When I got my Octavia vRS, there was one area that I was not happy with -- the grilles, everywhere else on the car the trim was colour coded. The radiator grille and lower bumper grilles were plain black - it didn't suit the car.

The Solution ???

Colour Code the Radiator Grille and the Lower bumper grilles.

Just out of interest I enquired with my local Skoda dealer as to the cost of these parts -- I was pleasantly suprised at how reasonable they were - so much so I decided to order new parts and have them painted - that way if I decide I don't like the look I can return the car to original condition.

The Part's Required :

• 1Z0853666A9B9 = O/S OUTER GRILLE = £2.99
  
• 1Z0853665A9B9 = N/S OUTER GRILLE = £2.99
  
• 1Z0853668B41 = MAIN RADIATOR GRILLE = £21.03
  
• 1Z08536779B9 = MIDDLE BUMPER GRILLE = £16.47
  

All prices plus VAT

It's a very simple job to remove the grille.

1. Open Bonnet
   
2. Remove Torx screw from rear of Skoda Badge(under bonnet)
   
3. release securing clips(I used a socket to squeeze the clips)
   
4. Remove Grille - carefull not to break lower lugs in bottom of bonnet apeture
   

Which will leave a big gaping whole in the front of your car!!

Then you need to remove the chrome surround from the old grille.

1. Remove the securing clips from the grille surround - you'll need these to refit the grille
   
2. CAREFULLY prize the chrome clips away from the backing
   
3. Once clips are free the only thing that holds the chrome to the grille are three long runs of trim tape along the base - carefully lift this and cut it with a knife
   
4. Remove the traces of trim tape
   

Which will leave you with two seperate parts:

Refit chrome to new grille in reverse order, and you'll have something like this:

Refitted to car it looks like this :

And then comes the hard bit -- removing the bumper grilles - they are only clipped it but they are VERY TIGHT.

The outer grilles have a peice that folds around the edge of the middle grille, to remove them you need to pull this towards the middle of the car to release and then lift out the grilles with a good sharp tug using the finger whole underneath the leading edge of the grille.

I really like the colour coded look - Will be better when the vRS badge is in place.

BEFORE:

AFTER :

I removed the vRS badge from the old grille with a chisel -- CARE NEEDED, the badge is very securely bonded to the grille. I then used a hot glue gun to re-attach the badge to the colour coded grille -- so far no issue's with it.

AFTER WITH BADGE IN PLACE:

That looks great mate, can see this one catching on to be sure.

Think it looks smart, neat job on the spraying as well.

Think it looks smart, neat job on the spraying as well.

Thanks, can't take credit for the painting though - twas done by Peter @ Spraycraft in Chester. He did it in double quick time too - stayed back on Thursday night to finish them so I could get them back for the weekend - Top Bloke

Trying to decide if I like the bit at the bottom in the middle, the rest looks excellent for sure though

Thanks for the great guide as well

Yes, your initial ideas have come to fruition pretty quickly and I like the result (similar to the coloured grills on the race cars).

Tell me, would this change constitute a modification to the car and therefore affect your warranty and insurance? Does that not concern you?

I like that very much. Top "How To" also.

Yes' date=' your initial ideas have come to fruition pretty quickly and I like the result (similar to the coloured grills on the race cars).

Tell me, would this change constitute a modification to the car and therefore affect your warranty and insurance? Does that not concern you?[/quote']

As the grilles are original equiptment and are not altered I don't think it would be a problem. I have the original grilles also if required.

Trying to decide if I like the bit at the bottom in the middle' date=' the rest looks excellent for sure though

Thanks for the great guide as well [/quote']

I know what you mean, that's why I'm gonna get some mesh to go there - it will mask the rads as well as protect them. It's a little more obvious in the photo due to flash going off.

I've taken a few more pictures in better light today - so no flash required.gives a better idea of what it looks like.

Looks good. I'm hoping to go for a similar look myself. (but not with blue... )

When are you sticking the vRS grille badge back on? (I think you should )

What a great improvement!

It looks really well done - congratulations!

Looks good. I'm hoping to go for a similar look myself. (but not with blue... )

When are you sticking the vRS grille badge back on? (I think you should )

I agree, slight technical hitch -- I can't get the badge of the old grille

must have been secured with some very,very strong adhesive

looks great, mate, very good indeed. loving the radiator grille.

Looks very smart should have left the factory looking like that.

As an example how much was the spraying?

Been thinking along the same lines and by the sound of it will need to add a vRS badge as well.

Yeah that angle looks better somehow - looks ace

Your looking between

That looks fantastic

I will set the wheels in motion tomorrow (Monday).

I have a "man who can" that repairs alloys so I will speak to him after ordering the bits plus vRS badge.

Looks good, I'd love to see it in the flesh before doing it. Its really one of things the more you see it the more you like it .

Any pics of the whole car, with the mod done ?

Btw Regarding the lower middle grill, is there much hassle taking this out? I was told it's very easy to break the clips, how did you manage without breaking them ?

Looks good' date=' I'd love to see it in the flesh before doing it. Its really one of things the more you see it the more you like it .

Any pics of the whole car, with the mod done ?

Btw Regarding the lower middle grill, is there much hassle taking this out? I was told it's very easy to break the clips, how did you manage without breaking them ?[/quote']

Not had chance to take any other pictures -- will do if get the chance

The lower middle grill is VERY TIGHT -- it took a good firm tug to release it -- I found that it was best to release the two outer edges first and then work back and forth -- I still managed to break the upper middle clip - but as I was fitting a new grille anyway I wasn't bothered - I don't think it would stop it going back on.

I just managed to remove the vRS badge from the old grille -- it looks like they use some sort of solvent that melts the plastic and then holds the badge in place was it's set. Not sure how I'm going to re-attach the badge.

The lower middle grill is VERY TIGHT -- it took a good firm tug to release it -- I found that it was best to release the two outer edges first and then work back and forth -- I still managed to break the upper middle clip - but as I was fitting a new grille anyway I wasn't bothered - I don't think it would stop it going back on.

If I was going to I'd probably get the grill on the car at the moment done' date=' and if I wanted buy another one to put back to stock.

Btw You were looking for mesh, I was in Halfords the other day and they had a black coated Ripspeed mesh, something like this one [url']http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10151&productId=231521&categoryId=52761[/url]

Looks very nice (although don't forget to refit the vRS badge )

Oh, and you need to update your avatar too!

Not sure how easy it is to remove the new vRS lower grill without breaking the lugs but the MK1 is really simple.

Method

Drive at least 55 mph on a straight road (flats of kippen do fine!) ensure a suicidal monster hare runs out in front of you (don't swerve into oncoming traffic though!!)

and hey presto one lower grill removed without any damage or any real effort!

Be warned though hearing damage may be sustained due to screaming girlfriend in passenger seat. :rally:

Hope this helps!:P

Looks great but there goes your warranty:rolleyes: