Skoda Octavia vRS Blackline Estate

[Ahbefive]

I do think you have improved the look overall but the colour scheme on the 5series (i.e not black wheels) works better imo.

I polish the life out of my Volvos window but still wish it had a wiper like my hatchbacks do.

Enjoy anyway, I should imagine that a remap would make a big difference too.

[bullawayo]

Hi guys,

Haven't updated this for a while.
So after replacing discs/pads all round, I had a horrendous squeaking noise when the brakes were hot.
I did everything possible to try and track it down, including tolerances/OEM greases/caliper rebuilds etc.
Eventually it transpired I had a dodgy set of Pagid brake pads. This is not something i've ever had from them before, but they have been sent back as they confirmed they were aware of a bad batch of rear pads for the Octavia.

Before I diagnosed, between taking the brakes apart around 30 times a corner, I replaced the OSR caliper as it was sticking. The NSR was also rebuilt. Some pics:


Knackered old caliper


The garage (I live in here)


Also installed a sub/amp I have had for a while. Bought a ISO plug loom adapter from Amazon to give me RCA outputs. Removed most the interior to run the cables in properly. They are all segregated and loom-taped. Tried to be as OEM as possible.


Taking the boot apart


Temporary fuse mount I made up, I have since redone this so it sits perfectly between the air filter/battery and is easy to check/change in case of issue.


Sub in place



And then a couple from a post-brake-fix-FINALLY b-road hoon. So nice driving the car again without an annoying squeak!!







I've since fitted a bass controller to the ash tray, and done some other bits and bobs. Pictures to follow..

[darren9]

I’ve just bought a fl mk2 Octavia vrs (mines a hatch) and I like what you’ve done so I have (just a few) questions.

What suspension have you got?
Where did you buy the spacers?
Is the splitter the triple r one?

Cheers.

[bullawayo]

darren9 said:

I’ve just bought a fl mk2 Octavia vrs (mines a hatch) and I like what you’ve done so I have (just a few) questions.

What suspension have you got?
Where did you buy the spacers?
Is the splitter the triple r one?

Cheers.

Hey Darren,
Koni shocks/eibach springs
I had them machined by my friend, but you can get 5x112 spacers with bolts on ebay for about 30 quid
And yeah the splitter is TRC

[darren9]

Thanks for the reply. Very impressed with how your looks. Hopefully will get mine to a similar standard.

[bullawayo]

darren9 said:

Thanks for the reply. Very impressed with how your looks. Hopefully will get mine to a similar standard.

Thanks mate!

[bullawayo]

So, long time no updates...



Had the car remapped: 205bhp 420nm






Much better!



Changed a knackered wheel bearing. One of the bolts was shot







Did some driving...





Fitted LED headlights:








Fitted a ttRs shortshifter kit, which I got from Darkside Developments:









Really impressed with the ttRs unit - slightly shorter throw making for much more enjoyable gear changes!

ARB's next, i think!

[bullawayo]

Soooo...another update:

Just fitted an anti-lift kit from DPM Performance to the Octy.

Superb service as always.

Wheel hop is drastically reduced and the handling is much better. With the suspension and this mod, it's becoming a much better car to drive as I add each item.

Next up will be ARB's!



Whiteline Anti Lift Kit:












All fitted!




I then got the car tracked.

Given it a bit of a battering down some B roads last night and I have to say i'm very impressed!

[bullawayo]

So,

Fully upgraded the interior lights to LED. I have also ordered some HB4 LED's for the foglights (to match the LED headlights).

Went for a drive with my mates this weekend. We have a good group of guys, and between us have quite an eclectic collection of cars.

During our B-Road blast, I was again suprised at how nimble the Octavia is. It kept pace with all and in some cases was quicker through the twisties. Some of this may be to do with the handling/power modifications I have made, but with its curb weight of 1400kg its fairly light for what it is.



Excuse how dirty it is, did 1000 miles last week!











Fixing my mates MX5 (this is a fairly regular occurance):



And the guys cars in a group:



A lot of them are members on here, I can point you in the direction of their respective threads if needed.


Next up for the Octavia is anti-roll bars and new tyres. Going for Pilot Sport 4's as all of the reviews i've read/heard about have been excellent. They come in at 95 quid for a 225/40/18 which is very respectable!

