Mike Wrightson

you gits If it's the Skoda badges, then the front one is easy to prise off. I know this because some little sod pinched one off my vRS many years back. The rear one should come off the same way, but you will have to be carefull not to scratch the paint. Some fishing line will help there. I believe the rear badge is also located by two holes behind it, so if it'scoming off permanently, you'll need to fill them. Check to see if they are attached with screws first before you start though just in case they have changed things!

hehe, I did this vid from a meet a few years back. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOXr-JRDvIU

I didn't get to Hardknott as I had to leave after Carlisle.

Yes, but it is the 122bhp version, without the supercharger. Welcome to Briskoda OP.

Welcome! The Fabia estate does have very good load space, and the 1.2 TSI engine is the one to go for if you aren't doing big miles. It's powerful, don't have to rev it hard, and it's capable of 50mpg. I went for it because I do mainly short trips and I felt it would cost no more to run that the diesel and it would have no DPF issues. That 1.6 Octavia is an older engine that has much higher emissions and is rather thirsty. That said, it's currently 25% off and you could get cruise added to it.... My parents are about to get a 1.4TSI Octavia as their mileage doesn't justify a diesel any more.

Welcome! ESP is only standard on the vRS and the Scout, on everything else, it's an option. That might change in the future if it becomes a mandatory fit like ABS.

Well, now it's all over I guess I don't need to be "testing" this TV any more

It wasn't exactly generous. I could have sat behind myself, but I would not have wanted to be there for very long. Still, it was better than my Hyundai Coupe. There's no way I could have sat behind myself in that car... In fact nobody could :no:

Indeed, the identical trip when it was brand new only gave 45mpg. I so love this engine. Sorry to keep saying it, but I do !

Ah, but the key is it is easily switchable, Skodas is not, you have to "hack" it with VCDS

Good points. I would think that both cars were pretty much brand new. I think where some get poor mpg with the TSI is that it performs so well, it's hard to restrain yourself from giving it licks which isn't good for your economy. One thing is clear. What we have on this forum are 2 groups of drivers that each favour petrol and diesel engines, and it seems that we have all chosen the right car for us, whether you just prefer how each engine drives, you do high mileage, etc. I like both engine types, a good TDI is an epic relaxed mile-muncher, a good petrol is a sporty drive. Going up the Col de Turini in 2nd gear is about as extreme as you can get though, 14mpg isn't a surprise, but also that would be the lowest you would ever see from the TSI. A normal brisk drive in the UK (Like this one) gets about 38mpg. Not that I care at all about economy if I'm out to have some fun I've driven both of the cars in the article, and while I prefer the TSI for it's great performance, I really liked the TDI engine too, really gutsy. You just drive them slightly differently to achieve pretty much the same result. We all chose right PS: It can be done. 'Twas boring though Could have been a bit better without the air-con running. (2 miles out of town from petrol station, 15 miles of motorway @ 70mph, 20 miles of A road @ 50-60mph, overtaking a couple of dawdlers, then through town to dealer)

It is possible, but would be illegal. All speedos are required to show KPH, and since only MPH is written on the dial, maxidot has to show KPH.

Only if you're in town all the time :S My experience is more like 45mpg most of the time, or 53mpg if driven carefully. (have a photo to prove the 53mpg trip too). I only see 41mpg on my 6 mile commute. My old Fabia vRS only got to a max of 44 on the same trip. Petrol wins big-time in those conditions. That's a very good article though and by far the fairest comparison of petrol/diesel I can think of. Surprised how close the 80mph figures were.

I'll be at work.

Yeah, he has a nice little growl when he gets wound up

And this is why I will never specify a fitted sat-nav. I'll stick to a cheap TomTom that can be updated more easily and more cheaply. OK I have a cable from the 12v socket, small price to pay IMO.

No problems at all for me so far. 6000 miles on the clock.

I have 16's on my car and I wouldn't describe it as uncomfortable. 15's will be a bit more compliant though. Again, a Roomster Scout or Fabia Elegance demonstrator will tell you how the ride is. I personally wouldn't go down to the S, go for either SE or Scout to get the 105 engine, much better pulling power if you will be carrying loads.

Woah! That's an almost-dead

Video number 2 Rear-facing camera, this is the section just after Alston. This hasn't come out as smoothly as the other one, but you get the idea. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y48sEbQMrIw

Don't bother with the armrest, it's utterly useless. It was in my car as standard and spends all its time folded up out of the way. When it's down you can't get to the handbrake and it interferes with gearchanging. Only to be used on motorways IMO. The leather wheel is very nice though, ESP as standard is a big plus. £12600 for that much car is a steal

If it's 15th May, I can go Enjoyed it last time.

Video number 1 This is from the forward-facing camera going up Hartside behind the mobile smokescreen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2edDYqbLTk

I think TFI is a typo for TDI.