VRS Wagon in Primer

[C_B]

Hi,

 

New here, posted this in the intro forum but I probably should have looked at the number of views and replies to previous threads in there before asking so many questions!

 

I have agreed a deal to purchase a MK3 VRS 245 to replace my F80 M3 with a more sensible and potentially less ruinous family car! We also now have a dog to cart around.

 

I wanted a grey DSG car and my must haves were the bigger wheels and heated seats. In the end I found a car with the winter and convenience packs and the canton upgrade.

 

Here are my questions for you knowledgeable lot

• The gloss black centre console around the gearstick looks like it had a previous life as a shield in the middle ages, is this easy to replace and dont suppose anyone has the parts number?
• My first job will be to retro fit a reversing camera, I found the very helpful guide but the link was to a camera for the saloon not estate. Anyone have a link to the right camera for the Wagon? I am happy to go with an Ali express special
• I am fond of having a fast road setup one on my cars, I find the extra camber really sharpens up the handling at the cost of a little tyre wear. Anyone any experience with this and the parts needed to achieve?
• Does the fancy diff need servicing, when and would you trust a dealer to do it? I find the skoda service schedule very generic and not really considerate of the special parts like DSG and diff on this car.

 

Plans will be minimal, but I like how these look with the stance improved so spacers and springs and some black badges will probably be the limit. Plus a machine polish and ceramic coating.

 

Its a while since I had a FWD car and I was impressed at how it got the power down, my last big power FWD car was a focus ST 225 running about 260 BHP and it had a lot of axel tramp. I would remap if I felt it would not ruin this aspect and get the power down ok, what are peoples experiences?

[Ootohere]

Welcome.

 

Is there a record of the VAQ Front diff serviced each 3 years / 30,000 miles, 

& the DQ250 DSG each 40,000 miles.

 

The 'Factory Trained' Skoda Main Dealers certainly should be able to service them properly.   

If you do not trust them then use who you do trust.  As long as they know what they are doing and when Servicing and Maintenance is required.

[Paws4Thot]

53 minutes ago, C_B said:

my last big power FWD car was a focus ST 225 running about 260 BHP and it had a lot of axel tramp.

I wasn't aware that the Ford ASBO was an accomplished figure skater.

[C_B]

3 hours ago, Ootohere said:

Welcome.

 

Is there a record of the VAQ Front diff serviced each 3 years / 30,000 miles, 

& the DQ250 DSG each 40,000 miles.

 

The 'Factory Trained' Skoda Main Dealers certainly should be able to service them properly.   

If you do not trust them then use who you do trust.  As long as they know what they are doing and when Servicing and Maintenance is required.

 

Thanks, of the approx 10 cars I looked at, I have not found evidence of a single one having the diff serviced and these all had FMSH. Its like the skoda dealers dont know to do it so that doesnt fill me with confidence of their competency at it either. I know awesome gti recommend 30k, I've read 40k in some places and it never needs servicing in others. Would love an official line from skoda.

[varaderoguy]

Depending on the age of the Octy VRS, then yes, servicing will need to be done.

3 hours ago, C_B said:

• The gloss black centre console around the gearstick looks like it had a previous life as a shield in the middle ages, is this easy to replace and dont suppose anyone has the parts number?

The part number will be on the underside of the plastic part.

• My first job will be to retro fit a reversing camera, I found the very helpful guide but the link was to a camera for the saloon not estate. Anyone have a link to the right camera for the Wagon? I am happy to go with an Ali express special

It all depends. If you plan to keep the car long term then I would spend out the extra on a genuine camera. For an estate, you can get the camera to also be connected into the rear wash/wiper to clean the lens on the go.

• I am fond of having a fast road setup one on my cars, I find the extra camber really sharpens up the handling at the cost of a little tyre wear. Anyone any experience with this and the parts needed to achieve?

First things first, get a proper 4 wheel alignment done at a Skoda Garage (because Skoda Garages have the proper alignment setups). The VRSs all have very direct and quick turning, so you may not need to do anything to improve it.

• Does the fancy diff need servicing, when and would you trust a dealer to do it? I find the skoda service schedule very generic and not really considerate of the special parts like DSG and diff on this car.

The fancy front torque diff is a cool piece of kit; yes it needs servicing though. Yes, use a Skoda dealer or VAG specialist to service it as appropriate. Should be done every 30k miles if I remember correctly.

 

[gs86]

The diff does need servicing. I've just done mine myself, it's fairly easy to do if you're handy with a spanner.

