Having only bought my Superb 150 SEL after Christmas I have hardly used it. However I have noticed a few posts regarding softness in the suspension. I intend to tow a caravan and wonder if anyone doing likewise has fitted stiffer or adjustable shocks, particularly on the rear.

I've booked my car in to have koni shockers fitted next week for this exact reason.

fronts 8745-1388   rears 8245-1387

 

Others have done the springs and or the rear anti roll bar.

 

I'm doing springs and rear arb because i'm not bothered about lowering it.

Hi, Having not towed with it yet I'll do that first! Hopefully a few UK trips this year Corvid 19 permitting. Don't know if Sports Mode would stiffen things up sufficiently. 

 

I have adjustables on my "classic" 1973 Triumph and that would enable fine adjustment but may not be available. An uprated arb sounds a good start anyway, irrespective of shocks.

 

Please post results of your mods, its always useful to know what works and what doesn't!

On 16/05/2020 at 19:38, Bigeater said:

I've booked my car in to have koni shockers fitted next week for this exact reason.

fronts 8745-1388   rears 8245-1387

 

Others have done the springs and or the rear anti roll bar.

 

I'm doing springs and rear arb because i'm not bothered about lowering it.

Thinking about doing it myself particularly with the front as it’s very bouncy especially on back roads. Please keep us posted on how it works out. 

As I said in my OP I have'nt put any miles on the clock yet but I have checked and my car does have DCC. Just what effect Sports mode has on suspension I have'nt had chance to test.

 

Would the DCC make a difference to mods that I could undertake? The arb mox should improve all versions I guess but if Sport mode stiffens the dampers they must be adjustable in some way . If that could be adjusted wiyjout the other DCC changes that could be all thst is required. Just wondered if anyone has tried that option?

my post says springs and rear arb. I meant to say dampers, not springs. sorry.

As a Skoda novice can anyone tell me if the software can be tweeked to stiffen up the standard dampers on a DCC  car? Sounds,as if that would be too easy!

3 hours ago, Sandgroper said:

As a Skoda novice can anyone tell me if the software can be tweeked to stiffen up the standard dampers on a DCC  car? Sounds,as if that would be too easy!

Sounds very possible in theory, but I don;t of anyone who has done that.

What puzzles me atm is that there must be the means of adjusting the dampers remotely. If that is the case can't they be adjusted without the other changes made by selecting 'Sport' mode?

 

As I said in a post I have fitted adjustable units on a classic car and they are excellent, but that car doesn't have new age tunabilty!

When we enter reality again a chat to the Skoda garage might make things simpler but I can't believe that there isn't a smart Skoda owner on this site that hasn't tried it!

58 minutes ago, Sandgroper said:

What puzzles me atm is that there must be the means of adjusting the dampers remotely. If that is the case can't they be adjusted without the other changes made by selecting 'Sport' mode?

 

You lost me there. Of-course you can have the suspension at its firmer setting (same as you get when selecting Sport mode) and the rest in Normal. Since the car has DCC and mode selection just select: "Individual" and then set everything to your preference.

 

But I'm sure you knew that or i have misunderstood something here?

22 hours ago, Bigeater said:

my post says springs and rear arb. I meant to say dampers, not springs. sorry.

Have you fitted the Koni's yet?

3 hours ago, newbie69 said:

 

You lost me there. Of-course you can have the suspension at its firmer setting (same as you get when selecting Sport mode) and the rest in Normal. Since the car has DCC and mode selection just select: "Individual" and then set everything to your preference.

 

But I'm sure you knew that or i have misunderstood something here?

Got it! Thanks, I had forgotten the individual setting. Thinking too much and not doing!

20 hours ago, j caff said:

Have you fitted the Koni's yet?

i'm still waiting for them to be delivered j 

On 23/05/2020 at 13:19, Sandgroper said:

Got it! Thanks, I had forgotten the individual setting. Thinking too much and not doing!

How have you got on with individual mode? Getting prices for new cars and thinking about if it is worth it to spec DCC on a sportline.

@MarkyG82  There is quite a bit of difference with DCC between the floaty Comfort mode and the much stiffer Sport mode. In Individual mode, you can mix and match to suit. It's nice to have the choice over varying road conditions.

 

I don't know how much the DCC option costs, it came with my demo purchase, but I can't believe it's much different than a complete after market suspension kit plus labour. Depends on how much you need to play with your car, I guess.

37 minutes ago, freelunch said:

@MarkyG82  There is quite a bit of difference with DCC between the floaty Comfort mode and the much stiffer Sport mode. In Individual mode, you can mix and match to suit. It's nice to have the choice over varying road conditions.

 

I don't know how much the DCC option costs, it came with my demo purchase, but I can't believe it's much different than a complete after market suspension kit plus labour. Depends on how much you need to play with your car, I guess.

 

Its something like £800. About what you'd spend on better shocks but then you would have a "conversation" with the dealer regards warranty. If sport mode is similar to a set of B6 shocks (or konis) but comfort is what it says then I think it's a no brainer.  I'll add it I think. And virtual cockpit and heated screen.

 

Thanks.

On 16/05/2020 at 15:35, Sandgroper said:

Having only bought my Superb 150 SEL after Christmas I have hardly used it. However I have noticed a few posts regarding softness in the suspension. I intend to tow a caravan and wonder if anyone doing likewise has fitted stiffer or adjustable shocks, particularly on the rear.

