2004 Octavia Mk1 vRS

Howdy all,

Passenger side front shock is shot. Had it into FastFit today who claimed they had the parts which they could supply and fit for EUR 220. Not bad, as the main stealers here in Ireland are looking for EUR 450 for the parts alone! So they try to fit the new shocks and figure out that they're totally unsuitable - must be for a different 1.8T. So I'm stuffed...

Been searching the net, but without a part no, its diffificult to find front shocks for the vRS. Either way, looks like I'll have to spend a bit of cash - no big deal, but it could be an opportunity to do a bit of tuning.

My choices at this point are:

1. Get the orignal shocks from the net somewhere, new or from a breaker.

2. Get uprated shocks that'll work on the vRS. (But no idea what to get)

I'm pretty happy with the current ride height, in fact any lower than the originals and I'll have problems with the amount of ramps and speed bump in my town. The ride quality of the originals I find good, in that its tight, but not the most comfortable in the world. So ideally I'd like to have both and have my cake and eat it!

Anyone got any advice?

Theres always some breakers on ebay but its the chance you take I guess. Might be the ideal chance for an upgrade, just not sure what though.

Get some Koni FSD's then to work with the standard springs. Forget all this talk of dampers from a breakers, suspension is a vital part of the car, along with tyres they keep you on the road.

I how an insurance company would treat modified/uprated suspension?

Would i have to declare it?

If the struts are an OE black and not dayglo yellow Ive no idea how they could decipher if there are no markings on them.

So - questions then:

1. Anyone running on the Koni FSDs on their vRS (Mk1) and how do you find them?

2. Are they REALLY bright yellow?! Green calipers are odd enough - the colour clash with the yellow will be a bit much!

3. I'm sitting here in Dublin - no idea where I'd get some FSDs here - anyone any experience with this in Ireland?

4. Anyone got any recommendations for online sellers of FSDs?

Oh yeah, one last question - anyone got any thoughts on just changing the fronts for these FSDs and leaving the rear as standard?

Excuse all the questions - I don't really modify my motors!

baz

Baz,

I'm in the same boat as you.

I currently have coilovers on, but the two front springs are broken.

What i'm doing is opting for standard shocks, and probably weitec springs, either -35mm or -55mm all round.

Hey Johnny - where you sourcing the standard shocks as a matter of interest?

Luckily i managed to get hold of a et from someone on here, they've covered 27k, but they'll do in the short term to get me moving.

I do have a full set that i got with the car, but the last owner still has them at his place down in Peterborough, and i cant get hold of him.

Got a set of bilstien sport (non shortended)shocks x4 just taken off today as fitting adjustables. They have covered less than 15k. They are not too hard and will illiminate that nasty bounce that the vrs has over undulating bumps with better cornering as you would expect.

Pm me if want price will contact you back

So, Skoda UK charge £78 per shock, Skoda Ireland charge £150 (€220)! Madness... Ordered 2 replacements from Robert Bamfords near Gloucester. Helpful chaps in the parts dept there...

Thanks for the offer YelloTaxi on the Bilstiens.

yellowtaxi...can you PM me a price on the bilsteins please

Hi Barryof, I have not long fitted Koni FSD's to my 2001 octy VRS.

They are Gold in colour and you can't really see much of them against the green calipers. I fitted mine with Eibach Pro Springs. Have to say they are excellent. I still have my old shocks and springs if you wish to buy cheep.

I would not recommend just fitting FSD's to the Front only as this will upset your overall ride as the shocks will be working differently to the rears. I also think they come as a full kit so may not be able to split. Cheers Bowders1

Bowders, how is the ride after the kit was fitted out of interest?

Not sure if I should ask this here or start a new thread? but has anyone fitted those poly bushes? do they harden the ride a lot?