rhauri

Excellent - I'll get a quote from TPS today then. Thanks again faboka / Wino.

Ah thanks Wino - thats perfect, even got the Part Number. Will the Part Number cover both bushes? 1K0407183E

Perfect, thanks faboka. I think I may go OEM in that case. I do alot of motorway miles, and in rush hour 1500 rpm is a regularity - don't think I'd enjoy a vibrating steering wheel plodding down the motorway, no matter how subtle.

Hey folks, I know this has been done to death, but so much so - it's a mine field when searching on the topic. So if someone would be kind enough to impart their knowledge, I'd really appreciate it. I've got a 2005 Fabia vRS with an ASZ engine and I need to get new Console Bushes, and I'm thinking of getting the Ibiza Cupra ones. So, just a few questions: Is it the Console Bushes from a circa 2005, petrol, Ibiza Cupra I need? (Like this one?) Are they standard fitment for the vRS mk1? (I've readthe Passenger side differs to the drivers side.) Or would you just go for the OEM Skoda ones? (I've read the Cupra bushes transmit alot of vibrations to the steering wheel.) Thanks guys! Rhauri (Rory)

Around 550 miles a week from me!

167,000 - running very well. Just finished giving her an overhaul (all servicable items including Cambelt & bushes and resolved any issues such as rear sticking caliper / faulty window switches). She should be good for a heck of alot more miles now, I hope!

Hey, Would you be able to point me in the direction of the how-to guides? Wouldn't mind doing the job myself to keep costs down, I have an awful lot of knocking at the front and tracking is way out, so suspect ball joints at a minimum. Could be other items too though at 167k so looking into: Console bushes Front (of car) Lower Rear wishbone bushes Lower Ball Joints Are there any other common mounts/bushes that wear out and cause geo/noise issues? Thanks!

Have you done them red because its impossible to find the correct shade of vRS Mint Green in Caliper paint? I really want to paint mine, but can't find the colour! EDIT: Just found this actually, Traffic Green - 6024 isn't it? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HIGH-QUALITY-GERMAN-CALIPER-PAINT-TRAFFIC-GREEN-6024-250ML-BRUSH-ON-/310722016462?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item485879b4ce

I know there is an issue with the Fabia vRS of the same shape with regards to the rear door seals leaking - tI am quite new around here so not sure if this is applies to all Fabia MK1 models? But this could be why your interior is damp? I am only guessing - but assume there are two buttons for the horn within the wheel, maybe one of those has packed in - you'd have to remove the Airbag cover to inspect, I would imagine a replacement would be cheap enough. I wouldn't let these two reletively small and inexpensive issues make you consider changing the car, though - especially if you have owned the car from new? (I am assuming this based on your reference to buying a used alternative). All cars, irrespective of mileage and age, will have issues that will need attention from time to time, on top of routine maintenance. Hope that helps - best of luck!

Me n my lads go everyone other year, 8 of us this year in 4 cars. If you're camping you'll want to ensure you have BBQ/cooking equipment and a gazebo as it can rain. If you can bring a generator + fridge too to keep your beers cold too, that'll transform your weekend - and of course, buy food and drink from the local Carrefour, dead cheap! If you're planning on eating and drinking from the stalls in the circuit, bring alotta cash, as its not cheap. There arn't any Travel Lodge (cheaper hotels / B&Bs) type places that are all that close to the circuit, so camping is the best option. There are some hotels and lodges further afield etc, but thats not what Le Mans is all about. You gotta camp! Nothing beats going to sleep listening to screaming V12's, roaring V8's and grumbly Straight 6's rythmatically go by (track side campsite, mega). We always book through www.traveldestinations.co.uk as they organise everything (Ferry / Camping / General Entrance) and are very knowledgable about all the campsites, facilities etc.

EBC Utimax are tosh on the S2000. Brake Fade happened so soon and that was just fast-road. I'm now on my second set of EBC Yellows on the S2 and they're fantastic, I've never had them fade and I do push em hard. Whats more, the S2 is heavy on its brakes so the Yellows have impressed - good for a few Track Days too. I also run MTEC discs with the Zinc Coating to prevent rust on the non-bracking surfaces. Grooved only to avoid any cracking issues from drilled/pimpled discs - they pair up with the Yellows really well. Have a look here: http://www.mtecbrakes.com/brake-discs/skoda/fabia-00-07/fabia-1-9-tdi-vrs-130bhp-asz-blt-engine-07-03-12-07.html Depends what you wana do with the car and your budget though, of course.

Cool, thanks mate - will deffo check that out.

Cheers pal - much appreciated. I'm not adverse to lowering in general, but as this vRS is my commuter, and there is a handful of terrible back roads that I share with tractors, the OEM ride height is great. I think the Dampers are much passed their best though so may be looking at renewing them. Thats what I like to hear Mr Muscle of the turbo? Sounds interesting! Any DIY threads on this at all? Thanks all for the comments so far - really helpful and I'll certainly take them all onbaord

Awesome - cheers mate, will deffo have a look. Interesting, wasn't aware you could tune down the level of recirculation. Are there also 'How To' guides on Inter-cooler cleaning? And I have the ASZ engine, are there many differences? How much would it cost to map it out?

