Hi, I'm seriously considering buying a Octavia VRS to match the wife's Fabia VRS!!

I've had a couple of Focus ST3's (courtesy of staff discount), which are nice, if thirsty cars, but I really miss the fun of modifying (previously had two uber Saabs), which I can't do with a car that I only keep for nine months. Also, it'd be handy to have a car with a bit more room and one that was a tad less thirsty - I'm on a 22.6mpg average at present and it's not easy to get 30mpg on a motorway run!

I know how good the Octavia engine is, having got a similar one, albeit with the KE04 turbo in the Elise.

What I'd be really interested to know is what the Octy is like as an ownership proposition? Are they comfortable, do they handle reasonably well in standard trim, what are the brakes like? Does the trim level vary and if so, are some years better than others?

I expect I'd find the std car a little lacking in shove - I find the same with the ST. Presumably you guys would recommend Jabbasport as the place to go? I'm assuming that re-map, air filter and some exhaust upgrades would make a good combined difference, but at what stage do you think about intercoolers, exhaust manifolds and turbos?

I've noticed one or two upgraded cars have front strut braces, so I assume this makes a big handling difference. Are there any other 'must have' suspension upgrades?

Any advice more than welcomed!!

Regards,

Jez

Get one mate, they are an excellent buy .

I've had mine 5 months now and it's the dogs danglies, everybody comments on how smart it looks and it goes like the clappers in standard guise.

Handling is perfectly acceptable for me, although I've just ordered a set of toyo 225/45/17 tyres to replace the original 205/50's so I'll see what difference that makes.

Brakes are good, only had to use in real anger a few times and apart from the pedal judder as the abs kicks in (which I'm told is normal for abs on most cars) it stops pretty quick with minimal effort.

Economy wise I get an average of 28.5mpg on my daily driving which is a lot of back roads - just did a 120 mile journey to the in-laws and got around 34 averaging 60mph all the way (and yes I was going a tad more than that mostly ).

Usually get around 330 miles to a tank which is not too bad.

Warranty wise I've had the rear wiper motor replaced (it had an eppy!) and the starter motor and secondary air pump are being done soon (spotted by dealer on service too, no problem to me), all at no cost to me:) , other than that I can't fault it.

Also it's great for burning off other knobs who try and overtake me thinking "it's only a skoda" .

Ah, another man with an Elise!!

Thanks for the feedback about the car. MPG sounds great compared to the Focus, then! I used to love suprising people in the old Saab (300bhp 9000 Aero with a lot of upgrades!) and anything less than a 911 Turbo might as well just forget it with the Elise.

How do you find the seats as I do like the really Focus leather Recaros? Am I right in thinking that all VRS's have half leather seats?

That's not my car in the piccy :( , just me driving an exige around thruxton last year .

Yeah the seats are half leather, mine have got some water marks on the cloth part now after a rainy day out - not the best design and the white carpet looks cruddy now too, although I believe you can get it changed to black for around £200 dealer price.

Seats are very comfy though .

Ok, sounds much like the Fabia VRS seats, then!

I find the handling pretty good with some bodyroll though however (although I was used to a low car kitted with full Bilstein suspension) but it makes up for it in effortless cruising and power, very good brakes (vented disks all round and 312mm stoppers up front) and good kit. Mine has some interior rattles m trying to source.

Oh, that's a damned good size for a std brake set-up, then! Are they 4 pots?

Fat single pot calipers in a rather fetching green The rears are 256mm.