Differences on the Octavia VRS

MikeHiow

MikeHiow

MikeHiow

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What differences were made between the vRS and the standard model?

I've been looking at vRSs and have come across an Octavia 4x4 1.8T, which has had a remap (210bhp), jamex coilovers fitted, as well as forge rear tie bars.

I know it won't have the interior, wheels or rear spoiler, but what about other stuff? Brakes?

This car is a good £500 cheaper than a vRS, with more power and 4WD (lets not dispute the merits of Haldex as a 4WD system today children) so it certainly has my attention.

Thoughts?
 
Hm. I should really know this! My calipers are pretty green, dunno what else is special about them. I have that bracing behind the rear seats so the car doesn't collapse too. The suspension setup would be different you'd think/hope/have no clue.

I thought the 1.8T 4x4 came at 150bhp, to get to 210bhp I'd expect a lot of stuff to have been done. Perhaps check the release outputs and performance metrics, I remember someone telling me the 4x4 was a bit slower than the 2wd 1.8 NA, stock. Though I may have been drunk/dreaming.

My other thought is that with 4x4 you'll get less bloody annoying wheel spin and will be able to make more progress.

But oh dear you'll miss out on the black and white seats!

EDIT: Oh, I was drunk/dreaming
 
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Think carefully as to whether you really need the 4wd.
Yes you'll get less wheelspin and more grip, but you also end up with a heavier car, worse fuel economy and a shallower boot ;)

As much as I like mine, I can't help but think 4wd isn't really all that necessary in our climate with such a (relatively) low power output..
 
It isn't just the 4WD, it is nearly £600 cheaper than any vRS that I've found for sale.

I was under the impression that the 150bhp 1.8T and the 180bhp 1.8T were both identical, with the same K03 Turbo - just presumably different maps?
 
I missed that bit, sorry.
It's certainly worth a look then, although that depends if you could live without the bodykit, spoiler and white trim :p

If it's gone from 150 to 210 then the clutch is under a lot more strain, and the stock brakes might be a bit weak.
 
Thought a 1.8t 150bhp would have the K03 rather than K03s turbo?

210 bhp is roughly what the AUQ (180 bhp) 1.8t makes with a remap.

edit - £600? If you want the seats and brakes it's worth paying that to not have to **** about with the thing!
 
Assuming you are talking Mk1 Octavia vRS then the 4x4 1.8T is, in many ways the better car due to a better rear suspension setup. Remapped vRSs also struggle a bit to get the power down, something that would be better in the 4x4.

Differences are:
Front and rear bumpers
30mm lower with stiffer springs
180 bhp vs 150 bhp
Interior (half leather in the vRS)
Bigger brakes
Spoiler
Wheels
Green callipers :p

probably a fair bit that I missed

Also generic remap on a 150bhp would normally see it just shy of 200. Don't worry about the numbers though, smooth power curve is what you want from a remap.
 
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150 - 210 on a 1.8T is a standard stage one remap and just about every Golf mk4 gti on the road has had it done.

the 150 and 180 1.8T are the same aside from the turbo, k03 and k03s (The difference being the number of viens on the wheel thing. The 180 version has less I believe)and the ecu map. Both types make 210BHP however.

Definately buy the vRS
 
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On second thoughts, I've just researched those Jamex coilovers that this is supposedly fitted with and they appear to be absolute ****e.

Its a shame, because with the cheaper insurance, tyres and purchase price, this seemed like a decent car.

I guess I could always go out and buy a decent, standard 4x4 and fit some vRS suspension and brakes to it and get it remapped, but by the time I've done that, I've spent more than I would have on a vRS.

So back to the vRS then.
 
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