Skoda Laura VRS - Officially Unofficial Review and Initial Ownership Report

prithwi-81 · 1st May 2013, 19:56

Remapped with full Turbo Back Exhaust from Milltek.. 220hp never felt so good!!!
I am officially at max level for this car on stock turbo. :-)

Its a little hard to describe how madly this car pulls.. to put it in a perspective, i get wheelspin thru 2nd on 225/45/17s with PS3 rubber with a Bilstein B14 STIFF setup.. hahahahaahhaa.. its totally insane!!

Wait for video guys..

prithwi-81 · 2nd May 2013, 19:50

Videos of the initial test runs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT4W8...e_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bd-2...e_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm5tR...e_gdata_player

Turbo Back Exhaust

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yewzL...e_gdata_player

prithwi-81 · 3rd May 2013, 11:45

More pics on the final look for the car.

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Motoringlover · 11th May 2013, 18:53

Mate - after checking your ride in person, I am amazed what you can do with TSI tech, very impressed with the end result, thank you very much for the drive, blistiens have made a word of a difference, the only challenge now is to reconcile in your head to stay away making absurd financial choices.

All the best.

ML.

prithwi-81 · 12th May 2013, 00:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motoringlover

Mate - after checking your ride in person, I am amazed what you can do with TSI tech, very impressed with the end result, thank you very much for the drive, blistiens have made a word of a difference, the only challenge now is to reconcile in your head to stay away making absurd financial choices.

All the best.

ML.

Your welcome Deepak... have I got you hooked up to the modding bug or what!!!

prithwi-81 · 12th May 2013, 20:23

Did some runs with my friend driving my TSI and me in the VRS, both on 97 Octane.
TSI Mileage - 39,000 kms
VRS Mileage - 7,000 kms

Observations
1. 1st and 2nd Gear (100kmph) - Full throttle on both cars - TSI and RS are neck to neck, with the RS pulling in front near 80kmph mark. This has to do with my request for the tune to restrict boost to stock levels on 1st and 2nd Gear in order to prevent wheelspin and protect the tires as well as get the best acceleration possible. Conclusion Expected!
2. 3rd Gear 4th Gear - WHOA! On a shift to 3rd, the VRS leapt forward by atleast a car's length and kept on pulling ahead. Here is where you feel the full impact of the remap. At the end of 3rd Gear, the VRS was 2 car lengths ahead and kept pulling.

3. 80-140 3rd Gear - Same result as above. Insane difference in how both the cars reacted. My friend did some short shifting (at 5krpm) in the TSI in the 2nd run and the performance was a little better. Conclusion - The stock turbo runs out of breath in the top end with the stock tune. Remap + Downpipe opens it up significantly.

4. Next we did some braking. 100-0, 140-0
With Stock rotors on both cars, and the TSI having gotten new pads and cleaned discs about 400kms ago. The VRS has stock rotors (that have gone thru 5 BIC track sessions, with Tarox Strada (basic) pads for about 500kms. The TSI is on stock 195 55 NCT5 tires and the RS is on 225 45 PS3 tires. End result, the VRS stopped insanely (all 4 runs) fast, where as the TSI went way past, stopping atleast 3 cars length later, with my friend standing on the brakes.. The 4th stop the TSI pads started smoking a bit, and my friend was too freaked out as to how the VRS stopped dead every time without any fade. If this is what the Strada Pads do.. i cant wait to get my hands on the Tarox Corsa Pads. To be fair, the TSI is on stock suspension and the 195 NCT5 also have a huge role to play in the comparatively poor braking performance. Conclusion - If your going for a Remap/Downpipe Combo, a good set of wheels and tires are a must. Also a bonus is a good suspension setup which helps u put all that power down.

I plan to swap over the OEM RS suspension, wheels and tires (NCT5s) over to the stock TSI, and later swap out the NCT5s to some better rubber. All things equal, I expect the TSI to be able to outperform the VRS with the same mods, as its lighter than the VRS...

Now the decision point-- shall i make the TSI an all out Track attach car? la la la la.. thinkin...

prithwi-81 · 13th May 2013, 14:05

Some more pics of the car on an empty autocross track with some of my friends.

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nitinbose · 13th May 2013, 18:53

Pete's does sell some good suspensions such as the adjustable ones. However if your car has AFS, which I've heard has sensors on the suspension as well, can the sensors be integrated to the aftermarket suspensions as well?

Motoringlover · 14th May 2013, 09:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by prithwi-81

Now the decision point-- shall i make the TSI an all out Track attach car? la la la la.. thinkin...

