I'm considering changing to 17" mk1 Octy wheels with 205/40/17 tyres but concerned that the ride might be too harsh.

So, I'm wondering; is there someone in the Glasgow/Edinburgh areas who has already fitted these wheels who wouldn't mind taking me for a short trip to get first hand experience of the ride?

Edited 11 November, 200916 yr by ming

If your car has standard ride height then the ride won't be afected too much but the car will look like a tractor. If you lower the car on Eibach springs then the ride will be harsher but handling will be improved as will looks. I've got Koni dampers and lowering springs and noticed the ride did deteriorate when I went from the oem 16's to the 17" Octy spiders but its still pretty good.

As your changing the alloys I'm thinking your going for looks? Might be best searching for pics on here, I'd definately getting the car lowered if you haven't already.

Can't help with trip etc but I believe Wardy is in process of (or already has) got these for his Fabby. Ask, see his comments...... (but he has also fitted Koni FSDs)

HTH

I'm also thinking about it.

What is the general retail price of 2nd hand Octy vRS alloys and what would I get for my Fabia vRS alloys which are in good nick.

Would 17s improve handling or be detrimental and can it affect cv joints etc?

theres a guy called ross in south queensferry who has the octy vrs alloys on his fabia, i'm not sure if he's on this site or not but he is on scottish vag, pretty sure he would take you a run to see what the ride is like, his car has been lowered though so will be a bit firmer than standard anyway.

his username is Ross_vRS as far as i know on the sites he's a member of so you can check to see if he's a brisky member.

I'm am indeed in the process. Have a set now sitting here, but need to sort out tyres.

I'm also up in Glasgow and Edinburgh from time to time, as I have family there. Possibly next would be next month or early October. If you've still not got a ride out with a suitable Fabia, let me know and I'll try and sort something out.

And yes, mine will be with the Eibach/FSD combo.

Steve

It'll look like this, if Jon doesn't mind ...

And I'm sure Irf won't mind either, so here's one in black too

Both those cars above are lowered though (I'm presuming the silver one is lowered?). If you want to go for looks I'd definately recommend lowering with the larger wheels otherwise it'll look too high. But this does affect the ride quality along with the rubber band tyres.

Yep, :iagree:

Best setup for retaining ride quality and compliance is the Eibach/FSD route. Not worth going to a 17 without lowering IMO, it looks too high on 16s already TBH!

Or perhaps a coilover setup, running no lower than a 35-40mm drop because of the sump.

Just doing the springs isn't that recommended, rang Eibach Pro-Kit springs with std dampers on my 1st Fabia, with 17" Audi S3 wheels (Avus-II) and it was pretty fidgety at times. You can live with it, but not ideal.

Steve

Hello again.

All along I've assumed the mk1 Octy alloys were only made in one size - 17".

However, while trawling through the alloys archive I noticed the alloys fitted to Hellfire's Fabia vRS were described as: Octavia vRS estate 16" Pegasus alloys. Is this correct - 16"? If so, these are the very things for me, assuming they are findable, of course.

I don't suppose I'd need a test drive, as being the same diameter the ride would be unaffected? Or, am I missing something?

Further question: will the tyres from my standard vRS alloys (205/45/16's) fit the 16" Pegasus?

Regards.

Quite correct, some early hatches had them too. I did contemplate them, but thought if I was going to change them, I might as well going a little bigger in the process

There were a set available on here a couple of weeks ago, as I was thinking about them. If I can remember who it was, I'll let you know.

There should be no reason that the ride wouldn't be the same on the 16" version. I presume they're of comparable weight etc. And yes, your tyres could swap straight over (205/45/16).

Steve

Quite correct, some early hatches had them too. I did contemplate them, but thought if I was going to change them, I might as well going a little bigger in the process

There were a set available on here a couple of weeks ago, as I was thinking about them. If I can remember who it was, I'll let you know.

There should be no reason that the ride wouldn't be the same on the 16" version. I presume they're of comparable weight etc. And yes, your tyres could swap straight over (205/45/16).

Steve

Thanks, Steve,

Really appreciate speedy response. If you can remember the name, that'd be good.

Going a little bigger also appeals to me but I do most of my mileage non-motorway and might regret the decision. I'm erring on the side of caution.

And I'm sure Irf won't mind either, so here's one in black too

That is just tooo sexy....I'm going to go Eibach/FSDs but stick with the 16's - the ride quality is harsh enough already...but those 17's don't half look the business. *drool*

Quite correct, some early hatches had them too. I did contemplate them, but thought if I was going to change them, I might as well going a little bigger in the process

There should be no reason that the ride wouldn't be the same on the 16" version. I presume they're of comparable weight etc. And yes, your tyres could swap straight over (205/45/16).

Stupid question time...

aren't the Mk1 Octavia VRS 16" wheel and the Fabia VRS 16" wheel the same wheel?

Fair question, but no - the 16" Octavia vRS wheel is the same 'Spider' design as the 17" Octavia vRS wheel.

Steve

Here you go, Andy's (andy2407) former vRS estate. So the same as the usual Octy Mk1 vRS wheel, just an inch smaller

Fair question, but no - the 16" Octavia vRS wheel is the same 'Spider' design as the 17" Octavia vRS wheel.

Oh yeah, they're different. I suddenly feel a bit less geeky

Oh yeah, they're different. I suddenly feel a bit less geeky

I've decided not to be offended by that comment!

Thanks, Steve,

Really appreciate speedy response. If you can remember the name, that'd be good.

Going a little bigger also appeals to me but I do most of my mileage non-motorway and might regret the decision. I'm erring on the side of caution.

It was this chap

IIRC, tyres would need changing, as I think they're currently running a 205/55/16 which would knock the speedo out, possibly cause rubbing and generally just look wrong!

But still, worth considering. Just check out his recent posts for details, they were still for sale last week.

Steve

It was this chap

IIRC, tyres would need changing, as I think they're currently running a 205/55/16 which would knock the speedo out, possibly cause rubbing and generally just look wrong!

But still, worth considering. Just check out his recent posts for details, they were still for sale last week.

Steve

Many thanks.

I've now looked at the wheels and will PM the guy.

hi

i was looking to do the same to my fabia (put the 17" octy alloys on) does any one know if it has the right ofset for the fabia and has anyone tried the kw performance suspension kit

thanks

kaz

It was this chap

IIRC, tyres would need changing, as I think they're currently running a 205/55/16 which would knock the speedo out, possibly cause rubbing and generally just look wrong!

But still, worth considering. Just check out his recent posts for details, they were still for sale last week.

Steve

Hi Steve,

Following on from your thread, I have now agreed to buy the 16" Octy alloys, minus tyres, from the chap.

I've also decided to lower 25mm on Eibachs; this is being done tomorrow - Fri 9th. I'm not too sure this is a wise move - stiffer ride - but having seen Hellfire's Fabia vRS on 16" Octys and lowered 25mm I just have to have that combination on my vRS.

I should receive the wheels next week and after refurbing and swapping the tyres I'll post some pics of the finished article.

I'll then offer my excellent standard alloys to the guys here.

Thanks again.

Good stuff - should look good. Post some pics up when it's done, and I'd be interested to see how you find the ride too.

Steve

Here's some pics I took of mine on Eibach's