Morning all,

 

my 19 plate 1.0 TSi Octavia is surprisingly bumpy and feels a lot more than I was expecting from a VAG car. I appreciate that the British roads are worse than ever but sometimes I’m shocked at the rough ride of the car. 
 

So who of you on the forums have tried changing the shocks on the car? And if so, what shocks did you go with? VW Golf? Bilstein? Some other brand? And how did the ride quality change, assuming it did at all?

5 hours ago, KyleT said:

Morning all,

 

my 19 plate 1.0 TSi Octavia is surprisingly bumpy and feels a lot more than I was expecting from a VAG car. I appreciate that the British roads are worse than ever but sometimes I’m shocked at the rough ride of the car. 
 

So who of you on the forums have tried changing the shocks on the car? And if so, what shocks did you go with? VW Golf? Bilstein? Some other brand? And how did the ride quality change, assuming it did at all?

 

New shock absorbers will firm up the ride, they won't make the ride softer.

 

Are you using the correct tyre pressures? Check the inside of the fuel filler flap. There's often two sets of tyre pressures given for each tyre size. One set for a lightly loaded car and one set for a heavily loaded car.

 

What tyre size are you using? 225/40R18 and 225/35R19 will give the hardest ride. 195/65R15 and 205/55R16 will given the softest ride. 225/45R17 is somewhere in the middle.

 

If you haven't owned the car from new, check that someone hasn't fitted sports/lowering springs. These can be a lot harder than standard springs. The easiest way to check, is to look at the unladen ride height of the car. Are the gaps between the top of the tyres and the bottom of the wheelarches similar to similar other cars? If the gaps look noticeably less, that would indicate that someone has fitted lowering springs.

 

Octavia MK3 with standard ride height springs

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Škoda_Octavia#/media/File:2016_Skoda_Octavia_SE_L_TSi_Estate_1.4_Front.jpg

 

Octavia MK3 with sports/lowered ride height springs

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Škoda_Octavia#/media/File:2015_Skoda_Octavia_VRS_TDi_CR_2.0_Rear.jpg

 

Edited 26 May, 20233 yr by Carlston

Hi, ride height is normal, this was purchased directly from Skoda (as a used car) but therefore I’d expect everything to be normal. Tyres are 205/55/R16 but they are all different brands if that matters? Looking at the filler cap the pressures for my tyres say 2.1 bar front and back for the lowest load (it only tends to be me on the car ) which equates to around 30psi. Pretty sure they are all higher than that but I’d have to check. 
 

regarding the shocks / dampers. If they make the car a firmer ride then why are there many people mentioning the VW Golf Mk7 dampers improving the ride quality?

1 hour ago, KyleT said:

Tyres are 205/55/R16 but they are all different brands if that matters? Looking at the filler cap the pressures for my tyres say 2.1 bar front and back for the lowest load (it only tends to be me on the car ) which equates to around 30psi. Pretty sure they are all higher than that but I’d have to check.

 

If you don't have a good tyre pressure gauge with a pressure release valve for easy adjustment of the air pressure, then Halfords do a reasonable looking one. The gauge goes up to 4Bar (60psi). Avoid ones that go higher, such as 100psi because they won't be accurate enough for car tyres and are harder to read.

 

When it comes to ride comfort, it's easy to notice a 3psi difference. So that's the first thing to do as it doesn't cost any money except for the price of a pump and pressure gauge.

 

What are all the tyre pressures at the moment?

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/motorcycling/motorcycle-accessories/oxford-tyre-gauge-pro-dial-type0-60psi-461054.html

12 minutes ago, Carlston said:

 

If you don't have a good tyre pressure gauge with a pressure release valve for easy adjustment of the air pressure, then Halfords do a reasonable looking one. The gauge goes up to 4Bar (60psi). Avoid ones that go higher, such as 100psi because they won't be accurate enough for car tyres and are harder to read.

 

When it comes to ride comfort, it's easy to notice a 3psi difference. So that's the first thing to do as it doesn't cost any money except for the price of a pump and pressure gauge.

 

What are all the tyre pressures at the moment?

