I was talking to the head technicican (or mechanic in old money) at Benfield Skoda yesterday and he mentioned that Skoda approved lowering springs are now available for the VRs. Apparently they lower it by 30mm.

Has anyone had these fitted? They go straight on the standard dampers. I did this with my Golf V5 and it firmed up the ride and made it handle so much better but I'd worry with the VRs that the ride would be a bit too firm with shorter stiffer springs.

This was discussed a while ago and it was found that the dealer concerned had been confused with the sports suspension kit for non vRS Octaiva - could this be the same do you think?

No I don't think so Stu. I had spoken to the same technician before and he had looked up on the computer on that occasion and told me that the only lowering springs available were the VRs ones and could be fitted to other Octavias.

I happened to be at the dealers yesterday having my rear blind fitted and he mentioned that lowering springs were now available for the VRs if I was still interested.

Just had a look at some documentation I have at my disposal , Which does list -

FAA 619 001 - 1 Set Coil Spring & Shock Absorber for Sports Type Running Gear. Sedan

FAA 619 002 - Sedan

FAA 619 003 - Sedan

FAA 629 001 - Estate

FAA 629 002 - Estate

FAA 629 003 - Combi 4x4

FAA 629 004 - Estate

Not listed for the RS.

Just had a look at some documentation I have at my disposal , Which does list -

FAA 619 001 - 1 Set Coil Spring & Shock Absorber for Sports Type Running Gear. Sedan

FAA 619 002 - Sedan

FAA 619 003 - Sedan

FAA 629 001 - Estate

FAA 629 002 - Estate

FAA 629 003 - Combi 4x4

FAA 629 004 - Estate

Not listed for the RS.

He said you could get the springs on their own without the need for uprated shocks. He may have been mistaken but I'd be suprised as he does seem to know what he's talking about.

Did he quote a price for the Skoda lowered vRS springs? Might be worth comparing with eibachs.

Did he quote a price for the Skoda lowered vRS springs? Might be worth comparing with eibachs.

I suspect that they are the Eibachs but will cost more when supplied through the dealer.

The shocks in that picture of the official kit are Eibach by the looks of it.

The spring kit for the vRS now seems to be listed.

There are full (non-coilover) kits for all cars except the vRS, which gets the spring only option. There are seperate kits for the Estate ad Hatch (interesting). Both fit most models in the range but lower the vRS an additional 20mm.

I'm a bit concerned that, given dampers and springs are normally matched, using a lowered spring on a std damper might not work. However, it is an 'official kit'. so I guess Skoda have tested it. Suitable for UK roads though?

Rgs

Dor.

Ahh yes - I see them -

I wonder why the hatch ones are soo much more expensive??

Also interesting to note that the springs are the same for both petrol and diesel versions....Not sure how much by, but I imagine the derv unit is heavier.

I imagine the reason the hatch / estate kit is different (at the back only I assume) is due to weight difference over the rear axel.

Dor.

I would imagine they are standard Eibach offerings.

I was just calculating the heights -

Skoda UK told me on Friday that a normal Octy rides at 140mm clearance and the vRS 15mm lower than that.

Standard Car - 140mm - 32mm = 108mm

vRS = 140mm - 15mm - 20mm = 105mm

So reffering to my speed mountain thread I ought to be able to clear any legally positioned speed mountain.

I'm a bit concerned that, given dampers and springs are normally matched, using a lowered spring on a std damper might not work. However, it is an 'official kit'. so I guess Skoda have tested it. Suitable for UK roads though?

Rgs

Dor.

As I said before I have gone springs only (Eibachs) to good effect on my Golf V5. It stiffened it up and the car handled better for it.

I wonder why the hatch ones are soo much more expensive??

I would say the price isn't far off for the estate ones but the hatch ones are well OTT.

In terms of warranty I would say it would be the reverse - source them from the dealers and have them fitted at a VAT registered garage.

According to this it appears that the springs are the same for non RS and RS versions bar the real low powered models.

http://www.eibach.ie/index_2.php?LID1=13&LID2=0&LID3=0&LID4=0&MODL=[D]Octavia%20(1Z)%20Limousine[/D][E]Octavia%20(1Z)%20Sedan[/E]&SPA=1&C_lang=en&STEP_2=1&STEP=1&STEP_3=1&HRST=Skoda&STARTLIST=1

This is teh eibach kit E10-79-004-02-22