Owners Skoda Octavia Tour They often face the desire to give their car a more modern and aggressive look, because this model, despite its reliability, has a rather conservative design, characteristic of the early 2000s. Body kit It is one of the most effective tools in the hands of a motorist, allowing not only to change the visual perception of the car, but also to improve its aerodynamic performance with the right selection.
Many mistakenly believe that body tuning is an exclusively cosmetic procedure, but competent installation aerodynamic body kit It can reduce air resistance and increase stability at high speeds. For Octavia A5 The market offers a huge variety of solutions, from soft polyurethane linings to rigid fiberglass sets that mimic the RS or Scout versions.
Before you start choosing and installing, you need to clearly understand what tasks you set yourself: whether you want to simply refresh the appearance or strive for a full transformation of the image of the car. In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the nuances, from the selection of materials to the intricacies of the installation, so that you can make an informed decision.
Materials of manufacture of body kits for Octavia Tour
The quality and durability of tuning directly depend on the material from which the elements are made. The most popular option for budget tuning remains polyurethaneIt has high elasticity and resistance to small stones and chips.
Glass plastic, in turn, offers a stiffer structure and perfect shape geometry, but it is extremely fragile when impacted. If you are planning to drive on the city roads with poor pavement, fiberglass You may need frequent repairs after hitting the curb.
There is also a variant of ABS plastic that is often used for factory kits, but for aftermarket solutions it is less common due to processing complexity. Material selection is a compromise between cost, appearance and operating conditions.
- ๐น Polyurethane is ideal for urban conditions, forgiving small strokes.
- ๐น Glass plastic - gives the best appearance, but requires careful operation.
- ๐น ABS plastic is the most durable, but expensive and rarely sold.
It is important to remember that even the best quality material requires professional surface preparation before painting. Errors at this stage can lead to the detachment of the paint or corrosion of the metal under the linings.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Never install fiberglass cells on a cold car without first heating up with a hairdryer, as the material becomes brittle at low temperatures.
Types of body kits: from partial to complete sets
The range of tuning for Octavia Tour It allows you to choose a solution for any budget and taste. Partial body kits usually include only the front bumper and sills, which gives a noticeable visual effect without significant costs.
Full kits mimicking the RS or Scout style change the car beyond recognition, adding aggressive pads, spoilers and extended arches. For fans of off-road style is perfect scoutwhich includes plastic linings around the perimeter of the body.
Special attention should be paid to aerodynamic skirts and diffusers, which are installed on the rear bumper. They not only decorate the car, but also improve the removal of air from under the bottom. However, it is worth remembering that too aggressive design can worsen visibility and passability.
- Partial (bumpers)
- Complete RS kit
- Scout package (off-road)
- Factory style
Criteria for choosing a quality kit
When choosing a body kit, you can not be guided only by the price or beautiful pictures in the catalog. It is necessary to carefully check the thickness of the material, the presence of fastening holes and the geometry match your specific year of release.
Pay special attention to the condition of seats on the car body. Often owners Octavia A5 face the fact that the factory bumper has traces of corrosion or deformation after an accident, which will make the installation of a new kit impossible without repair.
Make sure that the kit includes all the necessary mounting elements. Quality manufacturers always provide a full set of clips, bolts and brackets, which simplifies the installation process. The absence of original fasteners often indicates a low quality of the product.
| Type of body kit | Material | Difficulty of installation | Approximate price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front bumper | Fiberglass | Average | 15,000 - 25,000 rub. |
| Thresholds (set) | Polyurethane | Low | 8,000 - 12,000 rub. |
| Rear spoiler | ABS plastic | Low | 5,000 - 9,000 rub. |
| Complete RS kit | Fiberglass | High | 45,000 - 60,000 rub. |
Body preparation and installation steps
Installation of the body kit requires careful preparation of the body. The first step is to dismantle the standard elements such as bumpers, sills and overlays. Be extremely careful not to damage the paintwork and not break the old fasteners.
After removal, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the surface of dirt, bitumen and traces of corrosion. Unevenness on the body can lead to the appearance of gaps between the body kit and the car, which will spoil the appearance. Use a degreaser before applying any glue or sealant.
Installation of new elements should be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Often requires preliminary fitting and fitting of fasteners. Do not tighten the bolts too much so as not to deform the plastic.
