Jim H

My car (Mk 8 Fiesta) didn't come with a spare wheel and for some reason cars with pano roofs (like mine) didn't have the option to have one when new. I was able to have one from my brothers 2006 mk6 fiesta when his was scrapped. I was worried a 14 year old tyre might be too old, but can't see any cracks or problems with it. Pics of it attached below. I certainly prefer a spare than goo and compressor. My spare in my Fabia was still perfectly OK after 15 years being the boot. I did use it a few times, so very glad it came with one. Again No cracks or any problems.

I bought calipers from a local motor factors. All rear calipers are the same. the only difference with the vRS is coloured Green (red for 2007 SE), However companies charge nearly twice the price for vRS ones. I bought silver (non-vRS) calipers and this Green paint: https://www.paragonpaints.co.uk/Pantone-348C.html plus etch primer. I paid £50-60 for calipers, plus around £35 for paint and primer. I painted all 4 calipers (and carriers) at least twice, over the years and still had over half a tin left!

If you're talking about 99.9 mpg, this is instant mpg, I was off the throttle slowing down to a 50 mph limit. I did wonder this evening if I should have tried to get 89 mpg with a little throttle, but that would be very tricky, especially on a duel carriageway doing over 50 mph. I should have set it on digital speedo and drove at 55 mph which is 89 kph. So 23456.7 miles and 89 kph.

Our car didn't originally come with a spare, so we asked our dealer to fit one when we bought it. This is what we got. When I swapped wheels around (front to back), I didn't check if one would go in the wheel well.

Passed this on the way to work this morning. Shame I hadn't set the trip at the right place. (89.0 miles). but still.

I find the the new system is far easier to remember as the year is stated on the plate, (or year plus 50). The old Letters will only last for 21 years (if 1 per year) as you can't use some letters. Current system lasts double that, 49/50 years.

The current system will run until August 2050, (50 plate). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_the_United_Kingdom#Age_identifiers

Episode 32 has just come out tonight.

When I've been on a Motorway or been "pressing on" and come to a standstill, I try to remember to disable Stop/start. Either b pressing the button or holding the clutch down. I don't know if it makes a difference, but I feel it should.

I filled up with fuel tonight, and as I was taking the mileage readings, I realised I'd just missed a milestone by a few miles.

The Varta Silver E44 (096 type) I bought, was the exact same dimensions as the original Akuma. The original had lasted around 12 years and had started to fail. The Varta Silver (equivalent to Bosch S5) had higher capacity 77Ah vs 70Ah, and higher CCA, 780A vs 570A and had a 5 year warranty. I did have the earlier vRS with ASZ engine, with 096 type as standard. I can't remember if I had trouble fitting it.

I'd say Bosch or Varta. I bought these for both of our diesel Fabias (my 04 vRS and parents 2003 1.9TDI). https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/varta/e44/ Varta was slightly cheaper than Bosch (with same spec) and some OEM batteries were Varta made. Both Varta Silver and Bosch S5 come with a 5 year warranty. I'd also recommend Tayna. They had excellent service with quick (tracked) delivery including a set time slot. They were also far cheaper than other places, ECP and Halfrauds.

According to Tayna, you are correct. All Diesel Fabias have 096 type batteries. However, they can be wrong. They were when I needed to replace one from my brother's Fiesta. I have a feeling the newer Mk1 Fabias (possibly with BLT engines) have a 027 type battery. Please measure your existing battery. Type 096 Length 278 mm Width 175 mm Height inc. terms 190 mm https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/bosch/s4008/ Type 027 Length: 242 mm Width: 175 mm Height inc. terms 190 mm https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/bosch/s4005/ The one the OP has is a 027 type. If box/carrier was designed for 096 battery, then the 027 being a little shorter, should fit in the space with air space either side. The widths are the same, so should not effect how it is clamped down. Obviously a 096 battery will not fit in a 027 box/carrier.