Hello,

 

Looking for more comfort from my 2007 Petrol VRS estate.  What are the implications if I e.g. got standard octavia (non-VRS) shocks and springs - ride height would be increased presumably, other components (suspension arms etc) seem to be common comparing parts lists (e.g. autodoc, ECP) for different models?

 

E.g. like the below, or is there some other implications I am missing?

Front

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bilstein/633023

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bilstein/633355

 

Rear

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bilstein/638608

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bilstein/636627

 

Not too concerned about handling to be pushing it anymore, just looking for impoved ride quality as I'm getting tired of the harsh ride but otherwise don't want to have to replace the car!

 

Any advice appreciated!

 

The Octavia MK2 with 280x22mm front brake discs use front shock absorbers with 50mm struts.

 

The Octavia MK2 with 288x25mm or 312x25mm front brake discs use front shock absorbers with 55mm struts.

 

As the Octavia MK2 VRS uses 312x25mm front brake discs, you need front shock absorbers with 55mm struts.

 

The Octavia MK2 VRS uses different front springs depending on whether it has a manual gearbox or an automatic DSG gearbox.

 

Edited 9 June, 20233 yr by Carlston

Thanks for that,

 

Yea noted there were two different strut diameters so that's one thing.

 

See now that there are a few options for springs so will need to do a bit more digging. Hoping I can match up a set of springs + dampers that would have been on a closely equivalent non-VRS version of the car - e.g. a 1.8TSI, manual, estate.

 

Other components seem to be common between VRS and non-VRS.

 

 

what size wheels are you running as you might also consider fitting some 16" wheels to improve ride comfort

8 hours ago, SCSVrs said:

Thanks for that,

 

Yea noted there were two different strut diameters so that's one thing.

 

See now that there are a few options for springs so will need to do a bit more digging. Hoping I can match up a set of springs + dampers that would have been on a closely equivalent non-VRS version of the car - e.g. a 1.8TSI, manual, estate.

 

Other components seem to be common between VRS and non-VRS.

 

Have you got a manual or DSG gearbox? The DSG gearbox model uses stiffer front springs.

 

Have you got a towbar? The towbar model uses stiffer rear springs.

Currently on 17" wheels, so yea could change to 16".

 

Found the various spring types and using tecalliance.net believe I have managed to identify the relevant ones. Mine is a manual with towbar btw.

 

Front

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bilstein/7617653

Rear

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bilstein/9636340

 

As for the shocks as stated earlier 55mm struts needed, non-sports verson. Are there different rear shocks between VRS and non-VRS? Looks to be common?

Front

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bilstein/633356

Rear

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bilstein/638608

2 hours ago, SCSVrs said:

Found the various spring types and using tecalliance.net believe I have managed to identify the relevant ones. Mine is a manual with towbar btw.

 

Front

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bilstein/7617653

Rear

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bilstein/9636340

 

Bilstein 36-241583 is sold to replace more than one OEM part number, ie. 1K0411105AQ and 1K0411105HJ. You therefore don't know which OEM part number this spring matches. It might not be the same spring as 1K0411105AQ. For this reason, I would look for another spring such as Kilen 25061 which is available on ebay for about £28 each.

 

Bilstein 36-264087 is sold to replace more than one OEM part number, ie. 1K0511115BG, 1K0511115GP, and 3C0511115AB. You therefore don't know which OEM part number this spring matches. It might not be the same spring as 1K0511115BG. For this reason, I would look for another spring such as Kilen 63118 which is available on ebay for about £28 each.

 

Octavia MK2 estate 1.9TDI, front wheel drive, manual gearbox, with towbar

Standard ride height front springs 1K0411105AQ

Standard ride height rear springs 1K0511115BG

 

Have you considered using standard ride height springs with your current VRS shock absorbers?

 

Edited 9 June, 20233 yr by Carlston

Ok thanks, makes sense on springs.

 

For the rears will just change the springs, for the fronts I want to replace the shock and mount anyway if I'm replacing the springs. Also my assumption was that there would be a difference in shock spec between the vrs and non vrs so wanted to match them up.

On 09/06/2023 at 22:22, SCSVrs said:

As for the shocks as stated earlier 55mm struts needed, non-sports version. Are there different rear shocks between VRS and non-VRS? Looks to be common?

Bilstein 22-131614 front shock absorbers

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bilstein/633356

Bilstein 19-127439 rear shock absorbers

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bilstein/638608

 

The Bilstein 22-131614 front shock absorbers that you linked to are incorrect for your 1K0411105AQ front springs. You need front shock absorbers that are sold to replace OEM part number 1T0413031HN, such as Bilstein 22-183729.

 

The Bilstein 19-127439 rear shock absorbers that you linked to are incorrect for your 1K0511115BG rear springs. You need rear shock absorbers that are sold to replace OEM part number 1K0513029ER, such as Bilstein 19-183749.

 

Bilstein 22-183729 front shock absorbers (sold to replace 1T0413031HN)

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bilstein/1043473

 

Bilstein 19-183749 rear shock absorbers (sold to replace 1K0513029ER)

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bilstein/633905

 

On the Octavia MK2, when changing from lowered ride height front springs to standard ride height front springs you need to change the 55mm front buffers to 70mm front buffers, as shown in the photo below.

 

On the Octavia MK2, when changing from lowered ride height rear springs to standard ride height rear springs you need to change the 118mm rear buffers to 133mm rear buffers, as shown in the photo below.

 

Octavia MK2 70mm front buffers (for standard ride height)

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/topran/2725189

 

Octavia MK2 133mm rear buffers (for standard ride height)

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/topran/7066868

 

Edited 15 June, 20232 yr by Carlston

Thanks again for all the detailed info - I did manage to identify and order the shocks, bumps and covers (which fortunately do align with what you have suggested 😀).

 

Will hopefully get to fitting it all in the next few weeks!