SKODA Vrs and track days
#1
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SKODA Vrs and track days
Hi Guys,
Maybe someone with experience can help.
I currently own a 05 Skoda Oct VRS (1.8t 180bhp), It's a mint car with 32k on the clock and i really enjoy driving it.
I chose the Octavia because its grown up (things change when your 30 )
The problem is I'm starting to enjoy car maintenance and its slowly developing into a hobby (I have even booked myself a evening class).
The problem is the Octavia is hard to work on, it's big, heavy, parts are expensive (VW parts bin), everything is over engineered and you need three tools just to take off a mirror
Everything is electronic - take the seat out = warning light on the dash
take the steering wheel off = warning light on dash
fit air intakes = car goes into limp mode
you catch my drift :
I have recently been thinking of trading the VRS for a fiesta ST (150bhp).... for a number of reasons
- The fiesta would make a fun track day car (I guess)
- I assume it's easier to work on
- it's just as invisible as the Skoda
- Things are cheaper and it's easier to take apart
Does anyone see the method in the madness OR am I being a tool (i have ruled out a 182 clio bacuse i have heard they are hard to work on AND unreliable)
Any input would be apprciated, maybe my theory is totally wrong!
Ohh and being 30 driving a fiesta hmmmm i'm not so sure
Petr
Maybe someone with experience can help.
I currently own a 05 Skoda Oct VRS (1.8t 180bhp), It's a mint car with 32k on the clock and i really enjoy driving it.
I chose the Octavia because its grown up (things change when your 30 )
The problem is I'm starting to enjoy car maintenance and its slowly developing into a hobby (I have even booked myself a evening class).
The problem is the Octavia is hard to work on, it's big, heavy, parts are expensive (VW parts bin), everything is over engineered and you need three tools just to take off a mirror
Everything is electronic - take the seat out = warning light on the dash
take the steering wheel off = warning light on dash
fit air intakes = car goes into limp mode
you catch my drift :
I have recently been thinking of trading the VRS for a fiesta ST (150bhp).... for a number of reasons
- The fiesta would make a fun track day car (I guess)
- I assume it's easier to work on
- it's just as invisible as the Skoda
- Things are cheaper and it's easier to take apart
Does anyone see the method in the madness OR am I being a tool (i have ruled out a 182 clio bacuse i have heard they are hard to work on AND unreliable)
Any input would be apprciated, maybe my theory is totally wrong!
Ohh and being 30 driving a fiesta hmmmm i'm not so sure
Petr
Last edited by Guile1; 25-06-2010 at 04:09 PM.
#2
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the Skoda VRS is an awesome car, personally i'd never swap it for a Fiesta ST.
also, i would never have a daily driver and take it on the track too, you are better off keeping the Skoda and buy a cheap track toy whereby you can fiddle around with.
incidentally the clio 172 & 182's make awesome track cars and are reliable.
if your budget doesnt strech that far, buy a pug 205 gti and use it as a track car (i'd love a 205 fitted with a gti-6 engine). plenty of track cars for sale on pistonheads/ ebay
also, i would never have a daily driver and take it on the track too, you are better off keeping the Skoda and buy a cheap track toy whereby you can fiddle around with.
incidentally the clio 172 & 182's make awesome track cars and are reliable.
if your budget doesnt strech that far, buy a pug 205 gti and use it as a track car (i'd love a 205 fitted with a gti-6 engine). plenty of track cars for sale on pistonheads/ ebay
#3
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Sounds like a good plan. The VRS's are supposed to be very good cars, just a shame they are styled on my Zanussi washing machine.
The ST's are pretty easy to work on, loads of spares available as they share engines with the 2.0 mondeo. Quite a light weight engine as its an aluminuim bottom end and they respond well to a bit of tuning, slap a set of throttle bodies on it and it will totally transform the car!
The ST's are pretty easy to work on, loads of spares available as they share engines with the 2.0 mondeo. Quite a light weight engine as its an aluminuim bottom end and they respond well to a bit of tuning, slap a set of throttle bodies on it and it will totally transform the car!
