Daddyfix

Just also double check that the tyres have not worn "out of round". I had a strange speed related noise on my VRS and it took me ages to track it down. The cause was one rear tyre that had worn out of round. I wouldn't care but I'd had it balanced at two different places whilst trying to track down the noise and neither of them noticed it!! Just jack the car up and place something close ~ 1mm away from the tyre and slowly rotate the tyre checking the gap does not change much - I did this and the tyre knocked the block I was using over!!! Replaced the tyre and peace and quiet returned.

I threatened to withdraw the use of computer and Nintendo DS for a week the first time my son did this - never had a problem since.

I've also had similar noise/problem and like Gaz_vrs it turned out to be the rear tyres wearing out of round.

Would have to be the Honda for me - had VTEC Civic's before - they are completely addictive and give you a huge grin every time you drive 'em. They run like swiss watches- for example I never had an issue with any of them in the 200k+ miles I clocked up between the three of them the only things apart from tyres, brake pads etc. I had to put on them were headlight bulbs!!

Having owned a couple of VW's and one Skoda I would confirm that Skoda's dealers are better and the cars more reliable!!

Me too but only for a few more weeks as it's going with the car to a new owner.

I'd check the graphics requirements for the CAD software (some have a limited list of approved types) and work from there as many laptops have integrated graphics chips which may not have enough performance for CAD use. Just for info I have an ASUS that has a separate graphics chip & graphics memory that came with two years warranty rather than one and has worked without issues for over two years and 50,000 miles in the boot/back of a Fabia VRS.

If you are using a separate router you should not have ICS enabled as this is only used when the connection for other PC's is through your PC via modem. This may be the issue as it would mean your PC is trying to allocate IP numbers to the other PC's that have had them allocated via the router. To reset this you could try to go through "My Network Places" from the main menu and there should be an option to "Set up a home or small office network". If you work through the wizard there should be an option "This computer connects to the internet via a residential gateway or other computer etc." selecting this option should disable ICS.

I also have a Sony unit and the picture quality is so good you can tell which programmes have been recorded in HD, which ones are normal and which ones have had loads of compression applied to reduce the bandwidth!! Nice touches are the remote is a nice size and operates other manufacturer's TVs (our is a Samsung) and if you try to record something that overlaps with another already set it immediately pops up a list of where the programme is to be broadcast at other times even if these are on different days (making it "other half" proof).

You may need to consider that Halogen bulbs are nearly a direct short when cold and the current to get them to start is a lot higher than you might be expecting. You may find the protection circuit on the PSU operates before it lights unless you get one designed specifically for driving lamps.

I've seen similar problems where the DHCP server in the router allocates the same IP address to two different computers stopping one from working until the other logs off again. Using Firefox would show the same problem in this case as the IP is done in the operating system not the browser. This can sometimes (router dependant) be fixed by the unpluging all the computers and the router for 2/3 mins and restarting them with the router first then each PC as mentioned above, some require you to reboot the router via it's interface. On my system I have manually allocated my main PC (hard wired) with an IP number at the top of range the router allocates as it auto allocates numbers from the bottom because of a similar problem when I had a seperate access point.

Both cars met my ">6ft from rear door to back of passenger seats" requirement (fishing rods) whereas Mazda 5, Astra etc, did not - hence the comparison. I am not having a go at the Octy it's a very very good car and I think its much better than the Astra, Focus etc. and deserves to be compared with other cars on it's own merits. I was just in the fortunate position of having two very good cars to choose from!!

Had a similar "droaning" issue on my car and as mentioned before turned out to be the rear Bridgestones that even with plenty of tread left one had worn "out of round" by approx 1.5-2mm. You could see this if you jacked the car up and put an axle stand very close to the tyre and spun the wheel - you could see the gap increasing and decreasing

Try looking at the sizes of the Octy and Mazda - they are almost identical and BOTH are much bigger then the Astra, Focus,etc but doesn't this just prove my point? The (as you consider) larger/next size up Mazda 6 is cheaper than an Octavia !!!!!!!

