Octavia VRS

Shanio100

Hey guys

I'm currently looking around for a 03/04 octavia vrs. Anyone got any advice for things to watch for etc? I'm conscious of the timing belt, around the 60k miles mark this should be done shouldn't it?

Aside from that, any other issues? Any owners recommend it?

They seem quite good value at the moment, probably pick one up for less than 7k.

anon11

petrol or diesel??

Mental Mickey

Apologies for gatecrashing this thread, but are these cars available in Auto Transmission?

Biro

At 03 or 04 it'd be the old model, so petrol only, 180bhp 1.8T. No automatic in this VRS. You can get that 1.8T at 150bhp in a non-VRS model with 4WD, and there's probably an auto in that. (might be a UK only model).

Shanio100

Yep, its the older model, so petrol only. I dont do big mileage (10-12k p.a.) so diesel isn't an issue really.

For the price, I think there is good value in these at the moment. I need a family sized saloon / hatchback with having two kids. However, I'd still like something with good poke and fun to drive. This car seems to tick all those boxes while still costing little. Ideally I dont wanna get a big loan to get anything more extravagant with things the way they are at present.

Anyone have other suggestions or advice on this car or others?

Anan1

Biro wrote: »

At 03 or 04 it'd be the old model, so petrol only, 180bhp 1.8T. No automatic in this VRS. You can get that 1.8T at 150bhp in a non-VRS model with 4WD, and there's probably an auto in that. (might be a UK only model).

I'm pretty sure the 1.8T 4wd is manual only.

kasper

my brother had a 02 one for 3 years great car just keep them maintained ,he had to use a petrol additive because they only run right on high octane petrol if you dont you will get engine managment light coming on

Healyc

R.O.R had one for a few years so i'm sure he'll be along with plenty of advice!

AFAIK he loved it!

EPM

Mental Mickey wrote: »

Apologies for gatecrashing this thread, but are these cars available in Auto Transmission?

In the new model yes

Mental Mickey

EPM wrote: »

In the new model yes

Bloody Irish websites are brutal! :rolleyes:

EPM

Go onto any manufacturers site and the info is there

Mental Mickey

EPM wrote: »

Go onto any manufacturers site and the info is there

I haven't got a clue where to start looking!?

anon11

Theres a 03 one for sale in martin barretts in waterford:)

Henry Ford III

Here's one!

Neilw

kasper wrote: »

he had to use a petrol additive because they only run right on high octane petrol if you dont you will get engine managment light coming on

Well thats not true at all, the ecu will adapt and hold back timing if run on lower octane fuel. Management light was prob because of an underlying problem.
I run my car on maxol E5, it's 99 octane.

As for vRS's, don't have on ebut I have a car based on the same engine/chassis.

Coil packs give trouble, if one goes replace all 4 as the other will start to fail shortly after.
Coolant temp sensor can cause problems, if you buy a car replace the sensor with a green one (updated design) and there will be no issues.
Air flow sensors can give trouble although I have never had one go.
Look out for boost leaks caused by split pipes, breather pipe on the rocker cover splits and also one under the intake manifold.

Engines are good for big mileage but make sure a good fully synthetic oil is used and changed regularly. Get the water pump replaced along with the t-belt, go for one with a metal impellar as the plastic on is known to crack and lead to overheating.

Sunpension bushings should be checked for wear, front wishbone and arb bushings don't last too long.

And finally, get a remap, transforms the 180bhp engine into something it should have been from the start

VeVeX

kasper wrote: »

my brother had a 02 one for 3 years great car just keep them maintained ,he had to use a petrol additive because they only run right on high octane petrol if you dont you will get engine managment light coming on

It is recommended to run the 1.8T on 98RON but they can run perfectly well on 95RON. If a knock is detected the ecu retards the timing to allow for lower octane fuels. You shouldn't get a MIL warning regardless of which fuel is used.

VeVeX

bet me too it Neil

bonzos

Neilw wrote: »

Well thats not true at all, the ecu will adapt and hold back timing if run on lower octane fuel. Management light was prob because of an underlying problem.
I run my car on maxol E5, it's 99 octane.

As for vRS's, don't have on ebut I have a car based on the same engine/chassis.

Coil packs give trouble, if one goes replace all 4 as the other will start to fail shortly after.
Coolant temp sensor can cause problems, if you buy a car replace the sensor with a green one (updated design) and there will be no issues.
Air flow sensors can give trouble although I have never had one go.
Look out for boost leaks caused by split pipes, breather pipe on the rocker cover splits and also one under the intake manifold.

Engines are good for big mileage but make sure a good fully synthetic oil is used and changed regularly. Get the water pump replaced along with the t-belt, go for one with a metal impellar as the plastic on is known to crack and lead to overheating.

Sunpension bushings should be checked for wear, front wishbone and arb bushings don't last too long.

And finally, get a remap, transforms the 180bhp engine into something it should have been from the start

What sort of bhp would you get from a VRS as a mater of interest?

Neilw

bonzos wrote: »

What sort of bhp would you get from a VRS as a mater of interest?

Standard 180bhp

Remapped, about 200-210 depending on the map, add some mods such as intercooler/exhaust/downpipe/cat/turbo intake pipe and you should see 230bhp ish and about 250lb ft torque.

spartacus93

Briskoda is a great site for tips, what to look out for, and reviews. It's a dedicated Skoda Forum and well worth searching before you buy.

Unfortunately it's been having major technical problems for the last week (at least), so it mightn't be much good to you. All the info is still there, just a bit harder to get around.