Not too bad for Genuine shocks - I bet TradePartsSpecialists do them for less too? May call for a quote. Not really that tempted by a remap at the mo, don't want to strain the turbo too much and I can only imagine the increased MPG will be 1 or 2? Spread that over the cost of the remap (£300?) then it would take a while to reap the reward. Plus I bet if I did remap it, I'd nail it every where, get terrible MPG, blow the turbo and intercooler! So gonna keep her standard I've got the S2000 for the weekend blasts too, so can get my thrills there. Good shout on the boots though, I'm effectively endulging in Tapas / Meze on the tyre front. I have 4 completely different tyres and one has a complementary slow puncture! They're a mixed bag of 1 x Linglong, 2 x Jinyu (odd corners though) and 1x Sailun. So the previous lady owner changed as they blew, as opposed to an axle at a time! I found Kumho KU39's for £71 a corner, fitted, on Black Circles which I thought was awesome. Hankook K120's are £57 + Delivery & Fitting from Camskill, would you know how they rate vs the Kumho's?

Great, thanks Tony & Trebor - superb advice. I'm hovering around the 48 MPG mark at the moment, 75% motorway and taking it easy, so hoping the EGR Clean will find me that extra 7 MPG. My goal is to get at least 500 miles out of a tank. Bought 20 liters of Quantum Platinum (worked out about £17.50 per 5L!) so going to do 2 quick Oil & Filter Changes of 5,000 miles to clean it out a bit, then revert to a consistent 10,000 miles. I've read about the Ibiza Cupra bushes, will certainly go for those. Good to know that your motor is running 220bhp on 200,000 miles though Trebor! I'll be keeping it 100% standard though to ensure reliability and maintain economy; and just keep on top of servicing as you've both said. Re: Dampers, I'm assuming they're original. If replacing, where would you get them from? I've seen at Euro Car Parts they have Sachs dampers, all 4 corners for £70 - will they be good enough or would you go Genuine?

Hey folks, Bought my Fabia vRS PD130 is on 166k a few weeks ago and it seems to be a good honest motor; she's now on 167k. With only 2 previous owners (me being the 3rd) I'm confident it's had quite an easy life to date. First owner had it for 2 years, did 60k and serviced on the dot every 10k at a Skoda dealer (got all receipts). Thereafter its had one lady owner who's done approx 12k a year until I bought it; serviced regularly and a cambelt at 100k (albeit a tad late!). I've given the vRS quite the overhaul to ensure she can carry on for many miles more as I have a daily 100 mile commute: Cambelt, Tensioners & Waterpump Oil & Filter Change Fuel Filter Air Filter Pollen Filter Sticking Rear Caliper changed New Discs & Pads Wipers & BulbsTwo things thing I have not yet done: Clean out the EGR Valve, and I suspect it hasn't ever been done Suspension (Arms / Bushes / Shocks) Key questions I have are: What kind of MPG increase can I expect after cleaning out the EGR Valve after 167,000 miles build up? Where should I get my arms / bushes from and what commonly goes (it is knocking a bit at the mo) Will the Springs and Dampers be shot at 167k? (The front end seems a tad bouncy, over very bumpy back roads - but then all the weight is over the front axle). Also, if you could let me know if there is anything else I can do to help the vRS get me to the moon and back, I'd really appriciate it! Thanks, Rhauri (Rory)

Awesome. I use Meguires Scratch X 2.0, great results too. Must polish them after with a UV protecting polish though, as they'll cloud up much quicker than the first time round.

Yes they did! He was my colleague but sold it 2 years ago for his FN2 Type R, think I passed the VTEC bug to him with my S2000! Edit: I used to work at Paymentshield

Ack, hate it! I then have the same leading up to the Runcorn bridge, the same leading up to the M56 junction, and often the same leading up to the Business Park off the M53/A55! The route home though is largely clear - utterly bonkers! I'm envious! Where do you work matey? I'm just gonna throw it out there with a guess - Paymentshield, or Smedley!

Silver Fabia vRS in Southport! Commute to Chester and back every day via M57/Runcorn Bridge/M56/M53.

Well my car nearly went up in smoke on Monday morning, all JUST because of the bit of wire to the driver side door card courtesy light. Was driving to work and the car just filled with smoke in about 20 seconds, pulled over, over the kerb and onto a field - engine / lights off and jump out. Saw a wee flame going on in the door card so I blew into the opening where the courtesy light is, and it put the flame out!!! Gave it 10 mins, tried my best to separate the wires, and drove the bugger home with the lights off (was bright enough by then) so not to put any voltage through the courtesy light wires. Disconnected the battery, then back in the S2000 to work. Mental!! The courtesy light unit is at fault here as it was loose and fell into the door card and obviously made a circuit / shorted on the metal frame of the door. I've not checked yet, but I am assuming the fuse in the fuse box is wrong and too higher rating - or VAG have specified the wrong ampage for the job. I've taken the door card off and the wire has smouldered all the way up to the hinge joint leaving exposed wire - so this is out of my hands and going to an auto-electrician tomorrow. Moral of the story is, electrical fires happen easily and can happened gradually or very quickly. I was incredibly lucky I reacted as I did, if I just left that flame to carry on, everything around it would have caught. Cars are flammable things and it's not necessarily to do with the fuel. It's the fabrics, rubbers and plastics. I know I'm investing in fire extinguishers for both of my cars now though.