Hey all, 

 

I have an Octy vRS mk2 with loads of mods including whiteline front & rear sway bars, bilstein (b8s I think) shockers and H&R lowered springs. Also on 18" black vRS wheels. 

 

I'd like to soften the ride as it's just too crashy for myself and daughter on the poor roads around me (London / Essex), and I constantly have to veer for a smoother journey. 

 

Current options I'm considering are to replace the 18s with 17s (or even 16s) and / or replace the springs / shockers for something more forgiving. I'm aware the stock suspension is notoriously crashy on the vRS anyway. 

 

Would appreciate any suggestions from you knowledgable folk, which aren't too costly. Perhaps swapping my high performance parts might help. 

 

Cheers

25 minutes ago, Prashkoda said:

it's just too crashy for myself and daughter on the poor roads around me (London / Essex)

 

Sell it and buy an SUV like everyone else does? 

I think if you want a car that is not crashy over bad roads then you have the wrong car.  18's are horriby harsh. I've got 16's on my Elegance and standard suspension and that too makes me wince from time to time on bad roads. My wife has a Polo with tiny rims and balloon tyres and that absorbs potholes like a sponge.

Wheels/tyres are the easiest/cheapest thing to change. Perhaps try and borrow a set of 16's and see if that makes it tolerable?  No idea why car marketing has sold us all on big rims and low profile tyres. Looks nice. Rides horribly. Fine if we all have pan-flat EU funded tarmac, but we don't.

When I bought my Elegance, it was on 16s. I have since put it on 18s, and I don't find it too bad.

 

Just to go in to a bit more detail, I don't find it too bad at dual carriageway/motorway speeds, except when a bit of the road goes missing, but at 30/40 mph on a potholed roads, the thump from a pothole really is a bit excessive. Given much more driving on Motorways/dual carriageways, that's not too bad, overall.

 

All that said, I was looking for 17 inch wheels, and I didn't find anything at sensible price, and I am sure 17s would have been a much more acceptable compromise on back roads.

 

As usual, YMMV.

205/55R16 with soft and flexible sidewalls would give a much softer ride.

 

Avoid summer UHP (Ultra Higher Performance) tyres, as they tend to have stiff sidewalls for maximum summer cornering performance.

 

All-season tyres from any of the top brands, such as Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear, Hankook, Michelin, Vredestein are a good idea for using all year round.

 

If you are happy to have poor grip in the snow and reduced grip in cold rain (below 7 degrees Centigrade), then summer tyres such as Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 have won summer tyre reviews.

 

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 205/55R16 91V

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m62b0s291p188481/Goodyear_Tyres_Car_Goodyear_EfficientGrip_Performance_2_-_205_55_R16_91V_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_B_Wet_Grip%3A_A_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_69dB

 

All-season tyres work better than summer tyres in the snow and in cold rain.

 

Vredestein Quatrac 205/55R16 91V

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m139b0s8003p202105/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac_6_-_205_55_R16_91V_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_70dB

 

Any of the following Skoda rims would be suitable

6Jx16 ET43 (Karoq)

6Jx16 ET48 (Octavia MK3)

6.5Jx16 ET46 (Octavia MK3)

6.5Jx16 ET50 (Octavia MK2)

 

Fitting a 205/55R16 to a narrower 6J rim will be slightly more comfortable than a 6.5J rim, but either are a huge improvement over the low profile 225/40R18 tyres.

 

If you still need more comfort, then changing the H&R springs to Eibach sports springs will help a little more. H&R springs are known to be particularly hard, whereas the Eibach sports springs are progressive.

 

6.5Jx16 ET50 alloy rim from Octavia MK2

https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/en_CZ/alloy-wheel-apolon-16-for-octavia-ii/p/CCH600007

 

6.5Jx16 ET50 steel rim from Octavia MK2

https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/en_CZ/steel-wheel-16/p/1K0601027K+03C

 

6Jx16 ET43 steel rim from Karoq

https://eshop.skoda-auto.cz/en_CZ/steel-wheel-16/p/5Q0601027CJ03C

 

Edited 10 May, 20224 yr by Carlston

Thanks for your responses. Very helpful. 

 

I suppose I could buy a Rolls Royce instead ;-). But seriously, I love everything about this car, except for the overly harsh ride. 18s in itself wouldn't be too bad, but in combination with the lowered springs and stiffer shocks, the result is too firm for me. Don't get me wrong, I don't want soft, but just not as firm. 

 

I think the wheels are sounding like the best option, either 17s or I might even try 16s. Thanks @Carlston for such detailed response with options and links. Extremely helpful. 

