Just changed our 2014 Mk 3 4x4 Tour de France for a 2023 Mk4 4x4 SE 2.0l diesel (multilink rear suspension). The handling on the old car was great, even at 12 years old, but the new version wallows around, and bottoms out and crashes on the uneven and potholed local roads where the old one didn't and just sailed through them. Really quite disappointed and it seems to be a common complaint, so I am after recommendations - don't want to have it too harsh, or necessarily to lower it, just want it to handle properly and not wallow and crash around! Bilstein B4 seems to be commonly recommended, but seems to be aimed more at OE replacement rather than upgrade, and am I as well also changing springs or other elements as well?

Anyone any thoughts!?

2 hours ago, iannwright said:

Anyone any thoughts!?

Is it a hatchback or estate?

Is it the 150PS version?

Does it have DCC (electronically regulated) shock absorbers?

Does it have lowered ride height, standard ride height or increased ride height?

What springs and shock absorbers does it use?

"skoda parts com" can be used to find these parts by parking the car in the online garage using its VIN number...then when the springs and shock absorbers are searched for, only the correct ones are shown.

An alternative to using "skoda parts com" is to obtain the car's build codes. There's a seller on ebay that sells the build codes for 3.30 Euros (about £2.80). Search "skoda vin decoder" on ebay.it (the Italian version of ebay) to find the listing.

A build code is made up of 3 letters and/or numbers. The car might have around 180 of them, so there are a lot. Each build code tells you something about what the car was fitted with in the factory. By referring to the build codes and the Skoda parts catalogue, it's often possible to work out what springs and shock absorbers the car left the factory with.

Search "skoda vin decoder" on ebay.it (the Italian version of ebay) to find this listing

https://www.ebay.it/itm/226517872578

If it's an Octavia MK4 2.0TDI 150PS 4x4 estate, the springs might be 5Q0411105GM or 5Q0411105GN front and 5Q0511115BJ rear...based on the Kilen and gknautomotive online spring catalogues.

If the car is standard ride height, one option is to fit Bilstein B6 shock absorbers. These cost about £650 for all four shock absorbers, plus the fitting cost. Bilstein B6 shock absorbers have a superior mono-tube design, which is more expensive than the standard twin-tube design...hence their superior performance.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by Carlston

I sometimes find the same floatiness bothering me, especially after driving another car. It feels like there's unnecessary rebound when moving slow speed over obstacles - and it gets less bothersome the higher the speed. That's why I inquired in the past for experiences on suspension upgrades. I have no clue if B4 is enough an upgrade for it - I'd like to hear about it if someone did replace them on all corners.

I think there are two upgrade options. One is B6, which can be installed on the factory springs. Some users have installed them and report good results, albeit they have done it with lowering springs. They report a bit stiffer ride over small bumps, but more controlled ride. Check it out here: https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/540037-suspension-upgrades-for-sel-combi/

and

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/531268-suspension-upgrade-on-octavia-mk4/

Ps, there are some reports that the B6 can increase the ride height a bit, since they use the mono tube design (in the front), and run with higher internal gas pressures than standard shocks.

The other option is Koni Special Actives, which are said to stiffen up the suspension, rather than let it wallow on corners or speed bumps, and make it softer for sharp bumps/holes. I have yet to see anyone install them on MK4 Octavia, however, there are some reviews for them for Superb mk3 and Oct mk3. Some find them nice, others think they are not consistent or not sporty enough.

You having the 4x4 setup are blessed with multi link suspension, so I'd be more inclined to upgrade suspension rather than sell and move to another model. I, as yourself, am not necessarily willing to sacrifice rise height for improved suspension performance. If one is set on lowering it, then there are lots of coilover options that I'm sure can improve the ride without necessarily worsening the comfort.

Let us know if you do any suspension work!

Edited 47 minutes ago47 min by 386ka