 

As far as the Reversing camera goes I've fitted the exact same one from Ali on my mk3 saloon and my current estate. Doesn't make a difference. 

 

I'm not sure if you can buy the centre console part separately (you probably can somewhere for a stupid amount) but unless there's really deep scratches it's nothing some cutting compound and either a mini polisher or some elbow grease can't fix. 

[Hilly81]

11 hours ago, C_B said:

Hi,

 

New here, posted this in the intro forum but I probably should have looked at the number of views and replies to previous threads in there before asking so many questions!

 

I have agreed a deal to purchase a MK3 VRS 245 to replace my F80 M3 with a more sensible and potentially less ruinous family car! We also now have a dog to cart around.

 

I wanted a grey DSG car and my must haves were the bigger wheels and heated seats. In the end I found a car with the winter and convenience packs and the canton upgrade.

 

Here are my questions for you knowledgeable lot

• The gloss black centre console around the gearstick looks like it had a previous life as a shield in the middle ages, is this easy to replace and dont suppose anyone has the parts number?
• My first job will be to retro fit a reversing camera, I found the very helpful guide but the link was to a camera for the saloon not estate. Anyone have a link to the right camera for the Wagon? I am happy to go with an Ali express special
• I am fond of having a fast road setup one on my cars, I find the extra camber really sharpens up the handling at the cost of a little tyre wear. Anyone any experience with this and the parts needed to achieve?
• Does the fancy diff need servicing, when and would you trust a dealer to do it? I find the skoda service schedule very generic and not really considerate of the special parts like DSG and diff on this car.

 

Plans will be minimal, but I like how these look with the stance improved so spacers and springs and some black badges will probably be the limit. Plus a machine polish and ceramic coating.

 

Its a while since I had a FWD car and I was impressed at how it got the power down, my last big power FWD car was a focus ST 225 running about 260 BHP and it had a lot of axel tramp. I would remap if I felt it would not ruin this aspect and get the power down ok, what are peoples experiences?

I bought my VRS 245 estate almost a year ago to the day. First thing I did was a full service including the Diff. The Diff oil is pretty pricey, make sure the filter is removed and cleaned. I’d get the DSG done as well. Mine is the DQ381 which I think is scheduled for an oil and filter change at 80k but my VAG specialist recommends 40k. Mine is overdue and being done in 2 weeks. 
 

Mine has the carbon effect centre console and is pretty scratched as well. I’ll give it some attention at some point. I’ve also toyed with the idea of doing the reverse camera but not got round to it yet. 
 

Im having Eibach pro springs with full geometry, fast road setup etc done in July and also stage 1 ECU & TCU map. These map really well by all accounts and make good power with just the map. Ive also added turbo elbow, intake pipe and DIY air intake mod. I absolutely love mine. It’s quick enough, not hideous (but not great) on fuel, really comfortable and fits an enormous amount of things, people, kids, and dogs in it. 

[vrs'burks]

12 hours ago, C_B said:

I am fond of having a fast road setup one on my cars, I find the extra camber really sharpens up the handling at the cost of a little tyre wear. Anyone any experience with this and the parts needed to achieve

I think these are one of the only options other than going full coilover with adjustable top mounts -https://progressiveparts.com/product/superpro-vag-mqb-offset-strut-camber-mounts-front-trc5000

 

My 245 is running 310 now. . In the wet/damp/greasy its useless to try and get all the power down. . .

 

Dogbone inserts help alot with wheel hop - I have the racingline twin piece version fitted - https://www.racingline.com/mqb-dogbone-insert-engine-mounts

[Ads230]

On 25/04/2024 at 22:03, vrs'burks said:

Dogbone inserts help alot with wheel hop - I have the racingline twin piece version fitted - https://www.racingline.com/mqb-dogbone-insert-engine-mounts

Absolutely +1 on this, even by stock standards, the original setup tramps considerably 😬😬😬.

 

For the sake of variety, I went with the offering from 034 Motorsport of Upper & Lower (make sure you check which factory version of lower mount you have before ordering - versions 1 or 2).

[C_B]

I have never fitted a dogbone, does it diminish the comfort level of the car much? I want the car to remain family friendly.

[Ads230]

Tends to increase Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH) very slightly, but it's pretty minimal and would get used to it pretty quickly. As it's the lower engine mount, you'd feel very slightly more vibration through your feet within front seats - doubt anything in the back, and minimal increase in noise. It's also totally replaceable, so if you don't get on with it, you can fit the old one back in (with a brand new bolt). 

[Hilly81]

**Adds Dogbone Mount to list of future mods...