[chrismc1977]

Some nice work. Octy’s are capable motors!

I’m another who doesn’t like the black on black with the wheels I must say- & those LED plate lights are WAY too white/ bright!!. Less is more

[bucks]

Loving this, great mods

I drove one similar to yours last year that had bilstein b8's and eibach springs all round and it was fantastic. Well worth the money spent as it was able to do things a big-ish estate shouldn't be able to do.

[bullawayo]

chrismc1977 said:

Some nice work. Octy’s are capable motors!

I’m another who doesn’t like the black on black with the wheels I must say- & those LED plate lights are WAY too white/ bright!!. Less is more

Hey, thanks!

The wheels will stay black as it is a blackline model. I like all the black look myself. I may change the wheels entirely soon...
LED's are awesome!

[bullawayo]

bucks said:

Loving this, great mods

I drove one similar to yours last year that had bilstein b8's and eibach springs all round and it was fantastic. Well worth the money spent as it was able to do things a big-ish estate shouldn't be able to do.

Cheers buddy.

I've had a few estates over the years and the way this conducts itself through bends at speed still amazes me. I'm sure its something to do with the relatively light curbweight compared to equivalent models.

With the anti-lift kit and decent tyres/lowered suspension it really is a hoot.

[Glosphil]

I have owned a black March 2012 Octavia vRS CR DSG since June 2013. I have kept it absolutely standard. Keep thinking of changing it, but can never decide to what!

[bullawayo]

Glosphil said:

I have owned a black March 2012 Octavia vRS CR DSG since June 2013. I have kept it absolutely standard. Keep thinking of changing it, but can never decide to what!

I don't blame you. They tick so many boxes, particularly the estates.

[bullawayo]

Haven't updated this for ages..

Looks like this now:







I've done a lot of stuff, which I will update soon.

Still loving it!

[MARLBOROLITES]

That's a fine looking wagon, Skoda should take note of your tasteful visuals and maybe offer an enhancement pack as part of its OE accessory range. Many of its new offerings are almost there out of the box I feel, just lacking that little bit of impact. May I say you've solved that conundrum mightily well.

The spacers make a helluva difference. I'm looking for a set for my Kodiaq as to me it looks under tyred..or wheeled!? I just need to fill the arches, 20mm will be just about perfect.

My Kodiaq is black but I just can't get its paint to gleam like yours. May I ask what you use? You've redefined my understanding of shiny black!

[jsims1]

Your car looks great buddy, I've got a mk2.5 in blue with the petrol engine and love it. Only had it a few weeks now so in early stages with it but I'll get there eventually.
One of the jobs on my list is wheel spacers and the 15mm ones you've got seem to fill the arches well, think I'll be ordering some soon!

[bullawayo]

MARLBOROLITES said:

That's a fine looking wagon, Skoda should take note of your tasteful visuals and maybe offer an enhancement pack as part of its OE accessory range. Many of its new offerings are almost there out of the box I feel, just lacking that little bit of impact. May I say you've solved that conundrum mightily well.

The spacers make a helluva difference. I'm looking for a set for my Kodiaq as to me it looks under tyred..or wheeled!? I just need to fill the arches, 20mm will be just about perfect.

My Kodiaq is black but I just can't get its paint to gleam like yours. May I ask what you use? You've redefined my understanding of shiny black!

20mm all round works well!

Thanks a lot - appreciate that.

Regarding the paint - I did a 3 stage machine polish on it not too long ago. It gets washed at least once a week now too..





So...
bit more of an update. Took it to surrey rolling road recently. Made 220bhp 330ft/lb torque. not bad for a daily diesel beater!





Fitted prosport coilovers and completely refreshed the rear end...





This was obviously going well!









And some general pics of me abusing the mileage daily! Engineering life!











The mod list is something I will upload at some point. I don't feel like I have done much to it, but when I think back to all the different times I have been working/fitting parts I think in reality I've done quite a lot...

Most recent has been the (heavily modified) Yakima wind fairing for the roof, to stop motorway "windslap" from the roof bars. I wasn't happy with the included fitted kit as it seemed a bit flimsy so made up my own with proper (colour coded black) hardware:

[jsims1]

I know I commented just last night about how good it looked but now seeing it with an even lower ride height it looks fantastic! Great work there!