#4
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hey LHD,
Thanks mate, i think deep down I agree with you (I just needed confirmation)
im thinking saving up for a 172 - 182 toy....
although both arguments have a strong case (see rich 170)
Thanks mate, i think deep down I agree with you (I just needed confirmation)
im thinking saving up for a 172 - 182 toy....
although both arguments have a strong case (see rich 170)
Last edited by Guile1; 25-06-2010 at 04:20 PM.
#5
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Keep the skoda all new cars are the same nowerdays. I worked at skoda for 7 years they are by far one of the easiest cars to work on and will take alot of abuse.I'm building a leon cupra track car at the moment there pretty much the same car just a different body.
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Buy a 172 + trailer. Driving cars to and from trackdays is not ideal, its likely something will break and you'll be left with the problem of getting your car back. A good earlier 172 can be had for Ł2k'ish and a useable trailer from Ł700+.
#7
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octavia vrs will make a miles better track car then a fiesta imo they handle superb in standard form and even better with a decent suspension setup, there not that hard to work on tbh mate things like tremoving turbo is a pain in the arse though.
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#9
Removing the seats, steering wheel is'nt a proplem on skodas,vw's, audis if you don't turn on the ignition, turning the ignition on with a airbag disconected will throw the light up
#10
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One car I miss is my Octavia VRS no way would I go for an ST over it, had mine remapped, filter, exhaust, went really well, keep it pal
#12
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Like the fiesta St but would certainly do as a few have said above,shove a towbar on the vrs,nice trailer and pretty much anything that suits the trackday scene.I personally detest French shite as they break so easily and are totally shit to work on,although many on here disagree.it's up to you what you want really but don't wreck your daily driver on the track.I've always thought a nice mr2 173bhp version would do well round a track.pretty tough motors but not easy to work on,although you learn more that way IMHO.
#14
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1st thing, get it mapped , then go from there
i have a leon cupra and its mapped
www.seatcupra.net
loads of info there, there a vrs in a local scrappers i may go rape for some bits
i have a leon cupra and its mapped
www.seatcupra.net
loads of info there, there a vrs in a local scrappers i may go rape for some bits
#15
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Gutted!!just going on what we see in the workshop all the time,clios seem to blow a coilpack weekly!!!when it went cold,my sprayers Clio just refused to start,turn over for about 5 seconds and just stop,no starter coming in.put a booster on it,left it 5 minutes,same,tried it again,started fine?WTF!!!have heard they make great track day stuff but have never done a trackdaybso wouldn't know!!!
#16
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Gutted!!just going on what we see in the workshop all the time,clios seem to blow a coilpack weekly!!!when it went cold,my sprayers Clio just refused to start,turn over for about 5 seconds and just stop,no starter coming in.put a booster on it,left it 5 minutes,same,tried it again,started fine?WTF!!!have heard they make great track day stuff but have never done a trackdaybso wouldn't know!!!
That was reliable but only had 3-4k on the clock
#17
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If your interested get a copy of VAG Com you can get leads from Gendan for less than Ł30 and a shareware version of Vag Com from Ross Tech, you can then run fault code checks and clear any errors, also you can run data logging too, so you can check N75 duty cycles and MAF Values etc,
As has been said get a turbo back exhuast, a panel filter and a front mount and with a stage 2 map you will see 230 - 240 bhp out of your Ko3s turbo,
Theres a guy on here Furry who runs a VRS as his track car
As has been said get a turbo back exhuast, a panel filter and a front mount and with a stage 2 map you will see 230 - 240 bhp out of your Ko3s turbo,
Theres a guy on here Furry who runs a VRS as his track car
#18
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I have a vrs and love it!
Bought it in 2005 to replace the escos.
Done 145k and so far this year I've done 2 uk track days and a 1200mile weekend round trip to the ring and didn't miss a beat. Certainly won't be getting rid of it in the near future that's for sure!!!
Bought it in 2005 to replace the escos.
Done 145k and so far this year I've done 2 uk track days and a 1200mile weekend round trip to the ring and didn't miss a beat. Certainly won't be getting rid of it in the near future that's for sure!!!
#19
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I had an octavia vrs for two years and loved it, had a blue flame cat back piper cross air filter baily dump valve and mine nevr threw up any fault codes. had to do a few minor repairs on it but i found the parts to be pretty cheap for it.
