RS Manual Wagons - rare?

[Tigger]

Hey Martin,

Can you get centre caps with the Skoda emblem instead of the VW ones?

[Martin]

Not for the Audio NS4 wheels (wrong hole size)
Very likely for the Golf R wheels

I'm happy to confuse people, my neighbors thought I had an Audi

[Tigger]

haha, yep I love chatting to ignorant non-car types...who havent even heard of Skoda....
different wheel emblems would really mess with their heads!

[Martin]

I love the phrase used by the motoring media to describe the Octavia VRS

A Golf GTI in a sheep's clothing

[sir_camel]

So dangerously straying this towards topic again...

Drove one tonight for the first time and really enjoyed it. It is the one from carsales at the moment which has quite high km and a bit of wear and tear. The owner was a really nice guy though and very honest about it. To be honest I thought it might have felt a little bit faster but once it hit 3000rpm things took off. I suppose it's the difference between the R32 and forced induction.

One thing I'd like to ask about it the tyre noise. This car had Toyo tyres on it and was massively noisy on the freeway. I've read about tyre noise in a few reviews but didn't expect it to be as loud as that. Is that something that you guys find noticeable or is it tyre dependant?

[donweather]

One thing I'd like to ask about it the tyre noise. This car had Toyo tyres on it and was massively noisy on the freeway. I've read about tyre noise in a few reviews but didn't expect it to be as loud as that. Is that something that you guys find noticeable or is it tyre dependant?

Could be tyres me thinks. I went from a Tiggy on Continentals to a Occy on Continentals and yes I did notice more road noise on the Occy, but nothing too noticeably higher than the Tiggy. Well nothing that the louder stereo didn't overcome!!!

[Martin]

If it's an older model Octavia maybe that's how they were

Were the rear seats up and the parcel tray in place? That makes a difference
Different brands of tyres do make different levels of road noise for sure
Also, when the tyres are low on tread they do make more noise and the ride is more harsh

[sir_camel]

The seats were up and the parcel cover was in place. The tyres had about 50% tread left as well. Here's hoping it was the crappy tyres.

[woofy]

Who would put Toyo tyres on it except if they were TIR or S, even then those are reknowned for wearing fast...so they are probably just bad tyres.

[k_rider]

So dangerously straying this towards topic again...

One thing I'd like to ask about it the tyre noise. This car had Toyo tyres on it and was massively noisy on the freeway. I've read about tyre noise in a few reviews but didn't expect it to be as loud as that. Is that something that you guys find noticeable or is it tyre dependant?

Yep, tyre noise was the thing that really struck me with my RS wagon (even with brand new Conti SportContact 2 fitted as OE), especially coming from a Mitsu Verada, which is a particularly quiet car. I have to say I've become a bit more accustomed to the noise after 18 months of ownership.

One of the few disappointments I have with the car is the lack of sound deadening/insulation (tap the outer door skins below the rubbing strip, or the roof just at the top of the 'A' pillars and you'll see what I mean).

Starting to stray off topic again!!!

[sir_camel]

Yea I would say that was my one disappointment after the drive. Currently borrowing a family members Jetta while they are overseas and getting into that afterwards was noticeably quieter. Far more noticeable than I anticipated.

Doesn't change my mind overall though...

[Tigger]

I have continentals on mine, and I reckon they are fantastic....!
Very quiet, very grippy, strong side walls etc...

I put on a cheap set of kuhmos on my Tiguan, and ...man ...they were crappy!

So, yes...spend the extra and replace the tyres straight away with premium quality tyres, and the ride will improve greatly.

[Martin]

The Continents are good and well priced (~$200 each)

[sir_camel]

I ran Goodyear Assym 2's on my R32 which were fantastic. Got them for a great price from Tirerack.

[Ocy_RS_TDi_Kombi]

My Ocy originally came with Continents from the factory and then replaced them with Michelin PS3's. The Michelin's are a much quieter tyre and the grip is better too.