 

Never tried to swap my wheels + tyres (2 rear are new) for a new set at a wheel place, but this would be ideal so I don't have 2 sets. Is this something that is / can be done in the UK? 

49 minutes ago, Prashkoda said:

Thanks for your responses. Very helpful. 

 

I suppose I could buy a Rolls Royce instead ;-). But seriously, I love everything about this car, except for the overly harsh ride. 18s in itself wouldn't be too bad, but in combination with the lowered springs and stiffer shocks, the result is too firm for me. Don't get me wrong, I don't want soft, but just not as firm. 

 

I think the wheels are sounding like the best option, either 17s or I might even try 16s. Thanks @Carlston for such detailed response with options and links. Extremely helpful. 

 

Never tried to swap my wheels + tyres (2 rear are new) for a new set at a wheel place, but this would be ideal so I don't have 2 sets. Is this something that is / can be done in the UK? 

 

Can you see your 18" rims in the list below?

 

Being RS alloy rims, I suspect it's the Zenith rims. They come in two colours. Colour code 7ZS is chrome coloured metallic, and colour code MHB is black/bright chrome.

 

The OEM part number should be cast into the back of the rim, or sometimes the front if there's a big hub cap covering the front area.

 

When you sell OEM alloy rims on ebay (or elsewhere) it's important to list the alloy rims with the full OEM part number in the title, such as 1Z0601025M 7ZS. Potential buyers will search using that code, usually without the 3-digit colour code...although that's also useful to include.

 

Ebay is filled with professional sellers when it comes to secondhand OEM alloy rims. Prices are often surprisingly high, especially when you consider that many of them are not in particularly good cosmetic condition. Many of the rims that have had low profile tyres fitted will be bent, although the sellers won't often know this...especially if the rims have come from a car that was broken for spares. For a seller to know that a rim is bent, they would have to have the tyre removed and the rim spun on a tyre/rim machine that has the capability to check for out of round, buckled, or out of balance rim.

 

Many sellers will sell one rim at a time, such is the demand for single rims...due to the large number of potholes on the roads, or if the rim has been badly kerbed, etc.

 

OEM 18" Octavia MK2 alloy rims

 

ZENITH (RS) 7.5Jx18 ET51 1Z0601025M 7ZS

1	1Z0 601 025 M	aluminium rim	7,5JX18 ET51	4	ZENITH (RS)
	1Z0601025M 7ZS	chrome coloured metallic			2011.08 - 2005.09

 

ZENITH 7.5Jx18 ET51 6U0601151L MHB

2	6U0 601 151 L	hub cap		4
	6U0601151L MHB	black/bright chrome			2011.08 - 2006.13

 

NEPTUNE 7.5Jx18 ET51 1Z0601025AD 7ZS

3	1Z0 601 025 AD	aluminium rim	7,5JX18" ET51	4	NEPTUNE
	1Z0 601 025 AD7ZS	chrome coloured metallic			2005.09 - 2006.13

 

NEPTUNE 7.5Jx18 ET51 1Z0601025AJ JX2

(3)	1Z0 601 025 AJ	aluminium rim	7,5JX18" ET51	4	NEPTUNE
	1Z0 601 025 AJJX2	high chrome/black	black		PR-CB0 2002.12 - 2006.13

 

https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/octavia/oct/2012-663/6/601-601080/

 

Some of the best OEM alloy rims in the VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda group are Audi alloy rims...especially when they are a lightweight forged alloy design such as the 7Jx16 ET45 5/112 57.1 rim below. If 7Jx16 ET45 sounds familiar, it's because this is a standard size on the Superb MK2 and Yeti.

 

One of the benefits of this 7Jx16 ET45 rim is the lightweight. At about 7.3kg it's very light for this size rim. Most are around 10kg or more in this size.

 

Another benefit of this rim is that you can use a Skoda hub cap instead of the Audi one.

 

This rim was used on 1999-2001 Audi A4 and 1998-2001 Audi A6 cars.

 

7Jx16 ET45 8D0601025K Z17

9	8D0 601 025 K	aluminium rim	7 JX16H2 ET45 5/112	4	PR-C8Y
	8D0601025K Z17	avus silver

 

https://audi.7zap.com/en/rdw/audi+a4+avant/a4/2000-223/6/601-601060/

 

7Jx16 ET45 8D0601025K Z17 (lightweight forged alloy rims (about 7.3kg) from some Audi A4 and Audi A6 cars)

 

Edited 10 May, 20224 yr by Carlston

Mine is on standard suspension and the eldest complains of being travel sick on country roads. Only had it for 1 week and complaints already 😞
 

Gave them the choice of the VRS or a C250 and they wanted the VRS!

