Just a little yearly post when my Fabia hits a milestone of distance covered, Saturday it hit the 170,000 mile mark. I've done very little in the way of mods recently, just enjoying driving it and washing it. Sadly doing the latter has made me realise it is starting to show its age bodywork wise. Tiny bits of rust starting to show through on the bottom of the rear arches above the sideskirts. Plenty of stone chips and some rust on the boot along with the usual laquer peel on the spoiler. That said, wish a good wash it still comes up reasonable.

The bad points have continued this week sadly. For the past 5 years I have had number plate holders, but recently decided to remove them for a cleaner look. Put the rear one on with sticky pads after a week the bloody thing fell off! So replacement needed! Then yesterday afternoon the clutch started giving me trouble. It's been slipping when really abused for about a year now, but I rarely launch it so i've carried on fine. However, its now juddering slightly at times when pulling away, and sometimes the bite point moves about a little. I've been expecting it so shall be replacing with a Helix as and when funds allow.

On top of this, as I returned from the motor factors for a new plate, a woooshing noise has now appeared! Gerrr, not had any boost leeks for a long time now so bit sad about that. Thankfully it seems to be quite small, only apparent on full WOT so I think I'll survive until my next slot booked at Unit 18 next week.

All the bad stuff said, it's still running lovely, recently had a track day session at bedford. It spent an afternoon at Unit 18 getting a few bits done, alignment, oli change etc. Felt fantastic afterwards, I smashed it the whole track day, spent over 4 hours on the track and not one single problem. No boost issues, no heat issues, brakes were absolutely fantastic! Had a great day and loved it. I also had comments from how little it smoked for a diesel, in fact it barely puffed anything out at all! Great mapping from unit 18 & motech.

Aside from the recent issues it has been pretty faultless the past 12 months. As a daily doing short 15min trips for work, it still manages to return 45mpg. The drivers seat is showing some signs of wear, mainly because I'm fat but everything else is standing up very well to the use and miles. It still gets the odd look or "nice car" comment from the randomers too.

Heres to the next 10,000 miles, plans are to sort the boost leek, new clutch, maybe some bodywork and maybe a LSD, I'll update when the other bits are done over time!

Cheers guys

Matt

Car looks well! You need a bulb!

Ahh the sachs has bit the dust! Least you got a good bit of use out of it

Good work - 189k here but just traded it in. Fancy buying it back though for a winter runner

Looks excellent mate, mines has just clicked over 100k. I do 25-30k per year so won't belong before im nearer the 200k mark

Very good little mini write up sir! Whats your average mileage per year in the car.. wonder if I would ever catch up!

Good going, mines approaching 177k miles and still going strong

Ive just joined the 100k club... After almost 3 years of ownership it's my longest serving car and in that period it has served me well, only real issues were recent rear caliper in need of replacing... Other than that just normal maintenance....

Rust is starting to appear on mine on the rear of the sill, but going to get on top of that sharpish

Hope mine is as lasting as yours with minimal troubles as I plan to keep it for a long time yet :-)

Ahh the sachs has bit the dust! Least you got a good bit of use out of it

Its still holding on, I'm gonna nurse it until I can get a new one in a month or so, but it has certainly done well, got our monies worth from it lol.

Very good little mini write up sir! Whats your average mileage per year in the car.. wonder if I would ever catch up!

I got it at around 116,000 in 2008, so 5 years I've done 55,000 miles/11,000 a year. Well below average but at the same time I'm still considering getting a more comfortable daily, it's just sorting funds out first. If/when that happens then it'll drop right down. I have no intentions of selling it though, it's worth **** all with the miles on it, plus I cant think of another car that is as fun for such low running costs. It's not the fastest car out there by ANY means, but all the power is in a usable place, especially on the road and it's massively fun to drive.

Very similar mileage to me then. So nope... I will always be around 10,000 miles behind

Look great for the age and like you say, I couldn't think of a car that ticks so many boxes for so little money.

Loving those wheels on it! From the pics looks as good if not better than most on here with half that milage. Are they compomotive wheels?

just lost her virginity!

The wheels are just cheap TD pro race 3. They're nice and light though which was why I got them. Plus they clear the brakes without spacers.

Boost leek has been upgraded to no boost after a loud popping noise so off to see what the deal is at Unit 18. Fingers crossed