Jrjg

Thank you both for your replies I have been in touch with the local Skoda dealership and have ordered one for twenty something pounds. Thanks again for the information JRJG When you say you trimmed some of the plastic to allow the floor to sit flat, is that with a ‘variable boot floor’ option fitted? regards JRJG

Good evening folks I have been given 5 wheels with winter tyres fitted. The issue I have is the spare tyre kit, as in the foam insert that sits inside the spare wheel, does not fit inside my new fifth wheel. Due to it being a full size alloy rather than the original space saver. Also the boot floor does not quite sit flush, that doesn’t bother me as I have a full boot liner fitted anyhow. I intend to buy another foam insert and cut down the ‘wedges’ on the outside so that it fits in snug inside the new alloy. I can then simply swap all parts from my original kit, into another insert for when the winter wheels come out. My question to you all is what other Vag cars share the same spare wheel kit, or more importantly the same foam insert, as the Octavia mk3? It is an estate too if that makes any difference to the wheel well. I much appreciate any information or advice Regards JRJG

That is good news, I think I did around 60k or maybe even more on mine before it died. Worst part was I sold it on as a non runner, for strong money, to be sent a video from the buyer of it running perfectly after just fitting a new belt, I had assumed bent valves and everything else. Moved onto an Octavia diesel vRS as hoping to start a family soon, but it is so sedate and boring comparing to the Fabia. A superb 280 is on the horizon as the next car. Definitely regret selling the Fabia. Take care JRJG

Lol good to see he hasn’t changed one bit. Is your Fabia still running well with the gtb1756 on Duck? Mine snapped it’s cambelt a couple of years ago :( JRJG

Following. One of the first things I thought when I first bought my Octavia was “ooh the lights are fancy turning side to side and self levelling”. The second thought was: “I bet that’s not cheap when it eventually breaks...” Hoping to hear good news from the rest of the forum, best of luck to you! JRJG

Sold #337 about 12 months ago, I snapped it’s cam belt on a the daily morning commute, I should of replaced it more frequently knowing the extra power it was running (Gtb1756) and the abuse I gave it. Sold it as a non runner for good money although it was worth more in the mods fitted, never mind the se parts. Since bought an octavia vrs estate (kids are on the horizon fingers crossed). Miss the Fabia like an old friend, already hear myself talk about it in a really affectionate and admiring tone. Sold to a fella who sent me a video shortly after of it running, just needed a new cam belt, I’d assumed bent valves and all sorts and therefore not worth the cost to repair. Wish I’d never pressed play on that video! JRJG

Had red stuff pads on Octavia brakes on my old Fabia and I too was really impressed with not just their performance but also how little dust they produced. that was around five years ago or so, potentially before the ‘blip’ you mentioned so I can’t comment of more recent experience. I too feel the standard brakes on the vRS aren’t up to the standard I require so was considering a swap to red stuff pads and a fluid upgrade. let us know how you get on with the red stuff pads JRJG

Heya would you be heading up towards Bamber Bridge at any time? It’s about halfway roughly. JRJG

Thanks very much for the info and the offer. Is it a fairly simple job? Regards JRJG

Hi folks anyone located in Lancashire with the software capabilities to permanently disable the auto stop start function? Beer tokens in exchange of course. I have messaged a local member with software of some description but he hasn’t been on the site since April so I’m not holding my breath for a reply. regards JRJG

Hi folks I have a 2014 tdi vRS estate. Have a small ‘crease’ in the rear bumper. It’s nothing major but I’m not sure how well a repair will be able to ‘hide it’ / mask it. Worst case scenario I’ll replace the rear bumper which after a quick inspection doesn’t look like a massive job. Even the parking sensors don’t seem to be a massive issue. My question to your collective knowledge is: What rear bumpers have I got to choose from? Are the hatch and estate bumpers the same? Are the VRS bumpers any different to the other models of the same age? Did the facelift alter the rear bumper at all? My current bumper has the red reflective strip across it, am I correct in saying that is an option or was it a standard strip on all vRS models? Thanks very much in advance to anyone who has any information. cheers JRJG

