Skoda Octavia VRs 230 Facelift 2017
Discussion
Had this car for 2 years now, to the day I think. The warranty is up and I've decided not to chop it in, but keep it for the long haul (who knows what that means!) as it's just so bloody good at everything and I can't think of anything to replace it at this price point.
So, in the 2 years I've had it it's been lightly modified. Usual stuff like wheels, tyres, body trim parts, suspension, air filter. Other than that it's been totally stock and performed daily duties flawlessly. Many airport runs, ebay furniture pickups, daddy duties with a newborn/toddler, motorway commuter, etc all with minimal fuss and still excellent (for a 2.0T) MPG and running costs.
However, I sold all of my track days I'd booked (as I used to have an Ep3 track car) except for one. I kept hold of the Silverstone GP track day in Nov 21 as I'd never been on that particular track before. Decided to take the Skoda on and not the Mazda MX5 ND2 (Ep3 replacement), and see what it was like.
By this time I'd also uprated the brakes with Mintex M1144 pads, C hook discs, ATE fluid, H&R monotube coilovers and full H&R 28/26mm ARB set. Tyres are Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersports, so perfectly fine for taking out on a track. I had also added a JB4 tuning box for a bit more grunt, so it would've been pushing closer to 290 bhp than the stock 230/240.
It was genuinely one of the better track days I've done. Silverstone GP is so smooth and flowing, I really didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I did (Oulton being my favourite up until then). The car was brilliant, the brakes held up (340mm TRW stoppers as standard) and it handled superbly well for a bigger 'saloon' (although it's actually a hatchback).
So, I've decided it deserves to stay. I never ever thought I'd like a VAG so much and certainly not a Skoda (Skoda - and Lada - being a laughing stock in my youth, with models like the Estelle).
The interior is a lovely place to be. Really nice tombstone half leather/half alcantara seats (heated as well as heated screen), all the info on the 2 screens (oil temp, mpg, etc etc), android auto, lovely slick gearbox (remember I had an ep3 before this so was a fairly high benchmark). The facelift divides opinions with it's awkward split headlights, but I love it, looks much more up to date than the preface and also fairly unique (if that's possible for a VAG these days).
45 mpg on a run and was still getting 15 to 20 on the track.
Since the warranty was up, I've had the JB4 box removed and had it remapped at Awesome GTi on the Racingline OEM+ software (free upgrades for life).
Stock engine with just a modified airbox, K&N panel, silicone intake hose and larger turbo elbow it made 339 BHP and 380 ft lbs. It's a massive gain for the money and performance is brilliant.
A larger intercooler has been bought to manage IAT's on track (and road I suppose), from Airtec. And the car is also booked in for a Helix organic clutch (Golf R kit to handle more power/torque), Wavetrac LSD, alloy subframe and locking collar kit as well as a few other little preventative maintenance parts.
Looks like I won't be giving up on trackdays just yet. It's so much nicer to do a track day with the creature comforts and not have to climb over roll cages, stink of fuel and have some AC! Must be getting old.
So, in the 2 years I've had it it's been lightly modified. Usual stuff like wheels, tyres, body trim parts, suspension, air filter. Other than that it's been totally stock and performed daily duties flawlessly. Many airport runs, ebay furniture pickups, daddy duties with a newborn/toddler, motorway commuter, etc all with minimal fuss and still excellent (for a 2.0T) MPG and running costs.
However, I sold all of my track days I'd booked (as I used to have an Ep3 track car) except for one. I kept hold of the Silverstone GP track day in Nov 21 as I'd never been on that particular track before. Decided to take the Skoda on and not the Mazda MX5 ND2 (Ep3 replacement), and see what it was like.
By this time I'd also uprated the brakes with Mintex M1144 pads, C hook discs, ATE fluid, H&R monotube coilovers and full H&R 28/26mm ARB set. Tyres are Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersports, so perfectly fine for taking out on a track. I had also added a JB4 tuning box for a bit more grunt, so it would've been pushing closer to 290 bhp than the stock 230/240.
It was genuinely one of the better track days I've done. Silverstone GP is so smooth and flowing, I really didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I did (Oulton being my favourite up until then). The car was brilliant, the brakes held up (340mm TRW stoppers as standard) and it handled superbly well for a bigger 'saloon' (although it's actually a hatchback).
So, I've decided it deserves to stay. I never ever thought I'd like a VAG so much and certainly not a Skoda (Skoda - and Lada - being a laughing stock in my youth, with models like the Estelle).
The interior is a lovely place to be. Really nice tombstone half leather/half alcantara seats (heated as well as heated screen), all the info on the 2 screens (oil temp, mpg, etc etc), android auto, lovely slick gearbox (remember I had an ep3 before this so was a fairly high benchmark). The facelift divides opinions with it's awkward split headlights, but I love it, looks much more up to date than the preface and also fairly unique (if that's possible for a VAG these days).