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/motorcycling/motorcycle-accessories/oxford-tyre-gauge-pro-dial-type0-60psi-461054.html

I am not sure what the pressures are at the moment. I need to go an check. I will look at the Halfords gauge and pop to a tyre pressure machine over the weekend. 

9 hours ago, KyleT said:

Morning all,

 

my 19 plate 1.0 TSi Octavia is surprisingly bumpy and feels a lot more than I was expecting from a VAG car. I appreciate that the British roads are worse than ever but sometimes I’m shocked at the rough ride of the car. 
 

So who of you on the forums have tried changing the shocks on the car? And if so, what shocks did you go with? VW Golf? Bilstein? Some other brand? And how did the ride quality change, assuming it did at all?

I have the same size wheels and tyres on my 1.5tsi ACT dsg, 19 reg. I went for this spec also for comfort with the higher tyre wall running with 205/55 16's. I wouldn't consider my car to have a firm/bumpy ride, as it doesn't have a sports orientated suspension set up. I'd first check your tyre pressures, mine are all set at 32psi (read 35psi), then check all your tyres have the same speed & load ratings, too. As the cheaper type XL rated tyres can give you a firmer ride feel. Then tyre choice/brand would also make a difference with side wall comfort, too. 

3 hours ago, KyleT said:

...and pop to a tyre pressure machine over the weekend. 

 

You can easily add some air to the car's tyres at home using a bicycle "track" pump. It saves a trip to the garage to use their airline.

 

 

Edited 26 May, 20233 yr by Carlston

3 hours ago, Phoenixboy said:

I have the same size wheels and tyres on my 1.5tsi ACT dsg, 19 reg. I went for this spec also for comfort with the higher tyre wall running with 205/55 16's. I wouldn't consider my car to have a firm/bumpy ride, as it doesn't have a sports orientated suspension set up. I'd first check your tyre pressures, mine are all set at 32psi (read 35psi), then check all your tyres have the same speed & load ratings, too. As the cheaper type XL rated tyres can give you a firmer ride feel. Then tyre choice/brand would also make a difference with side wall comfort, too. 

Hi, what do you mean by 32psi (read 35psi)?

3 hours ago, KyleT said:

Hi, what do you mean by 32psi (read 35psi)?

 

Some owners use those small 12V electric pumps that you plug into the cigarette lighter socket.

 

When you unscrew them from the valve after they've put some air in the tyres, they lose quite a bit of air, perhaps about 3psi.

 

So some owners using those electric pumps will overinflate their tyres by 3psi so that their tyres end up at about the right pressure.

 

However, it's more accurate to overinflate and then reduce the air pressure to the correct level using a tyre pressure gauge with an air bleed valve.

On 26/05/2023 at 23:28, KyleT said:

Hi, what do you mean by 32psi (read 35psi)?

I have a 12v air compressor at home (infact I have 3), I inflate tyres to roughly 35psi (as read on compressor), by the time I've disconnected the valves, lost a bit of air doing so, then rechecked pressures with a manual tyre pressure guage they then read 32psi. The compressor gauge was only a rough guide to their actual pressures. I always put a few psi in extra to allow for this if inflating from home. 

You could also have fluctuations of readings due to outside air temperatures, as much as a 3 psi difference between summer and winter tyre pressure readings. As I always have to recheck mine over the winter months. 

Edited 28 May, 20233 yr by Phoenixboy

Checking pressure middle of the afternoon when the car has been exposed to the sun will make a difference too. The tyres facing the sun will be artificially high. Best time to check is any time that the car has been in a steady state. Be that in shade, overnight or driving for a while. Just need the tyres to be all the same.

On the subject of shocks. The idea that new shocks will make the ride firmer is not necessarily true. They may make it firmer but they also will definitely make it smoother if replacing worn shocks. It's also a massively subjective point. One persons firm is another persons supportive.

The springs also make a big difference. Matching shocks and springs to each other and also to the drivers expectations is a minefield. 

I've got a 2014 1.4tsi estate, owned from new, on a fairly low 95k km with original suspension parts and 17 inch wheels.

OEM tyres were Dunlop Sportsmaxx, pretty good and consistent through their 40k km life.