Well mate having seen what a remap can do with the VRS, i would advise otherwise, may be a car for the city runabouts, when you don't feel like burning the precious 97 octane and run the TSI on regular pump fuel.

Or may be get a Stage 1 and basic suspension mods and run it on pump fuel. What say ?

Best - ML

prithwi-81 · 14th May 2013, 22:43

The stock VRS suspension should be good enuff an upgrade for this car. ECU remap is pretty pointless and a waste of money without a downpipe at least.
So if I do mod the TSI, it will be

1. A catless downpipe with the stock catback.
2. REMAP for 93 octane/speed.
3. VRS stock suspension
4. VRS oem wheels and better rubbber (215/50/16)

That should get me a great daily driver. Or I dump the brio and the TSI and get a Polo TSI

prithwi-81 · 27th May 2013, 22:51

New badges are on.. thanks to Autopsyche folks for their support on my build...

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prithwi-81 · 15th July 2013, 21:58

Some more pics...

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Nikhilb2008 · 15th July 2013, 22:48

So, this was the photoshoot Arush was talking about! More pics please!

I've seen your car a couple of times when I was at Autopsyche (most recently as last Wednesday) and I absolutely love the way your car looks. I was a passenger in the white VRS and man, that goes like a bloody rocket! I was actually laughing my head off at the insanity that car brings! I cant even imagine how lucky oyu must be to own one of the fastest cars and enjoy it on a daily basis!

prithwi-81 · 16th July 2013, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

So, this was the photoshoot Arush was talking about! More pics please!

I've seen your car a couple of times when I was at Autopsyche (most recently as last Wednesday) and I absolutely love the way your car looks. I was a passenger in the white VRS and man, that goes like a bloody rocket! I was actually laughing my head off at the insanity that car brings! I cant even imagine how lucky oyu must be to own one of the fastest cars and enjoy it on a daily basis!

If you think the white VRS is fast, here is a comparison of the two...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_9Bi...e_gdata_player

raajks · 22nd August 2013, 01:30

Really enjoyed reading the entire thread,

It is an awesome journey of a great car and a great driver as well.
It is nice to see how you have gone with the mods of the car while keeping your driving in mind.
It is also nice to find a person who enjoys track days and participates regularly in them.

Question:
With a stock Laura TSI if we add
1) Bilstein shocks + springs (B14 or B6, Need to make a decision on that)
2) Get Tarox brake pads

Are we on a similar league as a Laura vRS? in terms of driving dynamics
Does vRS sport a better steering rack that the TSI or a different brake setup?

Appreciate the help!

1st May 2013, 19:56	#121
prithwi-81 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 686 Thanked: 1,046 Times	Re: Skoda Laura VRS - Officially Unofficial Review and Initial Ownership Report Remapped with full Turbo Back Exhaust from Milltek.. 220hp never felt so good!!! I am officially at max level for this car on stock turbo. :-) Its a little hard to describe how madly this car pulls.. to put it in a perspective, i get wheelspin thru 2nd on 225/45/17s with PS3 rubber with a Bilstein B14 STIFF setup.. hahahahaahhaa.. its totally insane!! Wait for video guys..
	(5) Thanks

3rd May 2013, 11:45	#123
prithwi-81 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 686 Thanked: 1,046 Times	More pics on the final look for the car.
	(3) Thanks

11th May 2013, 18:53	#124
Motoringlover BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 424 Thanked: 211 Times View My Garage	Mate - after checking your ride in person, I am amazed what you can do with TSI tech, very impressed with the end result, thank you very much for the drive, blistiens have made a word of a difference, the only challenge now is to reconcile in your head to stay away making absurd financial choices. All the best. ML.
	(1) Thanks

