Hello, this is my first (other than introduction) post.

I have a 2016 Octavia 3 wagon SEL spec. 1.6 tdi DSG

I have to change the shocks soon, I'm going to fit Bilsteins.

I would like to change the springs at the same time, however rather than looking to lower my ride I wish to RAISE it slightly,10-15mm ish, but don't want it looking 'odd'

Several reasons, large ramp on my driveway entrance and an aging back and knees that would like a less low seat to get out of.

I'm also looking for a comfort rather than performance ride.

Can anyone help on navigating spring heights and rates ? I'd like to know what I have on my car (OEM) as a start, where would I find such info ?

Thanks awfully. Chris.

The best way to improve the ride is to use tyres with more sidewall height such as 195/65R15 and 205/55R16 instead of 225/45R17 and 225/40R18...rather than fitting springs that are too soft.

Notice below, that the increased ride height springs are slightly stiffer than the standard ride height springs (ie. 0.25mm thicker wire diameter). This is to help compensate for the car's increased centre of gravity and associated tendency to roll more in corners.

FRONT SPRINGS (for Octavia MK3 1.6TDI DSG estate FWD)

Standard ride height front springs 5Q0411105GK

Length 315mm

Wire diameter 12.00mm

Increased ride height front springs 5Q0411105HN

Length 332mm

Wire diameter 12.25mm

REAR SPRINGS (for Octavia MK3 1.6TDI DSG estate FWD)

Standard ride height rear springs 5Q0511121AD

Length 348mm

Wire diameter 10.75mm

Increased ride height rear springs 5Q0511121BD

Length 361mm

Wire diameter 11.00mm

Some increased ride height front springs (matching 5Q0411105HN)

Kilen 23132

KYB RA1122

Lesjofors 4085733

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/5q0411105hn?supplier%5B%5D=246&supplier%5B%5D=85&supplier%5B%5D=253

Some increased ride height rear springs (matching 5Q0511121BD)

Kilen 63141

KYB RA7155

Lesjofors 4285742

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/5q0511121bd?supplier%5B%5D=253&supplier%5B%5D=85&supplier%5B%5D=246

Edited 25 March25 Mar by Carlston

Excellent information Carlston thank you,

I hear what you say about tyres and I did this on my previous Qashqai, 65 profile instead of the factory 60

and that had a great effect however, there was loads of room in the wheel arch and to the struts.

I looked at doing this to the Octavia and was worried there wasn't much clearance in any direction but am open to doing this if it can work

I currently have the 17" wheels with 225/45/17 tyres.

Thanks again for the spring information, lots to consider now

Chris

2 hours ago, Carlston said:

The best way to improve the ride is to use tyres with more sidewall height such as 195/65R15 and 205/55R16 instead of 225/45R17 and 225/40R18...rather than fitting springs that are too soft.

Notice below, that the increased ride height springs are slightly stiffer than the standard ride height springs (ie. 0.25mm thicker wire diameter). This is to help compensate for the car's increased centre of gravity and associated tendency to roll more in corners.

FRONT SPRINGS (for Octavia MK3 1.6TDI DSG estate FWD)

Standard ride height 5Q0411105GK

Length 315mm

Wire diameter 12.00mm

Increased ride height 5Q0411105HN

Length 332mm

Wire diameter 12.25mm

REAR SPRINGS (for Octavia MK3 1.6TDI DSG estate FWD)

Standard ride height rear springs 5Q0511121AD

Length 348mm

Wire diameter 10.75mm

Increased ride height rear springs 5Q0511121BD

Length 361mm

Wire diameter 11.00mm

Some increased ride height front springs (matching 5Q0411105HN)

Kilen 23132

KYB RA1122

Lesjofors 4085733

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/5q0411105hn?supplier%5B%5D=246&supplier%5B%5D=85&supplier%5B%5D=253

Some increased ride height rear springs (matching 5Q0511121BD)

Kilen 63141

KYB RA7155

Lesjofors 4285742

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/5q0511121bd?supplier%5B%5D=253&supplier%5B%5D=85&supplier%5B%5D=246

Hi Carlston, do you have any advice on spring makers, years ago I replaced 4 on a Zafira with cheapies from Eurocarparts (the german ones I wanted were out of stock) they were so soft they bottomed out all the time.

I don't recognise any of these makers, which are the 'good' ones ?

Chris, those in the Octavia section, with 'Octavia Mk3', 'Octavia Guides' and 'Octavia Projects' forums will have experience on this, plus more info in the 'Performance & Tuning' section on this site.

Carlston beat me to it if possibly I would reduce the size of the wheels to as small as possible personally even in 2007 wheels and tyres were oversized by car manufacturers, I'd have 14" steel wheels if they fit over the brakes and enough air to brakes with much more sidewall 'rubber', this combination would also be more practical for our 3rd-world roads.

Also different makes and models of tyres of the same size will ride differently so give different ride qualities.

Some websites for tyre info and there's a 'Tyres & Wheels' forum on this site too.