Replaced with Michelin Premacy which lasted near 50k km and for the last 10k km the ride felt as though it was deteriorating, so much so I thought a suspension component might be at issue.

A few weeks ago I fitted Continental tyres and the car's formerly excellent ride (imo) was restored.

Long story short, is that the tyres can make a substantial difference.

 

I run my tyres at 37psi, which is a bit higher than recommended, for various reasons:

• safer emergency braking as the higher pressure allows the front tyres to resist load deformation. 
• don't have to worry about raising the pressures if you offer some larger friends a lift.
• a little better fuel economy
• I like the car's ride and handling characteristics at that pressure.

 

A very remote possibility for your experiencing such a poor ride is that the transport blocks were not removed on the, when new, pre-delivery inspection.

Most incidents of transport blocks in place that have been posted on Briskoda have obviously been with brand new cars, since the ride is reportedly near intolerable, but there has been at least one post concerning a second hand car. 

To check, you jack up the front as if to change the front tyre so that the suspension droops, if that reveals some brightly coloured blocks on the suspension, then they need to be removed. Check both sides at the front, they would not have been fitted to the rear suspension.

As I say, it is extremely unlikely to have been undiscovered for so long, but it costs nothing to check other than a bit of time and effort.

Edited 28 May, 20233 yr by Gerrycan
grammar

Yeah I’m not convinced of the tyres on the car tbh. The front two are autogreen sportchasers but one of them has 205/55Z/R16 on them. Not sure what the Z means and the back two tyres are 1 x Goodyear and 1 x triangle sportex?

 

they’ve all got about 4mm on them. Thinking of just replacing all 4 for some decent tyres. 

Edited 28 May, 20233 yr by KyleT

Interesting.   Maybe fun to be had in the wet or cold, or even a dry sunny surface.

Autogreen Sport Chasers as you might buy at Halfords for much cheapness.

Which means nothing,  as for a Triangle Sportex. 

 

59 minutes ago, KyleT said:

The front two are autogreen sportchasers but one of them has 205/55ZR16 on them.

 

Z speed rating isn't used much nowadays, as it's been largely replaced with W and Y speed ratings.

 

Z means over 240km/h (150mph)

W means up to 270km/h (168mph)

Y means up to 300km/h (186mph)

 

Over-specifying tyres, such as fitting a higher speed rating than you need, and/or XL (eXtra Load) if you only need SL (Standard Load), can make the ride harder.

 

I doubt you need more than an H speed rating (up to 130mph) or more than a 91 (615kg) SL tyre for an Octavia MK3 110HP.

 

Some good 205/55R16 91H all-season tyres with soft and flexible sidewalls should help the ride comfort, such as Vredestein Quatrac. Other good brands of all-season tyres include Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Hankook, Michelin, Vredestein, etc. See tyrereviews for the latest reviews. However,  Vredestein Quatrac 6 aren't available in sizes above 16" except for 225/45R17 and 225/50R17. Therefore, most tyre reviews above 16" don't include the excellent Vredestein Quatrac 6.

 

Vredestein Quatrac 6 205/55R16 91H

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m139b0s8003p202103/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac_6_205_55_R16_91H_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_70dB

 

Edited 28 May, 20233 yr by Carlston

Skoda fitted Dunlop Sport Maxx 205/40 ZR 17's as OE to Mk2 Fabia vRS.   As to the ride and longevity that was / is an issue.

When owners had pulling to the left issues with those or the Continentals the answer eventually was to fit the Pirelli Zero Nero XL's with crap grip but they disguised the pulling to the left, but were skittery and you really need to reduce the steering assist.

Edited 28 May, 20233 yr by toot

I'd be swapping those out for 4 of the same of pretty much anything. 

5 hours ago, Carlston said:

 

Z speed rating isn't used much nowadays, as it's been largely replaced with W and Y speed ratings.

 

Z means over 240km/h (150mph)

W means up to 270km/h (168mph)

Y means up to 300km/h (186mph)

 

Over-specifying tyres, such as fitting a higher speed rating than you need, and/or XL (eXtra Load) if you only need SL (Standard Load), can make the ride harder.

