!

I like the sound of the OEM ones, but as Howard said - seems to be whole pod?

Rob[/quote']

There are full fitting instructions in PDF format next to the item on the milotec site.

Looks quite involved though, but maybe you could figure it out together with bleeding, scraped, knuckles and the inevitable "spare screws " when you try and put it back together

Thanks Matthew

I'll have a look now - I suspected as much as bigK thought it would take him a good hour, which means a good day for the likes of me !

Rob