Good owners club is BRISKODA.NET good bunch of guys on there.
I now have a clio 172 and its a great wee car takes a hell of allot of abuse from me and keeps going, sure build quality isnt as good and there is a few rattles but they handle well and go alot better than a fiesta st.
Good owners club is BRISKODA.NET good bunch of guys on there.
I now have a clio 172 and its a great wee car takes a hell of allot of abuse from me and keeps going, sure build quality isnt as good and there is a few rattles but they handle well and go alot better than a fiesta st.
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Iv just done a deal on my focus rs with a octavia vrs and have to say its alot better than i thought it would be. Its got a bmc on it, pro alloy front mount, spax coilovers, Miltek exhaust, r32 rollbar, remapped and a few other bits and it goes really well and still nice and tight. Nothing like the focus but a good allround car. Il get some pics up later
#22
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Stick with the vRS
Mines done 140k, still made 182bhp and 184 lb ft on the rollers Saturday (standard obviously)
Another guy had bought an Octavia 1.8T, put the Cupra R BAM engine in, got 229bhp on the rollers, standard - sure he'd gone on to uprate suspension etc (was to be used for a track car) http://briskoda.net/forums/blog/14-t...tavia-lk-blog/
Wouldn't want to take it on track regularly as chance it could ruin it, not everyone can have the luxury of a dedicated track car though!
for parts, GSF or Eurocar parts
Mines done 140k, still made 182bhp and 184 lb ft on the rollers Saturday (standard obviously)
Another guy had bought an Octavia 1.8T, put the Cupra R BAM engine in, got 229bhp on the rollers, standard - sure he'd gone on to uprate suspension etc (was to be used for a track car) http://briskoda.net/forums/blog/14-t...tavia-lk-blog/
Wouldn't want to take it on track regularly as chance it could ruin it, not everyone can have the luxury of a dedicated track car though!
for parts, GSF or Eurocar parts
Last edited by cabrio zo; 28-06-2010 at 02:38 PM.
#23
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Iv just done a deal on my focus rs with a octavia vrs and have to say its alot better than i thought it would be. Its got a bmc on it, pro alloy front mount, spax coilovers, Miltek exhaust, r32 rollbar, remapped and a few other bits and it goes really well and still nice and tight. Nothing like the focus but a good allround car. Il get some pics up later
Cheers mate.
#24
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Before bought my vRS test drove a FRS, lovely car, but for an everyday car I personally found the vRS more inconspicuous (so not worried too much about leaving it in a car park) economical, cheaper to insure, practical, good all rounder (and cheaper to purchase!) - of course usually have a 'toy' car in the garage too though
of course the FRS is more of a performance car with more bhp, sportier looks/feel etc, two different animals really, but the vRS are very capable car
of course the FRS is more of a performance car with more bhp, sportier looks/feel etc, two different animals really, but the vRS are very capable car
Last edited by cabrio zo; 28-06-2010 at 03:56 PM.
#25
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Before bought my vRS test drove a FRS, lovely car, but for an everyday car I personally found the vRS more inconspicuous (so not worried too much about leaving it in a car park) economical, cheaper to insure, practical, good all rounder (and cheaper to purchase!) - of course usually have a 'toy' car in the garage too though
of course the FRS is more of a performance car with more bhp, sportier looks/feel etc, two different animals really, but the vRS are very capable car
of course the FRS is more of a performance car with more bhp, sportier looks/feel etc, two different animals really, but the vRS are very capable car
#26
I've had two clio 172's and would have another they are great cars and pretty easy to work on. Get a Ł1500 ph1 and use your new found mechanic skills getting it in tip top condition. More than likely you'll have to change engine mounts at a bare minimum on one at that price range. They are quite a bit quicker than a fiesta st in standard form.
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What made you trade in a Focus RS for an Octavia VRS? Don't get me wrong mate i'm not asking this question in an arsey tone as i like both cars just curious as i am hoping to get an FRS if i can get my house sold soon. Also how do the 2 cars compare with each other?
Cheers mate.
Cheers mate.
Cant really compare it to the focus as its was purely driver focused but i used it daily for 3 years and it never missed a beat. Really miss it but a guy from work has it now and really looks after his cars so might buy it back one day
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