Have now more or less decided on the additional mods I want to do:

- 17" alloys (not too flash) with performance tyres, use the 16" for winter tyres

- some adjustable shocks to match the lowering springs

- brakes

- the entire exhaust section

But God, I'm cringeing at the prices! Not that I can't afford all this, but Mr Sensible here can't seem to get his head around to the idea that it's value for money. So the question is - do I still want to go through with it?

These are the possible answers:

A. No, don't. If you are cringeing now, you'll be whingeing later.

B. No, don't. If you have these thoughts, then you are fooling yourself - you are not a true car nut, start dealing with it.

C. Yes, go ahead, but spread out the costs over a number of years and try to have the company shell out most of the money.

D. Yes, just do it. You only live once.

What type of personality are you?

A

A

JFDI!

You're over analysing. Just get the damn card out and spend the money. If we all examined our purchases as much as that we'd still record things on cassette, play on Ataris and drive Maxis. The term 'boys toys' (apart from sounding just a bit suspect) wasn't invented for nothing you know. Anyway, where's the fun in not having anything to hide from SWMBO? In fact I'm even slightly disappointed to hear that you can afford it.

So what's next on your list Rich ?

:rubchin:

Are the same mods cheaper here than holland.

So what's next on your list Rich ?

:rubchin:

Neon washer jets ( + 10 bhp)

Sub woofer ( + 20 bhp)

Remove Superchip ( + 50 bhp )

And I can't afford any of them...

Neon washer jets ( + 10 bhp)

Sub woofer ( + 20 bhp)

Remove Superchip ( + 50 bhp )

And I can't afford any of them...

mmmmm Neons..

Can't wait to see that lot

Mattijas,

you questioning the need to mod your car is fine...you wouldn't be a Skoda owner if you didn't think about the choices and cost....I mean...Skodas are the thinking persons (being pc ) car after all.

Been through the same thing as you about getting new wheels....18'' alloys look tres good...but existing ones are perfectly fine. May be repainting a different colour will have the same effect as well as being cheaper.

Much better to spend my dosh on uprated suspension (TBD...2 weeks and counting) and brakes (sorted).

I'd get the suspension and brakes first and then the wheels...if you really wanted them.

You just missed out on a brakes group buy and could have utilised your "sponser". If you're interested in discs and pads PM me and we can compare prices and perhaps, organise something with your sponser.

Cheers.

Adrian.

You just missed out on a brakes group buy and could have utilised your "sponser". If you're interested in discs and pads PM me and we can compare prices and perhaps, organise something with your sponser.

I'm affraid the sponsor has spend the budget for 2004 himself on expensive cars and women...

Thanks for the comments, guys. Am currently somewhere in between A and D.

Something which I failed to mention is the apprehension of spending this amount of money on what is in fact not my car - remember that it's the company car on which the money would be spent, and if the car goes, my investments would be going with them. I don't think that's overanalyzing things, Rich - unless you think "AAARGH! That much?! No thank you please!" is overanalyzing things...

Anyway, will probably go ahead with the shocks and take it from there. Another point is the fact that the shocks will stiffen up the car but that the tyres will still be poor - being a 4x4 driver means you get normal touring tyres (Michelin Pilot HX) bolted under, and they don't perform in any kind of circumstance, be it heat or snow! I guess I will just have speed up their upcoming replacement...

As for brakes, I haven't found the standard ones to be inadequate (Holland is a different territory to Britain, and I don't do trackdays) so along with the exhaust thing they would be luxury - will probably only do those if I would have this car longer.

Based on my experience, Suspension First, old suspension goes in box ready for re fitting when you sell it. Wheels only absolutely neccesary if you need bigger brakes but lower profiles might help. Try finding some s/hand wheels & getting them re-furbed. I had a set sprayed & Baked for "not a lot" on the Scoob, remember to take them in without tyres on. With a bit of "planning" your new wheels might be available just when you need new tyres therefore your firm might assist with the payment.

I bought 5 new wheels with Toyos on for

Indeed they are good, surprisingly so

Stuart - that's the plan. Suspension first, then smoke up the tyres, persuade the company to get me ten new tyres (performance, winter), and put the performance tyres on a set of (possibly refurbished) 17".

Hey, with only one service per annum (compared to two for the Scoob) I'm saving them money already!

Hey, with only one service per annum (compared to two for the Scoob) I'm saving them money already!

That's straying a little close to 'You're losing money not buying one', a term often used in this (debt ridden) household

And mines a company car too...

Neon washer jets ( + 10 bhp)

Sub woofer ( + 20 bhp)

Remove Superchip ( + 50 bhp )

And I can't afford any of them...

go for it be a man but hide the credit card statements just in case