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MarginWalker

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    Skoda Fabia Estate 3 1.9 TDi and Fiat 500 1.4 Sport

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  1. Probably could be specc'd if an official Fiat part... Many 500s can look girly, I agree, but Abarths in most colours far less so, IMO. I like compact, quick, good-handling cars that are all about fun, and every Abarth variant ticks those boxes.
  2. It's crazy I know, but it would be an absolute riot of fun to drive! A fully loaded Biposto would be closer to 40 k, but it's something quite unique in my opinion. Fantastic power to weight ratio and the soundtrack would be immense. And as for that gearbox... It's something completely different. I don't view hotted-up 500s as limp-wristed at all (was e.g. the Pug 205 GTi a girl's car?) - just a ton of (quite stylish) fun! Each to their own.
  3. http://www.dicklovett.co.uk/Dealers/Specialist/Used-Car-Details/ABARTH-500-Matt_White-2014-20444536.html A true pocket rocket with a semi-auto box - 0-60 is only 6.5 seconds though. The brand new, insane 2-seater Abarth Biposto is a bit more expensive, but offers 190 bhp, a 0-60 of under 6 seconds and a wonderful dog ring gearbox that can do clutchless changes with a bit of practice. http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=29564
  4. No vRS for the Fabia Mk 3, sadly.I agree that the least pleasing aspect of the Mk 2 is square on sideways. I've always liked the front, back and front three-quarter aspects though. The 'on stilts' look has always been a negative for the Mk 2, but makes it a very easy car to get in and out of!
  5. It's my car's long lost identical twin! Same everything apart from the sunroof. Great find, great price! Mine has done 45 k now and has been a stellar car. Intend to keep it for a long time.
  6. I've read several posts about the need to use a different driving style to get the best out of the 1.6 CR. I'm not sure I like the idea of driving a diesel that you need to rev like a petrol engine but I'm sure the 105 hp version of the 1.6 CR would be a good puller for your trailer. Having driven the 75hp version of this engine (courtesy car), which was quieter but considerably slower and less torquey than my 1.9, I would advise against anything other than the 105 hp version of the Fabia 1.6 CR TDi for your needs. Some are of the opinion that the 1.9 PD is a more flexible engine than the 1.6 CR, offering more of its torque at lower revs. If you want a car less than 4 years old however, then you'll have to forget the 1.9, as it was replaced by the 1.6 in 2010, at the same time as the Mk 2 Fabia facelift. You'd be lucky to find a 1.9 PD Fabia with less than 50 k on the clock, but then we're talking about an engine that is capable of running for over 200 k miles without major issues provided it is serviced according to schedule.
  7. My 1.9 PD averages 50-55 mpg but 60 mpg can easily be achieved by sticking to speed limits and keeping it in the 'sweet spot' rev range (1900-2100 rpm). I have managed 68 mpg once or twice. Plenty of urge when you want to make decent progress and as reliable as a Sherman tank. One of the finest sub 2-litre diesel engine designs of all time IMO, but somewhat old school in the refinement department.
  8. Gotta say, not too excited by the images I've seen so far. Last-generation Mazda 2s, Kia cee'ds and i30s have sharper styling than that.
  9. I've said it before and I'll say it again - the vRS in black magic is simply the best-looking Fabia there is. A lean, mean stealth machine.
  10. Hi David and welcome to the forum. I'm afraid the Dance unit in pre-facelift level 3 Fabias has no Bluetooth functionality. You'd have to go for a retrofit with a Bluetooth kit that is compatible with your head unit. I'm no expert on retrofitting Bluetooth but perhaps consider a kit made by Parrot. Alternatively you could replace your Dance unit with the Swing unit that has Bluetooth. I'm not aware of an off-the-shelf stainless steel exhaust system for the 1.9 TDi. Stainless steel exhausts can be custom-made to your requirements by a specialist such as your nearest Longlife dealer. Will cost a few hundred but probably worth it if you intend to keep the car a long time (my level 3 1.9 TDi estate has been the most reliable car I've owned and I will certainly be keeping mine a long time).
  11. Fair points, EM and a good post. I don't support DPF removal and they are rightly here to stay - but I really hope the designs improve quickly so that clogging/regen issues become a thing of the past, along with these heated debates. I have to say that I can easily understand the scepticism about the severity of the health issues associated with diesel nanoparticulates - you may have compelling evidence in your possession but there really isn't a great deal of solid evidence in the public domain (so far) to strongly link diesel emissions with various cancers; perhaps you need to take this a bit more into consideration before condemning the 'doubters' so readily!
  12. Estate Man, I have no beef with your desire to see reduced levels of diesel particulates in the environment, but I find your moral stance on your tall steed just a little rich given that you happily drove around in your non-DPF 1.4 TDi for several years before you changed it for your 1.6 petrol estate.Just saying.
  13. That's quite interesting, as my 57 plate estate was an ex-demo and I was told at the time of purchase that it was one of the first Mk2 Fabia estates to arrive in the country, a year or so before I bought it. Presumably it would have been one if the first estates off the production line. I've had no mechanical, electrical or build quality issues whatsoever, so maybe it had extra special attention at the factory. I'd like to think so anyway!
  14. DPFs are here to stay and that's a very good thing for urban air quality. I'm confident engineers will sort the issues out, but for now, I'd rather not have one fitted to my car, especially considering the mixed journey driving our 1.9 PD undergoes, with long periods of short trips only. It's a bit selfish and environmentally irresponsible I know (and I would never consider removing one if fitted), but I'm glad my car doesn't have this particular potential hassle.
  15. As bluecar1 says, all engines have their strengths and weaknesses. The OP already knows the strengths of the 1.9 PD - tough, dependable, economical, punchy and flexible with it's high torque. It's main weaknesses are poor refinement compared with newer CR diesel engines and nastier emissions. Personally, I wouldn't swap my 1.9 PD estate for a 1.6 CR, mainly because I've been influenced by the surprisingly high number of posts, on this very forum, regarding niggles (often DPF-related) and economy disappointments with the newer engine. Interesting to hear that the OP reports Mk 2 1.9 PD Fabia estates as difficult to find - perhaps a sign of the high owner satisfaction with this particular variant of Fabia! For me, it's been the best all-round car package I've ever owned and absolutely nothing has gone wrong with it in 6 years of varied driving. However, given that the few 1.9 estates available for sale are likely to be high milers, a newer 1.6 CR Fabia estate would probably be a better bet for lower hassle ownership, especially considering that long runs for DPF regens are definitely going to be included in the OP's journeys.
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