StuartA

Hi

I'm going to get a new Octavia with either the 1.6 FSI or 1.9 TDI. What I'm wondering is whether it would be worth the extra for the sports suspension (I'm really after the look of the 17" alloys as I understand the car handles well enough any way and neither of these engines is likely to stretch the abilities of the standard chassis). Obviously I'm going to have some test drives but wanted to know if anyone had any long-term first-hand experience.

Cheers - Stuart.

cheezemonkhai

The sports IMHO is a lot firmer.

For the 1.6 i probably wouldn't bother, for the 1.9 well £500 for some alloys and a bit harder suspension isn't a bad package price, but it depends on whether you want it or not.

GIve it a try, I think the sports set up is nice

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nick.alp

Hi Stuart,

I agree the 17inch Pegasus wheels look a lot better, and I've got them on my 2.0TDI estate. The stiffer suspension package is good if you like taking the handling to the limits, but is quite firm and jittery on poor surfaces especially at low speed around town, and tyre noise will be higher.

Personally, I would prefer the nice wheels without the stiff suspension.

Nick

sparky925

is the sports suspension worthwhile on a family octy elegance tdi?

cheezemonkhai

Father has it on his car and that is a TDI elegance.

I think it nicely set it all off, but it is a bit more jittery at the back over cr*p surfaces, however it also is nicer to push around the corners when you are making progress. It still isn't up to the level of a MKI Focus though.

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roo

I quite like it myself. I don't find it too firm, and it makes the car less wallowy around corners than the standard setup. I personally would not change it back.

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sworrall

i would agree with what everyone else has said. ok on the motorway and you do tend to notice the bumps on crap roads and slow speeds. I dont notice it that much now though and i wouldnt be without the look of the 17" alloys as i think they look great. I havent tried one without the sports suspension so coulnt comment on how that compares

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2008 OctyII VRS Estate CR 2.0Tdi
Race Blue - 18" Zeniths - Sunset Glass - Maxidot - Dual Zone - Cruise - Jumbo Box/Rear Elec - Rear park - Active headrests - Curtain Airbags - MFD2 & OEM Bluetooth
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shorty

I like the sports suspension. Handling is much improved over the standard and the wheels look great too - the trade off in comfort doesn't bother me.

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Paul
Octy II Sport 2.0tdi
Black Magic Fabia vrs - now gone

yashicamat

I have it on mine and it makes the car much better over standard. Little roll in corners, very good grip and I don't think the tyre noise is intrusive, however I agree about the ride suffering. I am not personally bothered by such things, but some may be though! My Fabia Comfort was a lot smoother on almost all road surfaces by comparison . . . .

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Rob

Nissan Primera GT in Silver
'56 Octy 2 2.0TDi Elegance . . . also gone but not forgotten
2002 Fabia 1.9TDi . . . . gone but not forgotten

http://uk.youtube.com/yashicamatonline

katieclogg

I have a 06 1.9 tdi elegance and opted for the ordinary alloys that came with it. I am pleased that i did so because i drive lots of country lanes and a roads. I have to say I am very happy with them and think they suit this type of roadsurface very well. I rarely drive on motorways and the main a road I drive on is a concrete one. So if this is the type of driving you do I wouldn't bother with the £500 alloys. Hope this is of help.

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Mini to VW to Skoda. Driving just gets better and better!

bosnjo

I have both sport suspention and 17' wheels, and as I almost don't drive on motorways, for me it's a bit too rough. I have to admit that ride is very safe but there is no enough confort for me. I'd be hapy to swap my 17' with 225 tyres for 16' with 205 tyres but just couldn't find anyone who got new car with 16' to do the swap. If I had sport suspention with 16' it would be smoother ride for me, just as I like it.
Also, important point is when the time comes to change my tyres, it will be 1000 euros for 4 tyres and these 17' tyres last less the 16'.

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Octavia 2006 2.0 TDI Sport (equal to L&K in UK)
- 17' wheels, Sport suspension, Xenons, Audience with Sound System, Bluetooth, Front & Back Parking Sensors -
- VAG COM -

jamesmckelvie

with the harder suspension, you will find that you develop more creaks and rattles than a softer sprung car. My car ibiza tdi sport has sports suspension and I find that with the state of the uk's roads, any slightlest imperfection within the road throws the car off course.

mdk1

Have sports suspension and love it, If you like a brisk drive down some twisty's, money well spent.

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Mine Skoda Roomster 3 TDI in matallic Anthracite Grey MK**LJK

Swmbo's Skoda Fabia 2.0I Elegance in Dark matallic Blue MK**LJK

bahnstormer vrs

An 'after market' suggestion - keep your standard springs and fit Koni FSD shock absorbers. The FSDs are designed to give a comfortable ride but stiffen up when required for cornering/braking etc.

I would avoid the 30mm lowered springs as, from experience on a Fabia, they were tooooo firm; BUT you could get the firmish OE springs lowered by 15mm from the 'sport' Octavia or the slightly firmer than firmish OE springs lowered by 15mm from the vRS.

OK?

lozparry

It obviously comes down to personal preference and whether you can afford it. I wanted the wheels and the firmer suspension for the looks and better driving experience plus I could afford it when I bought the car.
I know it is more jittery at lower speeds but I don't find excessively firm, it's a shame I don't get that much chance to enough the drive more now I've got the car than before.

sworrall

while were on suspension if you have the sports option is the car lower than with the standard or just firmer?

__________________
2008 OctyII VRS Estate CR 2.0Tdi
Race Blue - 18" Zeniths - Sunset Glass - Maxidot - Dual Zone - Cruise - Jumbo Box/Rear Elec - Rear park - Active headrests - Curtain Airbags - MFD2 & OEM Bluetooth
my flickr Photos

bahnstormer vrs

The 'Sport' suspension is 15mm lower than standard, and naturally stiffer. The vRS is also only 15mm lower (than standard so same as sport) but stiffer than the sport.

OK?

yashicamat

That isn't what Skoda UK told me - they said that the Sports suspension and the vRS suspension are the same, with minor tweaks to accomodate additional weight (or lack of) according to engine choice.

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Rob

Nissan Primera GT in Silver
'56 Octy 2 2.0TDi Elegance . . . also gone but not forgotten
2002 Fabia 1.9TDi . . . . gone but not forgotten

http://uk.youtube.com/yashicamatonline

bahnstormer vrs

Curious - I have an e-mail from my dealer that says;

"With regard to the lowering of the vRS compared with the Sport, there is a difference in the compression ratio's between them. The vRS and Sport have different shock absorbers."

I had asked a quetsion about this as, having tested the vRS and considering I have a long term 'back' problem, I am concerned that the vRS may be too firm for me and I wanted to know if I had a fallback position to, say, switch springs for those from the sport to make the vRS a degree softer.

If Skoda UK are too be believed, my fall back position will have to be to use standard springs.

yashicamat

I think you'd be best off test driving a sport and a vRS with 17" wheels, and make your choice from there. I personally wouldn't want the ride any firmer than the Sports's as it's already a tad too firm around town IMO.

__________________
Rob

Nissan Primera GT in Silver
'56 Octy 2 2.0TDi Elegance . . . also gone but not forgotten
2002 Fabia 1.9TDi . . . . gone but not forgotten

http://uk.youtube.com/yashicamatonline

cheezemonkhai

Sports suspension and VRS suspension is the same, it is just that the VRS has a stiffer chassis due to bits in the bodywork.

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Cars make CO2 and trees absorb CO2. By driving your car you're feeding a tree and helping the environment.