45 mpg on a run and was still getting 15 to 20 on the track.
Since the warranty was up, I've had the JB4 box removed and had it remapped at Awesome GTi on the Racingline OEM+ software (free upgrades for life).
Stock engine with just a modified airbox, K&N panel, silicone intake hose and larger turbo elbow it made 339 BHP and 380 ft lbs. It's a massive gain for the money and performance is brilliant.
A larger intercooler has been bought to manage IAT's on track (and road I suppose), from Airtec. And the car is also booked in for a Helix organic clutch (Golf R kit to handle more power/torque), Wavetrac LSD, alloy subframe and locking collar kit as well as a few other little preventative maintenance parts.
Looks like I won't be giving up on trackdays just yet. It's so much nicer to do a track day with the creature comforts and not have to climb over roll cages, stink of fuel and have some AC! Must be getting old.
Edited by Danith on Tuesday 30th November 14:51
Macron said:
That looks really good!
What are the suspension mods?
Cheers it's not a bad looking taxi is it.What are the suspension mods?
Suspension is just H&R monotube coilovers, H&R 28/26mm ARB's, Strut brace, polyurethane dog bone mount insert and it was all fitted and set up at AKS Tuning in Bedford (don't think there's a lot you can do to these on the front).
The OEM suspension is turd to be honest, it didn't know if it was meant to be a performance car or a family car, sort of stuck in between and neither as a result.
Saw you at that trackday, I was in a blue S2 Exige. I noted you in particular as I was missing my '15 vrs estate as I left the circuit for the 3 hour drive home.
I know what you mean about the vrs though, it's such a capable car that I find it hard to think of anything which could replace it in my affections.
I know what you mean about the vrs though, it's such a capable car that I find it hard to think of anything which could replace it in my affections.
chrismc1977 said:
A 100(+)HP gain on stock hardware with just a remap??
Insane isn't it. Well i did put a less restrictive turbo elbow on as the oem is like a straw.Edited by chrismc1977 on Wednesday 1st December 08:14
Not like my ep3 where I'd spend 2 grand for 20 bhp
The numbers don't tell everything though. I would like a bigger turbo on this skoda so it can hold that torque and power for longer, but can't complain at all. The turbo isn't even at full bar (think he said 1.2) don't quote me I'm new to turbo stuff. So all safe.
Edited by Danith on Wednesday 1st December 08:34
OssAndy said:
Saw you at that trackday, I was in a blue S2 Exige. I noted you in particular as I was missing my '15 vrs estate as I left the circuit for the 3 hour drive home.
I know what you mean about the vrs though, it's such a capable car that I find it hard to think of anything which could replace it in my affections.
Yes I remember that lotus. I absolutely love an elise/exige. Wanted a 111r or S3 for the civics replacement but the prices are nuts now, so chose the mx5 nd2. I know what you mean about the vrs though, it's such a capable car that I find it hard to think of anything which could replace it in my affections.
Also had a 2.5 hr drive home, heated seats on, Android auto, air in the tyres and good to go. Just the satisfying sound of tyre pick up flicking off against my white paint
chrismc1977 said:
A 100(+)HP gain on stock hardware with just a remap??
Revo quote 280 to 350-375 and 258lbft to 330lbft to 360lbft for my Superb for £599 !Edited by chrismc1977 on Wednesday 1st December 08:14
I keep toying with the idea but in all honesty its fast enough for me already.
I'll follow this thread with interest; I'd be particularly interested to hear what you think of the wavetrac once in.
Does your VRS have VAQ diff as standard? I can't remember which models/years get them.
As and when I need a larger car an Octy VRS estate is top of the list. I'd already discounted white as a colour but yours has a fantastic BTCC vibe and may have changed my mind.
Does your VRS have VAQ diff as standard? I can't remember which models/years get them.
As and when I need a larger car an Octy VRS estate is top of the list. I'd already discounted white as a colour but yours has a fantastic BTCC vibe and may have changed my mind.
Narcisus said:
Revo quote 280 to 350-375 and 258lbft to 330lbft to 360lbft for my Superb for £599 !
I keep toying with the idea but in all honesty its fast enough for me already.
A slippery slope. Remap prices have shot up! A lot of quote me happy & variable figures banded about for doing the same job & optimising the standard setup.I keep toying with the idea but in all honesty its fast enough for me already.
They certainly promise good gains but will show up other areas if used fully. Brakes, clutch, dogbone mounts, stock diff etc etc
Very similar position here. I got a cracking lease deal on an Octavia vRS 245 in 2017. During the first lockdown I approached VWFS to see how much they'd want, mid lease, to sell me the car. After a couple of months of email discussions I bought it.