'Wheel-Size.com' shows the wheel alternatives to factory cars - https://www.wheel-size.com/size/skoda/octavia/2016/#region-eudm

'TireSize.Com', compare different tyre sizes. - https://tiresize.com/tyre-size-calculator/

'willtheyfit.com', to get an idea of what might fit when changing wheel and tyre sizes. - https://www.willtheyfit.com/

'Tyres & Wheels' forum on this site. - https://www.briskoda.net/forums/forum/213-tyres-wheels/

Check out which Bilstein dampers or other dampers might be best for you, as for raising springs are you sure the current springs, dampers, suspension hasn't dropped from factory ride height and if getting back to that might be enough.

One way to measure ride height is to measure from the centre of the wheel hub to the wheel arch lip on the wings and compare side to side on your car (there's always some differences) and against factory new or other same model and year with fresh(er) factory type suspension.

HTH.

2 hours ago, Caustic-Chris said:

Hi Carlston, do you have any advice on spring makers, years ago I replaced 4 on a Zafira with cheapies from Eurocarparts (the german ones I wanted were out of stock) they were so soft they bottomed out all the time.

I don't recognise any of these makers, which are the 'good' ones ?

For aftermarket springs matching 5Q0411105HN and 5Q0511121BD I would shortlist Kilen/Lesjofors and KYB.

Kilen and Lesjofors are the same springs, just sold under two different brand names. They are made in a modern factory in Sweden, and are the biggest manufacturer of aftermarket car springs in Europe.

KYB are from South Korea, and are also a very big player in the aftermarket car spring market.

Kilen/Lesjofors and KYB have their own online spring catalogues, as shown in the links below.

Kilen online spring catalogue

https://web.tecalliance.net/kilen/en/home

Lesjofors online spring catalogue

https://web.tecalliance.net/lesjofors/en/home

KYB online spring catalogue

https://kyb-europe.com/catalogue/

Edited 25 March25 Mar by Carlston

Hi HTH, thats some good advice there.

Nice to know there are Swedish springs available. I'm sure the Korean ones are quality too but Sweden is closer to home

You have been very very helpful, thank you ever so much

55 minutes ago, Caustic-Chris said:

Hi HTH, thats some good advice there.

Thanks. Sorry, HTH means Hope That Helps, (internet?, text? jargon abbreviation). I'm either Nigel or nta16.

Pity the road springs are no longer made of real steel and last many decades instead of years, but such is progress (and saving fractions at production).

Not sure if this has been mentioned already, but different height springs also have different compression rates. Lowering springs tend to have a higher spring/compression rate (stiffer), while longer travelling springs tend to be... longer travelling... and thus are much softer. This may be desired if you are off-roading the car, but I'm not sure it will be the effect you want on the road. Yes, you can of course stick on higher springs that are thicker, or a narrower coil, but this will defeat the object.

Similarly, as you can maybe imagine, lowering springs (being stiffer) often shorten the life of stock dampers, as said shocks are not designed to work with higher compression springs. I would take an educated guess that if this occurs with the lesser work required by lowering springs, then the increased workload demanded by higher travel, softer springs, will kill the shocks even faster.

It might be worth first looking at a larger sidewall. I doubt you'll get much change out of £1600 for an aftermarket spring/shock setup, unless you do it yourself).

I have a 20 plate Octavia 1.5tsi SEL dsg estate, I put standard mk3 facelift 16" wheels on with 205/55 16 tyres, took the 17s off for comfort. It makes a marginal difference, plus there's a bigger choice of tyres & they're cheaper. Plus you have a bit more side wall protection against potholes. I'm not interested within the vanity side of bigger wheels, prefer more comfort.

Edited 31 March31 Mar by Phoenixboy

Yes this is what I will probably do I really don't need sports anything on my car ;)

On 29/03/2026 at 23:39, OccyVRS said:

Not sure if this has been mentioned already, but different height springs also have different compression rates. Lowering springs tend to have a higher spring/compression rate (stiffer), while longer travelling springs tend to be... longer travelling... and thus are much softer. This may be desired if you are off-roading the car, but I'm not sure it will be the effect you want on the road. Yes, you can of course stick on higher springs that are thicker, or a narrower coil, but this will defeat the object.

Similarly, as you can maybe imagine, lowering springs (being stiffer) often shorten the life of stock dampers, as said shocks are not designed to work with higher compression springs. I would take an educated guess that if this occurs with the lesser work required by lowering springs, then the increased workload demanded by higher travel, softer springs, will kill the shocks even faster.

It might be worth first looking at a larger sidewall. I doubt you'll get much change out of £1600 for an aftermarket spring/shock setup, unless you do it yourself).

The extra height was also to help aged knees, the car sits very low, every few mm helps :)

Some pin go-faster stripes and platform shoes will help the car with performance and you with your knees plus you're ready for any discos going on. Three things solved at once and no need to consult AI either.

Hehe yes, the oldest swinger in town, I've got some platforms somewhere....ah, I left them in the boot of the Capri when it was crushed ;)