Jigger72

Hi all, hopefully someone can help me. I know there's loads of threads about wheels and brakes but I just have a couple of simple questions.
I've recently bought a 53 1.8T Elegance (not the 4x4) and I think it needs 17" wheels. My first question is, will the vRS wheels fit (I don't really want any other make but the Skoda ones) and will it lower the gap between wheel arches and tyre or do you think it will still need lowering springs to make it look just that little bit sleeker? (I know that's about 3 questions, sorry)
My second question is, if I put 17" wheels on will they need new brakes ie 316s?
My master plan is to make my already aesthetically pleasing car look and perform even better so I'm looking to make it look slightly lower and I think the wheels need to be more in proportion for what is quite a big car, hence the idea of 17". I'm also eventually going for a remap so maybe I'll need new brakes anyway?
The wheels are going to be first because I need a new set of tyres soon (about 1.5mm left) and rather than buy a new set of 205/55 R16s I thought of buying a second-hand set of 17", maybe already with the tyres (225/45), and flog the 16" set.
Any advice from you lovely Skoda people gratefully received. Thanks

Jigger72

Obviously I meant 312s. See how much I need help?

4x4t

Mk 1 vrs alloys will fit and look excellent.The rolling diameter will be the same if you fit the right profile tyres(you could put different profile tyres on,but the speedo would be wrong) It would probably be easier to put lowering springs on to get the ride height you require probably -30mm looks good.You dont necessarily need the larger brakes but with a remap i would say yes to be safe(could try better disks and pads). I have a 1.8t 4x4 and i put 312mm audi tt brakes on mine because i didnt like standard 288's didny feel powerfull enough.You might want a rear ARB aswell to improve handling.

Jigger72

Thanks for the quick reply. I agree that the vRS wheels would look better. The 16" just look a bit small for the size of the Octavia... So, if Igo for lowering springs it would make sense to do the new brakes at the same time while it's on the ramp? Would used TT brake discs work or is it better to get new discs? Obviously new pads would be needed? Is there anything other than discs and pads I would need to make them fit?
Also, and I'm showing my ignorance here, what's an ARB?
Thanks for your help

Dan Walton

Anti Roll Bar

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matt@theforce

You will also need the 312mm carriers for the caplipers to bolt onto.

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Jigger72

I think I'm starting to see the light. Would the ARB just go on the rear and is that really necessary?? Also, if I get lowering springs would it need new absorbers or would the springs sit on the original shocks? The car's done 48,000 miles if that makes a difference.
Finally, where's the best place to get the vRS wheels? I've looked at all the after market stuff and nothing really does it for me like those spider alloys..
Again, thanks to all for your help


PS I found this on Briskoda yesterday and it's exactly what I'm aiming for, especially since it's the same car, colour and reg as mine. I think it looks sweet. In fact, I'm gutted I didn't get there quick enough. Sounds like a bargain. I paid about about the same for my standard Elegance with 15k more miles. Doh! :

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/skoda...legance/85891/

KenONeill

I drive an Elegance wagon (TDi rather than 1.8T), and don't think it suffers from the understeer that vRS owners complain about. If anything it oversteers slightly (line tightens in a long constant radius corner, rather than a lurid skid developing).

matt@theforce

my old vrs used to understeer really easily and so did my current tdi elegance, although since getting the KW's it doesn't seem to understeer anymore. It certainly feels more stable on the road than the vrs

If your after a nice suspension setup the KW Sport's springs and dampers are pretty good, much firmer ride than standard but it wont shake your teeth out.

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Jigger72

What am I getting myself into? It's like an itch that needs some serious scratching. The whole thing has to be done by stealth though because my missus would have my cluster in a vice if she knew that I was attempting to turn a sensible 4-door saloon into a customised speed machine.
I suppose I could claim a business meeting in Peterborough and let Jabba do all the work? Do you think they could do the brakes, suspension and remap in a day?
At least when it's done it would still look like an ordinary Elegance to the untrained eye, but I quite like that idea. The strong, silent type

KenONeill

As long as they knew all the work in advance, then it should be possible to do those jobs in a day.

Jigger72

I'll keep the forum posted, with pics to come. Thanks for the help

matt@theforce

steath is the best way. It's soo much more fun when people don't expect you to put up a fight let alone leave them behind.

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Jigger72

Exactly