Hi,

Just wondering what can be done about the crashiness and inability to soak up deficiencies in the road on a standard VRS.

I have read that some parts on the standard suspension setup of the car are inadequate for the weight that are possible causes to this.

I have tried to minimise these problems by purchasing different tires to what were on the car as standard. (I have Toyo Proxes on the car at th minute). This has not really made any difference at all, I was told these would help soak up bumps and noise.

I think the car is actually getting noisier and more crashy as time goes by. The worst roads are ones that have either just been laid with chippings as this just makes the loudest noise I have ever heard in the car orthe other type of road that causes the problem are roads that have weathered badly and are not perfectly smooth. Living around sheffield most road are like this.

Would any purchases help reduce these problems i.e suspension parts? and what would be the cost fully fitted.

At the minute I am really thinking about getting rid as it's just rediculous how loud and crashy the car is. I don't want to as I love the car to bits.

my tyre pressures have been checked and altered a few times but no matter what they are set to it does not make a difference

any help would be appreciated.

thanks

Chris

Not great is it, think its just the way it is as my vrs is the same.

same here mate sorry the roads are just crap full stop

buy an octavia or superb... longer the wheelbase better the ride.....

very true lol

50p set of foam ear plugs from local kawasaki shop! seriously been thinking about it.. did un-plug those tweeters in the rear door today, they were giving me serious ear ache.

so thee is no uprated suspension components so sort this problem?

My VRS is the same, very harsh ride, so is my friends, must just be the set up, after all it is a hot hatch not a motorway cruiser

My VRS is the same, very harsh ride, so is my friends, must just be the set up, after all it is a hot hatch not a motorway cruiser

The MK5 Golf GTi seems to do a much better job at being a hot hatch yet it is so much more composed. I thought the Fabia was a VW underneath the Jimmy Hill "big chin" costume ? :confused:

The MK5 Golf GTi seems to do a much better job at being a hot hatch yet it is so much more composed. I thought the Fabia was a VW underneath the Jimmy Hill "big chin" costume ? :confused:

this is my point, my friends clio 197 has much harder suspension but is not crashy at all.

Is it something to do with it having the same bushes or dampers as the 1.2 fabia?

Obviously it's not a 100% replica of a polo otherwise what would be the point of the VW?

Skoda have obviously used some cheap components to lower costs, what I'm saying is is there any uprated compoenents I can use to sort it out?

Mine was crashy and rough, and I thought its just like that until new year when I got a new front ARB (bushes had gone) and its gone quiet and smooth since then.

Might be worth a check.

There is a simple explanation for that.

I suspect your friend's clio has suspension made from onions and ladies armpit hair.

Your Fabia on the other hand will have suspension parts lovingly crafted from cake, jelly and currants.

We all know (or at least we should) that the latter is going to struggle a little to support the heavy TDI lump at the same time as providing a sporty ride and good motorway manners - something has to give and I suspect its not goin gto thbe the engine supporting abilities.

this is my point, my friends clio 197 has much harder suspension but is not crashy at all.

Is it something to do with it having the same bushes or dampers as the 1.2 fabia?

Obviously it's not a 100% replica of a polo otherwise what would be the point of the VW?

Skoda have obviously used some cheap components to lower costs, what I'm saying is is there any uprated compoenents I can use to sort it out?

I was in a similar situation to yourself. I was even at the point of selling too.

I decided to swap every single suspension component on the front.

I replaced the drop links, front traction arm bushes, arm bushes and replaced the front console bushes with cupra ones.

Verdict is, its still crashes over bumps, but boy does it corner

I think after riding in wardys car with the koni fsds i might try some of those......

The ride was firmer but seemed more solid and less crashy

I have Toyo Proxes on the car at th minute

I put Toyos on mine replacing the standard fit Michelins and had noticable change. Significantly quieter, slightly vaguer/softer, much grippier in the wet, and much less economical...

I've got the FSDs, on the standard springs, and it's improved the ride a lot. Also, the faster you go, the better they work (potholes at <30 are more or less the same, big motorway ruts at 70 seem to disappear!).

The car does ride a tad higher though, and feels a little 'floaty' over undulating surfaces, but not enough to make you feel sick.

Also, make sure your pressures are up (2.1 rear, 2.3 front) as I found that the softer the tyres got the MORE crashy the ride got. Slightly counter intuitive.

Try 15" wheels and softer dampers - and kill the handling...

Low-ish profile tyres, a heavy engine, antiquated rear suspension setup, a fairly large front ARB all will add to up reduce the ride quality. I was appalled when I first got my vRS as to how poor the ride was. I think over time it has softened a little, and also I've gotten used to it more.

As per Johns comments above, I too have replaced most of the suspension parts (to try and stop clunking) and it made no difference to ride quality (including the Cupra bushes)....it just made it handle better and stopped a few noises.

The only thing that did negatively affect the ride a little was the RARB....causing a little jiggling effect over uneven surfaces at the rear. Nothing to write home about though.

Koni FSD's would help out a lot, they were great on my Mk2 vRS octy and I am about to junk the skoda "Sports" suspension on the current octy for FSD's as it's to crude and harsh in comparisson to FSD's

I was considering uprating the shockers myself. Don't have a problem with the ride height it's just the lack of decent damping.

Skoda don't do very good suspension setups, IMO

As has been said, replace springs with Eibachs and shocks with Koni FSDs. While I was at it, I'd also replace and improve the suspension bushes, replacing with the Cupra variety.

I've said it before and I'll no doubt say it again - it's the best modified suspension setup I've ever ran. Comfortable and compliant when you want it to be, yet is responsive and provides feedback and inspires confidence when you're pressing on. The setup also feels more stable and planted too.

I don't accept that just because the car is of a 'sporty' nature (don't think it's a 'hot hatch' out of the box personally) it should be uncomfortable and crashy. I honestly feel Skoda were given the thin end of the VAG wedge here, to coin a phrase, as it's believed Seat should over the most sporty models.

Just some thoughts....

Cheers,

Steve

I really don't think it's that bad, for a small car with low profiles and a 'sporty' set up.

The MK5 Golf GTi seems to do a much better job at being a hot hatch yet it is so much more composed. I thought the Fabia was a VW underneath the Jimmy Hill "big chin" costume ? :confused:

The Fabia is a VW underneath the costume but that uses the Polo platform not the Golfs.

Some people say the Ibizas suspension even on the standard car is a little too hard.

The Octy VRS uses the Golf 5 platform.

Correct, and the Golf V platform has independant rear suspension, in fact VW copied the Focus to quite a large degree in an attempt to make the new Golf a good handler. They did a pretty good job from all accounts.

The Polo 9N chassis however (upon which the vRS is based) is a tad more antiquated. The twist beam rear axle is what VW had to move away from on the new Golf compared to the MKIV and prior which all used it.

Correct, and the Golf V platform has independant rear suspension, in fact VW copied the Focus to quite a large degree in an attempt to make the new Golf a good handler. They did a pretty good job from all accounts.

Funnily enough I found it a bit crashy over bumps as well and have read similar opinions from Octy vRS drivers who've fixed it with FSD's. Mum was very unimpressed with it too saying it had a very jarring and skippy ride (and she knows nothing about cars )

Chris

Hmm, interesting. Compared to the IV platform though it is light years ahead. Seeing a standard V GTi being thrown around compared to a soggy IV was evidence enough for me.

I don't think it's the design as such but more the choice of components. Poor quality dampers being the main culprit hence the need for FSD's.