 

Would just tyres make a difference? Mine came with cheapo tyres (Barum I think) so would changing to something else help?

 

Any UK places selling the rims you mention? Seems the Audi 17’s might be a good plan if used. 
 

Would Eibach springs be softer than the OEM items?

 

Cheers!

Thanks Carlston! Your posts are the most informative I've ever received on forums. Very much appreciated. 

 

I have the black 18" Zeniths at the moment. They are crashy but look good. 

 

My car has quite a few cosmetic mods (full RS+ kit with black front splitter, rear diffuser, honeycomb grill, sideskirts, black spoiler) so I think 16s would probably look out of place. 

 

As SiWBO said, maybe the Audi 17s could be a good choice. And possibly replacing the springs and / or shocks. I think I'll have to take it to a VAG specialist to check out my options. 

 

Or... I'm considering just buying another car to avoid all this hassle... but replacing it with the hassle of buying / selling a car 😉

Over wide speed bumps it is fine and smooth so think it is the low profile tyres and large rims 😞

 

Will ET50 steels fit over the VRS brakes?

Swapping the shocks for something like b4s should make the ride a bit softer as b8 is a performance shock and the low speed ride can be quite harsh.

7 hours ago, SiW80 said:

Will ET50 steels fit over the VRS brakes?

 

The Octavia MK2 VRS uses 312mm diameter front brake discs, so 16" rims will clear the front brake calipers.

 

Alcar 9490 6Jx16 ET40 steel rims (from Superb MK1)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=180498027838968944&rimCode=ALCAR9490

 

Alcar 8426 6.5Jx16 ET41 steel rims (from Superb MK3)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=1037328747869009008&rimCode=ALCAR8426

 

Alcar 6665 6Jx16 ET43 steel rims (from Karoq)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=1284041564754023536&rimCode=ALCAR6665

 

Alcar 9173 6.5Jx16 ET44 steel rims (from VW Beetle)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=80484800909022320&rimCode=ALCAR9173

 

Alcar 9257 7Jx16 ET45 steel rims (from Superb MK2 and Yeti)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=182363349315490928&rimCode=ALCAR9257

 

Alcar 8667 6.5Jx16 ET46 steel rims (from Octavia MK3)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=50254278459135088&rimCode=ALCAR8667

 

Alcar 6667 6.5Jx16 ET46 steel rims (from Octavia MK4)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=1275564879859684464&rimCode=ALCAR6667

 

Alcar 9915 6.5Jx16 ET50 steel rims (from Octavia MK2)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=182274288873641072&rimCode=ALCAR9915

 

Edited 14 May, 20224 yr by Carlston

6 hours ago, Carlston said:

 

The Octavia MK2 VRS uses 312mm diameter front brake discs, so 16" rims will clear the front brake calipers.

 

Alcar 9490 6Jx16 ET40 steel rims (from Superb MK1)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=180498027838968944&rimCode=ALCAR9490

 

Alcar 8426 6.5Jx16 ET41 steel rims (from Superb MK3)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=1037328747869009008&rimCode=ALCAR8426

 

Alcar 6665 6Jx16 ET43 steel rims (from Karoq)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=1284041564754023536&rimCode=ALCAR6665

 

Alcar 9173 6.5Jx16 ET44 steel rims (from VW Beetle)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=80484800909022320&rimCode=ALCAR9173

 

Alcar 9257 7Jx16 ET45 steel rims (from Superb MK2 and Yeti)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=182363349315490928&rimCode=ALCAR9257

 

Alcar 8667 6.5Jx16 ET46 steel rims (from Octavia MK3)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=50254278459135088&rimCode=ALCAR8667

 

Alcar 6667 6.5Jx16 ET46 steel rims (from Octavia MK4)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=1275564879859684464&rimCode=ALCAR6667

 

Alcar 9915 6.5Jx16 ET50 steel rims (from Octavia MK2)

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=182274288873641072&rimCode=ALCAR9915

 

cheers

 

should I keep with ET50 or any of the above ok to use on a VRS? Only ask there is a £12/rim price difference. 
 

assume the larger the offset the nearer the wheel goes to the edge of the arch 

 

sorry for the basic questions!

Edited 14 May, 20224 yr by SiW80

8 hours ago, SiW80 said:

assume the larger the offset the nearer the wheel goes to the edge of the arch 

 

It's the other way around. The smaller the offset the nearer the wheel goes to the edge of the arch.