 

I doubt you need more than an H speed rating (up to 130mph) or more than a 91 (615kg) SL tyre for an Octavia MK3 110HP.

 

Some good 205/55R16 91H all-season tyres with soft and flexible sidewalls should help the ride comfort, such as Vredestein Quatrac. Other good brands of all-season tyres include Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Hankook, Michelin, Vredestein, etc. See tyrereviews for the latest reviews. However,  Vredestein Quatrac 6 aren't available in sizes above 16" except for 225/45R17 and 225/50R17. Therefore, most tyre reviews above 16" don't include the excellent Vredestein Quatrac 6.

 

Vredestein Quatrac 6 205/55R16 91H

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m139b0s8003p202103/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac_6_205_55_R16_91H_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_70dB

 

Out of curiosity what makes the Vredestein tyres excellent? And will any tyre garage happily fit tires that I bring to them rather than using their stock?

17 hours ago, KyleT said:

Out of curiosity what makes the Vredestein tyres excellent? And will any tyre garage happily fit tires that I bring to them rather than using their stock?

 

Wet stopping distance

Quatrac 47.1m

CrossClimate 49.2m (4.5% longer braking distance)

 

Wet lap average speed

Quatrac 46.3mph

CrossClimate 44.6mph (3.7% slower speed)

 

Fuel consumption

Quatrac 50.8mpg

CrossClimate 49.8mpg (2% less mpg)

 

2022 all-season tyre review (195/55R16 tyre size)

https://www.tyrereviews.com/Article/2022-Auto-Bild-All-Season-Tyre-Test.htm

 

Before you purchase tyres online, I suggest you get a list of local tyre fitters that don't have a problem fitting tyres that you have purchased online.

 

You could try websites that sell car tyres online, such as camskill, blackcircles, mytyres, etc. to see if they have a list of tyre fitters in the UK who are willing to fit tyres that you have purchased online. You could also try mobile tyre fitters that come round to your house or place of work in their van.

 

Edited 29 May, 20233 yr by Carlston

Only way to find out for sure is to ask. Many good places will order in too. Just and have a chat.

BlackCircle & ATS Euromaster are owned by Michelin.

 

Asda Tyres, BlackCircles and others all have local tyre fitters as choices when you buy tyres,  choices delivered or fitted. 

Halfords Tyre centres are all a bit of a mystery when it comes to checking on-line, or at the Tyre Centres they have taken over.

The computer might say no, and the Centre staff say yes.

 

The UK is not a place difficult to get tyres fitted.

Tyres and Exhaust Centres might well be able to offer the tyres fitted cheaper than the Online price, and with ATS Euromaster often they are fitting tyres that you order from BlackCircles cheaper than they can quote you buying from them if you stand at the desk and ask the price of tyres. 

Edited 29 May, 20233 yr by toot

Just wanted to update the thread. Went to a new local garage and had a chat with them. Ended up fitting 4 new Bridgestone Turanza A005’s. Ride quality and noise levels have improved slightly but not as much as I was hoping. Though I will say that I checked what pressure they put into the tyres. They for some reason have some 37 psi in the fronts and 35psi in the rear. Is this normal? Seems strange to me. Filler cap shows 2.1 bar (30psi) to 2.4 bar (34psi). 

It is normal that they do not know or care or love / cherish the customers and their habits and use of the vehicles.

 

So set your own tyre pressures because you know how you use your car, and reset the TPMS. 

2 hours ago, KyleT said:

They for some reason have some 37 psi in the fronts and 35psi in the rear. Is this normal? Seems strange to me. Filler cap shows 2.1 bar (30psi) to 2.4 bar (34psi).

 

The way I read the filler cap table is : Standard load 2.1/2.1bar Front/Rear. Eco 2.4/2.4bar Front/Rear. Heavy load 2.5bar Front / 3.2bar Rear. Hoping that is correct.

 

I had mine inflated to ECO pressures for about a year but noticed that the centre track was wearing more quickly that the edges ( over-inflation ) so I now keep them on Standard pressures. Generally only me in the car with little or no extra load in the boot.

Edited 2 June, 20233 yr by Gammyleg
Final sentence added