Hello- first post so be gentle if you think my questions are already covered here- I have read what I can...

My local dealer quoted me a 3 month wait for vrs that I wanted and I had a fall out with them over my test driving style so I travelled 450 miles to get

Octavia VRS race blue first reg 31st March 2007, I bought early May, but...

car has no mp3 player jack in jumbo pack so phoned Skoda for build date- April 2006 !

I would like to play mp3s instead of cds, so tried mp3 disc in upfront cd player but get the message pc rom. I thought the upfront player supported mp3s- is this just cars built after mine as per the mp3 jack in jumbo pack?

So thought I could just do my own jack in via an aux input. Reading forum suggests it could be done but I would need to get out the front console and buy a jack in hub/plug. As I am very clumsy and things usually break in my hands it would be easier to get a dealer to do it (although this will involve a treck cos I don't want to go to my local dealer after the telling off I got for driving/cornering fast/hard).

How feasible is this and much would it likely cost for a dealer to add a connection wire to the hub at the back of the player and would this work OK.

Also I am having a hell of a problem with wheel spin- absolutely terrible in the wet, so much so that a 2.2 signum burnt me off at lights ! It is also pretty bad even in slightly damp conditions on hills.

I have managed to spin wheels whilst accelerating from 40 mph in 3rd gear- admitedly this was a bit exciting but I really hate it when it happens and I don't think I'm hoofing it.

I had a gsi vectra before and never had problems with wheel spin. Admitedly I am taking a while to get used to the "organ/tractor" pedal.

However is there any way I can help to train myself to avoid the worst of the wheel spin.

Would changing the tyres help- the ones on it are factory fitted (I presume) standard Dunlops.

I know I am heavy footed but even when I don't thump the foot down I am having bother.

Also does anyone else feel the car doesn't like cornering at full tilt. When at speed on even gradual bends I feel the back of the car is not running with the front. Perhaps the steering is just too precise from what I had before but I don't feel as comfortable at higher speeds as I did with other cars. It feels that the back is sluggish which I can't fathom because surely all the weight of the car is at the front despite having such a big back end.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.....

Hi there; WELCOME.

A quick reply for you;

1. MP3 playing. Seems like (with the older build date) you may have one of earlier non-mps Stream radio units. I'm not sure about fitting an mp3 lead to your existing unit but I'd suggest two options

a) get a current spec Stream/mp3 which are about

2. Wheelspin. The OEM Dunlops are not great in the wet BUT if your tyres are new (which I suspect they are) they need 'running in' like any other part of the car.

Dunlops? I assumed the VRS came with Conti's like the MK1?!

Oh dear.

Lee

Dunlops? I assumed the VRS came with Conti's like the MK1?!

Oh dear.

Lee

They'll be the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx - VAG group use them quite a bit, along with the contis.

As far as I know ALL OEM tyres on the vRS are (relatively) the pits!!!

I take it you checked the tyre pressures. Dealers have been known to hand over the cars to customers with pressures in excess of 3bar. With that pressure, grip is heavily compromised. Not to mention that it is unsafe and you will have ridiculous tyre wear in the centre of the tyre.

David

I take it you checked the tyre pressures. Dealers have been known to hand over the cars to customers with pressures in excess of 3bar. With that pressure, grip is heavily compromised. Not to mention that it is unsafe and you will have ridiculous tyre wear in the centre of the tyre.

David

mmm all new car tyres are pumped right up for transit, they should be set to the correct pressures at the PDI..... maybe they overlooked it....

As well as having correct pressures, you definitely need to scrub the tyres in (just like an F1 driver) to get them working at their best.

The tyres on my vRS were well over-inflated when I took delivery of it. So much for the PDI - wonder what else they missed!

Mine are CONTINENTAL.

SportContact 2 UNI-DIRECTIONAL

In terms of which tyres you get it's simply a case of what's being used at the time.

The MP3 problem could be solved by purchasing a secondhand Stream MP3 - I happen to know a man who may very well have one for sale. It would then also allow you to fit the Aux In socket yourself.

Is yours a petrol or diesel vRS? My petrol vRS only gets wheel spin in the dry when I deliberately boot in in first, but the traction control soon controls it. In the wet, spirited driving can get wheel spin in second and third, but again, the TC cuts in and controls it quite well whilst still accelerating. I'm running on Dunlops and, contrary to many people on here, I'm actually quite impressed with them in the dry, although the wet could be a bit better, but admittedly I will probably change them when they wear out with Goodyear Eagles.

mines a diesel Vrs, had it Friday, also getting wet wheelspins. Maybe my tyre pressure is too high, what is the correct pressure for the 18 in wheels?

Tyre pressures should be detailed in the manual and inside the filler cap.

Wheelspin is almost certainly the result of the dealer not checking them at PDI and are renowned to leave the factory well in excess as to what they should be. For 18" wheels they should be 30 to 32 psi front and rear. The Dunlop tyres will also be a factor as I know that they're a bit 'hard' and therefore prone to slipping a little but they are hardwearing, the Conti 2's have also been slated for the OctyII vRS (they're not a bad tyre, just not suited to the car!) but my latest 2008MY car has been fitted at the factory with Michelin Pilot Exaltos which so far have been a big improvement over the previous two mentioned but not in the same leagues as Michelin Pilot Sport 2's, well worth the money when it's time to change.

The MP3 issue I may be able to assist, I have a virtually new MP3 Stream unit sitting on my desk doing nothing so if you fancy making an offer for it by PM feel free (if you're local enough I don't mind assisting in fitting it for you too).

As for body roll the susspension set up is'nt too bad, well that is until you've tried Koni's FSD dampers!!. If you have the money to buy a set DO IT, you won't regret it as they are quite simply superb and will eliminate any body roll and flatten corners brilliantly yet are compliant at low speeds, fantastic upgrade imho

I had a Black demo VRs on Saturday 6K on the Clock and it had Dunlop SP Sport Maxx on. I then had a Silver brand new VRs on Sunday 4 miles on clock and it had Michelins on it.

My original OCty came with Bridgstones so I suppose it's whoever doing the best deal at that particular time.

Wow, thanks for all the replies

My tyres say Dunlop Sport 01A and were all at the correct pressure, 30, but this am I notice they are all slightly under about 29.5 which I will deal with but I thought this would help with grip just wear out the edges quicker.

I have now doen 1200 miles in the car (most of this on the way back from first getting the car) but the tyres look new appart from the back tyre outer edges looking a little worn already.

Is it worth me getting the alignment looked at or am I just being paranoid about my tyres and handling?

There was an issue with abnormal inner edge wear which was rectified by a TSB from Skoda UK which corrected the allignment values.

mines a diesel Vrs, had it Friday, also getting wet wheelspins. Maybe my tyre pressure is too high, what is the correct pressure for the 18 in wheels?

We all know that the tyre pressure are on the inside of the fuel filler cap (I have yet to find them in the handbook) but when your car is parked around the corner .... anyway; here they are for the vRS (both petrol and diesel):-

225/45 17 Front 2.1 bar, Rear 2.1 bar

225/40 18 Front 2.0 bar, Rear 2.1 bar

Personnally I have a TDI with 18s and find 2.1 bar in the fronts is better (2.0 bar is a smidge too soft).