 

Any of the eight steel rims that I listed above would fit with 205/55R16 tyres, but there's also:

 

Alcar 8425 6.5Jx16 ET42 (from VW EOS, VW Passat, VW Scirocco)

https://www.oponeo.pl/felga-stalowa/alcar-kfz-8425#22440728

 

Alcar 9187 6.5Jx16 ET43 (from Audi A3)

https://www.oponeo.pl/felga-stalowa/alcar-kfz-9187#22339711

 

Alcar 8247 6Jx16 ET48 (from Octavia MK3)

https://www.oponeo.pl/felga-stalowa/alcar-kfz-8247#22612800

 

Alcar 7025 6.5Jx16 ET48 (from VW Touran)

https://www.oponeo.pl/felga-stalowa/alcar-kfz-7025#22045447

 

Alcar 9535 6Jx16 ET50 (from Octavia MK2, Superb MK2, Yeti)

https://www.oponeo.pl/felga-stalowa/alcar-kfz-9535#21366491

 

So that's at least 12 different specifications of 16" steel rims with an offset between ET40 and ET50 that will fit the Octavia MK2.

 

6Jx16 ET40

6.5Jx16 ET41

6.5Jx16 ET42

6Jx16 ET43

6.5Jx16 ET43

6.5Jx16 ET44

7Jx16 ET45

6.5Jx16 ET46

6Jx16 ET48

6.5Jx16 ET48

6Jx16 ET50

6.5Jx16 ET50

 

Alcar 130301 6Jx16 ET43

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rims/details?vehicleId=1284041564754023536&rimCode=ALCAR130301

 

Edited 14 May, 20224 yr by Carlston

Thanks

 

For 6.5J16 ET41 steels would 215/60/16 tyres be ok?

4 hours ago, SiW80 said:

Thanks

 

For 6.5Jx16 ET41 steels would 215/60/16 tyres be ok?

 

Outside diameter

215/60R16 664.4mm

205/55R16 631.9mm

 

664.4/631.9=1.051...

 

Therefore fitting 215/60R16 instead of 205/55R16 will raise the gearing by a rather high 5.1% and there might be rubbing.

 

215/60R16 is a far more expensive tyre size than 205/55R16.

 

Even the latest Octavia MK4 has only gone from 205/55R16 to 205/60R16.

 

If you want extra comfort, I suggest fitting 205/55R16 to relatively narrow 6J rims and selecting tyres that have soft and flexible sidewalls, eg. avoid UHP summer tyres, as these tend to have stiffer sidewall due to being designed for high levels of lateral grip.

 

The outside diameter of Octavia Scout 225/50R17 tyres is 656.8mm, so the 215/60R16 size has an even bigger outside diameter than these, ie. 1.2% higher.

 

See the below two links for an example of the different pricing of these two tyre sizes.

 

Vredestein Quatrac 205/55R16 94V XL

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m139b0s8003p202136/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac_6_-_205_55_R16_94V_XL_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_70dB

 

Vredestein Quatrac 215/60R16 99V XL

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m139b0s8007p202130/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac_6_-_215_60_R16_99V_XL_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_71dB

 

Another disadvantage in fitting 215/60R16 over 205/55R16 is that you would be raising the ride height/centre of gravity by over 15mm, which doesn't help handling.

 

Edited 14 May, 20224 yr by Carlston

38 minutes ago, Carlston said:

 

Outside diameter

215/60R16 664.4mm

205/55R16 631.9mm

 

664.4/631.9=1.051...

 

Therefore fitting 215/60R16 instead of 205/55R16 will raise the gearing by a rather high 5.1% and there might be rubbing.

 

215/60R16 is a far more expensive tyre size than 205/55R16.

 

Even the latest Octavia MK4 has only gone from 205/55R16 to 205/60R16.

 

If you want extra comfort, I suggest fitting 205/55R16 to relatively narrow 6J rims and selecting tyres that have soft and flexible sidewalls, eg. avoid UHP summer tyres, as these tend to have stiffer sidewall due to being designed for high levels of lateral grip.

 

The outside diameter of Octavia Scout 225/50R17 tyres is 656.8mm, so the 215/60R16 size has an even bigger outside diameter than these, ie. 1.2% higher.

 

See the below two links for an example of the different pricing of these two tyre sizes.

 

Vredestein Quatrac 205/55R16 94V XL

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m139b0s8003p202136/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac_6_-_205_55_R16_94V_XL_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_70dB

 

Vredestein Quatrac 215/60R16 99V XL

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m139b0s8007p202130/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac_6_-_215_60_R16_99V_XL_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_71dB

 

Another disadvantage in fitting 215/60R16 over 205/55R16 is that you would be raising the ride height/centre of gravity by over 15mm, which doesn't help handling.