Thanks very much, looks reasonable. JRJG

A really well specced car. If only it were an estate, i’d of snatched it straight off your hands! I’n sure it won’t be for sale for long. JRJG

Does anyone know how big of a job it is to do it yourself? I assume there is a sump plug of some description but what is the access like? Both for accessing the cap above and the plug below? Just about to buy a mk3 and thinking of changing the oil very soon as it’s on 30 something k mileage. JRJG

Can’t say I’ve ever had a heated front screen so I’d be happy without, although I imagine it is a good option to have in the winter. Is that part of a ‘winter pack’ ? I don’t see myself doing more than turbo and remap, or more realistically just remap. As I haven’t heard as many ‘bulletproof’ reviews regarding the engine from my various mechanic friends. Thanks for the advice, i will have a read through your build thread at some point soon. Some folk just want to push and push and push don’t they! I bet that is a great sleeper. JRJG

I see. So the Columbus is the top spec stereo then? Are there components from other platforms or other Vag cars that can be swapped into the Octy? Or has that all been stopped? JRJG

Good afternoon everyone. I haven’t posted for a long long time, nor have I really frequented the octy 3 forums at all. Expect to see a lot more of me in the near future though! The time has come for me to start looking at replacing my Fabia workhorse, it is an SE Vrs so has some form of refinement to it, full blue stitched leather, aircon, cruise control etc. I have also done a bit of tinkering and the car runs a bigger turbo, bigger intercooler, bigger brakes etc etc. It has given me what I consider huge value for money and ‘bang for my buck’. Still returning great economy when wanted, yet able to surprise and shock a lot of much higher spec cars (still looks oem) . The time now has come to replace it, with kids planned in the near future a bigger car will be needed. An octy 3 is my preferred choice, not sure of year yet, probably 13/14plate or so. A few quick questions for you all: How is the 2.0 cr engine in terms of reliability once remapped/tinkered with (bigger blower perhaps)? Also how is the Octavia 3 for retrofitting internal parts, heated seats, stereo/sat nav for example? I am wondering if it is worth looking for lower spec cars that I can add to afterwards. Expect me to pop up on lots of old threads asking the same questions every other punter looking at Octy 3’s does. Apologies in advance. JRJG

Some of your symptoms would suggest a boost leak, but a leak wouldn't 'stop'. Once a pipe has jumped ship, it won't fix itself. Might still be worth having a look at all the joints, most notorious ones are top pipe at the back of the head, or the bottom pipe going into the intercooler (remove offside wheel arch trim for easier access). Alternatively, if it is due a fuel filter, replace it with the one you have sitting ready, see if there are any improvements. JRJG

Blocked fuel filter/ fuel line? Did you notice any smoke? JRJG

I once read that the wing mirrors for the mk1 Fabia were scavenged out of the Audi A8 parts bin... it could of been a complete myth but I definitely read it on the forum somewhere (although it was a few years back now). If you don't find a Fabia wing mirror you could always double check if the Audi A8 was compatible, although if I'm honest there are a lot more Fabia's being written off and broken than Audi A8's! JRJG

I'm trying to think of the member who has a remapped pd100 and swears by it, claiming "the Vrs is not the best fabia" haha. Let's hope he will be along shortly. Where are you based? I'm assuming Edinburgh based on the garages you mentioned. JRJG

That was my first thought. JRJG

Any damp looking areas on any of the calipers? Symptoms of a possible leak from them? If your master cylinder was leaking surely you'd notice a drop in the level as well as fluid loss under the car. JRJG

BLT engine code also has the cooled egr. Therefore the coolant pipes have to be rerouted or deleted. Whichever you chose. I'd advise taking the valve out, giving it a good soak in petrol, wire brush it clean, then refit. See if it improves matters JRJG

*shakes head* ... Should of kept the SE ... JRJG