12th May 2013, 20:23	#126
prithwi-81 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 686 Thanked: 1,046 Times	Re: Skoda Laura VRS - Officially Unofficial Review and Initial Ownership Report Did some runs with my friend driving my TSI and me in the VRS, both on 97 Octane. TSI Mileage - 39,000 kms VRS Mileage - 7,000 kms Observations 1. 1st and 2nd Gear (100kmph) - Full throttle on both cars - TSI and RS are neck to neck, with the RS pulling in front near 80kmph mark. This has to do with my request for the tune to restrict boost to stock levels on 1st and 2nd Gear in order to prevent wheelspin and protect the tires as well as get the best acceleration possible. Conclusion Expected! 2. 3rd Gear 4th Gear - WHOA! On a shift to 3rd, the VRS leapt forward by atleast a car's length and kept on pulling ahead. Here is where you feel the full impact of the remap. At the end of 3rd Gear, the VRS was 2 car lengths ahead and kept pulling. 3. 80-140 3rd Gear - Same result as above. Insane difference in how both the cars reacted. My friend did some short shifting (at 5krpm) in the TSI in the 2nd run and the performance was a little better. Conclusion - The stock turbo runs out of breath in the top end with the stock tune. Remap + Downpipe opens it up significantly. 4. Next we did some braking. 100-0, 140-0 With Stock rotors on both cars, and the TSI having gotten new pads and cleaned discs about 400kms ago. The VRS has stock rotors (that have gone thru 5 BIC track sessions, with Tarox Strada (basic) pads for about 500kms. The TSI is on stock 195 55 NCT5 tires and the RS is on 225 45 PS3 tires. End result, the VRS stopped insanely (all 4 runs) fast, where as the TSI went way past, stopping atleast 3 cars length later, with my friend standing on the brakes.. The 4th stop the TSI pads started smoking a bit, and my friend was too freaked out as to how the VRS stopped dead every time without any fade. If this is what the Strada Pads do.. i cant wait to get my hands on the Tarox Corsa Pads. To be fair, the TSI is on stock suspension and the 195 NCT5 also have a huge role to play in the comparatively poor braking performance. Conclusion - If your going for a Remap/Downpipe Combo, a good set of wheels and tires are a must. Also a bonus is a good suspension setup which helps u put all that power down. I plan to swap over the OEM RS suspension, wheels and tires (NCT5s) over to the stock TSI, and later swap out the NCT5s to some better rubber. All things equal, I expect the TSI to be able to outperform the VRS with the same mods, as its lighter than the VRS... Now the decision point-- shall i make the TSI an all out Track attach car? la la la la.. thinkin... Last edited by suhaas307 : 13th May 2013 at 13:41. Reason: References to speeding is discouraged on the forum. Please avoid it henceforth. Thanks. :)
	(4) Thanks

13th May 2013, 14:05	#127
prithwi-81 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 686 Thanked: 1,046 Times	Some more pics of the car on an empty autocross track with some of my friends.
	(5) Thanks

13th May 2013, 18:53	#128
nitinbose Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Goa Posts: 1,011 Thanked: 718 Times	Re: Skoda Laura VRS - Officially Unofficial Review and Initial Ownership Report Pete's does sell some good suspensions such as the adjustable ones. However if your car has AFS, which I've heard has sensors on the suspension as well, can the sensors be integrated to the aftermarket suspensions as well?
	() Thanks

14th May 2013, 22:43	#130
prithwi-81 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 686 Thanked: 1,046 Times	The stock VRS suspension should be good enuff an upgrade for this car. ECU remap is pretty pointless and a waste of money without a downpipe at least. So if I do mod the TSI, it will be 1. A catless downpipe with the stock catback. 2. REMAP for 93 octane/speed. 3. VRS stock suspension 4. VRS oem wheels and better rubbber (215/50/16) That should get me a great daily driver. Or I dump the brio and the TSI and get a Polo TSI
	(1) Thanks

27th May 2013, 22:51	#131
prithwi-81 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 686 Thanked: 1,046 Times	New badges are on.. thanks to Autopsyche folks for their support on my build...
	(3) Thanks

15th July 2013, 21:58	#132
prithwi-81 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 686 Thanked: 1,046 Times	Some more pics...
	(5) Thanks

15th July 2013, 22:48	#133
Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,196 Thanked: 10,138 Times	Re: Skoda Laura VRS - Officially Unofficial Review and Initial Ownership Report So, this was the photoshoot Arush was talking about! More pics please! I've seen your car a couple of times when I was at Autopsyche (most recently as last Wednesday) and I absolutely love the way your car looks. I was a passenger in the white VRS and man, that goes like a bloody rocket! I was actually laughing my head off at the insanity that car brings! I cant even imagine how lucky oyu must be to own one of the fastest cars and enjoy it on a daily basis!
	() Thanks

22nd August 2013, 01:30	#135
raajks BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: BLR Posts: 578 Thanked: 119 Times View My Garage	Re: Skoda Laura VRS - Officially Unofficial Review and Initial Ownership Report Really enjoyed reading the entire thread, It is an awesome journey of a great car and a great driver as well. It is nice to see how you have gone with the mods of the car while keeping your driving in mind. It is also nice to find a person who enjoys track days and participates regularly in them. Question: With a stock Laura TSI if we add 1) Bilstein shocks + springs (B14 or B6, Need to make a decision on that) 2) Get Tarox brake pads Are we on a similar league as a Laura vRS? in terms of driving dynamics Does vRS sport a better steering rack that the TSI or a different brake setup? Appreciate the help!
	() Thanks