Still now only on 33k miles, and can't see myself changing it any time soon. Irony is I only got one due to the great lease deal and deciding it'd be a cheap way of running a car for 3 years.
I got a revo remap the day the warranty expired, taking it to 317bhp. Do have to tread fairly gently on the loud pedal from standstill but the clever diff on this one does to a good job helping get the power down.
I've not taken it on a track yet, save that for my MX5, but tempted!
Still now only on 33k miles, and can't see myself changing it any time soon. Irony is I only got one due to the great lease deal and deciding it'd be a cheap way of running a car for 3 years.
I got a revo remap the day the warranty expired, taking it to 317bhp. Do have to tread fairly gently on the loud pedal from standstill but the clever diff on this one does to a good job helping get the power down.
I've not taken it on a track yet, save that for my MX5, but tempted!
Edited by ncjones on Wednesday 1st December 09:49
Edited by ncjones on Wednesday 1st December 09:51
The mk3 and 3.5 octavia is the same platform as all the other mqb platform cars. Golf's, Leon, S3 etc.
The vrs is based on the gti though and not the R golf. So is the smaller is20 (vs is38) turbo and 2wd.
The golf gti pp got the 245 power upgrade and vaq 'diff'.
Mines based on the gti non pp, so 230 engine (but no gpf) and no vaq assisted differential. The 245 got that, which is the golf gti Pp in essence.
Confusingly the last preface octavia vrs was a 230 and got the vaq and the 230 engine. But the facelift started again with the new engine but no vaq, that only came on the 245.
I wanted any colour other than black or grey, white is a bit common too but the basic white seems to hold up better to stone chips and is a hell of a lot cheaper to sort if needed! Budget and spec were priority at the time. I'd have loved a red one or blue.
The Alcantara half leathers and winter pack sold this one to me.
The vrs is based on the gti though and not the R golf. So is the smaller is20 (vs is38) turbo and 2wd.
The golf gti pp got the 245 power upgrade and vaq 'diff'.
Mines based on the gti non pp, so 230 engine (but no gpf) and no vaq assisted differential. The 245 got that, which is the golf gti Pp in essence.
Confusingly the last preface octavia vrs was a 230 and got the vaq and the 230 engine. But the facelift started again with the new engine but no vaq, that only came on the 245.
I wanted any colour other than black or grey, white is a bit common too but the basic white seems to hold up better to stone chips and is a hell of a lot cheaper to sort if needed! Budget and spec were priority at the time. I'd have loved a red one or blue.
The Alcantara half leathers and winter pack sold this one to me.
chrismc1977 said:
Narcisus said:
Revo quote 280 to 350-375 and 258lbft to 330lbft to 360lbft for my Superb for £599 !
I keep toying with the idea but in all honesty its fast enough for me already.
A slippery slope. Remap prices have shot up! A lot of quote me happy & variable figures banded about for doing the same job & optimising the standard setup.I keep toying with the idea but in all honesty its fast enough for me already.
They certainly promise good gains but will show up other areas if used fully. Brakes, clutch, dogbone mounts, stock diff etc etc
With regards to the map. There are 3 or 4 big names that sell the software. Apr, revo, racingline/oem+ and sure there's another.
I was sceptical at first of these as I was convinced its a flash and go remap. But I went for the oem+ as the Internet whispers suggested it was less aggressive and they also don't charge you if you were to add hardware like downpipe and is38 turbo (aka 'stages') and have the map altered to suit.
When I had mine done at awesome gti, I was pleasantly surprised. A full diagnostic was done as well as rolling road runs, before during and after.
So the flash was just a basemap, same as any other remap I've had done (always been at EFI Parts before for Hondas and renaultsport). I was there for a good while too so it definitely is not a flash and go.
I dare say that some places that offer the service, who don't have a rolling road will not go to such detail and presume it'll be either a flash and go, or mapping tweaks based on road tests.
Not sure what difference any of the options can be then, if a rolling road is involved. Surely the map is the map in that case. And no, I did not get tacky pops and bangs added! Ha.
I was sceptical at first of these as I was convinced its a flash and go remap. But I went for the oem+ as the Internet whispers suggested it was less aggressive and they also don't charge you if you were to add hardware like downpipe and is38 turbo (aka 'stages') and have the map altered to suit.
When I had mine done at awesome gti, I was pleasantly surprised. A full diagnostic was done as well as rolling road runs, before during and after.
So the flash was just a basemap, same as any other remap I've had done (always been at EFI Parts before for Hondas and renaultsport). I was there for a good while too so it definitely is not a flash and go.
I dare say that some places that offer the service, who don't have a rolling road will not go to such detail and presume it'll be either a flash and go, or mapping tweaks based on road tests.
Not sure what difference any of the options can be then, if a rolling road is involved. Surely the map is the map in that case. And no, I did not get tacky pops and bangs added! Ha.
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