Want advice for new shocks/springs! :-)

[olit]

Hi!

I own a Skoda Octavia Estate SLX 1,6i - 2000 mod - km 135'.

No work has been done on the suspension, except som new ARB-bushes at km 60', so everything is original. I feel that the suspension is beginning to get soft, so new shocks/springs is probably due. And probably the same with the bushes...

I live in western Norway, where the asfalt is not so smooth, and the edges of the asfalt often is pretty high. Therefore I do not want a kit that lowers the car, at least not much. And the bushes must not generate to much NVH.

My own investigations (searches on this forum) has made me think that SuperPro might be the best compromise when it comes to bushes.


But the question is what shocks and springs to choose!? Please come forward with your advise!! And again - no lowering, at least not much!

I am looking forward to your advise!

Olit


PS! I see that Koni FSD is hold in high regard by many... But will they lower the car?

[VRStu]

Koni FSD and OEM springs will not lower your car.

[olit]

OK! Thank you VRStu. Koni FSD is definately an alternative then!! Is there a yellow Koni alternative - at original ride-hight?

At km 135' - is my springs due to change, or will they live longer?

Do you have any high quality alternatives to OEM-springs?


Olit

[olit]

I have done some more investigating..

Prices for 4 new shocks in Norway are this:

• Koni FSD (F+R: 2100-4019) - £ 686,-
• Koni Sport Yellow(F: 8710-1337Sport + R: 80-2815Sport) - £ 643,-
• Sachs Performance Sport (F: 995258 + R: 114429) - £ 632,-
• Bilstein B6 Sport singel tube (F: VE3-4407 + R: BE3-2800) - £ 482,-

As much as I want Koni FSD, I think they will cost me to much. It will probably be Bilstein B6.

So now I am searching for new springs - std or max 20mm lower. So far i have just found some std springs at Lesjöfors (no price on them so far.).

Any helpful hints will be appreciated!

Olit

[Richy Fitt]

I lowered mine and the car was awful. I have gone back to original springs and dampers and over the roads i drive it is much better. (bumpy B roads in UK). I am in process of fitting new poly bushes as i have heard they are great on higher mileage cars with standard set up. Mine has done 130K miles. Will let you know as soon as possible if the make a difference.

[Liverpool-Lad]

Originally Posted by olit

I have done some more investigating..

Prices for 4 new shocks in Norway are this:

• Koni FSD (F+R: 2100-4019) - £ 686,-
• Koni Sport Yellow(F: 8710-1337Sport + R: 80-2815Sport) - £ 643,-
• Sachs Performance Sport (F: 995258 + R: 114429) - £ 632,-
• Bilstein B6 Sport singel tube (F: VE3-4407 + R: BE3-2800) - £ 482,-

As much as I want Koni FSD, I think they will cost me to much. It will probably be Bilstein B6.

So now I am searching for new springs - std or max 20mm lower. So far i have just found some std springs at Lesjöfors (no price on them so far.).

Any helpful hints will be appreciated!

Olit

You should be able to get a set shipped to Norway? Looking at Motorsport World - Performance Car Parts and similar the FSDs are just over £400. Might be worth a check?

Koni adjustable suspension (shocks and springs) is a similiar price.

[olit]

Hi!

My hopes got high when I discovered that H&R had a kit of springs called H&R OE Sport Springs - which lowers the car in the range of 10-20mm. BUT the did of course not have any for my car.

I think I might have to buy a german car-magazine, and google a bit i the christmas holidays...

To Liverpool-Lad: I have now visited Motorsport World. Their price for Koni FSD's for my car was £ 445.50, BUT they only ship within UK.

Olit

[olit]

Hi again!

My search for new springs are frustrating! I find LOTS of lowering-kits (35-50mm) for my car, but none in the region 0-20mm - at least not so far.

Does anybody know who produces the OEM vRS-springs (Octavia mk.1)? Maybe I can get lucky there.....