โ๏ธ Preparing to install the body kit
In some cases, additional processing of the seams or painting of the elements in body color may be required. This is especially true if you bought a kit in unpainted form.
โ ๏ธ Note: If you use double-sided tape for fastening, make sure the surface is completely dry and contains no traces of oil, otherwise the part will fall off at the first wash.
Features of painting and finishing
Many kits are supplied in unpainted form, which requires painting. To obtain a qualitative result, it is necessary to use soil, paint and varnish compatible with the product material.
Glass plastic requires a special approach to primer, as it has a porous structure. The wrongly applied soil can be absorbed and create irregularities that will be visible after painting.
When painting polyurethane, it is important to use special adhesive primers that provide reliable adhesion of the paint to an elastic surface. Otherwise, the paint can simply peel off at the first stroke of the stone.
Secrets of perfect painting
Before painting, be sure to warm up the part with a hair dryer to 40-50 degrees to open the pores of the material and improve soil absorption. After applying the paint, allow it to dry for at least 24 hours before installing on the car.
The quality of painting directly affects the durability of the body kit. Savings on materials can lead to the fact that after six months the paint will begin to crack and peel.
If you are not confident in your abilities when painting, it is better to entrust this work to professionals, since correcting painter errors will cost much more than the original quality work.
Legal aspects and security
Changes in the design of the car, including the installation of non-standard body kits, must comply with the law. In some cases, the installation of the body kit may require changes to the vehicle documents.
Too aggressive body kit can reduce the clearance of the car, making operation impossible in winter or on bad roads. It is also important to consider that protruding elements can injure pedestrians when hit.
Check if new elements are blocked by light fixtures or registration numbers. Violation of the rules of installation of lighting devices can lead to fines and a ban on operation.
- โ Check the compliance of the body kit with technical regulations.
- โ Make sure that the visibility of lighting devices is not disturbed.
- โ Evaluate the impact on clearance and passability.
Safety is not only style, but also the confidence that your car will not cause problems on the road. Always give preference to quality components that have been tested.
โ ๏ธ Attention: Installing a body kit that covers the factory mounts for the license plate or parking sensors can lead to technical malfunctions and legal problems during maintenance.
Legal purity of tuning and safe operation are the foundation on which any successful project to change the appearance of a car is built.
Common mistakes when tuning Octavia Tour
One of the most common mistakes is buying a body kit without first trying it on. Manufacturers may allow small errors in dimensions, which will only become noticeable during installation.
Another mistake is trying to save money on fasteners by using homemade brackets or low-quality tape. This often results in parts becoming loose or falling off while moving.
Choosing the wrong paint color can also ruin the whole effect. A difference in shade of even half a tone will be noticeable in the sun and will immediately attract the attention of others.
How to avoid mistakes
Always order your body kit from trusted suppliers with a return guarantee. Before painting, be sure to make a test sample on a small area of โโthe part.
Ignoring aerodynamics can also be a problem. A front bumper that is too low will catch on every sill, and a rear diffuser can disrupt air flow, increasing fuel consumption.
Careful preparation and attention to detail when installing your body kit will save you time, money and stress in the future.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions from owners
Do I need to coordinate the installation of the body kit with the traffic police?
In most cases, installing a body kit that does not radically change the design of the car and does not compromise safety does not require approval. However, if the body kit changes dimensions or blocks the light fixtures, questions may arise. It is recommended to consult with lawyers or the traffic police before installation.
Which body kit is better to choose for winter use?
Polyurethane body kits are best suited for winter, as they are resistant to low temperatures and do not crack when hit by ice or snow. Fiberglass becomes brittle in cold weather and can break even from a small collision with a snowdrift.
Is it possible to install the body kit yourself?
Yes, it is possible to install the body kit yourself if you have the necessary tools and skills. However, for complex kits that require painting and fitting, it is better to contact a specialized service to avoid mistakes.
How to care for a new body kit?
You should care for your body kit in the same way as you would care for a car body. Regular cleaning, using protective polishes and avoiding harsh chemicals will help maintain its appearance for years to come. If scratches appear, they can be sanded and repainted.
Does body kit affect fuel consumption?
A high-quality aerodynamic body kit can slightly reduce fuel consumption by improving body flow. However, elements that are too aggressive and disrupt air flow can increase resistance and, as a result, fuel consumption.