 

Thanks - was asking as someone was selling that size wheel and tyre combo from a Superb but thought it would cause. 
 

Will keep checking eBay!

I have now fitted a set of Mk7 Golf 16’s and the ride is more settled. 
 

Also the DSG feels quicker to engage and change gear. Maybe it’s just in the mind!

 

1 hour ago, SiW80 said:

I have now fitted a set of Mk7 Golf 16’s and the ride is more settled. 

Also the DSG feels quicker to engage and change gear. Maybe it’s just in the mind!

 

They are Toronto rims as shown below.

 

If you want a spare, it makes sense to match the 6.5Jx16 ET46 specification, rather than the Octavia MK2 6.5Jx16 ET50 specification. The change in offset from ET50 to ET46 will move the centre of each wheel 4mm further out in the wheelarch.

 

TORONTO 6.5JX16 ET46

(1)	5G0 601 025	aluminium rim	'TORONTO' 6,5JX16H2 ET46 5/112
	5G0601025  8Z8	diamond silver

https://volkswagen.7zap.com/en/rdw/golf+variant+4motion/golf/2016-746/6/601-601055/

 

Edited 7 June, 20223 yr by Carlston

17 hours ago, Carlston said:

 

They are Toronto rims as shown below.

 

If you want a spare, it makes sense to match the 6.5Jx16 ET46 specification, rather than the Octavia MK2 6.5Jx16 ET50 specification. The change in offset from ET50 to ET46 will move the centre of each wheel 4mm further out in the wheelarch.

 

TORONTO 6.5JX16 ET46

(1)	5G0 601 025	aluminium rim	'TORONTO' 6,5JX16H2 ET46 5/112
	5G0601025  8Z8	diamond silver

https://volkswagen.7zap.com/en/rdw/golf+variant+4motion/golf/2016-746/6/601-601055/

 

Found a 16” space saver to use instead for the spare. 

Found some of the lightweight Audi rims as Carlston suggested. 

Late to this thread and FWIW about the springs and damping aspect:

Can I suggest that you consider fitting shorter bumpstops to the dampers; this will allow the springs more travel during compression before the bumpstops come into effect and - providing they are not too short! - effectively soften the ride.

 

I had similar problems with my Mk II Octy estate and doing that plus somewhat softer rear springs appears to have made a considerable improvement to ride comfort and stopped a lot of crashing over small road undulations and speed bumps (see

 

It would also be a lot cheaper than some of the other solutions - a new pair of bumpstops would only cost around £20!

Edited 23 June, 20223 yr by jeallen01

Late to. Im my experience of playing with suspension the shocks make a big difference to the ride. B8s are  quite strong. Eibach progressive springs work well but also no suspension should ride on bump stops the VRS fronts are made of study rubber the rears not so ( weak). 

14 hours ago, wd20 said:

Late to. In my experience of playing with suspension othe shocks make a big difference to the ride. B8s are  quite strong. Eibach progressive springs work well but also no suspension should ride on bump stops the VRS fronts are made of study rubber the rears not so ( weak). 

I agree about hard shocks because, on several vehicles over many years (several Mk II Astra SRi estates, Mk iV Golf estate and the current Mk II Octy estate (Bilstein B4's - too "much" with the VRS/GTI rear ARB so I then took them off & fitted used standard shocks - much more confortable!) , i fitted stiffer rear ones but then in every case  had to remove them (even well before my back got as bad as  it is now!) because the ride was too hard - maybe I've should reallly have learnt my lesson by now but I kept doing it! 😞

 

Personally, I think the "best" solution is moderately stiff springs with a decent amount of compression travel, moderately stiff ARB, adjustable rear shocks which can be set reasonably soft and maybe shorter than standard bumpstops (for reason previously mentioned). Of all those, I think the ARB is probably one of the most important because a stiffer one helps to restrict roll without affecting spring stiffness or spring compression too much.

 

BTW: I could never justify slightly-lowered Eibach springs because I only really wanted the rear ones but could only buy a full set - which was too expensive (given other expenses at the time).

 

PS: anyone want a used pair of B4's (& top mounts) for a Mk II Octy estate - been sitting in the garage for the last several years in W London and I need to get rid of them fairly soon? (and there's the pair of 1K0511115BG rear springs if anyone wants them)

Edited 25 June, 20223 yr by jeallen01

Another thing that I learnt with the VRS is that the factory suspension comes in two specs one being "sport" . The sport version lowers the ride height more and also the front suspension strut has a  different machined end to it. Cant remember if the Top mounts differ to ? I had to go to Skoda main dealers in the end for the correct fitting parts but actually i found their prices quite reasonable.