Olit

[olit]

Bump!

[VRStu]

Awesome GTi will ship outside the UK for you.

[matt@theforce]

I dont know if the oem vrs stuff will fit. I can highly recommend the KW sports springs and dampers. I too have uprated the Wishbone and ARB bushes for Polyutherine bushes on my getting to be High milage octi diesel.

All of it is well worth doing, A guy at work didn't realise my car had done 93,000miles he thought it was a low mileage car with how it drove.

[olit]

Hi!

I think the rear springs of the Octavia vRS will fit to my car. I belive it uses the same rear rear suspension - but the springs are app. 20mm lower. When I searched for shocks, I discovered that they are the same for the vRS as for my 1.6, at the rear.

But the problem is the front suspension. The vRS uses a much heavier drivetrain. The registrationpapers on my car say it is 880kg on the front axle. I belive the vRS is over 1000kg. So the spring rate will be wrong with vRS-springs. The vRS also uses a different wishbone to the other Octy's - and other shocks.

Well - the search continues. So far I think I will go for springs in original hight made by Lesjöfors. Lesjöfors has a good reputation, and is a bit lower in price than the original springs - at least where I presumably must buy them.

Olit

PS! VRStu - I have sent Awesome a mail before christmas, and is waiting for an answer... :-D

Matt - What make of Polybushes do you use on your car? Powerflex, SuperFlex/SuperPro - others?? :-D

DS.

[matt@theforce]

Originally Posted by olit

Hi!

I think the rear springs of the Octavia vRS will fit to my car. I belive it uses the same rear rear suspension - but the springs are app. 20mm lower. When I searched for shocks, I discovered that they are the same for the vRS as for my 1.6, at the rear.

But the problem is the front suspension. The vRS uses a much heavier drivetrain. The registrationpapers on my car say it is 880kg on the front axle. I belive the vRS is over 1000kg. So the spring rate will be wrong with vRS-springs. The vRS also uses a different wishbone to the other Octy's - and other shocks.

Well - the search continues. So far I think I will go for springs in original hight made by Lesjöfors. Lesjöfors has a good reputation, and is a bit lower in price than the original springs - at least where I presumably must buy them.

Olit

PS! VRStu - I have sent Awesome a mail before christmas, and is waiting for an answer... :-D

Matt - What make of Polybushes do you use on your car? Powerflex, SuperFlex/SuperPro - others?? :-D

DS.

I've bought the powerflex bushes. I've also upgraded the dog bone engine mount too, it makes a huge difference to gear changes and throttle responce.

[olit]

Bump again..

No suggestions for what springs to choose?

Olit

[octav.ed]

wot about these...

H&R Suspension Products: Lowering Springs, Coil Overs, Cup-Kits, Anti Roll Bars at Performance Alloys.com

[olit]

Hi Octav.ed.

Both H&R and Eibach are springs that I would love to try out, BUT they both lower my car minimum 30mm. That is to low for the bad roads where I live. I have set a MAX lowering point of 20mm on this project - the same as the mk1 vRS.

As said before; H&R OE Sport spring with 10-20mm lowering would probably be what I am looking for, but they do (still?) not provide springs for the Octavia.


Olit

[Liverpool-Lad]

Why not use the vRS springs with some decent dampers then?

[olit]

Hi Liverpool-Lad!

Well, at the back it will be allright with OEM vRS springs - same weight -> same suspenson. But in the front - HUGE difference in weight -> completely different spring-rate - AND a different suspension (wishbones at least).

My 1.6i, is 880 kg on the front axle. A vRS i beyond 1000 kg I belive - I do not have the exact figure at the moment.

But if someone here can help me find some front springs that match the 20mm shorter OEM vRS springs in the back - both in length and spring-rate, well then I would be VERY happy!

Olit

[olit]

Bump again! Last Call...

Desperately want tips for high quality springs for my car - "OEM" or up to 20mm lower than OEM.


Olit