 

I haven't done this, and my starting point is different from others in this thread, but here is my argument:

 

Unless you are really extreme in your towing you won't be so much rolling as compressing the springs.  So, I'd ignore anti-roll bars, unless you have an under/over steer problem. So, I'd start with spring rates, particularly as you have the option of turning up the damping via electrckery (at the very least, trying the electric option to see how it changed things, before making a decision).

 

Now, in terms of getting a bit more spring rate, you can get things called 'helpers' or 'towing helper springs'. These things are rubber/polyurethane, fit inside your existing springs and give you a progressive spring rate. Also, from what I remember, they are relatively cheap and with a bit of faffing about you can fit them yourself. I'd be starting  there, and seeing whether you want the 'settings' as well.

1 hour ago, MarkyG82 said:

 

Its something like £800. About what you'd spend on better shocks but then you would have a "conversation" with the dealer regards warranty. If sport mode is similar to a set of B6 shocks (or konis) but comfort is what it says then I think it's a no brainer.  I'll add it I think. And virtual cockpit and heated screen.

 

Thanks.

What are you after from your driving and what do you intend to use the car for mostly?  A few  different ways to go here. Also, which engine?

Edited 22 June, 20205 yr by newbie69

2 minutes ago, newbie69 said:

What are you after from your driving and what do you intend to use the car for mostly?  A few  different ways to go here. Also, which engine?

 

I was looking at the 272 but the cost with the options I want is well over 40k so the cost of ownership, for the 5 years I plan to keep it for, would be a lot more due to tax and fuel*. That being the case I'm looking at the 190 TSI sportline plus estate. Its a family car and my commuter machine (10 miles each way so looking to get shot of the TDI). Also used for MTB trips, family holidays and other load lugging. Buying cash (with inheritance) so initial purchase price is not too important. Future running costs are what I'm looking at. Current octy has B6 shocks on eibach pros, remap, pedal box and dogbone insert. From what I can tell, the 190 has similar peak power and torque values to my 150tdi with a remap but a much better delivery being a TSI so a couple of k revs on top of where the TDI drops off.

 

*Unless a test drive of the 272 Vs 190 proves I need the power for over £5k extra over 5 years. On that note, will a 272 hold its value better considering I'll be selling it at the height of the ev transition?

19 hours ago, MarkyG82 said:

How have you got on with individual mode? Getting prices for new cars and thinking about if it is worth it to spec DCC on a sportline.

 

One trip to the garden centre ! Lockdown for the over 80s is a pain!!!!!! Still got my map update to install as well.

15 hours ago, Axle_of_weasels said:

 

I haven't done this, and my starting point is different from others in this thread, but here is my argument:

 

Unless you are really extreme in your towing you won't be so much rolling as compressing the springs.  So, I'd ignore anti-roll bars, unless you have an under/over steer problem. So, I'd start with spring rates, particularly as you have the option of turning up the damping via electrckery (at the very least, trying the electric option to see how it changed things, before making a decision).

 

Now, in terms of getting a bit more spring rate, you can get things called 'helpers' or 'towing helper springs'. These things are rubber/polyurethane, fit inside your existing springs and give you a progressive spring rate. Also, from what I remember, they are relatively cheap and with a bit of faffing about you can fit them yourself. I'd be starting  there, and seeing whether you want the 'settings' as well.

 

Hi, thanks for the post, atm I haven't had a chance to tow anywhere. My very few runs in the car to date are very positive so I'll get out and towing asap. My interest in cars runs ahead of my properly analysed requirements I'm afraid! I started messing about with building cars (we called the 'specials' in those days started when Colin Chapman (Lotus) was still building Austin Seven specials!!!! He moved on of course but I continued!

 

I have never tried spring assistors but know at least one caravanner who uses them. I can't see that it will be that bad tbh. We'll just wait and see and hope that Covid disappears asap. 

21 hours ago, MarkyG82 said:

 

I was looking at the 272 but the cost with the options I want is well over 40k so the cost of ownership, for the 5 years I plan to keep it for, would be a lot more due to tax and fuel*. That being the case I'm looking at the 190 TSI sportline plus estate. Its a family car and my commuter machine (10 miles each way so looking to get shot of the TDI). Also used for MTB trips, family holidays and other load lugging. Buying cash (with inheritance) so initial purchase price is not too important. Future running costs are what I'm looking at. Current octy has B6 shocks on eibach pros, remap, pedal box and dogbone insert. From what I can tell, the 190 has similar peak power and torque values to my 150tdi with a remap but a much better delivery being a TSI so a couple of k revs on top of where the TDI drops off.

 

*Unless a test drive of the 272 Vs 190 proves I need the power for over £5k extra over 5 years. On that note, will a 272 hold its value better considering I'll be selling it at the height of the ev transition?

From your description of usage I'd say a Sportline with DCC will have you covered but if you say you're  running B6 with Eibachs on the Octavia now, even a 272 Sportline DCC in Sport will feel softer and more willing to roll, squat and dive.

If you're after a similar behaviour to your modified Octavia on the Superb, skip the DCC and go for B6 + Eibachs too. In my 272 Sportline DCC, Eibachs and a rear anti-roll bar have cured all handling and cornering complaints, the Sport mode is firming things up in a very OEM way: decisive control that doesn't allow rebounding but the damping is still smooth and not punishing.

So If you were going for the 272 I'd say pick DCC as the adjust-ability is a nice thing to have, the dampers are up to the job once the springs are replaced and it will make the car a bit more desirable in terms of re-sale (maybe).  But my impression from comments here is that not all Sportlines behave the same. Meaning the 190 is maybe set up differently (in terms of DCC algorithm) compared to the 272, and not just due to the different weight.

Sandgroper - what did you do and what has worked best?