Given that the Octavia has low ground clearance particularly at the front and doesn't have a soft ride (okay it's a good ride, but not as compliant as a bmw/merc) this combination, coupled with nearly every one I have in to work on has a cracked bumper/smashed underbody covers, not want to lower or stifen it.

So I'm looking down the line of uprated ARB's, question is Eibach vs Whiteline vs other which I don't know about.

Any comments?

I'm guessing it's Eibach f&r vs whiteline rear only. Seems that the front is stiff enough, but rear nowhere stiff enough by standard - so cost saving if only doing rear? Also does it really need to be adjustable, given I'm never goint to put some radically different front end on?

Anyone tried to double up a standard arb or fit one from a similar but heavier car? I did this on a Volvo once, welded the arms together and had 200% the ARB stiffness, worked a treat and cost £10 from a breakers. Not had a close look to see if this is feasable on the Octy.

I have fitted fully poly bush kits, good results. Was thinking of bush kit + uprated ARB + lower brace (does the upper one really do anything??? The inner wing mates to bulkhead only a couple inches away, how much actual bending of the wings goes on???) and if I can be convinced to have it in the way of all my n75 valves etc, a strut brace.

Not sure if any better shocks would be good too, but I'm cautious of springs as I don't want to go low for sure (use down a track and up kerbs etc, only just enough clearance as is) as the ride is already on the stif side.

Any thoughts appreciated!

Greg.

It's the first time I've seen any Octy other than a vRS described as "too low"!!

If we're dealing with a vRS, rear ARB only is a common mod. I think my Elegance is pretty neutral out the box though.

Personally, I think strut braces on road cars are pointless.

I had a Whiteline ARB and S3 upper and lower fronts on my vRS. Made a real difference to the handling and pound-for-pound was an awesome mod. Ground clearance was not an issue either, never caught it on anything and the upper front strut bar only really got in the way of removing the engine cover.

Well I have low ramps, it won't go on them. I have a standard low height commercial car jack, that's won't go under without lifting the car arch. Out of the last 5 cars in, 4 of them had spit undertrays/missing plastics/damaged lower bumper.

Try taking your octy down a farm track and tell me if you still think the clearance is okay ;-)

Re Elegance, slam it into a turn and it will go straight on - understeer. Of course you have to get to the limit of grip and go squeeling to see it, but a big tighter control and less 'reluctance' to turn in would be good in general driving.

I have L&K but probably will end up doing this to Elegance TDi and think like you that rear arb may well be good enough (will think on the braces, especially the lower one).

Greg.

It's the first time I've seen any Octy other than a vRS described as "too low"!!

If we're dealing with a vRS, rear ARB only is a common mod. I think my Elegance is pretty neutral out the box though.

Personally, I think strut braces on road cars are pointless.

Cool. Did you fit the lot at once or try the strut braces on their own to gauge their effectiveness? I can understand the ARB having an immediate seat of pants effect, but when do you feel strut braces? I can never feel anything moving around in the octy anyhow and under moderate driving eg round a corner in town, how much difference can it made to the feedback in the wheel - given the body and suspension mountings have to be flexing and twisting for it to make a difference?

Greg.

I had a Whiteline ARB and S3 upper and lower fronts on my vRS. Made a real difference to the handling and pound-for-pound was an awesome mod. Ground clearance was not an issue either, never caught it on anything and the upper front strut bar only really got in the way of removing the engine cover.

Both whiteline and eibach very good but for the money and because whitline are adjustable and that i have them on the car, i personally would go for them.

You do notice immediatly in tight fast corners the lack of movement the car makes (much more stable) especially up at higher 60-80 + speeds but still notice rounabouts aswell as it tuckes in faster less understeer.

As for strut brace lower brace again 25-30 quid and you notice immediatly you turn the steering on the move ( much more precise) you soon get used to this but when you drive one that doesn't have them fitted you will notice it.

Hope this helps

P.s If your in my area Fife 10% off rrp rr whitline bars

call my work ESSPORT on 01383 735641

just a sugestion

Not in your area but thanks for the kind offer! Okay will bear that in mind, it's a good base anyhow so a 'sorted' octavia must be a really nice car to drive ;-)

IVE PUT THE WHITLINE ON MY VRS and it is like i am in a new car.

gonna get the s3 braces on at work coz i can use the ramps.

well worth every penny,(second hardest setting)

Nice.

So, does anyone know which ARB out of Whiteline, Eibach and Neuspeed hangs down the least? Or do we all just like the Whiteline ones over all others bestest!?

the whiteline doesnt really hang down that much so long as you trim the bracket bolts that clamp on to the cross bar.

coz it is adjustable you can change it. i got it on the second hardest with standard susp and front ARB and it is still jus as comfy as normal.

The Whiteline bar sits literally mm's under the rear spring cups so I can't see any of the others offering more clearance. I've never caught mine on anything, I think you would have to try some serious off-roading before it hit anything... by which time your bumper would be long gone anyway!

I don't have experience of any bars other than the Whiteline, but for the cost I don't see much point in getting anything else. My only criticism of the Whiteline is that I don't think you can use it in the stiffest setting on the Octavia. I haven't actually tried so I could be wrong, but it doesn't look like the drop links will reach to me? It's no major problem though, second from stiffest is still more than enough IMHO.

My only criticism of the Whiteline is that I don't think you can use it in the stiffest setting on the Octavia. I haven't actually tried so I could be wrong, but it doesn't look like the drop links will reach to me? It's no major problem though, second from stiffest is still more than enough IMHO.

I tried adjusting mine to the stiffest setting and your right it just wont go but its not far away. I think if you loosen the U shaped bolts a little it may be possible to get the droplinks to reach then retighten everything but TBO one of these bars at 2nd hardest is a great setting and huge improvement over the standard car.

i agree it changes the hole feel of the car.

i love it even more.

So, does anyone know which ARB out of Whiteline, Eibach and Neuspeed hangs down the least? Or do we all just like the Whiteline ones over all others bestest!?

I use a Eibach bar, really good, and it deosn't hang down like the Neuspeed one.

Link below to show pic.

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/attachments/15365d1181591472-2.75-milltek-overview.jpg

Does the cable tie mod add a lot of torsional rigidity?

I like the tucked up out of the way discreetness of the Eibach one. I know everyone says you don't hit anything with the Whiteline one, I just really don't like the look of it, the way it dangles down like that! And, that along with the fact that no one seems to adjust it anyway, may as well just get a non adjustable one.

Does the cable tie mod add a lot of torsional rigidity?

You'd be suprised:D

It made life easier when fitting it!!

Where'd you get the Eibach one from?

I'd like to know aswell please.

Darren

Make that three of us.

Anyone know a price and a stockist yet?

What about the 28mm adjustable Autotech ARB? I have just fitted one & its a excellent piece of kit:thumbup:

Autotech also do a 25mm adjustable front ARB.

I saw your pics, but I'm really atracted to the Eibach one because it doesn't hang down like all the others seem to.

I've never seen a car with an Eibach bar fitted, so how does it fit compared to the whiteline/autotech if it doesn't hang down?