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I've ran a '06 1.4TDI estate for years - with very few issues and I'm on 120k miles now.. Yes you can chuck a bike in there with no problems. Real economy - I get mid-60's mpg average (calculating by fillups, not the dash mpg display!) Can't comment on the difference between the two cars you mention though- I'd go for the one with lower miles. I think Tax is being changed - we'll all pay £140 I believe?!

At least 650 to a tank - that's around 66mpg. The computer says 71mpg average but it's lying. It's a 1.4TDI estate, mostly on smaller A and B roads.

I thought the 1.4TDi cambelt was 40k miles or 4 years. Best practise is to change the waterpump too. Tensioners come in the cambelt kit. Any PD TDi cambelt has a hard life due to the cam-driven injectors, add to that the fact that the power pulses are less frequent in a 3 cylinder engine, so the cambelt sees a lot of fatigue. I don't think the ambient operating temperature has a lot to do with it myself. At least there's plenty of room in the engine bay for DIY-ers!

It seems to be electrochemical attack, of the rubber; a known phenomenon on EPDM rubber apparently. Typical in this location and with newer OA coolants too. Great news! http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?brochure=1024&location_id=541

Low coolant this morning- found a very swollen coolant hose that was leaking. It runs from the right hand side of the head to the expansion tank. It had split next to a clamp. Question is, what caused it to degrade, swell and then split at 6 years old? I can't see any evidence of any oil getting onto it. Good news was that it's an easy fix, but which hose will be next... Anyone else had this problem? thanks!

Have you ever heard of anyone changing this chain; or any experience of how hard it might be? I'm probably being paranoid- but bought this car on the basis that it was hard as nails, and I wouldn't be under it every weekend keeping it on the road, unlike my Citroens!

As a 1.4 tdi owner who hasn't experienced a chain problem (touch wood), is there any sense in changing the chain before it breaks? If done with a cambelt change, there doesn't appear to be a lot more work to me.

Yup, mine's about 10% optimistic compared to brim-to-brim fills.

On my car at least - number 1 is current trip average and number 2 is average since it was last reset. So there shouldn't be any difference between them if you reset both at the same time!

Not hard to get an indicated low-90s mpg on the 1.4TDI; having the patience to keep it up for a whole tank is a bit more tricky however. The forum on Ecomodder.com is a good place for fuel economy stuff.

Some more comparison economy figures for you - from my 2006 (Mk1) 1.4TDI estate. From the on-board computer I've had 66-94mpg on my 24 mile commute. I find this is about 10% optimistic compared to tank-to-tank calcs. These give me an average of 65mpg over 2 years and nearly 30,000 miles. Outside temperature makes a difference; drop 10 degrees C and I drop 5mpg. Interesting comments on the revs; I have tried all sorts of driving styles and I find low revs = best economy, I'm frequently in 5th gear by 40mph. Mind you it does sound like a doodlebug driving like that! Simon

I get at least 600 miles from a 1.4 TDI fabia 1 estate. I must admit my commute is pretty ideal, empty b-roads or free-flowing a-roads. More to the point, how accurate is the range display on the computer? I haven't dared go below 15 miles yet. As to the computer mpg accuracy, I reckon its 8% optimistic. User "nelle" on spritmonitor.de gets a lot more; 1800km from 54 litres?! Thats about 94mpg. I can only imagine he drives at 40mph everywhere... Simon

Does anyone know for sure what tools I need to change the timing belt on this engine? The Laser website seems to recommend the same timing set as for the 2.0 TDI, which may well be true - but I'd like to be sure before I muck it up! Also water pumps - I seem to recall reading about a metal impeller version? Where does one buy such things? thanks Simon

From what I've read any 505.01 spec oil will be fine for the 10k service intrervals in this PD engine. Is there any advantage to using 507 spec oil. Could I extend the oil change interval for example? Thanks!

Apparently, yes. To 90hp I think. But it's surprisingly gutsy as it is. Its the estate which they didn't do as a VRS. One advantage of the 3cyl engine is the room left around the block - especially at the timing belt end!! Simon

My Fabia 1.4TDi is coming up to 4 years so it's timing belt change time. I have done belts on French diesels in the past - now I need to decide whether to let a dealer do it, or buy the tools and DIY. What's a resonable price for this job? Is it worth doing the water pump at such a low mileage? thanks in advance, Simon

Quick word on my '06 Fabia 1.4tdi estate - not had it long, and so far 60mpg from first tank and second tank 66mpg according to the computer. Should manage a 600 mile tank next That's a mix of b-roads to motorways, I don't spend long in heavy town traffic but the car does get used a bit in town. I'm impressed!

Hi everyone, just bought an '06 Fabia estate with the TDi 1.4 engine. Its my first Skoda and so far I'm very impressed, it feels very solid. HonestJohn mentions the vulnerable A/C condenser - is this a big deal? Has anyone bothered to fit any form of protection? Simon