Having had mine for 2.5 years I would put good/softer tyres on first and then sort the suspension/camber before I considered chipping it. It far too easy in standard trim to get the traction control kicking in without the first (dead easy on the Bridgestones that were fitted to mine from the factory)!!

Don't get me wrong as I love my Fabia VRS and it's been a brilliant car but I am beginning to wonder if Skoda (as therefore presumably VW) are starting to take advantage of the current standing (financial and reputation) or if they are just missing the point. After 57,000 miles in 2.5 years I am about to change my car BUT 1. Still no new Fabia VRS and it will probably be petrol - missing part of what made my VRS unique and such fun. 2. The price is probably going to be so high (based on Sport pricing) it will be in competition with many other cars that may show up the weaknesses in the MK2 chassis. 3. The pricing for the latest Octy VRS (not the LE- I don't want grey) is also high compared with the market place. Even if it had the face lift the only real change is to the headlights and radio (which has been changed anyway). I have recently compared the new Mazda 6 2.2D Sport Estate vs. the VRS Octavia 2.0D Estate and have been a bit surprised. Power M - 182 bhp S - 168 bhp 0-60 - 8.5s - 8.5s Torque - 295lb/ft - 258lb/ft Combined - 49.6mpg - 47.9mpg TS - 134mph - 139mph I. Group - 13 - 14 Boot - 519/1751 - 580/1620 Residual - 49% - 49% CO2 - 152gm/km - 155gm/km (M hatchback is <150gm/km S is not) Pretty close don't you think but slightly in favour of the Mazda - and before anyone points out the difference in the list prices - by the time you add bluetooth, cruise control and curtain airbags to the Skoda they're nearly the same and in practical terms the real cost (to me) show it's actually cheaper for me to have the Mazda !!! The Skoda range is supposed to be the value version of the VW/Audi range so how come the Mazda beats it on this key value for money parameter? Yes I have driven both (on the same day and on the same roads) and they are both great cars and it's very very close but the Mazda's suspension is slightly better on poor roads (which appears to be nearly all of them in the UK now) without losing anything on good surfaces and has more noticeably more room in the rear seats. The Mazda engine is slightly more refined but the Skoda "feels" slightly quicker. Verdict? - I've ordered the Mazda but just think how much this pi**es on the Passat that's supposed to be the Mazda's competition!!!!!

Blimey I thought my VRS was not as good as it should be but reading this thread now I'm even more impressed with the car. Over the last two and a half years I have done 57,000 miles and the consumption has continued to improve even now!! At a steady indicated 74mph (70mph according to Sat Nav as lots of speed cameras on route to Scotland) I get between 52 and 56mpg (AC on all the time) dependant upon the weather - non of this touring around at 56mph for me!! Heavy rain and/or higher speed drops this to ~45mpg. In fact the OVERALL consumption for the car and 57k miles is over 51mpg - this includes round town, over the hills in the lakes and Scotland, commuting through the M42/M6 area around Birmingham and driving like a hooligan at times. (I have to log all the data for business reasons). Typical consumption for normal driving is 52/53 which gives 430-440 miles to the orange light (showing 80 miles left in the tank). Yes I can get over 60 mpg but boy is it boring. I can confirm that at below 55mph is more economical to use 5th as you need less throttle to keep the car moving which is the trick to improve the consumption, Daddyfix

Thanks for the feedback everyone - I thought I'd get the suspension sorted before trying to put any additional torque onto the road!!

Having to now travel 2,000 miles per month I looked for a diesel that would not break the bank and still give driving pleasure - the result? Fabia VRS in black with leather interior, CD changer etc. I love the surprised look on BMW3 drivers faces as it pulls away up the hills on route to Scotland!! Few questions though - I am averaging close to 50 mpg overall at Motorway speed but the trip computer tells me over 60mpg - are they all this far out and is the mpg similar to others? Also does anyone recommend a suspension set up to assist with keeping the front wheels on the road under anything other than in a straight line with perfect road conditions (very easy to get the traction control to kick in)? Thanks in advance for any feedback and thanks to the organisers for the great forum.